Queensland's road toll has surpassed 300 fatalities for the third consecutive year, reaching a 16-year high. Authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution, especially during the festive season.

Brisbane

Queensland is on track to record its highest road toll in 16 years, with 302 fatalities reported so far this year. This marks the third consecutive year the state's road deaths have exceeded 300, with authorities highlighting that each number represents a person and a family affected by tragedy.

Nationally, over 1,300 people have died on Australian roads this year, with New South Wales recording the highest toll at 361. Police are increasing high-visibility operations and urging drivers to avoid speeding, drink driving, and drug driving, as drug-related fatalities have now overtaken those caused by alcohol.

Queensland road death toll reaches 16-year high

It's scenes like this on the outskirts of Adelaide that have authorities reminding us to take it easy this summer. Two men, a 60-year-old and a 61-year-old, both dying at the scene of a crash involving a motorbike and a ute. That's two families receiving the news no one wants to hear on Christmas Eve. Nationally, more than 1,300 people have been killed on our roads this year. In Queensland... We will be pushing up our road toll in 2025 to a new 16-year record. That's a terrible record for 2025. As of today, we sit at 302 lives lost, and behind every one of those numbers is a human being, a mother, father, brother, sister, a child, a friend. This is the third year in a row the state's road toll has reached more than 300 fatalities. Speeding, drink driving and drug driving. Tragically, drug driving now is a higher cause of fatalities than drink driving. With festive celebrations well underway, authorities are urging drivers to think twice before getting behind the wheel. We can't be everywhere all of the time. We are throwing everything at this. All our available police are out there doing high visibility operations. For every life lost on Queensland roads, an average of 14 people are injured, some with life-changing injuries. New South Wales leads the grim statistics with 361 lives lost. Don't be in a hurry to die, take your time to get to where you're going. Hannah Watt, 10 News.

The US and Venezuela are in a war of words at the UN Security council following America's seizure of ships off Venezuela's coast. Venezuela's ambassador strongly condemned the U.S. actions, labeling them as extrajudicial executions and a military blockade intended to destabilize the country.

New York

U.S., Venezuela in war of words at UNSC over military strikes

Two people are dead after an explosion at a nursing home in Bristol, Pennsylvania, and several are still missing, Gov. Josh Shapiro said.

Bristol

Two dead, several missing after nursing home explosion in Pennsylvania

A Delaware state trooper was killed Tuesday during a shooting at a Wilmington DMV, the Delaware State Police said. The state's governor confirmed the shooter is also dead.

Wilmington

Delaware state trooper killed in DMV shooting, officials say

The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that President Trump cannot deploy the National Guard troops to Chicago as a legal challenge moves ahead.

Washington

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The Justice Department released a new trove of documents from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including an email from a prosecutor indicating President Donald Trump had traveled aboard his private jet "many more times than previously has been reported."

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Haymana

Libyan army's chief dies in plane crash in Turkey

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Bolton

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The FDA has approved the pill version of the weight loss drug Wegovy, the first oral medication of its kind. The new pills are expected to be available in a few weeks.

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French Parliament has approved the Stopgap Bill two days before Christmas. The budget bill now moves to French senate.

Parijs

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Russia fired more than 650 drones and three dozen missiles at Ukraine in a large-scale attack that began during the night and stretched into daylight hours Tuesday, officials said. At least three people were killed, including a 4-year-old child, two days before Christmas.

Kiev

Russia carries out massive drone attack on Ukraine's energy sector

The U.S. Department of Justice has released another batch of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including videos, emails and documents. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane reports.

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The leaders of Denmark and Greenland insisted that the United States won't take over Greenland and demanded respect for their territorial integrity after President Donald Trump ‍​announced ​the appointment of a ‌special envoy to the semi-autonomous territory.

Nuuk

Trump's appointment of envoy to Greenland sparks tension with Denmark

Australia's most populous state is set to pass tougher gun laws, ban the display of terrorist symbols and curb protests after the state parliament's lower house cleared a bill late on Monday (December 22) in an emergency sitting following the Bondi mass shooting.

Council of the City of Sydney

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On Monday, President Trump announced a new class of Navy battleships he's calling the "Golden Fleet." The president said two vessels will be built in the short term, with plans to expand to up to 25.

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China's foreign ministry on Monday (December 22) said the United States' seizure of another country's ships was a serious violation of international law, after the U.S. intercepted a China-bound oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.

Beijing

China says U.S. ship seizures ‘serious violation' of international law

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Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

Russian general killed in car explosion

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Caracas

U.S. pursuing third oil tanker near Venezuela, officials say

At least 15 documents related to Jeffrey Epstein that were initially made public have been pulled from the Justice Department website. The agency says it will keep reviewing and redacting materials to "protect victims."

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Bekkersdal

At least nine people killed in South Africa pub shooting

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Islamabad

Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan convicted to 17 years in prison

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Justice Department releases more Epstein documents Saturday

The U.S. Department of Justice released thousands of documents, photos and files related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday. But some Democrats are criticizing the partial release because the department had a deadline to release all of the files by end of Friday.

'Partial' release of Epstein files faces criticism

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Damascus

Trump says U.S has launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria

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Ukraine strikes Russian shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean sea

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The man suspected of carrying out an attack in Taiwan with a smoke grenade and knife acted alone, police said on Saturday of the incident that killed at least four, including the attacker. This edit contains graphic images.

Taipei City

Taipei attacker acted alone, police say after three killed

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Breakdown