In Ukraine, potato prices have been rising since the beginning of the week, due to a decrease in quality stocks in storage facilities. Currently, prices are 7-14 UAH/kg, which is 17% higher than last week.
In China, on February 18, an explosion and fire at a fireworks store in Xiangyang city, Hubei province, resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people. This is not the first such incident in the country recently.
In Jiangsu province, an explosion at a fireworks store killed eight people and injured two others with burns. The cause was a safety violation by a resident near the retail outlet.
Global gold prices stabilized above $5,000 per ounce, despite profit-taking and a slight decline. Analysts predict a rise to $5,800 per ounce by the end of the second quarter.
The astrologer emphasized that the week of February 16-22 carries a strong energy of change, but at the same time requires calmness, awareness, and inner work.
The price of gold rose by 2. 3% to $4879.45 per ounce, while silver increased by 3.8% to $73.91 per ounce after a significant drop. CME raised margins on precious metals to reduce risks.
The US Department of Justice has released millions of pages of Jeffrey Epstein's investigation documents. They detail his connections with figures such as Steve Bannon, Elon Musk, and world leaders, as well as Epstein's attempts to meet Musk and his influence on political and business circles.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha briefed the EU Council on the situation at the front, emphasizing the need to reach 50,000 Russian losses per month. He called for full strategic autonomy for Europe and funding for the PURL program.
Russia's economic indicators signal a slide into stagflation. The tight monetary policy of the Russian Central Bank stifled business activity.
The private residence of Tomio Okamura, Speaker of the lower house of the Czech Parliament, was marked on Google Maps as "Organization for the Support of Ukraine. " This occurred after his statements regarding Ukraine and a pro-Ukrainian demonstration.
The annual Zigong International Lantern Festival has kicked off in China, featuring over 200 handmade lanterns. This year's festival is dedicated to the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese zodiac.
The leading federal prosecutor's office in the US has engaged almost all prosecutors in the Southern District of New York to review over two million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. This task, which has been ongoing for several weeks, raises questions about overwork and the postponement of other important cases.
Financial analyst Serhiy Fursa explained the hryvnia exchange rate fluctuations by seasonality and NBU policy. He advises Ukrainians not to rush to exchange offices, but to consider government bonds with an annual rate of 16%.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, reported a significant decrease in passenger traffic at the state border after the holidays. Over the past day, 63,000 citizens crossed the border, which is lower than average.
After the New Year's pause, the Ukrainian hryvnia came under pressure, but its weakening fits into the managed logic of exchange rate policy. Expert Oleh Pendzyn explains that there is no classic foreign exchange market in Ukraine, and the NBU is the key seller of foreign currency.
French President Emmanuel Macron appeared in blue-tinted sunglasses at a meeting at the Élysée Palace. The day before, he had a red right eye during his New Year's address to the Armed Forces.
Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, has been celebrated for over 1000 years according to the lunisolar calendar. This year it falls on February 17, accompanied by visits to ancestral graves, red decorations, and fireworks.
The Chinese New Year in 2026 will fall on February 17, marking the 4723rd year according to the Eastern calendar. The celebrations will last two weeks, concluding on March 3.
In a private conversation with leaders of the European Parliament's political groups, EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas noted that it might be time to start drinking. According to her, this is due to current world events.
Poland neutralized the most powerful cyberattack on energy infrastructure in history, carried out by Russian special services. They tried to cause a complete power outage for Polish citizens at the end of December 2025.
Swiss authorities released the co-owner of the Crans-Montana bar, where 40 people died in a fire, after he submitted documents. Jacques Moretti, head of Le Constellation, must report to the police daily and post bail.
In Kyiv, law enforcement officers exposed a 40-year-old Israeli citizen who is suspected of selling drugs. The man decorated the New Year's tree with bags of drugs.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces may have received the newest American "Tempest" air defense system, developed by V2X, for testing in real combat operations. The complex, presented in October, is designed to combat drones.
American actor Daniel Stern, known for his role in the film "Home Alone," was fined in California for attempting to order escort services. The incident occurred on December 10, and the actor received a fine and a court summons.
Jacques Moretti, owner of the Swiss bar Le Constellation, has been arrested following a fire that killed 40 people. His wife has been placed under house arrest, and the prosecutor's office is investigating a case of negligent homicide.
After Malanka, carolers appeared at the Spartak Shopping and Entertainment Center in Lviv, combining urban rhythm with folk music. This was a continuation of the Christmas program, which included St. Nicholas's Residence and a nativity scene.
On January 7, the Russians launched a massive and combined assault on the positions of the 71st separate airmobile brigade between Andriivka and Oleksiivka in the Sumy region. The defense forces destroyed five enemy groups and more than a dozen occupiers who tried to break through on quad bikes and on foot, with total losses amounting to 42 people.
The state enterprise "Forests of Ukraine" sold 91. 4 thousand New Year trees, generating 16.5 million hryvnias in revenue. The highest demand was recorded in the Volyn and Rivne regions, and the lowest in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions.
In 2025, over 11,000 mobile internet outages were recorded in Russia across 80 regions, including Kamchatka. The authorities explain this by protection against drones, although the real goal is to strengthen control over the information space.
Germany could have a presence in a NATO country bordering Ukraine a year after any future ceasefire, Merz says.
