Latest news from Asia. China, Japan, India, geopolitics, economy, stance on Ukraine
According to reports, DeepSeek obtained prohibited Nvidia graphics processors via third countries, installed them in data centers, then disassembled and shipped them to China. The United States continues to restrict the export of new chips.
Yuriy Vernydub has been appointed head coach of Azerbaijani club Neftçi on a one-and-a-half-year contract. The team is currently eighth in the championship, and his debut is scheduled for December 15. Vernydub has managerial experience with Sheriff Tiraspol and Shakhtyor Soligorsk.
Russia spent more than $360 million on a massive strike against Ukraine on December 6. It launched 653 drones, 34 cruise missiles, 14 Iskanders and three Kinzhal missiles. That money could have built six hospitals or provided housing for 15,000 families.
Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Turkey has extended its agreements with Gazprom for a year. BOTAS has signed long-term LNG contracts with a large share of deliveries from the United States, and Ankara plans to invest in U.S. gas infrastructure.
In one of Auckland's jewelry stores, a man swallowed a Fabergé pendant valued at 33,000 NZD (approx. 19,000 USD). Police detained the suspect at the scene and are awaiting the natural passage of the piece; a court hearing is scheduled for December 8.
Loong UAV is testing the M9 — a loitering UAV reminiscent of the Iranian Shahed‑136. The drone is designed for strikes against deep targets, tactical attacks and extended reconnaissance; it can carry up to 50 kg of payload and has a flight endurance of up to 9 hours.
Hyundai Motor Group is preparing to launch a mass-market four-wheeled mobile robot, the Mobile Eccentric Droid (MobED). Series production will begin in the first half of 2026; the company plans to sell thousands of units.
After the December 3 launch from a pad in the Gobi Desert, the first stage of the Zhuque-3 rocket experienced an "anomalous burn," causing it to miss the landing point and crash. LandSpace received engineering data for follow-up tests.
The Israel Defense Forces plan to ban the official use of Android smartphones for officers at the rank of lieutenant colonel and above — they will be issued iPhones. The decision is being justified by the risks of cyberattacks and security tests; the order is expected soon.
Chinese DeepSeek announced two new AI models: the general-purpose DeepSeek‑V3.2 with support for external tools and the math‑oriented DeepSeek‑V3.2‑Speciale, which competes with Gemini 3 Pro.
The Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) said that Russian reports alleging the capture of Ukrainian cities are propaganda and are aimed at putting pressure on the West and on the negotiation process.
In November Turkey cut purchases of Russian Urals oil by 100,000 barrels per day — to 200,000 bpd. Facing sanctions and a planned EU ban, the country is ramping up shipments of other grades but confronts logistical risks.
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son explained that he sold a package of Nvidia shares to raise funds for large-scale investments in AI, including OpenAI; he called the decision painful and said he cried during the sale.
Indian Oil Corp. and Bharat Petroleum bought Russian oil for January delivery at a discount of about $5 a barrel. Expected volumes will not exceed roughly 600,000 barrels per day; Nayara will supply part of the shipments, while some refineries are refusing Russian crude.
In Dagestan, explosions occurred this morning in the city of Kaspiysk near the Dagdizel factory. Local authorities reported a drone attack and said security forces were operating at the scene.
Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry lodged a protest with Kyiv over a strike on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in Novorossiysk. Kazakhstan called it the third "act of aggression" against a civilian facility and expects measures to prevent such incidents.
As the climate warms, Brazilian farmers are increasingly switching to robusta — a variety more resistant to heat and disease. Its production is growing at a faster rate, prices are rising, and younger consumers' taste preferences are reinforcing the trend.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law banning the purchase, possession, transfer, manufacture and import of vapes, electronic cigarettes and nicotine liquids. Violators face fines, corrective labor or 3–5 years' imprisonment. The report also mentions a ban on smoking in Milan starting in 2025.
Jakarta rejected terms that threatened the country’s economic sovereignty.
An accident at the Baikonur Cosmodrome has damaged the only launch pad for crewed missions.
Russia rejected the European version of a peace plan for Ukraine, calling it "unconstructive." Putin's adviser Yuri Ushakov said Moscow is ready to discuss the American version of the document directly with the United States.