Accelerating the deployment of renewable energy is crucial for energy security in the South Caucasus countries – EBRD

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Tbilisi, December 29 (Xinhua) — Accelerated deployment of renewable energy sources and modernization of electricity grids are crucial for strengthening energy security and unlocking the export potential of South Caucasus countries, especially in the context of strategic projects such as the Black Sea undersea cable, Alkis Drakinos, Regional Director for the Caucasus at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), said in an interview with Business Insider Georgia on Monday.

According to him, the EBRD views infrastructure and energy integration in the South Caucasus as a key driver of sustainable economic growth and deeper regional connectivity. In this regard, the bank is paying particular attention to modernizing electricity transmission networks in Georgia and Armenia to effectively integrate variable renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and hydropower.

In the transport sector, the EBRD sees significant potential in the development of multimodal logistics corridors, including the Armenian Corridor and Georgian port infrastructure. These projects, according to A. Drakinos, could strengthen the region's role as a transit hub within the Middle Corridor.

The EBRD Regional Director added that modernizing road and rail networks, ports, and digitalizing customs and border procedures will help reduce trade costs and increase the region's resilience to geopolitical risks.

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Armenia and Türkiye have decided to mutually simplify the visa issuance procedure for holders of special types of passports.

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Yerevan, December 29 (Xinhua) — Armenia and Turkey have decided to mutually simplify visa procedures for holders of diplomatic, special, and service passports of the two countries. The Armenian Foreign Ministry's press service reported this on Monday.

According to this decision, from January 1, 2026, holders of diplomatic, service and special passports of both countries will be able to obtain an electronic visa free of charge.

The statement noted that the decision was made within the framework of agreements reached between special representatives of Armenia and Turkey on the normalization of relations between the two countries.

“Armenia and Turkey once again confirm their commitment to continuing the process of normalizing relations between the two countries with the goal of achieving full normalization without any preconditions,” the press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry added. –0–

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Former Kyrgyz President A. Atambayev has been stripped of several state awards.

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Bishkek, December 29 (Xinhua) — Former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev has been stripped of several state awards. Current President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree to this effect, the presidential press service announced on Monday.

As stated on the website of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, S. Japarov signed a decree according to which, in pursuance of the court verdict of June 3, 2025 and on the basis of the relevant laws, A. Atambayev is deprived of such state awards as the highest degree of distinction of Kyrgyzstan “Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Baatyry” /”Hero of the Kyrgyz Republic”/, the Order of Manas, 2nd degree, the Order of Danaker /”Peacekeeping”/ and the medal “Dank” /”Glory”/.

The decree also annulled previously issued presidential decrees from 1999, 2007 and 2017, as well as the corresponding paragraph of the 2011 presidential decree on awarding A. Atambayev with state awards.

A. Atambayev served twice as Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan and was the country's President from December 2011 to November 2017. –0–

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Haibat al-Halbousi elected as new speaker of Iraq's parliament

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Baghdad, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) — Iraq's Council of Representatives (parliament) on Monday elected Haibat al-Halbousi as its new chairman, marking the first major step toward forming the country's new government.

The elections were chaired by MP Amer al-Fayez. H. al-Halbousi won, receiving the required absolute majority of votes.

H. al-Halbousi received 208 of the 309 votes cast by lawmakers present in the 329-member parliament. His main rival, Salem al-Essawi, received 66 votes, while Amer Abdul Jabbar received 9. Another 26 ballots were invalidated.

These elections are a key step that launches the next stage of the constitutionally mandated procedure for appointing the country's leadership. –0–

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The PLA's exercises are a warning to separatists advocating for "Taiwan independence" and a caution against interference from outside forces, according to the Chinese Ministry of Defense.

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Beijing, December 29 (Xinhua) — Joint military exercises conducted by the Eastern Zone Combat Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) serve as a stern warning to separatist forces advocating "Taiwan independence" and as a deterrent to outside interference, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said on Monday.

Zhang Xiaogang made the statement while commenting on media reports that the exercises, codenamed "Just Mission 2025," are linked to the recent US announcement of a large-scale arms sales plan to Taiwan.

"We urge relevant countries to abandon the illusion of using Taiwan to contain China and not challenge China's resolve to protect its core interests," the Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson emphasized. He warned the Democratic Progressive Party administration in Taiwan that any attempts to achieve "Taiwan independence" through reliance on external forces are doomed to failure.

The PLA will continue to take measures to combat separatism and external interference to firmly safeguard China's national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, Zhang Xiaogang added.

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China has issued a stern warning to Panama over the demolition of a monument, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

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Beijing, December 29 (Xinhua) — China strongly condemns the demolition by Panamanian authorities of a monument commemorating China's contribution to the construction of the Panama Canal infrastructure, and has already issued a stern rebuke to the Panamanian side, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday.

At a regular briefing, he stated that China demanded that the Panamanian side conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, immediately correct the erroneous actions of the relevant local authorities, and promptly address the negative consequences of the incident.

According to media reports, the monument was dismantled over the weekend by order of local authorities, who claimed that the structure was damaged and posed a safety threat.

The Chinese side noted that the forced demolition had sparked outrage in Panama, Lin Jian noted, noting that Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino had publicly condemned the move. "The Presidential Office ordered the immediate reconstruction of the monument in its original location," the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson added.

According to him, China demanded that the Panamanian side conduct a thorough investigation of this incident, immediately correct the erroneous actions of local authorities, and promptly eliminate the negative consequences of the incident. –0–

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A man accused of kidnapping and killing Chinese citizens in the Philippines has been returned to China.

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) — Shi Chunfang, accused of kidnapping and killing several Chinese citizens, was recently repatriated to China thanks to close cooperation between Chinese and Philippine law enforcement agencies.

According to the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), in recent years, a criminal group led by Shi Chunfang has repeatedly attacked Chinese citizens in the Philippines, committing a series of brutal crimes with grave consequences and serious social impact.

The ISD dispatched a task force to the Philippines, which, together with local authorities, successfully apprehended Shi Chunfang. On December 22, Philippine law enforcement agencies handed him over to Chinese authorities, and Fujian Provincial Police officers escorted him back to China.

The ISS stated that Chinese law enforcement agencies will strengthen international cooperation to combat transnational crimes such as kidnapping, extortion, human trafficking, online gambling and fraud, in order to properly protect the personal safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens abroad.

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A three-point consensus was reached at a meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Cambodia and Thailand.

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KUNMING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) — A meeting of foreign ministers of China, Cambodia and Thailand was successfully held in Yuxi City, southwest China's Yunnan Province on Monday.

Following the signing of a joint ceasefire statement, the foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand, at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, will lead their delegations to meet in Yunnan Province on December 28-29.

The Chinese Foreign Minister noted that since the outbreak of conflict on the Cambodian-Thai border, China has actively acted as a mediator and provided good offices to both sides. He stated that China has dispatched a special representative for Asian affairs four times to conduct shuttle diplomacy, addressing the legitimate concerns of both countries and promoting the resolution of differences through dialogue and negotiation.

Wang Yi, also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, stressed that the Chinese side is pleased with the recently reached ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand.

The Chinese diplomat stated that the foreign and military ministries of Cambodia and Thailand held an in-depth exchange of views on this issue, and both sides expressed their commitment to de-escalating the situation and their willingness to improve bilateral relations based on the ceasefire.

According to Wang Yi, the discussions between the three parties were constructive and productive, leading to the following important agreements:

First, all sides must look to the future and move forward together. The ceasefire agreement was hard won, and it cannot be abandoned halfway through, let alone leading to a resumption of hostilities.

Secondly, progress must be consistent, gradual, and without stagnation. Implementing ceasefire agreements requires ongoing communication and consultation, and bilateral relations must also be gradually restored.

Third, restoring mutual trust is paramount. The conflict has led to a loss of trust, but Cambodia and Thailand are eternal neighbors. It is hoped that this meeting in China's Yunnan Province will help overcome the estrangement between the two sides, which is in the interests of the Cambodian and Thai peoples and reflects the shared aspirations of all parties involved.

The head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized that China will promote the development of Cambodian-Thai relations and is ready to provide all necessary assistance and support, including monitoring the ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and cooperation in demining.

China expresses hope and firm confidence that relations between Cambodia and Thailand will return to the right track in the near future, Wang Yi added.

The Foreign Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand expressed gratitude to China for providing a platform for dialogue and praised China's constructive role in resolving the conflict, reducing tensions, and promoting dialogue.

Both sides emphasized the value of peace and expressed their readiness to abide by the ceasefire agreement, effectively use dialogue mechanisms at all levels to resolve and resolve differences, and jointly protect peace and tranquility along their common border.

Following the trilateral meeting, a communiqué was issued outlining five aspects of future actions by Cambodia and Thailand, including further intensifying contacts, deepening mutual understanding, gradually consolidating the ceasefire, resuming mutual exchanges, restoring political trust, resetting relations, and maintaining peace in the region.

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Ukraine: UN provides aid to Kyiv residents affected by large-scale attack

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December 29, 2025 Peace and security

Humanitarian aid workers quickly mobilized to assist Kyiv residents affected by the massive attack on Saturday night. UN agencies are supporting local emergency services and repair crews, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

According to available reports, more than a dozen civilians were injured as a result of the massive strikes. Due to emergency power outages, several areas of the city were left without electricity, water, and heat. OCHA reiterated that civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected by international humanitarian law.

According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in the country, nearly 500 drones and approximately 40 missiles were used during the attack on Kyiv and the Kyiv region of Ukraine, striking energy and civilian infrastructure.

Restoring power supply to Zaporizhzhya NPP

Meanwhile, near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), thanks to another localized ceasefire brokered by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emergency work has begun to restore a critical power line. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced this on Sunday.

According to him, the agency's team is monitoring the repair work, which is expected to last several days. Grossi thanked both sides for agreeing to another temporary "window of silence," which should allow specialists to restore power transmission between the distribution substations of the Zaporizhzhia NPP and the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant. These measures are part of the IAEA's ongoing efforts to prevent a nuclear accident amid the ongoing military conflict.

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A telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will take place very soon, according to the Russian President's press secretary.

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Moscow, December 29 (Xinhua) — A telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump will take place very soon, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov announced at a briefing on Monday.

"In the very near future," he responded to a question about how soon the Russian and US leaders would talk following Donald Trump's talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to D. Peskov, Moscow agrees with the American president's statement that the parties have come close to resolving the conflict in Ukraine and that negotiations are in the final stage.

At the same time, the Russian president's press secretary clarified that V. Putin and D. Trump did not discuss the idea of a Christmas truce in Ukraine in their previous telephone conversation.

On December 28, the presidents of the United States and Ukraine held talks. That same day, the American leader called his Russian counterpart, and they agreed to speak again soon.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.