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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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Your daily horoscope: January 2, 2025

 


HOROSCOPES IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY

There will be times over the coming 12 months when you feel it necessary to pinch yourself so you know you’re not dreaming. The thing to remember is that it’s your own positive attitude that brings so many good things and good people your way.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20):

If you make any major changes today you will probably have to change them back again tomorrow when Mars, your ruler, is at odds with power planet Pluto. On this occasion at least it might be a smarter move to leave well alone.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21):

Wherever you go and whatever you do between now and the weekend you will have a great deal of fun. The only cloud on the horizon is that tomorrow’s Mars-Pluto link could make you too confrontational when dealing with people in positions of authority.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21):

You could get rather emotional over the next 24 hours and no one will be more surprised about it than you. It’s not that your self-control is cracking, it’s just one of those occasions when you get overly sensitive about life for no good reason. It will pass.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23):

As love planet Venus moves into the sympathetic sign of Pisces tomorrow affairs of the heart will start to go well again. Once you are back on good terms with your soulmate other areas of your life will make better progress as well.

LEO (July 24 - Aug. 23):

Do whatever it takes to maintain some sort of contact with a colleague you have fallen out with in recent days. If you get to the point where you are no longer talking at all the consequences will be bad for both of you. Keep hope alive.

VIRGO (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23):

Focus on what’s good about the people you meet between now and the weekend and don’t worry if others say you are being too trustworthy. Even if you are the planets indicate that your forgiving attitude will have a highly positive knock-on effect.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23):

If travel and social plans are disrupted today maybe you should take it as a hint that you should be doing something different with your time and energy. Work-related matters are under excellent stars, so focus more on those for the time being.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22):

If you allow personal desires to dominate your thinking over the next few days you could find that your long-term ambitions take a hit. By all means let your passion shine through but don’t forget you need to be passionate about your career as well.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21):

If a colleague tries to persuade you to take a risk of some kind today you would be wise to turn them down flat. According to the planets there is a major flaw in their plans that they seem unaware of. Tell them to go away and think again.


CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20):

Tomorrow’s sun-Jupiter link will make you impatient with people who don’t share your level of ambition but there is no point being too hard on them. It takes all sorts to make a world and not everyone can be as motivated as you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19):

Get together with someone whose outlook reflects your own and draw up a plan that takes advantage of new technologies and new ways of doing things. The fact that so many of your rivals are stuck in the past will make it easier for you to succeed.

PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20):

Venus, planet of emotional and material values, moves into your sign tomorrow, prompting you to assess what relationships are worth carrying on with and what possessions are worth holding on to. Consider having a major clear-out – you’ll feel better for it.

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