Citing organizers’ decision to admit Israel, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands declared Thursday they will not take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. #CNN #News

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said leaving a briefing with top US military officials that what he learned about September’s double-tap strike in the Caribbean was “one of the most troubling things” he’s seen as a congressman. Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut told reporters that Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley defended the decisions taken during the September strike. CNN’s Brianna Keilar speaks with Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) to get his reaction. #CNN #News

The CNN Creators have had a busy week meeting Anna Wintour, Arsène Wenger and Formula 1 drivers in the Qatar Grand Prix paddock. They also discuss the controversy surrounding the announcement of the Bezos' as lead sponsors of Met Gala 2026 as well as the rise of water sommeliers and menus at a handful of luxury restaurants. #CNN #News

CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten breaks down public sentiment on the US labor market as President Donald Trump’s first year back in office nears an end. #CNN #News

The FBI arrested a man from Woodbridge, Virginia, on Thursday who investigators believe planted pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters the night before the 2021 US Capitol riot, according to two law enforcement sources. Multiple law enforcement officials have identified the man as Brian Cole Jr. CNN has observed local and federal law enforcement outside his known residence in the Washington, DC, suburb. #CNN #News

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would seize Ukraine’s Donbas region “by military or other means,” digging in on one of his key demands as Ukrainian officials prepare for more peace talks that have yet to yield a deal. Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday where he will be hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, two days after a meeting at the Kremlin with a US delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff. #CNN #News

The family of a Colombian man believed to have been killed in a US strike in the Caribbean has filed what’s believed to be the first complaint against such attacks with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). The petition, filed by US human rights attorney Dan Kovalik, alleges that Colombian fisherman Alejandro Carranza was killed when the US struck his boat off the coast of Colombia on September 15. #CNN #News

The FBI arrested a man on Thursday who investigators believe planted pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters the night before the 2021 US Capitol riot, according to two law enforcement sources. The arrest follows an almost five-year investigation to uncover the identity of the bomber who has only been seen in grainy surveillance video shrouded in a hoodie, gloves and a face mask. CNN's Evan Perez reports. #CNN #News

As lawmakers demand answers over reports that the US military carried out a follow-up strike that killed survivors during an attacked on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean, a career Navy SEAL who has spent most of his 30 years of military experience in special operations will be responsible for providing them. Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley, who now leads US Special Operations Command, heads to Capitol Hill to brief members of Congress on what happened as part of that September 2 strike as well as the way the military is carrying out its campaign that has destroyed more than 20 boats and killed 83. #CNN #News

Audie talks with CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan about how people are reshaping their spiritual lives -- from Wicca to aliens -- and searching for new sources of meaning. Donie is exploring all of this in a new docu-series called “Devoted.” It’s available on CNN All Access.

Listen to the full episode of CNN's The Assignment podcast: http://swap.fm/l/tawacyt120425

#cnn #news #spirituality #religion #aliens #wicca #witches #audiecornish #cnnallaccess