New documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking network were released by the Justice Department, prompting mixed conservative reactions, skepticism from survivors, and further scrutiny over redacted information concerning figures like Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and potential Trump ties.

• Jeffrey Epstein files latest: New files, including transcripts, released by Department of Justice on Saturday — The Guardian -
• Bill Clinton spokesperson says White House is using him as scapegoat after Epstein files release — The Guardian -
• Survivors 'nervous and sceptical' about release of remaining Epstein files — BBC World -

• From praise to rage: conservative response to Epstein release is mixed — The Guardian -
• Epstein files: which royals, politicians, musicians and actors are in the photos? — The Guardian -
• Who and what are in the Epstein files? — BBC World -
• Photos of Andrew reveal how ex-prince gave Jeffrey Epstein access to British high society — The Guardian -
• Trickle release of Epstein files on a Friday signals move to bury Trump ties — The Guardian -
• Watch: Images, cassettes and high-profile figures from Epstein files — BBC World -
• ‘The most important documents are missing,’ says Democratic representative of Epstein files release – as it happened — The Guardian -
• US justice department releases heavily redacted cache of Jeffrey Epstein files — The Guardian -
• Survivors of Epstein’s abuse condemn justice department for only partly releasing files — The Guardian -
• Trump over-promises and under-delivers with heavily redacted Epstein cache — The Guardian -

Following the recent terror attack in Bondi, Australia is actively discussing new gun control measures and hate speech legislation, with calls for a royal commission and attention on the suspects' community amidst the aftermath.

• Bondi terror attack updates: attacks on immigrant communities ‘the last thing we need right now’, NSW premier says; 13 people still in hospital — The Guardian -
• A key piece of Port Arthur-era gun reform remains unfinished. Could it have helped prevent the Bondi attack? — The Guardian -
• ‘Where’s the Humanity?’ Bondi Attack Leaves Suspects’ Neighborhood Stunned. — New York Times World -

• ‘Where’s the Humanity?’ Bondi Attack Leaves Suspects’ Neighborhood Stunned — New York Times World -
• Australian state plans to ban intifada chants after Bondi shooting — BBC World -
• Australian state plans to ban intifada chants after Bondi shooting — BBC World -
• Prime minister backs NSW premier’s call for a royal commission into the Bondi beach terror attack — The Guardian -
• After Bondi Beach Shooting, Australia Debates New Laws to Restrict Speech and Protests — New York Times World -

US forces seized multiple oil tankers off Venezuela's coast and conducted significant airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria, while Ukraine targeted Russia's oil tankers for war financing, also securing a new EU loan to support its efforts.

• US seizes second oil tanker off Venezuela's coast — BBC World -
• U.S. Coast Guard Boards Tanker Carrying Venezuelan Oil — New York Times World -
• U.S. and Venezuela Jam Caribbean GPS Signals to Thwart Attacks, Raising Flight Hazard — New York Times World -

• U.S. Strikes on Syria Underscore Scale of Challenge for Its President — New York Times World -
• US intercepts second merchant vessel off coast of Venezuela in international waters — The Guardian -
• With Attacks on Oil Tankers, Ukraine Takes Aim at Russia’s War Financing — New York Times World -
• Israeli troops kill six Palestinians sheltering in Gaza school, say hospital chiefs — The Guardian -
• Hezbollah Is Down, but Not Out, as Lebanon Faces Pressure to Disarm It — New York Times World -
• US carries out 'massive' strike against IS in Syria — BBC World -
• US launches airstrikes against dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria — The Guardian -
• With New E.U. Loan, Ukraine Avoids Budget Crunch and Can Plan War Effort — New York Times World -
• U.S. Strikes Islamic State Targets in Syria — New York Times World -
• Steve Rosenberg: Was Putin's response to my question about war in Europe an olive branch? — BBC World -

Prince George visited a homelessness charity, Christmas travel saw ferry delays at Dover, the DWP faced pressure over the carer's allowance scandal, and new junk food advertising bans and a ban on hare shooting were introduced, amidst predictions of Britain's greenest Christmas.

• Prince George joins Prince of Wales in visit to homelessness charity — The Guardian -
• Strictly contestant claims BBC fixed vote to see him eliminated — The Guardian -
• Police use lasso to help recapture runaway billy goat in Wiltshire — The Guardian -

• Pressure grows on DWP over ‘misleading’ response to carer’s allowance scandal — The Guardian -
• Met using outdated powers to police pro-Palestine protests, say legal experts — The Guardian -
• Dover ferry delays hit Christmas travellers after French border IT failure — The Guardian -
• Christmas ads put on a diet as UK ban on TV junk food advertising bites — The Guardian -
• Family ‘banned from more than 1,000 petrol stations’ amid fuel theft row — The Guardian -
• This year’s Christmas could be Britain’s greenest yet, energy operator says — The Guardian -
• ‘Better out than in’: why a South Yorkshire charity wants people to speak their mind — The Guardian -
• UK aid cuts take 40% from funds to counter Russian threat in western Balkans — The Guardian -
• Retailers hope ‘panic weekend’ will bring Christmas cheer to UK sales — The Guardian -
• Shooting hares in England to be banned for most of the year — The Guardian -

A Hong Kong billionaire lost his freedom testing China's limits, Sudanese refugees described their escape from Darfur, Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan received further jail terms, protest art in LA questioned ICE raids, and the secret trial of a Chinese general was revealed.

• This billionaire tested China's limits. It cost him his freedom — BBC World -
• Sudanese Refugees Describe Their Escape From Darfur — New York Times World -
• ‘Am I Next?’ protest art in downtown LA boldly asks who’s safe from ICE — The Guardian -

• Merry boycotting: US shoppers avoid Trump-aligned businesses amid holiday season — The Guardian -
• Imran Khan and wife given further jail terms after state gift fraud case — BBC World -
• Imran Khan and wife given further jail terms after state gift fraud case — BBC World -
• The Secret Trial of the General Who Refused to Attack Tiananmen Square — New York Times World -
• Make Korea great again: The right-wing group wooing disenchanted youth — BBC World -

Michaela Benthaus made history as the first wheelchair user to travel to space via Blue Origin, and the World Health Organization announced plans to explore traditional medicines for integration into mainstream healthcare.

• First wheelchair-using astronaut touches down after ride to edge of space — The Guardian -
• Engineer becomes first wheelchair user to go to space — BBC World -
• ‘A potential treasure trove’: World Health Organization to explore benefits of traditional medicines — The Guardian -

A subway stabbing in Taiwan killed multiple people, a passenger train in India struck and killed seven elephants, a woman froze to death on an alpine trek in Austria leading to charges, and a lithium battery fire caused a major highway closure in New South Wales.

• Taiwan’s Subway Stabber Planned His Deadly Spree, Police Say — New York Times World -
• Passenger Train in India Hits Elephant Herd, Killing Seven — New York Times World -
• A Woman Froze to Death on an Alpine Trek. Is Her Boyfriend to Blame? — New York Times World -

• Lithium battery fire on truck shuts down Hume Highway in NSW due to health risk — The Guardian -
• Three Killed in Stabbing Attack in Taiwan — New York Times World -

An unseen Tennessee Williams radio play was published, Bad Bunny fans flocked to Mexico City concerts, Timothée Chalamet addressed rap alter-ego rumors, and the 70s Afro-rock genre 'Zamrock' is enjoying a resurgence, with an Indian city recognized for its cuisine.

• Unseen Tennessee Williams radio play published in literary magazine — The Guardian -
• What Fans Did to Attend a Bad Bunny Show in Mexico City — New York Times World -
• Timothée Chalamet puts alter-ego rumors to rest in remix with EsDeeKid — The Guardian -

• 'Very cool': The 70s Afro-rock genre enjoying a surprising rebirth — BBC World -
• Kebabs, biryani and much more: Indian city on Unesco culinary list — BBC World -

**Dollar General agreed to a $15 million settlement for price-gouging claims, and Brussels' proposed bike ban** in its central pedestrian zone sparked considerable controversy.

• Dollar General agrees to pay $15m to settle price-gouging claims — The Guardian -
• Brussels bike ban plan for pedestrian zone ‘dangerous and absurd’ — The Guardian -