CNN 5 Things

The US is pursuing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The Justice Department’s release of the Epstein files is causing widespread criticism. We explain why the pulling of an episode of “60 minutes” has caused internal turmoil at CBS. Police in Australia say the suspected Bondi Beach gunmen threw bombs into the crowd which did not go off. Plus, another famous institution in Paris has been robbed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump’s second term has been norm-busting and extraordinarily consequential, but cracks are starting to form in Trump’s base. As 2025 comes to a close, we take stock of whether his political pull is reaching its limit and how discontent with his policies could shape the midterms.  For more: Americans have a new thing to worry about: A stuck job market with no quick fix  ---  Guest: Aaron Blake, CNN Senior Reporter  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Happiness Factory brings holiday cheer to people who need it most. An elementary school in Fort Worth, Texas couldn’t afford their annual Christmas gifts for its students, until TikTok made the magic happen. These sisters live far away from each other, but this holiday tradition brings them back together. This group believes Santa comes in every color. Plus, how many mistletoe-kissing couples does it take to make history? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Justice Department just released a massive portion of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. We’ll tell you about the US military’s operation in Syria. Investigators face steep challenges trying to piece together a motive in the Brown University shooting. More pharmaceutical companies are joining President Donald Trump’s push to lower drug prices. Plus, an update on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are questions over whether all the files related to Jeffrey Epstein will actually be released tonight. A powerful storm is causing flight delays and knocking out power for millions in the Northeast. We explain how an anonymous reddit post helped track the suspected Brown University shooter. The EU has announced a funding package for Ukraine. Plus, we’ll tell you why President Donald Trump’s “Patriot Games” are being compared to the “The Hunger Games.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices