UK - The Independent

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1. Prisoner on Palestine Action hunger strike ‘losing the ability to speak’, say campaigners

   Four activists remain on hunger strike with some experiencing serious health decline, according to Prisoners for Palestine

2. Chinese military to stage drills around Taiwan to warn 'external forces' after Japan tensions

   The Chinese military says it’s dispatching air, navy and rocket troops to conduct joint military drills around Taiwan to warn against what it called separatist and “external interference” forces

3. Jan 6 pipe bomb suspect confessed that ‘something just snapped’ after 2020 election, DOJ says

   Brian J. Cole Jr. said he targeted RNC and DNC because ‘they were in charge,’ according to filing from Jeanine Pirro

4. North Korea says it tested long-range cruise missiles

   North Korea says it fired long-range strategic cruise missiles into the sea to test the country’s nuclear deterrence

5. Trump uses Zelensky peace talks to indulge in conspiracy theories about 2020 election and the ‘Russia hoax’

   Trump still can’t stop talking about 2020 when Zelensky is in the room. John Bowden ponders: Will that make dragging Putin to the table impossible?

6. Trump hails ‘terrific’ Ukraine peace plan meeting with Zelensky and claims ‘a lot of progress’ made

   However, US president says a few ‘thorny issues’ remain before a deal can be concluded

7. Domestic abusers sentenced to total of nearly 230 years in prison in Scotland

   Police Scotland said that domestic abuse wouldn’t be tolerated in its pursuit to hold perpetrators accountable

8. UK set for cold start to 2026 with amber health alert issued

   Amber alerts are in place as temperatures are set to plunge

9. Majority of investors planning to boost portfolios in 2026, survey finds

   Scottish Widows commissioned a survey of more than 1,000 UK investors with a minimum of £100,000 in investable assets, who have a pension.

10. Claudia Winkleman promises ‘something new’ in new The Traitors series

    The Traitors series four will see 22 people from across the UK descend on a Scottish castle in the Highlands