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The US Department of Justice (DOJ) released the first batch of highly anticipated documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, offering a glimpse into thousands of pages of investigative records, photographs, and videos. The release follows a law passed by Congress requiring the Justice Department to make the files public in their entirety, although officials said they could not meet the full deadline. The initial tranche of documents includes numerous high-profile figures, such as former US President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and entertainers including Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Chris Tucker. However, legal experts and authorities emphasize that being mentioned or pictured in the files does not imply any wrongdoing. Many of those named in the documents have consistently denied any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities. Bill Clinton appears in multiple images Several photographs released feature former US President Bill Clinton. Some images show him swimming in a pool, while others depict him reclining in a hot tub with his hands behind his head. Clinton had multiple documented interactions with Epstein during the 1990s and early 2000s, before Epstein’s first arrest. Survivors of Epstein’s abuse have not accused Clinton of wrongdoing, and he has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal acts. Clinton’s spokesperson, Angel Ureña, commented on the photos, describing them as decades old and reiterating that the former president was not involved in Epstein’s crimes. “They can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn’t about Bill Clinton. Never has, never will be,” Ureña said on social media. Trump mentioned in files The documents also reference current US President Donald Trump, though the mention is limited. Court filings suggest that Epstein allegedly introduced a 14-year-old girl to Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida during the 1990s. The documents claim Epstein “playfully asked” Trump, in reference to the girl, “this is a good one, right?” According to the filing, Trump smiled and nodded, and both men laughed, leaving the girl feeling uncomfortable. The alleged victim did not accuse Trump of any wrongdoing in the filing. Following the release, Trump’s political team highlighted the photographs of Clinton rather than addressing the allegations involving the president. Trump has previously stated that he was a friend of Epstein but said their relationship ended around 2004, years before Epstein’s arrest. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. Prince Andrew and other high-profile figures One photograph in the files appears to show Prince Andrew lying across the laps of several people, with convicted Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell standing nearby. Andrew has faced years of scrutiny for his past association with Epstein, although he has consistently denied witnessing or participating in any criminal activity related to Epstein. The newly released documents also feature multiple celebrities. Epstein is shown posing with Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Mick Jagger. In some images, Clinton is pictured alongside Jackson and Ross. Other photos include Chris Tucker sitting next to Clinton at a dining table or standing near a private jet with Maxwell. The DOJ has not provided details regarding when or where these photographs were taken, or the nature of Epstein’s association with those pictured. Ghislaine Maxwell and Downing Street A photograph released shows Ghislaine Maxwell alone in front of 10 Downing Street. There is no accompanying context regarding the timing or reason for her visit. Maxwell, who was convicted in connection with Epstein’s crimes, has been a recurring figure in previous file releases. Accuser statements and historical reports The files include early reports from Epstein’s accusers. Artist Maria Farmer, who worked for Epstein, reported to the FBI in 1996 that Epstein had stolen photographs of her 12- and 16-year-old sisters and allegedly threatened to burn her house if she disclosed the theft. Farmer said Epstein asked her to photograph young girls at swimming pools. Her name is redacted in the released documents, though she has confirmed the account belongs to her. “I feel redeemed,” Farmer said, reflecting on nearly 30 years since the incident. Redacted pages and pending releases Many of the documents released on Friday are heavily redacted. Some files, including more than 100 pages from a grand jury investigation, are completely blacked out. The DOJ has said that redactions are necessary to protect the identities of victims or details of ongoing investigations. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the department is reviewing hundreds of thousands of pages, with many more expected to be released in the coming weeks. Blanche emphasized that each page is being vetted to ensure that all victim information is fully protected. The delay in releasing all documents has drawn criticism from lawmakers. Democrats, including Congressman Ro Khanna, have threatened action against DOJ officials, citing potential impeachment or prosecution. Khanna, together with Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, pushed for the Epstein Files Transparency Act to ensure full disclosure, despite opposition from former President Donald Trump. Legal and public context The Epstein files shed light on a vast network of social, political, and entertainment connections that the late financier maintained over decades. While many photos and documents raise questions, officials stress that inclusion in the files is not evidence of criminal behavior. The ongoing public and legal scrutiny surrounding Epstein and Maxwell continues to generate global attention, with hundreds of thousands of pages still under review.   With inputs from BBC

Bondi Beach reopened on Friday as residents gathered to remember the 15 people killed in a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration earlier this month. Thousands of people formed a large circle in the ocean, observed a minute’s silence, and stood near remnants of the crime scene, paying tribute to the victims and those who helped during the attack. Armed officers were stationed at synagogues and mosques to ensure public safety. Life gradually returned to the beach and boardwalk as people walked, jogged, and surfed, while community members acknowledged acts of bravery, including that of Ahmed al Ahmed, who helped disarm one of the attackers despite being injured. A menorah was projected onto the Sydney Opera House, and record numbers of blood donations were reported. Authorities and community leaders continue to discuss ways to address antisemitism and prevent similar incidents in the future.  

The United States military carried out strikes in Syria on Friday targeting Islamic State (IS) fighters and weapons sites in retaliation for an ambush that killed two American soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter last week. U.S. officials described the operation as “large-scale,” hitting around 70 IS targets across central Syria. More strikes are expected, they added. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on social media that the action was “not the beginning of a war” but “a declaration of vengeance,” emphasizing that the U.S. would protect its personnel under President Donald Trump’s leadership. President Trump earlier pledged “very serious retaliation” and described the operation as a “massive strike” against IS fighters attempting to regroup in Syria. He also warned terrorists against attacking U.S. personnel again, saying they would face unprecedented consequences. The strikes involved F-15 Eagle jets, A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft, AH-64 Apache helicopters, F-16 jets from Jordan, and HIMARS rocket systems. U.S. Central Command said over 100 precision munitions were used against IS targets. Syria’s foreign ministry condemned last week’s attack, underlining the need for international cooperation against terrorism, and confirmed its commitment to continue fighting IS. Syrian state media reported that U.S. strikes hit IS facilities in Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Jabal al-Amour near Palmyra. The ambush that prompted the retaliation killed Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, and U.S. civilian interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat. Three other American troops and Syrian security personnel were injured. The gunman, who had recently been reassigned as a security guard over suspected IS links, was killed during the attack. Trump met with the families of the slain Americans before attending the dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, honoring the fallen service members.  

State lawmakers heading into next year’s legislative sessions will face a key decision: whether to exempt tips from taxation. The Trump administration is pressing states to mirror new federal tax reductions by approving a range of tax breaks for individuals and businesses. These include deductions for tips, overtime pay, interest on car loans, and purchases of business equipment. In some states, federal tax changes automatically flow through to state income taxes unless lawmakers choose to block them. In many others, however, state tax laws require legislatures to explicitly approve such changes before they appear on state tax returns. As a result, workers in states that do not adopt the new provisions could avoid federal taxes on tips or overtime pay but still owe state taxes on those earnings. States that fully align with Trump’s tax cuts could deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in yearly savings to residents and businesses. However, doing so could strain state budgets, particularly as states face rising expenses tied to new Medicaid and SNAP food assistance requirements included in the same federal law. Most state legislatures convene in January. To apply the tax changes retroactively to 2025, lawmakers would need to act quickly so tax forms can be updated in time for filing season. Alternatively, states could choose to implement the changes starting in 2026. So far, only a handful of states have taken action. “States are generally taking a cautious approach,” said Carl Davis of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Treasury pushes for rapid compliance The tax legislation Trump signed on July 4 includes roughly $4.5 trillion in tax cuts spread over a decade. The law introduces temporary deductions for tips, overtime pay, and interest on loans for U.S.-assembled vehicles, expands tax breaks for older Americans, and raises the cap on state and local tax deductions from $10,000 to $40,000. It also offers businesses major incentives, such as allowing immediate deductions for the full cost of equipment and research. Individual income taxes are levied on wages and salaries in 41 states, while 44 states impose corporate income taxes. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged states to “immediately conform” to the federal changes, criticizing some Democratic-led states for what he described as political resistance. However, many Republican-led states also have yet to decide whether to adopt the tax breaks. Bessent argued that states declining to follow suit are leaving residents with higher tax bills and denying them meaningful financial relief, particularly for low- and middle-income households. Some experts say the decision is more complicated. For example, a proposed IRS rule would extend the tip tax break to nearly 70 occupations, but many low-wage workers would still be excluded, according to Jared Walczak of the Tax Foundation. Lawmakers, he said, must weigh whether the benefits justify the cost. Limited adoption of tip and overtime exemptions Under existing state tax laws, the federal exemptions for tips and overtime would have automatically applied in only seven states: Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon and South Carolina. Colorado, however, opted out of the overtime exemption before the federal law took effect. Michigan became the first—and so far only—state to approve the tip and overtime tax breaks through legislative action, with implementation set for 2026. State officials estimate the overtime exemption will cost nearly $113 million this budget year, while the tip exemption will cost about $45 million. To offset those losses, Michigan lawmakers rejected several federal corporate tax changes that the state treasury estimated would have reduced revenue by $540 million. Republican state Rep. Ann Bollin said Michigan could not afford to adopt all the federal tax cuts while still funding infrastructure, public safety and education. Arizona may be next to act. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has urged lawmakers to adopt tax breaks for tips, overtime, seniors and vehicle loans, as well as increase the state’s standard deduction. Republican leaders in the state House have said they are prepared to pass the measures when the session begins Jan. 12. Some states block corporate tax cuts Beyond Michigan, lawmakers in Delaware, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island have moved to prevent some or all of the federal corporate tax changes from taking effect at the state level. In Illinois, a new law separating the state from part of the federal corporate tax provisions could save nearly $250 million, according to Democratic state Sen. Elgie Sims. He said the savings would help maintain funding for education, health care and other essential services. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker cited similar budget concerns in opposing the corporate tax breaks, noting that states are already facing financial pressure from other elements of Trump’s legislation, including higher costs for administering food assistance programs. He said the decision to block the tax cuts was aimed at protecting state-funded programs amid what he described as growing financial demands from the federal government.

The Trump administration carried out military attacks in Syria on Friday, aiming to destroy Islamic State fighters and weapons facilities after an ambush last week killed two U.S. soldiers and an American civilian interpreter. U.S. officials said the operation was extensive, striking about 70 Islamic State targets across central Syria, including weapons depots and infrastructure. One official noted that additional strikes are likely in the coming days. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the action was not the start of a broader conflict but a forceful response meant to protect Americans, emphasizing that the U.S. would act decisively against threats to its personnel. The strikes come as the administration has emphasized shifting U.S. military attention closer to the Western Hemisphere, including expanded operations in the Caribbean and pressure on Venezuela. In line with that shift, significant military assets have been moved out of the Middle East, including the redeployment of an advanced aircraft carrier to South America. Trump promises strong response President Donald Trump vowed a “very serious retaliation” after the attack in the Syrian desert, which U.S. officials attributed to Islamic State. The victims were part of the U.S. military presence in eastern Syria supporting an international coalition against the militant group. Trump said the strikes targeted Islamic State strongholds and reiterated his support for Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, stating that the Syrian leader backed the U.S. operation. He also issued a stark warning to Islamic State, threatening even harsher consequences for any future attacks on Americans. The operation involved F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, A-10 attack aircraft, AH-64 Apache helicopters, and HIMARS rocket artillery. U.S. Central Command said more than 100 precision-guided munitions were used. Syria’s reaction The strikes tested improving relations between Washington and Damascus following the removal of former president Bashar Assad a year ago. Trump said Syrian forces were cooperating closely with the U.S. and that President al-Sharaa was deeply angered by the attack on American troops. Syria’s foreign ministry said the incident highlighted the need for stronger international cooperation against terrorism and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to eliminating Islamic State and denying it safe havens. Syrian state media reported that the strikes hit locations in Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and areas near Palmyra, targeting weapons caches and command centers. Islamic State has not claimed responsibility for the attack on U.S. personnel but has acknowledged carrying out recent assaults on Syrian security forces. The group has condemned al-Sharaa’s government, despite his past ties to al-Qaida and long-standing hostility toward IS. Victims of the attack Trump met privately this week with the families of those killed at Dover Air Force Base, attending the dignified transfer ceremony honoring the fallen. The U.S. service members killed were Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown. Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a civilian interpreter from Macomb, Michigan, also lost his life. The shooting near Palmyra injured three additional U.S. troops and members of Syrian security forces. The attacker, who was killed during the incident, had recently joined Syria’s internal security forces and was under suspicion of Islamic State ties. He opened fire during a joint meeting between U.S. and Syrian officials after a confrontation with Syrian guards.     

The Trump administration has carried out a series of military operations near Venezuela over the past three months, including attacks on alleged drug-smuggling vessels and the seizure of an oil tanker, in what officials describe as an “armed conflict” with drug cartels. At least 99 people have been killed in 26 known strikes, while the U.S. has deployed its largest regional naval buildup in decades. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned of potential land operations in Venezuela, and on Dec. 16 ordered a blockade of all “sanctioned oil tankers” entering or leaving the country. The administration alleges that Venezuela’s oil is being used to fund drug trafficking, terrorism, and other crimes, though Caracas denounces the actions as theft and international piracy. The military campaign began in September with the first strike on a suspected drug boat linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Subsequent attacks have taken place in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, often targeting vessels accused of smuggling narcotics. In addition to the strikes, the U.S. has sent guided-missile destroyers, amphibious assault ships, fighter jets, and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to the region, bringing total troop presence to around 12,000. Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns over the legality and transparency of the operations. Democratic leaders have criticized the administration for not providing sufficient legal justification and called for congressional oversight, while the U.N. human rights chief urged an investigation into the strikes, warning against extrajudicial killings. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has condemned the U.S. actions, mobilizing troops and volunteers for military exercises and insisting that Washington’s operations aim to force him from power. Trump, however, has indicated willingness to engage in discussions with Maduro without specifying details. The campaign continues to draw scrutiny in Congress as lawmakers weigh potential limits on executive military authority, even as House Republicans rejected resolutions seeking to constrain the president’s use of force against drug cartels and Venezuela.  

The Trump administration has announced a massive arms sales package to Taiwan worth over $11 billion, including medium-range missiles, howitzers, and drones, prompting strong condemnation from China. The State Department unveiled the sales late Wednesday during a nationally televised address by President Donald Trump, who did not address China or Taiwan in his speech. U.S.-China tensions have fluctuated during Trump’s second term, largely over trade, tariffs, and Beijing’s growing assertiveness toward Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory. If approved by Congress, the deal would be the largest-ever U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, surpassing the $8.4 billion provided during the Biden administration. The package covers eight agreements, including 82 high-mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), 60 self-propelled howitzers, drones, military software, Javelin and TOW missiles, helicopter parts, and Harpoon missile refurbishment kits. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry values the total package at $11.15 billion. The U.S. said the sales support Taiwan’s efforts to modernize its armed forces and maintain a credible defensive capability, while promoting regional stability, political balance, and economic progress. China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the move, saying it violates diplomatic agreements, threatens China’s sovereignty, and could escalate military tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun warned the sales would backfire and accused Taiwan of wasting resources on weapons instead of pursuing reunification. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry thanked the U.S., saying the deal would strengthen the island’s self-defense and deterrence capabilities, which are key to regional peace. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung echoed the gratitude, highlighting the role of U.S. support in deterring conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan has pledged to raise defense spending to 3.3% of GDP next year and target 5% by 2030. President Lai Ching-te announced a special $40 billion arms budget over eight years, including the Taiwan Dome air defense system. The U.S. arms package aligns with legislation recently passed by Congress, which Trump is expected to sign. China last week criticized the National Defense Authorization Act for unfairly portraying it as an aggressor. Mistreanu reported from Beijing. AP video journalists Olivia Zhang in Beijing and Johnson Lai in Taipei contributed to this report.  

President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered what he described as a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, sharply escalating pressure on President Nicolás Maduro and tightening restrictions on the country’s oil-dependent economy. Trump announced the move on social media, days after US forces seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast following a military buildup in the region. He alleged that Venezuela was using oil revenue to fund drug trafficking and other crimes and said the US would continue increasing its military presence. In his post, Trump claimed Venezuela was now surrounded by a major US naval force and warned that pressure would intensify until the country returned oil, land and other assets he said had been taken from the United States. Pentagon officials referred questions about the announcement to the White House. Venezuela’s government strongly condemned the order, accusing Trump of violating international law, free trade rules and freedom of navigation. In a statement, Caracas said the US president was making a reckless and serious threat by attempting to impose a naval blockade and was falsely claiming ownership of Venezuela’s natural resources. The government said it would raise the issue at the United Nations. The announcement follows a series of US military strikes on boats in international waters in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific as part of an anti-drug campaign. US officials say the operations have disrupted drug trafficking routes, though they have drawn criticism from lawmakers concerned about civilian deaths and legal boundaries. At least 95 people have been killed in 25 known strikes, according to the Associated Press. The Trump administration has said the campaign aims to stop drugs bound for the United States, but senior officials have also suggested it is intended to weaken Maduro’s grip on power. Trump has previously said the military effort could expand from the sea to land targets. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves and produces about one million barrels per day, with oil serving as the backbone of its economy. Since US oil sanctions were imposed in 2017, the state-owned company PDVSA has relied on a network of unflagged tankers to sell crude on the black market, mainly to China. Smaller volumes go to the US through Chevron and to Cuba, analysts say. It remains unclear how Washington plans to enforce what Trump called a total blockade. However, the US Navy has multiple vessels in the region, including an aircraft carrier, amphibious ships and maritime patrol aircraft, giving it wide surveillance capability over shipping routes. Trump also claimed that the Venezuelan regime had been designated a foreign terrorist organization, though no such designation has been formally announced. Venezuela is not listed by the US as a state sponsor of terrorism. Associated Press reporters in Washington and Caracas contributed to this report.  

Children with cancer and their families across several countries were exploited in online fundraising scams that raised millions of dollars for treatment but delivered little or none of the money to the intended beneficiaries, a BBC World Service investigation has found. The investigation uncovered at least 15 families who said they received little to nothing from fundraising campaigns created in their children’s names, despite emotionally charged videos being used to solicit donations globally. Nine families linked to what appears to be the same scam network said they received none of the roughly $4 million apparently raised. One of the cases involved Chance Letikva Khalil, a seven-year-old boy from the Philippines who died of cancer a year after appearing in a fundraising video. His mother, Aljin Tabasa, said she was paid a one-time filming fee of $700 but never received any of the $27,000 the campaign appeared to have raised online. According to the BBC, families were often asked to stage highly emotional scenes, including shaving children’s heads, attaching fake medical equipment and forcing children to cry on camera. Parents said they were told the videos would help raise funds for better treatment. The campaigns were found to be professionally produced and widely promoted online, often claiming urgent, life-or-death situations. Many were linked to an organisation called Chance Letikva, registered in Israel and the United States, as well as other similarly named entities.

Britain's unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over was estimated at 5.1 percent in the August-October period, rising further amid sluggish labor market conditions, data released Tuesday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed. The figure rose by 0.4 percentage points from the May-July period, according to the ONS. Annual growth in employees' average total earnings, including bonuses, stood at 4.7 percent in August-October. In real terms, adjusted for consumer price index (CPI) inflation, earnings grew by 1 percent, the data showed. The number of payrolled employees fell by 0.5 percent between October 2024 and October 2025, and declined by 0.1 percent between September and October 2025. Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said the overall picture continued to point to a weakening labor market. "The number of employees on payroll has fallen again, reflecting subdued hiring activity, while firms told us there were fewer jobs in the latest period," she said. Jane Gratton, deputy director of public policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said Tuesday's data reflected that businesses were "less confident about hiring staff due to sky-high employment costs and a tidal wave of new employment legislation coming down the track." Noting that 72 percent of businesses surveyed by the BCC said labor costs were the biggest cost pressure they faced, Gratton said there was a limit to how much additional cost firms could absorb without affecting investment and growth. She called for "a laser-like focus on stimulating growth and boosting investment, trade, innovation and skills" to make 2026 "a year of delivery."