Escalating international tensions include a Russian bombing of Ukraine's Odesa port and attacks on US forces in Syria, while Belarus freed political prisoners after US sanctions were lifted, and North Korea admitted troops clearing landmines for Russia.

• U.S. Forces Attacked in Syria, State Media Says — New York Times World -
• Belarus Frees Prominent Political Prisoners as U.S. Lifts Some Trade Sanctions — New York Times World -
• Russia Bombs Ukraine Port of Odesa Amid Peace Talks — New York Times World -

• Belarus frees 123 prisoners as US lifts sanctions — BBC World -
• Venezuela Oil Tanker Seized by U.S. Was Part of Effort to Finance Cuba — New York Times World -
• Cambodia shuts border crossings with Thailand as fighting continues — BBC World -
• One million households without power in Ukraine after Russia attacks energy grid — BBC World -
• Can Trump’s Grand Plans for Gaza Get Off the Drawing Board? — New York Times World -
• Starmer to pick new US ambassador as relations with Trump tested — The Guardian -
• Thailand Rejects Trump’s Claim That It Reached a Cease-Fire With Cambodia — New York Times World -
• New Israeli barrier will slice through precious West Bank farmland — The Guardian -
• North Korean Soldiers Return From Russia’s War With Ukraine — New York Times World -
• Kim Jong-un admits North Korean troops clearing landmines for Russia — The Guardian -
• Venezuela oil exports reportedly fall sharply after US seizure of tanker — The Guardian -
• US scolds Rwanda for breaking peace deal as M23 rebels seize key Congo city — The Guardian -
• Dozens Killed as a Hospital Is Bombed in Myanmar’s Brutal Civil War — New York Times World -
• Russia Sues Holder of Frozen Assets Europe Wants for Ukraine Loan — New York Times World -
• Thailand denies Trump ceasefire claim as clashes with Cambodia continue at border — The Guardian -
• Trump's 'historic' peace deal for DR Congo shattered after rebels seize key city — BBC World -
• Behind the Venezuelan Opposition Leader’s Daring Escape to Oslo — New York Times World -
• As Trump targets Venezuela, its allies Russia and China show little signs of support — BBC World -
• Ukrainians, Worrying More About Power Cuts, See U.S. Peace Push as Just Noise — New York Times World -
• U.S. Lifts Sanctions Against Justice Alexandre de Moraes of Brazil — New York Times World -
• Ukraine's health supplies hit in series of Russian strikes on medical warehouses — BBC World -
• Ukraine's health supplies hit in series of Russian strikes on medical warehouses — BBC World -

Key US domestic developments include Governor Newsom challenging Trump's AI executive order, concerns over the impact of student loan debt on holiday spending, and calls for investigation into Trump allies' share-buying in the fossil fuel sector.

• Gavin Newsom pushes back on Trump AI executive order preempting state laws — The Guardian -
• ‘Not a gift-giving year’: student loan debt upends US borrowers’ holiday spending — The Guardian -
• ‘They fought for American values’: Afghan immigrants and advocates push back against Trump crackdown — The Guardian -

• Top Democrats call for investigation into share-buying spree by Trump allies — The Guardian -
• Trump attacks old foe Biden – but presidential parallels hard to avoid — The Guardian -
• Deal or no deal? The inside story of the battle for Warner Bros — The Guardian -
• House Republicans release last-minute healthcare plan; TSA defends sharing traveler names with ICE - as it happened — The Guardian -
• New photos from Epstein estate show Trump, Andrew and Bill Clinton — BBC World -

UK news features Meghan's father's relationship with a Mail on Sunday editor, the Met not investigating claims against Andrew, and debates on gender identity services ahead of puberty blocker trials.

• How did Mail on Sunday’s US editor become ‘rock solid friend’ of Meghan’s father? — The Guardian -
• Two men arrested after Christmas tree in Durham village chopped down — The Guardian -
• Met will not investigate claims Andrew asked bodyguard to investigate Virginia Giuffre — The Guardian -

• Wes Streeting calls for ‘cross-party consensus’ on gender identity ahead of puberty blocker trial — The Guardian -
• Comedian Robin Ince quits Radio 4 show, claiming BBC found his views ‘problematic’ — The Guardian -
• Risk to women of severe bleeding after giving birth at five-year high in England — The Guardian -
• Zipcar’s rivals consider London expansion after it reveals UK exit — The Guardian -
• Beware airport parking thieves: police warn over spate of car thefts — The Guardian -
• C of E responds to Tommy Robinson’s carols event with ‘Christmas is for all’ message — The Guardian -

Australian headlines highlight a Sydney man charged with threatening Communications Minister Anika Wells, changes to politician travel expenses, and an overhaul of the home batteries subsidy scheme amid high demand.

• Will other countries follow Australia’s social media ban for under-16s? — The Guardian -
• Sydney man charged with threatening to kill communications minister Anika Wells and her family — The Guardian -
• Bowen says Turnbull-era travel expenses rules were changed to simplify them, despite criticism they became broader — The Guardian -

• Mining company claims government didn’t follow proper process for Aboriginal heritage protection order — The Guardian -
• From toxic soil and industrial standoffs, Melbourne’s West Gate Tunnel finally emerges for motorists to use on Sunday — The Guardian -
• Home batteries subsidy overhauled with $5bn injection as Australians rush to take up discount — The Guardian -

Significant legal rulings include a **$31.5 million settlement for girls in a California torture death case, Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $40 million for talc-related cancer claims, and a European debate on human rights laws** post-World War II.

• Two girls, 9 and 11, awarded $31.5m after sister’s California torture death — The Guardian -
• ‘Who’s it going to be next time?’: ECHR rethink is ‘moral retreat’, say rights experts — The Guardian -
• Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $40m to women who said talc to blame for cancer — The Guardian -

• An eyebrow tip and McDonald's footage: Takeaways from Luigi Mangione's evidence hearing — BBC World -

Diverse stories range from a Lagos street art festival and the rise of ethical fashion brand Veja, to a drunk raccoon's misadventures and chaotic Lionel Messi events in India.

• Street art festival sees Lagos turned into 'open-air gallery' — BBC World -
• Dior, Chanel and … Veja? The ethical Paris trainer worn by A-listers and royalty — The Guardian -
• Baby Steps — New York Times World -

• Cruise-ship stowaway owls set for US return after living it up at Spanish resort — The Guardian -
• Angry fans throw chairs and bottles at Messi event in India — BBC World -
• Watch: Furious fans invade pitch at Messi event in India — BBC World -
• ‘He’s living his best life’: drunk raccoon hit DMV for snacks before liquor store — The Guardian -
• ‘Every chef should train here’: Turkish restaurant ranks fourth on list of London’s top food spots — The Guardian -
• Reporting on Arctic Sovereignty in the Polar Bear Capital of the World — New York Times World -
• Chile Poised for Right-Wing Victory as Crime Fears Sweep Latin America — New York Times World -
• Ivan Urgant Was Russia’s Late-Night King Until Putin’s War in Ukraine — New York Times World -
• Korea’s English Exam Was So Hard It Prompted an Apology. How Would You Do? — New York Times World -
• Lionel Messi’s India tour starts in chaos as angry fans throw seats in stadium — The Guardian -
• Six injured as house explodes in California — BBC World -
• From booze to black belts: Virginia's drunk raccoon suspected in karate shop break-in — BBC World -
• In a Hamlet Built on Forbidden Love, a Cyclone Buried It All — New York Times World -
• The making of a WWE legend: John Cena faces his final fight — BBC World -