Maine’s Republican Sen. Susan Collins has announced her reelection bid, entering a closely watched race that Democrats have targeted in their effort to retake the Senate majority in Congress in this year’s midterm elections. Collins has defended the seat for decades, casting herself as a reflection of Maine’s independent spirit. However, Collins has faced criticism for not condemning President Donald Trump’s immigration tactics. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and oyster farmer Graham Platner are top Democratic challengers. Platner recently outraised both Mills and Collins. Collins previously defeated Democrat Sara Gideon in 2020 despite being outspent.

Shoppers unexpectedly paused their spending in December from November, closing out the holiday shopping season and the year on a lackluster tone. The report, issued by the Commerce Department on Tuesday, surprised economists who were looking for growth despite mounting concerns about a slowing job growth, uncertainty about President Donald Trump’s tariffs and other economic headwinds. And it raised questions about shoppers’ ability to spend after they have remained resilient for months despite souring consumer confidence, economists said.

A senior European intelligence chief says Russia cannot launch an attack on NATO this year or next but is planning to increase its forces significantly along the alliance’s eastern flank, depending on the outcome of the war in Ukraine. The head of Estonia’s foreign intelligence service suggested Moscow is playing for time in talks with Washington. Kaupo Rosin, the head of the service, said his comments were based on intelligence his country gathered from “Russian internal discussions.” Rosin said Russia’s plan involves creating new military units and multiplying the prewar force along its border with NATO by two to three times. Russia continues to bombard Ukraine, causing civilian casualties and damaging energy infrastructure.

Keir Starmer has secured a temporary respite after fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files threatened his leadership. The British prime minister was saved by a fightback and hesitation among Labour Party rivals about the consequences of a coup. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said Tuesday that Labour lawmakers decided to unite behind Starmer. The crisis stems from Starmer's decision to appoint Epstein friend Peter Mandelson as U.K. ambassador to Washington. Starmer has apologized and said that Mandelson had lied about his ties to Epstein. Starmer's leadership remains shaky despite firing Mandelson. Many lawmakers are concerned about their reelection chances.

The heads of agencies enforcing President Donald Trump's immigration agenda are set to testify before Congress. This comes amid scrutiny over the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis by Homeland Security officers. Todd Lyons of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Rodney Scott of Customs and Border Protection, and Joseph Edlow of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will appear before the House Committee on Homeland Security. Critics argue ICE and CBP officers use excessive force and violate rights. Lyons, who has led ICE since March, defends his officers' tactics. The administration's mass deportation strategy faces growing criticism and declining public support.

TURKANA COUNTY, Kenya (AP) — Prolonged drought has left millions of people struggling to find food and water in parts of northern Kenya, where livestock deaths have deepened the crisis for pastoral communities. Images show residents lining up for food…

Many Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are struggling to get by after losing their permits to work inside Israel. Israel revoked around 100,000 permits after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack ignited the war in the Gaza Strip. Confined to the West Bank, where jobs are scarce and wages far lower, some Palestinians have sold their belongings or gone into debt. Others have paid steep fees for black-market permits or tried to sneak into Israel, risking arrest or worse. Israel, which has controlled the West Bank for nearly six decades, says it is under no obligation to allow Palestinians to enter for work and says it revoked the permits because of security considerations.

Brenton Tarrant, the white supremacist who murdered 51 Muslims in New Zealand's deadliest mass shooting, wanted to be described as a terrorist and always intended to admit to his crimes, his former lawyer says. The Australian man was sentenced to life without parole for terrorism, murder, and attempted murder after the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks. Tarrant claims solitary confinement and harsh prison conditions made him mentally unfit to plead guilty. His former lawyers say they didn't believe his prison conditions affected his decisions. New Zealand’s Court of Appeal is considering his case. The judges will release their decision later.

A fight broke out between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets in the third quarter of Monday night’s game, and four players were ejected. Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges were tossed, along with Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. The Pistons won the game 110-104. Duren had the ball and was driving toward the basket with just over seven minutes left in the third period when he was fouled by Diabate. Duren turned around to get face-to-face with Diabate and the two appeared to butt heads. Duren then hit Diabate in the face with his open right hand, starting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds. Hornets coach Charles Lee was ejected in the fourth quarter and had to be restrained from going after an official.

President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of a new Canadian-built bridge across the Detroit River. Trump demanded on social media Monday that Canada turn over at least half of the bridge's ownership. He also made other unspecified demands. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, expected to open in early 2026, was funded by Canada to ease congestion. Work began in 2018. Trump claims the U.S. would gain nothing from the bridge. The White House and the Canadian Embassy have not commented. Tensions between the U.S. and Canada have been rising, with ongoing trade disputes adding to the strain.

Democrats have begun tentative talks with the White House on their demands for “dramatic” new restrictions on President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. The talks come just days before funding for the Department of Homeland Security is set to expire. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that Democrats have sent Republicans their list of demands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal law enforcement agencies. Among the demands are a requirement for judicial warrants, better identification of DHS officers, new use-of-force standards and a stop to racial profiling. Homeland Security funding expires Saturday.

The U.S. Navy’s top uniformed officer has introduced his vision for the Navy's future, focusing on using smaller and newer assets instead of consistently turning to huge aircraft carriers. Adm. Daryl Caudle’s strategy aims to create more flexible and tailored groups of ships and equipment. It comes as the Trump administration has moved aircraft carriers to crisis regions, often disrupting deployment plans and putting increasing strain on vessels and equipment that are already facing mounting maintenance issues. Caudle tells The Associated Press that the Navy's presence in regions like the Caribbean can be leaner and better tailored to actual threats, using smaller combat ships, helicopters and drones instead of destroyers and aircraft carriers.