Donald Trump’s influence over the incoming Republican-controlled US Senate is facing an early test this Wednesday as a longtime ally of the president-elect, Senator Rick Scott of Florida, throws his hat into the ring for a high-stakes leadership battle. Scott is attempting to replace the outgoing Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, and he’s up against some formidable party heavyweights—John Thune of South Dakota and John Cornyn of Texas. These two have long been at the helm of the Senate Republican establishment, making Scott’s bid one of the most exciting and contentious races in Washington right now.

Let’s dive into the latest buzz surrounding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship, which has definitely caught the public's attention in recent weeks. For those of you who follow football—or even if you don’t—Taylor’s recent appearances at two consecutive Kansas City Chiefs games have had everyone talking. This is the first time we’ve really seen Taylor show up at these games in this way, and it’s led to plenty of speculation about how things are heating up between her and Travis. So, what’s really going on behind the scenes? Here's what we know so far.

J.K. Simmons, the seasoned actor best known for his iconic role as the strict music teacher in Whiplash and now playing Santa Claus in the Christmas film Red One, opened up about his long and successful marriage to his wife, Michelle Schumacher, at the premiere of his new movie in New York City on November 11. The couple has been together for over 28 years, and the actor shared some heartwarming insights into what makes their relationship work.

The much-loved trio from The Good Place reunited in an emotional display of support and camaraderie at the premiere of Ted Danson’s new Netflix series, A Man on the Inside, on November 10. Although The Good Place may have wrapped up its run in 2020, it’s clear that the cast’s friendship is alive and well. Kristen Bell and D’Arcy Carden made a heartfelt appearance at the event, both embracing Danson, who was visibly moved by their support.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are making waves in the NBA this season, with an impressive start that has fans and analysts buzzing. On Monday night, the Cavs extended their winning streak to 12 games, overcoming the Chicago Bulls in a thrilling 119-113 matchup. This win etched Cleveland into the NBA history books as just the eighth team to kick off a season with a flawless 12-0 record. The last team to achieve such an incredible start was the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who famously opened their season with a 24-0 run, ending with a historic 73-9 record.

Matvei Michkov made a triumphant return to the Philadelphia Flyers lineup after sitting out two games as a healthy scratch, making it clear he was back with a mission. His return to action on Monday night against the San Jose Sharks was nothing short of electrifying. Michkov not only scored his fourth multipoint game but also had an unforgettable second-period goal that put his skills on full display. However, his emotions got the best of him late in regulation, as he ended up taking a roughing penalty after an altercation with Macklin Celebrini, who appeared to knock Michkov’s stick out of his hands.

After one of his most memorable games, a career-high 45-point, 9-assist, and 5-steal performance, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remained surprisingly nonchalant. Despite leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 134-126 victory over the LA Clippers, Gilgeous-Alexander shrugged off his stats, brushing aside any notion that it was an exceptional night. For him, it was “just another basketball game.” Sure, it was his 14th career 40-point game, but he saw room for improvement, recalling some missed opportunities. This casual confidence is precisely what makes Gilgeous-Alexander one of the most intriguing rising stars in the NBA today.

In an unforgettable showdown, the Eagles finally broke their Dallas Cowboys curse at AT&T Stadium, pulling off a monumental 34-6 win—their first in Dallas since 2017! With this win, the Eagles now hold a solid 7-2 record and proudly stand atop the NFC East. Both the offense and defense delivered a show for the ages, leaving fans energized and hopeful for a strong postseason run.

The buzz surrounding Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch is undeniable as he's recognized as one of the finalists for the prestigious 2024 American League Manager of the Year Award. Nominated by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA), Hinch stands alongside two other contenders, Cleveland Guardians’ Stephen Vogt and Kansas City Royals’ Matt Quatraro. All three managers hail from the American League Central, making it a highly competitive field this year. The Tigers, under Hinch's leadership, finished the season with an impressive 86-76 record, claiming third place in the division. Even more remarkable? Detroit’s win count jumped by eight games from the prior season—a testament to the growth and perseverance the team has shown.

The Phoenix Suns found themselves in a tight spot in their recent matchup with the Sacramento Kings. The game was already intense, but things took a twist in the second half when Jusuf Nurkic, one of their main big men, had to sit out due to a sore right ankle. Without Nurkic’s defensive presence, the Suns faced a tough challenge going up against All-NBA big man Domantas Sabonis, who put up an impressive 20 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. However, in the absence of Nurkic, Mason Plumlee, a 12-year veteran, stepped up and played one of his best games in his first season with the Suns, putting his all on the court in an effort to close the gap.

Maryland’s men’s basketball team is off to a strong start this season, with fans eagerly watching how their early tune-ups will set the stage for tougher matchups. While Maryland breezed past its first three opponents with commanding victories, the real test looms Friday, when they face a formidable Marquette squad at Xfinity Center. This game has serious implications, as Marquette, currently 2-0, isn’t just any team—they’re the same Golden Eagles who made waves last season by reaching the Big East Tournament final against UConn and progressing to the Sweet Sixteen as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament before North Carolina State pulled off an upset. For Maryland, it’s a chance to see if the groundwork laid in these initial games can withstand a true challenge.

Japan's political landscape took an unexpected turn on Monday when Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was reelected after his governing coalition endured a major setback in the recent general election. This outcome forced Ishiba to reshuffle his Cabinet for the second time in just over a month. His party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), along with its junior coalition partner Komeito, saw a significant loss, losing their majority in Japan's 465-seat Lower House, the more powerful chamber of the nation's two-house parliament. This marked the worst election defeat for the ruling party in over a decade. The loss came in the wake of mounting public frustration with financial scandals and the party’s tepid response to those issues.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is standing firm on her decision to pursue a criminal case against allies of Donald Trump, who attempted to overturn the 2020 election results in her state. Even with Trump recently winning a re-election bid for president, Mayes made it clear during an interview with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi that she has no plans to let up on the case or back down from holding those involved accountable.