We assess the US defence authorisation bill and the EU summit in Brussels. Plus: an update on the Bondi Beach attack, a rail corridor for Angola and Andrew Mueller’s ‘What We Learned’ for the year.

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European leaders vote on whether to use Russia’s frozen assets to help Ukraine, France’s social security bill and the end of Air Albania. Plus: newspapers, musician Tiago Caetano and bartenders wanted in Saudi Arabia.

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The latest on Ukraine’s peace plan, Christmas celebrations return to Bethlehem, new cultural platform ‘Der Pavilion’ in St Moritz, Brazilian telenovelas head to the US and aviation news.

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As authorities stand accused of lax security at Bondi Beach, we assess what could have been done differently. Plus: Ukraine talks in Berlin and why France is delaying an EU trade deal with Latin American nations.

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As Australians grieve yesterday’s shooting at Bondi beach, how will the government respond to the crisis? Nick Bryant, Latika Bourke and Allison Kaplan Summer weigh in. Plus: Chile election results and Jimmy Lai’s verdict.

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Caracas accuses the US of “theft” and “international piracy” after its forces seize an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.

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Why the US is backing Japan after Chinese radars locked on to Japanese jets at the weekend. And: Belgrade is finally getting a metro – but will it arrive on time?

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Belarussian weather balloons are testing the patience of Nato member Lithuania, with the latest incursion raising fresh security concerns and prompting the government to declare a nationwide emergency. Monocle’s Andrew Mueller and exiled Belarussian journalist Hanna Liubakova discuss how much harassment Europe is prepared to tolerate from a Moscow ally.

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