China

China welcomed the US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, calling on all parties to join the peace process. Beijing positions itself as a potential mediator, despite its close ties with Moscow.

Brent oil prices rose by 0. 2% after a drone attack on a pumping station in Russia. Experts predict limited growth due to the expected increase in supplies from OPEC+ and Russia.

Taiwan is considering purchasing $7 to $10 billion worth of weapons from the United States. The package should include cruise missiles for coastal defense, HIMARS, and other precision weapons.

The President of Ukraine has declared his readiness to engage China in peace talks under certain conditions. These include a willingness to take responsibility for security guarantees, stopping Putin, and investing in Ukraine's recovery.

The French president plans to discuss details of the military contingent with Zelenskyy. Ukraine emphasizes the importance of US participation and the Patriot air defense system in this matter.

The President of Ukraine emphasized the importance of involving China in negotiations to end the war. The meeting between the Chinese foreign minister and Ukrainian representatives could lead to further dialogue at the highest level.

The United States is considering sending peacekeepers from non-European countries to Ukraine after the signing of the peace agreement. It is proposed to involve military personnel from Brazil and China to monitor the ceasefire line.

A zoo in Shandong province has been caught up in a scandal over donkeys painted with stripes that were passed off as zebras. Employees justify this as a marketing strategy, assuring that the paint is safe.

Research has shown that the brain stores memories from the period of childhood amnesia into adulthood, although they are not consciously recalled. The age of the first memories and their detail depend on the cultural environment and upbringing.

Mass protests against right-wing extremism and the AfD party took place in German cities. In Berlin, the number of protesters reached 30-38 thousand people.

The Chinese Foreign Minister and the Brazilian Presidential Advisor expressed their readiness to continue efforts to find a political solution to the war in Ukraine. The parties praised the work of the Friends of Peace group and support peace initiatives.

Google has cooperated with authoritarian governments by removing objectionable content at their request. From 2020 to 2024, more than 60% of takedown requests came from Russia, and China managed to get 200+ corruption videos removed.

The Russian military intelligence headquarters has created a special tasks department to carry out sabotage in Europe. The unit is engaged in assassinations, sabotage, and recruitment of agents abroad.

EU foreign ministers hold an emergency discussion in Munich after the US Vice President's announcement of a new relationship with Europe. Kaja Kallas announced new initiatives to support Ukraine.

During the talks in Munich, Ukraine's Foreign Minister invited his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, to Kyiv. The parties discussed peace and security guarantees for Ukraine.

Senior Trump administration officials travel to Saudi Arabia to begin peace talks with Russian and Ukrainian representatives. The US does not plan to involve representatives of other European countries.

U. S. President's Special Representative Keith Kellogg stated the need for territorial and military concessions from the Russian Federation. He also expressed concern about the formation of an alliance between the Russian Federation, Iran, North Korea, and China.

Alice Weidel, the leader of the German AfD party, regularly held private meetings with Chinese Ambassador Wu Keng. The meetings took place at his residence and coincided with the period of the AfD spy scandal.

The Polish Foreign Minister said that new security guarantees for Ukraine should be real, unlike the Budapest Memorandum. Ukraine is preparing its own vision of guarantees and plans to discuss them with the United States.

Thousands of students gathered in Kragujevac for a 15-hour protest over the deaths of 8 people at the Novy Sad train station. They demanded an investigation into the tragedy and punishment for those responsible for the corruption scandal.

U. S. Special Representative Keith Kellogg stated that a ceasefire in Ukraine is the first step. The US views the conflict as a global war and is ready to mediate in the negotiations.

The German foreign minister said that there will be no lasting peace without European participation in the negotiations. Burbock also called Putin's Russia the main enemy of European democracy.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated the need for all stakeholders to participate in peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. China supports any peace initiatives and emphasizes the special role of Europe in resolving the conflict.

The Cook Islands have signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with China in various fields. This decision caused concern in New Zealand, which has constitutional ties with the islands.

The US Secretary of Defense said that Ukraine's borders will remain a subject of discussion, and a return to the 2014 borders is unlikely. He also does not guarantee the long-term presence of US troops in Europe due to global challenges.

China has started recruiting specialists for the planetary defense force due to the asteroid 2024 YR4, which has a 2. 2% chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. SASTIND is looking for young graduates to develop monitoring and early warning systems.

Apple plans to launch artificial intelligence features for Chinese users by mid-2025. The company is adapting Apple Intelligence technology to local conditions and regulatory requirements.

Donald Trump is set to hold talks with the leaders of Russia and China on denuclearization and defense cuts.

The Financial Times reports on a possible ceasefire in Ukraine by Easter or May 9 at the initiative of Trump and Putin.

Honda and Nissan have suspended negotiations on their planned merger less than two months after the announcement. The companies will continue to cooperate in the field of automotive technology, while Nissan will look for a new partner.