China military drills; US trade policy; technology’s holdouts

Your afternoon news update

ADVERTISEMENT View in Browser | APNews DONATE View in Browser | APNews DONATE AP Afternoon Wire Advancing the Power of Facts Policy changes, but facts endure. AP delivers accurate, fact-based journalism to keep the world informed in every administration. Support independent reporting today. Donate. By Amy Langfield December 29, 2025 By Amy Langfield December 29, 2025 Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. Today, China stages military drills around Taiwan to warn "external forces;" a look back at President Donald Trump's changes to U.S. trade policy in 2025; and and how some people are finding refuge on analog islands as the world wades into deeper digital seas. UP FIRST In this image taken off video, Sun Li-fang, Taiwan Defense Ministry spokesperson speaks about China's latest military drills during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan on Monday. (AP Photo/Wu Taijing) China stages military drills around Taiwan to warn 'external forces' after US, Japan tensions China's military on Monday dispatched air, navy and missile units to conduct joint live-fire drills around the island of Taiwan, which Beijing called a "stern warning" against separatist and "external interference" forces. Taiwan said it was placing forces on alert and called the Chinese government "the biggest destroyer of peace." Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Why China is holding military drills around Taiwan — and the history behind it AP Exclusive: China threatens detention in Xinjiang over banned Uyghur songs China sanctions 20 US defense companies and 10 executives over massive arms sales to Taiwan TOP STORIES Trump overturned decades of US trade policy in 2025. See the impact of his tariffs, in four charts Since returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has overturned decades of U.S. trade policy — building a wall of tariffs around what used to be a wide open economy. His double-digit taxes on imports from almost every country on earth have disrupted global commerce and strained the budgets of consumers and businesses worldwide. They have also raised tens of billions of dollars for the U.S. Treasury. Still, the erratic way the president rolled out his tariffs made 2025 one of the most turbulent economic years in recent memory. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Trump indicates the US 'hit' a facility that he tied to alleged drug boats Judge orders release of transcript from closed hearing for man accused of killing Charlie Kirk AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Iowa's state Senate special election  FACT FOCUS: Trump says he's ended eight wars. His numbers are off Tracking the retirement announcements of members of Congress 'The past gives comfort': Finding refuge on analog islands amid deepening digital seas As technology distracts, polarizes and automates, people are still finding refuge on analog islands in the digital sea. The holdouts span the generation gaps, uniting elderly and middle-aged enclaves born in the pre-internet times with the digital natives raised in the era of online ubiquity. They are setting down devices to paint, color, knit and play board games. Others carve out time to mail birthday cards and salutations written in their own hand. And a widening audience is turning to vinyl albums, resuscitating an analog format that was on its deathbed 20 years ago. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Humanoid robots take center stage at Silicon Valley summit, but skepticism remains AI shakes up the call center industry, but some tasks are still better left to the humans WATCH: Invisible infrared surveillance technology and those caught in its digital cage ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS Photo gallery of Pope Francis; Charlie Kirk; George Foreman; Jane Goodall; and Robert Redford. (AP Photos/Andrew Medichini; Ross D. Franklin; Charles Rex Arbogast; Victoria Will/Invision; and Douglas C. Pizac) Year in review: From Pope Francis to Charlie Kirk, many deaths in 2025 had a wide impact Iran Central Bank governor resigns: Protests erupt over currency's plunge to record low Turkey: Official says 6 Islamic State militants and 3 police officers killed in clash New Jersey: 2 pilots killed after helicopters collided are identified New York: Harvey Weinstein accuser Kaja Sokola is being sued for defamation. The plaintiff: Her sister Bombogenesis: How bomb cyclones form and create dangerous conditions AP's top songs of 2025: 'Lo que le pasó a Hawaii,' 'Abracadabra' and more WATCH: Trying to improve your health and wellness in 2026? Keep it simple TRENDING Comedian Chevy Chase, second from left,  joins the cast of NBC-TV's "Saturday Night Live," in 1978 in New York, where he first got his start with the "Not Ready For Prime Time Players." Others are, from left, Jane Curtin, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, and Laraine Newman. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler) Chevy Chase is under the spotlight in a new documentary, warts and all — and he's OK with it Insulting the director who is making a documentary about you might not be the most diplomatic of choices. Then again, Chevy Chase has never been very diplomatic. The comedian gets snarly at the top of filmmaker Marina Zenovich's "I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not," which airs Thursday on CNN. During their very first meeting, he warns her it isn't going to be easy to figure him out. She asks him why. "You're not bright enough, how's that?" he replies. Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Amy Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Amy SUPPORT THE AP. DONATE. Manage preferences | Privacy policy | Unsubscribe   *Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in advertising, contact us here. ADVERTISEMENT