Philippine official said ‘a mere visit’ to the country does not support claims the men underwent ‘terrorist training’.

There is no evidence the suspected gunmen in the deadly Bondi Beach attack received military training in the southern Philippines, Manila’s national security adviser has said, as Australia announced plans to introduce measures to tighten the country’s hate speech laws.

In a Wednesday statement, Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano confirmed the two suspects in Sunday’s attack in Sydney, Australia – which saw 15 people killed after gunmen opened fire at a Jewish event – were in the country from November 1 to 28 this year.

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Ano said immigration records showed that 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram travelled via the Philippine capital Manila to Davao City on the southern island of Mindanao. He added that Sajid had entered the country on an Indian passport, while Naveed entered on an Australian one.

Ano added that there was “no evidence” that the men had received “any form of military training” while in the country.

“A mere visit does not support allegations of terrorist training, and the duration of their stay would not have allowed for any meaningful or structured training,” he said.

The men mostly stayed in their hotel rooms when in Davao, according to a report by local news outlet MindaNews. Staff at the hotel said the pair checked in on November 1 and rarely went out for more than an hour at a time during their almost monthlong stay.

Australian authorities announced on Wednesday that Naveed Akram had been charged with 59 offences for his role in the attack, including murder and terror charges, when he woke from his coma. Sajid Akram, his father, was shot dead by police at the scene.

Ano also suggested that reports describing Mindanao – a Muslim-majority region in the Catholic-majority country, plagued by a decades-long secessionist conflict – as a “hotspot for violent extremism or Islamic State ideology” were “outdated and misleading”.

“Since the 2017 Marawi Siege, Philippine security forces have significantly degraded ISIS-affiliated groups in the country,” he said, referring to a five-month battle in which the ISIL-inspired Maute group seized the southern city and fought government forces.

“The remnants of these groups have been fragmented, deprived of leadership, and operationally degraded,” Ano added.

A 2014 peace agreement, which saw rebels drop their secessionist aspirations in exchange for a more powerful and better-funded Muslim autonomous region called Bangsamoro, has also brought a degree of calm to Mindanao.

But smaller rebel groups continue to carry out sporadic, deadly attacks across the restive southern Philippines’ region.

‘Also an attack on the Australian way of life’: Anthony Albanese

On Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged to introduce new legislation cracking down on hate speech in response to the Bondi Beach attack, as he acknowledged that Australia had witnessed an increase in anti-Semitism since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, and Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

Announcing the new measures at a news conference, Albanese said his government will seek to introduce legislation making it easier to charge people promoting hate speech and violence – including religious preachers – while new powers will be created to cancel or reject visas of people who spread “hate and division”.

The legislation would also develop a regime to target organisations whose leaders engage in hate speech, Albanese added.

Albanese said rising anti-Semitism “culminated on Sunday in one of the worst acts of mass murder that this country has ever seen”.

“It was an attack on our Jewish community – but it was also an attack on the Australian way of life. Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge, much more,” he said.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said on Wednesday he would recall the state parliament next week in order to pass urgent reforms on gun laws.

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The family of the Bondi shooting’s youngest victim, Matilda, urged the community not to let her death fuel anger, as they said a final goodbye to the 10-year-old on Thursday.

Matilda was among 15 people who were shot dead when two gunmen opened fire on an event marking the start of Hanukkah at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday.

Speaking to the BBC at Matilda’s funeral, her aunt Lina Chernykh said the Jewish community is right to want more action to stamp out antisemitism – she does too.

But she said Matilda was a joyous child who spread love everywhere she went, and urged the community to do the same in her honour.

“Take your anger and… just spread happiness and love and memory for my lovely niece,” Ms Chernykh said.

“I hope maybe she’s an angel now. Maybe she [will] send some good vibes to the world.”

Jewish community leaders have in recent days suggested the tragedy was an inevitable result of Australia struggling to address rising antisemitism.

The attack on Sunday was the country’s deadliest incident since 1996, when a gunman killed 35 people during the Port Arthur massacre.

Mourners – including the Governor General Sam Mostyn and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns – packed out the service in Sydney, wearing bee broaches and stickers as a tribute to the girl who adored them.

Michael and Valentyna had named their daughter after the song Waltzing Matilda, as a tribute to the country where their Ukrainian family found safety.

“She’s waltzing with the angels,” Minns said, reading a poem in her honour.

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, who led the service, had to pause and collect himself as he paid tribute to Matilda’s short life.

“The tragic, so totally cruel, unfathomable murder of young Matilda is something to all of us as if our own daughter was taken from us,” he said.

The service heard how she had lived with beauty, goodness and righteousness.

“The Jewish … believe that death is not eternal … it is not because we are naïve,” Rabbi Ulman said.

“I’m telling you with absolute conviction that the separation with Matilda is not forever.”

Still, he conceded that his words would likely offer little comfort – something he knows too well. A day earlier, Rabbi Ulman spoke at the funeral of his own son-in-law, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was also killed in the attack on Bondi.

“You give me strength at a time when you need strength yourselves. And I try to do the same,” he said to Matilda’s parents, who sobbed in the front row.

Ms Chernykh earlier said the family was devastated.

“I look at their faces [and] I don’t know if they will be ever happy again,” she said of Matilda’s parents.

Matilda’s younger sister, from whom she was “inseparable”, is shattered and confused, she said. “She doesn’t have enough tears to cry.”

On the same day the massacre’s youngest victim was laid to rest, its eldest was too. A service for Alex Kleytman – an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor – was held at the same funeral home on Thursday morning.

In a statement, his family said he died doing what he loved most: protecting his wife Larisa and celebrating his Jewish faith.

“The two gunmen killed him, but his memories, his legacy, and his books will bring light for generations to come,” it read.

Police have designated the attack a terrorist incident, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying it appears to have been “motivated by Islamic State” group ideology.

Police allege that the two gunmen were a father and son. Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead at the scene, while his son Naveed, 24, has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act.

Australia on Thursday announced it would strengthen laws to crack down on hate – including by introducing powers to cancel or refuse visas on grounds of antisemitism.

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Skip next section Trump speech exaggerates undocumented migration under Biden

12/18/2025December 18, 2025

Trump speech exaggerates undocumented migration under Biden

Image: Carlos Moreno/NurPhoto/picture alliance

Trump used a significant part of his speech to praise his record on immigration. 

He pointed to his efforts on tightening the US border and referred to mass deportations, saying his administration was removing criminals. 

Trump also slammed former President Joe Biden for letting the United States be “invaded by an army of 25 million people” during his term. 

Figures in the Trump administration have widely used this number since mid-2024 when Trump was running his presidential campaign. 

But this number has widely been debunked by fact checkers. 

It’s estimated that some 7.4 million undocumented immigrants crossed illegally in the US under Biden. 

If undocumented migrants who cross at legal checkpoints are included, this figure would rise to just over 10 million people, according to broadcaster NBC and other US outlets. 

Videos of US immigration arrests swamp social media

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https://p.dw.com/p/55Zpu

Skip next section Trump speech misrepresents gasoline price, energy costs

12/18/2025December 18, 2025

Trump speech misrepresents gasoline price, energy costs

Gas prices in the US are falling but not as fast as Trump claimsImage: John Nacion/Geisler-Fotopress/picture alliance

In his Wednesday speech, Trump claimed that energy prices, including gasoline, had dropped and that they would continue to drop more.

But they aren’t at the levels he claims.

The president said the national average gas price was $2.50 per gallon (around €.67 per liter). But the average nationally is $2.90 per gallon for the week ending December 15.

That’s according to the -Energy Information Administration, a government statistical agency.

Without providing evidence, Trump also said household energy costs have dropped by $3,000.

https://p.dw.com/p/55Zph

Skip next section Trump appointee Dan Bongino resigns as FBI Deputy Director

12/18/2025December 18, 2025

Trump appointee Dan Bongino resigns as FBI Deputy Director

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has said he’ll leave the agency in January after holding the position for less than ten months. 

Bongino, a former right-wing podcaster, was appointed by Trump in March amid criticism of his lack of experience. 

You can read more about Bongino’s departure from the FBI here.

https://p.dw.com/p/55Zoj

Skip next section Trump’s speech is over

12/18/2025December 18, 2025

Trump’s speech is over

Trump has finished speaking. 

We’ll bring you analysis of what he said during the live televised address shortly.

https://p.dw.com/p/55Zok

Skip next section Trump promises Christmas checks for soldiers

12/18/2025December 18, 2025

Trump promises Christmas checks for soldiers

Trump has promised a bonus for US service members during his 20-minute speechImage: Mc2 Bruce Morgan/US Navy/Planet Pix/ZUMA/picture alliance

Trump has promised what he called a “warrior dividend” of $1,776 (around €1,500) for military service personnel as a Christmas bonus.

He said the checks have already been sent to the around 1.5 million service personnel. 

The expenditure, paid for by revenues raised by tariffs, would total roughly $2.6 billion.

Trump is traditionally enjoys support from military personnel. Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, somethree-fifths (or 61%) of those who served in the military or military reserves said they supported Trump.

https://p.dw.com/p/55Zoh

Skip next section Trump begins speech by outline the ‘progress’ of his administration, bashing Biden

12/18/2025December 18, 2025

Trump begins speech by outline the ‘progress’ of his administration, bashing Biden

Trump spent the beginning of his speech bashing former President Joe Biden and boasting of his what he sees as his achievements during his first year in office.

He said he had “inherited a mess” and “the worst border in the world” from the Biden administration.

“We have brought more positive change to Washington than any administration in American history,” he said.

He briefly touched on many topics during his speech, including crime, immigration, the war on drugs and restoring strength in America’s military.

He is also talking about bringing prices down, a topic of concern for many Americans amid an affordability crisis.

He is also praising his adminstration’s record on wage increases and employment.

“We are the hottest country anywhere in the world,” he said.

https://p.dw.com/p/55ZoY

Skip next section Trump’s approval rating slumps over affordability concerns

12/18/2025December 18, 2025

Trump’s approval rating slumps over affordability concerns

US President Donald Trump’s speech comes amid his falling popularity and concerns over rising costs.

His approval rating decreased from 41% to 39% in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Tuesday.

Just one-third (33%) of Americans approve of how he is handing the economy, the poll found.

A November survey by US broadcaster CBS News and YouGov showed that nearly two-thirds (or 65%) of Americans felt Trump’s policies were making the cost of groceries go up. 

https://p.dw.com/p/55Zo5

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage12/18/2025December 18, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

US President Donald Trump previewed his speech to reporters on Wednesday, saying, “The message this evening is we inherited a mess, and we’ve done a great job, and we continue to, and our country is going to be stonger than ever before very soon.”

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump may tease policy moves that are likely to come next year, too.

Follow us as we bring you the news from the Trump administration and the United States.

https://p.dw.com/p/55Znr

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The internet has reacted to President Donald Trump’s frustrated national address — which came off more like a campaign rally speech — with many concerning over his sanity.

Trump addressed the country live on prime time television Wednesday night to tout his accomplishments since taking office in January. The White House also streamed the speech live on YouTube. The president began his speech blaming his predecessor Joe Biden for the affordability issues that many Americans are facing.

“When I took office, inflation was the worst in 48 years, and some would say in the history of our country, which caused prices to be higher than ever before, making life unaffordable for millions and millions of Americans,” Trump said from the White House.

Trump delivered a loud and seemingly angry speech, something viewers at home picked up on.

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The internet has reacted to President Donald Trump’s frustrated national address — which came off more like a campaign rally speech — with many concerned over his sanity (AP)

One social media user summed up the presidential address with a photo from the cartoon sitcom The Simpsons that showed a newspaper article with the headline, “Old man yells at cloud.”

Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger wrote: “Someone come get grandpa he’s yelling again, and we’re concerned.”

“What is happening right now? He’s just screaming into the camera,” Sarah Longwell, founder of political analysis site The Bulwark, asked.

CNN political commentator Maria Cardona said: “The president does not look or sound well. He is yelling at the American people. Seriously. He looks crazy. He is lying, he is melting down. He is cooked!”

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The president began his speech blaming his predecessor Joe Biden for the affordability issues that many Americans are facing (Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

“Just turned on the TV. You mad, bro?” Jon Ralston, CEO of the Nevada Independent, wrote.

Journalist John Harwood said, “He’s really losing it.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is known for trolling Trump online, took the opportunity to mock the president.

“Many are saying that was a better speech than the Gettysburg Address,” the governor’s press team wrote in a sarcastic post.

The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment.

open image in gallery

One social media user summed up the presidential address with a photo from the cartoon sitcom The Simpsons that showed a newspaper article with the headline, “Old man yells at cloud’ (AP)

During his speech, Trump painted a rosy picture of the American economy with him back in office: “Wages are up, prices are down. Our nation is strong. America is respected, and our country is back stronger than ever before. We are poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen.”

But the president is actually losing support on his economic agenda, with a majority of Americans disapproving of the job he’s doing on the matter in a recent poll.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 58 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy while 33 percent approve, a new low since he started his second term.

According to the poll, 39 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s overall job performance, a notable dip from the 47 percent rating he had in January.

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NEED TO KNOW

• Several popular salad dressings have been recalled due to the possibility of “foreign objects” being found inside
• Hidden Valley Ranch is among the brands impacted by the Ventura Foods recall
• Costco shared a joint press release with Ventura Foods in November to let consumers know its stores carried affected salad dressings

Thousands of cases of salad dressing have been recalled following concerns that a “foreign object” could be inside.

In a newly released exposure report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal agency announced that 3,556 cases of various salad dressings from Ventura Foods had been affected in multiple states across the country.

FDA sign at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Getty

The California-based company warned the public that “foreign objects (black plastic planting material) in granulated onion” might be found inside its products. 

The alert was assigned a Class II label, which refers to “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

Impacted condiments include Creamy Poblano Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip, Ventura Caesar Dressing, Pepper Mill Regal Caesar Dressing, Pepper Mill Creamy Caesar Dressing and Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch. 

Two Caesar dressings specifically sold at Costco are also impacted.

“Costco and Ventura foods are announcing the recall of select Sell By dates of Item #19927 Caesar Salad and Item #11444 Chicken Sandwich w/ Caesar Salad due to the possible presence of plastic foreign material in the salad dressing of the items,” the brands said in a joint statement in November. 

After sharing the “sell by” dates of the affected products, customers were urged to “Please stop eating the product and return the item to your local Costco for a full refund.”

In the most recent recall, the FDA said Ventura Foods had distributed the products to seven retail customers across 42 locations.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Affected states include: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. 

PEOPLE reached out to Ventura Foods and Hidden Valley Ranch for comment but did not immediately hear back.

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Donald Trump has discussed the possibility of running for a third presidential term, inspiring one of his largest donors to offer him a quarter of a billion dollars.

The president was hosting a reception with Miriam Adelson Tuesday night when he opined about serving four more years in the White House – a move that would be unprecedented and largely considered unconstitutional.

Adelson, the wife of late Israeli-American billionaire Sheldon Adelson, gave over $100million to Trump during the last election cycle. She even pitched a third White House run to Trump’s impeachment lawyer Alan Dershowitz – who loved the idea. 

‘I met Alan Dershowitz and he said the legal thing about four more years and I said, “Alan, I agree with you.” So, we can do it. Think about it!’ she said at the Hanukkah reception.

Trump briefly looked for Dershowitz in the crowd before suggesting Adelson was ready to pony up more campaign cash, all while the crowd chanted ‘four more years.’

The president quipped: ‘She said think about it, I’ll give you another $250million!’

As the crowd laughed, Adelson could be heard saying: ‘I will give.’ 

Dershowitz, the famous lawyer who defended Trump during his impeachment trial, has written a new book about whether the president can run again and even discussed it with Trump. 

Donald Trump briefly discussed whether he could Constitutionally run for a third term, inspiring one of his largest donors to offer him a quarter of a billion dollars to do it

Alan Dershowitz (pictured),the famous lawyer who defended Trump during his impeachment trial, has written a new book about whether the president can run again and even discussed it with Trump

‘I said it’s not clear if a president can become a third term president and it’s not clear if it’s permissible,’ Dershowitz admitted to the Wall Street Journal.

The attorney gave Trump a copy of his upcoming book, titled Could President Trump Constitutionally Serve a Third Term? and said the the president seemed engaged.

‘He found it interesting as an intellectual issue. Do I think he’s going to run for a third term? No, I don’t think he will run for a third term,’ the lawyer said.

Adelson, however, was much more motivated when they met at the White House, according to Dershowitz, asking him: ‘Is this real? Oh, my God, I hope this can happen.’ 

A spokesperson for the president didn’t say yes or no to another run but hyped the president’s accomplishments in his second term.

‘There has never been an Administration that has accomplished as much in less than one year than the Trump Administration,’ Abigail Jackson told Axios.

‘The American people would be lucky to have President Trump in office for even longer.’ 

The 79-year-old president last brought the issue up in late October, when he largely poured cold water on it.

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What would it mean for American democracy if a president served more than two terms?

The president (pictured left) joked at a White House reception with Miriam Adelson (pictured right) Tuesday night about the possibility, which has been discussed and largely dismissed as Trump goes through his first year back in office

‘I have the best numbers for any president in many years, any president, and I would say, you read it, it’s pretty clear I’m not allowed to run,’ Trump said about the Constitution. ‘It’s too bad. But we have a lot of great people.’ 

Earlier that same week, he was asked about comments by Steve Bannon saying there was a ‘plan’ in place.

‘I would love to do it,’ he then said. ‘I have my best numbers ever.’ 

When a reporter asked the president if he was not ruling it out, he repeated the question back.

‘Am I not ruling it out? You’ll have to tell me,’ the president answered. 

Trump did say he wouldn’t try to utilize a possible loophole and run for vice president instead.

‘I think the people wouldn’t like that. It’s too cute. It wouldn’t be right,’ he said. 

Democrats and critics of Trump in his own party have called out his third term talk, pointing to what happened during the transition period after the Republican lost reelection in 2020 to President Joe Biden. 

Trump attempted to stay in power by falsely claiming Biden had stolen the election using widespread voter fraud.

In reality, Biden won the election but Republicans were angry that so many state legislatures allowed for the proliferation of mail-in ballots, something that was being done due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The 22nd Amendment to the US clearly states that ‘no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.’ 

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Donald Trump addressed the nation in a televised speech outlining his review of the past year and his upcoming priorities – but not all viewers are convinced with some going as far to say he sounded ‘desperate’

03:11, 18 Dec 2025Updated 03:11, 18 Dec 2025

Trump’s first year-end address to the nation of his second term,(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Donald Trump tried, and failed, to convince the American people that they are wrong to worry about the U.S. economy, saying any challenges are being repaired.

In the first year-end address to the nation of his second term, the president shouted into a microphone trying to convince Americans that the economy is on an upswing despite widespread reports of financial hardships. He says since returning to the presidency, “in a few short months, we went from worst to best”.

In the speech he discussed his achievements and touched on some of his agenda for next year and beyond. It comes as Trump is trying to rebuild his steadily eroding popularity, as public polling shows most Americans are frustrated with his handling of the economy.

President Donald Trump raised a few eyebrows with his speech(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

READ MORE: Brit Bondi Beach survivor’s escape – from dodging bullets to heartbreaking call

READ MORE: Heartbreaking comment Bondi Beach hero made before approaching gunman

One X user wrote: “Trump and his speech full of half-truths and too many lies.” While another wrote: “No president that knows they’re winning & has the support of his followers comes on TV & gives a speech like Trump did. He’s desperate. This run on sentence of a speech was pathetic.”

A third said: “Why is Trump shouting at his audience ? Does he think people cant hear him in their own living rooms ? The president needs to exude calm and control through his speech. Trump sounds flustered and angry.”

Others were more positive about the speech saying: “Trump was really strong in his speech. He has been working his tail off and is delivering for the American People.” Another said: “Trump’s speech was spot on! His message resonates with Americans who value strong leadership and putting America first. It’s refreshing to hear a President who truly cares about our country.”

US President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Sky News even went as far as to call it “Trump’s greatest hits” as the US President spent minutes merely rambling awkwardly about what he believed were huge successes in his power in 2025. Mark Stone, the broadcaster’s US correspondent, said Mr Trump adopted an “angry and frustrated” tone during his address.

But speaking from Washington DC, he added: “There was no new announcement on Venezuela, or indeed on anything else significant. Instead, as you (the Sky News anchor) point out was his greatest hits but the context with which he made it is really important to point out because his polling numbers are really very bad indeed.

“He appears, according to some polls and anecdotally at least, to be losing the base somewhat, the base of support around the country… For me, what I came away with is a man that is saying ‘I just don’t get why you aren’t finding things cheaper, I just don’t get why you aren’t enjoying life anymore.

“I don’t get why my polling numbers are higher, and I’m really annoyed about that.That was the tone that I got from that speech. Those people that say he is losing his marbles will point to tonight and say ‘there you go, I told you so.’ He is frustrated clearly by the polling numbers, that is what tonight was about.”

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Maxwell, a former British socialite and Epstein accomplice, says her conviction for trafficking a ‘miscarriage of justice’.

Published On 18 Dec 202518 Dec 2025

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Ghislaine Maxwell, former girlfriend and accomplice of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has asked a federal judge in the United States to set aside her sex trafficking conviction and quash her 20-year prison sentence.

Maxwell made the long-shot legal bid in a Manhattan court on Wednesday, saying “substantial new evidence” had emerged proving that constitutional violations spoiled her trial in 2021 for recruiting underage girls for wealthy financier Epstein, who died in 2019.

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In the lengthy filing, Maxwell, 63, argues that “newly discovered evidence” proves that she “did not receive a fair trial by independent jurors coming to Court with an open mind”.

“If the jury had heard of the new evidence of the collusion between the plaintiff’s lawyers and the Government to conceal evidence and the prosecutorial misconduct they would not have convicted,” Maxwell wrote.

She said the cumulative effect of the constitutional violations resulted in a “complete miscarriage of justice”.

Maxwell submitted the filing herself, not in the name of a lawyer.

Proceedings of the type brought by Maxwell are routinely denied by judges and are often the last-ditch option available to offenders to have their convictions overturned, the AFP news agency reports.

Maxwell’s filing also comes just days before records in her legal case are scheduled to be released publicly as a result of US President Donald Trump’s signing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

The law, which Trump signed after months of public and political pressure on his administration, requires the Department of Justice to provide the public with Epstein-related records by December 19.

The circumstances of Epstein’s death and his influential social circle, which spanned the highest reaches of business and politics in the US, have also fuelled conspiracy theories about possible cover-ups and unnamed accomplices

Critics also continue to press President Trump to address his own once-close relationship with Epstein.

The Justice Department has said it plans to release 18 categories of investigative materials gathered in the massive sex trafficking probe, including search warrants, financial records, notes from interviews with victims, and data from electronic devices.

Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on sex trafficking charges but was found dead a month later in his cell at a New York federal jail, and his death was ruled a suicide.

Maxwell, once a well-known British socialite, was arrested a year later and convicted of sex trafficking in December 2021.

In July, she was interviewed by the Justice Department’s second-in-command and soon afterwards moved from a federal prison in Florida to a prison camp in Texas.

Maxwell’s transfer from the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Tallahassee – a low-security prison in Florida – to the minimum-security Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas, was carried out without explanation at the time.

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Dan Bongino has said he will leave his role as the FBI’s deputy director in January.

In a post on X, he thanked President Donald Trump, as well as the director of the FBI and the attorney general “for the opportunity to serve with purpose”.

It comes after Trump said earlier on Wednesday that the former podcast host “did a great job” in office, and “wants to go back to his show”.

Bongino, who was appointed to the role by Trump in February, was previously a New York City police officer and a US Secret Service agent assigned to protect Barack Obama. In recent years, he built a large following through his podcast and other media appearances.

Bongino, a staunch Trump ally, was considered a surprise pick for the role – which had previously been held by career agents – because he had no prior experience with the agency.

The FBI Agents Association, which represents around 14,000 current and former agents, had opposed his appointment to the position.

Announcing his decision in a social media post on Wednesday, he said: “I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January. I want to thank President Trump, AG [Pam] Bondi, and Director [Kash] Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose.

“Most importantly, I want to thank you, my fellow Americans, for the privilege to serve you. God bless America, and all those who defend Her.”

Before joining the agency, Bongino had echoed disinformation and conspiracy theories about Trump’s false claim that he won the 2020 election, and about the 6 January 2021 pipe bomb investigation.

Bongino had previously called the pipe bomb case an “inside job”. After taking office he pushed to make the investigation, which Attorney General Bondi said had “languished”, a priority for the FBI.

Earlier this month, a man with no known ties to the government was arrested, nearly six years after the pipe bombs were discovered outside the national headquarters for the Republican and Democratic parties.

FBI Director Patel, in a social media post on Wednesday praising Bongino’s tenure, said he had “served as the people’s voice for transparency, and delivered major breakthroughs in long unsolved cases like the pipe bomb investigation”.

“He not only completed his mission – he far exceeded it,” Patel wrote.

Bongino also appeared to change his mind about the death of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein once he became a leader at the FBI.

As a commentator, he had questioned whether Epstein took his own life in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. Then, in May, Bongino said: “I have seen the whole file. He killed himself”.

In July, the US justice department and FBI released a memo that said Epstein did take his own life, and did not have a “client list”.

The memo frustrated many of Trump’s supporters, who echoed the Epstein conspiracy theories and rejected the justice department’s findings.

According to the BBC’s media partner CBS News, the memo led to a contentious meeting between him and Bondi.

Bondi, who oversees the FBI, wrote in a brief post on X on Wednesday that “Americans are safer” because of Bongino’s FBI service.

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Skip next section Trump’s approval rating slumps over affordability concerns

12/18/2025December 18, 2025

Trump’s approval rating slumps over affordability concerns

US President Donald Trump’s speech comes amid his falling popularity and concerns over rising costs.

His approval rating decreased from 41% to 39% in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Tuesday.

Just one-third (33%) of Americans approve of how he is handing the economy, the poll found.

A November survey by US broadcaster CBS News and YouGov showed that nearly two-thirds (or 65%) of Americans felt Trump’s policies were making the cost of groceries go up. 

https://p.dw.com/p/55Zo5

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage12/18/2025December 18, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

US President Donald Trump previewed his speech to reporters on Wednesday, saying, “The message this evening is we inherited a mess, and we’ve done a great job, and we continue to, and our country is going to be stonger than ever before very soon.”

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump may tease policy moves that are likely to come next year, too.

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