Latest Episode
China Drills Near Taiwan as Winter Travel Chaos, Iran Currency Protests, SoCal Trafficking Sting, Masdar Malaysia Expansion, London Housing Frenzy, AI Toy Safety Fears, Holiday Return Rule Shifts, and UK Council Row Unfold
China Holds Live-Fire Military Drills Around Taiwan to Warn Against Independence Moves
China staged live-fire military drills around Taiwan as a warning to what it called separatist forces. Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said it launched rapid response exercises, put forces on high alert, and is preparing to defend the island in case the situation escalates.
Nineteen people rescued in Southern California human trafficking sting
In San Diego County, the “Home for the Holidays” Human Trafficking Task Force operation rescued 19 victims and arrested four adult men on charges including pimping, pandering, and violating a protective order.
Holiday Return Policies for 2025: Extended Deadlines and Important Exceptions for Shoppers
Holiday return policies in 2025 may include extended return windows, but shoppers should watch for common exceptions and restrictions that can affect gift returns. BestReviews.com’s Ken Maccarone explains what to check before attempting to return holiday purchases.
Severe Winter Weather Disrupts Post-Holiday Travel
Post-holiday travel is being disrupted by severe winter weather, with tens of millions of Americans under winter weather alerts as they return home from holiday trips.
Iran’s Currency Slide Triggers a Second Day of Trader Protests
Iran saw a second day of trader protests as shopkeepers closed their businesses after the rial fell to new lows on the free market. The drop has intensified worries about rising inflation and underscored the growing gap between official exchange rates and street-market prices.
Abu Dhabi renewable energy company Masdar expands into Malaysia
Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar will develop a 200-megawatt floating solar power plant at Malaysia’s Chereh dam, the first project under a 10-gigawatt roadmap agreed with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority in 2023. The facility is expected to become Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar plant, supplying electricity for more than 100,000 homes, and adds to Masdar’s portfolio across more than 40 countries amid growing overseas expansion by Gulf developers. Masdar says it will need many more projects to meet its goal of delivering 100 gigawatts of clean energy by 2030.
The London neighbourhood where homes are selling faster than anywhere else
A South East London suburb is leading the city for fast home sales, driven by leafy streets, strong transport connections, and a reputation for being relatively safe.
AI-Enabled Toys Can Respond to Children, Raising Safety Questions
A new wave of AI-powered toys is emerging, including stuffed animals that talk back, chessboards with self-moving pieces, and a holographic fairy displayed in a crystal ball—prompting concerns about how safe these interactive devices are for children.
Councillor rejects allegations over caravan pitch relocation plan
A senior Ceredigion councillor, Matthew Vaux, has denied what he called “fabricated lies” after an objector to a proposal to relocate 47 caravan pitches to Ocean Heights Holiday Park near New Quay alleged he would back the scheme regardless of impact and suggested a conflict of interest. Vale Holiday Parks Ltd is seeking to move 17 pitches from Wern Mill Caravan Park and 30 from The Village Holiday Park, taking Ocean Heights from 103 to 150 pitches, with a planning decision expected in 2026. The application has drawn local opposition over issues including road safety, infrastructure capacity, traffic and wastewater, while Vaux says he has declared a personal and prejudicial interest linked to an access easement and tourism business connections.
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