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Received today — 16 December 2025World News

Bondi terror attack: alleged gunmen travelled to the Philippines before ‘Isis-inspired’ shooting

Police investigating claims Sajid and Naveed Akram received ‘training’ overseas before Sunday’s attack

The father and son duo allegedly behind the Bondi attacked appear to have been inspired by Islamic State, the Australian prime minister says, as police confirmed they were investigating why the pair travelled to the Philippines last month.

The New South Wales police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, on Tuesday alleged Naveed Akram, 24, and his 50-year-old father, Sajid, had recently travelled to the Philippines.

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© Photograph: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/15/a-visual-guide-to-the-bondi-beach-terror-attack

© Photograph: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/15/a-visual-guide-to-the-bondi-beach-terror-attack

© Photograph: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/15/a-visual-guide-to-the-bondi-beach-terror-attack

US military says deadly strikes carried out on three vessels in eastern Pacific

15 December 2025 at 22:18

US Southern Command says eight men killed in attacks on boats it said it were ‘engaged in narco-trafficking’

The US military has launched a fresh round of deadly strikes on foreign vessels suspected of trafficking narcotics.

The US Southern Command posted footage of the strikes on social media on Monday, announcing it had hit three vessels in international waters, killing a total of eight men.

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© Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

© Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

© Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Donald Trump sues BBC for up to $10bn over edit of January 6 speech

President accuses corporation of ‘intentionally, maliciously and deceptively’ editing speech in Panorama broadcast

Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the BBC over its editing of a speech he made to supporters in Washington before they stormed the US Capitol in 2021, requesting up to $10bn in damages.

The US president alleged the broadcaster “intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively” edited his 6 January speech before the insurrection, in an episode of Panorama just over a year ago.

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© Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Trump urges Xi Jinping to free HK pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai

15 December 2025 at 20:40

US president says he feels ‘so badly’ about Lai’s conviction and has spoken to the Chinese leader about it

Donald Trump has said he wants Chinese leader Xi Jinping to release Jimmy Lai as he voiced sadness over the Hong Kong media mogul’s conviction on national security charges.

“I feel so badly. I spoke to President Xi about it, and I asked to consider his release,” Trump told reporters on Monday, without specifying when he asked Xi.

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© Photograph: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images

Usman Khawaja left out of Australia’s XI for third Ashes Test in Adelaide

15 December 2025 at 20:33
  • Veteran batter’s omission means Josh Inglis retains spot at No 7

  • Travis Head to open as Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon return to side

Usman Khawaja could be facing the end of his international career after being overlooked for the third Ashes Test. Pat Cummins, who will return to captain Australia after what he called an “aggressive” rehabilitation from his back injury, has just about kept the door ajar for the opener.

Cummins is one of two changes for the hosts as they look to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in this Ashes series. Nathan Lyon makes a comeback on his former home ground, with Brendon Doggett and Michael Neser the bowlers to miss out despite the latter’s five-wicket haul in Brisbane.

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© Photograph: Philip Brown/Getty Images

© Photograph: Philip Brown/Getty Images

© Photograph: Philip Brown/Getty Images

India’s electoral roll revision threatens democracy and Muslims, say critics

Opposition claims SIR process being used to disenfranchise minority groups to benefit Narendra Modi’s government

India’s political opposition has warned that democracy is under threat amid a controversial exercise to revise the voter register across the country, which critics say will disenfranchise minority voters and entrench the power of the ruling Narendra Modi government.

An debate erupted in India’s parliament last week over the special intensive revision (SIR) process, which is taking place in nine states and three union territories, in one of the biggest revisions of the country’s electoral roll in decades.

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© Photograph: Shaikh Azizur Rahman/The Guardian

© Photograph: Shaikh Azizur Rahman/The Guardian

© Photograph: Shaikh Azizur Rahman/The Guardian

Bump: A Christmas Film review – the most masochistic holiday ever?

15 December 2025 at 19:45

Oly and Santi take their newborn on a hellish cruise halfway around the world. But amid the torture there are beautiful moments to treasure in this much-loved Aussie drama

As a teenager, Oly Chalmers-Davis weathered her fair share of motherhood-related horrors. For a start, the high-achieving 16-year-old went into labour in the school toilets, having not even realised she was pregnant. Not long afterwards, she was forced to tell her boyfriend he wasn’t the father – the baby was the product of a fling with another classmate. Then, unable to entertain the prospect of her perfect grades slipping, she decided to juggle studying with looking after a newborn, all the while navigating mastitis, mockery from her classmates (including some inventively mean-spirited memes) and a rocky on-off romance with her child’s dad, Santi.

After five series following Oly (Nathalie Morris) and Santi (Carlos Sanson Jr) as they struggled to adjust to parenthood, hit Australian comedy-drama Bump wrapped things up last December – yet we were left on a cliffhanger. Recently married and with little Jacinda (Ava Cannon) well into primary school, the pair were preparing to welcome another child. Now the show is back for a feature-length festive special, picking up the story eight weeks after the birth of their son.

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© Photograph: PHOTOGRAPHER:/CREDIT LINE:BBC/Stan/John Platt

© Photograph: PHOTOGRAPHER:/CREDIT LINE:BBC/Stan/John Platt

© Photograph: PHOTOGRAPHER:/CREDIT LINE:BBC/Stan/John Platt

Alan Milburn launches major UK review into rising inactivity among young people

15 December 2025 at 19:01

Report to highlight ‘uncomfortable truths’ and could recommend ‘radical change’, former health secretary says

A major review into rising inactivity among Britain’s young people has been launched by the former health secretary Alan Milburn, with a promise not to shy away from “uncomfortable truths” or “radical” policy solutions.

A panel of health, business and policy experts, including the former John Lewis boss Charlie Mayfield, ex-Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane and social welfare expert Dame Louise Casey, will help draw up recommendations.

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© Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA

© Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA

© Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA

Nissan begins production of new electric car in Sunderland

15 December 2025 at 19:01

Launch of third generation of Leaf follows investment of more than £450m into model, including £300m direct to UK

Nissan has started the production of its latest electric car in Sunderland, a crucial step in the UK automotive industry’s transition away from petrol and diesel.

The Japanese manufacturer will launch the third generation of the Leaf on Tuesday, which was the first mass-market battery electric car to be built in the UK. Nissan has made 282,704 Leaf models at the north-east England plant so far.

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© Photograph: Richard Saker/The Guardian

© Photograph: Richard Saker/The Guardian

© Photograph: Richard Saker/The Guardian

Paranormal Activity review – this fright night leaves you spellbound and spooked

15 December 2025 at 19:01

Ambassadors theatre, London
With expert direction and eye-catching stagecraft, the tension is ramped up in a play inspired by the film franchise

Darkness holds us long enough for the dread to seep into our bones. By treating horror as an art form rather than a cheap set of jump scares, this thrilling new show, which wears its connection to the world of the Paranormal Activity film franchise lightly, proves how jaw-clenchingly, arm-clutchingly frightening horror on stage can be. Under the direction of Punchdrunk’s Felix Barrett, the in-the-moment fear is acute. But what is remarkable, thanks to Chris Fisher’s eye-popping illusions, is how that terror is accompanied by a giddy, awe-filled delight at the devilry we just witnessed – and how the hell they made it work.

In Oren Peli’s original movie, a young couple set up home video cameras to capture night hauntings. The brilliance of Barrett’s production is in the ditching of screens, too often relied on to scare on stage. Levi Holloway’s script follows Jimmy (Patrick Heusinger) and Lou (Melissa James), who have moved from Chicago to London to escape the “spells” Lou has been experiencing. But places are not haunted, we’re told. People are. So the “spells” follow. Rather than setting up cameras, Jimmy tries to reason his way out of the chaos by bringing in an expert (Jackie Morrison).

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© Photograph: Johan Persson

© Photograph: Johan Persson

© Photograph: Johan Persson

Dentists in England to be paid more for emergency NHS appointments

British Dental Association says government’s plan has ‘no new money behind it’ and further changes needed

Dentists in England will be paid more to ensure patients have easier access to emergency appointments under government plans, but experts have expressed doubt that it will improve care.

The changes, which will be introduced from April next year, will include dentists being incentivised to provide emergency and complex treatments through the introduction of a standardised payment package, ministers said.

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© Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

© Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

© Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Received yesterday — 15 December 2025World News

Thousands of speeding fines could be cancelled after ‘technical issue’

15 December 2025 at 18:26

A software update is thought to have created a problem with some variable speed cameras, meaning motorists were incorrectly penalised

Thousands of speeding fines could be cancelled after a “technical issue” triggered some speed cameras in England to incorrectly penalise motorists.

National Highways has apologised for the error, which meant a “very small number” of drivers had been wrongly fined since 2021.

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© Photograph: stocknshares/Getty Images

© Photograph: stocknshares/Getty Images

© Photograph: stocknshares/Getty Images

Elon Musk’s net worth hits estimated $600bn as SpaceX prepares for IPO

15 December 2025 at 18:25

Startup valuation, likely to go public at $800bn, will bolster Musk’s wealth to an estimated $677bn, according to Forbes

Elon Musk on Monday became the first person ever worth $600bn, according to Forbes. The news comes on the heels of reports that his SpaceX startup was likely to go public at a valuation of $800bn.

Musk, who was the first to surpass $500bn in net worth in October, owns an estimated 42% stake in SpaceX, which is preparing to go public next year. No other person has hit the $500bn mark.

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© Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters

© Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters

© Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters

At Bondi, every Jewish person’s worst nightmare came true. Can we still have a safe future in Australia? | Dean Sherr

15 December 2025 at 18:12

Condemning a terrorist attack is easy. We need the condemnation, and the solidarity, but we also need action

Being Jewish in Australia today feels very different to when I was a child.

Growing up, it was about family, community, culture. It was about our customs, cuisine, our shared history and connectedness.

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© Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/Reuters

© Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/Reuters

© Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/Reuters

UK and South Korea sign new trade deal aimed at cars, salmon and Guinness

15 December 2025 at 17:30

Government says arrangement will bring in extra £400m on top of more than £15bn of existing annual trade with Korea

The UK has signed a new trade deal with South Korea designed to increase exports of cars, Scottish salmon and Guinness canned in Britain.

Keir Starmer described the deal, which replaces an existing agreement, as “a huge win for British business and working people”. It follows UK deals with India and the US, and the free trade agreement with the EU clinched this year.

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© Photograph: Ryu Seung-Il/ZUMA Wire/REX/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Ryu Seung-Il/ZUMA Wire/REX/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Ryu Seung-Il/ZUMA Wire/REX/Shutterstock

By not explaining 'worst 48 hours' Enzo Maresca has put himself at even greater risk | Jacob Steinberg

15 December 2025 at 17:30

Manager’s comments on Saturday have left Chelsea baffled and the Italian in danger

If Enzo Maresca was interested in ending speculation that he has a problem with elements of Chelsea’s hierarchy then he would have done so on Monday . Instead the Italian made no attempt to clear up a situation entirely of his own making.

He rebuffed questions about his cryptic response to beating Everton on Saturday and even reacted with exasperation when he was asked if he regretted saying a lack of support from unspecified people had put him through his “worst 48 hours” since joining the club.

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© Photograph: Simon Dael/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Simon Dael/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Simon Dael/Shutterstock

Manchester United and Bournemouth share thrills and spills in eight-goal extravaganza

15 December 2025 at 17:28

From near-total control to collapse to late Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha goals that seemed to put Manchester United on the right end of a 4-3 festive thriller. But then, yet more horrific defending allowed Eli Junior Kroupi, on as a substitute, to score Bournemouth’s third equaliser and the points were shared.

Fernandes’s strike was a pinpoint curled free-kick and Cunha’s finish came 120 seconds later when Benjamin Sesko’s cross from the left hit Adrien Truffert and diverted into the Brazilian’s path.

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© Photograph: Visionhaus/Getty Images

© Photograph: Visionhaus/Getty Images

© Photograph: Visionhaus/Getty Images

Four arrested for allegedly plotting New Year’s Eve terror attacks near LA, say officials

15 December 2025 at 17:23

Federal officials charged four suspects who they allege were planning to bomb multiple sites across southern California

Federal authorities said Monday that they foiled a plot to bomb multiple sites of two US companies on New Year’s Eve in Southern California after arresting members of an extremist anti-capitalist and anti-government group.

The four suspects were arrested Friday in the Mojave Desert east of Los Angeles as they were rehearsing their plot, Bill Essayli, first assistant US attorney, said during a news conference. Officials showed reporters surveillance aerial footage of the suspects moving a large black object in the desert to a table. Officials said they were able to make the arrests before the suspects assembled a functional explosive device.

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© Photograph: Damian Dovarganes/AP

© Photograph: Damian Dovarganes/AP

© Photograph: Damian Dovarganes/AP

Ford takes $19.5bn hit amid electric vehicle retreat as Trump policies bite

15 December 2025 at 17:02

Company to scrap several electric models and focus on gas and hybrid as US president pulls support for EVs

Ford said on Monday it will take a $19.5bn writedown and is killing several electric-vehicle models, in the most dramatic example yet of the auto industry’s retreat from battery-powered models in response to the Trump administration’s policies and weakening EV demand.

Ford, based in Dearborn, Michigan, said it will stop making the F-150 Lightning in its electric vehicle form, but will pivot to producing an extended-range electric model, a version of a hybrid vehicle called an Erev, which uses a gas-powered generator to recharge the battery.

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© Photograph: Rebecca Cook/Reuters

© Photograph: Rebecca Cook/Reuters

© Photograph: Rebecca Cook/Reuters

Cameron Menzies cracks in the cauldron as darts faces an uncomfortable truth | Jonathan Liew

15 December 2025 at 16:34

The Scotsman is a wry, slightly daft ex-plumber who wears his heart on his sleeve. So why does the Ally Pally crowd enjoy goading him?

By the time Cameron Menzies finally leaves the arena, the blood gushing from the gash on his right hand has trickled its way down the whole hand, down his wrist, part of his forearm and – somehow – up to his face. Smeared in crimson and regret, and already mouthing sheepish apologies to the crowd, he disappears down the steps, pursued by a stern-looking Matt Porter, the chief executive of the Professional Darts Corporation.

The physical scars from Menzies’s encounter with the Alexandra Palace drinks table after his 3-2 defeat against Charlie Manby will be gone within a few weeks. Most probably there will be a fine of some sort. What about the rest? Man loses game of darts, punches table three times in fury, goes to hospital, repents at leisure: simple cause and effect. But of course this is not, and this is never, the whole story. In a way this tale is a kind of parable for elite darts itself, a pub game elevated to the level of a prize-fight, even – very occasionally – a bloodsport.

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© Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images

© Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images

© Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images

Europe ready to lead ‘multinational force’ in Ukraine as part of US peace plan

Proposal is part of new package of security guarantees, backed by the White House, that could mark breakthrough in reaching agreement

Europe is ready to lead a “multinational force” in Ukraine as part of a US proposal for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, European leaders have said.

In a statement, the leaders of the UK, France, Germany and eight other European countries said troops from a “coalition of the willing” with US support could “assist in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in securing Ukraine’s skies, and in supporting safer seas, including through operating inside Ukraine”.

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© Photograph: Markus Schreiber/AP

© Photograph: Markus Schreiber/AP

© Photograph: Markus Schreiber/AP

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