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All is quiet during the changing of the guard outside Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei before the gathered crowd erupts. or signup to continue reading Taiwanese flags line Democracy Boulevard as cheering locals and tourists alike encircle the strictly choreographed ceremony. Women in short skirts stand side-by-side with those wearing conservative religious garments. China claims self-governed Taiwan as a breakaway province. The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) fled to the island in 1949 during the civil war with the Chinese Communist Party. Cultural artefacts including the prized Jade Cabbage, given as a dowry gift to an emperor's consort in the 19th century, is one of the many treasures that were taken across the Taiwan Strait. Officials from Beijing say they are not bothered by the objects being on display in Taiwan, as it is a part of China. Many Taiwanese people speak about their shared ancestry with the mainland but consider themselves culturally distinct. Only a dozen nations recognise Taiwan as a state. Australia is part of the overwhelming majority that does not. Canberra continued to recognise the Republic of China until diplomatic relations were set up with the People's Republic of China - established by the communist party - in 1972. Taipei's representative offices in Australia do not have diplomatic status and dealings take place unofficially. But trade between the two is worth billions and a number of travel and academic exchanges take place. Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage in 2019 and Taipei is adorned with pride flags and rainbow road crossings. About 170,000 people took part in the pride parade in October, which has been celebrated annually since 2003. China has meanwhile increasingly conducted military drills around Taiwan, with more than 150 aircraft swarming the island in mid-October. A declaration of independence is a clear red line many Taiwanese officials say they will not cross. A survey completed earlier this year showed more than 80 per cent of Taiwanese respondents wanted to maintain the status-quo with China. The number of those wanting independence has been dropping since 2020. Department of International Information Services Director General Catherine Hsu says Taipei is not fearful of an invasion by China. However I-Chung Lai, president of government-funded think tank Prospect Foundation, insists the majority of Taiwanese are ready to take a stand to protect their freedom and democracy. Asked what he would advise in the face of an invasion, he says: "That's a very easy answer, we'll go to war. We'll fight to the death." Dr Lai says despite concerns about an invasion, officials are also considering a blockade or an "anaconda" strategy, where Taiwan would be strangled into submission. "We need to prepare ourselves (so) we can fight tonight and win, that China cannot prevail in a successful military operation," he says. Taiwanese factcheckers say the island is a target for serious disinformation campaigns, often aimed at undermining democracy as a form of government. According to Taiwan FactCheck Center chief executive Eve Chiu shared-language across the strait means lots of fake news floods Taiwanese feeds. Doctored images showing US Vice-President Kamala Harris in a bikini and embracing disgraced American pedophile Jeffrey Epstein on a beach with a caption "this is real," have been picked up via monitoring of the online space. Ms Chiu says another area malicious groups would target include fuelling US scepticism among the general public. A deepfake appeared online, showing a heavily-edited video of a US politician falsely saying Washington was keen to arm Taiwan for a coming war with Beijing. In fact, the original video showed him being questioned by American reporters about the state of the US economy. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Francois Wu has told journalists it is sometimes "lonely" being Taiwanese, as many countries prioritise good economic relations with Beijing. Despite the uncertainty, he was defiant in the face of questions Taiwan might capitulate. "We have to be careful but that does not mean that we have to be intimidated by China," he said. "They said they (have) wanted to occupy Taiwan since 1949 and look at what has happened. We are still here, standing alive." The AAP reporter travelled to Taipei with the assistance of the Taiwanese government. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. 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Advertisement AdvertisementWith Black Friday just around the corner, deals are already starting to surface, bringing a wide range of products to their lowest prices yet, making it the ideal time to upgrade your tech. If you have also wanted to update storage in your computer, you may want to check out the WD Black SN850X NVMe SSD. Currently, both configurations of the 8TB variant, with and without a heatsink, have dropped to their lowest prices ever. The SN850X delivers sequential read speeds of up to 7,200 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 6,600MB/s (1200K IOPS random read/write). Powered by Western Digital's TLC 3D NAND technology, it offers ample space for large game libraries, creative projects, and other data-intensive tasks. The heatsink-equipped model prevents thermal throttling and ensures consistent operation over extended sessions. It also supports DirectStorage API for faster texture loading when used with compatible graphics cards. 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Also, check the and especially our where we post some of the to see if there's anything we've posted in the past few days that could be of interest.Pete Wicks reveals he 'prefers dogs to people' and admits he couldn't stop crying while filming 'emotional' documentary about rescue hounds Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By AMELIA WYNNE FOR MAILONLINE Published: 19:01 EST, 29 December 2024 | Updated: 19:19 EST, 29 December 2024 e-mail 4 View comments Pete Wicks has revealed that he 'prefers dogs to people' ahead of his new documentary Pete Wicks : For Dogs' Sake airing. The former TOWIE and Strictly star, 36, has admitted that he couldn't stop crying while filming 'emotional' documentary about rescue hounds. Pete owns two rescued French bulldogs - Eric and Peggy - who has one eye and he regularly posts about his love for them on social media. Speaking in a new interview with The Radio Times he said of making his new documentary: 'It might sound harsh, but it's true – I prefer dogs to people. I don't think you realise how much dogs will change things until you have one. 'Filming the series was a privilege, but also emotionally difficult. I don't mind saying that. I cried several times. It's heartbreaking when you witness a dog arrive after a bad start in life, you can see the sadness in their eyes. 'It's a series I've been desperate to do for a decade. Why? Well, it's estimated that there are around 100,000 dogs in UK rescue centres. But only one in five people who get a dog, get a rescue.' Pete Wicks has revealed that he 'prefers dogs to people' ahead of his new documentary Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake airing Pete owns two rescued French bulldogs - Eric and Peggy - who has one eye and he regularly posts about his love for them on social media Pete's journey began when him and his mum adopted dog Arnie when he was just 10 years old. Then in 2016 he rescued Eric from the Dogs Trust centre in Basildon, Essex near where he grew up. The new four-part documentary called Pete Wicks : For Dogs' Sake will air on January 7. Pete recently took part in Strictly with partner Jowita Przystał and while he competed and trained for the show his mother looked after his two dogs who 'spoiled them rotten'. It comes after recently Pete and his love interest Maura Higgins sparked rumours they spent Christmas together, after the new couple posted snaps in what seemed like the same pub last Wednesday. The former Love Islander, 34, and podcaster were beaming as they loaded luggage into a car together on Monday, preparing to head off on a festive getaway. And Maura later shared a slew of pictures to her Instagram stories, include one of her view from the plane window, before revealing she had checked into the luxurious Glasson Lakehouse, Spa & Golf Club. As the reality star celebrated with her family, fans questioned whether she'd taken her beau back to meet the parents - and now, The Sun has reported that the duo jetted off together for a romantic break. The former TOWIE and Strictly star, 36, has admitted that he couldn't stop crying while filming 'emotional' documentary about rescue hounds Speaking in a new interview with The Radio Times he said of making his new documentary: 'It might sound harsh, but it's true – I prefer dogs to people' Read More Has Pete Wicks joined Maura Higgins on her luxury festive getaway? Smitten new couple 'spend Christmas together in the Irish countryside' She shared a picture of the inside of her gorgeous suite, which featured a standalone copper bathtub and a cream chaise lounge and retails for roughly £600 per night. According to the hotel's website, the opulent suite also boasts a flat-screen TV and a balcony. The brunette beauty looked delighted to be reunited with her loved ones for the festivities as she posed a selfie with a younger family member. Later, Maura headed to the pub and both she and Pete posted pictures of their drinks to their Instagram stories. Maura opted for a glass of red wine while the Strictly star made the most of being in Ireland and went for a pint of Guinness. The pub looked incredibly cosy and boasted a huge wooden fireplace decorated with Christmas stockings, a pine garland and sparkling fairy lights. Seen with his dogs while filming TOWIE with James Lock And the relaxation continued on Boxing Day as Maura shared a snap from a huge double bed in the room as they watched The Grinch. 'Afternoon movie in bed,' she penned in her caption, with the photo giving fans a glimpse into the stunning room, which featured a big crystal chandelier. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Pete and Maura for comment. After Pete's successful stint on Strictly Come Dancing and Maura's time Down Under for I'm A Celeb, the new reality TV couple have a lot to celebrate. Share or comment on this article: Pete Wicks reveals he 'prefers dogs to people' and admits he couldn't stop crying while filming 'emotional' documentary about rescue hounds e-mail Add comment

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Red Sox new-look bullpen taking shape, but questions remainRep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) conceded defeat in her reelection bid for California's 45th Congressional District, notching a key win for Democrats in one of the most competitive races of the 2024 cycle and further narrowing Republicans' already slim majority in the lower chamber. Steel acknowledged her loss in a statement on Wednesday shortly before the Associated Press officially called the race in favor of her Democratic challenger Derek Tran. Tran won with 50.1% of the vote to Steel's 49.9% and led by just 613 votes three weeks after Election Day. "I owe a debt of gratitude to my supporters, my staff, my family, my daughters and especially my husband, Shawn, for standing by me through endless campaigns," Steel wrote. "To my volunteers, we would never have made it this far without your tireless efforts. And, to the voters, thank you. I will never stop fighting for you." She added : "Everything is God’s will and, like all journeys, this one is ending for a new one to begin." Steel became a top target for Democrats in the 2024 cycle as she was one of only 17 House Republicans running for reelection in a district that President Joe Biden won in 2020. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report deemed the seat a toss-up and rated it D+2. Tran already declared victory in the race earlier this week despite the absence of an official call. It was one of just three House races that lingered earlier Wednesday, in addition to California's 13th Congressional District, held by Rep. John Duarte (R-CA), and Iowa's 1st Congressional District, held by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA). Shortly after Steel's concession, the Associated Press also called the Iowa race for Miller-Meeks, besting her opponent, Christina Bohannan. In the final race, current projections show Duarte's challenger, Democratic candidate Adam Gray, leading the Republican incumbent. If those numbers hold, Republicans will have a 220-215 majority — an even smaller majority than the one they have struggled with over the last two years. Even so, those numbers will not last for long. Republicans are expected to start the year with at least three vacancies in the seats held by former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who resigned earlier this month, and Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Mike Waltz (R-FL), who will join the Trump administration. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Those vacancies would leave the House makeup at 217-215, giving Republicans only a one-seat majority — raising concerns among members about how much of President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda they will be able to accomplish in the first 100 days. It also puts added pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to lock up every single GOP vote for the Jan. 3, 2025, floor vote for House speaker. It could still take days or weeks for those races to be called, and although they will not shift the balance of power in the lower chamber, they could make things more difficult for Johnson to wrangle his conference.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The right frame can freeze a moment in time, creating meaning for the masses from a fist pump over a bloodied ear , a bridge crumbled by a ship , towns shredded by nature , and a victory sealed with an on-field kiss . In 2024, photographers across the U.S. captured glimpses of humanity, ranging from a deeply divisive presidential election , to hurricanes and fires that ravaged communities, to campus protests over the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The gallery from The Associated Press illustrates a new chapter of political history — the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump , the moment President Joe Biden announced he would no longer run again , the campaign sprint by Vice President Kamala Harris in Biden’s place, and the raw emotion from voters during a grueling contest ultimately won by Trump . Related Articles Hurricanes whipped through the country with devastating imagery, leaving a path of wreckage and death from Florida to Appalachia . After Hurricane Helene , Lake Lure in North Carolina was shown in a jarring photo covered in shards of debris thick enough to hide the surface of the water. Hurricane Milton ripped apart the roof of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays. The scale of destruction experienced in some corners of the country in 2024 was hard to capture and might have been harder to fathom. That was the case when a container ship slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse and crumple around the vessel, killing construction workers on the bridge. As flames torched the landscape in California , another image captured firefighters and sheriff’s deputies pushing a vintage car away from a burning home. Elsewhere in California , one photo is aglow with bright orange flames, broken up only by the subtle features of an animal running through them. But hope also persevered in the face of devastation. In Helene’s aftermath , an image from Crystal River, Florida, shows Dustin Holmes holding hands with his girlfriend, Hailey Morgan, as they sloshed through floodwaters with her 4- and 7-year-old children to return to their flooded home. And in Manasota Key, Florida, a family was lit up by the glow of flashlights as they walked to check on their home damaged by Milton. Other photos from 2024 also grabbed the darkness and shadows to emphasize light: among them, a rocket liftoff and a total solar eclipse . And, yes, eclipse glasses were back in style for a shared moment of skygazing. But many other photos delivered a blast of color, from the spectrum of the northern lights across a Maine sky to a crew of workers wading into the deep-red of a Massachusetts cranberry bog . And, once again, Taylor Swift captured the country’s attention, even as a part of the crowd. She rushed down from the stands to kiss her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, after the Chiefs won the AFC Championship , en route to another Super Bowl win.Trump Slams Kevin McCarthy for Pushing to Raise Debt Ceiling: 'One of the Dumbest Political Decisions Made'Rivalry Closes Non-Brokered Private Placement Of Approximately $2.0 Million

A look back at 2024 in photos