Bangkok plans to finalize a free trade agreement with the European Union by the end of the year. This will help the country reduce its dependence on US and Chinese markets.
The Shangri-La Dialogue on Asian security has commenced in Singapore. Vietnamese President To Lam and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are scheduled to address the forum.
This summer, it will be possible to fly from the Russian Federation to only 32 countries, which is three times fewer than during the Soviet era. The list includes Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, and 29 other states.
The easing of export rules in Japan allows for the start of negotiations on the supply of military equipment. Ukraine is also proposing joint production of air defense systems and drones.
Both countries have different long-term goals. China advocates for its global dominance, while Russia seeks to focus on forming its own region where it would have unconditional dominance.
Donald Trump's company will build Georgia's tallest building with a hotel and residences. The project will be implemented jointly with Archi Group and Sapir Organization.
The Chinese president hosted leaders from Spain, Vietnam, and the UAE to strengthen ties. Global powers are seeking stability in China amid Trump's tense policies.
The IEA predicts a reduction in oil consumption due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and rising prices. Supplies have fallen by 9%, and Asia is already experiencing a shortage of raw materials.
In December, the US will launch automatic registration of men aged 18-25 in the reserve. The system will use federal data to save budget funds.
Last year, Ukrainians founded 2,206 companies in the Czech Republic, accounting for 7% of all new firms. The share of businesses with Russian owners has fallen by 45% since 2018.
The Philippines, Korea, and India have resumed purchases of raw materials from Russia due to the energy crisis. The US temporarily lifted restrictions amid rising Brent prices.
The EBU announced the launch of the Eurovision Song Contest Asia, the final of which will take place on November 14, 2026. 10 countries in the region have already confirmed their participation in the new contest.
Brent's value rose by 58% in a month due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump threatens to destroy Tehran's oil wells in case of escalation.
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.
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.
Over 90% of parliamentary candidates are members of the Communist Party. The new assembly is expected to approve the country's top officials as early as April.
The Russian Federation is increasing the number of vessels under its flag due to the detention of tankers in the West. This creates conditions for sabotage and reconnaissance in the Baltic region.
About 10% of tourists cancel their trips or change exotic destinations to Egypt. Flights to Vietnam, China, and the Adriatic are gaining popularity.
Vietnam has reached an agreement with the Donald Trump administration to access American technologies in the fields of AI and semiconductors.
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.
The EU Council has updated the list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, adding Vietnam and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Fiji, Samoa, and Trinidad and Tobago were removed from the list, leaving 10 countries and territories.
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.
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.
Ukraine has imposed sanctions against 10 individuals and 6 legal entities associated with the Russian tanker fleet and cyberattacks against Ukraine, the EU, and NATO. These measures are synchronized with European Union sanctions.
Despite the war and rising prices, demand for winter holidays abroad remains stable. Ukrainians most often choose Egypt, UAE, and exotic countries, spending an average of 50-70 thousand hryvnias for two.
Donald Trump has invited a number of countries to his "Peace Council for Gaza" to implement a 20-point plan. The signing ceremony is scheduled for this Thursday in Davos.
Russia exported over 2 million tons of grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in 2025, passing it off as its own product. To do this, captured ports and a "ship-to-ship" scheme were used to circumvent sanctions.
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.
Over 25% of new cars sold globally in 2025 are electric, according to an Ember analysis. This growth is driven by emerging markets, which are now leading the transition to electromobility.
