Warning: This article contains references to sexual assault In a post on X, it said it had received the documents from the US attorney for the Southern District of New York and the FBI, to review them for release. The full release of the files could take a "few more weeks", the justice department said, further delaying compliance with a 19 December deadline set by Congress. Just hours before the announcement, a dozen US senators called on the justice department's watchdog to examine its failure to meet Friday's deadline. The update came one day after the largest tranche of files relating to Jeffrey Epstein was released. Inclusion in the files does not suggest any wrongdoing and have been released with little or no context. Live updates: Epstein files latest However, inside those 11,000 files were the testimonies of numerous alleged victims of Epstein - a convicted child sex offender. Sky News has collated some of the excerpts from those harrowing testimonies. Accuser says parents sold her for sex Two of the documents appear to be taken from an email sent by an alleged victim to Hope for Justice, a charity that aims to end human trafficking. The woman, whose identity has been redacted, has written up answers to "preliminary questions" the organisation says it needs to "evaluate human trafficking situations for potential rescue". The subject line of the email, which was sent in 2019, reads: "I'm sorry this took so long, please let me know if you need anything else." We do not know any more context about what the witness recounts. She begins by saying she was "born into sex trafficking". "I do not remember a time that I was not trafficked for sex. According to birth certificate from [REDACTED] my biological parents (I do not recognize them as parents) [REDACTED] began to sell me for sex in the town of [REDACTED]," she writes. "There were many men that were brought to their home to have sex with me. I was taken to many states in the US to sell me. I was forced by threat by [REDACTED], and Jeffery Epstein of being killed, bodily harm, and threats of harming other children if I did not have sex with them and any other people that they sold me to." The woman then recounts being "taken to an underground location", where Jeffrey Epstein raped her. There is no indication of when the events took place. Her written statement reads: "In Virgin Islands, I was [REDACTED] they stopped there. I was 17 years old, [REDACTED] was blindfolded and taken to an underground location. It had steps that went down. "I was raped by Jeffery [sic] Epstein, there were other men that raped me. I was kept in a stall so that men could look at me. "He said I was an animal and that he was perfect, if I had sex with him that I wouldn't be such an animal. [REDACTED]. He said I wanted to be raped because I wanted to be more like him." Woman told FBI she was taken to Epstein's island at 13 In an email sent in October 2024, a threat intake examiner at the FBI National Threat Operations Center summarises an account given by a woman, who said she had been trafficked for sex and brought to Jeffrey Epstein's island when she was 13. The unnamed officer says the victim reported being trafficked from the age of five, after being taken from an apartment and "cut in the throat". They recount the woman said she was taken again at the age of 12 or 13 to Paris, where she was raped by three men. "The men were a part of an organisation that would take naked photos of young girls and used [REDACTED] photo where she flew to Ireland for politicians and notable men," the email continues. "They would have sex with the young women and she was taken from Ireland and brought to Jeffery [sic] Epstein Island when she was 13 years old. "[REDACTED] said the only way to get off the island was to take naked photos or pose that is why there are so many photos laying around the house." Read more about the Epstein files:Files appear to show Andrew asking Ghislaine Maxwell for 'inappropriate friends'Epstein survivor on moment she met Andrew on private islandEpstein files don't join the dots to broader conspiracy - but his survivors could Witness, 14, was instructed to tell Epstein she was 17 Among the documents is a summary written in 2007 of an FBI interview with a witness who says she met Epstein at the age of 14. The woman, whose name has been redacted, told the FBI she was introduced to the paedophile by a 17-year-old girl, who asked her if she would like to make £300 by "providing a man in Palm Beach with a massage". "She needed to dress sexy and provide a massage for an hour and she would make $300. [REDACTED] told [REDACTED] that Epstein might ask her to remove her shirt, but she could keep her bra on," the summary says. It continues: "Epstein told [REDACTED] she was pretty. Epstein asked her age. [REDACTED] uttered "four" and then said 17. "Epstein responded by saying, 'so you are fourteen'. "[REDACTED] was previously instructed by [REDACTED] to tell Epstein she was 17. He told [REDACTED] that they would not tell anyone." The witness also told investigators: "According to [REDACTED] if a girl felt uncomfortable and did not want to comply with Epstein's requests, he would ask them to bring other girls." 17-year-old approached in New York park Another document tells of a 17-year-old girl who says she was approached by a stranger in a New York park about a dog-walking job, and later sexually abused. The incident was reported in 2020 via a rape hotline run by the City of New York police department. The log entry reads: "In 1992, C/V states when she was 17 y/o she met an unknown female in Central Park who offered her a dog walking position." "C/V" is thought to be an abbreviation of "complainant/victim". The entry continues: "C/v states the female brought her back to a residence at Central Park West to meet her boss (Jeffrey Epstein) to be interviewed." It adds: "C/v states while there she was offered something to drink. Afterwards, c/v states she felt dizzy and shaky. CN states she remembers feeling tired and leaning back. "C/V states she remembers waking up in a room with someone heavy on her chest. C/v states she fell asleep again and remembers being brought to the bathroom to wash up. "C/v states there was bleeding in her vaginal area. C/v states 2 women helped her get dressed and being sent away in a cab."

It's 16 years since the BBC aired the first of her and illustrator Axel Scheffler's children's stories - an animated retelling of The Gruffalo. Since then, viewers have been treated to everything from Tiddler to Stick Man and Superworm, and this year it's The Scarecrows' Wedding. The story follows scarecrows Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay, voiced by Jessie Buckley and Domhnall Gleeson, who are planning to marry, despite Reginald Rake, a villainous rival scarecrow voiced by Rob Brydon, trying to ruin their big day. But readers familiar with the story will notice a key plot change. Donaldson was asked to rework a dramatic fire that's started by a cigar in her book in order for the project to get the green light. She says she balked at the idea of changing what she'd written when producers first suggested it. She explains: "The film company said 'you're not allowed to show anyone, even a baddie, smoking,' even though the book says 'smoking is bad for you, Betty exclaimed'... initially I said 'well, I'm sorry, just don't do it then, I don't mind, I'm not going to change it.' "But I think I'm the sort of person, when someone puts an idea in my head, I thought 'well I'll just see if it could be done'. "I came up with the idea of toasting these marshmallows, which I think is something children will love... and I think it works really well, so I'm happy with the change and I made the change myself." In a statement, media regulator Ofcom said it always considers "context and freedom of expression" but that "while there is no outright prohibition, under our broadcasting rules... smoking... must not be featured in programmes made primarily for children unless there is strong editorial justification." So does Donaldson think we are at risk of being too sheltering towards children? "Don't get me started on that - I totally agree," she says. "You get told that you can't have any stories anymore about children doing things unchaperoned by an adult, as if people can't distinguish between real life and fiction. "I hope this is just a phase and that people are going to be a bit more permissive as far as children's stories go." Fortunately for Donaldson, The Scarecrows' Wedding is one of her favourites. "I like this one because it's so summery," she says. "It might sound strange that that's the Christmas offering, but I think people at Christmas like to be reminded that summer might come back again!" Read more from Sky News:Warning over AI-created books imitating sports autobiographiesDavid Walliams removed from children's book festival line-up And 2026 looks to be a busy one for the writer and illustrator, with the return of the Gruffalo in a new tale. "We both said for years and years there wouldn't be a sequel and then Julia suddenly came out with a wonderful story," Scheffler explains. Set to be one of the biggest literary releases of 2026, currently details are scant. Scheffler says things may become a little clearer for readers in February when the book's name will finally be revealed. For now, he can only tease: "I can't say anything about the content but it's a great text and it will come out next September." The Scarecrows' Wedding airs on BBC One at 3.10pm.

From wars, to economic crises, and health issues - there has been no shortage of challenges facing the occupant of 10 Downing Street over Christmases past. A listener to our Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Phil, sent in a question for today's Q&A episode, asking which prime minister in history had the worst Christmas Day. 👉 Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app 👈 We asked historian Dan Snow to comb back through the history books to find out. Lord North, who served as prime minister from 1770 to 1782, "received the crushing news of terrible defeat at Yorktown in late November 1781" in the American Revolutionary War, Snow explained. "'Oh God, it's all over', he moaned, and for once he was right," Snow said. "Those 13 American colonies were gone - that was a miserable Christmas. He spent it looking for a lifeline or a wise man, he found neither. "In February he admitted defeat, and he was out of office within weeks." Another contender for the PM who had the worst Christmas is Prime Minister Goderich in December 1827, according to Snow. It was said he was "quite unnerved and in a most pitiful state", the historian added. "He had a political meltdown going on, his wife had a profound mental health crisis," Snow went on. When Goderich resigned in January 1828, he was crying so much that the King "lent him a hanky". "He only served 144 days, one of the shortest prime ministerial tenures, a record recently broken to general acclaim," Snow added. Moving into the 20th century, Snow said: "Stanley Baldwin decided to call an early general election in December 1923. He decided he was going to introduce tariffs, he wanted a mandate. He thought they would fire up an economic recovery. "Imagine that, it didn't work out. He lost his comfortable majority. He tried to get his agenda through parliament in January - he lost and resigned." "Now the man who dominates the field of disappointing Christmases was, well, dominant in so many other fields - we're talking Winston Churchill," Snow said. Snow said Sir Winston "accidentally flashed" US President Franklin D Roosevelt in December 1941 - referring to when the American leader apparently walked in on him naked during a White House visit. The historian also said Sir Winston "seems to have had a series of heart attacks over Christmas". Sir Winston's successor as Conservative prime minister, Anthony Eden, lied to parliament on 20 December 1956 in relation to the Suez crisis. "He was full of opiates and amphetamines, if that's any excuse," Snow said. "He was wracked by fever over Christmas and resigned for health reasons, and 'everyone conspiring against him' reasons on 9 January." And in the 21st century, Gordon Brown's Christmas in 2008 was far from merry as he was "trying to stabilise the financial system - and his parliamentary majority", Snow said. The prime minister woke up on Boxing Day to a Daily Mail headline that read: "New plot to oust Gordon Brown". "He later said, it was a rocky time. When isn't it? Poor things," Snow added. You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk. And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Harriet and Ruth on YouTube.

Fernandes was taken off against Aston Villa at the weekend and while Amorim did not put a timeframe on his return, he did confirm the midfielder would not feature against Newcastle on Boxing Day, live on Sky Sports. Amorim is hoping Fernandes' absence will give other players the chance to step up and lead the team, as well as take up his position in midfield. How will Ruben Amorim replace Bruno Fernandes?Bruno Fernandes on his Man Utd loyalty: I want to get the club back to where they belongGot Sky? Watch Man Utd games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺 "It's impossible to replace Bruno," the head coach said in his pre-match press conference. "But I said that this morning to the team, we need to take the good thing, if there is a good thing on that, and a lot of people need to step up. "It's not just the creation. On every set-piece, he is the guy organising the team and that is a good opportunity for everyone to step up and realise we can't rely on one player for everything. "Sometimes we rely on Bruno for the organisation and creation. We lost Bruno, Bryan [Mbeumo] and Amad in set pieces so this is massive for the team. "This is a good chance for Lucha [Lisandro Martinez], Luke Shaw, all of these guys to step up and have more leaders in the group." On who might come in for Fernandes in Man Utd's midfield, Amorim added: "We have other players. We maybe need to see different ways of playing. "I think Jack Fletcher did a very good job [against Aston Villa] and that's why when we have this opportunity, we need to give space to guys like Jack and others. We will find solutions to play. "I am confident we can win any game. We have some problems, but I believe in the team, even without many players in this moment. It is more difficult, but I trust in my players. If we are really focused in the game, we can win." Amorim's comments on Fernandes come almost a week after the midfielder claimed Manchester United bosses wanted to cash in on him in the summer but lacked the courage to defy the head coach. The United captain, who could have joined Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal for £100m, said he was "hurt" and "sad" about how the situation had been handled in an interview with Portuguese TV station Canal 11. Sky Sports News understands the club's leadership were clear with Fernandes throughout the summer - and remain adamant - that he is part of their plans and they have no desire to sell him. Amorim: I am a different manager from a year ago In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports ahead of facing Newcastle on Boxing Day, Amorim says he is a 'different' and 'better' manager than he was a year ago. The Man Utd head coach adds he would do a lot of things differently too, and he has learned a lot since joining the club He said: "I would love to go back to the last year. We suffer a lot in this moment and I would do things so differently. "I learned more this year than the other five as a manager. I will do so many things in a different way, not just in everything but also on the pitch, the way we play the game. "No matter what happens in the future, I learned so much and I'm a different manager. "It's hard to pinpoint one thing, but to take all the value of the squad that I had last year, maybe it was not the right choices all the time. I watched the games from last season to understand different things. "I'm a different manager today. I will do maybe 75 per cent of the things different, but the key things, the red lines would be the same. I think I'm a better manager now."

Sat by a Christmas tree at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, the president and first lady took calls from youngsters who had dialled into the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD), which tracks Santa's sleigh around the globe every Christmas Eve. When asked by two children, aged four and 10 from Oklahoma, why Santa is being tracked, Mr Trump replied: "We want to make sure that he's not infiltrated, that we are not infiltrating into our country a bad Santa." As Mr and Mrs Trump took about a dozen calls between them, the president frequently praised the state of the country, saying it is "in great shape" and the "numbers are great". To an eight-year-old girl in Kansas, who said they did not want coal as a gift, Mr Trump said: "You mean clean, beautiful coal. I had to do that, I'm sorry." 👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈 He added: "Coal is clean and beautiful. Please remember that, at all costs. But you don't want clean, beautiful coal, right?" "No," the caller responded, saying she'd prefer a Barbie doll, clothes and sweets. In another call, to an eight-year-old from North Carolina who asked if Santa would be mad if no one leaves cookies out for him, Mr Trump said he didn't think so, but he would be "very disappointed". "You know, Santa's - he tends to be a little bit on the cherubic side. You know what cherubic means? A little on the heavy side," the president joked. "I think Santa would like some cookies." Read more from Sky News:The year America changed - 2025 in reviewTrump: US has to have Greenland The president appeared in a jovial mood, saying he could take calls "all day long" but quickly added that he would likely have to get back to "other things" including Ukraine, Russia and China. At another point, while the first lady was on the phone, Mr Trump noted how little attention she was paying to him, saying: "She's able to focus totally, without listening." He also said he loved Pennsylvania when speaking to a five-year-old boy in the state, adding that the Republicans won it in a "landslide" during the last election. In a post on Truth Social after wrapping up the calls, Mr Trump wrote: "Merry Christmas to all, including the Radical Left Scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our country, but are failing badly."

They relate to two further women and are in addition to the charges issued to the comedian and actor in April, which involved four women. He had been previously charged with two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault. Brand has pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 20 January 2026 in relation to the two additional charges. His trial is scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court on 16 June 2026 in relation to the five original charges. Detective Chief Inspector Tariq Farooqi from the Metropolitan Police, who is leading the investigation, issued an appeal for witnesses. He said: "The women who have made reports, including those connected to the two new charges, continue to receive support from specially trained officers. "The Met's investigation remains ongoing, and detectives urge anyone affected by this case, or anyone with information, to come forward and speak with police. "Support is also available through the independent charity Rape Crisis by contacting the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line." Brand, 50, rose to prominence as a comedian in the mid-2000s, before finding success in Hollywood with the 2008 film Forgetting Sarah Marshall and its 2010 spin-off, Get Him To The Greek.

Sir Keir Starmer also urged members of the public to "each do our bit" and "reach out" to friends, relatives and neighbours during the festive period. His message comes at the end of a difficult year for his government, with economic growth stuttering and Chancellor Rachel Reeves facing criticism over tax rises in the budget. In a message recorded inside 10 Downing Street, Sir Keir said: "I know many across Britain are still struggling with the cost of living. Helping with that is my priority. "But at this time of the year, which celebrates love and abundance, loss or hardship can feel even more acute. "So call around to a neighbour. Check in on a friend or a relative who you haven't heard from for a while. Reach out. It can make a huge difference. "That is what Christmas is about." The prime minister thanked NHS workers along with members of the military and the emergency services who will be on duty on Christmas Day. "Just as so many put their feet up, some truly special people will be pulling on their uniforms and heading out to work," he said. "Our NHS staff emergency services and the brave men and women of our armed forces, all playing their part, doing their bit to care for the nation and to keep us safe. "Many volunteers will be out there as well. Serving food. Reaching out to help those lonely or in need. "So on behalf of the whole country, I want to say a big thank you. "As a nation, we should raise a glass to you this Christmas. But more than that, we should each do our bit as well." Read more from Sky News:How does your Christmas compare to rest of UK? Take our quizThe famous faces we said goodbye to this year Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch used her Christmas message to talk about "Christian values" and thanked "everyone who has supported me during my first year as leader of the opposition". "It's been the biggest challenge of my life," she said. "But it's also been a wonderful year. I can't wait to get back to work next year to create a better United Kingdom." Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey spoke about the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square - an annual gift from Norway to thank the UK for its support during the Second World War - in his message. While saying the tree may "look a little underwhelming" on first glance, the Liberal Democrat leader said it was a reminder of "friendship and loyalty". He added: "It makes me think about people standing together in tough times - whether against the Nazis in the 1940s, or right now in Ukraine. "And yeah, it might not be perfect, but this tree in Trafalgar Square makes me think about families and friends looking out for one another right here at home. "I can't think of a better symbol of the Christmas spirit of generosity, love and hope. Of light in the darkness." Green Party leader Zack Polanski's message will call for an end to the "cruel" treatment of migrants at Calais. Set to be released at 3pm on Christmas Day, he will say he witnessed French police slashing tents and confiscating firewood from asylum seekers. "This has to stop," he will say. "The constant political rhetoric and demonisation of people who are just trying to survive in unimaginable living conditions. "I don't believe we're the country who the media paint us to be. I don't believe that we're cruel and heartless. And I don't believe that if people saw what I've seen in recent days, they would turn away." Meanwhile, Nigel Farage has posted a Christmas message about his festive efforts in his Clacton constituency. The clip shows the Reform UK leader delivering gifts to children in homes, donating meat from the local butchers to paramedics, and meeting kids at FC Clacton before retiring to the pub. "A lot of those kids, foster kids etc, for them to all be together... Wasn't it joyous," he said. "That's what Christmas, really I think for many of us, is all about." He added: "It's a happy Christmas to everybody here in the Clacton constituency, and around the rest of the country, too."

Archer will play no part in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne or the New Year clash in Sydney after being diagnosed with a left side strain, the latest in a long line of injuries for the seamer. The 30-year-old spent four years battling a variety of fitness issues, including stress fractures of the back and right elbow, but has been superb since making a long-awaited red-ball return against India over the summer. Rob Key backs Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes after Ashes lossWhere did England go wrong in dismal bid to reclaim Ashes?Ashes Daily Podcast with Nasser and Athers in Australia In the third Test, he took 5-53 in the first innings and scored 51 to emerge as a shining light in an increasingly horrendous tour but, after playing each of the first three Tests against Australia, he has succumbed again. He joined the squad at training on Christmas Eve at the MCG, but played no part in practice and a spokesperson later confirmed he was out for the remainder of the trip. Gus Atkinson replaces Archer in England's squad tasked with salvaging some pride at the MCG on Friday, while Ollie Pope has finally run out of road at number three as Jacob Bethell gets the nod for what will be comfortably the biggest game of his career. Pope has been under pressure for a year, averages 17 across 16 Ashes innings and lost the vice-captaincy just before travelling to Australia. He now faces a return to county cricket and a long road back after 64 Tests. England squad for fourth Ashes Test Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue. Ashes series in Australia 2025-26 Australia lead five-match series 3-0 First Test (Perth): Australia beat England by eight wicketsSecond Test (Brisbane): Australia beat England by eight wicketsThird Test (Adelaide): Australia beat England by 82 runsFourth Test: Friday December 26 - Tuesday December 30 (Melbourne)Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 - Thursday January 8 (Sydney)