12-30-2025 | Meta’s AI expansion, divided Federal Reserve views, United States warnings to Iran, and rising tensions around Taiwan dominate global attention.

Companies. Meta agrees to buy artificial intelligence startup Manus. Meta Platforms announced the acquisition of Manus, an artificial intelligence startup based in Singapore, for more than two billion dollars, strengthening its strategy to expand artificial intelligence agents across consumer and business products, and the company said Manus will continue operating as a standalone service while its technology is integrated into Meta AI. The Economy. Federal Reserve minutes reveal internal policy divisions. The Federal Reserve is preparing to release the minutes of its December policy meeting, expected to show differing views among officials on inflation risks and the timing of future interest rate cuts, after the benchmark rate was reduced to a range between three point five percent and three point seven five percent, with close attention on signals about growth, employment, and borrowing costs. Politics. President Donald Trump issues warnings on Iran and Gaza. President Donald Trump warned that the United States could support additional strikes against Iran if nuclear or missile activities resume and reiterated calls for the disarmament of Hamas during talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while discussions also addressed future security arrangements in Gaza and possible roles for international partners. International. China carries out large military drills near Taiwan. China conducted large-scale live-fire military exercises around Taiwan, including simulations of port blockades and missile launches into surrounding waters, prompting Taiwan to place its forces on alert and reroute civilian air and sea traffic, as regional tensions increased following recent United States arms sales to Taipei.