Time for New Year's Magic: What charity events can you join at the end of December?

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A true superhero doesn't need a cape, and Santa Claus isn't always dressed in a red fur coat. On the eve of New Year's—the most magical holiday—everyone can briefly become a winter wizard, grant a child's wish, give a holiday to lonely seniors, or feed homeless animals.

How to light up the virtual sky with stars, what children with serious illnesses dream of finding under the tree, and where to find signature Christmas sweet recipes—all in our article.

A toy under the tree, a surprise, and tangerines

Children are the ones most eagerly awaiting a New Year's miracle. Muscovites are invited to fulfill the wishes of children supported by non-profit organizations (NPOs), as well as those whose fathers are serving in the Special Military Operations (SMO), through a popular campaign. "Kind Christmas Tree"This is the fourth time it has been held.

Trees decorated with balloons bearing children's wishes can be found in Zaryadye Park, the Central Children's Store on Lubyanka, the Dream Island entertainment center, shopping malls, and other locations—there are over 100 of them throughout Moscow. Anyone can pick up their favorite balloon and have their child's wish come true. This can also be done online aton the promotion's website.

Another charity event "Make a wish come true" offers to support children in difficult life situations. You can decide what to give online, and the gift must be delivered to the Moscow Directorate of Mass Events office within three days of selection. The promotion runs until December 29th. The brightly colored boxes will be delivered to the recipients before the New Year.

Guests of the festival sites of the Winter in Moscow project can take part incharity events and wish a Happy New Year to the soldiers of the Air Defense Forces and children from Russia's new regions. The Gift Factory pavilions are accepting sweets, New Year's sets, warm gloves and socks, insoles, men's hygiene products, children's toys and books, school supplies, and board games for military personnel undergoing treatment in hospitals.

As part of the "Light of Kindness" campaign, residents of border areas can bring reflective bracelets, stickers, and other items to the pavilions to enhance visibility at night. Evacuated animals living in shelters in the Belgorod and Kursk regions can receive pet supplies as part of the "Feed a Friend" campaign. Gifts and cards with warm wishes can be delivered until February 28, 2026. Details are available on the project website. Moscow is helping.

While strolling through the fair in search of fresh produce for the table, Muscovites can join the now traditional event The Hanging Mandarin By December 26, donate seasonal citrus fruits to residents of Russia's border and new territories, as well as to participants in the SVO. To do this, purchase the fruit and place it in one of the special baskets.

Muscovites can support the foundation's Santa Claus landing party. "Old age is a joy"To do this, simply make a donation of a comfortable amount topromotion pageThe funds raised will be used to purchase small New Year's gifts and deliver them to lonely people living in nursing homes and specialized centers across Russia. The residents will also receive food to prepare their favorite meals.

You can donate gifts to SVO soldiers and children from the new regions at the pavilion on Red Square.Moscow residents can fulfill the wishes of children of SVO participants in the "Kind Christmas Tree" campaign.Residents of the northeast of the capital wrote New Year's wishes to the SVO fighters.

Virtual cookies and digital stars

To make doing good fun, NGOs have created themed holiday mini-games. For example, Konstantin Khabensky Charitable Foundation started an interactive project Cookies of GoodnessUsers must knead virtual dough, cut out cookies, bake, and decorate them. Donating will unlock access to a collection of unique family recipes created by the foundation's beneficiaries. Funds raised through the game will go toward the treatment of children and adults with brain tumors.

Charitable foundation Pravmir launched its annual winter campaign “Click, and New Year!”special page We've set up a virtual Christmas tree. Once a donation is made, the tree will be decorated with ornaments that can be hung to your liking. The funds raised will support those forced to spend New Year's in the hospital.

The foundation also offers to dress up the green beauty "Kotodetki"On the website of the promotion "Tailed Christmas Tree" Users will be asked to choose one of the balloons, support their favorite beneficiary with a donation, and watch the toy glow brightly. Wishes include a fox toy, vaccines for cats, training equipment for dogs, and more.

Fulfilling childhood dreams can light the stars. The Nastenka Foundation's beneficiaries drew their cherished wishes—what they lack while they're sick. The pictures were transformed into 24 virtual constellationsBy making a donation, the user will make one of the constellations a little brighter. And the organization SOS Children's Villages is holding a promotion Light the StarCaring Muscovites are invited to make a donation to support children without parental care or in family crisis. A donation creates another star in the virtual firmament.

Residents of the capital can send New Year's cards to any corner of Russia for free.Retro postcards, greetings to loved ones, and letters to Santa Claus: Winter Mail operates at more than fifty locations.Humanitarian aid collection points have opened in the Southern Administrative District near skating rinks.

Give a chance, not a box of chocolates

In addition to traditional souvenirs and sweets, Muscovites can also support their studies and medical treatment. For example, the charity "The Arithmetic of Good" conducts share Systematic support for teenagers without parental care. These kids dream not of new gadgets, but of the opportunity to study with tutors, receive help from a personal mentor, or enroll in a career guidance course.

Fund Find a family started the action "Generous New Year", which offers participants help pay for necessary medications, medical examinations, remedial classes, and rehabilitation for children from foster families, such as a course with a speech therapist for Maxim, a year of orthodontic treatment for Rita, and glasses for Seryozha.

The foundation's wards Road of Life dream of finding a family, taking a stroll through the park, or attending a concert of their favorite singer. Muscovites can replenish their funds for the support and rehabilitation of children throughout the year, and also receive a generous virtual postcard.

Useful gifts The "Living Together" foundation will donate donations from Muscovites to senior citizens. Gifts include a home-delivered meal, a consultation with a social coordinator, and assistance in obtaining medical care or palliative care status.

Winter is a particularly difficult time for animals without a warm home. A foundation is offering to help them. Nika as part of the promotion "Santa for the Tail"Thanks to people's donations, special food will be purchased for the organization's wards and friendly shelters throughout the winter. And the foundation's team "Second wind" will help dogs and cats survive the winter warm and safe, and will also provide a change of clothes for the staff and volunteers who care for the animals daily in all weather conditions. Donations can be made on the campaign website. "Paws are warm".

About 1,500 volunteers help at city animal shelters.Towards Good: How the Mosvolonter Resource Center Team Helps the CityThe "Hanging Mandarin" event will take place at Moscow fairs.

You can support those who need it not only on New Year's Eve. charitable service On the mos.ru portal, Muscovites regularly help the beneficiaries of more than 100 verified nonprofits. Users can select a specific fund or distribute their donation among all organizations in a category, and also make regular donations by clicking "Enable Autopayment" after the first payment. The service also allows you to create your own collection for those in need. Currently, you can schedule your donation for New Year's and other events. joyful occasions.

Winter in Moscow— the main event of the season. The project aims to strengthen social and family ties, create an atmosphere of unity and mutual support, and provide assistance to those currently defending the Motherland. Through a variety of programs, including cultural, educational, and sporting events, it brings together Muscovites and visitors of all ages and interests, creating an environment for creative development, active recreation, and warm communication. Particular attention is paid to supporting participants and veterans of the special military operation and their families, as well as all those providing assistance to the front.

Get the latest news quickly on official Moscow messaging channels. MAX And Telegram.

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.

A hippopotamus invites you to celebrate the New Year together.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The Moscow Zoo will host a festive tour entitled "A hippopotamus invites you to celebrate the New Year together."

Visitors will meet pygmy hippopotamuses, fearless honey badgers, majestic giraffes, frisky zebras, and other guests from hot Africa. The tour will cover the zoo's New Area, including warm pavilions housing African fauna. Guests will see that Moscow's freezing temperatures are no match for African animals, and they will also learn about special activities to keep them entertained and maintain their natural skills.

Children over six and adults are invited to participate. Groups are limited to 25 people. Duration: 60 minutes.

Entrance tickets to the zoo are paid separately.

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.

It would be "reasonable" for N. Maduro to resign, says D. Trump

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that it would be "wise" for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to resign.

"It's up to him what he wants to do. I think it would be wise for him to do that," Trump said, answering reporters' questions about whether the goal is to force Maduro to step down, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

"If he plays hard, it will be the last time he can play hard," he added.

D. Trump also confirmed that the United States pursued a sanctioned tanker last weekend.

The US Coast Guard is "actively pursuing" the oil tanker Bella 1 in international waters off the coast of Venezuela, according to US media reports on Sunday.

On Monday, the New York Times reported that the tanker had disappeared into the Atlantic Ocean. If seized, it would be the third oil tanker seized by the United States off the coast of Venezuela in less than two weeks.

Last week, Trump ordered a "total and complete blockade" of all oil tankers subject to US sanctions traveling to or from Venezuela and declared the Maduro government a foreign terrorist organization.

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.

Missile program aimed at protecting national sovereignty is 'non-negotiable' – Iran

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

Tehran, December 23 (Xinhua) — Iran's missile program was developed to protect the country's sovereignty and is "non-negotiable," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said at a weekly press conference on Monday.

The diplomat thus responded to a question about whether recent reports in the American media about Israel's plans to prepare the ground for a possible new military action against Iran were aimed at forcing the Islamic Republic to agree to negotiations on its missile program.

Citing anonymous sources, NBC News reported on Saturday that at a meeting later in December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will try to convince US President Donald Trump that "the expansion of Iran's ballistic missile program poses a threat that may require swift action."

"Iran's missile program was developed solely to protect the country's sovereignty and is, in essence, not subject to negotiation. Iran's defense capabilities are designed to prevent aggressors from conceiving of an attack on the country and are in no way subject to negotiation or bargaining," stated E. Baghaei.

He criticized the West's "blatant hypocrisy" regarding Iran's missile capabilities, stressing that Western powers and Israel are trying to portray the Islamic Republic's missile program as a threat, while supplying Israel with large quantities of weapons. –0–

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.

China and the DRC strengthen cooperation in vocational education

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

Kinshasa, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) — A China-Congo conference on vocational education was held in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on Monday, aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

In his speech, the Minister of State and Minister of Vocational Education of the DRC, Marc Ekila Likombio, stated that vocational education plays a key role in promoting the country's industrialization and increasing youth employment.

According to him, the DRC is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in this area, drawing on China's experience in technical training, professional skills development, and partnerships between educational institutions and enterprises.

Chinese Ambassador to Kinshasa Zhao Bin noted that the DRC is at a key stage of socioeconomic transformation, with demand for skilled technical workers growing. China places great importance on cooperation with the DRC in vocational education and will continue to adapt training programs to local needs, particularly in infrastructure, mining, agriculture, healthcare, and information technology, he added.

Pointing to the tangible results of practical cooperation between China and the DRC, the diplomat noted that Chinese companies have created more than 100,000 jobs in the African country and implemented corporate social responsibility projects that have benefited more than 300 local communities.

China hopes to take this event as an opportunity to further deepen cooperation in vocational education and trade to benefit the peoples of both countries, Zhao Bin added.

The conference was attended by representatives of government, business and educational circles from both countries, as well as more than 800 Congolese students. –0–

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.

The volume of radioactive water discharged from the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant has exceeded 130 thousand tons.

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

Tokyo, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) — Japan's TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) said Monday it has completed the 17th stage of releasing radioactively contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.

Despite concerns and protests from the international community, Japan unilaterally began dumping in August 2023. Including stage 17, the total volume of water discharged reached approximately 133,000 tons.

The final stage of the discharge began on December 4. Work was suspended after a powerful earthquake off the coast of Aomori Prefecture on December 8 and resumed the following day. During the 17th stage, 7,833 tons of water containing approximately 2.4 trillion becquerels of radioactive tritium were released into the ocean, TEPCO reported.

According to the company, seven discharge stages with a total volume of approximately 54,600 tons are planned for the 2025 financial year (from April 2025 to March 2026). –0–

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.

What is food adulteration and how can nuclear science detect it?

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency –

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Each element has its own chemical fingerprint. This fingerprint is based on its atomic composition: neutrons, protons, and electrons. Atoms with the same number of protons and different numbers of neutrons are called isotopes—they allow scientists to determine whether a product is genuine.

The ratio of stable isotopes in food products can vary depending on various factors, such as time, region, and environmental conditions in which the product was produced. For example, isotope analysis can be used to determine the isotopic composition of carbon contained in honey. This allows for the detection of adulterated honey containing added sugar or syrup. According to Russian research, isotope analysis of oxygen and hydrogen can serve as an indicator of the geographical origin of honey, since the biological materials (nectar) in honey are characterized by the same ratio of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes as local water.

Stable isotopes can be measured using specialized equipment that detects minute differences in the ratio of their heavy and light forms. This information can be used to determine the origin of food products. Stable isotope ratios act like nature's "fingerprint" on food products. This information allows us to determine whether the products we buy have been adulterated or whether they contain the genuine ingredients listed on the label. By tracking these isotopic fingerprints, scientists can also determine the geographical or botanical origin of foods.

Isotopes also make it possible to detect adulteration or complete substitution of food products with cheap ingredients that have identical chemical structures but different isotopic fingerprints. For example, they can help detect the use of synthetic flavors instead of natural ones; high-fructose corn syrup in honey; or orange juice made from concentrate instead of freshly squeezed.

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.

Five police officers were killed in an attack in northwest Pakistan.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

Islamabad, December 23 (Xinhua) — Five police officers were killed on Tuesday when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a police vehicle in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police sources said.

The attackers opened fire on the car around 8:45 a.m. local time (03:45 GMT) in the Karak district, sources told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Police immediately returned fire, resulting in a shootout that lasted about an hour.

All five police officers in the vehicle were killed, sources said.

Before escaping, the militants set fire to a police car.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

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.

China's Foreign Ministry: China opposes US pressure on Chinese companies

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

BEIJING, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) — China firmly opposes the United States exaggerating the concept of national security and making discriminatory lists to unreasonably exert pressure on Chinese companies, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday.

The Chinese diplomat responded to journalists' inquiries at a regular departmental press conference about the US Federal Communications Commission's announcement on Monday that it was adding the Chinese company DJI to a list of companies that pose an unacceptable risk to US national security and prohibiting the issuance of permits for the import or sale of new types of drones to the company in the US.

The US side must correct its mistakes and ensure a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese enterprises, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman emphasized. -0-

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.

A million for project development: GUU students won the All-Russian "Your Move" competition.

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Source: Official website of the State –

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Students from the State University of Management won the final of the large-scale All-Russian competition "Your Move" with the track "I Do."

Third-year students from the Institute of Information Systems at the State University of Management, Lev Taran, and Nikita Kolotushkin, who is also a technician at the Digital and Intelligent Mobility Laboratory and a member of the Innovative Solutions Student Design Bureau, successfully competed as part of the interuniversity team.

The team's project, the digital platform "Ryadom," addresses the problem of low student engagement in extracurricular activities by presenting information about events across all clubs and associations in a single, convenient platform. The service includes a personalized calendar, a notification system, integration with university services, and advanced tools for organizers, including event posting, registration management, and analytics.

The project team, which included representatives from St. Petersburg State University and ITMO University alongside our students, not only won the track but also received a special award from Gazprom for the best pitch – a compelling and compelling presentation of their idea.

The "Your Move" competition is one of the largest projects for student youth, attracting over 12,700 participants in the "I Do" track in 2025. Winning the competition will qualify the project for a 1 million ruble grant for further development.

The awards ceremony took place as part of the All-Russian Student Forum "Your Move – 2025," organized by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, Rosmolodezh, the Movement of the First, Your Move, the Russian Youth Union, and the Presidential Platform "Russia – Land of Opportunities." The forum is part of the National Project "Youth and Children."

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: December 23, 2025.

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.