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Here's today's free edition.

This is the World In Brief from The Economist.

Our top stories.

The Saudi doctor accused of attacking a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg

appeared in court. At least five people, including a child, were killed and more than 200 injured

when a car drove into crowds on Friday. The 50-year-old suspect arrived in Germany in 2006 and has a history

of anti-Islamic posts on social media. The motive for the attack remains unclear, authorities

said. Robert Fitso, Slovakia's hard-ride Prime Minister, met Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.

Their meeting comes as supplies of Russian gas via pipelines through Ukraine are set to end on January 1st,

when a long-term deal between Russia and Ukraine expires.

Mr. Fitso, an ally of Mr. Putin, has criticized Ukraine for refusing to renew the agreement.

Savakia still imports a lot of Russian gas via Ukraine.

Turkey's foreign minister met Ahmed al-Shara, the leader of Syria's interim government in Damascus.

Turkey supported a number of rebel groups during Syria's civil war and welcomed the fall of

Bashar al-Assad, the country's dictator earlier this month.

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