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The continent’s problems are not caused by immigration or cultural politics but by economic and technological decline
Donald Trump’s new offers a misguided assessment of Europe, long regarded as the US’s most reliable ally. Unrestrained immigration and other policies derided by administration officials as “woke”, it warns, could lead to “civilisational erasure” within a few decades.
That argument rests on a fundamental misreading of Europe’s current predicament. While the EU does face an existential threat, it has little to do with immigration or cultural politics. In fact, the share of foreign-born residents in the is slightly higher than .

Levy on beef exceeding quotas to begin immediately as Beijing seeks to protect domestic industry
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Australian beef producers said they were “extremely disappointed” after China announced a 55% tariff on imports that exceed quota levels in a move to protect a domestic cattle industry slowly emerging from oversupply.
China’s commerce ministry said on Wednesday the total import quota for 2026 for Australia and other countries such as Brazil and the US covered under its new “safeguard measures” is 2.7m metric tons, roughly in line with the record 2.87m tons it imported overall in 2024.

Chinese people pay a 13% sales tax on contraceptives from 1 January, while childcare services are exempt.

Reunification ‘is unstoppable’, says Chinese president, a day after the conclusion of intense military drills
China’s president, Xi Jinping, has vowed to reunify China and Taiwan in his annual New Year’s Eve speech in Beijing.
Speaking the day after the conclusion of around Taiwan, Xi said: “The reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable.”

Carmakers such as MG, BYD and Chery are set to pass 200,000 mark in sales, analysis suggests, double 2024’s total
Chinese brands are on course to account for one in every 10 new cars sold in Britain during 2025, a marked increase on last year as sales increase across Europe.
Manufacturers led by MG, BYD, and Chery are on track to break the 200,000 mark in UK new car sales in 2025, meaning they are very likely to account for 10% of the market, according to Matthias Schmidt, an analyst tracking electric cars across Europe.

The daughter of Jimmy Lai tells the BBC that her father's health is deteriorating in prison.

Foreign affairs department statement says Australia opposes any actions that ‘increase the risk of accident, miscalculation or escalation’
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Australia says it is deeply concerned about Chinese military exercises near Taiwan, and has raised the issue with Chinese officials.
In a statement , the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) said the large-scale simulations risked destabilising the region and could result in an accident or escalation.

Seasonal foods are chosen in this period with the idea that black foods are preferable for the darkest time of the year
In the traditional Chinese calendar, the period from 7-21 December is known as Major Snow, contrasting with Minor Snow in November. Snowfall is welcomed at this time, asserting that the heavier the snow, the better the harvest next year.
As with many Chinese solar terms, Major Snow comes with its own delicacies; red bean porridge is traditionally eaten on the first day. Other seasonal foods are chosen with the idea that black foods are preferable for the darkest time of the year: black sesame seeds, black beans, black rice and shiitake mushrooms.

For many Asian Americans, a single cocktail can cause their faces to turn red. Known as the “Asian glow,” the condition can stir up mixed emotions.

China’s military also sent warships and aircraft during a second day of exercises designed to show its ability to claim the democratic island.

From datacenters to AI, we’ll be keeping our eye on the technology that will be shaping your life in the coming year
Hello, and welcome to TechScape. I’m your host, Blake Montgomery, wishing you a happy New Year’s Eve filled with cheer, champagne and Mariah Carey’s comically awful rendition of .
Today, we’re looking forward to the next year in technology news. I am watching five trends I think will define the year: datacenters will see rapid proliferation beyond the US and China; billionaires will reap billions more; self-driving cars will park themselves in a slew of brand-new locales; AI will find its niche at work; and consumer tech will take strange new shapes.

Chinese panels are now so affordable that businesses and families are snapping them up, slashing their bills and challenging utilities.