Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The first “Zheng He” Sea-Road-Rail International Multimodal Transport train departed Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, on July 4. It will reach the Laos via the China-Laos Railway, following which the goods will head to Thailand, Singapore and Bangladesh through other ports.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Decision-makers and strategists attending the 13th World Peace Forum have sounded the alarm over the risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI).
The three-day event, which wrapped up on Friday in Beijing, put AI in the spotlight, featuring two dedicated panels that examined its risks and regulation, as well as its expanding role in armed conflict.
Regarding AI risk and regulatory challenges, a widely held view among participants was that the use of AI must never come at the expense of human safety, and that life-and-death decisions should always remain in human hands, rather than being delegated to machines.
“We have to be very careful that we don’t unintentionally unleash the power of AI in a way that would harm people,” said Balthasar Staehelin, personal envoy of the president to China for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), “there is an ethical responsibility here — one that must always be considered in light of international humanitarian law.”
Advancements in information technology have enabled AI’s widespread use in conflict scenarios, yielding both promising and troubling results. The ICRC and other humanitarian organizations, for example, are deploying AI to match individuals searching for displaced family members, as their names may be spelled slightly differently in Arabic, and to help plan the best routes for refugees fleeing conflict zones.
AI has been used in mine clearance, too. Low-flying drones equipped with AI technology can help detect mines, a way far more efficient than previous methods.
Unfortunately, AI has also been employed to search for, track and identify combatants, and even lock onto targets, raising serious concerns about the growing role of robots in lethal operations, potentially even taking human lives.
This unease is hardly new. As early as 1942, science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov proposed his “Three Laws of Robotics,” which included the rule: “A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.”
In an interview with Xinhua this March, Staehelin also noted that the act of killing in war should always be a human decision, not one made by AI.
This warning was echoed by Bruno Angelet, Belgian Ambassador to China, who believed that accountability for battlefield decisions must always rest with people, not machines. “It is a person who decides that the system can make decisions, and it is a person who is accountable. There is no stone or computer that will be accountable,” he said.
Reinforcing this perspective, Zeng Yi, founding dean of Beijing Institute of AI Safety and Governance, observed that AI acts as a mirror — reflecting humanity’s choices and exposing whether our actions are truly responsible, especially when reckless decisions by individuals threaten to endanger society as a whole.
Xiao Qian, deputy head of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, furthered the discussion by highlighting the legal ambiguity and difficulties in assigning accountability in AI-led actions.
If a drone misidentifies a target, it becomes extremely challenging to determine who is responsible — the programmer, the commander, or the machine itself — sparking ongoing debate. Many AI systems also operate as black boxes, making legal compliance and effective oversight nearly impossible, she said.
Christian Bessiere, research professor at the French National Center for Scientific Research and the University of Montpellier, broke down AI’s risks into four main categories: economic, “black box” opacity, cultural, and military. On regulation, he cautioned against excessive oversight that could stifle innovation and advocated for the creation of a strong, independent, non-profit international body to provide regulatory guidance.
Turning to the question of global AI governance, Gong Ke, executive director of the Chinese Institute of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies, identified escalating geopolitical tensions as the greatest risk facing international cooperation on AI.
He added that a key challenge is making AI governance more inclusive, ensuring that all countries and stakeholders have a seat at the table.
Yet even reaching the smallest consensus on AI governance remains extremely challenging amid ongoing geopolitical strains and competing national interests, observed Xiao Qian.
She noted that while scientific groups are actively launching initiatives to raise awareness about the risks of military AI, these efforts have yet to receive significant attention or respect from governments.
Themed “Advancing Global Peace and Prosperity: Shared Responsibility, Benefit and Achievement,” the forum, which ran from July 2 to 4, was hosted by Tsinghua University and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
People watch a model of electricity-powered container ship during the Tianjin International Shipping Industry Expo 2024 in Tianjin, north China, July 11, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Shipyards in south China’s Guangzhou, one of the country’s top shipbuilding bases, are operating at full capacity this summer as they secure surging orders for high-tech, low-carbon vessels aimed at meeting global green shipping targets.
Last month, Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited began constructing a 230-meter-long LNG dual-fuel car carrier for a client in the Republic of Korea. The vessel will rank among the world’s largest of its type, and will be powered by both fuel oil and natural gas.
General manager Zhou Xuhui said the company has more than 90 ships on order, 80 percent of which are designed as high-tech, high-value-added green vessels. Deliveries are scheduled through 2028.
Also in June, CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company Limited started building China’s first LPG/liquid ammonia carrier powered by ammonia and another fuel.
Ammonia, a major chemical industry feedstock, has a high energy density and due to its carbon-free nature, produces only water and nitrogen when fully combusted. This makes it a highly promising fuel for decarbonizing shipping.
A company executive told Xinhua that Huangpu Wenchong currently holds orders for 16 such gas carriers, and has made independent breakthroughs in small and medium-sized gas ship technology, while expanding into new-energy ship markets to support low-carbon growth.
In the first four months of 2025, the company secured over 13.7 billion yuan (about 1.92 billion U.S. dollars) in new contracts, up 111 percent year on year.
Also in June, the world’s first pure ammonia-powered demonstration vessel, the Anhui, successfully completed its maiden voyage in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, marking a major step forward for green shipping.
Guangdong Province, a major shipbuilding base in China, has maintained growth momentum despite a slowdown in global orders. From January to May, Guangdong’s output of completed ships rose 2.5 percent year on year, and its order backlog increased 29.3 percent, according to the provincial shipbuilding industry association.
Guangzhou, which is Guangdong’s capital city, has developed a complete shipbuilding supply chain, said Chen Jianrong, secretary-general of the association.
Local authorities have pledged to continue building Guangzhou into a hub for marine innovation, targeting cutting-edge sectors such as the deep sea, green and smart marine industries.
“Guangzhou was born by the sea and thrives because of the sea,” said Guo Yonghang, Party chief of the city. “We must accelerate the cultivation of new quality productive forces in the marine sector and strengthen breakthroughs in key core technologies.”
After over a decade of research, Guangzhou HG Marine Co., Ltd. has developed a globally leading rim-driven electric propulsion system for ships.
According to Qiu Xiangyao, head of HG Marine, traditional ship propellers generate significant underwater noise that can scare away fish, and their mechanical drives can also cause oil pollution in the sea. That is why many countries are turning to rim-driven electric thrusters, which feature zero pollution, low noise, and high efficiency.
“The company has maintained strong growth this year, with orders surging and production scheduled more than a year ahead,” said Qiu, who added that the export of the megawatt-class rim thrusters has opened up broader international markets for the company and secured stable orders for future ocean-going fishery processing vessels.
As Guangzhou ramps up its shipbuilding innovation and green technology, this momentum reflects a broader push across China and the global shipping industry to cut carbon emissions.
Following years of intense negotiations, nations reached a landmark agreement in April to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping by setting mandatory fuel standards and introducing an industry-wide carbon pricing mechanism.
The framework, approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization, is the first to combine mandatory emissions limits and greenhouse gas pricing across an entire industry sector.
Scheduled for formal adoption in October 2025 and implementation by 2027, the measures will apply to large ocean-going vessels exceeding 5,000 gross tonnage, which are responsible for approximately 85 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from the global shipping fleet.
Countries around the world are advancing green shipping through the adoption of clean energy and technology upgrades. China, positioning itself as a strong advocate of sustainable shipping, rolled out an action plan at the end of 2023 to build a preliminary green shipbuilding development system by 2025.
Several breakthroughs have already emerged. In March, the world’s first floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel with a carbon capture and storage facility was delivered in Shanghai.
By capturing the carbon dioxide generated during sailing and oil production and using the exhaust heat energy to generate electricity, the AGOGO FPSO, measuring 333 meters in length and 60 meters in width, can achieve both environmental protection and energy savings.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Visitors take a roller coaster ride at the LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort in Shanghai, east China, July 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
The resort in Shanghai, currently the largest LEGOLAND globally and the first in China, offers a new amusement option for Chinese citizens and foreigners visiting this metropolis. The opening of LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort on Saturday coincides with the beginning of the summer vacation, which is a tourism and consumption high season, especially for students.
The cultural and tourism industries are becoming important growth drivers — as the Chinese economy shifts to a consumption-driven pattern.
Earlier this year, the Chinese government made it one of its major priorities to boost consumption and stimulate domestic demand across the board. It urged more efforts to foster new forms of cultural business and vigorously develop the tourism industry. Meanwhile, authorities also pledged better services and support for foreign investors, aimed at making China a favored destination for them.
Foreign-funded theme parks have both attested to and benefited from these commitments. Notably, Shanghai Disney Resort and Universal Beijing Resort have achieved great success.
More diversified demands for tourism products are driving an upgrade in terms of the offerings of this vibrant industry. For tourists who travel during summer holidays or take family trips, thematic or in-depth experience travels are becoming popular choices. This means that theme parks are expected to secure a sharp surge of visitors.
Growing tourism consumption has contributed to China’s resilient consumer market. In the first quarter of 2025, the number of domestic tourist trips reached over 1.79 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 26.4 percent. Total tourism expenditure hit 1.8 trillion yuan (209.7 billion U.S. dollars) in this period, up 18.6 percent year on year.
Thanks to China’s visa-free policies and related measures, the popularity of both travel and shopping in China among foreigners has risen, serving as a boost to the country’s tourism development. Shanghai, being a prime example in this regard, received nealry 1.26 million foreign tourists in the first quarter of 2025 — up 61.9 percent year on year.
According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, from July to August, local authorities will organize 4,300 activities and provide subsidies totaling 570 million yuan to boost cultural and tourism consumption.
The thriving tourism industry is injecting momentum into the Chinese economy, which grew 5.4 percent in the first quarter of 2025 and aims for an expansion of about 5 percent this year.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended warm greetings to Dalai Lama on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “I join 1.4 billion Indians in extending our warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. He has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline. His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life. @DalaiLama”
On Sunday morning, Tibetan Buddhist monks living in exile offered special prayers at the Dorjidak Monastery near Shimla at Panthaghati to mark the 90th birthday of His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama.
In a birthday-eve message, the Dalai Lama said, “As for myself, I will continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values, religious harmony, drawing attention to the ancient Indian wisdom which explains the workings of mind and emotions, and Tibetan culture and heritage, which has so much potential to contribute to the world through its emphasis on peace of mind and compassion. I develop determination and courage in my daily life through the teachings of the Buddha and Indian masters such as Shantideva, whose following aspiration I strive to uphold.”
“All particles in my mind contain thoughts from Nalanda. And it’s Indian ‘dal’ and ‘chapati’ that have built this body. I am mentally and physically a son of India,” the Dalai Lama, in his addresses, is often quoted as saying.
“India and Tibet share a relationship of ‘guru’ (teacher) and ‘chela’ (disciple). When I see some part of my ‘guru’ being corrupt, as a ‘chela’ I feel ashamed,” he said.
The 14th Dalai Lama was born on July 6, 1935, in a small village in the remote Amdo region of Tibet.
(With agency inputs)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted people on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Warm wishes on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi! We pray to Bhagwan Vitthal and seek His continued blessings on all of us. May He guide us towards a society full of happiness and abundance. May we also keep serving the poor and downtrodden.”
Meanwhile, a large number of devotees gathered at the sacred Triveni Sangam – the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati rivers – in Prayagraj to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi, which is also known as Devshayani Ekadashi.
One devotee shared, “This is the Sangam Ghat of Prayagraj. Today is Ekadashi, so we have come here to take a holy dip.”
Another devotee added, “Today is Ekadashi, and we are here to seek the blessings of the River Ganga.”
An elderly devotee emphasized the spiritual significance of the day: “This is an important festival for Prayagraj. On this day, saints begin Chaumasa, during which they stay in one place and devote themselves to worship. According to tradition, Lord Vishnu goes into a deep sleep for four months starting today, and all auspicious events like marriages are suspended during this period. When the Lord awakens on Kartik Ekadashi, these activities resume. It is believed that taking a holy dip today fulfills all wishes.”
(With inputs from ANI)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the sacrifices made by Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) emphasise his commitment to righteousness.
“The sacrifices made by Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) emphasise his commitment to righteousness. He inspires people to uphold truth in the face of adversity,” said PM Modi in a post on X.
Currently, the Prime Minister is in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, where he will participate in the 17th BRICS Summit and undertake a state visit.
The solemn observance of Ashoora-e-Muharram marks a poignant day in Islamic history, honouring the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the revered grandson of Prophet Muhammad, and his companions. This day is synonymous with courage, sacrifice, and steadfastness in the face of tyranny.
Millions gather to pay homage to those who laid down their lives for truth, righteousness, and justice in the Battle of Karbala.
The 10th Muharram, called Ashura, is being observed across the country on Sunday. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Shia Muslims across the world observe a public mourning.
The 10th day of the first month of Muharram of the Muslim calendar marks the day of martyrdom of Imam Hussain, who was killed by the army of King Yazid in 680 AD on the banks of the Euphrates River in Iraq in the Karbala area. The besieged family of Imam Hussain, his family and companions, were denied drinking water even when they were camped at the bank of the Euphrates. Even the 6-month-old Ali Asghar was denied drinking water by the army of the Yazid. Imam Hussain chose to sacrifice himself and his family and companions rather than accept the supremacy of evil over the truth.
Shia Muslims commemorate the event by taking out processions and chest-beating, but the mourning of Muharram is sacrosanct to both the Shia and the Sunni Muslims alike.
(With inputs from IANS)
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand welcome from the Indian community on Saturday (local time) upon his arrival in Rio de Janeiro for a four-day visit to Brazil. During this visit, he will participate in the 17th BRICS Summit and undertake a State Visit.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Members of Brazil’s Indian community gave a very vibrant welcome in Rio de Janeiro. It’s amazing how they remain connected with Indian culture and are also very passionate about India’s development! Here are some glimpses from the welcome…”
Members of the Indian diaspora greeted the Prime Minister with vibrant traditional dances and folk songs. One of the highlights was a dance performance themed on Operation Sindoor, with the patriotic song “Ye Desh Nahi Mitne Dunga” resonating through the venue.
In a gesture of cultural harmony, a Brazilian music group also performed devotional songs, showcasing India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
Prime Minister Modi will attend the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit from July 6 to 7. During the Summit, he will exchange views with other leaders on pressing global issues, including peace and security, strengthening multilateralism, the responsible use of artificial intelligence, climate action, global health, and economic and financial matters. According to official sources, the Prime Minister is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit.
As part of the State Visit, PM Modi will travel to Brasilia for bilateral talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Discussions will focus on deepening the Strategic Partnership between the two nations in areas of mutual interest such as trade, defence, energy, space, technology, agriculture, health, and people-to-people ties.
Earlier, members of the Indian community, who had gathered to welcome the Prime Minister, expressed their excitement and pride.
“I am from Gujarat and have been living in Brazil for a long time. We are thrilled and feel privileged and honoured to welcome our Prime Minister today,” said Vijay Solanki, a member of the Indian diaspora.
Another member of the diaspora, Pooja, shared, “I am from Gujarat and have been living in Brazil for the past three years. I am very excited to meet him.”
PM Modi arrived in Brazil after concluding his visit to Argentina, where he held a bilateral meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei.
Following his engagements in Brazil, the Prime Minister will travel to Namibia on July 9, where he is also scheduled to address the Namibian Parliament.
PM Modi is currently on a five-nation, eight-day tour (July 2 to July 9) that began in Ghana. From there, he travelled to the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, followed by Argentina, and now Brazil.
(With inputs from ANI)
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a man in relation to a hit and run in Darwin City overnight.
The 24-year-old man was arrested a short time ago at a residence in Woolner.
He currently remains in custody at the Palmerston Watchhouse.
Police are asking anyone with information to make contact on 131 444 and quote reference P25180688. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) — A series of practical application activities for young people of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries, titled “SCO Youth, Qingdao Chance Encounter,” kicked off in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, on Saturday, local media reported.
The event will last for 7 days and will involve about 100 students from 30 countries studying in China, including Pakistan and Tajikistan.
During the training experience, participants will visit various places including the China-SCO Regional Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Qingdao, Ocean University of China and Qingdao Port to get acquainted with this charming coastal city and its efforts and achievements in building a new platform for international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Let us recall that the city of Qingdao was designated the tourism and cultural capital of the SCO for the period 2024-2025.
The event is held within the framework of the SCO Summer 2025 program. It was organized by the Overseas Student Service Center of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, the Shandong Provincial Education Department, and the China-SCO Regional Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone Management Committee. -0-
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
LOS ANGELES, July 5 (Xinhua) — Billionaire Elon Musk announced Saturday that an America Party is being formed to “bring back freedom to you (American citizens),” after an online poll he launched earlier this week showed strong support for the new political force.
“Independence Day is the perfect time to ask if you want independence from a two-party /some would say one-party/ system,” he wrote in a post announcing the poll on Friday. More than 65 percent of the 1.2 million respondents supported the idea.
Reacting to the poll results on Saturday, Musk wrote: “By a 2-1 margin, you want a new political party, and you will get one! When it comes to bankrupting our country through waste and corruption, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.”
The billionaire said the America Party would focus on winning two to three seats in the Senate and eight to 10 seats in the House, a strategy he believes could change the situation in Congress.
But election experts point out the high barriers to entry for new parties. In California, organizers must either register about 75,000 members or collect 1.1 million signatures to get on the ballot.
Political strategists speculate that Musk’s announcement may be more about pressuring lawmakers than building a solid third party. The move follows President Donald Trump’s passage of a “one big beautiful bill” that cut electric vehicle subsidies and increased federal spending — measures Musk, whose Tesla benefits from those subsidies, has opposed. –0–
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, July 6 /Xinhua/ — An Antonov An-2 plane with 11 passengers on board made a hard landing in the Chita region of Russia. According to preliminary data, six people were injured, no one was killed, TASS reported, citing the Main Directorate of the Russian Emergencies Ministry for the Trans-Baikal Territory.
The department’s Telegram channel reported that the DOSAAF light aircraft landed in the area of the Topographer gardening community 16 minutes after takeoff. There were 10 parachutists and one crew member on board. According to preliminary data, six people were injured, no one was killed. There was no fire. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The wait is over! Large crowds flocked to Legoland Shanghai Resort on July 5 as China’s first and the world’s largest Legoland theme park officially opened to the public. The grand opening welcomed children and families into a colorful world of creativity and adventure.
Crowds flock to the gate of Legoland Shanghai Resort as it opens in Jinshan district, Shanghai, July 5, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Legoland Shanghai Resort]
Nestled in Fengjing town, Jinshan district, the long-awaited resort aims to deliver the ultimate Lego adventure, designed for children ages 2 to 12 and their families.
“Our purpose at Merlin Entertainments is to bring people together to create memorable experiences for families around the world,” Merlin Entertainments CEO Fiona Eastwood said at the opening ceremony.
“Today, we are taking that to the next level with the opening of Legoland Shanghai Resort, our first Legoland resort in China and in the second biggest theme park market in the world,” she said. “This milestone represents a major step toward our ambition to be the global leader in branded entertainment destinations.”
Eastwood said the Merlin team drew on nearly 20 years of experience in China to create Legoland Shanghai, blending the brand’s global appeal with authentic Chinese cultural elements.
The resort is “both globally familiar and uniquely local,” she said. “It’s a place where kids can be their true selves and where parents can discover the magic of playing.”
The new theme park and hotel cover 318,000 square meters and feature eight themed lands with 75 interactive rides, shows and attractions, along with thousands of Lego models built from more than 85 million bricks.
From thrilling adventures to hands-on activities, every part of the resort is designed to create lasting memories. About 10,000 workers and 300 teams from 15 countries contributed their creativity and expertise to bring the project to life.
Leaders, executives and partners attend the grand opening ceremony of Legoland Shanghai Resort in Jinshan district, Shanghai, July 5, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Legoland Shanghai Resort]
Highlights at the new park include the world premiere of the Lego Monkie Kid live show and a boat tour through a miniature Lego Chinese water town. The Creative World area features Dada, a 26-meter-tall figure that is the largest Lego model ever built, as well as Miniland, which showcases detailed recreations of Chinese landmarks. Guests can also stay at the Legoland Hotel, which offers a range of activities to extend the park experience.
“Legoland Shanghai will be an integral part of the Lego ecosystem in China and a great addition to our retail network and brand events, enhancing the immersive and interactive Lego play experiences for our customers,” Lego Group President and CEO Niels B. Christiansen said. “I look forward to Legoland Shanghai becoming a new cultural landmark for family interaction and bringing unique joy to all Lego fans in China and beyond.”
Christiansen said the Legoland project also strengthens Shanghai’s economic vitality and supports China’s national strategy to boost domestic demand and promote high-quality growth in the tourism and cultural industries.
The opening also coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark, highlighting the strong partnership between the two countries.
Zhuang Jian, chairman of Shanghai New Jinshan Investment Share Holding Group Co. Ltd., said Legoland Shanghai brings advanced international theme park management and rich cultural elements to the region. He said the park will inject new vitality into the tourism market in Jinshan and Shanghai and attract more visitors from both China and abroad.
Visitors flood the theme park on opening day at Legoland Shanghai Resort in Jinshan district, Shanghai, July 5, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Legoland Shanghai Resort]
The grand opening featured music, dancing and appearances by popular Legoland characters Mike and Amy. Performers in colorful costumes joined representatives from the Shanghai municipal and Jinshan district governments, including Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng, as well as investors and development partners.
The resort will host special events from July 5 to 13 to celebrate the opening, offering guests festive decorations, immersive experiences and exclusive offers — including daily shows, character meet-and-greets, limited-time minifigure swaps, special merchandise, discounts and Lego-themed treats.
The 36th Shanghai Tourism Festival Vacation Summer also kicked off on the same day, featuring more than 300 cultural events spread across six themed weeks. The launch highlights Shanghai’s innovative approach to integrating cultural tourism by combining international brands with local festivals.
The resort aims to become a premier summer destination with its Lego-themed adventures, while working with nearby coastal areas, ancient towns and rural attractions to boost the region’s overall appeal.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Tech billionaire Elon Musk announced Saturday that “the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom,” following an online poll he launched earlier in the week that showed strong support for a new political force.
“Independence Day is the perfect time to ask if you want independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system,” Musk wrote in Friday’s post announcing the poll. More than 65 percent of the 1.2 million respondents backed the idea.
Responding to the results on Saturday, Musk wrote, “By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it! When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.”
Musk said the America Party will laser-focus on two or three Senate seats and eight to 10 House districts, a strategy he believes could tip control in a narrowly divided Congress.
But election-law experts note the high barriers to entry for new parties. In California, organizers must either register about 75,000 members or collect 1.1 million signatures to appear on ballots.
Political strategists suggest Musk’s announcement may be aimed more at pressuring lawmakers than building a durable third party. The move follows the passage of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which cut electric vehicle incentives and increased federal spending — measures that Musk, whose company Tesla benefits from EV subsidies, has opposed.
Musk has threatened to fund challengers to lawmakers who supported the bill. Trump, in turn, has hinted at reassessing what he called “billions in subsidies” tied to Musk-linked ventures.
Analysts say Musk’s move appears more like a high-profile bargaining tactic than the beginning of a major shake-up of the U.S. political system.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A Chinese representative on Friday delivered a joint statement on behalf of more than 70 countries at the annual thematic panel discussion on technical cooperation and capacity-building, held during the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The joint statement, titled “Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Promoting Accessibility,” was delivered by Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland. It called for strengthened technical assistance and capacity-building in this field to help all countries benefit from AI development.
The statement underscored that building an accessible environment is a hallmark of human civilization and an essential safeguard for ensuring that everyone enjoys human rights. It noted that AI holds tremendous potential to remove physical, informational, and cultural barriers through innovative solutions and to foster inclusive social development.
The joint statement put forward three key proposals: first, to uphold a people-centered approach by ensuring that the development of AI fully respects, promotes, and protects human rights; second, to advance inclusive development by making sure that the benefits of AI are shared by all and contribute to equal opportunities and inclusive growth; and third, to pursue win-win cooperation by increasing financial and technical support for developing countries and enhancing global AI governance through international cooperation.
The joint statement marks an important step in implementing the resolution on equal accessibility for all, led by China as one of the main sponsors at the UNHRC.
It also marks the latest in a series of joint statements initiated by China at the UNHRC on the theme of “AI for Human Rights.” Previous statements focused on using AI to promote the rights of persons with disabilities (53rd session), children (55th session), and women (56th session), all of which received broad support and positive feedback from UN member states.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
These companies will not be subject to anti-dumping duties when exporting to China, provided they meet the agreed terms, an official with the ministry said in responding to a media query about Friday’s final ruling, which exempted certain EU brandy exporters from anti-dumping duties, if they meet the agreed terms.
“The investigating authority’s acceptance of price undertakings in this case once again demonstrates China’s willingness to resolve trade frictions through dialogue and consultation,” the official noted.
The official also explained that in anti-dumping practices, when exporters agree not to sell their products below a certain price threshold, and these undertakings are accepted by the investigating authority, such exports are exempt from anti-dumping duties.
The EU industry associations and companies involved in the case submitted applications for price undertakings within the required time frame. After a legal review, the investigating authority determined that 34 of these companies met the necessary conditions under Chinese law and therefore approved their undertakings, the official said.
Consequently, these companies will not be subject to anti-dumping duties on their exports to China — provided they adhere to the agreed terms, the official added.
However, the official noted that if evidence emerges showing that a company has violated its price undertaking, and this is confirmed through investigation, China may revoke the undertaking arrangement and resume imposition of duties.
When asked about the rationale for accepting the price undertakings in this case, the official said that China has consistently advocated a prudent approach to the use of trade remedy measures, noting that the investigating authority has conducted a detailed review in accordance with the law and took into full account the state of the domestic industry.
The official said the final ruling adopting the price undertaking arrangement complies with Chinese laws and regulations, and helps uphold fair market competition.
The decision has received support from domestic producers and was also welcomed by the EU industry, the official revealed.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Customers shop at a duty-free store in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province, July 5, 2025. South China’s island province of Hainan has reported strong offshore duty-free sales over the past five years, following a policy, implemented on July 1, 2020, to raise the annual cap on duty-free purchases, the local customs bureau has said. Offshore duty-free sales in Hainan totaled 195.8 billion yuan (about 27.4 billion U.S. dollars) over the past five years, according to Haikou Customs. During the period, the number of duty-free shoppers neared 28.59 million. Sales and the number of shoppers saw 315.3 percent and 123.3 percent growth from the five years prior to the major shopping quota increase. [Photo/Xinhua]
South China’s island province of Hainan has reported strong offshore duty-free sales over the past five years, following a policy to raise the annual cap on duty-free purchases, the local customs bureau has said.
Offshore duty-free sales in Hainan totaled 195.8 billion yuan (about 27.4 billion U.S. dollars) over the past five years, according to Haikou Customs. During the period, the number of duty-free shoppers neared 28.59 million.
On July 1, 2020, Hainan raised its annual tax-free shopping quota from 30,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan per person.
Sales and the number of shoppers saw 315.3 percent and 123.3 percent growth from the five years prior to the major shopping quota increase.
China released a master plan in June 2020 to build Hainan into a globally influential, high-level free trade port by the middle of the century.
China aims to build Hainan into a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035. In recent years, the island province has become an attractive shopping destination for domestic consumers.
Following years of efforts to enhance the local tourism and shopping sectors, Hainan now boasts 12 offshore duty-free stores.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the country’s central bank, on Friday began to solicit public opinions on a set of draft rules for the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) as part of efforts to regulate related business activities.
The rules, consisting of six chapters and 31 articles, aim to prevent payment risks, protect the legitimate rights and interests of the CIPS operator and participants, and clarify the responsibilities of all parties, according to the central bank.
The rules apply to the CIPS operator, as well as direct and indirect participants. The operator refers to a corporate legal entity approved by the central bank to provide cross-border renminbi clearing and settlement services for domestic and overseas participants and is subject to the supervision and guidance of the PBOC in accordance with the law.
The rules specify the scope of business covered, including clearing and settlement services for participants’ cross-border renminbi payment transactions and financial market activities, as well as other businesses approved by the central bank.
The rules also cover areas such as account management, settlement mechanisms, risk management, and emergency response.
The central bank said the rules are designed to meet CIPS participants’ expansion needs and support CIPS’s business development and functional upgrades.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Team China prepares before DOTA2 Final Match of Esports at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Oct. 2, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
No dull rows of chairs and tables, no endless slides of charts and numbers — instead, a gleaming statue of Hermes, the Olympian god of competition and the “god of esports,” took center stage, while a virtual concert “on Mars” blazed across a giant screen in the background.
Standing out among the meeting venues at the 2025 Global Digital Economy Conference, this hall hosted one of its headline events, the International Esports Development Forum, where industry leaders and players gathered to explore how esports is transforming entertainment and fueling growth in the global digital economy.
Industry observers believe that esports has grown into an emerging industry that can no longer be ignored, with more and more traditional sports events now including esports competitions.
At the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, for example, esports made its debut as an official medal event, where the Chinese team took home four gold medals across seven categories.
The 20th Asian Games in Japan’s Aichi-Nagoya in 2026, will expand esports events even further, featuring 11 disciplines including Pro Evolution Soccer and League of Legends. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee has announced that the first Olympic Esports Games will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027.
The intensity, the focus, and the sheer will to win that esports players exhibit are no different from other athletes, according to Nicholas Khoo, advisor to the Board of Directors of the Global Esports Federation.
Khoo called the rise of esports “unstoppable,” with growing public attention and an expanding global market adding fresh momentum to the development. At the same time, the inclusion of esports in the event systems of the International Olympic Committee is further promoting the sport’s healthy growth.
“Esports today is driving the digital economy, which stays as a primary engine of global growth,” said Irina Bokova, former director-general of UNESCO, at the forum. “Within this ecosystem, esports is rapidly emerging as a transformative force. It is redefining the boundaries between entertainment sports and technology while forging connections that transcend international borders and linguistic barriers.”
Participants noted that China boasts the world’s largest esports market, leading globally in both player base and industry growth potential.
According to the 2024 China esports industry report released by China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association, the number of esports users in China reached 490 million in 2024, up 0.42 percent year on year, marking the largest esports user base in the world. Meanwhile, the industry’s actual sales revenue stood at 27.57 billion yuan (about 3.85 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, an increase of 4.62 percent from the previous year.
That scale is powered by new technology. According to Li Ji, an industry analyst, today’s esports industry is built on a fully digital foundation, seamlessly integrating frontier technologies, from computing power to algorithms and artificial intelligence, and stands as a model of cross-sector innovation.
“Esports is becoming a testing ground for cutting-edge innovations such as network communications, augmented reality and artificial intelligence,” said Li Xiaolei, vice chairman of the China Culture Administration Association. “From the perspective of culture, through innovative storytelling and character-based performances, esports is taking Chinese stories to the world in a way that resonates with young people.”
Highlighting the great potential of the sector, Li Xiaolei said that China’s esports market size is expected to surpass 300 billion yuan in 2026, driving the scale of related industries beyond 1 trillion yuan, becoming an important growth driver of the digital economy.
According to the global esports industry development report co-released by an institute under China Media Group (CMG) and China’s esports giant Tencent, four Chinese cities, Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu and Shenzhen, ranked among the top ten on the global esports city influence index. He Wenyi, secretary-general of the national sports industry research base at Peking University, noted that policy support will be essential to foster new business models as the industry evolves.
China’s cities are already well-positioned to tap into this promising industry. Ranking first on the esports city influence index list, Shanghai proposed the vision of becoming a global esports capital in 2017. In 2019, the city issued 20 measures to promote the healthy development of the esports industry.
The Chinese capital is another major player. In June this year, Beijing issued measures to support the high-quality development of its gaming and esports industry. These measures aim to support enterprises in game development and publishing within Beijing, while promoting industrial clustering domestically and encouraging companies to expand overseas.
“Beijing will fully leverage its strengths in technological innovation and international exchange to develop the esports industry into a key engine for building itself into a benchmark city in the global digital economy,” said Xu Xinchao, deputy secretary general of the Beijing municipal government.
While esports is booming in China, the industry faces many challenges. A report from a research institute under People.cn found that many tournaments and clubs remain heavily dependent on sponsorships and prize money, leaving them vulnerable in economic downturns. Experts also caution against blind expansion without thoughtful planning. Cities often adopt similar strategies without leveraging their unique strengths, risking repetitive and uncompetitive development.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The newly opened LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort stands as a testament to LEGO Group’s confidence in China, and the global toy giant remains committed to continued investment in the Chinese market, the company’s President and CEO Niels B. Christiansen said on Saturday.
Hailing the project as “an important milestone for the LEGO Group,” Christiansen added that: “LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort will be an integral part of the LEGO ecosystem in China, and its opening reaffirms LEGO’s long-term commitment to China and to Chinese people.”
“We are confident this great project will contribute to the economic vitality of Shanghai, aligning with the national strategy of expanding domestic demand through advancing high-quality development in the tourism and cultural industries,” he added.
Christiansen emphasized that China is a strategically important market for the company — and that they are committed to continued investment in China and to attracting more Chinese consumers.
LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort opened on Saturday morning. Spanning 318,000 square meters, this resort is the 11th LEGOLAND Resort globally and the largest LEGOLAND park at the time of its opening.
Designed specifically for children aged 2 to 12 and their families, the resort in Shanghai features eight themed areas, including “LEGOLAND Creative World,” offering over 75 interactive rides, shows and attractions.
Christiansen also noted that platforms such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE) demonstrate China’s determination to open up and its commitment to “putting action behind words.” Notably, thanks to previous CIIE participations, LEGO Group has managed to achieve strong market performance.
Christiansen pointed out that significant progress has been made in China’s IP protection efforts, adding that this progress gives him confidence in choosing continued investment in China. “We truly feel our brands and intellectual property are valued and respected here,” he said.
To date, LEGO has opened nearly 500 stores in more than 100 cities across China.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On the instructions of the President, the Government continues to provide support to residents of border areas. A resolution was signed to extend the deferment of payment of transport and land taxes, as well as property tax for individuals for citizens living in certain areas of the Kursk Region.
The decision applies to taxes due in 2024 and 2025. They can be paid until December 1, 2026.
The deferment is granted to citizens whose place of residence as of August 1, 2024, was the border territory of the Kursk region or the territory of the Kursk region where a counter-terrorism operation regime has been introduced and a decision has been made to resettle residents.
On the instructions of the President, a whole range of support measures have been envisaged in border regions, including the provision of subsidies to organizations and individual entrepreneurs for partial compensation of expenses for paying employees for forced downtime, an annual deferment of taxes and insurance premiums for organizations, grants for the restoration or relocation of production, the supply of vehicles for mobile trade, benefits for equipment leasing, and free economic zones with special conditions for entrepreneurial activity.
The document will be published.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
During a working visit to Krasnoyarsk Krai, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko held a working meeting with the region’s governor Mikhail Kotyukov. The parties discussed the development of science, education, youth policy, sports and tourism in the region.
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Working meeting of Dmitry Chernyshenko with the Governor of Krasnoyarsk Krai Mikhail Kotyukov
Dmitry Chernyshenko noted the dynamic development of the scientific potential of the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the active work of Mikhail Kotyukov as the head of the State Council commission in the direction of “Technological Leadership”:
“President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has instructed to increase spending on research and development to 2% of GDP by 2030. Krasnoyarsk Krai is actively involved in solving this problem. The region is dynamically increasing its scientific potential, attracting young scientists to science and implementing projects of the Russian Science Foundation.”
He also noted that the region pays great attention to the creation of educational infrastructure:
“Over the past few years, more than 20,000 new places have been created in schools and kindergartens in Krasnoyarsk Krai. Within the framework of the federal project “Professionalism”, 6 clusters in key sectors of the economy have been created in the region. Krasnoyarsk Krai is among the top three leaders in terms of the volume of their co-financing. The region also successfully trains engineering personnel: more than 40% of students at regional universities master in-demand specialties. Siberian Federal University participates in the “Priority-2030″ program. Work is underway to create an advanced engineering school,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.
Mikhail Kotyukov reported that, given the national goal of technical leadership, the region motivates schoolchildren to study engineering and natural sciences. In secondary vocational and higher education institutions, a base is being created for training personnel in demand in industrial and high-tech sectors of the economy.
“The “Professionality” project gave us unique experience. We formed six clusters in key sectors of the economy. And last year, following meetings with young guys studying at the college, with our entrepreneurs, we made a decision and created the regional project “Professionality for All”. Since this year, absolutely all regional institutions of secondary vocational education have joined the work on this model. The first programs that we implemented showed mutual interest of everyone: guys, parents, and employers. And we agreed with enterprises on investments in infrastructure in the ruble for ruble mode. And most importantly, practicing specialists come to teach at the technical school. This caused a 100% response. Today, even medium and small enterprises are trying to place their best equipment in classrooms,” the head of the region noted.
The parties discussed the region’s youth policy. Krasnoyarsk Krai regularly wins the “Region for the Young” competition, which allows for the modernization of youth centers. Last year, Vladimir Putin opened a year-round youth educational center in the “Sports and Health” direction, and almost 200 thousand children are involved in the volunteer movement.
Mikhail Kotyukov recalled that the All-Russian educational forum TIM “Biryusa” is currently holding a shift on financial education, the participants of which – young people from all over the country – share their experiences and develop projects in the financial sphere.
“We try to maintain the set high level, offering new initiatives. We modernized the territory of the initiative youth “Biryusa”, which worked for 20 years in the mode of a tent camp. We have created a large number of facilities for the comprehensive development of children and youth. We pay special attention to this area, realizing that soon the guys will begin to work in the region, shaping its appearance,” the governor emphasized.
Dmitry Chernyshenko noted the potential of the subject for tourism development. According to forecasts, the tourist flow in Krasnoyarsk Krai will grow by almost 13% this year. The region is actively involved in the implementation of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality”. The allocated funds are used to create infrastructure and increase the tourist attractiveness of the region.
Krasnoyarsk Krai also demonstrates good results in the sports industry. According to the results of 2024, the indicator of those involved in sports exceeded the planned level, reaching 57%. The GTO complex is being developed here, and more than 63% of the population is provided with sports facilities, which is also above the plan. Five regional federations for innovative sports are successfully operating in the region.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Central Bank of Russia –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Updated: 04.07.2025
A special mobile application – “Gosuslugi Avto”, “OSAGO Assistant” or the insurer’s own application with the ability to issue an electronic Europrotocol – allows you to fill out a notification of an accident without calling the traffic police to the scene of the accident, as well as take photographs of the damage.
The law provides for two options for registering an accident — with or without photo recording. In the case of photo recording without disagreement on the circumstances of the accident, the maximum limit of compensation under OSAGO is 400 thousand rubles, if photo recording is performed and there is disagreement — 200 thousand rubles, and when there is no photo recording and no disagreement — 100 thousand rubles (Article 11.1 of the Law on OSAGO). It is worth considering that if there is disagreement between drivers on the circumstances of the accident or the nature of the damage to vehicles, photo recording is mandatory for registering an accident without traffic police officers, without it, the insurance payment is not guaranteed. Make sure that the photos have been successfully uploaded through the application — wait for a confirmation notification.
Mobile applications are available for download in application stores (App Store, Google Play), as well as onPublic servicesor websites of insurance companies.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The work is being carried out on the instructions of the President.
The Government has approved an action plan for the implementation of the second stage of the Concept for the Development of Supplementary Education for Children, designed for 2025–2030.
Within the framework of the second stage, work will continue aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of additional education, developing the material and technical support of this sphere, infrastructure and human resources, improving legal regulation and methodological support of the additional education system.
At the first stage of the concept implementation, work was carried out to disseminate the target model for the development of additional education in the regions. It involves a transition to personalized financing – the issuance of social certificates, according to which a child can attend clubs and sections for free. Within the framework of the second stage, it is planned to annually provide such certificates to at least 30% of children in each region. It is also planned to increase the number of places for training in additional general education programs in children’s art schools.
Special attention is paid to children with disabilities, disabled children and orphans. Educational institutions will continue to create the necessary conditions for their involvement in the system of additional education, intellectual and creative competitions, sports events. Best practices for increasing the availability of additional education for disabled children and children undergoing long-term treatment will be disseminated in the regions.
In addition, at the second stage of the concept implementation, it is planned to continue updating the material and technical base of additional education organizations, actively involve young specialists in the educational process, and create conditions for regular children’s excursions on historical, cultural, scientific, educational, and patriotic topics.
The service of registration for additional education programs via the unified portal of state services will also be modernized. Its functionality will be supplemented by the ability to subscribe to notifications about the availability of registration for additional programs.
The President instructed the Government to approve the Concept for the Development of Additional Education for Children following a meeting of the Council for the Implementation of State Policy in the Sphere of Family and Child Protection in 2021. Its first stage, designed for 2022–2024, has been fully implemented.
The signed document introduces changes toGovernment Order of March 31, 2022 No. 678-r.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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Source: New South Wales – News
A man has been arrested after stealing a car in Adelaide this morning.
About 8.15am Sunday 6 July, police responded to South Terrace following reports that a Toyota ute had been stolen. It is alleged the victim had stepped out of his vehicle to make a delivery when an unknown man entered the driver’s seat. The victim approached the suspect who pushed him away and drove off towards Hutt Street.
The victim, who was not injured, provided police with GPS tracking information for the ute which showed it travelling towards the southern suburbs. Multiple patrols deployed to the area and PolAir launched to assist in the search.
The police helicopter spotted and began tracking the car on Main South Road as it continued south. The Toyota stopped on Field Street at McLaren Vale where the driver exited the vehicle, allowing patrols to quickly move in and arrest the suspect.
Crime Scene Investigators attended the scene to examine the car which was then returned to the owner.
A 37-year-old man of no fixed place was charged with aggravated robbery and illegal use of a motor vehicle. He was refused police bail and will appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court tomorrow (Monday 7 July).
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Order dated July 1, 2025 No. 1768-r
The 22nd International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO 2025) will be held in Russia from November 23 to December 2. The order to this effect has been signed.
The federal territory of Sirius will be the venue for the Olympiad. By July 16, the Ministry of Education must approve the composition of the organizing committee for its preparation and holding, as well as the plan of relevant events.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide visas to participants and guests of the event, as well as journalists, without charging fees.
IJSO is an international multidisciplinary Olympiad for schoolchildren under 15 years old. The students are required to have both theoretical knowledge and experimental skills in 3 subjects: physics, chemistry and biology.
The Olympiad has been held annually in December since 2004. In previous years, IJSO was held in Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Azerbaijan, the UAE, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, India, Iran, South Africa, Qatar, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Nigeria, and Botswana. Teams from over 70 countries participate in it.
The Russian team has been participating in competitions since the very first Olympiad and is considered one of the strongest – traditionally, Russian schoolchildren bring home several gold medals from tournaments.
The preparation and holding of the Olympiad in Russia will be ensured within the framework of the implementation of the events of the federal project “All the Best for Children”, which is part of the new national project “Youth and Children”.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Saint Petersburg State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Taking advantage of the hospitality of the rector of Melitopol State University, a graduate of St. Petersburg State University Nikolay Toivonen, the cultural and humanitarian mission of St. Petersburg University held educational events for students of the MelSU College, students and teachers of the university in Melitopol, Primorsk, Berdyansk and Kirillovka. Now hundreds of its students can tell that the bagpipe is a traditional Russian instrument, and the fact of the existence of street theater in Russia is recorded in sources from the 17th century.
This is the restoration of cultural and historical ties that have long been tried to be destroyed in this territory. Ideological problems, value orientations, continuity of tradition and, ultimately, effective processes of integration into the Russian state are the current problems that Melitopol State University is working on. The cultural and humanitarian mission of St. Petersburg State University has also made a visible contribution to this work.
Consultant to the Vice-Rector for International Affairs of St. Petersburg University, responsible for the cultural and humanitarian mission of the University Artur Gavrilenko
Before each lecture block, students and teachers of MelSU could visit the interactive exhibition of the “Museum of Forgotten Music”. More than 30 exhibits – kalyuki, pishchiks, bagpipes, gusli, hurdy-gurdies and other musical curiosities sounded and revealed their history. Each instrument could be listened to and held in hands. The luckiest listeners were united into an improvised orchestra at the end of the lecture, and a miracle happened – everyone became a musician. In Melitopol, Berdyansk and Primorsk, the founder and permanent guide of the “Museum of Forgotten Music” Sergey Plotnikov donated sets of folk wind instruments to student groups. “There is hope that these seeds of traditional culture will bear good fruit, turning into folk orchestras!” – noted Artur Gavrilenko.
Lectures on traditional theatre, as well as master classes on making puppets and theatre screens, were given by the creator and director of the Papyemashenniki Theatre, puppet master Vsevolod Mizenin. From ancient Muscovy with Olearius’s 1634 engravings, the lecture brought listeners to today’s 7th Line of Vasilievsky Island, where one of the most famous street theatres of our time was created. Listeners were introduced to the classic plots of Petrushka comedy, learning that Petrushka conquers sadness, anger, envy, and sometimes even death.
Lectures on the traditions of buffoonery in Rus’, on domrache were given by the creator of the project “Rook and Crow” Alexey Grachev and, of course, the buffoons themselves were introduced to the audience. Together with him, students and teachers of MelSU learned folk songs “There stood a tree in the field”, “Like the Don Cossacks” and others.
The St Petersburg University Cultural and Humanitarian Mission continues to collect initiatives and is always open to dialogue. Proposals are accepted at the following address: Arthur. Gavrilenko@spbu.ru
Artur Gavrilenko, who is also the head of the family folk group “Lad”, spoke about the traditions of caroling and volochebny songs, organized master classes on traditional games. In each branch of MelSU, the student body was given a “festival bag” with equipment for organizing dozens of various festive playgrounds. As Artur Vyacheslavovich noted, now the leisure time of students of Melitopol State University will be fun, healthy and educational.
Zaporozhye and Melitopol are known as cherry land. The cultural mission of St. Petersburg University supported the glorious tradition of planting gardens by participating in the planting of the “Memory Garden” in the city of Berdyansk, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory.
According to the consultant of the Vice-Rector for International Affairs of St. Petersburg University, such large-scale results of the cultural and humanitarian mission of St. Petersburg University are achieved thanks to the unification of large volunteer teams. The project is becoming a kind of metastructure for volunteers in the field of culture, education and enlightenment. This time, it was possible to unite volunteers from five regions of Russia into one team, including the Voronezh, Leningrad, Nizhny Novgorod regions, St. Petersburg and Moscow. War correspondent and journalist Alexander Panferov also took part in the mission. As a photojournalist, he is always behind the scenes, but thanks to his work, a lot can be said without words.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Decisions taken atGovernment meeting on July 3, 2025:
1. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Part Two of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation”
(in terms of increasing the efficiency of replenishing the federal budget by introducing (increasing the current) state duties for the provision of a number of state services rendered by internal affairs agencies)
Government decision:
To approve the draft federal law “On Amendments to Part Two of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation” and submit it to the State Duma in accordance with the established procedure.
2. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Information, Information Technologies and the Protection of Information””
The bill proposes additional regulatory and legal measures aimed at ensuring the effectiveness of the creation and subsequent accounting of state information systems.
Government decision:
To approve the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Information, Information Technologies and the Protection of Information”” and submit it to the State Duma in accordance with the established procedure.
3. On the draft federal law “On the provision of social guarantees to women awarded the title of “Mother Heroine””
The bill is aimed at ensuring the implementation of state policy aimed at supporting motherhood, stimulating the birth rate and creating favorable conditions for families with children.
Government decision:
Approve the draft federal law “On the provision of social guarantees to women awarded the title of “Mother Heroine”” and submit it to the State Duma in accordance with the established procedure.
4. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Articles 1 and 2 of the Federal Law “On Additional Monthly Material Support for Citizens of the Russian Federation for Outstanding Achievements and Special Services to the Russian Federation” and Articles 12 and 15 of the Federal Law “On Insurance Pensions”
The bill is aimed at increasing the level of social support for certain categories of citizens with children, in accordance with the instruction of the President of the Russian Federation dated January 24, 2025 No. Pr-119GS.
Government decision:
To approve the draft federal law “On Amendments to Articles 1 and 2 of the Federal Law “On Additional Monthly Financial Support for Citizens of the Russian Federation for Outstanding Achievements and Special Services to the Russian Federation” and Articles 12 and 15 of the Federal Law “On Insurance Pensions” and submit it to the State Duma in the prescribed manner.
5. On the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 676039-8 “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Innovative Scientific and Technological Centers and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation””
The draft amendments are aimed at ensuring prompt counteraction to offenses committed using information and communication technologies.
Government decision:
To approve the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 676039-8 “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Innovative Scientific and Technological Centers and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation”” and send them to the State Duma in the prescribed manner.
6. On the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 306504-6 “On forensic activities in the Russian Federation”
The development of the draft amendments was dictated by the need to improve the existing legal regulation of forensic activities.
Government decision:
To approve the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 306504-6 “On forensic activity in the Russian Federation” and send them to the State Duma in accordance with the established procedure.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Resolution of July 1, 2025 No. 994
Students, postgraduates and residents involved in socially useful activities aimed at developing civil initiatives will be able to receive scholarships named after the public figure and journalist from Donetsk Maria Pirogova. The resolution on the establishment of such scholarships was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
Starting from September 1, 2025, 10 full-time students (cadets) and 10 postgraduate students (adjuncts) and residents will receive a monthly stipend. The amount of the payment will be 15 thousand rubles for students (cadets) and 20 thousand rubles for postgraduate students (adjuncts) and residents. The stipend will be assigned for 12 months.
Payments will be received by students who do not have academic debt. They must be nominated by universities and other organizations that carry out educational activities. Applicants must pass a competitive selection. The selection committee, which the Ministry of Education and Science has been instructed to form, will include representatives of the association of volunteer centers, non-profit organizations and public development institutes “Dobro.rf”, as well as volunteer organizations.
Students who have achieved success in 12 areas of activity will be eligible to apply for a scholarship. Among them are support for a special military operation and its participants, social support, protection and rehabilitation of low-income citizens, the unemployed and disabled, liquidation of emergency situations and their consequences, provision of free legal assistance, environmental protection and animal protection, promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
Maria Vladimirovna Pirogova (1993–2022) – Donetsk public figure, journalist, deputy of the People’s Council of the Donetsk People’s Republic. Since 2014, she was engaged in organizing humanitarian aid to residents of the DPR. She died on December 6, 2022, during the shelling of the Youth Center in Donetsk.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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Alexander Novak took part in the meeting of the OPEC Group of Eight countries
Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexander Novak took part as a co-chair in a meeting of the Group of Eight participating countries that adopted additional voluntary adjustments to oil production in April and November 2023.
The Group of Eight includes Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman.
The parties discussed the state and prospects of the global oil market. Taking into account the stable prospects of the global economy and current market indicators reflected in low oil inventories, they agreed to make an adjustment to production by 548 thousand barrels per day in August 2025. The gradual increase can be suspended or cancelled depending on changing market conditions. Such flexibility will allow the group to continue to maintain stability in the oil market. The eight OPEC countries also noted that this measure will allow participating countries to speed up the compensation of volumes.
The parties to the deal confirmed their commitment to the voluntary adjustments to oil production agreed at the 53rd meeting of the OPEC Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee on April 3, 2024, and their intention to fully offset any excess production from January 2024.
The eight OPEC countries have agreed to meet monthly to review market conditions, compliance and compensation. The next meeting will be held on August 3 to decide on the level of oil production by the members in September 2025.
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