Lonnie Bunch, the first African American secretary of the Smithsonian, announced his retirement effective at the year’s end amid escalating criticism from the Trump administration. Bunch, who has served the institution for 38 years, cited a desire for personal relief rather than political tensions as the reason for his departure.

The 9/11 terror attacks, planned from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan 25 years ago, highlight a significant shift as the country is again under Taliban rule, where fighters are now armed with American weapons and using American vehicles, according to CBS News’ Imtiaz Tyab reporting from Kabul.

Jared Kushner, President Trump’s special envoy, attributed stalled rehabilitation efforts in Gaza to Israel’s impending elections, which he described as causing irrationality. U.S. initiatives to disarm Hamas and support reconstruction are hampered by Israel’s lack of commitments for security measures and material access, according to a U.S. official.

Democratic Representative Jason Crow stated that Congress has not been informed about an alleged leak investigation led by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Crow expressed concerns about the lack of communication regarding the probe into sensitive weapons stockpile information, which has reportedly involved polygraph testing for senior military personnel.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a significant victory in the Saxony-Anhalt regional election, securing 43.8% of the vote but falling three seats short of a majority with 39 lawmakers. The Christian Democratic Union, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saw its support plummet to 17.2%.

An armed assailant attacked Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton during a campaign event at the Canfield Fair, injuring several individuals. The suspect was apprehended with multiple weapons. Acton was unharmed and expressed gratitude for law enforcement’s swift response, emphasising the need for safety in political engagements.