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Beijing’s Show of Force: China Launches Major Drills Around Taiwan

  A ship fires a weapon during drills east of Taiwan in this screenshot from a video released by the Eastern Theater Command of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Dec. 29, 2025. China has initiated large‑scale military exercises around Taiwan, framing the operation as a direct warning to what it calls separatist forces and foreign supporters. The drills, conducted by the Eastern Theatre Command, involve naval vessels, fighter jets, and missile units operating across multiple zones encircling the island. According to Chinese military statements, the exercises are designed to test joint combat readiness and simulate scenarios such as blockades and precision strikes. The move follows heightened tensions over international engagement with Taiwan, including recent arms sales and diplomatic exchanges that Beijing views as challenges to its sovereignty claims. Taiwan’s defense ministry denounced the drills as coercive and destabilizing, placing its military on alert and trac...

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Wall Street Drifts Near Records Amid Global Market Lull

 

In today’s financial landscape, Wall Street finds itself in a state of cautious equilibrium. Here’s a snapshot of the current situation:

Market Overview

  • S&P 500: Hovering around its all-time high, with minimal movement.
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: Up slightly by 31 points (0.1%).
  • Nasdaq Composite: Experiencing a slight dip of 0.3%.
  • Bond Market: Remains subdued, with Treasury yields showing marginal increases.
  • Stock Markets Abroad: Mixed performance across global exchanges.

Key Highlights

  1. DollarTree (DLTR): Shares plummeted approximately 14% after reporting weaker-than-expected results.
  2. Commodities: Benchmark U.S. crude oil prices surged by 2.3%.

Global Market Sentiment

  • France’s CAC 40: Edged up nearly 0.1%.
  • Germany’s DAX: Remained relatively unchanged.
  • Britain’s FTSE 100: Virtually flat.
  • Japan’s Nikkei 225: Slipped 0.3% after morning gains.
  • Australia’s S&P/ASX 200: Rose 0.2%.
  • South Korea’s Kospi: Gained 0.4%.
  • Hong Kong’s Hang Seng: Edged down nearly 0.1%.
  • Shanghai Composite: Dipped 0.4%.

Currency Trends

  • The U.S. dollar strengthened slightly against the Japanese yen.
  • Speculation surrounds Japan’s central bank potentially ending its super-easy monetary policy and raising rates.

As investors navigate economic indicators and global developments, Wall Street remains cautiously optimistic. Stay tuned for further updates as the market continues its delicate balancing act. 

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