China

Brent crude oil exceeded $81 per barrel after the US imposed sanctions on the Russian energy sector. China and India are urgently looking for alternative sources of oil supply.

The US President met with the Prime Minister of Japan and the President of the Philippines to discuss security in the Indo-Pacific region. Particular attention was paid to threats in the South China Sea and economic cooperation.

Capri Holdings is looking for a buyer for its luxury brand Versace due to falling sales. The Italian fashion house Prada is considered a potential buyer, with an estimated deal value of up to $2.19 billion.

Chinese and Indian oil refineries are forced to reorient to oil supplies from the Middle East, Africa, and America. This is due to new US sanctions against russian companies and vessels.

Chinese officials report a decrease in the incidence of metapneumovirus in the northern provinces. The WHO has not received reports of unusual outbreaks, and experts emphasize that the virus has been around for decades.

Slovakia's prime minister announced guaranteed supplies of 3-3. 5 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to the country. If the situation with gas transit through Ukraine does not change, he threatens to suspend aid and veto further support.

The United States imposed sanctions on 183 tankers transporting Russian oil to Asia. This will reduce oil supplies from Russia to China and India and force them to look for alternative suppliers.

An innovative subway train CETROVO 1. 0, made of carbon fiber composite materials, has been launched in Qingdao. The vehicle is 11% lighter than traditional models and consumes 7% less energy.

The Eagle S ship that damaged the Estlink 2 electric cable belongs to a Dubai-based company. It was discovered that 55 vessels of the Russian “shadow fleet” are registered in Dubai.

The US Supreme Court has begun hearings on a law to force the sale of TikTok due to national security threats. The Chinese company ByteDance has to sell the platform by January 19, or its operations in the United States will be terminated.

The Danish government has sent messages to the Trump team about its willingness to discuss increased security in Greenland. Denmark emphasizes that the island is not for sale, but is open to dialogue about expanding the U.S. military presence.

The majority of the US Supreme Court justices are inclined to support the law banning TikTok because of its ties to China. The ban could take effect on January 19, 2025, if ByteDance does not sell the app.

The USA is imposing sweeping sanctions against the Russian oil industry, including 180 vessels and leading companies. Against the backdrop of these restrictions, global oil prices have risen to their highest level since October.

In 2024, the global average temperature exceeded the threshold of 1. 5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. The record warming is caused by anthropogenic changes and the El Niño phenomenon.

Brent and WTI crude oil prices rose by 0. 9% due to low temperatures and growing demand for fuel. Over the past three weeks, Brent has risen by 6% and WTI by 7%, also affected by sanctions against Russia and Iran.

The Japanese government imposed new sanctions against Russia, freezing the assets of 45 individuals and organizations. Starting January 23, the export of 335 goods, including motorcycles and specialty vehicle components, will also be banned.

Xi Jinping will send a representative to Trump's inauguration instead of attending in person. The Chinese envoy will hold talks with the US president-elect's team to reduce tensions between the two countries.

The director of the Panama Canal rejected Trump's accusations of Chinese control over the waterway. He also criticized the idea of preferential tariffs for American ships, calling it a violation of international treaties.

The United States plans to impose new sanctions on the Russian economy and Chinese organizations that support Russia. The Biden administration seeks to strengthen Ukraine's position before possible negotiations with Russia.

US President-elect Donald Trump has serious intentions to acquire Greenland from Denmark after his inauguration on January 20. He is considering using diplomatic and economic pressure to expand US influence.

Trump's advisors warned Denmark that the purchase of Greenland is serious for US national security. Trump does not rule out military action and threatens tariffs if Denmark does not agree.

The Danish Foreign Minister said that Greenland may gain independence, but will not become part of the United States. This statement was made after Trump did not rule out a forceful seizure of the island.

The Chinese currency fell to 7. 33 yuan per dollar, reaching its lowest level since September 2023. Experts attribute the drop to Trump's possible imposition of 60% tariffs on Chinese goods.

Ukraine has improved its position in the Henley Passport Index 2025, rising to 30th place with 148 visa-free destinations. Singapore topped the ranking with access to 195 countries, ahead of Japan and European countries.

Panamanian authorities have declared their inviolable sovereignty over the inter-oceanic canal in response to Trump's threats. Experts and locals called the idea of American control over the canal “remote and absurd.

The French Foreign Minister announced the possibility of lifting EU sanctions on transactions with Syrian state institutions. The decision will depend on how the new leadership handles the transition of power.

The number of recalls due to software in cars has increased from 6% to 15% over the past 5 years. Tesla, Ford, and other manufacturers are increasingly relying on software updates to improve the functionality of cars.

Shandong Port Group has banned tankers under US sanctions from entering its ports in Shandong province. This could affect oil imports from Russia, Venezuela and Iran, which account for 17% of China's total oil imports.

Trump's transition team is preparing an executive order to withdraw the United States from the global climate agreement. The EU warns that this could deal a serious blow to global efforts to combat climate change.

A powerful 6. 8-magnitude earthquake hits Tibet, killing 126 people and injuring 188. Rescuers have evacuated more than 400 people, but the search is complicated by extremely low temperatures.