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Israeli forces eliminate Irans Quds Force operative in Lebanon, marking another blow to Hezbollahs rebuilding efforts. The strike, part of Israels ongoing campaign, comes after a brief war with Iran and a U.S.-backed ceasefire. Iran and Lebanon remain silent, but Israel continues to target threats from Iranian proxies.

Myanmars military intensifies operations ahead of sham elections, adding 80,000 troops through forced conscription and relying on advanced gear from Russia and China. The junta aims to boost its image by retaking strategic spots, despite fierce pushback from pro-democracy forces and ethnic militias. China steps in as mediator, pressuring militias to retreat from northern Shan state. Fighting continues in Rakhine state, where the Arakan Army holds most of the area, including the Bangladesh border vital for Chinese projects.

Pope Leos first Christmas Urbi et Orbi address, delivered in Vatican City, called for empathy towards those in need, such as Gaza residents and migrants. Despite rainy conditions, he revived multilingual greetings, particularly in English and Spanish, and prayed for peace in conflict zones. His message emphasized the importance of humility, listening, and sharing others pain for true change.

King Charles Christmas message from Westminster Abbey emphasized the importance of Second World War values in todays divisive world. He highlighted acts of bravery, such as a Syrian-born immigrant wrestling a gun from an attacker, and praised community spirit. The King, who sees his role as building bridges, wrote the message himself, drawing on religious themes and family moments. He ended with a Ukrainian choir singing Carol of the Bells, a reminder of peace, forgiveness, and getting to know our neighbors amidst uncertainty.

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Despite Prince Andrews absence due to ongoing scandal, Britains royal family gathered for their traditional Christmas Day church service at Sandringham. King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other family members attended, while Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, stayed away following his title stripping and relocation to private quarters. Beatrice and Eugenie joined the festivities, and the family later enjoyed lunch before the Kings Christmas message.

Chinese car brands have made a significant impact on the Australian market, with the big four - BYD, Chery, Great Wall Motors, and MG - leading the charge. These brands have seen success in the SUV segment, with BYD and Great Wall Motors poised to reach the top ten sellers and potentially the top five. Established giants like Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, and Toyota continue to perform well, but mid-pack brands such as Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, and Volkswagen are struggling. While many Australians hoped for the success of every Chinese newcomer, reality has shown that not all brands will thrive. Latecomers like Deepal, Geely, Foton, JAC, Omoda, Jaecoo, Smart, XPeng, and Zeekr have not made a significant impact, with Geely leading the pack at four thousand seven hundred nine units. With over seventy players in a market that cant support them all long-term, some brands will fade away while others dig in, creating a competitive landscape for the future.