The global forest industry is showing signs of recovery.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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December 24, 2025 Economic development

The global forest products sector began to recover in 2024 after a sharp decline the year before, according to a new report released Wednesday by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

FAO statistics cover 77 product categories, 27 commodity groups, and more than 245 countries and territories. The report presents current trends in trade and production of major forest products.

According to the UN agency, international trade in wood and paper products has regained momentum, with most major commodity groups reporting moderate growth. This recovery follows a 14 percent decline in overall trade in wood and paper products in 2023.

Industrial timber harvesting volumes increased by two percent in 2024, although global trade volumes declined by one percent. Global production volumes of sawn timber—boards, beams, and other processed wood products—remained virtually unchanged. Trade in sawn timber also remained at 2023 levels.

Wood panel production grew for the second consecutive year, increasing by five percent. Wood pulp supply increased by three percent to 189 million tonnes, while international trade in this product grew by two percent, reaching a record 73 million tonnes. Wood pellet production, which has rapidly increased in recent decades thanks to the development of bioenergy in Europe, the Republic of Korea, and Japan, returned to 48 million tonnes in 2024, the same level as in 2022, after a slight decline in 2023.

“Forests provide livelihoods for millions of people around the world, and this number will grow as forests offer increasing economic opportunities in various sectors, including sustainable timber production,” said FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu.

A recent FAO Forest Resources Assessment report found that net forest area loss has more than halved since the 1990s, with more than 90 percent of forests regenerating naturally.

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 strongly opposes additional US tariffs on Chinese semiconductors /more details/

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

BEIJING, December 25 (Xinhua) — China rejects the so-called findings of the U.S. investigation under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act and firmly opposes the imposition of additional customs duties under this section on Chinese semiconductor products, Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian said on Thursday.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative recently released the results of its Section 301 investigation into China's semiconductor policies, announcing plans to impose new tariff measures under this section on some Chinese semiconductor products. The tariff rate will initially be zero, and will be increased within 18 months to a level announced no less than 30 days before June 23, 2027.

As He Yongqian noted at a regular press briefing, China has taken note of the current situation and made a serious representation to the American side through the mechanism of China-US trade and economic consultations.

Unilateral US tariffs violate World Trade Organization rules, undermine the international trade and economic order, disrupt global supply chains, and harm the interests of American companies and consumers, a spokesperson for the Department of Commerce stated, calling on the United States to promptly correct its erroneous actions and reverse the measures.

China is prepared to resolve mutual concerns with the United States through equal dialogue and consultation based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, He Yongqian emphasized. She added that if the United States persists in undermining China's rights and interests, China will take the necessary measures to resolutely protect its own rights and interests.

Asked whether China's Ministry of Commerce plans to ease restrictions on rare earth magnet exports to the United States, a spokeswoman said: "China is committed to protecting the security and stability of global supply chains and actively promoting and facilitating qualified trade." –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.

Three terrorists were killed in Tajikistan on the border with Afghanistan.

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

Dushanbe, December 25 (Xinhua) — Three terrorists from Afghanistan were neutralized in Tajikistan following a clash on the border between the two countries, killing two Tajik border guards. This was reported on Thursday by the Khovar news agency, citing a statement released by the border troops of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB).

According to the statement, on December 23 at 11:30 PM, three militants from a terrorist organization from Afghanistan entered Tajikistan in the Shamsiddin Shokhin district. The perpetrators intended to carry out an armed attack on a border guard post of the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan.

As a result of operational and investigative measures, the terrorists' location in Tajikistan was established on December 24. The terrorists refused to comply with Tajik border guards' demands to surrender and offered armed resistance. As a result of the operation, all three terrorists were neutralized, and two Tajik border service members were killed.

Firearms, ammunition and other military equipment were seized from the scene.

The Tajik State Committee for National Security (GKNB) border troops noted that the Tajik side called on the Afghan authorities to take additional effective measures to strengthen border security.

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 Yasukuni Shrine is an odious symbol of Japanese militarism, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

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

Moscow, December 25 (Xinhua) — The Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo is a controversial symbol of Japanese militarism. Russia calls on Japan to fully recognize the results of World War II. This was stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova at a briefing on Thursday, responding to a Xinhua reporter's question about a possible upcoming visit to the shrine by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

"I would like to broadly echo Russia's approach to this issue. The Yasukuni Shrine is an odious symbol of Japanese militarism, where, as is well known, Class A war criminals sentenced to death by the International Tribunal for the Far East are venerated, among others," the Russian diplomat noted.

M. Zakharova recalled that on April 21 of this year, a large group of Japanese politicians, led by Shigeru Ishiba, Sanae Takaichi's predecessor as Prime Minister, sent a sacrificial offering to the Yasukuni Shrine. According to her, the entire event was not without pomp and even ceremony. "We once again call on Japan to cease its attempts to whitewash the inhumane suffering in its own history and to fully recognize the results of World War II," the official spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

She shared the idea that a temple dedicated to the victims of Japanese militarism should be built in Japan. "And once a year, or even more often, sacrificial offerings could be sent there to atone for our own crimes. Because it's hard to even imagine how many people Japanese militarism killed and how it killed civilians," Zakharova emphasized, pointing out that all these facts are historically documented.

"How do they view this idea in Tokyo?" the Russian diplomat asked rhetorically, expressing confidence that even if Japanese journalists don't write about it, Chinese journalists will certainly convey the proposal to the region. –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.

St. Petersburg is preparing to welcome over 1.2 million tourists during the New Year holidays.

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

St. Petersburg, December 25 /Xinhua/ — According to preliminary estimates, approximately 1.25 million tourists will visit Russia's "Northern Capital" during the upcoming New Year holidays, the city's tourism development committee press service told TASS.

During the same period last year, 1.22 million tourists visited St. Petersburg.

The largest number of bookings for St. Petersburg hotels is observed in the first days after the New Year.

Earlier, the press service of St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov reported that in 2025, out-of-town and foreign tourists made 12.4 million trips to St. Petersburg. This is 7 percent more than the previous year. Tourists' contribution to the city's economy reached 843.1 billion rubles (more than $10.7 billion), 15 percent more than last year's figure.

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 Soyuz-2.1a rocket launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

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

Moscow, December 25 /Xinhua/ — The Russian Space Forces successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle carrying a spacecraft from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The Russian Defense Ministry announced this on Thursday.

“On December 25 at 5:11 p.m., from the State Test Cosmodrome of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (the Plesetsk Cosmodrome) in the Arkhangelsk Region, a combat crew of the space forces of the Aerospace Forces successfully launched the Soyuz-2.1a medium-class launch vehicle with a spacecraft on board,” the statement reads. –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 will continue to work with other countries to promote global sustainable development, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

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, December 25 (Xinhua) — Amid a lack of action on global climate governance, China will continue to take a responsible approach and work with other countries to address challenges, overcome difficulties, and promote global sustainable development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday.

According to media reports, the American journal Science recently published its list of the top 10 scientific breakthroughs of 2025. "The seemingly unstoppable growth of renewable energy" topped the list, and this breakthrough was largely driven by China. As Lin Jian noted, China holds leading positions in areas such as solar panel production, wind turbines, and lithium batteries.

“This once again proves that China’s contribution to the global green energy transition is obvious to everyone,” the diplomat stated.

Pointing out that green development is a distinctive feature of Chinese-style modernization, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson pointed out that among all countries, China has created the most complete policy system for reducing carbon emissions and the largest renewable energy system.

According to Lin Jian, the installed capacity of new-generation energy storage systems in China has exceeded 100 million kW, accounting for over 40 percent of the global total. China has become one of the countries with one of the fastest rates of energy intensity reduction in the world.

Lin Jian noted that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China's wind power and photovoltaic products helped other countries reduce carbon emissions by approximately 4.1 billion tons. China is actively sharing the fruits of its green development and providing assistance to countries in the Global South, the diplomat emphasized.

As of October this year, China has signed 55 memorandums of understanding on climate change with 43 developing countries, implemented more than 300 capacity-building programs, and trained over 10,000 people from over 120 developing countries, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson added.

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 peace plan for Ukraine received by Moscow is being analyzed, according to the Russian presidential press secretary.

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

Moscow, December 25 (Xinhua) — Moscow is analyzing the proposals for a peace plan for Ukraine, submitted to Russian President Vladimir Putin through Kirill Dmitriev. This was announced on Thursday by Dmitry Peskov, the president's press secretary.

"We are analyzing what Dmitriev conveyed to Putin. We are analyzing this material and then, depending on the decisions made by the head of state, we will continue our communication with the Americans," the Kremlin spokesman said.

On Wednesday, D. Peskov announced that K. Dmitriev briefed the Russian president on his talks with the US delegation in Miami. Based on this information, the Kremlin intends to formulate its future position and continue contacts with Washington in the near future.

At the same time, the press secretary of the Russian president refused to comment on the information about the documents that K. Dmitriev brought.

Talks between US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Kirill Dmitriev took place in Miami on December 20 and 21. Dmitriev called the talks constructive.

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.

Media December: What are the media writing and showing about Polytechnic University?

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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Polytechnic University continues to provide extensive coverage of its scientific and international activities, educational practices, athletic achievements, and cultural initiatives in federal and regional media. We strive to present each news story to a broad media pool to convey important messages to the widest possible audience.

Journalists often seek the authoritative opinions of Polytechnic University scientists on various issues, and the university's press service facilitates the inclusion of their expert commentary in popular science articles.

Thanks to this, Polytechnic University has a wide media presence, and we will share a selection of the most important and compelling materials.

On December 1, a batch of vehicles was handed over to the SVO zone at the Polytechnic University. The event generated significant attention and was covered by: TV channel "Russia – St. Petersburg", Saint Petersburg TV channel, "City ", St. Petersburg Diary.

The news item from December 3 received over 15,000 views. "Russia tests new 'repairman' of brain connections," published by RIA Novosti.

A lecture by Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of the National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute," also generated considerable interest. It was reported on December 10: "News", Channel Five, REN-TV.

The Polytechnic University's launch of a new nanosatellite into orbit was announced on December 17: TASS, Saint Petersburg TV channel, Ferra.ru, St. Petersburg Diary, 78.ru.

Izvestia published an article on its website on December 18 "Head-of-the-line device: a unique blood flow meter will help save stroke patients", which describes a device for monitoring brain blood flow in real time, developed jointly by specialists from the Almazov National Medical Research Center and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

In the next issue "We'll Explain PRO" program on the Saint Petersburg channel on December 18 Alexey Borovkov, chief designer for the scientific and technological direction "System Digital Engineering," explained digital and systems engineering and presented Polytechnic University projects being implemented under the "Priority 2030" program.

A special place in the university's publicity is occupied by the newmultimedia longread "Slavic Horizons of the Polytechnic"A longread published in Rossiyskaya Gazeta on December 19th describes one of SPbPU's largest international projects, aimed at creating a community of leading universities promoting Russian education, science, and culture in the CIS. Using visualization tools, the longread draws the attention of the general public to the project's key goal: creating an educational outpost uniting universities from Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and other countries through the implementation of best Russian practices, a profound transformation of educational processes, and the strengthening of research potential.

As always, the media widely covered the main student event of the pre-New Year in St. Petersburg—the Governor's Ball at the Polytechnic University:

Channel OneSaint Petersburg TV channelSt. Petersburg Diary"City "

Dear Polytechnic students! Stay tuned for our publications. In the next issue of our media review: a story about the Polytechnic library, the "Omnivores" team that won the "Battle of the Robots," the opening of new laboratories, and much more.

Share stories of your achievements with us: tell us about new developments, interesting research, or exciting events in the life of the university. We'll help you bring these important news to a wider audience! We look forward to receiving your ideas and materials via email. mass media@spbstu.ru.

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 strongly opposes the US-published report, which drives a wedge between China and other countries, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

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

BEIJING, December 25 (Xinhua) — China firmly opposes a report released by the US Department of Defense that distorts China's defense policy, drives a wedge between China and other countries, and seeks to justify the continued military hegemony of the United States, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday.

The Chinese diplomat made the statement at a regular press briefing in response to a question about a US report aimed at sowing discord in relations between China and India.

"China views and manages its relations with India from a strategic perspective and a long-term perspective," Lin Jian emphasized. He stated that China is ready to strengthen communication with India, build mutual trust, advance cooperation, appropriately resolve differences, and promote the further development of bilateral ties along a healthy and stable path.

The Sino-Indian border issue is an interstate issue between China and India, Lin Jian stated. The current situation on the border between the two countries is generally stable, and bilateral communication channels are functioning smoothly, he noted, adding that China opposes unfounded and irresponsible statements by the respective country.

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.