# Sean's Daily News Digest — 2025-12-26

News Digest – Dec 26, 2025

Thursday, December 26, 2025 · 02:45 UTC

168 articles from 29 sources → 42 stories

**Americas:** The US launched Christmas Day airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria, marking Trump's first military action against IS on the African continent. Venezuela freed dozens detained during anti-Maduro protests as families awaited more releases. Honduras declared Trump-backed candidate Nasry Asfura the presidential winner after a chaotic 25-day count, with his opponent alleging fraud.

**Europe:** Ukraine and US negotiators held talks Zelensky described as "excellent," with both sides signaling progress toward a peace framework. Russia reported "slow but steady" progress in parallel. A Russian opposition leader affiliated with the Communist party was sentenced to six years for justifying terrorism.

**Asia-Pacific:** North Korea's Kim Jong Un ordered increased missile production for 2026, signaling continued weapons development. Myanmar's junta scheduled another election round for January 25 as part of its contested legitimization effort. Japan approved a record $785 billion budget while attempting to control debt levels.

**Middle East & Africa:** Israel killed a member of Iran's Quds Force in a Lebanon strike. Syria announced killing a senior Islamic State commander in a Damascus countryside raid. Turkey detained 137 suspected IS members planning holiday attacks. Sudan's government rejected any truce with the RSF paramilitary.

**Tech:** China achieved a quantum computing stability milestone, becoming only the second team globally after Google to demonstrate this capability. Chinese researchers also set a new maglev acceleration record, reaching 700km/h in under two seconds. Salesforce reportedly regrets its decision to fire 4,000 experienced staff and replace them with AI.

## Must Know

### US launches Christmas Day airstrikes against Islamic State in Nigeria

The US military struck Islamic State targets in northwest Nigeria, Trump announced. The president claimed IS militants had been "targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians" in the region. Nigeria's foreign ministry confirmed the precision strikes hit "terrorist targets."

**Why it matters:** This marks the first US military strike against IS in Nigeria under Trump and signals willingness to project force in Africa to protect Christian communities—a key constituency.

[Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/25/trump-says-us-launched-strikes-against-isil-in-northwest-nigeria?traffic_source=rss) (center) · [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/25/us-carries-out-airstrikes-against-islamic-state-terrorist-scum-in-nigeria-trump-says) (center-left)

### Ukraine-US peace talks show progress; Zelensky meets Witkoff and Kushner

Ukrainian President Zelensky reported an "excellent discussion" with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, saying peace documents "are already ready." Russia separately characterized negotiations as showing "slow but steady" progress. Both statements suggest momentum toward a framework.

**Why it matters:** Both sides now acknowledge meaningful progress—a shift from earlier posturing. The involvement of Kushner signals Trump's inner circle is directly managing the diplomacy.

[Straits Times](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/zelensky-has-talks-on-ukraine-with-us-envoys-witkoff-kushner) (center) · [Reuters](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxNcllRMHY3amNYNHRsRnNrZ0dhYUtIZW40YUZLeVp2SVhaR0pOcHA3OS1Ua3NoODV5MjBWM25nb3A2RGtnYTREN2FnX2VMMVRSalNFMVV5Z19MT1BCNFFYVGppbXFlWm0zTU9rYmR1dHZnTHB4bzFOQ1pJemtBTU1tdzJjUkQwVU1xaE5DazBIazBaSE9fY3dfYUROUW5nTUJPZzU4?oc=5) (center)

### Kim Jong Un orders increased missile production for 2026

North Korea's leader called missile and shell production "of paramount importance in bolstering war deterrent" and ordered expanded output for the coming year. The directive signals Pyongyang will continue its weapons buildup despite diplomatic outreach from Trump.

**Why it matters:** Kim is doubling down on arms development as a core policy, complicating any Trump administration hopes for renewed negotiations.

[The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/north-koreas-kim-orders-more-missile-production-in-2026/article70438714.ece) (center) · [Reuters](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiygFBVV95cUxQTWhZMGc3OHpybFFFaWI4S1VxMklsUFNQS3dnNklWdl9MblJMTDRBb3ZtUk95dnZkUzhrNEYyS1dKemZibEJ0YWlpVDJUQWY2aEpMWXJEWVM5YVpSU3NBQ0NXaVF0alVwd0ViTHNtRnFxRjVPckxUc19VVk1MQklxN0FDZS1ZTEtuMXlWS0tKdjlqdlZPZ0xWWmxocW1OZzgxa1JmbmxWTG5QS2Z6bTVzUy14TnlfVGpFMDZpbS1pZjI4b3gxdDE1WnJR?oc=5) (center)

### China achieves quantum computing stability milestone

Chinese researchers became only the second team globally—after Google—to achieve a critical stability benchmark in quantum computing. The milestone involved maintaining quantum coherence for extended periods, a key step toward practical quantum machines.

**Why it matters:** China is closing the gap with the US in quantum computing, a technology with profound implications for cryptography, drug discovery, and AI.

[SCMP](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3337742/chinas-new-quantum-computer-hits-stability-milestone-beating-google-efficiency?utm_source=rss_feed) (center)

## Should Know

### Turkey detains 137 suspected IS members planning holiday attacks

Turkish authorities arrested 137 suspected Islamic State members across Istanbul raids, seizing weapons. Officials said the suspects were planning attacks during Christmas and New Year celebrations. Twenty-two additional suspects remain at large.

**Why it matters:** The scale of the operation suggests IS retains significant operational capacity in Turkey despite years of counterterrorism pressure.

[Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2025/12/26/en-turquie-137-membres-presumes-de-l-ei-arretes-avant-noel-et-le-nouvel-an_6659434_3210.html) (center) · [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/25/turkiye-arrests-115-isil-suspects-it-says-planned-holiday-attacks?traffic_source=rss) (center)

### Syria kills senior IS commander in Damascus raid

Syria's Interior Ministry announced the killing of Mohammed Shahadeh, described as one of IS's senior commanders in Syria, during a raid in the Damascus countryside. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported five IS members died in the strikes.

**Why it matters:** The new Syrian government is demonstrating counterterrorism capacity, potentially easing Western concerns about the post-Assad transition.

[Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/25/syria-says-senior-isil-commander-killed-in-damascus-countryside-raid?traffic_source=rss) (center) · [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/syria-says-killed-senior-islamic-state-leader/article70436887.ece) (center)

### Sudan government rejects any truce with RSF paramilitaries

A senior Sudanese official declared "no negotiation, no truce" with the Rapid Support Forces, days after Prime Minister Kamil Idris presented a peace plan. The stance dims hopes for ending the nearly three-year civil war.

**Why it matters:** Sudan's war has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises; hardline positions suggest continued suffering for millions of displaced civilians.

[Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/25/no-negotiation-no-truce-with-rsf-says-senior-sudan-official?traffic_source=rss) (center)

### Israel kills Iranian Quds Force member in Lebanon strike

The Israeli military said it killed a member of Iran's elite Quds Force in a Lebanon strike. Israel accused him of planning attacks against Israel from Syria and Lebanon. Strikes continue despite a November 24 ceasefire.

**Why it matters:** Israel is targeting Iranian proxies directly, risking further escalation even as diplomatic efforts continue elsewhere in the region.

[Straits Times](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/israeli-military-says-it-killed-a-member-of-irans-quds-force-in-lebanon) (center) · [Reuters](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxOX05FY0dXTzlpRGJQWmhqTG5zMC10eDAtUWxLS2J3Mi05d1E1UVE4c1NJUFdLVnpveEVicE1YS2lWZVY5OXFYVXIteGZ0cThucTBLaHNWeER3WFZ5VHBzYjktU09jcVVVNlB6cmNPa2M4Qkk1ekJhR21FRUU3ckJYdjVzdUJaTV9hdS1SdU1XMmNkU0J3emEzVWtmLS14MkRiLWZ2QkJuQUpuQV9mOFVHakFWajU5RkJm?oc=5) (center)

### Honduras declares Trump-backed Asfura winner after chaotic count

Nasry Asfura of the Partido Nacional was declared winner of Honduras's presidential election after 25 days of contested ballot counting. His opponent Salvador Nasralla alleged fraud and refused to accept the result, expressing anger over US involvement.

**Why it matters:** Trump's endorsement helped swing a Central American election; the disputed result risks political instability in a key migration source country.

[NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/world/americas/honduras-election-dispute.html) (center-left) · [Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2025/12/25/au-honduras-nasry-asfura-remporte-l-election-presidentielle-grace-au-soutien-de-donald-trump_6659425_3210.html) (center)

### Japan approves record $785 billion budget

Japan's cabinet approved a record 122.3 trillion yen ($785 billion) budget for fiscal 2026, exceeding this year's initial budget. Officials pledged to keep debt in check despite the increase, which assumes a 3% bond interest rate.

**Why it matters:** Japan's fiscal expansion continues despite its enormous debt burden, testing whether recent rate hikes can be sustained without triggering a bond market crisis.

[The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/japans-cabinet-approves-record-785-billion-budget-vows-to-keep-debt-in-check/article70438731.ece) (center) · [Nikkei Asia](https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/japan-s-fiscal-2026-draft-budget-assumes-3-bond-interest-rate) (center-right)

### Russian opposition figure sentenced to six years

A Moscow court sentenced Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement and Communist party-affiliated Putin critic, to six years in prison. He was convicted of justifying terrorism despite being pro-war.

**Why it matters:** The conviction shows Russia prosecutes even pro-war critics, signaling that any dissent—not just anti-war views—can trigger imprisonment.

[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/25/sergei-udaltsov-terrorism) (center-left) · [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/russian-court-sentences-pro-war-activist-putin-critic-to-6-years-in-prison/article70438717.ece) (center)

## Quick Signals

Coast Guard tracks Iranian-Venezuelan oil tanker Bella 1 fleeing in Atlantic; more ships and personnel deployed — [WSJ](https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/coast-guard-tracks-down-a-runaway-oil-tanker-linked-to-iran-and-venezuela-32f7660c)

Venezuela releases dozens detained during anti-Maduro protests; families call for more releases — [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/25/venezuela-frees-dozens-detained-during-protests-against-maduro?traffic_source=rss)

British anti-disinformation activist wins injunction blocking US detention over entry ban — [Reuters](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxOYTBDUmRvSUp0Z3ZMazhaTkVUdmt1dERtOFdMNG5rQXBhRy1tNnZOQ195YkY3Vzl3SzZpVUk5ZGRBRXlLTVNtWHFhYllhSXFFWUtzNEN6MEZlNV9YNGRwMWREbUR6dnp4Zzh2ZlQ3YWVLQkhZeTYwR1luOVN2dGpxMWtVZ0plOHhDbHBTWEZkQWpjWml1WmxUME9seXVjZGVXVklwQUh3ZFpCRWF2S0VNNmo1MzMzUQ?oc=5)

Myanmar junta schedules third election phase for January 25 as contested legitimization continues — [Reuters](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixAFBVV95cUxPM0dOQ2FlMzVreHJ4OVI2VkZITGV0d0pPLXJqOWdrRlBNMmExRDZLWkVpeHB0V3FUcGJjWHZIVGJLSklhQWxPUmpTei1KWTFQSWg0MUdxejFCX2Z3VmVkc1VZQWZlTGdzR3dNMHRESmpxeDFLc0lSUmFDVFZ6X0ZJektwb1N3LUNVYUJtV1BiTjdQLUdCTk91RkNZS3RVN2MyTFBDRGFxbUQzbmt2ei1NdUotREdaT2lNNW1YcGYyMVpMcUpn?oc=5)

China sets maglev record: 0-700km/h in under 2 seconds on 400-meter test track — [SCMP](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3337735/chinas-record-smashing-maglev-achieves-0-700km/h-acceleration-less-2-seconds?utm_source=rss_feed)

Salesforce reportedly regrets firing 4,000 staff and replacing them with AI — [Hacker News](https://maarthandam.com/2025/12/25/salesforce-regrets-firing-4000-staff-ai/)

Python 3.15 interpreter for Windows expected to be 15% faster — [Hacker News](https://fidget-spinner.github.io/posts/no-longer-sorry.html)

Google gradually rolling out option to change gmail.com addresses — [Hacker News](https://9to5google.com/2025/12/24/google-change-gmail-addresses/)

Tokyo core inflation slows in December but remains above Bank of Japan's 2% target — [Reuters](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivwFBVV95cUxOZ0lZMlZTUGRjNThFTUZYZU9sd0VkeDJyN1R0aGRPSUtDelI3QjhXa3hicGI0ay1GZVIwd2hiOGNIeFR5OEhYb1VRUV9YMkFkUmdpZGdadWVqRkpjMVFscnE0aXdOWmlrdGJ1ZjJtYlRIUWRfeVp4TzBfRXVVNVdfMmpLSVNMUVB4ODItejZEN0x5bm1udGlCVDhERUNNSXNpa1VoNXl2ZzhyN2NpYTRsYVVaM3hJSC13ZmhMdG5fNA?oc=5)

Atmospheric river storm kills 3 in Southern California; some areas saw 11+ inches of rain — [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/25/southern-california-atmospheric-river-storm)

King Charles calls for "reconciliation" and unity in Christmas message after year of division — [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/dec/25/king-charles-reconciliation-unity-christmas-message)

Five killed in Tanzania helicopter crash on Mount Kilimanjaro during medical evacuation — [NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/world/africa/helicopter-crash-kilimanjaro.html)

Five killed in Tajikistan-Afghanistan border firefight; third such incident in recent weeks — [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/25/five-killed-at-tajikistan-afghanistan-border-in-armed-clash?traffic_source=rss)

Russia makes prisoner swap "proposal" to France regarding jailed researcher Laurent Vinatier — [SCMP](https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3337745/russia-makes-proposal-france-over-jailed-ngo-researcher-vinatier?utm_source=rss_feed)

## Below the Fold

### Americas

Brazil's Bolsonaro endorses son Flavio for 2026 presidency while out of prison for hernia surgery — [Straits Times](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/brazils-bolsonaro-endorses-son-for-presidency-before-more-surgery)

Arkansas Powerball ticket wins $1.817 billion Christmas Eve jackpot—second-largest in US history — [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/25/arkansas-powerball-christmas-eve)

Mexican bus crash kills 10, injures 32 on Christmas Eve in Zontecomatlan — [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/mexico-bus-crash-several-killed-injured-updates/article70438747.ece)

Jimmy Kimmel delivers UK "alternative Christmas message" warning of fascism rising in America — [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/25/jimmy-kimmel-christmas-message-trump)

White House to present plans for Trump's East Wing ballroom renovation in January — [Reuters](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxNVTdmaFRFdnBFT0pCX0EyOWE4dnhXajM5X0Z1NGNMTkpZdWw4YURpdEMyTmY3RDlfbkFxV0NTd0J6R0NKM3VpRVNTN3Rpcm5ELWhLdnN2SDN1UXVkaTQ3Rm54SnRzc1VMNE1lclJJcFlsZTlwMlBSU2ljZWlsYnpqUGplWGg3SkFlR3hORUxwT2ZiS1UtRG5ZZnRWcnE5VGszRjM2NmdJSQ?oc=5)

### Europe

Four members of Liechtenstein royal family found dead — [Reuters](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijwFBVV95cUxPVlpYMk9IMEZ4dElBZUN1YW1YY1NBaVEwbUZib18yaXFIa2xHSEt6RjlETjhkUHhrSXZMSFZXc0tkNXZ6UGpMaUxHWXByMmFlbEZKMXRETm9XVnNYOHRiOEFRdU5WVWh3aWhqSy0tNElia3FOY0pGYXlnNFpaY1dkNkw1RjRDYlU1VFF0VGJ6UQ?oc=5)

Swedish police shoot man dead, find woman's body in Boden incident — [Straits Times](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/swedish-police-investigating-serious-incident-in-boden-north-sweden)

French police and gendarmes increasingly resigning over institutional culture issues — [Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2025/12/25/ces-policiers-et-gendarmes-qui-demissionnent-j-ai-fini-par-me-poser-la-question-est-ce-que-je-suis-vraiment-du-bon-cote_6659410_3224.html)

La Poste parcel tracking restored after Christmas DDoS cyberattack — [Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2025/12/25/cyberattaque-contre-la-poste-le-suivi-de-colis-a-repris-seuls-quelques-dysfonctionnements-marginaux-subsistent_6659429_3234.html)

Three French departments under orange flood warning as rains continue — [Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/climat/article/2025/12/25/pluie-inondation-les-pyrenees-orientales-l-aude-et-la-haute-corse-places-en-vigilance-orange_6659419_1652612.html)

### Asia-Pacific

Malaysia's Najib awaits verdict in major 1MDB trial with political stability at stake — [Reuters](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiygFBVV95cUxOYUMwWUtUQmFUYU5DdDRBd2d1R0RwdDFHY0VCc3JfazVXMjloMXNEcVRBX0FWNXB4Rm1hQ2c2WFUzb3BOeFBOaHlhQkxHaGo4UFRKeVpwZndLY1Q3OWVNeHZtMVJyVkEwY1BVXzAtX29QZWh3cjVYRTJJZ205TkJxRFIzdk5vOHRiS2ZEZ2ppWG9wLV9qN2R0QzBHT2lsX0JGckJRX3ljMXBJZktVTE1ETGU3MDM3ek52ZEFTRkNoS3B5VDNFQ3g2ZnRR?oc=5)

US arms shipment backlog to Taiwan exceeds $20 billion — [Nikkei Asia](https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/taiwan-tensions/us-arms-shipment-backlog-to-taiwan-tops-20bn)

Chinese automaker Chery to open largest ASEAN factory in Vietnam by mid-2026 — [Nikkei Asia](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/china-s-chery-to-open-its-largest-asean-auto-factory-in-vietnam-in-mid-2026)

Mercedes-Benz acquires $191 million stake in Chinese autonomous driving developer — [SCMP](https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3337719/mercedes-benz-acquires-stake-chinese-autonomous-driving-developer-us191-million?utm_source=rss_feed)

Japan's private-sector rice imports surge 104-fold amid high domestic demand — [Nikkei Asia](https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/trade/japan-s-private-sector-imports-of-rice-surge-104-fold-on-high-demand)

Xiaomi unveils 17 Ultra smartphone with enhanced Leica imaging to challenge iPhone Pro Max — [SCMP](https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3337738/xiaomis-17-ultra-backed-leica-challenges-apples-iphone-pro-max-mobile-imaging?utm_source=rss_feed)

### Middle East & Africa

Israeli settler attack injures Palestinian baby; five arrested — [Straits Times](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/israeli-settler-attack-injures-palestinian-baby-five-arrested)

Three Palestinians arrested for torching Christmas tree at Catholic church in Jenin — [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/three-palestinians-arrested-on-suspicion-of-torching-christmas-tree-at-catholic-church-in-west-bank/article70437044.ece)

Turkey and Libya examining black boxes from jet crash that killed Libyan military chief — [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/turkiye-starts-examining-black-boxes-from-jet-crash-that-killed-libyas-military-chief-and-7-others/article70438729.ece)

Mob kills Hindu man in Bangladesh; interim government blames victim's "terror activities" — [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/mob-kills-minority-hindu-man-interim-government-blames-terror-activities-by-victim/article70437871.ece)

Five killed in Nigeria mosque bombing in Maiduguri — [Straits Times](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/five-killed-in-nigeria-mosque-attack-police-say)

### Tech

39C3 (Chaos Communication Congress) schedule released — [Hacker News](https://fahrplan.events.ccc.de/congress/2025/fahrplan/)

Fujitsu joins SoftBank-led next-gen AI memory project — [Nikkei Asia](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/tech/semiconductors/fujitsu-joins-next-gen-ai-memory-project-led-by-softbank)

Alzheimer's disease reversed in animal models with full neurological recovery, study claims — [Hacker News](https://case.edu/news/new-study-shows-alzheimers-disease-can-be-reversed-achieve-full-neurological-recovery-not-just-prevented-or-slowed-animal-models)

uBlockOrigin AI blocklist gains traction for filtering AI-generated content from search results — [Hacker News](https://github.com/laylavish/uBlockOrigin-HUGE-AI-Blocklist)

Hollywood embraced AI in 2025 with poor results — [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/848119/hollywood-film-tv-ai-2025)

Generated 2025-12-26 02:45 UTC