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Beijing’s Show of Force: China Launches Major Drills Around Taiwan

  A ship fires a weapon during drills east of Taiwan in this screenshot from a video released by the Eastern Theater Command of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Dec. 29, 2025. China has initiated large‑scale military exercises around Taiwan, framing the operation as a direct warning to what it calls separatist forces and foreign supporters. The drills, conducted by the Eastern Theatre Command, involve naval vessels, fighter jets, and missile units operating across multiple zones encircling the island. According to Chinese military statements, the exercises are designed to test joint combat readiness and simulate scenarios such as blockades and precision strikes. The move follows heightened tensions over international engagement with Taiwan, including recent arms sales and diplomatic exchanges that Beijing views as challenges to its sovereignty claims. Taiwan’s defense ministry denounced the drills as coercive and destabilizing, placing its military on alert and trac...

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Hurricane Beryl: A Monstrous Category 5 Storm Ravages the Southeast Caribbean

 

Hurricane Beryl, an unprecedented Category 5 storm, has left a trail of destruction in the southeast Caribbean. With its early formation and record-breaking intensity, Beryl has captured global attention. Let’s delve into the impact of this powerful hurricane.

Beryl made landfall in the southeast Caribbean, wreaking havoc on Carriacou, an island in Grenada. As a Category 4 storm, it caused significant damage, claiming lives in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Emergency teams are assessing the extent of destruction, and neighboring islands are bracing for its wrath.

Beryl’s rapid intensification is remarkable. It became the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded in the Atlantic, fueled by unusually warm waters. Its sustained winds reached a staggering 165 mph (270 kph). The last hurricane of this magnitude to hit the southeast Caribbean was Hurricane Ivan two decades ago.

Currently located about 370 miles southeast of Isla Beata in the Dominican Republic, Beryl is on a west-northwest trajectory. Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula are in its path. Although it’s expected to weaken slightly, Beryl remains a major hurricane as it approaches these regions.

Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell emphasizes the need to support affected islands. St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves vows to rebuild despite widespread devastation. Union Island, Myreau, and Canouan face similar destruction, with 90% of homes on Union Island destroyed.

In summary, Hurricane Beryl’s unprecedented strength and path underscore the urgency of preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather events. The southeast Caribbean grapples with the aftermath, while neighboring nations brace for impact.


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