China has launched large-scale live-fire military drills around Taiwan, simulating a blockade of key ports, strikes on maritime targets and the deterrence of international involvement, in what Beijing described as a warning to “separatist” forces on the island. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said naval, air force and rocket units were deployed on Monday morning to surround Taiwan. Chinese coast guard vessels were also sent to conduct what Beijing called…

US President Donald Trump has said security guarantees aimed at ending the war in Ukraine are “95 per cent done” following high-level peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Speaking after the meeting, Mr Trump said a deal to end the conflict was “a lot closer” after an afternoon of negotiations with Mr Zelensky and a subsequent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.…

Brigitte Bardot, the French actor and singer who became one of the most recognisable sex symbols of the 20th century before abandoning cinema for animal rights activism, has died aged 91. Her death was announced on Sunday by the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in a statement sent to Agence France-Presse. No details were given about when or where she died. Tributes poured in from across France’s political and cultural spectrum. President…

Bulgaria is preparing to adopt the euro in January as political instability and concerns over Russia-linked disinformation fuel public distrust of the new currency.

A winter storm bringing a mix of snow and ice swept across the north-eastern United States early on Saturday, disrupting post-holiday travel and forcing emergency declarations in several states. Air travel was badly affected. By mid-morning, more than 14,400 domestic flights had been cancelled or delayed, according to the tracking service FlightAware. Most disruptions were centred on the New York area, including John F Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty airports.…

Italian authorities have arrested nine people linked to three charities on suspicion of raising millions of euros for the militant group Hamas. Anti-terrorism prosecutors said the suspects channelled about €7m (£6m) to organisations in Gaza, the Palestinian territories and Israel that were allegedly owned, controlled or linked to Hamas. The charities publicly claimed to be raising money for humanitarian aid for Palestinians. However, police said more than 71 per cent…

The Central African Republic will go to the polls on Sunday, with President Faustin-Archange Touadéra seeking a third term in office. About 2.3 million registered voters are expected to take part in what observers describe as a quadruple election, covering the presidency, parliament, and local and municipal councils. Seven candidates are contesting the presidency. They include former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra, who were cleared to run…

Poland plans to complete a new network of anti-drone defences along its eastern borders within two years, following repeated incursions by suspected Russian drones into its airspace earlier this year. The deputy defence minister, Cezary Tomczyk, said the first elements of the system could be operational within six months, with full completion expected within 24 months. Speaking in Warsaw, Tomczyk said the new defences would be integrated into an older…

The United States has restarted intelligence and surveillance flights over Nigeria, days after launching airstrikes against ISIS-linked militants in Sokoto State. A Sahel-based terrorism analyst, Brant Philip, disclosed that flight tracking records showed a US-linked aircraft operating over parts of Borno State on Saturday. The aircraft, identified as a Gulfstream V, is a long-range jet frequently adapted for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. According to Philip, the renewed operations…

Guinea goes to the polls on Sunday for its first presidential election since the 2021 military coup that brought Colonel Mamady Doumbouya to power. In September 2021, Doumbouya, then a little-known army colonel, appeared on national television to announce that soldiers had overthrown President Alpha Condé, ending more than a decade of civilian rule. “The will of the strongest has always supplanted the law,” he said at the time, claiming…

Somaliland already hosts a United Arab Emirates military base in Berbera, which includes a port and an airstrip.

A third of Kyiv has been left without heating after a major Russian drone and missile attack cut power supplies across the Ukrainian capital, exposing hundreds of thousands of residents to freezing conditions. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Russia launched nearly 500 drones and about 40 missiles overnight, including ballistic missiles. He said energy facilities and civilian infrastructure in Kyiv were the primary targets. The bombardment lasted about 10 hours,…