China

January 29, 2025 is the year of the Wood Snake, which will last until February 16, 2026. This period will bring a special energy of wisdom and change, requiring a strategic approach and flexibility of thought.

January 29, 2025 will mark the beginning of the Green Wooden Snake year according to the Chinese calendar. The holiday will last for two weeks and will end with the Lantern Festival on February 16.

The EU plans a phased ban on imports of Russian aluminum and to disconnect 15 banks from SWIFT. The new package of sanctions will also include restrictions on 70 ships of the “shadow fleet”.

Thailand has updated the timeline for the launch of a 609-kilometer high-speed railroad connecting the country to China via Laos. The project, which is 70% owned by China, has faced financial and engineering difficulties.

A group of U. S. senators has expressed concern about China's growing influence on the Panama Canal. The US authorities are considering control measures, including possible fines for Panamanian ships.

The US plans to impose a 25% duty on imports from Canada and Mexico due to problems with illegal migration and drugs. The deadline is set for February 1, unless the countries take appropriate measures.

Russia plans to open 48 drone production centers within 10 years, while 15 are currently operating. Putin has set a goal to make Russia a world leader in drones by 2030.

Scientists have set the Doomsday Clock to 89 seconds before midnight, the closest it has come to a catastrophe in the 78 years of the project's existence. The reason was the tense international situation.

The world's 500 richest people lost $108 billion due to the fall in tech stocks. Larry Ellison ($27.6 billion) and Jensen Huang ($20.8 billion) suffered the largest losses due to the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek.

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek reported large-scale cyberattacks after it overtook ChatGPT in the App Store. The company temporarily restricted the registration of new users due to technical issues.

New US sanctions increase the cost of tanker freight for Russian oil, leading to a price gap in China. India and China reduce purchases of Russian oil for March due to higher transportation costs.

Donald Trump confirmed that Microsoft is negotiating the acquisition of the American division of TikTok. The decision on the future of the app should be made within 30 days.

Trump intends to use tough methods of pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine within 100 days. The plan includes economic sanctions, blackmail, and possible involvement of China to influence Putin.

Scott Bessent became the new U. S. Treasury Secretary with 68 votes in favor in the Senate. His economic plan envisages a reduction in the budget deficit, GDP growth, and an increase in oil production.

Tesla is challenging in court the EU's anti-subsidy duty of up to 7. 8% on imports of electric vehicles from China. The company joined BMW and Chinese manufacturers who have also filed lawsuits against the new tariffs.

The Chinese government is planning a major personnel reshuffle in 2025, opening the way for officials born in the 1970s. Xi Jinping has not appointed a successor, raising questions about the future of China's political system.

The new Chinese AI DeepSeek, created for $6 million, has beaten ChatGPT in the App Store. Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation considers this an evolution, not a revolution, despite the significant drop in tech giants' shares.

China has denied the CIA's claim that COVID-19 was leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan, calling it “extremely unlikely. ” The Chinese Foreign Ministry cites joint research with the WHO and calls on the United States to stop politicizing the issue.

European diplomats express cautious optimism about Donald Trump's position on Ukraine.

Belarus is undergoing a transformation of its power system based on the Iranian model, which will lead to a transit of power. russia will try to maintain control, but new players are emerging - China and Turkey.

AI Assistant app by Chinese startup DeepSeek became the #1 free app in the US App Store. The success was achieved despite the US restrictions on the export of advanced chips to China.

The head of the OP, Andriy Yermak, said that the “peace plans” for 100 days are Russian information injections. The media had previously reported on Trump's plan to end the war, which included Ukraine's withdrawal from NATO.

The CIA has concluded that COVID-19 most likely originated from a leak at the Wuhan laboratory. The agency reached this conclusion with a low degree of confidence, echoing the position of the FBI and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The CIA has presented an updated analysis that supports the theory of the laboratory origin of COVID-19. The agency based its conclusions on new data on the working conditions of laboratories in Wuhan before the start of the pandemic.

President Zelenskiy said that Trump supports a quick end to the war with Russia, but Putin does not. According to Zelenskyy, the United States has more influence than China in resolving the conflict.

Serbian President Vucic has declared his refusal to impose sanctions on Russia and its allies while he is in power. He plans to hold talks with Putin on US sanctions in the oil industry.

The Philippines has suspended scientific research in the South China Sea after an incident with the Chinese military. Chinese vessels harassed Philippine boats while collecting sand samples off Titus Island.

Saudi Arabia has signed a contract with the terrorist country to supply 39 Pantsir-S1M systems and other military equipment. The first deliveries took place in 2023, after the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Tesla has announced the start of deliveries of the updated Model Y Juniper in the US, Canada, and Europe starting in March. The car has a new design, an 8-inch screen for rear passengers and an improved autopilot system.

Brent and WTI crude oil show a weekly drop of 3-4% after Trump's statements about increasing US production. The President demands that OPEC and Saudi Arabia reduce prices and increase investment in the US.