The Daily Populous

Tuesday December 30th, 2025 morning edition

image for Venezuela condemns US arms sale to Taiwan, echoing Beijing’s position

Venezuela criticised the United States on Monday over its decision to approve a large-scale arms sale to Taiwan, aligning itself with Beijing as tensions escalated around the island.

In a statement issued by the foreign ministry, the Venezuelan government said the sale interfered in China’s internal affairs and breached international commitments undertaken by Washington.

It reiterated its support for the one-China principle and said Taiwan is “an inalienable part of China’s territory”.

The comments followed Washington’s approval of an arms package to Taiwan valued at about US$11 billion, one of the largest such sales in recent years.

The deal includes advanced weapons systems intended to strengthen Taiwan’s military capabilities and comes amid heightened friction between the United States and mainland China over the island’s status.

PLA kicks off military exercises around Taiwan PLA kicks off military exercises around Taiwan.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. »

More Kennedy Center Performers Pull Out After Trump’s Name Change

Authored by rollingstone.com
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Also on Monday, the Kennedy Center’s website said two events set for New Year’s Eve by the Cookers had also been canceled.

For more than 20 years, the Kennedy Center has hosted the Christmas Eve Jazz Jam, with Redd headlining the event since 2006.

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Zelenskyy on alleged attack on Putin residence: Russia is looking for pretexts to strike government buildings in Kyiv

Authored by pravda.com.ua

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russia is displeased by the success of the Ukraine-US meeting in Florida and is inventing reasons to justify strikes on government buildings in Kyiv.

Now, with this claim about some residence being attacked, I am convinced they are simply preparing the ground to strike the [Ukrainian] capital, and probably government buildings at that.".

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also stated that Russia has already selected the targets and timing of retaliatory strikes. »

Stingless bees from the Amazon granted legal rights in world first

Authored by theguardian.com

Stingless bees from the Amazon have become the first insects to be granted legal rights anywhere in the world, in a breakthrough supporters hope will be a catalyst for similar moves to protect bees elsewhere.

The mapping revealed links between deforestation and the decline of stingless bees – research that helped contribute to the passing of a law in 2024 recognising stingless bees as the native bees of Peru.

It is the municipality where Elizabeth lives, Satipo, that became the first to pass an ordinance granting legal rights to stingless bees in October. »