Israel saw a deadly ramming and knife attack and garnered international criticism for its recognition of Somaliland, while US forces conducted airstrikes in Nigeria against Islamic State, a Syrian mosque blast killed eight, Yemen separatists faced alleged Saudi airstrikes, Venezuela released 99 political prisoners, and a Gazan girl struggled with extreme hunger.

• Two killed in suspected Palestinian ramming and knife attack in Israel — BBC World -
• Israel Recognizes Somaliland, Drawing International Rebukes — New York Times World -
• US launches strikes against Islamic State in Nigeria — BBC World -

• Israel recognises Somaliland as independent state, Netanyahu says — BBC World -
• Trump’s Claims About Nigeria Strike Belie a Complex Situation on the Ground — New York Times World -
• 8 Killed in Syria Mosque Blast, Government Says — New York Times World -
• Two killed in stabbing and suspected car-ramming in northern Israel — The Guardian -
• 2 Killed in Vehicle Ramming and Stabbing in Israel, Officials Say — New York Times World -
• Nigeria provided US with intelligence for strikes on Islamist militants, says foreign minister – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Blast at Syrian mosque during Friday prayers leaves at least eight dead — BBC World -
• US warns of more Nigeria strikes as Abuja talks of ‘joint ongoing operations’ — The Guardian -
• Venezuela says it released 99 people detained for 2024 election protests — The Guardian -
• Southern separatists in Yemen report Saudi airstrikes near positions — The Guardian -
• One Gazan Girl’s Fight to Survive Extreme Hunger — New York Times World -
• Lagos’s Month of Partying Is Getting Pricier — New York Times World -

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy plans to meet Donald Trump to discuss a peace deal, while the Trump administration's targeting of a British anti-disinformation campaigner was blocked by a judge, and voters are increasingly linking the climate crisis to rising bills, despite a Georgia jailbreak and an ongoing investigation into the Brown University shooting suspect.

• Zelensky plans to meet Trump on Sunday for talks on ending Russian war — BBC World -
• Trump’s Claims About Nigeria Strike Belie a Complex Situation on the Ground — New York Times World -
• Zelenskyy to travel to US for Trump meeting amid push for Ukraine deal — The Guardian -

• US judge blocks detention of British social media campaigner — BBC World -
• Three men who escaped Georgia jail hijacked Lyft to Florida, records show — The Guardian -
• Zelensky Says He’ll Meet With Trump Soon to Discuss Ukraine Peace Plan — New York Times World -
• Bari Weiss defends decision to pull 60 Minutes episode on El Salvador prison — The Guardian -
• Trump supporters hail US strikes in Nigeria as ‘amazing Christmas present’ — The Guardian -
• Kentucky plane crash death toll rises to 15 after injured man died on Christmas — The Guardian -
• Here’s What Is in the 20-Point Peace Plan for Ukraine — New York Times World -
• UK campaigner targeted by Trump accuses tech giants of ‘sociopathic greed’ — The Guardian -
• Conservative and Christian? US right champions psychedelic drugs — The Guardian -
• US voters linking climate crisis to rising bills despite Trump’s ‘green scam’ claims — The Guardian -
• How an ex-US marine became vital in the fight against Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement — The Guardian -
• US judge blocks Trump administration from deporting UK anti-disinformation campaigner — The Guardian -
• Zelensky hails 'new ideas' on peace after talks with US envoys — BBC World -
• Brown shooting suspect: gruelling academic climate may have taken mental toll, say ex-classmates — The Guardian -

China sanctioned US defense firms over a Taiwan arms deal, Japan approved a record defense budget amid rising tensions, former Malaysian PM Najib Razak received a new 15-year jail term for corruption, and Cambodia accused Thailand of fresh strikes during ongoing border peace talks, while Myanmar's junta prepares controversial elections and India's Hindu Right continues its reshaping of the nation.

• Call for citizen scientists to monitor threatened turtle species on NSW beaches — The Guardian -
• New Jail Term for Ex-Malaysian Leader Najib Razak in Corruption Scandal — New York Times World -
• Myanmar’s Health Crisis Spills Over Borders — New York Times World -

• Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak jailed for 15 more years in 1MDB graft scandal — The Guardian -
• China imposes sanctions on US defence firms over Taiwan arms deal — The Guardian -
• From the Shadows to Power: How the Hindu Right Reshaped India — New York Times World -
• Ex-Malaysia PM Najib Razak given 15-year jail term over state funds scandal — BBC World -
• Thailand bombs Cambodian border area as ceasefire talks continue — BBC World -
• Paddle boarders rescued after being swept more than 10km across Port Phillip Bay in three-hour ordeal — The Guardian -
• Cambodia accuses Thailand of launching strikes during border peace talks — The Guardian -
• Japan’s cabinet approves record defence budget amid escalating China tensions — The Guardian -
• 5 Key Moments in the Rise of India’s Hindu-First Powerhouse — New York Times World -
• Victoria police name man they want to interview in relation to ‘Happy Chanukah’ car fire in St Kilda — The Guardian -
• Homes threatened as bushfire rages south-east of Perth and storms hit Queensland and Northern Territory — The Guardian -
• ‘Not for the people’: Myanmar junta prepares for elections designed to legitimise grip on power — The Guardian -

The NHS faces a potential shortage of foreign medics due to anti-migrant rhetoric, while a planned museum exhibition on the Post Office scandal is dismissed as a PR stunt by victims, King Charles III's Christmas message was the most-watched TV show, and calls intensify to cap political donations to rebuild voter confidence.

• Foreign medics shunning NHS because of anti-migrant rhetoric, says top doctor — The Guardian -
• Three people missing after Boxing Day house fire near Stroud — The Guardian -
• Family pays tribute to one of two men missing after Christmas Day swim — The Guardian -

• UN experts raise ‘grave concern’ over treatment of Palestine Action-linked hunger strikers — The Guardian -
• British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah arrives in UK after travel ban lifted — The Guardian -
• Shoppers shun UK high streets despite lure of Boxing Day sales — The Guardian -
• King Charles’s annual message is most watched TV show in UK on Christmas Day — The Guardian -
• Labour ‘alienating rural people’ with plan to ban trail hunting, says Countryside Alliance — The Guardian -
• ‘A PR stunt’: Post Office scandal victims dismiss plans for museum exhibition — The Guardian -
• British Museum’s plan for ‘red, white and blue’ ball sparks row — The Guardian -
• Asian women in England almost twice as likely to suffer severe childbirth tears — The Guardian -
• UK ministers urged to cap political donations to ‘rebuild voter confidence’ — The Guardian -
• VIP viewing: cinemas bet on luxury bars and beds to usher in a new film era — The Guardian -
• First of nine new river walks in England announced for north-west — The Guardian -
• Sustainable aviation fuel take-up in UK unlikely to hit 2025 target, data suggests — The Guardian -
• Outdated furniture fire safety rules putting people at risk, MP warns — The Guardian -

California faces lingering flood and mudslide risks despite easing downpours, while Canada experiences a deep freeze contrasting with a warm Christmas in the US, and Australia battles bushfires and storms, alongside citizen science efforts to monitor threatened turtle species and a shortfall in UK sustainable aviation fuel targets.

• California downpours ease but flood and mudslide risks linger — BBC World -
• Mudslides bury cars and homes up to their windows in California town — The Guardian -
• Weather tracker: Deep freeze grips Canada as US records warmest Christmas — The Guardian -

• Southern California sees third death from atmospheric river storm drenching region — The Guardian -

Pig organ transplants show promise with a leading surgeon suggesting future superiority, while older Swedes embrace learning for pleasure, Russia's illicit data market backfires, and the entertainment world sees fierce competition for TV rights to an 'erotica' novel and mourns the passing of The Cure's Perry Bamonte.

• Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for the Cure, dies aged 65 — The Guardian -
• Pig organ transplants could one day be superior to human ones, says expert — The Guardian -
• How Ryan Wedding, a Canadian Olympic Snowboarder, Turned into a Drug Lord — New York Times World -

• ‘All brakes are off’: Russia’s attempt to rein in illicit market for leaked data backfires — The Guardian -
• Unpublished ‘Tupperware erotica’ novel prompts fierce contest for TV rights — The Guardian -
• Remembering Those Who Died This Year — New York Times World -
• ‘Keeps your mind alert’: older Swedes reap the benefits of learning for pleasure — The Guardian -
• Peng Peiyun, 95, Dies; Official Renounced China’s One-Child Policy — New York Times World -
• Should a top Russian archaeologist face trial for digging in occupied Crimea? — BBC World -