Good morning. It's Saturday, Dec. 20, and in this weekend edition, we're covering four new troves of Epstein files, Charlie Brown and Snoopy's new owner, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4.5 million insatiably curious readers. Sign up here.
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The Justice Department yesterday released four batches of files relating to Jeffrey Epstein, including photos of public figures such as former President Bill Clinton, President Donald Trump, Diana Ross, and Mick Jagger. The photos do not implicate anyone. See the more than 3,500 new files under "Epstein Files Transparency Act" here, and the latest analysis here.
The release came on the day of a congressionally mandated deadline to unseal all unclassified documents connected to the late financier and convicted sex offender, which has not yet been fully met. The DOJ said officials needed about two more weeks to redact identifying information about victims in several hundred thousand documents. The delay has drawn criticism from lawmakers across the aisle. Democrats on the House Oversight and Judiciary committees are considering legal action over the DOJ's noncompliance with the deadline.
Congress, court records, and the DOJ have released several documents related to Epstein over the past few years. See a comprehensive guide here. |
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The Secret Behind That 'Vacation Glow' |
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US strikes Islamic State infrastructure and weapons sites in Syria.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US launched the large-scale strike yesterday in response to an attack last week in Syria that killed two US Army soldiers and a civilian US interpreter. US officials said the operation hit roughly 70 targets across central Syria where the Islamic State is situated and that more strikes should be expected. Information about casualties was not immediately available. |
Trump suspends visa program used by Brown University, MIT shooting suspect.
Trump paused the diversity visa program shortly after the suspected gunman was identified as a Portuguese national who used it to enter the US in 2017. Accounting for up to 50,000 green cards available annually, the program is a random lottery that prioritizes citizens of countries with low immigration to the US. It’s unclear whether Trump has the power to suspend the lottery, since it was created by Congress. |
Famine averted in Gaza but crisis-level hunger persists, per expert panel.
A United Nations- and World Health Organization-backed report says the Gaza Strip is no longer facing famine. The expert panel, which had declared famine in the Gaza City region in August, credited the improvement to expanded food access following the Oct. 10 ceasefire. However, the report says over three-quarters of the population—or 1.6 million people—are still facing acute hunger and malnutrition. |
Living mates may influence each other's gut microbiome.
A new study on rats reveals that their gut microbiomes are shaped by the genes of the other rats they live with. While genes don’t transfer between hosts, gut bacteria shaped by one rat’s genetics can spread to other rats through close social contact. Researchers suspect the same is true for humans, which could deepen our understanding of microbiome-linked diseases such as obesity and Alzheimer’s.
Explore the best resources we've found on the gut microbiome here. |
Sony buys majority stake in "Peanuts" comics.
The Japanese conglomerate will pay $457M to roughly double its stake in Peanuts Holdings to 80%. The family of "Peanuts" creator Charles M. Schulz will hold the remaining 20%. Sony first became involved with Peanuts in 2010, over six decades after Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and their friends first appeared in American newspaper comic strips in 1947 as "Li'l Folks." The "Peanuts" name was introduced in 1950. |
Wiz Khalifa handed 9 month Romanian jail sentence on drug possession charge.
The American rapper allegedly had over 18 grams of cannabis at a Romanian music festival he headlined in 2024, some of which he smoked on stage. A lower court issued an $830 fine in April, but prosecutors appealed, seeking a harsher penalty. As of this writing, it is unclear whether Romanian authorities will try to extradite Wiz Khalifa from the US. Romania has some of the strictest drug laws in Europe. |
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Nightly holiday tradition outside a Michigan children's hospital makes young patients feel seen. (More) |
... and a Portland strip show raises over $60K for toy donations to a local children's hospital. (More) |
Preschooler lights up when he sees his mom in the crowd at his Christmas recital. (More, w/video) |
Rabbi and Muslim man share a tender moment on the street after the Bondi Beach attack. (More via YouTube) |
Billionaire purchases apartment complex in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, to provide affordable housing for locals being priced out by ski tourism. (More) |
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One Company, $2.1T in Untapped Potential |
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Today, we're sharing a story from reader Theresa M. in Salem, Massachusetts.
"I was in Trader Joe’s with my 2-month-old and 8-year-old while my oldest was next door at her piano lesson. It was incredibly busy and I couldn’t find my carrier before leaving the house so I had to use the stroller. I had a basket and overfilled it, and the baby was screaming and I had to pick her up. A kind lady next to us gave us her spot in line and helped us lug the overflowing groceries to the register. A couple joined in to help too. It wasn’t my finest moment as a mom of four, but the genuine kindness almost brought me to tears."
What act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. |
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New on the 1440 Topics Website |
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1440 Topics pairs staff-written overviews with the best resources we've found, curated in a single place for you to explore. New additions to the site include: |
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> How you can learn to lucid dream—and check out our recent podcast on dream science with a leading Harvard expert (Apple | Spotify). |
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"Remember, no man is a failure who has friends." |
- Clarence Odbody in "It's a Wonderful Life" |
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