In a new show of force, China has mobilized its navy, air force, and ground troops to simulate a blockade of the self-ruled island's key ports. The military drill comes on the heels of an $11bn US arms sale to Taipei.

Taipei City

China has initiated extensive military exercises around Taiwan, deploying naval, ground, and missile forces as part of what it calls 'Justice Mission 2025.' The drills, which include live-fire simulations of a blockade of Taiwan's ports, come shortly after the United States approved an $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the largest in history.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence responded by releasing footage of its own rapid response exercises and condemned China's actions as irrational provocations that undermine regional security. The exercises have raised concerns among Taiwanese civilians, who expressed fears about China's intentions and reiterated Taiwan's distinct identity. China maintains its claim over Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of military force to assert control over the island.

China stages new military exercises around Taiwan

This footage, released by China's military, shows the mobilisation of naval, ground and missile forces around Taiwan. China has termed the drills as Justice Mission 2025 and says it is using weapons such as destroyers, fighter bombers and drones. It says it is launching live-fire drills to simulate a blockade of Taiwan's key ports. The drills are happening 11 days after the US announced 11.1 billion dollars in arms sales to Taiwan, the largest ever weapons package for the island. I want to emphasise that the Democratic Progressive Party is stubbornly sticking to its stance on the Taiwan independence issue, attempting to achieve this through the US, even at the cost of turning Taiwan into a powder keg and an ammunition depot. This fully exposes their vicious nature as peace destroyers, troublemakers and war instigators. External forces trying to use Taiwan to contain China will only embolden the arrogance of the Taiwan independence movement and push the Taiwan Strait towards a dangerous situation of military conflict. China's military drills have prompted a swift reaction from Taiwan. The Ministry of National Defence released this footage showing what it said were rapid response exercises. It condemned Beijing's drills as irrational provocations. Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific is a strong consensus within the international community. The Chinese army conducting targeted military exercises in our vicinity brutally undermines the existing security in the region and constitutes a blatant challenge to international law and order. We strongly condemn China for disregarding international norms. China's intense drills have also worried Taiwan's civilians. China have their own idea of wanting to take us back. That's how it's been for a long time. But now we're different. We have our own country and our own way of thinking. China is a country that likes to bully the weak. Look at such a big country bullying us. I find it most amusing that China claims Taiwan is part of China, that we are one family. Why is it then threatening a family member like this? Don't you think that's strange? China has long claimed the island democracy as its territory. And Beijing has refused to rule out using military action to seize it.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin truly want peace as he and Zelenskyy met in Florida. Some experts say Trump is 'delusional' if he truly thinks Putin wants peace.

Washington

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China's military moved army, naval, air force and artillery units around Taiwan on December 29 for its "Justice Mission 2025" drills, as the island vowed to defend democracy and mobilized troops to rehearse repelling a potential Chinese attack.

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Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is set to discuss a new peace plan draft with U.S. President Trump in Florida on Sunday (December 28). However, fresh Russian attacks on Kyiv have left a third of the city without power, undermining local confidence.

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Russia attacked Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine with hundreds of missiles and drones on Saturday, ahead of what President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said would be a crucial meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to work out a plan to end nearly four years of war.

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French actor Brigitte Bardot has died aged 91, her foundation said on Sunday (December 28). She shot to international fame dancing the mambo barefoot in "And God Created Woman," her tousled hair and fierce energy radiating a sexual magnetism rarely before seen in mainstream cinema.

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Bangkok

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New York

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For approximately 10 hours Saturday, Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv with about 500 drones and 40 missiles. The attack comes one day before before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Trump in Mar-a-Lago. Elizabeth Palmer has the latest.

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President Trump said Thursday's strikes on Nigeria targeting ISIS were set for Wednesday but were delayed to Christmas Day for symbolic reasons. Mr. Trump claimed the Nigerian government is failing to protect Christians.

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The latest attack comes as presidents Zelenskyy and Trump prepare to meet in Florida on Sunday amid ongoing efforts to end the war.

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According to the Chinese foreign ministry, the sanctions entail freezing the companies’ assets in China and banning individuals and organisations from accessing them.

Beijing

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Somalia reacted angrily Friday (December 26) after Israel formally recognised the northern region of Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" -- the first country to do so. U.S. President Donald Trump said he opposed U.S. recognition of Somaliland in an interview with the New York Post.

Somaliland

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Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an "immediate" ceasefire on Saturday (December 26), the two countries said in a joint statement, pledging to end border clashes that killed dozens of people.

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Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was shocked by the "horrific killing spree" and pledged Israel would reinforce its security.

Jerusalem

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Pyongyang

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Abuja

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday (December 26) he planned to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump soon and that a lot could be decided before the New Year as Washington pushes diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia.

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The United States carried out airstrikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria's government, U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region.

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Official results show Asfura edged out his main rival Salvador Nasralla by less than one percentage point. Marred by delays and fraud claims, the Honduran election continues Latin America's shift to the right.

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Several people were killed in Southern California when severe storms with heavy rain caused mudslides and flooding, which was made worse in areas affected by wildfires in January.

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The U.S. Department of Justice says it has found more than a million more documents potentially tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, delaying a full release for weeks while officials redact details to protect victims.

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Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Christmas Mass Wednesday evening where he described the celebration as a feast of "faith, charity and hope". He reminded the faithful that refusing to help the poor and vulnerable is comparable to rejecting God altogether.

Breakdown