U.S. finds Ukraine did not try to kill Putin in alleged drone strike, source says

A CIA assessment concluded thatUkrainedid not try to kill Russian PresidentVladimir Putinat hiscountry residenceasalleged by the Kremlin, a source with knowledge of the matter told NBC News.

Ukraine had been aiming to hit a military target in the same region as the Russian president's country residence, the source said.

The director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, briefed PresidentDonald Trumpon the issue earlier Wednesday. Afterward, Trump posted a link to aNew York Post editorialthat said Ukraine had been falsely accused of attacking Putin with the headline "Putin 'attack' bluster shows Russia is the one standing in the way of peace."

TheWall Street Journal first reportedon the assessment and the briefing of the president.

The CIA declined to comment.

Earlier this week, Trump told reporters that he was "very angry" after Putin claimed in a phone conversation that Ukrainian drones had attacked his residence on the shore of Lake Valdai in the northern Russian region of Novgorod.

The phone call on Monday followed a nearly three-hour meeting the day before between Trump and Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyyat Trump's Mar-a-Lago property in Florida.

Trump and Zelenskyy said after the meeting that they were "very close" to a deal, an assessment the Kremlin agreed with on Monday though it continued to makehard-line territorial demands.

Zelenskyy vehemently rejected Russia's allegation in posts on social media, accusing Moscow of trying to sabotage peace negotiations.

"Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump's team," Zelenskyywrote on X.

"This alleged 'residence strike' story is a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well as Russia's own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war. Typical Russian lies," he added.

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December 31, 2025

U.S. finds Ukraine did not try to kill Putin in alleged drone strike, source says

A CIA assessment concluded thatUkrainedid not try to kill Russian PresidentVladimir Putinat hiscountry residenceasalleged by the Kremlin, ...

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January 2026 calendar includes New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, more

It's the start of a new month and a new year! January 2026 marks new beginnings.

But what does the first month of the year have in store for us? There will not only be two federal holidays but also religious holidays and some celestial stargazing events.

While it won't be as busy as December, there is still plenty to look forward to in January.

So break out the 2026 calendars, because here's what you should make note of for the month of January.

Ready for 2026?Big holidays, celebrations fall on Fridays, Saturdays.

Are there any federal holidays in January?

Yes, there are two federal holidays, and they will occur on the following day, according to theU.S. Office of Personnel Management:

• New Year's Day- Thursday, Jan. 1

• Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.- Monday, Jan. 19

After January, the next federal holiday, President's Day/Washington's Birthday, will take place on Monday, Feb. 16

Religious holidays taking place in January

The following religious holidays and holy days will take place throughout the month, according toDiversity Resources:

• Mahayana New Year- Saturday, Jan. 3

• Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab- Monday, Jan. 5

• Epiphany (also called Three Kings Day or Día de los Reyes)- Tuesday, Jan. 6

• Christmas (celebrated by Coptic Orthodox Christians)- Wednesday, Jan. 7

• Pongal- Wednesday, Jan. 14

Celestial events occurring throughout January

Multiple celestial events will also happen throughout January, including a super moon, according toNASA.

Here's what to look up for:

• Full moon/super moon: Saturday, Jan. 3

• Quadrantid meteor shower peaks: Saturday, Jan. 3

•  Moon Occults Mars: On Tuesday, Jan. 13, the moon will look like it passes in front og Mars

• Venus and Saturn will be in conjunction: From Saturday, Jan 17 to Sunday, Jan. 18, the two planets will look like they are right next to each other, though they will be visible throughout the month.

Throughout January, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars will be visible with the naked eye within the first few hours after it gets dark, according to NASA.

Venus and Saturn can be spotted in the southwest part of the sky, while Jupiter will be overhead, and Mars will be in the east. Apps like SkyView or SkySafari Pro can help backyard astronomers spot the planets.

Uranus and Neptune will also be visible in the night sky, but folks will need a telescope to see the planets.

January 2026 National Days

There are also several notable National Days in January. They include:

• National Hangover Day: Thursday, Jan. 1

• National Trivia Day: Sunday, Jan. 4

• National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day: Friday, Jan. 9

• National Popcorn Day: Monday, Jan. 19

• National Pie Day: Friday, Jan. 23

Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies and trending news. Connect with her onLinkedIn,X,Instagram, andTikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:January 2026 calendar includes federal holidays and more. See list.

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December 31, 2025

January 2026 calendar includes New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, more

It's the start of a new month and a new year! January 2026 marks new beginnings. But what does the first m...

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Chief Justice John Roberts dodges contentious issues in year-end message to judiciary

WASHINGTON — Chief Justice John Roberts scrupulously avoided touching on contentious issues facing judges at a time of widespread discord within the federal judiciary in his annual end-of-year report Wednesday.

Roberts'seven-page statementfocused mostly on the history of the Declaration of Independence even as judges have faced harsh criticism this year for ruling against Trump administration policies amid a period of rising violent threats.

Addressing his colleagues in the judiciary, Roberts said it is the duty of everyone in government to live up to the ideals of the 1776 declaration that paved the way to American independence and expressed confidence in the sturdiness of the Constitution.

"Those of us in the Third Branch must continue to decide the cases before us according to our oath, doing equal right to the poor and to the rich, and performing all of our duties faithfully and impartially under the Constitution," he wrote.

Roberts, whoearlier in the yearpushed back on President Donald Trump over a call to impeach judges simply for ruling against him, did not directly address that issue or the threats that have prompted some judges tochange their daily lives.

Judges have alsocriticized Robertsand the court as a whole for not doing enough to defend them.

Roberts didaddress threatsand other challenges facing judges in his 2024 report, issued before Trump took office.

In his latest report, Roberts did make some oblique references to topics of particular salience in 2025. He noted, for example the importance of judicial independence, citing the Declaration of Independence's mention of how Great Britain's King George III exercised too much control over the judiciary.

"The Constitution corrected this flaw, granting life-tenure and salary protections to safeguard the independence of federal judges and ensure their ability to serve as a counter-majoritarian check on the political branches," Roberts wrote. "This arrangement, now in place for 236 years, has served the country well."

Roberts also remarked that an early attempt to impeach a Supreme Court justice, Samuel Chase, failed in the Senate because "many senators concluded that disapproval of a judge's decisions provided an invalid basis for removal from office."

The Supreme Court will issue a series of rulings on contentious Trump policies in the coming months, including his sweeping tariffs and his attempt to end automatic birthright citizenship.

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December 31, 2025

Chief Justice John Roberts dodges contentious issues in year-end message to judiciary

WASHINGTON — Chief Justice John Roberts scrupulously avoided touching on contentious issues facing judges at a time of widespread discord ...

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Hello Kitty's Besties! Meet the Sanrio Characters Debuting in 2026 That Fans Will Be Obsessed with (Exclusive)

NEED TO KNOW

• Twelve of Hello Kitty's friends are being introduced in the US for the first time by Sanrio

• The new characters will be available across games and shows in 2026

• Jill Koch, SVP of Brand Management and Marketing at Sanrio Inc., tells PEOPLE about the roll out and what fans can expect

It's time to meet some of Hello Kitty's closest pals!

Sanrio is introducing new characters to the U.S. market in 2026, sharing the first looks at the new lineup with PEOPLE.

The new characters are Cogimyun, a wheat flour fairy; My Sweet Piano, a gentle, sweet-natured girl sheep; Lloromannic, a little devil duo consisting of Berry, a demon boy with big ram horns, and Cherry, his cunning demon girl counterpart; Lovelymocha, best friend of Cinnamoroll; U*SA*HA*NA is a lively, colorful rabbit.

There's also Spottie Dottie, a fashion-forward girl Dalmatian; Wish Me Mell, a sweet rabbit girl; Info: Hanamaruobake, a white ghost; Marumofubiyori, a polar bear cub; the Magical Twin Comets, a pair of twin witch girls, Lili and Lulu; Kirimichan, a piece of sliced salmon; Corocorokuririn, a small hamster boy.

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"Bringing these characters to the North America market brings us great joy because our fans — like our characters - are wonderfully diverse. We're delighted to bring these characters with distinct traits and personalities to our fans, so each person can find a character they truly connect with,"  Jill Koch, SVP of Brand Management and Marketing at Sanrio Inc., tells PEOPLE.

If these characters look familiar, it's because some of them have already been introduced to Japanese audiences. For fans in the US, this will be the first time getting to know the extended gang.

"What's exciting about this group is the range of energy they represent: from soft and comforting personalities like My Sweet Piano and Hanamaruobake, to bold and playful characters like lovelymocha and U*SA*HA*NA , giving fans even more ways to discover a character they connect with," Koch says.

"For example, My Sweet Piano is a gentle, sweet-natured sheep who loves picking flowers and playing the piano, while lovelymocha is an outgoing and talkative puppy who dreams of becoming a bride."

Just like Hello Kitty, these characters have fun facts that help fans form deeper bonds with them.

"All of these characters have unexpected backstories and fun facts that fans will enjoy discovering. It's the little revelations that make each character feel rich and dimensional, and we love seeing how fans connect with the characters' charm points."

And of course, the crew is full of cute characters, which is "absolutely core to Sanrio's DNA."

"What's wonderful about this group is how each character's design embodies 'kawaii' in a unique way: the soft, pastel delicacy of Cogimyun and My Sweet Piano; the bold, colorful energy of U*SA*HA*NA; the fashionable flair of Spottie Dottie; and the playful mischief of Lloromannic. Each aesthetic invites fans to experience a different kind of joy," Koch says.

"But it's always cuteness with purpose and heart. These characters resonate internationally because 'kawaii' goes beyond language and culture - it's an immediate emotional response."

Sanrio fans will have exciting opportunities to interact with these characters across different platforms.

"Fans can currently interact with U*SA*HA*NA in the Hello Kitty Island Adventure digital game, and with Cogimyun in the Wheatflour Wonderland DLC. My Sweet Piano has also become a fan favorite in the My Melody and Kuromi series on Netflix," Koch shares.

"Fans can engage with all these characters across Sanrio's social channels as well. It's been thrilling to see fans connect with the new characters in all these storytelling formats. And in 2026, they'll be popping up in even more places – new content, products, and experiences – bringing their kawaii charm and playful energy to fans everywhere."

Koch is excited to see the brand continue the momentum that began with Hello Kitty's 50th anniversary celebrations this past year.

"It was also a reminder of why she's endured as a cultural icon across generations: she brings people together and will always be a fan favorite. At the same, we've always been about creating characters that resonate with people on a personal level. Each of these characters comes with a distinct personality and backstory, giving fans the opportunity to form their own meaningful connections with them," Koch says.

"By introducing new friends into the Sanrio universe, we're creating space for new stories, new connections, and new best friends for the next generation of fans while continuing to honor the character who started it all."

"Our goal is always to meet fans where they are, bringing these characters into the moments and places that matter most to them. We're excited to continue expanding our current collaborations and have some supercute ones in store for 2026!"

She adds, "These characters have been beloved in Japan for some time, and we're thrilled to now introduce them thoughtfully to American audiences. We can't wait for fans in North America to discover these characters and connect with their stories just like fans around the world have."

Read the original article onPeople

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December 31, 2025

Hello Kitty's Besties! Meet the Sanrio Characters Debuting in 2026 That Fans Will Be Obsessed with (Exclusive)

NEED TO KNOW Twelve of Hello Kitty's friends are being introduced in the US for the first time by Sanrio The new characters will be a...

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Brooks Nader Reveals If She Would Ever Move Back to Louisiana and Return to Her Small Town Roots (Exclusive)

Phillip Faraone/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Brooks Nader shared her thoughts on possibly moving back to Louisiana one day during an exclusive interview with PEOPLE

• The Love Thy Nader star was raised in Maringouin, La., a small town outside of Baton Rouge, and has previously spoken about her humble upbringing there

• She's now accustomed to the fast-paced nature of city life, as she currently splits her time between New York City and Los Angeles

Brooks Naderis reflecting on her Louisiana upbringing — and whether or not she'd ever return to the southern state.

While speaking exclusively to PEOPLE about her new partnership withSamsung SmartThings, theLove Thy Naderstar, 28, opened up about splitting her time between Los Angeles and New York City, and calling both cities home base now.

Despite growing up in Maringouin, La., a small town outside of Baton Rouge, Nader says she's grown accustomed to the fast-paced nature of city life — and she doesn't plan on leaving that behind any time soon.

"I would never move back," the model tells PEOPLE of possibly returning to her home state one day. "I love [Louisiana] so much," she clarifies, "but I would never move back."

Noam Galai/Getty

Nader says she always has reasons to return and visit, including to see her family ("that's first," she notes), and to attend Louisiana State University football games under their new coach Lane Kiffin.

"But no, I would never live there. Once you go to the city, you can never go back — you know what I mean? Once you get a taste of life there, you just can't reverse," she explains.

The reality star'sparents, Breaux Nader and Holland Greene Nader, still call Louisiana home and are longtime LSU Tigers fans. They often brought Brooks and her three sisters —Mary Holland,Grace AnnandSarah Jane— to LSU games when they were younger.

Brooks also shares a place with her sisters in New York City — as documented through season 1 of their reality showLove Thy Nader. As they each make names for themselves in the city through modeling and other ventures, Brooks, the eldest daughter, admits that its unlikely any of the sisters settle back down in their home state.

Holland Greene Nader/Instagram

"I mean, my parents wish that wasn't the case, because they still live in Louisiana," Brooks adds, "but it's just not for us."

In a previous interview with PEOPLE published in August, Brooks and her sisters opened up about the conservative small town they grew up in, andhow their family members who still live in the area might reactto the crazy shenanigans on their new reality show.

XNY/Star Max/GC Images

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"With our family members back home in Louisiana, obviously, they were like, 'Whoa, you're going to be on television, like the real TV?'" Brooks shared at the time. "So I think that they were shocked but not shocked, because it's very us. However, they have no idea what they're about to watch. We watched the first three episodes and we were like…"

"A lot of surprises coming," Mary Holland chimed in, before Sarah Jane admitted, "Already doing some damage control."

Read the original article onPeople

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December 31, 2025

Brooks Nader Reveals If She Would Ever Move Back to Louisiana and Return to Her Small Town Roots (Exclusive)

Phillip Faraone/Getty NEED TO KNOW Brooks Nader shared her thoughts on possibly moving back to Louisiana one day during an exclusive int...

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Photos show the ancient art of Peking opera works hard to keep flourishing in the digital age

In a breakneck digital era, the ancient art ofPeking operaworks hard to keep flourishing.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

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December 31, 2025

Photos show the ancient art of Peking opera works hard to keep flourishing in the digital age

In a breakneck digital era, the ancient art ofPeking operaworks hard to keep flourishing. This is a ...

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Japan business lobby chiefs urge government to tackle weak yen, media reports

TOKYO, Jan 1 (Reuters) - Two major Japanese business lobbying groups called on the ​government to address the yen's weakness, which ‌is inflating import costs and weighing on households and ‌businesses, their chiefs told domestic media in separate interviews.

Yoshinobu Tsutsui, head of Japan's biggest business lobby Keidanren, said in a group interview with ⁠multiple domestic ‌media that the weak yen tends to be highlighted for its benefits, ‍such as boosting profits for exporters.

But from the perspective of national strength, "it would be better in the ​long run to adjust toward a stronger ‌yen," he said, according to the media reports.

In a separate interview with domestic media, Ken Kobayashi, chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that the cost ⁠of procuring raw materials for ​small and medium-sized firms ​is increasing due to the weak yen.

As the weak yen has been a ‍major factor ⁠behind inflation, the government and the Bank of Japan "need to eliminate the sense of ⁠helplessness among small business owners that import materials from ‌overseas," he said.

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki: ‌Editing by Neil Fullick)

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December 31, 2025

Japan business lobby chiefs urge government to tackle weak yen, media reports

TOKYO, Jan 1 (Reuters) - Two major Japanese business lobbying groups called on the ​government to address the yen's ...

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