China

The hMPV metapneumovirus spreading in China is not new and does not pose a serious threat. According to the WHO, the virus has a very low mortality rate and causes symptoms similar to the common cold.

Mark Zuckerberg has announced large-scale changes in content moderation on Meta platforms. The company is abandoning fact-checking services and introducing a “community notes” system to expand freedom of speech.

The 6. 8-magnitude earthquake in the mountainous region of Tibet killed 126 people and injured 188. The epicenter was located in Tingri County, and 49 aftershocks were recorded after the main shock.

The 7. 1 magnitude earthquake in the mountainous region of Tibet killed 106 people and injured 174. The disaster damaged nearly 3,000 homes and was felt in neighboring countries, including Nepal, Bhutan, and northern India.

Scotland Yard is investigating Prince Andrew's use of the pseudonym “Andrew Inverness” when registering companies. His investment company Urramoor Limited filed for liquidation after years of losses.

A 7. 1-magnitude earthquake in the holy city of Shigajie has killed 53 people and injured 62 others. Chinese authorities have launched a large-scale rescue operation in the region, where power and water have been cut off.

Donald Trump has reacted to Justin Trudeau's decision to resign by suggesting that Canada join the United States. Trudeau is leaving office amid falling ratings and economic problems in the country.

Bloggers cannot fly out of Bali due to flight cancellations. The reasons cited are an outbreak of the virus in China and a possible volcanic eruption, although the airport is operating normally.

The Government of Brazil has announced the official accession of Indonesia to BRICS as a full member. The decision was made on the basis of consensus after the presidential elections in Indonesia.

A Chinese vessel flying the flag of Cameroon is suspected of damaging an undersea communications cable off the coast of Taiwan. Taipei has asked South Korea for help in investigating the incident as the vessel is heading to the port of Busan.

Chinese hospitals are experiencing a surge in human metapneumovirus cases, especially among children under 14. The virus causes respiratory symptoms and can lead to pneumonia, but the risk of a pandemic is low.

The Center for Public Health reports that the situation with metapneumovirus in Ukraine is under control. There have been 13 cases of the disease, which is milder than the flu and rarely causes complications.

The Biden administration plans to impose sanctions on tankers transporting Russian oil at more than $60 per barrel. The measures will also affect those involved in oil trading above the price ceiling.

Taiwan's National Security Bureau reports a sharp increase in cyberattacks in 2024, with an average of 2. 4 million attempts per day. Most of the attacks are carried out by Chinese groups amid Beijing's growing military activity in the region.

A professor at Tongzhen University has discovered 16 new species of spiders in China and named them after songs by Taiwanese musician Jay Chou. Among them are the “starry-eyed spider” and the “rainbow spider”.

The Cameroon-flagged cargo ship Shunxing 39, owned by a Chinese company, damaged a communication cable near the port of Keelung. Taiwan asked South Korea for help in investigating the incident.

China has recorded a significant outbreak of metapneumovirus, which causes symptoms similar to influenza and COVID-19. The virus mainly affects children under 14, causing a high rate of hospitalizations.

Tim Cook plans to personally donate $1 million to Donald Trump's inaugural committee. The inaugural committee aims to raise more than $150 million from various companies and individuals.

Garlic prices in Ukrainian stores have reached a historic high of UAH 200 per kilogram. The deficit was caused by a 15% reduction in planted areas and rising demand in Europe, where prices are even higher.

The Biden administration is planning to introduce new rules that will limit China's access to powerful GPUs for AI. The restrictions are aimed at controlling global chip supplies and eliminating regulatory loopholes.

Consumption of red wine in France has fallen by 90% since the 1970s due to changing tastes of the younger generation. Producers are forced to adapt to new realities and switch to producing other types of wine.

Tesla reported a decline in annual sales in 2024 to 1. 79 million vehicles compared to 1.81 million in 2023. The decline is attributed to increased competition from Chinese and European manufacturers.

Chang Guang Satellite Technology has achieved 100 Gbps data transmission speeds via laser communication from the satellite to the Earth. This is 10 times faster than the previous record and outpaces the capabilities of Starlink.

Some Chinese air carriers have begun to avoid flying over southwestern Russia after the plane crash in Kazakhstan. New routes to Georgia and Hungary now go through Azerbaijan and other regions of Russia.

In 2024, the average temperature in China reached a record 10. 92°C, 1.03°C above normal. The country also experienced devastating floods that led to loss of life and mass evacuations.

Chinese automakers achieved record sales in 2024, but expect a challenging 2025. Market growth will slow to 2% due to trade tensions and fierce competition.

Hackers affiliated with the Chinese government launched a cyberattack on the US Treasury Department through a software vulnerability. The goal was to obtain data on Chinese companies that could be subject to sanctions.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping emphasized the inevitability of China's reunification with Taiwan in his New Year's address. China continues to strengthen its military presence around the island through regular drills.

The Kremlin has instructed the Russian government and Sberbank to develop AI together with China. Sanctions and the lack of access to microchips significantly complicate Russia's ambitions in this area.

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.