TOP NEWS

China-Taiwan relations
China withdraws after massive military drill

Chinese forces have now begun to withdraw from areas around Taiwan after the extensive military drills of recent days, writes Reuters. However, China has not formally announced that the exercise has ended and Taiwan's military remains on high alert.

According to Taiwan, 77 Chinese military aircraft and 25 ships from the navy and coast guard have operated near the island during the exercise, which is described as the largest of its kind to date.

China has spoken of the exercise as a "sharp warning" both to what it calls "Taiwanese separatists" and to Taiwan's allies in the world. 

Terrorist threats in Europe
New nationwide raids against IS in Turkey - 125 arrested

125 people have been arrested in Turkey in new nationwide raids, reports AFP. According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, those arrested have links to the terrorist sect IS.

Earlier this week, more than 350 people were arrested in similar raids. Three police officers were also killed in one operation.

The operations are being carried out after reports that IS has planned to carry out attacks during the holidays.

The future of the EU
Bulgaria introduces the euro – the population is skeptical

Bulgaria will become the 21st country to introduce the euro on January 1.

However, it is not entirely certain that this is what the country's residents want, writes AP.

According to a Eurobarometer survey from October-November, about half of Bulgarians oppose the common currency, while 42 percent are positive.

Advocates in the country hope that the currency change will lead, among other things, to more and larger investments from other EU countries. Critics are concerned, among other things, that the change will lead to higher prices.

Six EU countries have not joined the currency union

• Sweden
• Poland
• Czech Republic
• Hungary
• Romania
• Denmark