Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest have announced a final list of 35 countries that will take part in the glitzy pop-music gala next year. It comes after Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain this month says they will sit it out due to discord over Israel's participation. The 2026 finale is set to be held in Vienna next May. Thirty-seven countries took part this year, when Austria’s JJ won. Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania will return after skipping the event for artistic or financial reasons in recent years.

Rob Reiner, one of the preeminent filmmakers of his generation who directed movies such as “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally …” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” died Sunday at 78. Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, were found…

The Justice Department and California are going to court over the state's new congressional map that favor Democrats. The court battle begins Monday. A three-judge panel will consider whether to allow the state to the new boundaries for elections. California voters decisively approved the map last month. The Justice Department has accused California of racial gerrymandering by favoring Hispanic voters. Democrats said they're confident the lawsuit will fail. The legal fight could help determine which party wins control of the U.S. House in 2026. California's map is a direct counter to a similar Republican-led effort in Texas backed by President Donald Trump.

It’s well established that children have an easier time learning second languages. In recent years, scientists have studied whether being bilingual may help ward off the memory lapses and reduced mental sharpness that come with an aging brain. Most research on the potential benefit involved people who spoke two or more languages for most of their lives. The good news is that neuroscientists say that attempting to acquire a new language still is worthwhile for older adults. One of the scientists who pioneered research on the advantages of bilingualism compared studying a new language to doing brain-training games that are promoted to slow the onset of dementia. Language classes also have social benefits.

Six days into President Donald Trump's new administration, the San Francisco Bay-area radio station KCBS-AM and other outlets reported on local immigration raids. The brief story quickly drew the ire of conservative influencers who attacked KCBS’ report as endangering agents’ lives. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr accused KCBS of failing to operate in the public interest and said he was opening an investigation. Current and former staffers say KCBS began taking steps to mitigate the risk of drawing further attention from Carr. The staffers say reporters were dissuaded from pursuing political topics. KCBS says there's been no change in policy or editorial direction.

A law enforcement official says investigators have been questioning a family member of director-actor Rob Reiner Rob Reiner and his wife Michele after they were found dead at their home in Los Angeles. Speaking anonymously to The Associated Press because they could not publicly discuss details of the investigation, the official also said investigators believe Reiners suffered stab wounds. Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton, the chief of detectives, says police had not identified a suspect. He says they’ll try to speak to every family member they can to determine the facts. Reiner starred in “All in the Family” and directed hits including “When Harry Met Sally.” He and Michelle Reiner had three children together.

First, Patrick Mahomes went down. Then, it was Micah Parsons. The NFL lost two of its all-time greatest players to serious knee injuries in a span of a few hours on Sunday, ruining a day filled with exciting comebacks and fascinating stories. Forty-four-year-old Philip Rivers played his first game in 1,800 days and nearly led the 14-point underdog Indianapolis Colts to a stunning upset against Seattle before Jason Myers kicked a 56-yard field goal with 29 seconds left to lift the Seahawks to an 18-16 victory. Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills from a 21-0 deficit to a 35-31 victory at New England.

Officials suspect a father and son of killing 15 people on a popular Australian beach, shocking a country where gun violence is rare. The government on Monday proposed tougher gun laws amid criticism that officials didn't take seriously enough a string of antisemitic attacks. The suspects attacked a Jewish gathering at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah. The dead included a 10-year-old. Police found suspicious items, including explosive devices. Antisemitic incidents have surged in Australia, with attacks on synagogues and Jewish communities. This is the deadliest shooting in Australia in three decades, prompting calls for stricter gun control.

Jimmy Lai, the former Hong Kong media mogul and outspoken critic of Beijing, has been convicted in a landmark national security trial in the city’s court. Three government-vetted judges on Monday found Lai, 78, guilty of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiracy to publish seditious articles. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Under Hong Kong’s sweeping national security law, Lai could face up to life imprisonment. A mitigation hearing was set for January.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has proposed tougher national gun laws after a mass shooting in Sydney. He said Monday he would propose new restrictions including limiting the number of guns a licensed owner can obtain. “The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws,” Albanese told reporters. “People’s circumstances can change. People can be radicalized over a period of time. Licenses should not be in perpetuity,” he added.