Gavin Newsom is plotting to defy Donald Trump while stiffing key MAGA ally Elon Musk, as California plans an electric vehicle rebate program that intentionally leaves out Tesla. The California governor is planning to introduce a state tax rebate on purchasing electric cars if the Trump administration eliminates the federal tax cut. Newsom even bragged that his policies have made Tesla and Musk ‘so damn successful.’

A Supreme Court hearing that will determine the definition of a woman begins today in a case with major implications for female-only spaces. The case – which has been brought by gender-critical activists – will see five justices consider the question: ‘Is a person with a full gender recognition certificate which recognises that their gender is female, a ‘woman’ for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010?’ Feminist group For Women Scotland (FWS) will argue that trans women should not be able to fill roles meant for biological women under legislation designed to ensure equal numbers of men and women on company boards.

Two local Santas have been given the ‘sack’ for expressing right-wing political views. Paul Cleary, 70, of Wath upon Dearne in South Yorkshire, volunteers as Father Christmas for a local charity each year, offering visits to families and attending the lights switch-on with the Lord Mayor. However, this year he has been left distraught after being told the group is dispensing with his services due to his anti-Labour social media posts, as well as being advised not to use the money he raises as Santa to donate to the local food bank.

Democratic National Committee workers are asking for charitable donations after  making significant layoffs in a dramatic downsizing after Vice President Kamala Harris lost the election. The pleas for donations sparked outrage on social media, as memories of the massive $1 billion Kamala Harris campaign spending spree were still fresh, including millions of dollars spent to host celebrity filled town halls for the vice president. Two-thirds of DNC staffers were laid off as part of the downsizing on Wednesday, with only one day’s notice and no severance, according to the union.

A top NATO chief has urged business leaders to begin preparing for a ‘wartime scenario’ following rising tensions across the world. The warning comes as Germany announced it was drawing up a list of bunkers and other underground facilities that could provide shelter for civilians in the event of an attack. Speaking in Brussels yesterday, Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer warned that NATO members needed to adjust their production and distribution lines in order to be less vulnerable to blackmail from countries such as Russia and China.

Stars have turned on Ed Sheeran in the escalating row over the new Band Aid single – with Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley telling him to ‘shut up’. Trevor Horn, producer of a fresh 40th anniversary version of Do They Know It’s Christmas?, has also been critical of Sheeran after the singer spoke out against the new version of the charity track. Sheeran revealed last week he would have preferred his vocal contributions from a 2014 recording were not used on the new version.