China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has announced a ban on hidden car door handles for all electric vehicles, effective January 1, 2027. The move, aimed at enhancing crash safety, requires mechanical release mechanisms for all passenger car doors, addressing concerns over emergency egress and rescue.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed a strong desire for enhanced defence cooperation with Europe, particularly highlighting the EU's SAFE initiative. This push for closer ties comes ahead of crucial trade talks and is driven by evolving geopolitical challenges, including concerns over US reliability and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Previous negotiations for UK involvement in the €150 billion SAFE fund stalled in late 2025 over entry costs, but renewed appetite for a deal is evident.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer concluded a three-day visit to China, securing £2.2 billion in export deals and investments. Key outcomes include a reduction of Scotch whisky tariffs from 10% to 5%, new market access pacts, and agreements across various sectors, aiming to stabilize and enhance UK-China economic relations.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed a desire for enhanced defence cooperation with Europe, including revisiting participation in the EU's €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund. This push comes amidst global security concerns and precedes upcoming trade discussions with EU officials in London.
German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domański convened in Warsaw on February 2, 2026, to advocate for a concerted effort to revitalize Europe's economy. They underscored the shared responsibility of both nations in boosting the continent's competitiveness and accelerating growth amid prevailing economic sluggishness.
Dr. Gao Zhonghua, an NIH-funded biomedicine researcher previously at Pennsylvania State University, has taken a full-time research professorship at China's Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology. His move, effective last month, underscores a growing trend of scientific talent returning to China, bolstering the nation's research capabilities in cutting-edge fields like biomedicine and artificial intelligence.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi in Beijing on February 3, 2026, to advance their comprehensive strategic partnership. Discussions focused on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, global governance, and fostering an 'equal and orderly multipolar world.' The leaders also oversaw the signing of various cooperation documents during Orsi's seven-day state visit.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi in Beijing on February 3, 2026, for talks aimed at deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership. The leaders oversaw the signing of over 10 cooperation documents covering trade, investment, and emerging sectors, reinforcing bilateral ties and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
China is moving to significantly strengthen its cybercrime laws, introducing a draft bill that would impose exit bans of up to three years on citizens convicted of cyber-related offenses after they complete their sentences. This comes alongside recent amendments to the Cybersecurity Law, which took effect on January 1, 2026, dramatically increasing fines for various cybersecurity violations.
China has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing international law enforcement cooperation to combat cross-border telecom fraud, online gambling, and related criminal activities. This initiative targets criminal networks operating primarily in Southeast Asia, with recent crackdowns leading to thousands of arrests and repatriations, and the execution of key syndicate leaders.
Restaurant Brands International (RBI) and Chinese alternative asset manager CPE have completed a joint venture, with CPE investing $350 million. The partnership aims to expand Burger King's network in China from approximately 1,250 to over 4,000 restaurants by 2035, supported by a 20-year master development agreement.
France has finalized a €1.1 billion agreement for a European-built long-range air defense radar system, the Thales GM400α, capable of detecting threats up to 550 km away. This acquisition marks a significant step towards enhancing European strategic autonomy and reducing reliance on US defense technology.
Liang Jie, recognized as North America's leading computer vision scientist, has returned to China to assume a chair professorship at the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo. His expertise, including work on Microsoft tech products and sensor systems, is set to significantly enhance the university's burgeoning AI and technology research initiatives.
Azerbaijan is set to launch a one-year pilot program on February 2, 2026, granting citizens from Turkey and several other countries visa-free access for up to 30 days. This initiative aims to enhance tourism and business ties, positioning Azerbaijan as a key regional hub.
Medical Corporation Nasukai, supported by Japan's SBC Medical Group, has announced a strategic alliance with Shanghai-based Daibi Medical Aesthetics. The collaboration aims to enhance service quality and brand recognition for Shonan Beauty Clinic in China, leveraging Nasukai's expertise and addressing the growing Chinese medical aesthetics market and cross-border medical tourism.
China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) recently disclosed cases of foreign intelligence operatives infiltrating professional online groups by posing as industry experts or investment advisers. These operatives aimed to extract sensitive information, including key technical data and internal policymaking details, highlighting an evolving landscape of online espionage threats.
Nigerian music is making a significant global impact at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. Five Nigerian artists, including Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Wizkid, and Omah Lay, have received nominations. Additionally, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has been posthumously awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award, marking him as the first African to receive this prestigious honor.
The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $9 billion foreign military sale of 730 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) missiles and related equipment to Saudi Arabia. The deal aims to bolster Saudi air and missile defense capabilities amid regional tensions.
China is set to implement mandatory artificial intelligence education for all primary and secondary school students from September 1, 2025. The curriculum will feature a tiered approach, requiring at least eight hours of AI instruction annually, aiming to cultivate a generation proficient in AI and bolster the nation's technological prowess.
Japanese households are facing significant financial strain due to persistent price increases, with over 99% reporting a burden. In response, major political parties, including the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Centrist Reform Alliance, are proposing consumption tax cuts on various goods, particularly food, as a key campaign promise for the upcoming February 8 general election.
