World News: Russia to get back jailed cybercrime boss from U.S. after freeing teacher Marc Fogel

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With expectations growing over a possible peace deal in Ukraine, the United States and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange, for the first time in six months, involving American teacher Marc Fogel and Russian cybercrime suspect Alexander Vinnik.

On Wednesday, the U.S. released Alexander Vinnik, co-founder of the cryptocurrency exchange BT-e, who had been detained since 2017 on charges of laundering over 4 billion U.S. dollars through the platform.

Vinnik admitted to being part of a money laundering scheme and was waiting to be sentenced in the U.S.

Moscow released Marc Fogel, a 63-year-old American schoolteacher based in Russia, who was arrested in 2021 for having medically prescribed marijuana and was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian prison. Fogel returned to the U.S. on Tuesday and was welcomed by President Donald Trump.

Following U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports earlier this week Mexico and Canada plan to seek exemptions through discussions.

On Wednesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that top officials will engage in discussions with the United States over the 25% tariffs later this week. Mexico's economy minister emphasized that the levies are "unjustified," noting that the U.S. maintains a trade surplus in these metals with Mexico.

Also on Wednesday, Canada made a diplomatic push by sending all 13 Canadian premiers to Washington, D.C. for the first time.

They'll meet with U.S. senators and members of Congress to speak against the impending tariffs and highlight the negative impacts on industries that rely heavily on steel and aluminum in both nations.

Inflation rose 3% in January, in the U.S., up from 2.9 percent in December last year, marking the highest rate since June. The figure is driven by increased costs of groceries, gasoline, and rent. Egg prices surged by 15.2%, due to an avian flu outbreak, 조류독감 발생으로 인해 계란 가격이 15.2% 급등하여 1다스 A등급 계란의 평균 가격이 4달러 95센트에 달했습니다.reaching a record average of 4 dollars 95 cents per dozen Grade A eggs. The Federal Reserve expressed concern over the persistent inflation, which challenges its plans for future interest rate cuts.

President Trump has pledged to mitigate prices, but pundits believe his recent tariffs could increase costs in the short term.

Finally, in Taiwan, the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival for the Year of the Snake officially began on Wednesday, with an opening ceremony held in Taoyuan City.

Daily light shows and a variety of lantern displays will be held across Taoyuan's 13 districts from 6 to 10 PM until February 23.

The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in New Taipei City also attracted thousands of visitors who participated in the release of illuminated lanterns into the night sky.

The tradition symbolizes peace and prosperity for the new year.

Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.