Sen. Mitch McConnell won't seek reelection in 2026, ending long tenure as Republican power broker - The Associated Press

Sen. Mitch McConnell has announced he won’t seek reelection next year, ending a decadeslong tenure as a power broker who championed conservative causes but ultimately ceded ground to the fierce populism of President Donald Trump. The Kentucky Republican chose…

What to know about Fort Knox's gold depository that Musk wants audited - Axios

The fortified vaults have been the subject of swirling skepticism and shrouded by secrecy for decades.

Sightly more Americans apply for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain relatively low - ABC News

Slightly more Americans applied for jobless benefits last week, but layoffs remained in the same recent healthy range

James Bond Shocker: Amazon MGM Gains Creative Control of 007 Franchise as Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson Step Back - Variety

As Amazon MGM gains control of the James Bond franchise, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are stepping back to focus on other projects.

Two Texas teenage girls arrested for 'mass casualty attack' plot - BBC.com

The high school students were planning an attack with pipe bombs and guns, police say.

Netflix political thriller 'Zero Day' is well-crafted series about the search for truth - Detroit Free Press

The limited series stars Robert De Niro as an ex-president tasked with finding the culprits behind a deadly cyberattack that leaves panic in its wake.

Senate pushes toward confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI director - The Associated Press

The Senate is set to vote on whether to confirm Kash Patel as FBI director. It's a vote that could place Patel atop the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency despite concerns from Democrats over his qualifications and the prospect he would do Presid…

Messi goal makes up for bitter cold as Inter Miami win in Champions Cup - The Associated Press

Lionel Messi scored from the right side of the box in the 56th minute to lift Inter Miami past Sporting Kansas City 1-0 on a bitterly cold Wednesday night in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup’s first round. Both teams struggled to find consistency o…

DOGE saved far less than claimed. And, Trump blames Zelenskyy for Russia's invasion - NPR

An online tracker claims DOGE has saved $55 billion in federal spending, but NPR has found this to be false. And, Trump blames the Ukrainian president for Russia's invasion.

iPhone 16e: Apple gambles on AI features at lower price - BBC.com

Apple is hoping its latest, lower cost iPhone model will boost sales of its flagship device.

O say can you see America catching up to Canadian ice hockey supremacy? - NBC News

Whether it’s on the ice or in the trophy cabinet, American hockey players have been rapidly melting Canada’s longtime dominance in the sport.

NASA lowers impact risk of 'city-killer' asteroid 2024 YR4 to 1 in 67 (phew!) - Space.com

Breathe a sigh of relief. Asteroid 2024 YR4 now has a 98.5% chance of missing Earth in 2032.

Charges against Liam Payne's friend dropped - BBC.com

Roger Nores and two workers from the hotel where the singer died will no longer face prosecution.

China repatriates more than 1,000 online scam workers rescued from Myanmar - NPR

Thailand, China and Myanmar have coordinated efforts over the past month to shut down the scam centers that bilked victims around the world out of billions of dollars.

A military vet and a scientist were securing America's food system. Trump fired them - NPR

More than 10,000 federal employees who had yet to complete their probationary periods have been fired by the Trump administration, including those who work to protect American agriculture.

Ukraine reels as Trump criticism echoes Russian disinformation campaign - ABC News