A new point of attraction: Setl Group and the ISI Directorate have opened a space at the Polytechnic University.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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On March 18, the grand opening of the branded space of the Setl Group holding and the ISI directorate took place at the Civil Engineering Institute of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

The event was attended by SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy, Setl Group Board Member Ilya Eremenko, Setl City (Setl Group) Executive Director Igor Vlashchenko, and SPbPU Institute of Civil Engineering Director Marina Petrochenko.

The event was opened by SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy, who congratulated the students and staff of the institute on the creation of a modern space for study and communication.

For the university's leadership, events aimed at developing infrastructure and improving the quality of the educational environment for students are of great importance. Initiatives implemented with the participation of industrial partners and SPbPU alumni, who continue to support their university and contribute to its development, are particularly significant. Such interaction strengthens intergenerational ties and promotes the training of highly qualified specialists, noted Andrey Rudskoy.

Igor Vlaschenko, Executive Director of Setl City (Setl Group), and Ilya Eremenko, a member of the Setl Group Board of Directors, also delivered welcoming remarks. They noted the high level of training of Polytechnic students and expressed interest in a long-term partnership with the university.

The ceremony culminated in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, led by Andrey Rudskoy, Igor Vlaschenko, Ilya Eremenko, and Marina Petrochenko. Afterward, the guests were introduced to the new area's functionality. This branded space is equipped for students to comfortably work and relax.

Students from the Civil Engineering Institute expressed their gratitude to the organizers: "We are very pleased and grateful for the new opportunities offered by the institute's updated infrastructure. The comfortable environment allows us to focus on our studies and professional development."

Students presented representatives of the Setl Group holding with commemorative sweatshirts from the Civil Engineering Institute.

The opening of this space is a logical continuation of the active educational collaboration between the SPbPU Institute of Civil Engineering and the Setl Group holding company. Previously, the institute launched joint educational intensives for third- and fourth-year undergraduate students majoring in Construction.

Throughout the semester, the holding's experts, together with ISI faculty, teach classes on "Project Management Fundamentals" and "Organization of Planning and Management in Construction." Students explore the key stages of construction project implementation and master the specialized SetlSoft ICONA software suite, used by Setl Group for project management. The first cohort of the intensive educational program concluded on March 18, 2026. Participants who successfully completed the program received certificates of completion. For the second cohort, the final stage of training will be a business simulation, in which students will work in teams to solve practical problems simulating real-life engineering work.

The event also included the opening of the Institute of Civil Engineering's administration office. The modernized space has become a focal point for students, providing convenient access to administrative services and fostering an atmosphere of openness between the institute's leadership and students.

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.

We invite you to participate in online voting for the "100 Best Universities in Russia" ranking.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

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The RAEX rating agency is conducting a survey to determine the top 100 universities in Russia, the RAEX-100. The survey is one of the most authoritative studies in higher education, the results of which directly reflect the opinions of those involved in the educational process.

We invite students, graduates, teachers, researchers, and representatives of employer companies to vote.

How to vote?

The survey is conducted on the official portal ratingThe application form can be completed up to and including April 9, 2026.

The results of the study will be officially presented on June 16, 2026, in Moscow at the RAEX educational forum "Three Missions of Russian Education." Your participation will help objectively evaluate SPbGASU's position and contribute to the increased prestige of our graduates' diplomas.

Thank you for your support and contribution to the development of our university!

Go to the survey

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 plans to step up regulation of competition in the new energy vehicle sector.

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, March 19 (Xinhua) — Chinese authorities have unveiled plans to strengthen price monitoring and cost investigations as part of further efforts to regulate competition in the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry.

Part of such efforts includes normalizing financial policies in the auto industry and making the fight against network chaos in the industry permanent and long-term, according to China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and two other government agencies, which recently held a joint meeting with NEV companies.

The meeting discussed, in particular, the need to intensify interdepartmental cooperation and strengthen innovative growth methods in order to ensure the industry achieves higher-quality development.

There was also a call for accelerated elimination of weak links in automotive chips and underlying software, wider adoption of new technologies, and faster breakthroughs in autonomous driving technology.

Other priorities were also identified at the meeting, including increasing automobile consumption. Key measures, as stated by the participants, include a special campaign to stimulate consumption and the implementation of trade-in programs.

China has been the world's largest NEV market for 11 consecutive years. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, NEV production and sales volumes in 2025 will reach 16.63 million and 16.49 million units, respectively, representing year-on-year increases of 29 percent and 28.2 percent. -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.

Russian tourists most often chose Asian destinations this winter, according to a survey.

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, March 19 /Xinhua/ — Russian tourists who went on vacation abroad this winter most often chose Asian destinations, RIA Novosti reports, citing the results of a joint study by analysts from the YuMoney wallet and the Othello booking service.

According to analysts, Russians most frequently booked accommodations in Turkey, Thailand, and Belarus. Armenia, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Georgia, and China also made the top ten.

"Analysis of international bookings shows a clear trend: Russians are actively exploring Asia. Interest in Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and China has grown significantly—these destinations are showing the largest growth in their share of total bookings over the winter period," the analysts added.

According to the survey results, 51 percent of respondents took a vacation this winter, another 12 percent are still on vacation, and the remaining 37 percent decided to do without a winter vacation.

Of those who vacationed in the winter, the overwhelming majority (80 percent) spent their holidays in Russia, 14 percent traveled abroad, and six percent managed to combine both formats,” analysts from two companies found.

Analysts examined data from an online survey of more than 1,800 users aged 25-54, as well as anonymized data on bookings from December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026, and for the same period a year earlier. –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.

Drone attacks caused fires at two oil refineries in Kuwait, but no one was injured.

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

KUWAIT CITY, March 19 (Xinhua) — The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation confirmed on Thursday that drone attacks caused fires at two of Kuwait's largest oil refineries. The fires were quickly contained, and no casualties were reported.

In a statement released by the Kuwait News Agency, the corporation said one of the production units at the Abdullah refinery was attacked by a drone, causing a fire.

According to the company's statement, emergency crews quickly began to contain the fire, following the strictest protocols to ensure the safety of the facility and personnel.

The oil corporation also reported another drone attack on a refinery production unit in Al Ahmadi, causing a small fire that was quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported.

Earlier in the day, Kuwait's military said air defense systems were actively intercepting enemy air threats.

Emirati authorities did not immediately provide further details about the origin of the attacks. –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.

Gazprom reported the escalation and repulsion of new attacks on its infrastructure facilities.

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, March 19 /Xinhua/ — Gazprom reported the escalation and repulsion of new attacks on its facilities that supply gas exports via the Turkish Stream and Blue Stream pipelines to Turkey.

According to ITAR-TASS, citing a statement from the holding company, attacks on critical infrastructure facilities supporting gas exports via the Turkish Stream and Blue Stream pipelines escalated between March 17 and 19. Joint actions by Russian Ministry of Defense forces and mobile task forces repelled the attacks, preventing damage to the facilities.

In particular, attempts to strike the compressor station /KS/ “Russkaya” by 22 unmanned aerial vehicles were recorded, the compressor station “Kazachya” by three, and the compressor station “Beregovaya” by one, the report says. –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 vertical power structure in Iran remains strong, although it has been greatly weakened, according to the head of US National Intelligence.

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, March 19 (Xinhua) — U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Wednesday that the vertical power structure in Iran remains strong despite significant military pressure.

"The U.S. intelligence community assesses that the Iranian regime appears to remain intact, albeit severely weakened by Operation Epic Fury," Gabbard said at the Senate Intelligence Committee's annual hearing on global threats facing the country.

T. Gabbard also noted in a written version of her opening statement released before the hearing that Iran had not restored its uranium enrichment program after the June U.S. strikes "destroyed" Iran's underground nuclear facilities and sealed off their entrances.

"As a result of Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran's uranium enrichment program was destroyed. No attempts have been made to restore enrichment capacity since then. The entrances to the underground facilities that were bombed were sealed and blocked with cement," the prepared statement reads.

In her testimony before the committee, T. Gabbard omitted this fragment.

"Is this because the president [Donald Trump] said there was an imminent threat?" asked Senator Mark Warner, the committee's top Democrat.

“I knew the presentation was running long, so I missed some parts,” T. Gabbard explained.

However, M. Warner insisted that the Director of National Intelligence decided to omit the part of the report that contradicts D. Trump’s statements.

T. Gabbard also told lawmakers that the U.S. intelligence community estimates that Iran could begin developing an intercontinental ballistic missile in less than 10 years. –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.

Afghanistan and Pakistan have announced a temporary ceasefire during the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

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

Kabul/Islamabad, March 19 (Xinhua) — Afghanistan and Pakistan announced a suspension of hostilities during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the two countries' authorities announced on Wednesday.

Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on social media on Wednesday evening that the Afghan government had suspended military operations against Pakistan during the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

He added that ensuring national security, sovereignty and protection of the citizens of Afghanistan remains both a national and religious responsibility, and that the country's government will respond decisively to any aggression should threats arise.

Pakistan's Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, published a similar statement on the social media platform X.

The ceasefire came into effect at midnight on Wednesday, he said.

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have risen sharply after clashes broke out on the border between the two countries on the evening of February 26. –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.

Financial news: 03/19/2026, 13-34 (Moscow time) the values of the lower limit of the price corridor for swap transactions and the range for assessing interest rate risks of the PLDRUBTODTOM instrument were changed.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

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March 19, 2026

13:34

In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the foreign exchange market and the precious metals market of PJSC Moscow Exchange by the National Credit Center (JSC) on March 19, 2026, 13:34 (Moscow time), the values of the lower limit of the price corridor for swap transactions (up to -1.8867 rubles) and the range for assessing interest rate risks (up to -2.2411 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 34.54%) for the PLDRUBTODTOM instrument were changed.

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.

Financial news: 03/19/2026, 13-32 (Moscow time) the values of the lower limit of the price corridor for swap transactions and the range for assessing interest rate risks of the PLDRUBTODTOM instrument were changed.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

March 19, 2026

13:32

In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the foreign exchange market and the precious metals market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by the National Credit Center (JSC) on March 19, 2026, 13:32 (Moscow time), the values of the lower limit of the price corridor for swap transactions (up to -1.1409 rubles) and the range for assessing interest rate risks (up to -1.4207 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 27.27%) for the PLDRUBTODTOM instrument were changed.

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.