Turning Point USA's AmericaFest convention has closed after four days of debates and political jockeying. In the final speech, Vice President JD Vance stopped short of condemning bigotry in the conservative movement.

Washington

Vice President J.D. Vance addressed supporters at the Turning Point USA convention, emphasizing unity and describing the United States as a Christian nation. The event featured debates on how to handle figures associated with bigotry, with Vance advocating inclusivity for those who 'love America' and focusing on building rather than internal conflict.

Former President Donald Trump did not attend the convention but sent a video message posthumously awarding Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Kirk's widow, Erica, endorsed Vance as the next U.S. president, though the future direction of American conservatism after Trump remains unclear.

MAGA convention endorses Vance for next U.S. president

Vice President J.D. Vance took to the stage to a warm reception from the Turning Point USA supporters and spoke about what he believes unifies Americans. People are talking about American identity and figuring out what it is that unites us. But I want to say something here. The only thing that has truly served as an anchor of the United States of America is that we have been, and by the grace of God, we always will be, a Christian nation. Yet the convention displayed less unity on whether to reject bigotry within its ranks. The opening days saw debates on how to deal with figures such as podcaster Nick Fuentes, who's known for anti-Semitic remarks. Vance avoided taking sides, saying the movement should be open to everyone that, quote, loves America. And we have far more important work to do than canceling each other. We have got to build, and President Donald Trump is a builder. Trump did not attend the convention. He sent a video message. In it, he awarded Turning Point USA's former leader, Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated earlier this year, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. But Trump's absence was noteworthy. Even if his deputy was endorsed by Kirk's widow, Erica, to become the next U.S. president, other people are jockeying for influence. And what conservatism in the U.S. looks like after Donald Trump is still anyone's guess.

Australian police say homemade bombs were thrown at a crowd before the Bondi Beach mass shooting but failed to detonate. The December 14 attack on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration left 15 dead, sparking calls for tougher gun laws and action against antisemitism.

Bondi

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At least 15 documents related to Jeffrey Epstein that were initially made public have been pulled from the Justice Department website. The agency says it will keep reviewing and redacting materials to "protect victims."

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Caracas

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Nine people have died and at least ten others were wounded after a group of gunmen carried out a shooting at a South African pub during the early hours of Sunday, authorities said.

Bekkersdal

At least nine people killed in South Africa pub shooting

U.S. intelligence reports continue to warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not abandoned his aims of capturing all of Ukraine and reclaiming parts of Europe that belonged to the former Soviet empire, six sources familiar with U.S. intelligence said.

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Islamabad

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The U.S. seized an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast on Saturday. It's the second time in two weeks that U.S. forces have carried out such an action. This comes after President Donald Trump announced a block of "sanctioned oil vessels" entering and exiting Venezuela.

Oil tanker seized off Venezuela, second in two weeks

The Justice Department released more documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Saturday after failing to meet Friday's deadline to release all the documents, as required by the law signed by President Trump last month. The Justice Department said the delay was, in part, to ensure that victims' information was protected.

Justice Department releases more Epstein documents Saturday

The U.S. Department of Justice released thousands of documents, photos and files related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday. But some Democrats are criticizing the partial release because the department had a deadline to release all of the files by end of Friday.

'Partial' release of Epstein files faces criticism

The United States military “hit the ISIS [ISIL] thugs in Syria”, President Donald Trump has said, a week after two US soldiers and an interpreter were killed in Syria’s Palmyra city. Trump said he “ordered a massive strike on the terrorists that killed our three great patriots last week”.

Damascus

Trump says U.S has launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria

Ukraine said its drones hit a vessel from Russia's shadow fleet – the first such strike in the neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Russia's shadow fleet transports sanctioned Russia oil by frequently changing flags and concealing ownership.

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The U.S. Justice Department has released thousands of files relating to Jeffrey Epstein, including photos featuring people like former President Bill Clinton and Mick Jagger. However, survivors are concerned with how much information was redacted from the files.

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The U.S. military launched large-scale strikes against dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria on Friday (December 19) in retaliation for an attack on American personnel, U.S. officials said.

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The man suspected of carrying out an attack in Taiwan with a smoke grenade and knife acted alone, police said on Saturday of the incident that killed at least four, including the attacker. This edit contains graphic images.

Taipei City

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The suspect in the Dec. 13 mass shooting on the campus of Brown University was found dead by suicide in a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire, authorities said. He has been identified as 48-year-old Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a former Brown grad student.

Providence

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The U.S. Justice Department released a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, bowing to pressure from lawmakers who forced their disclosure with a new law.

Washington County

Justice Department releases new tranche of Epstein files

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Combing through newly released Epstein files

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Russian President Vladimir Putin reacted to the European Union's massive $108 billion loan to fund Ukraine's war against Russia.

Kyiv

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Moscow

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The man believed to be responsible for carrying out the Brown University shooting and killing an MIT professor was found dead in a storage unit in New Hampshire on Thursday, officials said.

Salem

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Australia will launch a national gun buyback program in the aftermath of a deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

Council of the City of Sydney

Australia announces gun buyback program after Bondi Beach shooting

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Beijing

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Under a law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump, the Justice Department has until Friday to release its files on the Jeffrey Epstein case. House Democrats released more photos from the estate of the convicted sex offender. Scott MacFarlane reports.

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The European Commission announced it will delay the signing of the Mercosur trade agreement until the new year after Meloni asked for more time. No date has been set. Backers hope deal won't be further derailed.

Brussels

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President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug. CBS News White House reporter Aaron Navarro has more on that and the president's year-end address from Wednesday night.

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President Donald Trump laid out what he claims are the reasons that America's economy is thriving in an address to the nation. This comes as Americans remain concerned about high prices.

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Multiple sources tell CBS News a person of interest has been identified in the mass shooting at Brown University. CBS News' Tom Hanson reports.

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