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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: March 15, 2025

 

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HOROSCOPES IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY

As Mercury turns retrograde on your birthday your thoughts could get a little muddled at times over the coming year. Make sure every decision you make is based on facts and figures that cannot be disputed. It’s better to be boring than wrong.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20):

You cannot afford to take an indifferent approach to what you are working on this weekend. As mind planet Mercury turns retrograde in your sign today you will have to consciously force yourself to take your tasks seriously. There can be no half measures.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21):

The more you think about something the more confusing it seems to get, so take the hint and put it out of your mind, at least for the next 48 hours. Some time before the sun changes signs on the 20th it will start making sense again.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21):

Don’t waste your time worrying about what has gone wrong in your life. There is no way you can turn back the clock and change things, so accept the situation for what it is and move on to the next big challenge – it won’t be long in coming.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23):

You have been very much on the ball lately and there is nothing on the cosmic horizon to suggest that is going to change. You will, however, have to deal with a dispute that has nothing to do with you, because others see you as an honest broker.

LEO (July 24 - Aug. 23):

No matter how unsettling the past few weeks have been you have lots to look forward to and when the sun moves in your favour on the 20th the efforts and sacrifices you have made will pay off in a big way. Keep smiling and keep striving.

VIRGO (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23):

Because it took place in your sign yesterday’s lunar eclipse hit you harder than most people, so be good to yourself this weekend and take things easy. No matter what some people may say you have nothing to prove, to the world or to yourself.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23):

Something will happen over the next few days that restricts your options and forces you to focus on matters you would prefer to ignore. Get your act together, do what needs to be done and show others you are still very much on the ball.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22):

The events of the past few days have left you feeling a bit shell-shocked but Scorpio is nothing if not resilient and you will soon bounce back. Anyone who thinks the knocks you have taken will slow you down is in for a big surprise.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21):

Most of the things you have been worrying about are of no real importance and what occurs next will remind you that overall life is still a lot of fun. Do something that lifts your spirits this weekend and watch as it lifts other people’s spirits as well.


CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20):

You may be of the opinion that certain individuals are not pulling their weight, and you may be right, but it’s not your business to make an issue of it. Employers and other important people have noticed as well and won’t be slow in taking action.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19):

If you get the chance to finish something of a creative nature you must seize the opportunity and get it done. You can still have a fun weekend but you will get more enjoyment from doing a necessary job well than from taking it easy.

PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20):

If you did something hurtful during yesterday’s lunar eclipse then you must act fast to heal the rift it caused. Don’t be afraid to say sorry and don’t give others the impression that you are just going through the motions – they have to believe it.

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