Mega billionaire Elon Musk said his efforts leading the Department of Government Efficiency were only “somewhat successful” and he would not do it over again. Musk made his remarks in a friendly interview with his aide and conservative influencer Katie Miller, who is married to White House adviser Stephen Miller. Musk still broadly defended President Donald Trump’s controversial pop-up agency that Musk left in the spring before it shuttered officially last month. But Musk acknowledged how difficult it is to remake the federal government quickly and how much his businesses suffered because of his DOGE work and its lack of popularity. Musk is the Tesla and SpaceX CEO and also owns the social media platform X.

The language of politicians has become more vulgar in recent years. Leaders in both parties are openly using vulgarities. President Trump recently referred to alleged drug smugglers with an expletive during a Cabinet meeting. Vice President JD Vance and former Vice President Kamala Harris have also used to coarse language in public. Experts say this shift reflects changes in political discourse, increased media coverage, and social media's influence. On social media or other digital platforms, posts or video clips that evoke the strongest emotions are often rewarded with the most engagement.

Three years ago, Arden Cho was ready to walk away from acting. She’d landed her first lead role in the Netflix series “Partner Track” only to see it canceled after one season. Now, Cho is one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2025 after voicing the lead character Rumi in Netflix’s animated summertime hit “KPop Demon Hunters.” It's become the most-streamed movie on the platform and spawned inescapable earworms “Golden” and “Soda Pop” as its soundtrack dominated pop charts. Cho calls it her “golden moment.” She has multiple film projects lined up for next year.

Diana Ross has been named the headliner for “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” The pop icon will perform a medley of hits, including “I’m Coming Out” and “Upside Down.” The show will feature 39 artists from locations like New York, Las Vegas, and Chicago. Other performers include Mariah Carey, Post Malone, and Demi Lovato. The event will air live on ABC on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. EST and repeat on Hulu. Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora will host from Times Square, with Chance the Rapper in Chicago and Rob Gronkowski in Las Vegas.

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case that could make it harder for convicted murderers to show their lives should be spared because they're intellectually disabled. The justices on Wednesday are taking up an appeal from Alabama, which wants to put to death a man who lower federal courts found is intellectually disabled and shielded from execution. The Supreme Court prohibited execution of intellectually disabled people in a landmark ruling in 2002. Fifty-five-year-old Joseph Clifton Smith has been on death row roughly half his life after his conviction for beating a man to death in 1997. The issue in Smith’s case is what happens in borderline cases of intellectual disability.

The Federal Reserve will almost certainly reduce its key interest rate Wednesday, but the bigger question for financial markets and the economy is what signals Chair Jerome Powell may send regarding the central bank’s next steps. It would be the third cut in a row and bring the Fed’s key rate to about 3.6%, the lowest in nearly three years. For Americans struggling with high borrowing costs for homes, cars, and other large purchases, this year’s rate cuts could reduce those costs over time — though it’s not guaranteed.

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, the remaining weeks of December could be a great time to buy. Several recurring industry trends converge at year-end, creating favorable conditions that can help you save money. This Edmunds article dives into the three key reasons why December often delivers the opportunity for better deals for car shoppers — and what to know to ensure you get the best one.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says officials are expected to hand their latest peace proposals to United States negotiators on Wednesday. The Ukrainian leader also says a presidential election could be held in Ukraine within three months if balloting could be made safe during wartime. His comment came after U.S. President Donald Trump called for a ballot. Zelenskyy told reporters late Tuesday that he is “ready” for an election but would need help from the U.S. and possibly Europe to ensure security for a vote to happen. He suggested that Ukraine could be ready to hold balloting in 60 to 90 days if that proviso is met.

Renewed border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia is showing no signs of stopping. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in both countries and have sought refuge in temporary shelters. A Thai military spokesperson on Wednesday reported about 400,000 people have been evacuated and around 700 schools closed. Cambodia has evacuated more than 127,000 villagers. Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has vowed to continue fighting. Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen has promised a fierce response. The conflict follows a skirmish Sunday that derailed a ceasefire U.S. President Donald Trump had promoted to end similar fighting in July over territorial claims.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed a groundbreaking social media ban for children under 16 as families taking back power from tech giants. The ban took effect on Wednesday.  Albanese has acknowledged the challenges of implementation but emphasized the importance of protecting children. Platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, face hefty fines if they fail to comply. Australia's eSafety Commissioner will monitor compliance and report by Christmas on whether the ban is working. Some children have found ways to bypass the restrictions, but officials warn they will eventually be caught. The ban has sparked debate, with some families concerned about negative impacts.

Chinese gaming and social media giant Tencent Holdings has withdrawn from Paramount Skydance Corp.'s bid to buy Warner Bros Discovery. A revised filing by Paramount with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission shows the Chinese company has dropped its $1 billion financing commitment for the takeover bid. Paramount said the Chinese company's participation in the bid had raised the possibility that its bid might be subject to a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, known as CFIUS. The filing said that three Middle Eastern foreign sovereign wealth funds that are part of Paramount's bid had agreed to give up a right to participate in Warner Bros' management to avoid additional scrutiny.

Authorities say Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes was stabbed to death at his home in Santa Monica, California, and his son was arrested on suspicion of murder. Police say officers responding to a 911 call Monday night found the 71-year-old Sykes with critical stab wounds. He died at the scene. The victim’s 31-year-old son was arrested at the home. Police recovered a weapon and the investigation is ongoing Tuesday. Sykes was nominated for best classical album at the 2010 Grammy Awards for “Bernstein: Mass,” in which he performed the Celebrant role.

Archaeologists have uncovered the longest remains of an ancient wall that once encircled Jerusalem during the time of Hanukkah. The excavation was completed last week. It reveals a section of the Hasmonean wall foundation built a few decades after the Hanukkah story. This wall is almost 50 meters long and 5 meters wide and once held taller structures than the current Old City walls. Experts believe the wall was purposefully dismantled, possibly due to a ceasefire agreement in 132 or 133 BC between Jewish king John Hyrcanus I and Hellenistic King Antiochus the Seventh. The findings will be part of a new museum exhibit.

Pope Leo XIV is insisting that Europe must have a role in any Ukraine peace deal. And he is criticizing what he says is the Trump administration’s effort to “break apart” the long-standing U.S.-European alliance.Leo spoke to reporters Tuesday after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Castel Gandolfo, his vacation home south of Rome. The American pope said they discussed the need for a cease-fire and the Vatican’s efforts to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russian authorities.Leo was asked about the U.S. peace proposal and the seeming sidelining of European powers in the process. Leo insisted that Europe’s role was crucial to any deal.

Democrat Eileen Higgins has won the Miami mayor’s race over a Republican endorsed by President Donald Trump. Higgins on Tuesday became the first Democrat in nearly 30 years to be elected Miami mayor. Her win gives Democrats a boost in one of the last electoral battles ahead of the 2026 midterms. Higgins spoke frequently in the Hispanic-majority city about Trump’s immigration crackdown, saying she has heard of many people in Miami who were worried about family members being detained. She beat Trump-backed candidate Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager.