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The United States and Ukraine have reached agreement on most elements of a proposed peace framework aimed at ending the nearly four-year war, but sharp differences remain over territorial control in eastern Ukraine and the future management of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy said a 20-point draft plan, prepared after lengthy talks in Florida, has been shared by the US with Russian negotiators. Moscow is expected to respond on Wednesday. Briefing reporters, the Ukrainian leader said the proposal largely reflects Kyiv’s positions and combines political and economic measures to ensure security while supporting post-war recovery. However, he described disputes over Donetsk territory and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as the most difficult issues, to be decided at the leaders’ level. Russia continues to demand that Ukraine give up remaining parts of the Donbas region it does not control, a demand Kyiv has rejected. Moscow currently occupies most of Luhansk and about 70 percent of Donetsk. To bridge differences, the US has suggested turning contested areas into free economic zones. Ukraine insists any such arrangement must be approved through a referendum, along with demilitarization of the area and deployment of international forces to maintain stability. Zelenskyy said no consensus has yet been reached with Washington on Donetsk or the Zaporizhzhia plant, though agreement has been found on most other points. Under the draft, the current contact line across five regions would be frozen once an agreement is signed. Ukraine proposes a 60-day ceasefire period to allow time for a referendum on any free economic zone. The plan also calls for Russian troops to withdraw from Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions, with international forces stationed along the contact line to monitor compliance. The Zaporizhzhia plant remains another major sticking point. The US has proposed joint operation involving Ukraine, the US and Russia, each with equal shares. Kyiv has countered with a joint venture with the US, allowing Washington to decide how its share would be distributed. Zelenskyy said billions of dollars would be needed to restore the plant and related infrastructure. The draft also includes strong security guarantees for Ukraine, similar to NATO’s Article 5, to be detailed in a separate bilateral agreement with the US. Monitoring mechanisms would rely on satellite and early warning systems. Other provisions include maintaining Ukraine’s armed forces at 800,000 in peacetime, fixing a timeline for EU accession, accelerating a US-Ukraine free trade agreement, and launching a large reconstruction and development package aimed at mobilising up to $800 billion. The proposal also envisages elections in Ukraine after the agreement is signed, as well as the release of all prisoners held since 2014 and the return of civilian detainees and children to Ukraine.  

Iran and the United States reiterated their commitment to diplomacy during a tense U.N. Security Council meeting Tuesday, yet major differences over a nuclear agreement persist. Iran’s U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said Tehran remains committed to “principled diplomacy” and called on France, Britain, and the U.S. to take concrete steps to rebuild trust. He reaffirmed Iran’s adherence to the 2015 nuclear deal, which limits its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. U.S. Mission counselor Morgan Ortagus stressed that Washington is open to talks but only if Iran engages in direct, meaningful negotiations. She warned against Iran’s uranium enrichment, a key sticking point. Irvani criticized U.S. demands for zero enrichment as unfair, saying continued support from France and Britain could “effectively destroy diplomacy.” Meanwhile, Iran has accelerated uranium enrichment to 60%, nearing weapons-grade levels, prompting the three Western powers to reinstate sanctions under a “snapback” mechanism. Tensions drew sharp exchanges at the council, with Russia accusing France of failing in past diplomatic efforts. Source: AP 

A light aircraft operated by the Mexican Navy crashed near Galveston, Texas, on Monday while transporting a child for medical care, killing at least five people and prompting a search in nearby coastal waters, authorities said. The plane was carrying eight people in total—four Mexican Navy officers and four civilians, including a child—according to Mexico’s Navy. U.S. officials did not immediately specify which passengers were among the confirmed fatalities. Two of those on board were affiliated with the Michou and Mau Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps Mexican children suffering from severe burns. The crash occurred Monday afternoon near the base of a causeway close to Galveston, roughly 50 miles southeast of Houston. Officials said the cause of the incident has not yet been determined. In a statement, Mexico’s Navy said the aircraft was conducting a medical mission when it was involved in an accident. The Navy said it would investigate the incident and is cooperating with U.S. authorities in search-and-rescue efforts. Teams from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board responded to the scene, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. An NTSB spokesperson confirmed the agency is aware of the crash and is collecting information. The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office said multiple units—including dive teams, patrol officers, drones, and crime scene investigators—were deployed. Authorities asked the public to stay clear of the area so emergency crews could operate safely. Officials have not confirmed whether weather played a role, though the region has experienced fog in recent days. A National Weather Service meteorologist said visibility dropped to about half a mile around the time of the crash.

President Donald Trump issued a fresh warning to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday as the United States increased pressure on Caracas, with the Coast Guard stepping up efforts to intercept oil tankers in the Caribbean. Flanked by senior national security officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump indicated he is prepared to further ramp up a campaign against Maduro that began four months ago. While initially framed as an effort to curb drug trafficking from Venezuela, the strategy has since broadened in scope. “If he decides to push back or act tough, that would be the last time,” Trump said during a pause in his Florida vacation, where he also announced plans for the Navy to construct a new large warship. Trump’s remarks came as the Coast Guard continued pursuing a sanctioned oil tanker for a second straight day. U.S. officials say the vessel is part of a Venezuelan “shadow fleet” used to bypass sanctions, operating under a false flag and subject to a U.S. seizure order. “It’s on the move, and we’ll eventually take it,” Trump said. This marks the third tanker targeted by U.S. authorities. On Saturday, the Coast Guard seized the Panama-flagged Centuries, which officials also linked to Venezuela’s covert oil transport network. Earlier this month, another sanctioned tanker, Skipper, was intercepted with Navy assistance. Following the first seizure, Trump declared that the U.S. would effectively impose a “blockade” on Venezuela and reiterated his view that Maduro’s grip on power is weakening. Last week, he also demanded the return of assets previously taken from U.S. oil companies, again citing the tanker blockade as justification. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the tanker interceptions are meant to send a global message that the Maduro government’s actions will not be tolerated and that Washington intends to protect its interests. Russian diplomatic families leave Venezuela At the same time, Russia’s Foreign Ministry has begun removing diplomats’ families from Venezuela, according to a European intelligence official who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter. The evacuations reportedly began Friday and include women and children, with Russian officials reportedly viewing the situation in Venezuela as increasingly serious. Russia denied evacuating its embassy but did not directly address questions about diplomats’ families. Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yván Gil said he spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who voiced Moscow’s support for Caracas against the U.S. campaign targeting oil tankers. Gil accused Washington of violating international law through what he described as attacks on vessels and acts of “piracy” in the Caribbean. Everyday life near Venezuela’s refineries Despite the tension at sea, a tanker believed to be part of the shadow fleet was seen moving between Venezuelan refineries over the weekend, including one near El Palito, west of Caracas. The vessel remained docked as families gathered at nearby beaches, enjoying music and the school holiday break. Longtime local resident Manuel Salazar said the scene contrasts sharply with earlier years, when Venezuela’s oil industry was stronger and multiple tankers lined the bay. “Back then, you’d see nine or ten ships waiting. Now there’s just one,” Salazar said, noting rising prices and worsening economic conditions. Transparency watchdog group Transparencia Venezuela has identified the El Palito tanker as part of the shadow fleet. Residents also recalled past New Year’s celebrations, when tankers sounded horns and fireworks lit the sky—traditions that have faded with the country’s economic decline. On Monday, Venezuela’s pro-government National Assembly gave preliminary approval to legislation that would criminalize activities linked to tanker seizures. The bill would impose heavy fines and prison sentences of up to 20 years for those accused of supporting or participating in what the government calls acts of piracy or illegal blockades. Meanwhile, under Trump’s direction, the Defense Department continues operations against small vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific that U.S. officials say are involved in drug trafficking. Since early September, at least 104 people have died in 28 such strikes, prompting criticism from lawmakers and human rights groups who question the evidence behind the operations and warn of possible extrajudicial killings.

A car bomb killed a Russian general on Monday, the third such killing of a senior military officer in just over a year. Investigators said Ukraine may be behind the attack. Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, died from his injuries, said Svetlana Petrenko, the spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee, the nation's top criminal investigation agency. He was 56. “Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of inquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services,” Petrenko said. Since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine nearly four years ago, Russian authorities have blamed Kyiv for several assassinations of military officers and public figures in Russia. Ukraine has claimed responsibility for some of them. It has not yet commented on Monday’s death. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin had been immediately informed about the killing of Sarvarov, who fought in Chechnya and had taken part in Moscow's military campaign in Syria. Russia has blamed a series of other apparent assassinations on Ukraine. Just over a year ago, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of the military’s nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter outside his apartment building. Kirillov's assistant also died. Ukraine’s security service claimed responsibility for the attack. An Uzbek man was quickly arrested and charged with killing Kirillov on behalf of the Ukrainian security service. Putin described Kirillov’s killing as a “major blunder” by Russia’s security agencies, noting they should learn from it and improve their efficiency. In April, another senior Russian military officer, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed in his car parked near his apartment building just outside Moscow. A suspected perpetrator was quickly arrested. Days after Moskalik's killing, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he received a report from the head of Ukraine’s foreign intelligence agency on the “liquidation” of top Russian military figures, adding that “justice inevitably comes" although he didn't mention Moskalik's name. Ukraine, which is outnumbered by Russia’s larger, better equipped military, has frequently tried to change the course of the conflict by attacking in unexpected ways. In August last year, Ukrainian forces staged a surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region even as they struggled to stem Russian offensives on many parts of the front line. Moscow's troops eventually drove them out, but the incursion distracted the Russian military resources from other areas and raised Ukrainian morale. Ukraine has also launched repeated attacks on the Russian navy in the Black Sea with sea drones and missiles, forcing it to relocate its warships and limit the scale of its operations. And in June, swarms of drones launched from trucks targeted bomber bases across Russia. Ukraine said over 40 long-range bombers were damaged or destroyed, although Moscow said only several planes were struck. Meanwhile, Western officials have accused Russia of staging a campaign away from the battlefield, accusing it of orchestrating dozens of incidents of disruption and sabotage across Europe as part of an effort to sap support for Ukraine. Moscow has denied the claims.

The United States on Sunday said its recent talks with Ukraine and European partners on ending the war with Russia were “productive and constructive,” as Washington continues diplomatic efforts to push for a negotiated peace. White House envoy Steve Witkoff said the discussions, held in Florida, focused on aligning a shared strategic approach among Ukraine, the United States and Europe. In a social media post, Witkoff said the common priority was to stop the fighting, ensure security guarantees and lay the groundwork for Ukraine’s long-term recovery and stability. He said peace must go beyond a halt in hostilities and provide a dignified and durable foundation for the future. The talks are part of President Donald Trump’s sustained push to end the nearly four-year war. However, efforts have faced obstacles as Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart, with Russian President Vladimir Putin maintaining tough demands while Russian forces continue gradual advances on the battlefield. Negotiations with Russia have also been ongoing. A Kremlin envoy said Saturday that discussions in Florida were progressing constructively and would continue. Russian media reported that envoy Kirill Dmitriev met Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, though there were no updates on Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said diplomatic efforts were moving quickly, noting that Ukraine’s team in Florida had been working closely with the U.S. side. The Kremlin, however, denied that any trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States were under preparation. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman accused Russian forces of forcibly transferring around 50 civilians from the Sumy border region into Russia, demanding their immediate return. In Europe, France said it welcomed Putin’s reported openness to talks with President Emmanuel Macron, adding that renewed dialogue could be useful once prospects for a ceasefire and peace negotiations become clearer. Separately, European Union leaders agreed to provide 90 billion euros to support Ukraine’s military and economic needs over the next two years, funding the package through borrowing after failing to reach consensus on using frozen Russian assets.

Denmark and Greenland on Monday asserted that the United States will not take over Greenland, calling for full respect for their territorial integrity following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a special envoy to the Arctic territory. Trump on Sunday named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, sparking renewed tensions over Washington’s interest in the semi-autonomous territory of the NATO ally. In response, Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said he plans to summon the U.S. ambassador in Copenhagen. In a joint statement, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen said, “National borders and state sovereignty are rooted in international law. They are fundamental principles. You cannot annex another country, not even citing international security.” The statement added, “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland. We expect respect for our joint territorial integrity.” Trump has repeatedly suggested U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland and has not ruled out military options for the strategically located, resource-rich island. Earlier this year, Vice President JD Vance visited a U.S. military base in Greenland and criticized Denmark for underinvestment there. The issue re-emerged in August when Danish authorities summoned the U.S. ambassador after reports that individuals linked to Trump conducted covert influence operations in Greenland. Landry described his appointment as “an honor” and said he will work to “make Greenland a part of the U.S.” Rasmussen told Danish media that while the appointment shows continued American interest, “everyone — including the U.S. — must respect the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.” Before the joint statement, Nielsen wrote on Facebook that the new U.S. announcement “does not change anything for us at home.” The EU also stressed the importance of Denmark’s sovereignty. An EU Commission spokesperson said Monday that preserving the territorial integrity and inviolability of Denmark’s borders is “essential for the European Union.”  

At least 16 people were killed when a passenger bus crashed on Indonesia’s main island of Java shortly after midnight on Monday, officials said. The bus, which was carrying 34 passengers, went out of control on a toll road, slammed into a concrete divider and then overturned, according to Budiono, head of a search and rescue agency. The interprovincial bus was en route from Jakarta to the historic city of Yogyakarta when it overturned while negotiating a curved exit ramp on the Krapyak toll road in Semarang, Central Java. Budiono said the strong impact flung several passengers from their seats and trapped others inside the wreckage. Police and rescue workers reached the scene around 40 minutes later and found six passengers dead on the spot. Ten more victims later died while being taken to hospital or during treatment. A total of 18 injured passengers were admitted to two nearby hospitals, including five in critical condition and 13 in serious condition, Budiono added. Television footage showed the yellow bus lying on its side as personnel from the National Search and Rescue Agency, police officers and bystanders gathered at the scene, while ambulances carried away the injured and the deceased. Central Java Police Chief Ribut Hari Wibowo said witnesses reported the bus was speeding before the driver lost control. Speaking at Dr Karyadi General Hospital in Semarang, where the bodies were being identified, he said the driver was a replacement who suffered serious injuries but remained able to speak. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident and questioning the injured substitute driver, Wibowo said, adding that tests would be conducted to check for the presence of banned substances, including drugs.  

Christmas is a Christian holiday that observes the birth of Jesus. But did you know that the earliest followers of Jesus did not annually commemorate his birth? Or that Santa Claus is inspired by the acts of kindness of a fourth-century Christian saint? And have you heard about the modern-day Japanese tradition of eating Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas? Since the early 20th century, Christmas has evolved from a religious holiday to a hugely popular cultural holiday observed by Christian and secular people across the globe who gather with families, exchange gifts and cards and decorate Christmas trees. Here’s a look at the history, beliefs and the evolution of Christmas: Origins and early history of Christmas Early followers of Jesus did not annually commemorate his birth but instead focused on commemorating their belief in his resurrection at Easter. The story of the birth of Jesus appears only in two of the four Gospels of the New Testament: Matthew and Luke. They provide different details, though both say Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The exact day, month and even year of Jesus’s birth are unknown, said Christine Shepardson, a professor at the University of Tennessee who studies early Christianity. The tradition of celebrating Jesus’ birth on Dec. 25, she said, only emerged in the fourth century. “It’s hard to overemphasize how important the fourth century is for constructing Christianity as we experience it in our world today,” Shepardson said. It was then, under Emperor Constantine, that Christians began the practice of gathering at churches instead of meeting at homes. Some theories say the date coincides with existing pagan winter solstice festivals, including the Roman celebration of Sol Invictus, or the “Unconquered Sun,” on Dec 25. While most Christians celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, some Eastern Orthodox traditions celebrate the holy day on Jan. 7. That’s because they follow the ancient Julian calendar, which runs 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar, used by Catholic and Protestant churches as well as by much of the secular world. Rowdy medieval celebrations For centuries, especially during the Middle Ages, Christmas was associated with rowdy street celebrations of feasting and drinking, and for many Christians, it “was not in good standing as a holiday,” said Thomas Ruys Smith, a professor of American literature and culture at the University of East Anglia in England. “Puritans,” he said, “were not fond of Christmas.” But in the 19th century, he said, Christmas became “respectable” with “the domestic celebration that we understand today — one centered around the home, the family, children, gift-giving.” The roots of modern-day Christmas can be traced back to Germany. In the late 19th century, there are accounts of Christmas trees and gift-giving that, according to Smith, later spread to Britain and America, helping to revitalize Christmas on both sides of the Atlantic. Christmas became further popularized with the publication of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens in 1843, and the writings of Washington Irving, who was a fan of St. Nicholas and helped popularize the celebration of Christmas in America. The first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was put up by workers in 1931 to raise spirits during the Great Depression. The tradition stuck as the first tree-lighting ceremony was held in 1933 and remains one of New York City’s most popular holiday attractions. America’s secular Santa is inspired by a Christian saint St. Nicholas was a fourth-century Christian bishop from the Mediterranean port city of Myra (in modern-day Turkey). His acts of generosity inspired the secular Santa Claus legend. The legends surrounding jolly old St. Nicholas — celebrated annually on Dec. 6 — go way beyond delivering candy and toys to children. He is believed to have interceded on behalf of wrongly condemned prisoners and miraculously saved sailors from storms. Devotion to St. Nicholas spread during the Middle Ages across Europe and he became a favorite subject for medieval artists and liturgical plays. He is the patron saint of sailors and children, as well as of Greece, Russia and New York. Devotion to St. Nicholas seems to have faded after the 16th century Protestant Reformation, except in the Netherlands, where his legend remained as Sinterklaas. In the 17th century, Dutch Protestants who settled in New York brought the Sinterklaas tradition with them. Eventually, St. Nicholas morphed into the secular Santa Claus. It’s not just Santa who delivers the gifts In the U.K., it’s Father Christmas; in Greece and Cyprus, St. Basil (who arrives on New Year’s Eve). In some parts of Italy, it’s St. Lucy (earlier in December) and in other Italian regions, Befana, a witch-like figure, who brings presents on the Epiphany on Jan. 6. Instead of a friendly Santa Claus, children in Iceland enjoy favors from 13 mischievous troll brothers, called the Yule Lads. They come down from their mountain cave 13 days before Christmas, according to folklore. Christian traditions of Christmas One of the oldest traditions around Christmas is bringing greenery — holly, ivy or evergreen trees — into homes. But determining whether it’s a Christian tradition is harder. “For many people, the evergreen can symbolize Christ’s promise of eternal life and his return from death,” Smith said. “So, you can interpret that evergreen tradition within the Christian concept.” The decorating of evergreen trees is a German custom that began in the 16th century, said Maria Kennedy, a professor at Rutgers University—New Brunswick’s Department of American Studies. It was later popularized in England and America. “Mistletoe, an evergreen shrub, was used in celebrations dating back to the ancient Druids — Celtic religious leaders — some 2,000 years ago,” Kennedy writes in The Surprising History of Christmas Traditions. “Mistletoe represented immortality because it continued to grow in the darkest time of the year and bore white berries when everything else had died.” Other traditions include Christmas services and Nativity scenes at homes and churches. More recently, Nativity scenes — when erected on public property in the U.S. — have triggered legal battles over the question of the separation of church and state. Christmas caroling, Kennedy writes, can also be traced back to European traditions, where people would go from home to home during the darkest time of the year to renew relationships within their communities and give wishes for good luck, health and wealth for the forthcoming year. “They would recite poetry, sing and sometimes perform a skit. The idea was that these acts would bring about good fortune to influence a future harvest,” Kennedy writes. Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas in Japan Among the many Christmas traditions that have been adopted and localized globally, there’s one that involves KFC. In 1974, KFC launched a Christmas campaign where they began to sell fried chicken with a bottle of wine so it could be used for a Christmas party. KFC says the idea for the campaign came from an employee who overheard a foreign customer at one of its Tokyo restaurants saying that since he couldn’t get turkey in Japan, he’d have to celebrate Christmas with Kentucky Fried Chicken. “That really stuck,” Smith said. “And still today, you have to order your KFC months in advance to make sure that you’re going to get it at Christmas Day.”  

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