China holds military drills around Taiwan as warning to 'separatist forces' (LINK) 29 December 2025

— China is conducting military drills called "Justice Mission 2025" in response to the US announcing an $11 billion weapons sale to Taiwan. Beijing protested the sale and retaliated by sanctioning American defense companies.


Trump says progress made in Ukraine talks but 'thorny issues' remain (LINK) 28 December 2025

Trump and Zelenskyy say they're nearly in agreement on Ukraine peace plan (LINK) 28 December 2025

— Trump said Sunday that he had a "good and very productive" call with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the meeting with Zelenskyy. Mr. Trump said his message to Putin is that they have "got to make a deal" and Mr. Trump said he believed "we have the makings of a deal."


EU backs Somalia after Israel recognizes Somaliland (LINK) 28 December 2025


Myanmar is holding phased elections. Here's why they're being called a 'sham' (LINK) 28 December 2025

— UN Secretary-General: "It is quite obvious that in the present state of conflict and taking into account the records of human rights of the military junta … that the conditions for free and fair elections are not there."


Guineans vote in first election since 2021 coup with junta leader likely to win (LINK) 28 December 2025


Brigitte Bardot dies at 91: actor, icon, controversial animal and right-wing activist (LINK) 28 December 2025

— She was fined many times by French courts for inciting racial hatred against Muslims or native Indian Ocean islanders. Among other things, she urged the introduction of bolt guns in slaughterhouses to kill animals with as little pain as possible. In 1976, she joined a global campaign against seal hunting. Then in 1986, she founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which still campaigns for animal welfare worldwide.


Trump tariffs blamed as bankruptcies reach 15-year peak (LINK) 27 December 2025

— Corporate bankruptcies in the US soared to a 15-year high in 2025, with 717 companies filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 between January and November.¨The figures marked a 14 per cent increase from the previous year.