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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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U.S. Warns UN Agencies to Reform as It Commits $2 Billion in Aid

            US pledges $2B for UN humanitarian aid as Trump slashes funding and warns agencies to 'adapt or die'

The United States has pledged $2 billion in humanitarian assistance to the United Nations, pairing the announcement with a stark message that aid agencies must overhaul their operations to survive. Officials framed the contribution as part of a shift toward tighter oversight and greater efficiency, arguing that global relief organizations need to “adapt, shrink, or die” in an era of constrained budgets.

The new funding model channels money through a central humanitarian account, allowing Washington to direct resources toward programs it views as most effective. U.S. officials say the approach is designed to reward agencies that demonstrate measurable results while pressuring others to streamline operations.

The reduced level of support has raised concerns among humanitarian groups already grappling with rising global needs and shrinking donor commitments. Many warn that cuts of this scale could force program closures, leaving vulnerable communities without essential food, medical care, and shelter.

Despite the sharp reduction from previous years, the United States remains the largest single donor to global humanitarian efforts. But with Washington signaling that higher funding levels are unlikely to return, UN agencies now face mounting pressure to restructure their operations or risk losing even more support.


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