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Unknown (AFP) – Jeffrey Epstein survivors make a direct appeal to US Congress ahead of a vote on releasing files related to the millionaire sex offender.

Dhaka (AFP) – A Bangladesh court sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death after finding her guilty of crimes against humanity. Hasina was “found guilty on three counts,” including incitement, ordering to kill, and inaction to prevent the atrocities, Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder read to the packed court in Dhaka.

New Taipei City (Taiwan) (AFP) – Taiwan’s president says China has “severely impacted peace and stability” in the Indo-Pacific region in its row with Japan. The spat unfolded after suggestions from Japan’s prime minister that the country could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. Lai Ching-te’s comments come on the same day that Japan’s defence ministry said it had scrambled aircraft after detecting a Chinese drone near a southern island, close to Taiwan.

Beijing (AFP) – China calls for a gradual resumption of “exchanges” with Syria, after Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Syrian counterpart, Assad al-Shaibani, who made his first official trip to Beijing. “China is willing to worth together with the international community to contribute to Syria’s security and stability,” says foreign minister spokesperson Mao Ning.

London (AFP) – London’s world-renowned botanical attraction, Kew Gardens, has opened its annual “Christmas at Kew” lights installation, which takes visitors on an illuminated trail around the site. This year is the event’s 13th iteration. “It sells out almost every year that we’ve run it,” says Adam Thow, head of commercial operations at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Brazzano (Italy) (AFP) – Firefighters in Brazzano di Cormons, northeastern Italy, search for two people left missing by a mudslide that swept through a building. Overnight, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region was hit by torrential rains, leaving large areas under water and triggering an emergency operation drawing on specialised units from neighbouring regions.

Charlotte (AFP) – Residents of Charlotte, North Carolina, protest outside a Department of Homeland Security office in the city, which has become the latest target of immigration enforcement operations. Federal immigration officers have begun operation in the Democrat-run city, following crackdowns in Los Angeles and Chicago. Since returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has pushed for a massive wave of deportations, with aggressive immigration raids around the country sparking protests and allegations of rights violations.

Belém (Brazil) (AFP) – Images of people arriving at the COP30 venue and security measures in place for the start of the second week of talks at this summit held in Belém, in northern Brazil, the main gateway to the Amazon. IMAGES

Santiago (AFP) – Chile is heading for a high-stakes presidential run-off between leftist candidate Jeannette Jara and far-right leader Jose Antonio Kast, as rising violent crime and migration fears dominate voter concerns and sharpen the country’s political divide.

Santiago du Chili (AFP) – Far-right presidential frontrunner Jose Antonio Kast greets supporters following first round results. Chile’s leftist former labor minister Jeannette Jara and far-right leader Kast will go head-to-head in a presidential run-off after topping the first round of voting in an election dominated by violent crime. IMAGES

Santiago (AFP) – Electoral staff start counting votes in a Providencia neighborhood polling station, in Santiago, in Chile’s general elections dominated by far-right calls for an iron fist on crime and mass migrant deportations. IMAGES

Quito (AFP) – Electoral staff count votes in a polling station in Quito, as Ecuadorans decide whether to allow the return of foreign military bases and begin a constitutional overhaul that could give Trump-friendly President Daniel Noboa more power. IMAGES