Pop culture in 2025: A ring for Taylor, an ill-timed KissCam … and whatever ‘6-7’ means
From the inexplicable to the familiar, here’s our annual, highly selective journey down pop culture memory lane.
News
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says progress in US-led peace talks is ‘quite solid’
Initial drafts of U.S. proposals for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia meet many of Kyiv’s demands, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday, although he suggested that neither side in the almost four-year war is likely to get everything it wants in talks on reaching a settlement.
Hundreds mourn Brown University sophomore Ella Cook, killed in campus shooting
A Brown University sophomore who was killed in an attack at the Rhode Island university was remembered Monday as “smart, confident, curious, kind, principled, brave,” at a funeral in her home state of Alabama.
Los Angeles Angels settles lawsuit with family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs over fatal overdose
The Los Angeles Angels reached a confidential settlement Friday in a lawsuit over the drug overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.
Judge nixes conviction of one of two men found guilty of killing Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay
A judge Friday voided the conviction of one of the two men found guilty of the 2002 killing of Run-D.M.C. star Jam Master Jay, ruling that there wasn’t enough evidence that the man had a motive to kill the hip-hop luminary.
Justice Department begins releasing long-awaited files tied to Epstein sex trafficking investigation
The Justice Department on Friday began releasing its files on Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender and wealthy financier known for his connections to some of the world’s most influential people, including Donald Trump, who as president had tried to keep the files sealed.
LeBron James cites ‘Luka magic’ as Doncic has 45-point triple-double
LeBron James was in awe of “Luka magic” after Luka Doncic had 45 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in his fifth triple-double of the season in a 143-135 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.
Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt welcome their ‘perfect angel girl’
Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt have announced the birth of their “perfect angel girl.” They took to Instagram on Thursday to herald the Dec. 12 birth of Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson, accompanied by several photos of the couple cradling and caring for their newborn.
Spread of famine in Gaza Strip averted but Palestinians there still face starvation, experts say
The spread of famine has been averted in the Gaza Strip, but the situation remains critical with the entire Palestinian territory still facing starvation, the world’s leading authority on food crises said Friday.
Seahawks overcome 16-point deficit to stun Rams 38-37 in OT in NFC West showdown
Mike Macdonald was in no mood to play for a tie, and the Los Angeles Rams’ defense had no interest in letting Sam Darnold connect with any of his top receiving options.
Democrats keep 2024 election review under wraps, saying a public rehash won’t help them win in 2026
The Democratic National Committee head has decided not to publish a formal assessment of the party’s defeat that returned Donald Trump to power and gave Republicans complete control in Washington.
Romanian court sentences US rapper Wiz Khalifa to 9 months for drug possession
American rapper Wiz Khalifa was sentenced by a court in Romania on Thursday to nine months in jail for drug possession, more than a year after he took part in a music festival in the Eastern European country.