China

TikTok is organizing a Power 30 Awards party for influencers who supported Trump during the election. The event will take place on the last day of the deadline for the company to separate from its Chinese owner.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has held telephone talks with US President-elect Donald Trump. Details of the conversation between the two leaders were not disclosed.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the Digital Development Strategy until 2030, which envisages the establishment of chip production in Ukraine. The Ministry of Digital Transformation estimates that at least $1 billion is needed to launch the production.

Biden will not ban TikTok before the transfer of power to Trump. The newly elected president promised to keep the app, and TikTok's CEO will receive a VIP seat at the inauguration along with other tech leaders.

China's economy grew by 5% in 2024, driven by increased production and exports. However, the country faces the problems of weak consumer demand and the risk of deflation.

Almost all children under 5 years old suffer from metapneumovirus, but it is not even in the top 5 infections in Ukraine. Experts refute the connection of the virus with China and call its discussion an attempt to create a sensation.

Rates for the transportation of ESPO oil from Russia to China increased from $1. 5 million to $5-5.5 million. US sanctions have affected tankers transporting Russian oil and led to vessel demurrage off the coast of China.

Russia's sovereign wealth fund has shrunk by 57% since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Cash and liquid investment reserves decreased by 24% to RUB 3.8 trillion.

Brent and WTI crude oil prices fell by 0. 5% after reaching multi-month highs. Falling US oil inventories and new sanctions against Russia are affecting the global market.

Ukraine's president said it is possible to end the war this year with Trump's help. According to Zelenskyy, the newly elected US president is able to put pressure on Russia and provide Ukraine with real security guarantees.

New US sanctions have stopped 10% of Russia's shadowy oil transportation fleet. About 65 tankers with Russian oil cannot enter the ports of China and other countries.

Former US Director of Intelligence John Ratcliffe spoke about Russia's attempts to compete with the US in hypersonic technology. He noted that Russia's Texas-sized economy forces it to choose narrow areas of competition.

Russia is losing ground in the space industry due to sanctions and the war in Ukraine. Trump could use this as leverage by offering Putin participation in the Artemis program in exchange for an end to the war.

Chinese hackers gained access to more than 400 US Treasury Department computers through a vulnerability in BeyondTrust software. More than 3,000 unclassified files, including sanctions and intelligence documents, were stolen.

The White House is considering options for maintaining access to TikTok in the United States after the ban came into effect on Sunday. The app may remain active, but without updates, although a complete shutdown is also possible.

Canada has prepared a draft list of $105 billion worth of US goods to impose duties in response to possible Trump sanctions. 12 out of 13 provinces have supported a common strategy to counter US protectionism.

U. S. President Joe Biden delivered a farewell speech in the Oval Office, summarizing his term. He noted successes in domestic policy and support for Ukraine, emphasizing the strengthening of NATO.

The US State Department considers the new sanctions to be more effective than recognizing Russia as a sponsor of terrorism. The latest restrictions have already led to the stoppage of tankers carrying Russian oil and made it impossible to circumvent previous sanctions.

John Ratcliffe, a candidate for the post of CIA director, said that the risk of a US conflict with a nuclear power is growing because of the war in Ukraine. He also called the current situation the most difficult for US national security in history.

HMD Global has withdrawn all Nokia smartphones and tablets from sale on its official website. Button phones remain available, but the company has not yet provided official comments on the future of the brand.

The United States imposed sanctions on nearly 100 entities associated with the Russian military machine. Banks, defense companies, foreign companies and individuals are subject to restrictions.

YouTube vlogger MrBeast announced his intention to acquire TikTok to prevent the platform from being blocked in the United States. After this statement was published, several billionaires approached him to discuss a possible deal.

During the discussion in Washington, US National Security Advisors Sullivan and Volz identified China as the main challenge for the United States. The war in Ukraine was not included in the list of major threats to national security.

At a meeting of the NATO Military Committee, Mark Rutte called for increased support for Ukraine. He emphasized the growing hostility of Russia and its allies against democratic countries.

American companies have increased imports of goods from China due to the threat of new tariffs from Trump. In December, the volume of shipments increased by 14.5%, reaching 451 thousand containers.

Three Russian Arctic oil fields have faced serious disruptions due to US tanker sanctions. The restrictions could lead to a halt in production due to a lack of oil storage capacity.

The President of Ukraine will take part in the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21. The event will also be attended by Donald Trump, Ursula von der Leyen and other world leaders.

Ukraine's European allies have held private talks with the Trump team about supporting Ukraine. Officials expressed cautious optimism that the new US administration would not force Kyiv into premature negotiations with Russia.

Fuel prices in Ukraine are rising due to an increase in world oil prices from $74 to $82 per barrel. The reason was new US sanctions against Russian oil companies and tankers.

Chinese state-owned oil companies are buying crude oil from the Middle East and other regions in large quantities. This is due to fears of supply disruptions after new sanctions against Russia and Iran.