China

The 500 richest people in the world have reached a combined capital of 10 trillion dollars. Ilon Musk is the leader with a fortune of 442.1 billion dollars, having increased it by 213 billion over the year.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte promised to increase military presence in the Baltic Sea after the incidents with the cables. Poland proposed to make the Baltic Sea a zone of enhanced NATO military control.

The WHO has called on China to provide more data on the origin of COVID-19. Beijing denies the accusations and claims that it shared all the information “without concealment.

China has unveiled a prototype CR450 train capable of reaching a speed of 450 km/h. The new train outperforms the previous CR400 model and is undergoing final tests before commercial operation.

Auckland marked the start of 2024 with a grand fireworks display near the Sky Tower. New Zealand became one of the first countries to welcome the New Year after Kiribati and the Tonga Islands.

The Russian command has developed plans in case of war with Japan and South Korea, including a list of 160 targets. Documents from 2013-2014 contain targets for strikes on nuclear power plants, bridges, tunnels and industrial facilities.

Beijing denies any involvement in the cyberattack on the US Treasury Department that took place in early December. Hackers gained access to unclassified documents through an external security provider.

The Novi Sad prosecutor's office has charged 13 people, including the former transport minister, over the collapse of the roof at the station. The tragedy claimed the lives of 15 people and injured about 30.

In his New Year's address, Xi Jinping confirmed further cooperation with the terrorist country. The Chinese leader emphasized avoiding confrontation with third parties and achieving a new level of strategic coordination.

Hackers linked to Chinese government agencies gained access to the US Treasury Department's systems in December. BeyondTrust discovered an access key leak that allowed the attackers to penetrate the Treasury's network.

In 2025, the green wooden snake should choose the right colors of clothes and follow special rituals. Here's a look at New Year's fortune telling on the Christmas tree, tangerines, and sweets.

Bitcoin's price dropped to $93,670, $15,000 below its December record. The cryptocurrency is up 120% year-to-date, but expectations for Fed rates have cooled the market.

Brent and WTI oil prices declined amid expectations of new economic data from major consumers. Traders are analyzing the demand outlook after China's record stimulus and the reduction in US inventories.

Kaja Kallas said that the number of sabotage attacks in Europe has increased since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU plans to step up measures against Russian ships and is considering the use of frozen Russian assets.

Trump unexpectedly chose his former rival Marco Rubio to be the US Secretary of State. Rubio changed his position on Ukraine from strong support to voting against additional funding.

Russia has shifted to stockpiling supplies between attacks instead of frequent small strikes. During the attack on December 12-13, about 90 missiles and 180 UAVs were used.

China has unveiled a new Type 076 Sichuan amphibious assault ship with an electromagnetic catapult for launching aircraft. The 40,000-ton ship can carry more than 1,000 marines and competes with the US military power.

The Alabuga plant produced 5,760 Shahed drones in 9 months of 2024, twice as many as in 2023. russia plans to produce 10,000 decoy drones by the end of the year to overcome Ukrainian air defense.

Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to suspend the ban on TikTok until 2025. He claims that he will be able to find a political solution to the issue after his inauguration, using his “outstanding deal-making skills.

Kyrgyzstan has begun construction of a new railroad connecting China with Europe through Central Asia. The 450-500 km long project will allow cargo to be transported bypassing russia.

The President of Ukraine reported on massive losses of DPRK troops at the front and their killing by his own troops. Russia deliberately sends Koreans into combat without protection and prevents their capture.

Photos of two new Chinese military aircraft with a tailless design and stealth characteristics have been posted online. The larger aircraft is diamond-shaped with three engines, while the smaller one has a more traditional look.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi emphasized that Ukraine needs a comprehensive and just peace based on a 10-point formula.

Brent and WTI oil prices showed weekly growth amid expectations of economic stimulus in China. The strengthening of the US dollar is restraining further growth in oil prices.

Vladimir Putin's experimental Oreshnik missile launched against Ukraine last month was manufactured by Russian companies that still rely on modern Western production equipment.

The Russian ambassador to China announced that Xi Jinping will visit Moscow in 2025. According to him, China and Russia plan to jointly counteract the United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

The governments of the United States and Japan have adopted new Extended Deterrence Guidelines to strengthen security in the region. The document is aimed at countering strategic and nuclear threats from China and North Korea.

In Norway, a bus carrying foreign tourists went off the E10 highway and ended up in the water, killing three people. Among the passengers were citizens of 8 countries, 11 people were hospitalized, and the rescue operation is ongoing.

The President of Ukraine has appointed Yuriy Vitrenko as Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna by Decree No. 881/2024. This appointment is part of a large-scale diplomatic reshuffle in Ukrainian missions abroad.

The Finnish authorities are investigating the involvement of the Eagle S tanker from the Russian “shadow fleet” in damaging the Estlink 2 submarine electric cable. The vessel was stopped in Finnish waters after the incident last Wednesday.