BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING
In today’s briefing update, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman has slammed US Mike Pompeo’s comments supporting the economic protests. In Hong Kong, Carrie Lam has broken her silence on the three-day protests at a University campus. She said protesters must surrender to end this peacefully. And in Syria, state media are reporting several blasts have been heard near Damascus airport. As Israel says it had intercepted four missiles launched from Syria.
In the UK, a new Jeffery Epstein accuser has called on Prince Andrew to talk about his former friend. The Lib Dems say Brexit is set to cost the NHS an extra £60m in fees for foreign staff. And finally, the jailed private schoolboy who stabbed his friend to death has asked for a Christmas release.
ALL in today’s news briefing – A daily roundup of all the news headlines that you need to know, summarised as part of WTX News Briefing.
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Iran slams ‘hypocritical’ US support for economic protests
CNN says Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi slammed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for backing protesters in Iran. And called the tweet from Washington’s top diplomat “hypocritical.”
Mike Pompeo said the US supported the recent demonstrations that have erupted in several cities across the country. The demonstrations are in response to Iran’s National Oil Company (NIOPDC) announcing the increase of 50% to 300% in gas prices.
“Iran’s noble nation knows well that such hypocritical statements are completely void of sincere sympathy,” Mousavi said on Sunday.
On Saturday, Pompeo tweeted: “As I said to the people of Iran almost a year and a half ago: The United States is with you.” He also retweeted his July 2018 statement in support of Iranians protesting against the “tyranny” of their government.
Read the full story on CNN
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Hong Kong campus protesters must surrender: Carrie Lam
Arab News says Hong Kong’s leader has said the protesters still occupying the city’s university must surrender to end this three-day standoff peacefully. 
Carrie Lam broke her silence on the siege at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She believes around 100 people remain on campus. And they are surrounded by police who were trying to end the unrest.
“This objective could only be achieved with the full cooperation of the protesters, including of course the rioters that they have to stop violence, give up weapons and come out peacefully and take the instructions from the police,” she said.
Read the full story on Arab News
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Several blasts heard near Syria’s Damascus airport – State Media
RT News says explosions have reportedly been heard in the vicinity of the Damascus International Airport in the Syrian capital. And Israel has said earlier it “intercepted” four missiles from Syria. 
The agency that reported the explosions near the airport did not give any further details in terms of material damages or casualties.
Citing Syrian military sources, Al-Masdar New’s Leith Abou Fadel reported that the city’s missile defences fended off an attack by Israeli projectiles near the airport, adding “they intercepted some [of the missles].” Fadel reported that the Israeli strike targeted Syrian army positions in the southern Damascus area. The missiles were reportedly fired from Israeli warplanes.
Read the full story on RT News
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New Epstein accuser calls on Prince Andrew to talk
BBC News reports a woman has come forward to accuse Jeffery Epstein of sexually abusing her as a 15-year-old and has called for Prince Andrew to share information about his former friend. 
The woman, identified as “Jane Doe 15” told reporters she suffered a “vicious, prolonged sexual assault.” So far, more than a dozen women are suing Epstein’s estate for alleged sexual abuses.
The Epstein accuser comes amid controversy over Prince Andrew’s ties to the disgraced billionaire sex offender.
Read the full story on BBC News
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Brexit ‘to cost NHS an extra £60m’ in fees for foreign staff
The Independent says Brexit will cost the NHS an extra £60 million a year in fees to recruit doctors and nurses from abroad, the Liberal Democrats have claimed. 
The extra charge was revealed as the Lib Dems unveiled plans to add a penny to income tax to pay for an additional £35bn in NHS spending over the next five years while protecting the health service by keeping Britain in the EU.
Lib Dems Health Spokeswoman said ending free movement under a conservative or Labour-led Brexit would hit the NHS hard.
Read the full story on The Independent
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Jailed private schoolboy who stabbed pal to death asks for Christmas release
The Sun says Josh Molnar, 18, jailed after the knife death of another student, has applied for day release to spend Christmas with his family.
He is serving a 16-month sentence for possession of an illegal flick knife and lying to police. Molnar admitted landing the fatal blow to the chest of 17-year-old Yousef Makki in Greater Manchester. But he was spared a sentence for murder and manslaughter after arguing it was an accident.
Yosef’s family were told of the application by the police. His sister Jade said: “It’s a real kick in the teeth as we will never have the chance to spend another day with Yousef ever again.”
Read the full story on The Sun
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