Taiwan President Office holds first China 'expansion' simulation December 26, 2024 at 12:23AM

Taiwan's Presidential Office staged on Thursday its first tabletop simulation of China's military actions in the region to boost the island's readiness against "authoritarian expansion", a security official said.the Thursday morning exercise, led by the president's office, involved 19 central ministries, local governments and NGOs. "It aims at bolstering Taiwan's whole-of-society defence resilience in the face of authoritarian expansion by China and other countries as they continue to challenge the international order," they said.

Pope brings Holy Year and message of hope to Rome's main prison December 25, 2024 at 11:10PM

Pope Francis inaugurated the Holy Year at Rome's main prison, spreading hope to inmates. He re-enacted the door-opening gesture performed at St. Peter's Basilica, marking the start of the Jubilee year, which occurs every 25 years and attracts millions of pilgrims. The 2025 Jubilee is dedicated to hope, with a special mass for inmates planned.

Russia's security must be guaranteed by any Ukraine peace deal, Lavrov says December 25, 2024 at 10:52PM

Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, stated that Moscow sees no value in a weak ceasefire that would merely freeze the conflict in Ukraine. Instead, Russia seeks a legally binding peace deal to ensure long-term security for itself and its neighbours, preventing any future violations.