BRUSSELS (AP) – Farmers in tractors blocked roads and set off fireworks in Brussels on Thursday outside a European Union leaders’ summit, prompting police to respond with tear gas and water cannons as protesters rallied against a major free-trade deal with South American nations.
Wall Street fell on the final day of trading for 2025, a banner year for markets that was driven by both optimism and uncertainty. The S&P 500 pulled back 0.7% Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite gave back 0.8%. Trading was very light ahead of the New Year's Day holiday Thursday, when markets will be closed.
BRUSSELS (AP) – Italy signaled on Wednesday that it might not support a massive transatlantic free trade deal between the European Union and South American countries, casting further doubt on the agreement as European leaders gather for a summit in Brussels and farmers enraged by the trade pact descend on the capital.
Today is Wednesday, Dec. 31, the 366th and final day of 2025. This is New Year’s Eve. Today in history: On Dec. 31, 1879, Thomas Edison first demonstrated his electric incandescent lights for the public by illuminating some 100 bulbs in and around his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey.
PARIS (AP) – France’s counterespionage agency is investigating a suspected cyberattack plot targeting an international passenger ferry, authorities said Wednesday. A Latvian crew member is in custody facing charges of having acted for an unidentified foreign power, French officials said. But Interior Minister Laurent Nunez appeared to hint that Russia is suspected.
BEIJING (AP) – China’s People’s Liberation Army said Wednesday that it “successfully completed” two days of military exercises in the waters off Taiwan, concluding a set of high-powered maneuvers aimed at asserting its sovereignty over the island – actions that ratcheted up tension in East Asia during 2025’s waning days.
Mariah Carey is going to add some American pop-star pedigree to the opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The local organizing committee announced on Monday that the 56-year-old Carey – the “All I Want for Christmas is You” singer – is the first international star named to perform in the Feb. 6 ceremony at Milan’s San Siro soccer stadium.
Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:
ROME (AP) – A national strike called on Friday by Italy’s largest trade union in protest against the government’s budget plans widely disrupted transportation, health and school services across the country.
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