One of the most legendary actors of South Korean cinema, Ahn Sung-ki, died at the age of 74 on January 5.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally observed the test of a new hypersonic missile on January 4. He emphasized the need to improve offensive weapons and nuclear deterrence.
K-pop group BTS will return to the stage as a full group on March 20, 2026. This will happen after an almost four-year hiatus, during which all members completed their military service.
The US Army deactivated the 5th Air Squadron of the 17th Regiment, based in South Korea, on December 15, 2025. This event is part of a global reform and does not involve a reduction in the US military presence in the region.
On January 4, the DPRK launched several ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan. The launches were recorded from the Pyongyang area at about 07:50 a.m. local time.
Consumers will face up to a 20% increase in electronics prices this year. The price increase is due to a shortage of memory chips caused by increased demand for artificial intelligence.
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.
Japan, South and North Korea officially entered the New Year. Traditional ceremonies were held in Seoul and Japan, and a large-scale fireworks display in Pyongyang.
New Year on the planet lasts almost a day, starting from the Line Islands in the Pacific Ocean and ending in Samoa. Find out the exact time of the 2026 New Year celebration in different countries of the world according to Kyiv time.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the test launch of long-range strategic cruise missiles, calling for the development of nuclear combat forces. The exercises took place on Sunday in the Yellow Sea.
An independent prosecutor is demanding a 10-year prison sentence for ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of obstruction of duty and abuse of power. The court could issue a verdict as early as next month.
The Japanese government has planned a record defense budget of over 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) to strengthen its defense capabilities amid tensions with China. The country is also developing long-range missiles and the SHIELD drone system to protect its coast.
Western sanctions have reshaped India's oil trade, reducing its reliance on Russian oil. Imports from Russia decreased by 17.8% in January-October 2025, while imports from the US increased by 83.3% and from the UAE by 8.7%.
The United States and South Korea have agreed to conclude a separate agreement on cooperation in the field of nuclear submarines. Working-level negotiations will begin early next year.
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on human rights violations in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including Crimea and Sevastopol. 79 countries voted for the document, 16 were against, and 73 abstained.
North Korean hackers stole $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, setting a new anti-record. This accounts for the lion's share of global crypto thefts, which totaled $3.4 billion.
Former cryptocurrency mogul Do Kwon was sentenced to 15 years in prison after a $40 billion market collapse revealed fraud in his crypto ecosystem. The judge called it a fraud of epic proportions that caused real people to lose money.
The administration of US President Donald Trump is forming a coalition to counter China's dominant control over critical minerals and technology sectors. On Friday, the Pax Silica declaration will be signed with the participation of Singapore, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Israel.
Hyundai unveiled the new Concept Three electric hatchback at the Munich Motor Show in September, which will be named IONIQ 3. Production is set to begin in early 2026 in Turkey, with an expected price of around $33,700.
US B-52 bombers, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, flew over the Sea of Japan alongside Japanese F-35 and F-15 fighters. This was a response to joint China-Russia exercises in the region, as well as increased Chinese military activity around Taiwan.
The Washington Post reports on the outlines of a future peace agreement for Ukraine, which includes EU membership by 2027 and security guarantees from the US. The agreement provides for a demilitarized zone and territorial exchange, but Donald Trump could influence the course of negotiations.
The UN Security Council will hold a new open meeting on Ukraine on December 9 at 10:00 local time. The initiative was supported by Denmark, France, Great Britain, Greece, and South Korea at the request of Slovenia, which chairs the Security Council.
FIFA has released the schedule for the 2026 World Cup group stage, highlighting matches with the highest expected temperatures, particularly in Inglewood and Philadelphia. Some teams, such as South Korea and Canada, will benefit from convenient logistics, playing consecutive matches in the same location.
South Korea will gain access to nuclear submarines after US approval, which could change Asia's security landscape. This decision could lead to an escalation of the submarine arms race in the region.
India will pay about $2 billion to lease a nuclear submarine from Russia, concluding a decade of negotiations. The deal provides for the delivery of the vessel within two years, although the contract was signed in March 2019.
The shortage of flu vaccines at the beginning of the 2025-2026 epidemic season is due to the world's transition to trivalent vaccines. Ukraine received 236,667 doses of flu vaccines, but their quantity on the private market was less than usual.
Samsung Electronics has released its first foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, priced at 3. 59 million won ($2,440.17). The model with a 10-inch display will go on sale on December 12 in South Korea, and later in China, Singapore, Taiwan, UAE, and the US.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, stated that Russia will seek to destroy Ukraine and annex its territories as long as Putin's regime remains in power. He emphasized that a return to peaceful life is impossible, and Ukraine must ensure its security with a strong army.
A Ukrainian arms company has unveiled a new 8-ton armored vehicle called "Desna. "
ESA plans to increase its budget to €22. 1 billion for the next three years. Germany will significantly increase its contribution, and ESA hopes for the participation of European astronauts in NASA's Artemis lunar mission.
