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Column: ‘Brain rot’ an appropriate choice for word of the year
None'SNL' Weekend Update covers CEO assassin and Hunter Biden's pardonMANKATO, Minn. — City and police officials attempted to reassure members of the Muslim community of Mankato recently after concerns about a suspected arson at a mosque. “Every single Mankatoan has value and should feel safe,” said Jeremy Clifton, Mankato’s recently appointed director of public safety, before a gathering of about 40 attendees at the Islamic Center of Mankato on Friday. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest news, sports, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
Daniel Jones is free to sign with any NFL team after clearing waivers on Monday, which also means the team that signs the former New York Giants quarterback won't be on the hook for the nearly $12 million that was remaining on his contract this year or his $23 million injury guarantee. Jones was released at his request by the Giants on Saturday after the former first-round pick was benched last week. He reportedly wants to join a contender, and there are expected to be multiple teams interested. The two teams reported to have the most initial interest in Jones are also being offered as the most likely to sign him by one sportsbook. The Baltimore Ravens currently have journeyman backup Josh Johnson behind starting quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jones would potentially provide a third option, and one whose mobility could make him an intriguing fit in offensive coordinator Todd Monken's system The Ravens were installed as the 2/1 favorites to land Jones ahead of the Minnesota Vikings (5/2), who have veterans Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien behind starter Sam Darnold. They would likely view Jones as an upgrade. "I really can't get into too much about any short-term or long-term," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday when asked about Jones, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. "I can just say that I've been a big fan of Daniel's for a long time and I hope wherever his next step takes him, it's a good opportunity for him." The Las Vegas Raiders (5/1) don't fall into the category of contenders after falling to 2-9 amid a seven-game losing streak. However, they could provide the most immediate opportunity to play with Gardner Minshew suffering a season-ending broken collarbone on Sunday that is expected to end his season. Second-year quarterback Aidan O'Connell is close to returning from a thumb injury, but coach Antonio Pierce acknowledged after Sunday's game that, "We're going to need somebody, right?" If O'Connell isn't ready to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Black Friday, Desmond Ridder is expected to get the start. The Dallas Cowboys (7/1) would fall into a similar category, with Dak Prescott out for the season following hamstring surgery and being replaced by Cooper Rush. Another intriguing possibility lies with Detroit, where the 10-1 Lions' offense is rolling with Jared Goff at the helm. However, should he go down to injury the only other quarterback on the roster is rookie Hendon Hooker. That has contributed to the Lions having 7/1 odds to sign Jones. DANIEL JONES NEXT TEAM ODDS* Baltimore Ravens (2/1) Minnesota Vikings (5/2) Las Vegas Raiders (5/1) Dallas Cowboys (7/1) Detroit Lions (7/1) Miami Dolphins (7/1) San Francisco 49ers (8/1) Carolina Panthers (10/1) Seattle Seahawks (16/1) Indianapolis Colts (20/1) New England Patriots (25/1) New Orleans Saints (25/1) New York Jets (25/1) Tennessee Titans (25/1) Atlanta Falcons (28/1) Arizona Cardinals (33/1) Chicago Bears (33/1) Cleveland Browns (33/1) Denver Broncos (33/1) Jacksonville Jaguars (40/1) Los Angeles Chargers (50/1) Los Angeles Rams (50/1) Pittsburgh Steelers (50/1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (50/1) Washington Commanders (50/1) Cincinnati Bengals (66/1) Green Bay Packers (66/1) Houston Texans (66/1) Philadelphia Eagles (66/1) Buffalo Bills (75/1) Kansas City Chiefs (75/1) Any CFL Team (80/1) Any XFL Team (80/1) *Odds provided by SportsBetting.ag are for entertainment purposes only. --Field Level MediaThe Oxford University Press has named “brain rot” as the Oxford Word of the Year 2024. As I’m sure many of us can relate, “brain rot” is a term related to consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media. The actual definition is “the supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging.” It’s a word – not technically a word, actually two words – first used by author Henry David Thoreau in 1854 in his book Walden . Brain rot speaks to both the addictive and irresistible popularity of social media, as well as what it does to our cognitive abilities. It can also refer to the content itself. “It demonstrates a somewhat cheeky self-awareness in the younger generations about the harmful impact of the social media that they’ve inherited,” Casper Grathwohl, president, Oxford Languages, said in a news release. Last year’s winning word was “rizz,” which means romantic appeal or charm, and is an online evolution of the word charisma. If you hadn’t noticed yet, clearly the internet is taking over our lives. This year, there were six contenders for word of the year including demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy, and lore. Demure was also related to social media because it was part of a sarcastic online trend where women would say “very mindful, very demure,” in situations that were not really so. Slop — a word I had never heard in this context — also relates to technology. Oxford University Press defines it as “art, writing, or other content generated using artificial intelligence, shared and distributed online in an indiscriminate or intrusive way, and characterized as being of low quality, inauthentic, or inaccurate.” Oh boy, there’s a lot of slop out there. I think we’ve all recently seen the effects of dynamic pricing, the fourth-word candidate for this year, with this weekend’s Taylor Swift concerts and their effect on hotel and Airbnb accommodations, and Uber and Lyft ride-sharing. Dynamic pricing is when the pricing changes, very quickly, based on demand, something that only became possible with the rise of the internet. The fifth contender was lore – the background information necessary to understand someone or something. As a journalist, I’m a big fan of lore, specifically trying to keep it truthful and accurate. The final word is romantasy, which is a book genre combining romance and fantasy, also a word that arose out of BookTok, a subspace of TikTok, another social media application. All these words reflect a growing trend of words emerging first on social media and then being used offline, in real life. Social media shows no signs of fading from our daily life. On the contrary, a survey conducted by Leger DGTL , a digital agency that combines research and marketing, found that 63 per cent of Canadians use Facebook at least once a day. Among people with a Facebook account between the ages of 16 and 24, the prime use of Facebook is to search for people or accounts, for people between the ages of 25 and 44, the prime use is to buy or to sell something and for those older than 45, the prime use is to interact with people and content. That’s just Facebook, an older social media, that isn’t super popular among young people. For people aged 16 to 24, Instagram is the one platform they would keep if they could only keep one, the survey found. Other interesting tidbits: people use TikTok to learn things, like cooking or repairs, while YouTube is used both for simple entertainment and for learning how to do things. The survey was conducted among 4,004 respondents, online – of course – among the general population between Aug. 5 and 17, 2024. Meanwhile, Australia has banned social media use for anyone under the age of 16, in a bid to increase online safety. Personally, I think that like everything else, it’s all about balance. Managing a healthy use of social media means setting boundaries for yourself and others in terms of your use and how much of your life you want to share. There have been noted tragic examples of the ruin the internet can bring, such as the story of Amanda Todd , a teenage girl who took her own life after being sexually extorted online. In addition, social media companies are owned by billionaires or foreign countries – we need to be careful about the information we share with them and how much control we give them over our lives. Over this coming holiday, I’m going to try to limit social media and the associated brain rot, in favour of spending time talking and laughing with family, playing games, eating delicious foods and getting as cozy as possible. Let’s see what happens. Tracy Sherlock is a freelance journalist who writes about education and social issues. Read her blog or email her [email protected] . Got an opinion on this story or any others in Richmond? Send us a letter or email your thoughts or story tips to [email protected] . To stay updated on Richmond news, sign up for our daily headline newsletter . Words missing in article? Your adblocker might be preventing hyperlinked text from appearing.
Level Transmitters Market Report 2024: Global Industry Trends, Market Challenges, Size Overview, Growth Strategies, and Opportunity Forecast to 2031The bright lights of the Angela Triplex Theatre’s marquee are shining again in Coaldale, where the business has reopened as Schuylkill County’s only full-time movie theater and also is being transformed into a family entertainment complex. One of the movie screens started back up last weekend, as did a virtual reality games arena in the building, and the new owner is also planning to host live entertainment and open a drone soccer court this spring. The Angela had been closed since the COVID 19 pandemic began in 2020, and the building needed major work, including a roof replacement. Deb Danchak of Coaldale, who with her husband Michael had bought the shuttered theater in 1993 and transformed it into a three-screen venue showing first-run movies, decided to sell after the pandemic. That was in part because Michael passed away in 2017 and because such serious repairs were needed. So this year the building was purchased by Raj Narayanasamy, an information technology consultant from Princeton, New Jersey, who said he’s committed to the Angela for the long-term and has already replaced the roof. The Danchak family remains involved, with son Michael Jr. now a partner and helping with the ongoing renovations. The Danchaks and Narayanasamy share a similar vision for the business — they are excited to bring back the historic theater while also creating a family fun center with varying types of entertainment. “We’re reimagining it, mixing movies, live entertainment and gaming. We’re exploring all of the possibilities,” Narayanasamy said. “He has big ambitions,” Danchak said of Narayanasamy, “and we’re taking his ideas and making them work.” This weekend “Mufasa: The Lion King” is playing in theatre one, which has 70 seats and is the first of the three theatres to reopen. The spacious theater two, which previously seated 244 people and which includes a stage, will open in the spring with slightly less seating but set up in a way that it too can show first-run movies and also host live entertainment such as comedy events, open-mic nights, bands, and possibly dinner theater, Michael Jr. said. Theater three is also expected to open in the spring after undergoing an even more drastic change into a venue for drone soccer, a sport that was invented several years ago in South Korea. Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Robert S. Carl, Jr. thinks the multi-dimensional use of the building will increase the business’s odds to succeed and draw all ages of customers. “The more diversity, the better,” he said. And while most independent small-town movie theaters have been replaced by movie complexes operated by major chains, the Angela will have a nostalgic appeal that many should enjoy, he said. When the chamber is trying to attract businesses or workers to the county, quality of life is near the top of the list for many as they’re considering where to locate, and the Angela should help with that, he said. It will be a great amenity for Coaldale and for Schuylkill as a whole since the county currently doesn’t have anything like it, Carl said.-“They’re really creating something unique here,” he said. “I admire the new owner’s vision and fortitude in bringing back a great place for all of Schuylkill County. I think it’s awesome.” The movie theater is open Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays, with ticket prices at $10 for adults and $6 for students. It was important, said Michael Jr., to retain the history of the Angela, which originally was opened by Peter Magazzu at its current location on E. Phillips Street after his Ritz Theatre on Second Street in Coaldale burned down. But while the old lighted glass blocks in the marquee are still in place and the owner is looking into restoring the neon lights in the sign, there are more modern upgrades, too, with the new theater seats being more comfortable and having more leg room than the previous ones, he said. The concession counter was doubled in size to accommodate a new, larger popcorn machine, and the plan is for it to soon sell locally popular A-Treat soda flavors. The virtual reality arena, which is named Angela VR, charges $10 per person for a 30-minute session. Each participant wears a vest and headset to enter a virtual world where they play games such as laser tag and archery, or dance. They can come by themselves or with friends, and each of the two arenas can hold up to eight people at a time. In drone soccer, which is also known as quadcopter soccer, games are played by two teams of at least three players. Each player controls a drone that has been fitted with a protective anti-collision cage, and each team has a goal that they need to defend. The goal of the game is to have a drone fly towards and through the goal defended by the opposite team. Each team has a designated striker whose task is to fly through the goal and score. The other two members will have to defend their goal. The U.S. Drone Soccer association has described the sport as “like Quidditch” from the Harry Potter universe, but played with drones. Narayanasamy believes the sport will grow in mainstream popularity, and Michael Jr. does not know of anywhere else in the region where it can be played. Therefore, they said, the Angela should draw players from in and out of the county. “There is a big demand now for aerospace activities,” Michael Jr. said. The new version of the Angela is one that the Danchaks and Narayanasamy are devoted to, Michael Jr. said, and one that he knows his late father would appreciate. Even before his father brought the theater back to life 30 years ago, he had worked there as an usher and later a projectionist, so he knew how vital the Angela was to the town, Michael Jr. said. “My dad put his blood, sweat and tears into this place to bring it back 30 years ago,” Michael Jr. said, “and we think it’s important that legacy continue.”All-star Scottie Barnes returns to Raptors lineup vs. Timberwolves
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Football Fans Blaming Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy For Bryce Underwood, NIL DramaMatt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz is not coming back to Congress. The Florida Republican said Friday he has no intention of serving another term in the House now that he is no longer President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general. Gaetz withdrew as the nominee this week amid growing fallout from the allegations of sexual conduct against him. Gaetz denies the allegations. Gaetz didn't lay out his plans now that he's out of office, saying only, “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch." After Gaetz's withdrawal on Thursday, Trump named former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department. Vance takes on a more visible transition role as he works to boost Trump's most controversial picks WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role. He's been helping Donald Trump’s most contentious Cabinet picks try to win confirmation in the Senate, where he has served for the last two years. Vance spent part of Wednesday at the Capitol with Rep. Matt Gaetz sitting in on meetings with Trump’s controversial choice for attorney general. On Thursday, Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings over the coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad Donald Trump’s lock on the white evangelical vote is legendary, but he didn't focus exclusively on large religious voter blocs. He and his allies also wooed smaller religious groups, away from the mainstream. He posted a tribute to Coptic church members on social media and met with members of Assyrians for Trump — two smaller Christian communities with Middle Eastern roots. He visited the grave of the revered late leader of an Orthodox Jewish movement. His allies sought votes from the separatist Amish community. While Trump won decisively, the outreaches reflected aggressive campaigning in what was expected to be a tight race. NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russia's attack with new hypersonic missile KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with a hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war. Ukraine's parliament canceled a session Friday over the security threat. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech Thursday that the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Putin said Russia is launching production of the Oreshnik, saying it's so powerful that several of them fitted with conventional warheads could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Texas education board approves optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas’ education board has voted to allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools. The approval Friday follows other Republican-led states that have pushed this year to give religion a larger presence in public classrooms. The curriculum adopted by the Texas State Board of Education is optional for schools to adopt, but they’ll receive additional funding if they do so. Parents and teachers who opposed the curriculum say the lessons will alienate students of other faith backgrounds. Supporters argue the Bible is a core feature of American history and that teaching it will enrich learning. 2 men convicted of charges related to human smuggling after scheme led to an Indian family’s death FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) — A prosecution spokesperson says a jury has convicted two men of charges related to human smuggling for their roles in an international operation that led to the deaths of a family of Indian migrants who froze while trying to cross the Canada-U.S. border during a 2022 blizzard. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Shand each faced four charges related to human smuggling before being convicted Friday. Patel is an Indian national. Shand is an American from Florida. They were arrested after the family froze while trying to cross the desolate border during a 2022 blizzard. Northern California gets record rain and heavy snow. Many have been in the dark for days in Seattle FORESTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A major storm with heavy snow and record rain that's moving through Northern California has toppled trees, closed roads and prompted evacuations in some areas after knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people in Washington and Oregon. Forecasters warn that the risk of flash flooding and rockslides will continue through Friday. The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch for areas north of San Francisco as a plume of moisture known as an atmospheric river inundates Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Up to 16 inches of rain is forecast in Northern California and southwestern Oregon. The storm system unleashed winds earlier this week that left two people dead and hundreds of thousands without power in Washington. Archaeologists discover 4,000-year-old canals used to fish by predecessors of ancient Maya WASHINGTON (AP) — Using drones and Google Earth imagery, archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old network of earthen canals in what’s now Belize. The research published Friday in Science Advances shows that long before the ancient Maya built temples, their predecessors were already altering the landscape of Central America’s Yucatan peninsula. The ancient fish canals were used to channel and catch freshwater species such as catfish. These structures were used for around 1,000 years — including during the “formative” period when the Maya began to settle in permanent farming villages and a distinctive culture started to emerge. California case is the first confirmed bird flu infection in a US child Health officials are confirming bird flu in a California child — the first reported case in a U.S. minor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced confirmatory test results on Friday. Officials say the child had mild symptoms, was treated with antiviral medication and is recovering. The child’s infection brings the reported number of U.S. bird flu cases this year to 55, including 29 in California. State officials have said the child lives in Alameda County, which includes Oakland, and attends day care, but released no other details. Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8.Today, December 22, 2024, we celebrate the birthday of a remarkable talent, PRAIZ D, born Praise Davis Akpan. From his humble beginnings to becoming a global Afrobeat sensation, PRAIZ D has carved an indelible mark on the Nigerian and international music scenes. A Journey Rooted in Passion Born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, PRAIZ D traces his roots to Ete-Ben, Oruk Anam Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State. He attended Okrika Grammar School and began studying Theatre Arts at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic. However, his passion for music saw him leave formal education in 2017 to pursue a career in music full-time. PRAIZ D’s musical journey began at the tender age of 10 as a choir member in a Catholic church. This early exposure to music laid the foundation for a career defined by dedication and talent. His move to Lagos in 2019 was pivotal, as it led to the release of his breakout single, Hustlers Anthem, catapulting him into the limelight. Musical Achievements In 2022, PRAIZ D released his debut album, Black World, featuring hit tracks like If E No Dey, Jaiye, and Gimme Love, which included a collaboration with American rapper Yung OG. This was followed by his first EP, Depressed, in 2024, showcasing a different, introspective side to his artistry with tracks like Pain and My Fada. Known for his Afrobeat and Dancehall sound, PRAIZ D’s influences include legends such as Fela Kuti and Burna Boy. His music effortlessly blends traditional African rhythms with modern beats, creating a sound that resonates across generations. Entrepreneurial Ventures Beyond music, PRAIZ D is a visionary entrepreneur. In 2023, he launched OTY Empire, focusing on music production and artist management. His technological pursuits also led to the establishment of Bluetickgeng Development, a tech company specializing in app development and innovation, further cementing his legacy as a forward-thinking creative. Upcoming Album Fans are eagerly anticipating PRAIZ D’s forthcoming album, #OMOTHISYEAR, set for release in 2025. The project promises to redefine Afrobeat and solidify his status as a music icon. A Life of Inspiration Reflecting on his journey, PRAIZ D often shares his mother’s advice: “My son, don’t rush; everything will definitely happen at the right time.” This philosophy has guided his steady rise to success, inspiring his fans and peers alike. A Legacy in the Making As we celebrate PRAIZ D’s birthday today, we honor his contributions to music, technology, and youth empowerment. His journey from a young choir boy to a global Afrobeat star serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Happy Birthday, PRAIZ D! The world awaits more greatness from you.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has called for a review of laws to prevent the targeting of places of worship following the heinous firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. The firebombing of the Melbourne synagogue led to former treasurer Josh Frydenberg demanding Prime Minister Anthony Albanese take action on rampant antisemitism in the country by declaring the attack on Friday a terrorist event. Mr Minns has affirmed the Melbourne synagogue attack as “an act of terrorism”. On Wednesday, at least 70 pro-Palestinian activists gathered outside Sydney's Great Synagogue calling for sanctions against Israel, while members of the Jewish community were locked inside. The NSW Premier’s intention to look at law reforms to protect places of worship is in its early stages after he asked state Attorney-General Michael Daley to consider options. Mr Minns said he was “horrified” by the attack at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, as well as the “recent sight of protests” outside the Grand Synagogue in Sydney. “I’ve asked the Attorney-General and the cabinet office to look at ways we can better protect places of worship from protests and provide reform options to the government,” he said. “Being heckled on the way in to observe your faith is not consistent with the principles of a multicultural, multifaith community where all are protected by law from someone stopping them from prayer. “It is the bedrock of our multicultural state. People have the right to feel safe in their own city, in their own churches, mosques, synagogues and other places of worship.” The potential laws would regulate protesting outside of religious institutions which seeks to intimidate worshippers. The Premier said “holding the line” was no longer feasible and the government needed to make sure the freedom of religion was “protected”. Mr Minns’ strong stance on antisemitism has been praised by the Jewish community, with The Australian revealing on Monday that Rabbi Benjamin Elton, a chief minister at Sydney’s Great Synagogue, called the NSW Premier “extraordinarily strong” on the issue. Last month, Mr Minns admitted he was concerned about further anti-Israel incidents against Sydney's Jewish community leading up to Christmas after two assailants targeted residents in Woollahra, in the city's eastern suburbs, defacing almost a dozen cars and homes with “f*k Israel". The Premier visited Emanuel Synagogue in Woollahra, spoke with Jewish leaders and insisted no one should be attacked based on their religion or race or feel harassed or intimidated in their home. "I know that members of the Jewish community since the horrifying terrorist attacks on October 7 have felt unsafe in their own town and I’m deeply sorry for that," he said. Mr Minns appeared angry as he stressed police and the NSW government would "throw the book" at anyone who made antisemitic acts of violence against the public. "We are taking these violent criminal acts very seriously. They are motivated by hate, they are hateful acts on members of our community and this police force is working incredibly hard to track down those who have committed this horrifying act," he said.Daniel Jones Next Team Odds: Contenders jockeying for QB?Matt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz is not coming back to Congress. The Florida Republican said Friday he has no intention of serving another term in the House now that he is no longer President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general. Gaetz withdrew as the nominee this week amid growing fallout from the allegations of sexual conduct against him. Gaetz denies the allegations. Gaetz didn't lay out his plans now that he's out of office, saying only, “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch." After Gaetz's withdrawal on Thursday, Trump named former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department. Vance takes on a more visible transition role as he works to boost Trump's most controversial picks WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role. He's been helping Donald Trump’s most contentious Cabinet picks try to win confirmation in the Senate, where he has served for the last two years. Vance spent part of Wednesday at the Capitol with Rep. Matt Gaetz sitting in on meetings with Trump’s controversial choice for attorney general. On Thursday, Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings over the coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad Donald Trump’s lock on the white evangelical vote is legendary, but he didn't focus exclusively on large religious voter blocs. He and his allies also wooed smaller religious groups, away from the mainstream. He posted a tribute to Coptic church members on social media and met with members of Assyrians for Trump — two smaller Christian communities with Middle Eastern roots. He visited the grave of the revered late leader of an Orthodox Jewish movement. His allies sought votes from the separatist Amish community. While Trump won decisively, the outreaches reflected aggressive campaigning in what was expected to be a tight race. NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russia's attack with new hypersonic missile KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with a hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war. Ukraine's parliament canceled a session Friday over the security threat. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech Thursday that the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Putin said Russia is launching production of the Oreshnik, saying it's so powerful that several of them fitted with conventional warheads could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Texas education board approves optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas’ education board has voted to allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools. The approval Friday follows other Republican-led states that have pushed this year to give religion a larger presence in public classrooms. The curriculum adopted by the Texas State Board of Education is optional for schools to adopt, but they’ll receive additional funding if they do so. Parents and teachers who opposed the curriculum say the lessons will alienate students of other faith backgrounds. Supporters argue the Bible is a core feature of American history and that teaching it will enrich learning. 2 men convicted of charges related to human smuggling after scheme led to an Indian family’s death FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) — A prosecution spokesperson says a jury has convicted two men of charges related to human smuggling for their roles in an international operation that led to the deaths of a family of Indian migrants who froze while trying to cross the Canada-U.S. border during a 2022 blizzard. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Shand each faced four charges related to human smuggling before being convicted Friday. Patel is an Indian national. Shand is an American from Florida. They were arrested after the family froze while trying to cross the desolate border during a 2022 blizzard. Northern California gets record rain and heavy snow. Many have been in the dark for days in Seattle FORESTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A major storm with heavy snow and record rain that's moving through Northern California has toppled trees, closed roads and prompted evacuations in some areas after knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people in Washington and Oregon. Forecasters warn that the risk of flash flooding and rockslides will continue through Friday. The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch for areas north of San Francisco as a plume of moisture known as an atmospheric river inundates Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Up to 16 inches of rain is forecast in Northern California and southwestern Oregon. The storm system unleashed winds earlier this week that left two people dead and hundreds of thousands without power in Washington. Archaeologists discover 4,000-year-old canals used to fish by predecessors of ancient Maya WASHINGTON (AP) — Using drones and Google Earth imagery, archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old network of earthen canals in what’s now Belize. The research published Friday in Science Advances shows that long before the ancient Maya built temples, their predecessors were already altering the landscape of Central America’s Yucatan peninsula. The ancient fish canals were used to channel and catch freshwater species such as catfish. These structures were used for around 1,000 years — including during the “formative” period when the Maya began to settle in permanent farming villages and a distinctive culture started to emerge. California case is the first confirmed bird flu infection in a US child Health officials are confirming bird flu in a California child — the first reported case in a U.S. minor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced confirmatory test results on Friday. Officials say the child had mild symptoms, was treated with antiviral medication and is recovering. The child’s infection brings the reported number of U.S. bird flu cases this year to 55, including 29 in California. State officials have said the child lives in Alameda County, which includes Oakland, and attends day care, but released no other details. Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8.
NoneThe AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Don McHenry scored 29 points as Western Kentucky beat Kentucky Wesleyan 91-71 on Saturday. McHenry also contributed four steals for the Hilltoppers (9-3). Braxton Bayless added 18 points while going 7 of 10 (3 for 3 from 3-point range) while they also had five rebounds. Julius Thedford went 6 of 13 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 17 points. It was the sixth straight win for the Hilltoppers. The Panthers were led in scoring by Quentin Toles, who finished with 15 points and six assists. Kentucky Wesleyan also got 14 points and six rebounds from Fatih Huyuk. Kennedy Miles also had 14 points and five assists. Western Kentucky took the lead with 5:32 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 46-41 at halftime, with Bayless racking up 13 points. Western Kentucky pulled away with an 8-0 run in the second half to extend a four-point lead to 12 points. They outscored Kentucky Wesleyan by 15 points in the final half, as McHenry led the way with a team-high 19 second-half points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
It was a fine first win for Ruud van Nistelrooy , and perhaps one final defeat for Julen Lopetegui. Leicester marked Van Nistelrooy’s first match in charge of the team by surging to a 3-1 win over Lopetegui's West Ham in the Premier League on Tuesday. Van Nistelrooy, the former Manchester United striker, is back in English soccer this time as a manager, with Leicester taking something of a gamble on the Dutchman after his brief and impressive spell as interim coach at United this season following Erik ten Hag's departure. He faces the tough task of keeping Leicester, one of the top candidates for relegation, in the top division. For that to happen, he’s likely to need goals from Jamie Vardy — and the 37-year-old former England international delivered immediately. Nine years after breaking Van Nistelrooy’s record for scoring in consecutive games, Vardy scored the first goal of the Dutchman’s tenure at Leicester by beating the offside trap and slotting home a finish with less than two minutes gone. Morocco midfielder Bilal El Khannouss supplied the pass for Vardy’s goal and scored himself with a low shot in the 61st minute to make it 2-0. Patson Daka added a third for Leicester in the 90th minute, before a stoppage-time consolation by West Ham substitute Niclas Füllkrug. “We are very happy with the new manager," El Khannouss said of Van Nistelrooy. “He arrived two days ago, and there’s a new dynamic in the group.” Van Nistelrooy praised the “spirit and energy” in his team. “The foundation for us going forward is everyone working their socks off, fighting for every inch and defending together,” he said. “We can look further then, and they did that in an unbelievable way.” This dismal result for West Ham came three days after its 5-2 thrashing at home by Arsenal , which piled more pressure of Lopetegui early in the former Spain and Real Madrid coach's first season with the London club. West Ham's disgruntled traveling fans chanted "You’re getting sacked in the morning” toward Lopetegui during the second half — even if his team dominated large parts of the game but only had one goal to show from 31 shots on goal. “We're very frustrated but in the same way I can say nothing about the players — they fight until the end,” Lopetegui said. "It’s not easy to explain football some days.” West Ham has lost seven of its 14 games so far and is in 14th place in the 20-team league, one spot above Leicester. Guehi defies FA Crystal Palace won for just the second time in the league this season, beating relegation rival Ipswich 1-0 to pull clear of the bottom three. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the goal in the 59th minute. Palace’s only other league victory was against Tottenham in October. While Ipswich stayed in next-to-last place, Palace moved three points above the relegation zone. Much of the focus ahead of the game was on the teams’ captains , Sam Morsy of Ipswich and Marc Guehi of Palace, during another round when the Premier League was celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusion in its campaign to promote equality and diversity. For the second straight game, Morsy chose against wearing a rainbow armband issued to the captain of each of the 20 teams in the league. He has made the decision “due to his religious beliefs,” Ipswich says. Guehi did wear the rainbow armband but defied Football Association rules by writing a religious message on the item. The message read “Jesus loves you” — using a heart sign instead of the word “loves.” During the match against Newcastle on Saturday, Guehi wrote “I love Jesus” — and was later contacted by the FA for acting in contravention of its regulations. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer