The Epstein files are released

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Good evening and welcome to your daily news briefing from The Independent.

President Donald Trump's administration released thousands of files on Jeffrey Epstein after months of public pressure, the U.S. launched large-scale airstrikes in Syria, and the Brown University shooting suspect who died by self-inflicted gunshot wound has been described as 'socially awkward'

Top stories

1 | Trump's DOJ releases heavily redacted batch of Epstein files full of blacked out pages and photos of Ghislaine Maxwell and Bill Clinton

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2 | Both parties bash Trump for 'moving the goalpost' and releasing only some Epstein files by deadline

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3 | Suspected Brown shooter was 'socially awkward' and complained about moving to the United States, college classmate says

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4 | US launches 'large-scale' airstrikes in Syria after ISIS gunman killed 3 Americans

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5 | Ukraine strikes Russian tanker in Mediterranean in 'unprecedented' attack

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The Big Question 

Thousands of documents from the Epstein files were released by the Department of Justice, but officials acknowledged that the release was incomplete, despite a deadline under law, prompting accusations of a cover-up.

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Editors' picks

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WATCH 

Erika Kirk blames 'the enemy' for her iPad failing at TurningPointUSA conference

STAT OF THE DAY

$450,000

The U.S. will pay nearly $450,000 to firefighters who develop cancer in the line of duty, along with covering the cost of college tuition for their families.

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"At The Independent, we've always believed journalism should do more than describe the world – it should try to improve it.

This Christmas, we're asking for your help again as we launch our new campaign with the charity Missing People – the SafeCall appeal.

Every year, more than 70,000 children in the UK are reported missing. The misery that follows – for the child, for the family, for the community – is often hidden. Too many of these young people have nowhere to turn when they need help most. SafeCall will change that. Our goal is to raise £165,000 to help Missing People launch this new, free service – designed with the input of young people themselves – offering round-the-clock support, advice and a route to safety."

QUOTE OF THE DAY

 "I am hopeful that I will be able to pick up where I left off at age 26."

Maria Farmer, the first woman to file a criminal complaint against Epstein, reacts to release of materials from the Justice Department.

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