News of Wednesday 26 December 2018

• History of Christmas
• Taiwan: 152 Vietnam tourists 'disappear' during holiday
• Japan whale hunting: Commercial whaling to restart in July
• Israel approves plans for 2,200 settler homes in West Bank
• Iran, Russia armed forces must boost anti-terror fight: Military chief
• Syrian air defense systems shoot down Israeli missiles near Damascus
• Putin hails successful test of Avangard hypersonic missile system
• I think the JCPOA will endure if Europe can insulate trade with Iran: Jim lobe/ Trump's rhetoric about re-imposing sanctions is hollow: Vincent Ferraro