The conflict in the Middle East has forced China, India, and other Asian countries to increase coal consumption. The region is building up capacity for energy security.
US intelligence and experts note that Beijing avoids force, fearing conflict with the US. Taiwan is strengthening its defense with Patriot systems and naval drones.
The band BTS presented a new album about their Korean roots before a concert for 260,000 spectators. The event marks the members' return after military service.
Due to Iranian strikes, Qatar lost 17% of its LNG exports and $20 billion in revenue. Repairs will take up to five years, threatening gas supplies to Europe.
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.
The Ministry of Development has started preparing a feasibility study for a new railway line from Kyiv. The project will be part of Ukraine's integration into the EU transport network.
The Trump administration is trying to create an international coalition to counter the Iranian blockade. Most EU and Asian countries express skepticism.
Donald Trump appealed to China and NATO for help in opening the strait. Most countries refrained from sending ships due to the active war.
Giorgia Meloni's government is exploring the possibility of building reactors to lower electricity prices. The authorities are already consulting with international partners and experts.
North Korea launched more than ten 600mm rockets at an island in the East Sea. The projectiles flew approximately 364 km and hit the target with complete accuracy.
Donald Trump expects many countries to contribute ships to guard the strait. The US plans to bomb the coastline and destroy Iranian warships.
The DPRK leader, accompanied by his likely successor, observed missile launches at targets. The tests are intended to demonstrate the offensive power of the country's fleet.
Due to shelling of energy infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Brent crude oil prices reached $120. Israel attacked Tehran in response to drone strikes.
A climate study by scientists from South Korea and Australia has revealed the rapid spread of anomalous heat that instantly dries out the soil. Over the past forty years, the land area suffering from such combined natural disasters has increased from 2.5% to almost 17%.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un conducted tests of "strategic cruise missiles" from the new 5,000-ton destroyer "Cho Hyon. " He called the ship "a new symbol of the country's naval defense."
Qatar has declared force majeure on gas exports due to the US-Israeli war against Iran. Restoring normal production volumes could take at least a month, leading to shortages in global markets.
Natural gas prices in Europe rose by 34% due to uncertainty regarding exports from the world's largest LNG plant in Qatar. The plant's shutdown followed an Iranian drone attack.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung proposed to Pyongyang to return to the negotiating table to discuss a new stage of relations. He emphasized the importance of restoring contact to stabilize the situation on the peninsula.
The North Korean leader called on the US to abandon its "hostile" policy towards the DPRK, while also calling for the development of new weapons systems in case of a new war with South Korea.
The Russian Embassy in South Korea displayed a 15-meter banner with a slogan about victory, which caused outrage from the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Russian ambassador also praised the participation of North Korean troops in the war, escalating tensions.
South Korea is consulting with NATO on expanding aid to Ukraine, considering joining the PURL initiative.
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to impose martial law in 2024. The court found him guilty of organizing a rebellion and seeking to paralyze the work of parliament.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un drove a multiple rocket launcher capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, calling it one of the most powerful in the world. This demonstration took place amid North Korea's support for Russia in the war against Ukraine.
Yelyzaveta Sydorko set a national record in the 500-meter distance at the 2026 Olympics, completing it in 43. 337 seconds. Despite the high result, she could not advance to the quarterfinals, finishing fourth in her heat.
Vietnam has begun diversifying its arms purchases, moving away from Russian defense technologies in favor of Western standards. The country is negotiating with France for Rafale fighter jets and modernizing its army with the help of Israel and South Korea.
The head of Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration, Vitaliy Kim, stated that the military-technical sphere will be the driver of Ukraine's economic growth. He noted that a unique ecosystem of military technologies has emerged in Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro.
About a third of the countries participating in the military AI summit agreed to regulate the use of the technology in combat. However, military giants China and the US refused to participate.
During curling matches in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the lights went out at the Olympic Stadium, delaying the game for five minutes. The organizers did not name the cause of the incident.
Norway will purchase South Korean K239 Chunmoo MLRS for $2 billion. This will strengthen defense in the Arctic regions and deter Russian aggression.
General Motors Co. demonstrated impressive financial results for the fourth quarter, which sparked a wave of optimism among leading analysts. The company exceeded profit expectations and presented an ambitious development plan for 2026.
