The latest disclosures from the Epstein files continue to reveal connections to prominent individuals, including Donald Trump and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, with **new details emerging about Ghislaine Maxwell’s role and concerns over redactions**.

• Email by 'A' from 'Balmoral' asked Ghislaine Maxwell for 'inappropriate friends', Epstein files show — BBC World -
• Trump travelled on Epstein's plane more than previously thought, prosecutor says — BBC World -
• Newly released Epstein files include references to Donald Trump — The Guardian -

• DoJ says Jeffrey Epstein letter to Larry Nassar referencing Trump is fake — The Guardian -
• Demands for more details from US justice department after newly released Epstein files mention Donald Trump – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Epstein files appear to show Andrew asking Ghislaine Maxwell for ‘inappropriate friends’ — The Guardian -
• Some Epstein file redactions are being undone with hacks — The Guardian -
• Jes Staley and Larry Summers made executors of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, files reveal — The Guardian -
• Email from ‘A’ at Balmoral urged Ghislaine Maxwell to find ‘inappropriate friends’ — The Guardian -
• Trump complains Epstein files are damaging people who ‘innocently met’ him — The Guardian -
• What Friday's underwhelming Epstein files release means for Trump and Maga — BBC World -

Following the Bondi terrorist attack, Australia is implementing new gun and protest laws and establishing special honors for bravery, while weather forecasts predict varied Christmas conditions and **political discussions over the attack’s aftermath continue**.

• Australia news live: Albanese announces special honours list to recognise acts of bravery in response to Bondi terrorist attack — The Guardian -
• Christmas Day weather forecast: possible rain in eastern states but extreme heat in Western Australia — The Guardian -
• Katie Allen, former federal Liberal MP, dies aged 59 — The Guardian -

• After Bondi Massacre, a Moment of Unity. Then, Bitter Partisanship. — New York Times World -
• NSW passes controversial new gun and protest laws in wake of Bondi attacks after marathon debate — The Guardian -
• Labor’s changes to listing hate groups will target Islamist and far-right extremists operating just inside the limits of law — The Guardian -
• Wayne Swan removes retweet about Bondi vigil after criticism from Jewish groups – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Arsonist jailed for killing of young Sydney teen during his first sleepover in 1998 — The Guardian -
• 'A miracle': Officer shot in head during Bondi attack home from hospital — BBC World -
• Activist groups to challenge NSW protest laws on free speech grounds as Chris Minns says he’s ‘confident’ in reforms — The Guardian -
• Sydney council seeks to shut down Islamic centre linked to controversial preacher Wisam Haddad — The Guardian -
• Neo-Nazi refused bail a second time over alleged threatening messages targeting Australian politician — The Guardian -
• Travel entitlements for MPs’ families will be wound back on advice of expenses watchdog, Anthony Albanese says — The Guardian -
• Victoria to get first publicly owned windfarm with 33-turbine Latrobe valley project — The Guardian -
• Bondi Beach Gunmen Also Used Pipe Bombs in Attack, Police Say — New York Times World -
• Sussan Ley makes ‘no apology for my passion’ as Labor denounces ‘disgusting’ ‘partisan pile-on’ over Bondi attack — The Guardian -

The Trump administration is enacting significant policy shifts, including a crackdown on Venezuelan oil exports, a ban on VA abortions, and Supreme Court actions blocking National Guard deployment to Chicago, alongside announcements for a 'Trump-class' navy and appointments of new ambassadors.

• Trump’s Tanker Crackdown Paralyzes Venezuelan Oil Exports — New York Times World -
• US supreme court blocks Trump bid to deploy national guard to Chicago — The Guardian -
• Trump administration bans US veterans agency from providing abortions — The Guardian -

• ‘Gunboat diplomacy on steroids’: US signs security deals across Latin America — The Guardian -
• ‘It’s sad we have to do this’: the US citizens carrying passports out of fear — The Guardian -
• First Thing: Number of people in ICE detention hits record high — The Guardian -
• US sees surge in violence against journalists under Trump, report says — The Guardian -
• My daughter was in the Brown University library, hiding under the desk | Sarah Ruhl — The Guardian -
• Italian Artisans Add Figurines of Donald Trump to Nativity Scenes — New York Times World -
• Trump says US will keep or sell oil seized from Venezuela — BBC World -
• US drops plan to deport Chinese man who helped expose abuse of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, say activists — The Guardian -
• Trump Administration Oil Tanker Seizures Are Meant to Force Maduro Out, Officials Say — New York Times World -
• Trump Administration Orders Nearly 30 U.S. Ambassadors to Leave Their Posts — New York Times World -
• Russia and China pledge support for Venezuela as Trump ratchets up pressure on Maduro — The Guardian -
• Trump says US is pursuing third oil tanker linked to Venezuela — BBC World -
• US regulators approve Wegovy pill, first oral medication to treat obesity — The Guardian -
• Former BlackRock executive Mark Wiseman named as Canada’s next ambassador to US — The Guardian -
• Trump unveils plans for 'Golden Fleet' battleships named after himself — BBC World -
• Trump announces plans for new navy warships to be known as ‘Trump-class’ — The Guardian -

Escalating conflicts in Ukraine are causing deaths and power outages, while tensions between India and Bangladesh are rising, Yemen sees a major prisoner swap, and concerns over human rights include an Iranian activist's execution and Chinese crackdowns on unofficial churches.

• Crisis in India-Bangladesh relations spirals amid violent protests — BBC World -
• Pro-Palestine prisoners pause hunger strike as their health deteriorates — The Guardian -
• UN experts urge Iran to stop execution of woman activist — BBC World -

• Ukraine Withdraws From Eastern Town, Complicating Negotiating Stance — New York Times World -
• Police end investigation into Bob Vylan’s IDF chants at Glastonbury — The Guardian -
• Ukraine loses embattled eastern town — BBC World -
• Michael Mansfield criticises ministers’ refusal to meet Palestine Action hunger strikers — The Guardian -
• Russian attacks kill three and cut power to freezing Ukrainian regions — The Guardian -
• Greta Thunberg Arrested at U.K. Protest Supporting Palestine Action Prisoners — New York Times World -
• Yemen’s Warring Sides Agree to Largest Prisoner Swap in a Decade of Fighting — New York Times World -
• Gunmen abduct 28 Muslim travellers in central Nigeria — BBC World -
• Bolsonaro supporters ‘cancel’ Havaianas flip-flop brand over television ad — The Guardian -
• Canada bill targeting refugees feared to signal new era of US-style border policy — The Guardian -
• Greta Thunberg arrested in London over ‘Palestine Action prisoners’ placard — The Guardian -
• Thousands fleeing DR Congo violence face 'dire conditions' in Burundi - aid agencies — BBC World -
• Israel extends order allowing closure of foreign broadcasters — BBC World -
• Russia escalates attacks on key Ukrainian region of Odesa — BBC World -
• ‘Is this real?’: wife of detained pastor describes anguish as China cracks down on unofficial churches — The Guardian -

The UK faces diverse domestic issues, from thousands in Hastings potentially losing water for Christmas and ministers adjusting inheritance tax for farms to Russell Brand facing new sexual offense charges and Manchester terror plots being foiled.

• Thousands in Hastings could face Christmas with no water after mains pipe bursts — The Guardian -
• Ministers raise inheritance tax threshold for farms after backlash — The Guardian -
• Russell Brand charged with further sexual offences including rape — The Guardian -

• Deputy leader Lucy Powell says Labour must ‘stick to manifesto’ over EU customs union, in implicit rebuke to Streeting – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Shropshire canal breach caused by collapse of artificial embankment — The Guardian -
• Former Tory councillor in court accused of drugging and raping ex-wife — The Guardian -
• Reginald D Hunter court summons quashed for attempt to have him ‘cancelled’ — The Guardian -
• UK police leaders to call for ‘non-crime hate incidents’ to be scrapped — The Guardian -
• ‘My blood is boiling, brother’: the foiled plot to massacre Jews on streets of Greater Manchester — The Guardian -
• Reform council’s plan to shut eight care homes ‘a betrayal of local people’ — The Guardian -
• Two men found guilty of Manchester plot to ‘kill as many Jewish people as they could’ — The Guardian -
• Top judges join call for England and Wales to raise age of criminal responsibility to 14 — The Guardian -
• Six UK immigration officers charged with money laundering offences — The Guardian -
• Andy Burnham apologises for past police LGBTQ+ discrimination — The Guardian -
• The Strange Case of the Russian Snickers in U.K. Convenience Shops — New York Times World -
• Four-day week may be considered a sign of failure, England councils told — The Guardian -
• Two New Banksy Murals Appear in London — New York Times World -
• Guardian readers’ Christmas appeal donations surpass £500,000 — The Guardian -
• Reform plan to cap aid at £1bn would damage UK’s international influence, critics warn — The Guardian -
• People in poorest areas of England ‘more likely to need emergency care for lung conditions’ — The Guardian -
• Forecasters say 2025 ‘more likely than not’ to be UK’s hottest year on record — The Guardian -
• Young care leavers in England to get free prescriptions, dental and eye services — The Guardian -
• Former mineworkers celebrate ‘historic’ £100-a-week UK pensions boost — The Guardian -

Tragic events include **Libya’s army chief dying in a plane crash in Turkey, a mass casualty incident at a Philadelphia nursing home following an explosion, and a fatal ferry disaster in Laos, alongside the capture of escaped inmates in Florida**.

• Libya’s army chief dies in plane crash in Turkey — The Guardian -
• Police call explosion at nursing home near Philadelphia ‘mass casualty incident’ — The Guardian -
• Three inmates captured in Florida after escaping jail near Atlanta — The Guardian -

• Screams for help and panic as tourists rescued from fatal Laos ferry disaster — BBC World -
• Five dead after plane carrying child burns victim crashes in Texas — BBC World -

The US economy shows strong growth in the third quarter, while Bet365's boss received substantial pay despite profit declines, Ryanair faces a large fine in Italy, and Tesla's EU sales are slumping as Chinese rivals gain market share.

• Bet365 boss receives at least £280m in pay and dividends despite profit slump — The Guardian -
• US economy grows at fastest pace in two years — BBC World -
• Scottish whisky market slides into supply glut amid falling sales and US tariffs — The Guardian -

• US economy grew strongly in third quarter, GDP report says — The Guardian -
• Trump Tariffs Threaten Canadian Holiday Sales — New York Times World -
• Ryanair fined €256m over ‘abusive strategy’ to limit ticket sales by online travel agencies — The Guardian -
• Tesla’s EU sales slump continues as Chinese rivals thrive — The Guardian -
• Amazon blocks 1,800 job applications from suspected North Korean agents — BBC World -

ChatGPT is being explored for dating, CDs are experiencing a 'retro renaissance' among Gen Z, and China is delaying mass production of self-driving cars after an accident, reflecting a mix of technological advancements and shifting social interests.

• Dating ChatGPT — New York Times World -
• Washington state officials warn of toilet rats after floods: ‘Try to stay calm’ — The Guardian -
• ‘Rare’ squirrels set free together after bonding at Florida hospital for injured wildlife — The Guardian -

• CDs return to Christmas shopping lists as gen Z embrace ‘retro renaissance’ — The Guardian -
• Call of Duty co-creator Vince Zampella dies in California car crash — BBC World -
• Biography aims to fill gaps in story of ultra-libertarian Telegram founder Pavel Durov — The Guardian -
• China Delays Plans for Mass Production of Self-Driving Cars After Accident — New York Times World -
• Understanding Male Loneliness — New York Times World -
• Puzzle Designers Search for That ‘Satisfying Click’ — New York Times World -
• The showers and baths keeping data centre tech cool — BBC World -

News in health includes former Senator Ben Sasse announcing a terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis and the US approval of Wegovy as the first oral weight-loss drug, marking significant medical developments.

• Ben Sasse, ex-Republican senator, says he has terminal pancreatic cancer — The Guardian -
• US regulator approves pill form of Wegovy weight-loss drug — BBC World -