China

Last year, Russia's energy revenues decreased by 20% compared to 2024. This was due to increasing discounts on Russian oil and low global prices, which intensified pressure on the country's economy.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced improved relations with Venezuela, which removes the question of immediate use of force. The US is satisfied with the actions of the new government and is preparing to open an embassy.

The US, Denmark, and Greenland held talks in Washington regarding a new security agreement in the Arctic. This was in response to pressure from Trump, who had previously threatened to annex the island.

Acting CISA Director Madhu Gottumukkala inadvertently leaked government materials by uploading them to OpenAI's public chatbot. The incident occurred after receiving exclusive permission to use ChatGPT, which is blocked for other DHS employees.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced successful negotiations on a security agreement in the Arctic. The US seeks to strengthen NATO's presence and limit Russia's and China's access to Greenland's mineral resources.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has begun a visit to China to reset economic relations. This is the first visit of a British head of government to the PRC in eight years.

LVMH shares fell 8. 2% as investors' hopes for a rapid recovery in demand for luxury goods were dashed. The market is concerned about slow sales in the Chinese market and cautious forecasts from CEO Bernard Arnault.

China provides Russia with machine tools and electronic components for the creation of nuclear hypersonic missiles, which are produced at the Votkinsk Plant. This allows Russia to circumvent Western sanctions and accelerate arms production.

A Spanish rescue vessel escorted the Chariot Tide tanker, which is under EU sanctions for carrying Russian oil, to the port of Tanger-Med in Morocco. The ship's engine had broken down, and it was drifting in international waters.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has begun a three-day visit to China to bring bilateral relations out of a "deep freeze" and open up new opportunities for British exports. This is the first visit by a British head of government to the PRC in eight years.

Donald Trump welcomed the dollar's decline, calling it "great" for American business and exports. Following his statements, the dollar index fell by 1.2%, reaching its lowest level since February 2022.

Donald Trump has raised import duties on goods from South Korea from 15% to 25% due to the non-ratification of the agreement. This decision caused Hyundai and Kia shares to plummet, which could cost them $3.5 billion annually.

President Zelenskyy reacted to the Russian attack on a passenger train in the Kharkiv region, calling it terrorism. The number of victims has risen to four, and four more people are being searched for.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Keir Starmer discussed energy support for Ukraine and strengthening air defense. The leaders emphasized the need to increase pressure on Russia and unite international efforts to end the war.

A 35-year-old KGB spy from Belarus, who had been working for Belarusian special services since 2015, has been detained in Kyiv. She attempted to infiltrate one of the units of Ukrainian military intelligence.

Ukrainian specialists have discovered a Starlink terminal on a Russian BM-35 drone, which allows it to be controlled over long distances, making it almost invulnerable to electronic warfare. Expert Andriy Kramarov explained the danger and ways to counter such UAVs.

The hands of the Doomsday Clock were moved forward by four seconds, marking the closest to midnight in history. The reasons for this were the aggressive behavior of nuclear powers, the violation of nuclear arms control, and conflicts.

The European Union and India have concluded negotiations on a comprehensive free trade agreement, which includes reducing tariffs on cars and wine from the EU. This agreement strengthens economic and political ties between the world's second and fourth largest economies and has mixed implications for Ukraine.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei urges humanity to recognize the potential threats of powerful AI systems that could emerge in the coming years. He outlined risks ranging from job displacement to bioterrorism.

Ten Russian postal services, cooperating with operators from Germany and France, are part of a network through which sanctioned goods enter Russia. This was confirmed by Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the President of Ukraine's authorized representative for sanctions policy. Foreign components manufactured in 2024-2026 have been found in Russian Kh-101 missiles.

The Foreign Intelligence Service reports that the US initiative to build communications in the South Caucasus deprives Russia of its position as a key player. The TRIPP project involves the construction of infrastructure and communications between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The first cargo of liquefied natural gas from Russia's Arctic LNG 2 plant this year has been unloaded at the Beihai LNG terminal in China. This is evidenced by LSEG data released on Monday.

German companies Rheinmetall and OHB are developing a satellite network for the Bundeswehr, which will become a European alternative to Starlink. The project will provide secure internet for the German army, reducing dependence on American technologies.

India and the European Union will announce a free trade agreement that includes India reducing tariffs on car imports from the EU by up to 40% from 110%. This will pave the way for an expanded market for European cars and Indian electronics, textiles, and chemicals.

The price of gold jumped to a record $5081. 18 per ounce in the spot market. The rise is driven by demand for safe-haven assets and geopolitical uncertainty.

General Zhang Youxia, a close associate of Xi Jinping, is accused of providing the US with sensitive information regarding China's nuclear program. He is also suspected of forming political cliques and abusing power.

Canada will not conclude a free trade agreement with China, Prime Minister Mark Carney said. This decision was made after Donald Trump's threat to impose a 100% tariff on Canadian goods.

In 2026, Ukraine ranked 20th in the global military power rating among 145 countries, according to Global Firepower. The rating takes into account over 60 indicators, including army size and economic potential.

US President Donald Trump promises to impose 100% tariffs on all Canadian goods if Ottawa concludes a trade agreement with Beijing. According to him, China will "eat Canada alive, completely devour it."

The US has published a new national defense strategy for 2026, with the main priority being the security of US territory and the Western Hemisphere. The strategy envisages limited support for allies and relations with China "based on strength."