Hong Kong
Washington has introduced restrictions against 12 entities from Hong Kong, the UAE, and Oman. The sanctions target a shadow fleet that transported oil for Iran's needs.
A shortage of jet fuel has emerged due to the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Airlines are canceling flights en masse and raising ticket prices.
The US has introduced sanctions against 10 individuals and companies for assisting Iran in weapons production. The restrictions target programs for the development of missiles and 'Shahed'-type drones.
The share of Chinese imports of sanctioned goods to the Russian Federation has risen to 90%. This allows Moscow to ramp up the production of missiles and drones for the war.
Russian students are massively choosing Asian universities instead of European ones due to sanctions. Chinese and Korean languages have become the most popular among Russian youth.
China has imposed an urgent ban on diesel and gasoline exports due to the escalating conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. This decision could lead to a shortage of petroleum products in the Asia-Pacific region.
An explosion occurred at a government shipyard in Hong Kong, injuring six men. The incident was caused by a technical malfunction of equipment.
The conflict with Iran has led to mass cancellations of flights by Emirates and Qatar Airways, causing airline shares to fall. Over 400 flights have been canceled by each airline, and Dubai and Doha airports have suspended operations.
British police continued searching Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former home after his arrest. He is under investigation on suspicion of abuse of office related to his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
On February 17, global gold prices fell by 1% to $4948 per ounce. This happened due to a stronger dollar and low liquidity in Asian markets.
Shares of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. led a sell-off in Chinese tech stocks after the Pentagon added it to a list of companies aiding the military. The Pentagon later withdrew the list without explanation, but the shares had already fallen.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on sanctions against 91 maritime vessels of Russia's shadow fleet. These vessels were used to transport oil in circumvention of sanctions.
Captain of the container ship NewNew Polar Bear, Wang Wenguo, pleaded not guilty in the case of damage to underwater infrastructure between Finland and Estonia. A Hong Kong court is considering charges of criminal damage caused by the ship's anchor.
Thames Valley Police are investigating information about Prince Andrew's possible transfer of confidential trade reports to Jeffrey Epstein. This is related to 2010 emails where Andrew sent reports from his trip to Southeast Asia.
Bitcoin fell to a 16-month low, testing the key support level of $60,000. The overall cryptocurrency market has lost about $2 trillion since October.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has begun a three-day visit to China to bring bilateral relations out of a "deep freeze" and open up new opportunities for British exports. This is the first visit by a British head of government to the PRC in eight years.
The UK government has approved China's construction of Europe's largest embassy in London, despite espionage concerns. The decision was made in hopes of improving relations with Beijing.
Asian stock markets opened the week with gains due to positive US employment data. Oil prices are rising amid escalating protests in Iran.
Peridot, a cocktail bar, has opened on the 38th floor of The Henderson skyscraper in Hong Kong. The establishment stands out with its "neon-green" interior and unique cocktails.
The Trump administration sanctioned four companies from Hong Kong and mainland China, as well as associated oil tankers, accusing them of evading sanctions against Venezuela. These measures are aimed at cutting off financial flows supporting the regime of Nicolas Maduro.
The first to welcome 2026 were Oceania and Asia, where celebrations are accompanied by pyrotechnic shows and traditional rituals. New Zealand greeted the year with a five-minute fireworks display over Sky Tower, while Sydney honored the victims of the terrorist attack with a minute of silence and projections on the Harbour Bridge.
New Year is already being celebrated in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. An hour before that, Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan welcomed the holiday.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed decrees on synchronizing sanctions with Great Britain against 8 individuals and 40 legal entities involved in the deportation of children and the supply of components for Russian weapons. Ukraine also imposed sanctions against 8 military leaders of South Sudan in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
Chinese startups Zhipu AI and MiniMax, competitors of OpenAI, have undergone listing hearings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The companies have disclosed their financial performance for the first time, preparing for an IPO in January 2026.
The UK Foreign Office suffered a cyberattack in October, in which British officials suspect the involvement of Chinese state entities. Although there is no official confirmation, the incident occurred amid strained relations between the countries.
22 people, including a pregnant woman, died in a massive fire that broke out on Tuesday in an office building in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. The fire engulfed the seven-story building, causing panic and thick black smoke.
A Russian LNG plant on the Baltic Sea coast has delivered gas to China for the first time since the introduction of US sanctions. The vessel Valera arrived at the Beihai import terminal, indicating strengthening energy cooperation between the countries.
Hong Kong police have arrested a man for social media posts criticizing authorities over a fire that killed 159 people. He was accused of inciting hatred against the government.
In Hong Kong, authorities ordered the immediate dismantling of external scaffolding at 210 sites after a fire killed 159 people. The investigation revealed suspicions of the use of forged safety certificates for materials.
151 people died in the Hong Kong fire, and 30 more are considered missing. The bodies of some victims turned to ashes, which complicates the search.