For Redskins, and their shrinking fan base, it?s been a long fall under Daniel Snyder

The loss to the Eagles made FedEx Field feel like Philadelphia's home away from home.
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Buffalo Bills re-sign QB Derek Anderson to 1-year contract

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - The Buffalo Bills have re-signed veteran quarterback Derek Anderson to a one-year contract in a move reflecting the role he played in mentoring rookie Josh Allen through the final two-plus months of the season.

The signing on Monday comes a day after Buffalo closed a ...
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Dolphins fire coach Adam Gase after 3 seasons

MIAMI (AP) - Adam Gase has been fired after three seasons as the Miami Dolphins coach, including a 7-9 finish this year.

Gase confirmed his dismissal in a text message Monday to The Associated Press.

Owner Stephen Ross made the move after Gase went 23-26 with the Dolphins. A 42-17 ...
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Browns to interview Williams, Kitchens for coaching vacancy

BEREA, Ohio (AP) - Browns interim coach Gregg Williams will be the first candidate interviewed for Cleveland's permanent position.

Williams led Cleveland to a 5-3 record after Hue Jackson was fired on Oct. 29. Browns general manager John Dorsey said Williams, the team's defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, ...
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Rooms near 50th anniversary Woodstock venue are a hot ticket

BETHEL, N.Y. (AP) - Finding a place to stay for next year's 50th anniversary Woodstock concert may not be a groovy experience for anyone hoping to score a room near the venue.

The Times Herald-Record of Middletown reports that many motels, bed-and-breakfasts and Airbnb rentals are already sold out in ...
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Fake-porn videos are being weaponized to harass women: ?Everybody is a potential target?

"Deepfake" creators are making disturbingly realistic, computer-generated videos with photos taken from the Web, and ordinary women are suffering the damage.
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Revelers say hello to 2019, goodbye to an unsettling year

Revelers around the globe are bidding a weary farewell Monday to an unsettling year filled with challenges to many of the world's most basic institutions, including politics, trade, alliances and religion.

Here's a look at how people are ushering in the new year:

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KIRIBATI

The Pacific island nation of ...
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Master P to cover funeral costs for boy, 13, killed in crash

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Rapper and businessman Master P will pay for the funeral of a 13-year-old Kentucky boy killed in a car crash after a police chase.

News outlets report Ki'Anthony Tyus was a passenger in a car reported stolen that crashed into a utility pole Dec. 22, after ...
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Struggling French club Dijon fires coach Olivier Dall'Oglio

DIJON, France (AP) - Struggling French first division club Dijon fired coach Olivier Dall'Oglio on Monday.

Dijon reached the mid-season winter break in 18th place - the relegation playoff position - having finished 11th last season with one of Ligue 1's best attacks.

Dall'Oglio was assistant coach at Dijon before ...
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South Africa's Zuma will head to recording studio in 2019

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Driven from office by scandal, former South African president Jacob Zuma plans to record music in 2019.

An official says Zuma, who resigned in February, will in April record "his trademark struggle songs" from the fight against South African apartheid, the system of white minority rule that ...
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McGraw earns 900th victory; Ionescu meets Curry

NEW YORK (AP) - Muffet McGraw earned a milestone win against the school where she got her coaching start.

McGraw became the fourth-fastest coach to reach 900 victories on Sunday when No. 2 Notre Dame beat Lehigh 95-68. McGraw only needed 1,172 games to reach the milestone. Only Geno Auriemma ...
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'Aquaman' still rules, and others see a post-Christmas bump

LOS ANGELES (AP) - "Aquaman" is still leading the pack at the box office, but other films like "Mary Poppins Returns" and "The Mule" are enjoying post-Christmas bumps too.

Warner Bros. on Sunday says "Aquaman" has added an estimated $51.6 million in North American ticket sales over the weekend to ...
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Burnley beats West Ham 2-0 to end losing run in EPL

BURNLEY, England (AP) - Burnley ended a three-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday to boost its hopes of climbing out of the relegation zone.

Chris Wood and Dwight McNeil scored in the first half against a surprisingly toothless West Ham ...
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Professor says WV has great songwriters, could use more help

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - Texas is not the center of great American songwriting, Travis Stimeling said, despite what the Lone Star State might like the rest of the country to believe.

The WVU musicology professor, musician and author of "Songwriting in Contemporary West Virginia: Profiles and Reflections," said Texas does ...
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Chicago parking garage fire kills 1 worker, injures 4

CHICAGO (AP) - Authorities say a fire inside a downtown Chicago parking garage killed one worker and badly hurt four others.

Thick black smoke poured from the top of the 10-story garage in the River North district after the fire broke out Saturday afternoon. Fire officials say the five people ...
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Jamie Foxx makes video decrying violence in Mississippi city

NATCHEZ, Miss. (AP) - An Academy Award-winning actor is among those calling for an end to violence in a southwest Mississippi city.

Larry Hooper, principal of the ninth grade school in the Natchez-Adams school district, says Jamie Foxx made the 17-second video after talking to the mother of an 18-year-old ...
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Odd offerings in sports in 2018: weird science, camels, soup

There was a soup thrower in the locker room. There was a tickler on the hockey rink. There were science deniers swallowing their hot air. There was a hint of doomsday on a golf course.

Sports drifted into strange places in 2018. Sometimes everyone seemed lost.

The Scottish soccer team ...
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Suit against USA Diving on hold for ex-coach's criminal case

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The criminal case against a former Ohio State diving club coach accused of sexual battery of a teenage diver is putting a related federal lawsuit on hold.

A federal judge cited the criminal case on Friday in halting a lawsuit filed by that diver and others. ...
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With Alabama-Clemson IV set, get ready for part 5 in 2019

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Before Alabama-Clemson IV is even played, know that part five of college football's epic championship series is already in production.

The top-ranked Crimson Tide and No. 2 Tigers will meet for the fourth straight year in the College Football Playoff, and third time in the championship ...
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Roger Federer has impressive start to new tennis season

PERTH, Australia (AP) - Roger Federer started preparation for his Australian Open title defense in style with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Cameron Norrie at the Hopman Cup on Sunday.

The 37-year-old Federer sent his 23-year-old opponent from Britain back to reality in a one-sided match lasting just 57 minutes.

...
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Kevin Spacey asks to skip court appearance

BOSTON — Lawyers for Kevin Spacey are asking a judge to allow the actor to skip his arraignment on sexual assault charges in a Massachusetts courthouse next month.

The Boston Globe reports that Spacey's attorneys have filed a motion asking to excuse his presence at a Jan. 7 hearing in ...
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Gerard Pique's investment group buys tiny club FC Andorra

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - The investment group headed by Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has purchased FC Andorra, a soccer club in the small country of Andorra that plays in Spain's lower leagues.

Pique said in a statement Saturday that investment group Kosmos has taken over after club members approved the ...
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Islanders place F Eberle on IR, call up Dal Colle from AHL

TORONTO (AP) - The New York Islanders have placed forward Jordan Eberle on injured reserve due to an upper body injury, and recalled forward Michael Dal Colle from Bridgeport of the AHL.

Eberle missed practice on Thursday and then sat out the Islanders' 6-3 win over Ottawa on Friday night ...
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Watford grabs late equalizer in 1-1 draw with Newcastle

WATFORD, England (AP) - Abdoulaye Doucoure came off the bench to score Watford's late equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday.

Salomon Rondon, back in Newcastle's starting team after being on the bench at Liverpool on Wednesday, hustled Watford's defense all match and his ...
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High-in-demand ice rink faces funding challenges

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - A crowd of local kids descended on the Flyers Skate Zone last Thursday night, suited up in pads and helmets, and headed out on the ice for an hour-long hockey lesson.

"I always wanted to do activities like this," said Craig Bell, of Atlantic City, ...
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Ode to Sports: Bosox, Bama rise; gymnasts stand tall

No more timeouts, see off the year,

Offer a toast and close the show

With champagne flutes or cans of beer -

2018 ... time to let go.

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FIRST QUARTER

Who wrote this law? By whose decree

College football means SEC?

Bama turns from Hurts to Tua,

Saban's tribe ...
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Local company brings Christmas cheer with 25 music videos

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) - So Justin McElroy, a professional wrestler, two drag queens, Cledus T. Judd, Tim Irr, Larry Groce, Senora May Childers, Laid Back Country Picker, the Sh-boom barbershop quartet, a singing puppet (Trace Cherokee) and Rod Elkins in a Christmas onesie all walk into a former bank building.

...
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Rangers beat Celtic 1-0 in Scotland's Old Firm derby

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) - Brendan Rodgers' 12-match unbeaten run in Old Firm encounters ended as Celtic lost 1-0 at fierce Glasgow rival Rangers to leave the Scottish Premiership's title race wide open on Saturday.

Ryan Jack scored in the 31st minute at Ibrox to earn Rangers a victory that drew ...
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Ronaldo scores twice as VAR helps Juventus to 2-1 win

ROME (AP) - Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and Juventus escaped with a 2-1 win over Sampdoria on Saturday with help from the VAR.

Ronaldo's second goal, a penalty, was awarded by the VAR for a questionable hand ball. Then Sampdoria had a stoppage-time goal waved off by the VAR for ...
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Budget stability, clergy abuse top Louisiana stories of 2018

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - As 2018 comes to an end, Louisiana finally could be close to budget stability and the state has dropped from its spot as the nation's top jailer. In addition, New Orleans saw its first woman mayor sworn into office and celebrated 300 years of existence.

Those ...
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Renton post office renamed to honor Jimi Hendrix

RENTON, Wash. (AP) - Music icon Jimi Hendrix will now have a post office near his Washington state hometown named after him.

The Seattle Times reports last week a bill was signed into law re-christening the Renton Highlands Post Office the James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix Post Office in the legendary ...
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Southwestern Montana skaters seek 'wild ice'

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The sharp scrape of steel on ice cut through a rare windless December morning at the Silos on Canyon Ferry Reservoir as a quartet of skaters moved briskly across the smooth frozen surface.

A mild reflection grew across the ice as they approached, slowing to a ...
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UK honors cave rescue divers, Twiggy, Monty Python's Palin

LONDON (AP) - British divers who rescued young soccer players trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand are among those being recognized in Britain's New Year's Honors List, along with 1960s model Twiggy and Monty Python star Michael Palin.

Twiggy, a model who shot to stardom during the Beatles era, ...
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Alabama set for Oklahoma, with a title-game berth at stake

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) - Nick Saban knows Alabama cannot win every game.

The Crimson Tide merely come close.

This is the fifth year of the College Football Playoff, and the fifth Alabama appearance in the four-team tournament to decide the national champion. The latest quest toward another title, which ...
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Hawaii Pacific, TCU call off game after player's death

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - A matchup between Hawaii Pacific and TCU has been cancelled following the death of a Hawaii Pacific player who collapsed during a game.

The basketball teams were scheduled to play Friday in Honolulu but chose to cancel the contest after 21-year-old Emil Isovic died at ...
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Sports mourns 1960s touchstones: Mikita, Taylor, McCovey

They were touchstones of sports in the 1960s, and sports lost three of the best in 2018: Stan Mikita, the embodiment of powerful Chicago Blackhawks teams; Jim Taylor, the punishing Green Bay Packers fullback; and big-hitting Willie McCovey of the San Francisco Giants.

Each arrived as the 1950s was going ...
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Bills tackle Kyle Williams retiring after 13 seasons

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - Defensive tackle Kyle Williams is retiring at age 35 after 13 seasons, a decision that leaves the Buffalo Bills without their most respected leader and longest-active tenured player.

Buffalo's season finale against Miami on Sunday will be his last game, he said Friday.

"This isn't ...
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Trump used her slain child to denounce illegal immigration. She chose a different path.

Murder charges against an undocumented immigrant in Iowa unleashed a wave of anger and fear. When immigrant families began to flee, Mollie Tibbetts's grieving mother took in a teenage boy who was left behind.
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Israeli media: Acclaimed author Amos Oz dies at 79

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli media say renowned Israeli author Amos Oz has died at the age of 79.

Oz, author of novels, prose and a widely acclaimed memoir, had suffered from cancer, the reports say.

Oz won numerous prizes, including the Israel Prize, the country's top civilian recognition, and Germany's ...
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UConn asks federal court to dismiss Ollie complaint

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The University of Connecticut is asking a federal judge to dismiss a complaint filed by former basketball coach Kevin Ollie, who claims his firing was in part racially motivated.

In documents filed Thursday, the school argues, among other things, that the federal court doesn't have jurisdiction ...
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Original Woodstock site to host 50th anniversary concert

BETHEL, N.Y. (AP) - A three-day music festival will be held in August 2019 at the original Woodstock concert site to mark the 50th anniversary of the historic event.

The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, a concert venue built on the original Woodstock site, announced Thursday that it will ...
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Utah Film Commission touts productions in state

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Utah Film Commission is touting the economic impacts of productions filmed in the state this year.

The 16 productions include documentaries, a television pilot and four series. Some were return visitors, including Paramount and Disney.

The commission says that translated to $63 million in ...
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Angelina Jolie doesn't rule out move into politics

LONDON (AP) - Angelina Jolie has not ruled out a move into politics - and has joked that she might be tough enough to take the rough and tumble that comes with it.

The American actress and U.N. envoy told BBC radio she "can take a lot on the chin" ...
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Are fertility drugs safe? Critics fear unregulated providers overprescribe them ? glossing over serious risks.

The drugs' long-term safety and the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, the most immediate and potentially fatal complication, remain open to debate, even as the clinics offering them have become a multibillion-dollar industry serving hundreds of thousands of women a year.
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Larger-than-life Secretariat statue coming to Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - A larger-than-life bronze memorial to the famous racehorse Secretariat is coming to Lexington this fall.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports , sculptor Jocelyn Russell is constructing a statue of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. He'll be posed in full stride winning the Kentucky Derby as starter no. ...
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?What if someone was shooting??: How school lockdowns traumatize children

More than 4 million children endured lockdowns last year, a groundbreaking Washington Post analysis found. The experience left many traumatized. Some even wrote goodbyes.
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Court records detail Spacey's encounter with teenager

BOSTON (AP) - A Massachusetts man who says he was groped by Kevin Spacey at a Nantucket restaurant in 2016 caught part of his encounter with the actor on video.

According to state police reports filed in Nantucket District Court, the then 18-year-old man sent a video via Snapchat to ...
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The Latest: Alabama not sharing secret ... ingredients

The Latest on media days for the College Football Playoff semifinals (all times EST):

8:50 a.m.

The most closely guarded secret around the Alabama Crimson Tide this season has nothing to do with personnel, injuries, depth charts or playcalling.

Alabama and Oklahoma had media day Thursday for the Orange Bowl ...
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Modric wins Balkan award ahead of Djokovic and Halep

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) - Croatia soccer star Luka Modric has been chosen Balkan athlete of the year.

Modric won the Champions League with Real Madrid and then guided Croatia to the World Cup final in July, where the midfielder was voted player of the tournament. He also won the prestigious ...
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Questions heading into College Football Playoff media day

Preparation for the College Football Playoff is almost finished, but before No. 1 Alabama faces No. 4 Oklahoma and No. 2 Clemson meets No. 3 Notre Dame media day will be held at the bowl sites Thursday.

There are questions to be answered heading into Saturday's games.

Heisman Trophy winner ...
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Anna and Anita star in epic opera rivalry

NEW YORK (AP) - The fireworks start early this New Year's Eve at the Metropolitan Opera, where two jealous divas locked in a deadly rivalry will be setting off sparks in a new production of Francesco Cilea's "Adriana Lecouvreur."

Russian soprano Anna Netrebko stars as the title character, loosely based ...
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Nadal looks to Australian Open with confidence after surgery

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Rafael Nadal is confident he can be fit for the Australian Open as he chases an 18th Grand Slam title.

A right knee injury forced Nadal to retire from his U.S. Open semifinal in early September - his last competitive match - and ...
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In the Twin Cities, Asian chefs feel the sting of Andrew Zimmern?s insults. They say his apology isn?t enough.

The TV host, who is opening a Chinese restaurant and tiki bar in a Minneapolis suburb, derided in a widely circulated video interview the quality of Chinese food in the Midwest.
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Elvis Presley memorabilia to be auctioned at Graceland

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Items associated with Elvis Presley will once again be on the auction block at Graceland as part of a celebration of the King of Rock 'n' Roll's birthday.

According to a news release on Wednesday, the auction will take place Jan. 8 at The Guest House ...
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Kelce, Kittle chase Gronkowski's record for best TE season

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Getting a Twitter follow from Travis Kelce was one of the major accomplishments this season for San Francisco 49ers second-year tight end George Kittle.

Now heading into the final game of the season, Kittle is in a battle for Kelce in a race for the ...
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Serena voted AP Female Athlete of the Year for 5th time

She showed up in Paris wearing a black catsuit, a reminder that nobody can command the Grand Slam stage quite like Serena Williams.

She reached the finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, proving again how well she can play no matter how little she practices.

Williams didn't win those ...
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Ronaldo rescues Juventus in 2-2 draw at Atalanta

Juventus can't afford to give Cristiano Ronaldo a rest.

Massimiliano Allegri was forced to bring on Ronaldo for the final 25 minutes, while Juventus was trailing and down to 10 men. The Portugal superstar leveled but did not have time to completely rescue Juventus as it was held at Atalanta ...
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Paul McCartney says he still dreams about playing music with late Beatles bandmates

The Beatles co-founder Paul McCartney said he still dreams about playing music with late former bandmates John Lennon and George Harrison.

"It would have been great to get The Beatles back together again. People always say what if? But we can't, so sadly, that's not going to happen," Mr. McCartney, ...
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Audiences this year were treated to smart, visually rich blockbusters

With so many good films, it wasn't easy to choose just 10.
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Another skier dies after found unconscious at Keystone

KEYSTONE, Colo. (AP) - Another skier has died after being found unconscious on a ski run at Colorado's Keystone Resort.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office says there's no indication that the 66-year-old man found Tuesday afternoon had been involved in a collision. He was taken to the hospital and later ...
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Oliver Hardy was terrifying, inspiring for John C. Reilly

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Playing Oliver Hardy, the large comic with the even larger persona, was a burden that became a mission for John C. Reilly.

Reilly told The Associated Press it was a "terrifying prospect" to accept the role in "Stan & Ollie" that earned him a Golden Globe ...
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Avid Buffalo Bills fan, family receive trip to Disney World

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - An avid Buffalo Bills fan from Texas who's battling cancer has been given a trip to Disney World thanks to the efforts of a fan club known as the Bills Mafia.

Ezra Castro is known as Pancho Billa for his game-day outfit that includes a sombrero ...
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Bad headlines for Trump also means rough stretch for Hannity

NEW YORK (AP) - The drumbeat of bad news for President Donald Trump hasn't been good for his most prominent backer in the media.

While Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity will end 2018 as cable news' most popular personality, he's been slumping in the ratings since the midterm elections and ...
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Arkansas Baptist player among victims in Louisiana shooting

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Officials say an Arkansas Baptist College football player was among the two people killed in a Christmas Eve shooting west of New Orleans.

Authorities say 20-year-old Thaddeus Watis of Convent, Louisiana, died after the shooting Tuesday night in Lutcher, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west ...
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Molinari set to focus on US golf circuit next year

LONDON (AP) - Francesco Molinari says he may not play in Europe until the 19th-ranked Italian defends his British Open title in July.

The lure of the US PGA Tour and changes made to the European Tour calendar will combine to leave the London-based golfer short of available dates to ...
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At new Museum of Black Civilizations, a call to come home

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) - The Museum of Black Civilizations in Senegal opened this month amid a global conversation about the ownership and legacy of African art. The West African nation's culture minister isn't shy: He wants the thousands of pieces of cherished heritage taken from the continent over the centuries ...
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Rescuers use heavy-duty vehicle to plow down invasive weeds

SYRACUSE, Utah (AP) - Authorities say three stranded duck hunters stuck were rescued by a heavy-duty all-terrain vehicle plowing through invasive reeds on Christmas Eve.

The Davis County Sheriff's Office tells KSL-TV they used the vehicle donated by the locally filmed Discovery Channel show "Diesel Brothers" to plow through 13-foot-high ...
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The half-dozen times sports made you smile in 2018

Sports contributed plenty of the same old agita this year - bad bets, empty boasts, taunts, tiffs and scuffles, plus the occasional riot - but its fair share of wry smiles, too.

There were courageous losers, random acts of kindness and a handful of wins handled with such grace it ...
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From bunkers and behind trees, memorable shots from 2018

Tiger Woods hit a shot he thought would lead to his 15th major. Keegan Bradley made a putt he thought would be worth a trip to the Tour Championship.

Just about every player has one shot that stands out above rest in 2018.

"For how I viewed it at the ...
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Snow days? Winter sports industry preps for climate change

SNOWSHOE, W.Va. (AP) - For many people the holidays signal the start of a joyous time - snow season. It means strapping on skis or hopping onto a sled to tear into soft, fluffy powder.

That's the case for Greg Corio, who for almost two decades has been an avid ...
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End of death penalty, new hockey team among top 2018 stories

SEATTLE (AP) - The abolishment of the death penalty was voted the state's top news story of 2018 by Associated Press staff and member editors.

Other top news items of the past 12 months included the awarding of a new professional hockey franchise for Seattle, the death of Microsoft co-found ...
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Parolee reflects on her first year out of prison

CINCINNATI (AP) - Before her parole and release from prison last Christmas Day, Tyra Patterson had to make a five-year plan.

Her goals were to live independently, get a job, travel, see her family and begin speaking in public about criminal justice reform.

"I completed that ... in less than ...
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Synagogue massacre, clergy abuse top Pennsylvania stories

An anti-Semite with a cache of weapons visits terror upon a Pittsburgh synagogue. Grand jurors savage the Catholic Church, rekindling a global crisis over clergy abuse. In the first big celebrity trial of the #MeToo era, Bill Cosby is convicted of sexual assault and, a few months later, enters prison.

...
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Paul McCartney tells fans: Don't be like me and eat too much

LONDON (AP) - Paul McCartney's Christmas message to his fans around the world: Don't be like me and eat and drink too much.

The 76-year-old former Beatle tweeted his lighthearted holiday wishes Tuesday illustrated with photos from his younger days.

He says "don't eat and drink too much! I know ...
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Solskjaer tells United players to enjoy Old Trafford

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can't wait to lead Manchester United out at Old Trafford for the first time on Wednesday against relegation-threatened Huddersfield.

Having been parachuted in as caretaker manager for the rest of the season, the fan favorite got the post-Jose Mourinho era off to a ...
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Russian biathlon champion in doping scandal retires

MOSCOW (AP) - Anton Shipulin, a world biathlon champion at the heart of Russia's doping scandal, has announced his retirement.

Shipulin told a news conference Tuesday in Moscow that he decided to retire after he was barred from the Winter Olympics earlier this year. He is one of scores of ...
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BC gets play-caller back for bowl match with Boise, Rypien

DALLAS (AP) - Boston College coach Steve Addazio will have his play-caller for one more game before Scot Loeffler takes over at Bowling Green for good.

Just think of the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl against No. 23 Boise State on Wednesday as a one-game reunion after Loeffler spent most of ...
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Arsenal playmaker Mkhitaryan sidelined for at least 6 weeks

LONDON (AP) - Arsenal will be without Henrikh Mkhitaryan for at least six weeks because of an injury to his right foot, the London club said on Monday.

The Armenia playmaker fractured a metatarsal in Wednesday's 2-0 League Cup quarter-final defeat by neighbor Tottenham and was replaced at half-time.

The ...
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Murals near stadium highlight Atlanta's civil rights legacy

ATLANTA (AP) - As Atlanta prepares to host the Super Bowl, artists there are painting murals that highlight the city's civil rights and social justice legacy.

The artwork adorning neighborhoods near the downtown stadium where the game will be played is part of an initiative called "Off The Wall: Atlanta's ...
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This is not your grandma?s Christmas tree. For one thing, she probably couldn?t afford it.

Some families hang heirloom ornaments. A D.C. couple has 600 collectible Christopher Radko pieces and 7,000 lights on a 12-foot showstopper.
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Ex-'Teen Mom 2' star faces charges over truck towing

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) - Police in North Carolina say they're planning to charge a man formerly featured on "Teen Mom 2" for towing someone else's truck out of a parking space without permission.

News outlets report Wilmington police initially announced Friday there was "no legal avenue to pursue charges" against ...
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Poker player turns $5 bet into $1M at Atlantic City casino

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - A man playing poker at an Atlantic City casino has won $1 million on a $5 bet.

The man, identified only as a Lakewood resident, made the three-card poker "6 Card Bonus" bet.at the Borgata Hotel Casino on Saturday afternoon. He then hit a royal ...
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St. Louis Symphony's In Unison Chorus begins 25th year

ST. LOUIS (AP) - When the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra formed the In Unison Chorus, it was for a one-time performance. A quarter-century later, the 125-member chorus remains a popular fixture that has helped connect the symphony with the region's black community.

The chorus, made up mostly of black singers ...
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Transit, gambling among New Jersey's top 2018 stories

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Delays and cancellations were two words that tried the patience of commuters in New Jersey as the state's mass transit systems wrestled with a series of challenges in 2018.

Gamblers could risk their fortunes legally betting on sports after the state won a U.S. Supreme Court ...
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A taste of home: Syrian TV-chef opens restaurant in Berlin

BERLIN (AP) - Tucked away in a former fast-food kiosk in the German capital lies a new restaurant whose owner hopes will provide a taste of home for the thousands of new arrivals who have fled Syria's brutal civil war.

After fleeing her homeland, Malakeh Jazmati reinvented herself in Jordan ...
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Benitez aiming to achieve second Newcastle 'miracle'

NEWCASTLE, England (AP) - Rafael Benitez believes he will achieve a second miracle in successive campaigns if he manages to avoid Premier League relegation with Newcastle again.

"We have to be realistic and understand we will be in the bottom half for the season," the club's Spanish coach said as ...
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Sudan soccer fans clash with police, call on Bashir to leave

CAIRO (AP) - Fans at a soccer match in Sudan's capital chanted slogans demanding President Omar Bashir step down and later clashed with police in the Khartoum suburb of Omdurman.

Video clips posted online show the fans in the stadium chanting "the people want to bring down the regime," one ...
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Rhode Island tops Charlotte in Hawaii's Diamond Head Classic

HONOLULU (AP) - Fatts Russell scored 20 points, Cyril Langevine had 13 points and 11 rebounds and Rhode Island beat Charlotte 75-61 on Sunday night in the Diamond Head Classic.

Rhode Island started the game by scoring the first nine points and added a 13-0 run for a 25-5 lead ...
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Debby Ryan, Twenty One Pilots drummer Josh Dun are engaged

NEW YORK (AP) - Actress Debby Ryan and Twenty One Pilots drummer Josh Dun are engaged.

Both Ryan and Dun announced their engagement on social media Saturday. The 30-year-old Dun proposed to the 25-year-old Ryan in a treehouse in New Zealand. Dun posted a photo of himself proposing on one ...
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Steelers feel the heat after Ravens win; Saints look to clinch home field in Week 16

The Saints and Chiefs try to hold on to the No. seeds while the Patriots try to prolong their dynasty.
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Scandal and justice: #MeToo reached the sports world in 2018

One by one they came forward, more than 150 in all. Fearful yet defiant. Vulnerable but resolute, buoyed by the hope of catharsis and the promise of justice.

Standing in a Michigan courtroom last January, women and girls sexually abused by Larry Nassar confronted the former Michigan State University and ...
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Sabres broadcaster 'doing well' after being hospitalized

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - The Buffalo Sabres say Rick Jeanneret is resting and doing well a day after the team's Hall of Fame broadcaster was taken out of the press box on a stretcher.

The team's update Sunday came about 12 hours after the 76-year-old Jeanneret was transported to the ...
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Inter suspends Nainggolan "for disciplinary reasons"

MILAN (AP) - Inter Milan has banned midfielder Radja Nainggolan "for disciplinary reasons."

In a brief statement on Sunday, Inter says it "can confirm Nainggolan has been temporarily suspended from football activity."

The club has not disclosed precise reasons, or the length of the ban, but according to Italian media ...
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Detroit exhibit features new works by Ruben, Isabel Toledo

DETROIT (AP) - An exhibition of new works created by the artistic couple Ruben and Isabel Toledo is on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

The exhibition titled "Ruben and Isabel Toledo: Labor of Love " opened this month at the museum and includes works created in response to ...
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Audrey Geisel, Dr. Seuss widow, dies at 97

LOS ANGELES — As Dr. Seuss neared the end of his life, the children's author told his wife that she would have to look after the Cat in the Hat, the Lorax, the Grinch and all the beloved characters he created.

It was a mission Audrey Geisel embraced for more ...
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Leverkusen fires Heiko Herrlich, signs Peter Bosz as coach

LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) - Bayer Leverkusen has fired coach Heiko Herrlich despite two Bundesliga wins in a row.

The German club, which is ninth in the standings, says former Borussia Dortmund coach Peter Bosz is taking over and will start preparations for the second half of the season on Jan. ...
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Newcastle Jets beat winless Mariners in A-League

SYDNEY (AP) - The Newcastle Jets extended Central Coast's season of woe on Sunday, beating the winless Mariners 2-1 in the A-League.

The Mariners, who started the season with international fanfare when former Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt unsuccessfully tried out for the team, have just two draws to show ...
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Smith leads Louisiana Tech past Hawaii 31-14 in Hawaii Bowl

HONOLULU (AP) - J'Mar Smith threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score in a big third quarter to lead Louisiana Tech to a 31-14 win over Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl on Saturday night.

The Bulldogs (8-5) rallied from a 7-3 halftime deficit to secure their fifth bowl ...
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Renaissance master: Tintoretto's 500th spans 2 continents

VENICE, Italy (AP) - A Venetian cloth dyer's son, Tintoretto spent his entire career in Venice, becoming widely considered the last great painter of the Renaissance.

The lagoon city's churches and palazzi essentially serve as a permanent retrospective of this native son's formidable talents in using dramatic color, bold brushstrokes ...
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Tulane profs' books to be city reads in New Orleans, Philly

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Novels by two Tulane University professors have been chosen for next year's One Book, One City reading and discussion programs in New Orleans and Philadelphia.

A Tulane news release says One Book, One Philadelphia chose Jesmyn Ward's "Sing, Unburied, Sing," while One Book, One New Orleans ...
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Evers win, missing girl, soggy summer top Wisconsin news

Wisconsin saw the defeat of Gov. Scott Walker, a teenage girl mysteriously missing and a summer of storms in 2018.

A look at the top stories of the year:

WALKER DEFEATED

Democrat Tony Evers narrowly beat Walker in November as the divisive Republican and onetime presidential candidate sought a third ...
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Ohio class teaches sign language interpretation for theater

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - It's safe to say that most American Sign Language interpreters probably don't do a lot of twerking while translating a live theatrical production for deaf audience members.

Yet there was Lindsey Longbrake - hands on the ground, posterior in the air - backing it up on ...
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Big brawl erupts during high school basketball game

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (AP) - Authorities are investigating after a massive brawl broke out during a high school basketball game in Western Michigan.

Police say the fight started early in the varsity matchup between South Haven and Paw Paw. Players began shoving each other after a foul, clearing both benches.

...
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Walz win, Omar to Congress, Mauer retires top Minnesota news

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Midterm elections that saw Minnesota Democrats retain the governorship and retake the state House made for a hot political year in 2018.

Longtime southern Minnesota Congressman Tim Walz beat two-time Republican candidate Jeff Johnson to keep the governorship in Democrats' hands. Walz succeeds Democrat Mark Dayton, who ...
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Shutdown in effect as Congress fails to reach deal

The shutdown intensifies a standoff between the president, who saw the final days of the year as his last chance to try to extract funding for a border wall, and Democrats, who showed no signs of buckling to his demands.
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Plans to expand Detroit's Motown Museum get $2M boost

DETROIT (AP) - The Motown Museum's expansion plans are getting a year-end boost of more than $2 million from various organizations.

The Detroit museum announced this week that it received a $1.3 million grant from the Kresge Foundation, $500,000 from The Elaine & Leo Stern Foundation, $225,000 from AARP and ...
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Granddaughter works to save Barry Goldwater photo collection

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - In Alison Goldwater Ross' earliest memories of her grandfather Barry Goldwater, there's always a 35mm camera hanging from his neck.

The senator photographed more than 15,000 images of Arizona's landscapes and Native Americans over his lifetime. Twenty years after Goldwater's death, Ross wants to preserve the ...
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Romanian premier looks to support Serbia in EU bid

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Romania's Prime Minister Viorica Dancila says her country supports Serbia's bid join the European Union.

Dancila was speaking after meeting with other Balkan leaders from Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia in the Serbian capital of Belgrade Saturday as part of a regular regional initiative to foster cooperation.

...
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Playoff: Notre Dame defense preparing for prolific Tigers

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Notre Dame All-American cornerback Julian Love already knows all about Clemson. Blame his roommate.

Love's roomie is Troy Pride Jr., another cornerback for the Fighting Irish, who will play Clemson on Dec. 29 in a playoff semifinal in Arlington, Texas. Pride is from Greer, South ...
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Saudi prince's reform: Car race, concerts, but no criticism

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Women, some without headscarves, drove themselves to a Formula-E car race where thousands of young Saudis and hundreds of international visitors partied into the night at concerts by Enrique Iglesias, The Black Eyed Peas and DJ David Guetta.

It's a vision of Saudi Arabia that ...
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Alabama man opposing Tennessee parole in 1982 slaying

GADSDEN, Ala. (AP) - Almost 37 years later, it's not easy for David Engle to talk about what happened to his former Southside High School classmate, Rodney Long.

More than two weeks after classmates learned Long was missing in early 1982, his body was found in Tennessee, close to the ...
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Audrey Geisel, widow of Dr. Seuss, dead at 97

NEW YORK (AP) - Audrey Geisel, the widow of children's author Dr. Seuss, has died.

Random House Children's Books announced that she died Wednesday at age 97. Additional information wasn't immediately available.

Geisel helped oversee the literary estate of her late husband, whose real name was Theodor Geisel and who ...
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Symphonic touches give new spin to old Carpenters records

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (AP) - Karen Carpenter has now been gone longer than she was alive.

Yet her best work may have just been released, at least according to her brother, arranger and performing partner, Richard, who has made it his mission to keep her singing voice resonant and relevant ...
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Memphis faces Wake Forest in Birmingham Bowl without star RB

Birmingham Bowl: Wake Forest (6-6) vs. Memphis (8-5), Saturday, 12 p.m. Eastern (ESPN)

Line: Memphis by 3-1/2.

Series Record: Tied 2-2.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

KEY MATCHUP

Memphis's short-handed running game against Wake Forest's defense. The Tigers rank second nationally in rushing offense, but will be without unanimous All-American RB Darrell ...
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Rapid City Journal names Tranquill new publisher

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - Matthew Tranquill has been named publisher of the Rapid City Journal.

The newspaper reports that Tranquill has been the publisher of the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, since 2016. He began his newspaper career as an advertising sales representative with The Parkersburg News Sentinel in ...
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Man pleads guilty to burglarizing Nebraska coach's home

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A man has pleaded guilty to burglarizing the Lincoln home of Nebraska football coach Scott Frost.

Lancaster County District Court records say 21-year-old Andrew Williams entered the plea Thursday. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 22.

Frost told police on July 29 that burglars entered an ...
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Tennessee governor grants 11 people executive clemency

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam has granted executive clemency to 11 people as he inches closer to the end of his final term in office.

Haslam announced Thursday he issued pardons to seven people and commutations to four people. Neither action resulted in the immediate release of anyone ...
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FIFA president gets votes pledge from Caribbean

ZURICH (AP) - FIFA President Gianni Infantino still looks set to be re-elected unopposed, with a pledge of 25 votes from Caribbean soccer federations.

The Caribbean Football Union says its executive committee agreed unanimous support for Infantino for the June 5 vote in Paris.

The CFU says all its members ...
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FIFA research says 3.5B people viewed some World Cup action

ZURICH (AP) - FIFA says more than 3.5 billion people viewed some of the 2018 World Cup, with 1.12 billion watching at least one minute of France beating Croatia 4-2 in the final.

A FIFA-commissioned review of World Cup viewing says the final's television audience was 516.6 million by the ...
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Players skipping 2018-19 bowl games

Players who have announced they will not play in their teams' bowl games with coach's bonus for winning the game:

Arizona State (lost to Fresno State in Las Vegas Bowl). Coach Herm Edwards would have earned $166,667 bonus for win.

N'Keal Harry, junior, wide receiver

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Houston (vs. Army in ...
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Hold up, Beyonce did not release new music

There's no more juice in Beyonce's lemonade jar: The singer did not release new music though two albums featuring old Beyonce songs hit streaming services Thursday.

Under the name Queen Carter, the albums "Have Your Way" and "Back Up, Rewind" appeared on Spotify and Apple Music, featuring demos, previously released ...
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New York judge lets Harvey Weinstein sex assault case move forward

NEW YORK (AP) - New York judge lets Harvey Weinstein sex assault case move forward.

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FIU tries for record win, Toledo looks to snap bowl slide

Bahamas Bowl: Toledo (7-5) vs. FIU (8-4), Friday, 12:30 p.m. EST. (ESPN)

Line: Toledo by 4 1/2.

Series Record: FIU leads 2-1.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

FIU has an opportunity to post a nine-win season for the first time, and a chance for its second bowl win in program history - ...
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Global ball: NBA to play exhibition games in India next year

NEW YORK (AP) - The NBA will play its first games in India next year.

The league announced Thursday the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings will play two exhibition games Oct. 4-5 at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai.

The NBA, in another step toward expanding its global footprint, says these ...
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Dove statues to commemorate Woodstock's 50th anniversary

BETHEL, N.Y. (AP) - Officials in Sullivan County in upstate New York say they'll install dozens of dove statues to commemorate the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair.

County officials and the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association unveiled 36 fiberglass doves Wednesday. The Times Herald-Record of Middletown ...
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Arsenal finds footage of fan throwing bottle at Dele Alli

LONDON (AP) - Arsenal says it is working with police to find the fan who threw a plastic bottle at Dele Alli during the League Cup loss to Tottenham.

The bottle was hurled at the Tottenham midfielder about 12 minutes after he scored in the second half of the 2-0 ...
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Ex accused of trying to extort of 'Jersey Shore' cast member

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) - A former boyfriend of a "Jersey Shore" cast member is accused of seeking $25,000 for not divulging secrets to the media.

Toms River police on Wednesday charged Thomas Lippolis with third-degree extortion.

Police say Lippolis had dated cast member Jenni "JWoww" Farley for close to ...
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Sevilla forward Sarabia, the biggest bargain in Spain

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Sevilla's signing of Pablo Sarabia three years ago has proven to be more than a bargain.

It was an authentic steal.

Leading his team in scoring with 15 goals in all competitions this season, the 26-year-old Sarabia is the driving force behind a Sevilla side in ...
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Lawsuit: Eatery co-owned by golfer hasn't paid mortgage

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) - A lawsuit charges that a South Carolina steakhouse co-owned by professional golfer Darren Clarke hasn't paid more than $2 million toward its mortgage.

The Island Packet reported Wednesday that the lawsuit was filed by Synovus Bank in September against co-owner Michael Doyle and others. ...
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Solskjaer back in the EPL _ and back in Cardiff

If there was relief and palpable excitement among Manchester United fans at the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager, there might have been bemusement and maybe even disbelief at the club which will be the Norwegian's first opponent this weekend.

The last sighting of Solskjaer near a British soccer ...
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Belgium edges France to end 2018 on top of FIFA rankings

ZURICH (AP) - Belgium ends 2018 atop FIFA's rankings with World Cup winner France at No. 2.

FIFA says Belgium is a single ranking point - 1,727 to 1,726 - ahead of a French team which won their World Cup semifinal in Russia.

Brazil is No. 3 and World Cup ...
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Syracuse teetering again as conference play looms

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - His head covered by a hoodie to help shield his emotions after a second straight home loss, Syracuse point guard Frank Howard could barely be heard as he responded to questions about what went wrong. And that was in a locker room where one could have ...
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South Carolina signs 18 players including QB Ryan Hilinski

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina has signed quarterback Ryan Hilinski, the younger brother of former Washington State passer Tyler Hilinski who committed suicide last January.

Ryan Hilinski was among 18 signees announced by the Gamecocks on Wednesday.

The younger Hilinski is a 6-foot-4, 232-pound quarterback from Orange, California. The ...
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New curated news site hopes to break partisan fever

NEW YORK (AP) - A former Fox News executive is launching a curated news website that he says is designed to counter the hyper-partisanship that he feels has hurt the reputation of journalists in recent years.

The entrepreneur, Ken LaCorte, is also drawing attention for hiring two journalists who lost ...
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Notre Dame announces 21-player class that includes 8 linemen

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly announced a 21-player recruiting class Wednesday and said it filled a lot of his program's needs, no matter how the Fighting Irish fare in the College Football Playoff.

"Offensive line and defensive line (were) really the immediate focus," Kelly said. ...
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IOC warns Olympic boxing in deeper trouble than AIBA claims

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) - The IOC has told Olympic bodies not to trust a recent claim by the president of amateur boxing's governing body that the sport's worst problems are over.

Writing to 206 national Olympic bodies, the IOC says a Dec. 5 letter from AIBA president Gafur Rakhimov to ...
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Colbert jokingly claims severance denied to ex-CBS boss

NEW YORK (AP) - Stephen Colbert is laying claim to the $120 million in severance that CBS' board of directors said wouldn't be paid to ousted former CEO Leslie Moonves - at least half of it.

The late-night host joked, "the other half goes to Tom Selleck's mustache."

Colbert didn't ...
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The Latest: 1st signing-day surprise as Michigan beats Bama

The Latest on the first day of the early college football signing period (all times Eastern):

9:30 a.m.

An early signing-day surprise: Dax Hill, a five-star defensive back from Oklahoma, flipped from Alabama and signed with Michigan. Hill had been verbally committed to Michigan but switched to Alabama a few ...
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Grant to help create master plan for Hamtramck park campus

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. (AP) - The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation is awarding more than $800,000 toward a master plan and community engagement process for a 26-acre (10.5-hectare) park in the Detroit area.

The Michigan Municipal Foundation on Wednesday is announcing details for the Veteran's Memorial Park campus in Hamtramck. The ...
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UVM gets $15M gift for athletic facility upgrade

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - The University of Vermont is naming a new event center after a couple who donated $15 million to help fund the project that will include upgraded athletic facilities and host a variety of academic, social, cultural, and entertainment programming.

The university announced the gift from Rich ...
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Comment on Thai Miss Universe gown earns complaint to police

BANGKOK (AP) - A Thai social media influencer who criticized a gown worn by her country's Miss Universe contestant could end up in court after another online personality filed a complaint with police charging that her thumbs-down fashion comment defamed the royal family.

Kitjanut Chaiyosburana, a businessman and politician, says ...
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Louisville dance team coach fired for fiscal misconduct

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A termination letter released by the University of Louisville says its dance team coach was fired for financial misconduct.

News outlets report the letter dated Dec. 14 said Todd Sharp was terminated after a six-month review found that the team's deposits were around $40,000 less than ...
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In Zimbabwe, Danai Gurira promotes anti-poaching campaign

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - "Black Panther" star Danai Gurira has traveled to Zimbabwe to join a campaign aimed at protecting rhinos from poachers.

The WildAid conservation group says Gurira, who mostly grew up in Zimbabwe, is participating in a publicity campaign called "Poaching Steals From Us All" that will run across ...
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Mercer the latest quiet addition for busy Detroit Tigers

DETROIT (AP) - Jordy Mercer found out quickly that the Tigers had him on their radar.

"They were one of the first clubs that we had talks with," Detroit's new shortstop said Tuesday. "It was early on in the process, so I know they were interested. They didn't back down."

...
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Johnny Clegg, musician and cancer survivor, awaits hard road

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - South African musician Johnny Clegg says he is an "outlier" who has survived pancreatic cancer for the last few years, but he is preparing for hard times ahead.

Clegg, whose multi-racial bands during white minority rule in South Africa attracted an international following, says in an interview ...
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'Laverne' role gave Marshall springboard to historic career

NEW YORK (AP) - Penny Marshall was typically self-effacing whenever her brother, the late filmmaker Garry Marshall, proudly boasted that his sister was the first female director to direct a $100 million box-office hit.

"They didn't give ME the money," Marshall joked in 2012 to The New Yorker.

Marshall, the ...
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Salt Lake City bids for 2nd Olympics in changed climate

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - When Salt Lake City pursued the Winter Olympics more than two decades ago, competition was so fierce that hardly anyone thought twice about lavishing International Olympic Committee members with gifts and favors.

Salt Lake City got caught in a bribery scandal that nearly derailed the ...
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Genoa announces $220M project to replace collapsed bridge

MILAN (AP) - Genoa's mayor has announced that a 200 million euro ($220 million) project by hometown architect Renzo Piano inspired by a naval ship has been chosen to replace the Morandi Bridge that collapsed last summer, killing 43 people.

Mayor Marco Bucci announced Tuesday that the project will be ...
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17-year-old convicted of sexually assaulting 2 girls

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - A former Oregon high school student and football player has been sentenced to 4 years in prison for sexually assaulting two girls.

The Statesman Journal reports 17-year-old Tyler Desemple, of Salem, was arrested in January as an adult on Measure 11 first-degree sexual abuse charges. He ...
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Special Once? Mourinho's box-office career takes new twist

He started off as a translator before becoming a self-styled "Special One," as close as it gets to being a guaranteed winner of titles. Now he's unemployed, with a philosophy seemingly unsuited to modern soccer.

Jose Mourinho's firing by Manchester United on Tuesday is the latest chapter in a thrill-a-minute ...
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Messi receives 5th Golden Shoe award for Europe's top scorer

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Lionel Messi received his record fifth Golden Shoe award on Tuesday for leading all of Europe's soccer leagues in scoring last season.

Messi's fifth win breaks the tie he had with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi scored 34 goals in the Spanish league last season to lead Barcelona ...
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RIGHT AT HOME: Scene-setting home fragrance names

The home-fragrance market has long been dominated by relatively simple iterations of popular aromas: vanilla, cinnamon, evergreen and citrus scents.

But that marketplace of diffusers, candles and room sprays is full of fun, evocative names to distinguish the scents - names meant to pique our imaginations and bring home not ...
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Romanian-Canadian singer dies after car plunges into Danube

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - Romanian police say singer-songwriter Anca Pop has died after her car plunged into the River Danube. She was 34.

Emergency authorities identified her body after divers found her car late Monday in southwestern Romania. Police said Tuesday they were investigating the death of Pop, who had ...
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U of Louisville dance team coach, reality TV star terminated

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - The coach who led the University of Louisville's women's dance team to more than a dozen national titles and starred in a reality television show has been terminated from his position.

University of Louisville spokesman John Karman told news outlets Monday night that Todd Sharp had ...
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Warrant issued for arrest of 'Schwimmer lookalike' suspect

LONDON (AP) - A British judge has issued an arrest warrant for an alleged shoplifter whose striking resemblance to David Schwimmer made international headlines, after he failed to show up for a court appearance.

Abdulah Husseni failed to appear in court in Blackpool, northwest England, on Tuesday to face charges ...
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Jose Mourinho leaves Man United after 2? years

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Manchester United says Jose Mourinho has left the Premier League club with immediate effect.

The decision was announced Tuesday, two days after a 3-1 loss to Liverpool left United 19 points off the top of the Premier League after 17 games.

Mourinho lasted 2½ years at ...
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Saints keep finding ways to grind out wins, stay atop NFC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - On a night when the high-powered offense was stuck in neutral, the New Orleans Saints still found a way to grind out a 12-9 win over Carolina behind their ever-improving defense.

That could bode well for these Saints (12-2) as they prepare to make a run ...
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Celebrity birthdays for the week of Dec. 23-29

Dec. 23: Actor Ronnie Schell ("Gomer Pyle, USMC") is 87. Actor Frederic Forrest ("Lonesome Dove") is 82. Guitarist Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) is 78. Drummer Ron Bushy of Iron Butterfly is 77. Actor-comedian Harry Shearer ("The Simpsons") is 75. Actress Susan Lucci ("All My Children") is 72. Guitarist ...
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Chicago fire crews rescue 15 people from stalled elevator

CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago fire crews have rescued 15 people who were trapped inside an elevator that became stuck in a building.

Chief Fire Chief Juan Hernandez says the rescue workers were called to the building late Sunday morning in Chicago's Loop, although it wasn't clear how long the people ...
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Actor Geoffrey Rush accused of sexual misconduct

NEW YORK (AP) - "Orange Is the New Black" actress Yael Stone alleges actor Geoffrey Rush engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior when they starred in "The Diary of a Madman" in 2010.

The 33-year-old tells The New York Times Rush danced naked in front of her in their dressing room, ...
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Megan Markle's father appeals for her to call home

LONDON (AP) - Meghan Markle's father has appealed to his daughter to call him, saying they hadn't been in touch since her wedding to Prince Harry in May.

Thomas Markle told ITV on Monday that he had been texting his daughter, the Duchess of Sussex, but that she hadn't responded.

...
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Sebastien Grosjean appointed France's Davis Cup captain

PARIS (AP) - The French tennis federation says Sebastien Grosjean has been appointed as the country's Davis Cup captain.

Grosjean takes over from Yannick Noah after Amelie Mauresmo pulled out to focus on her new coaching job with French player Lucas Pouille.

The French federation says Grosjean will also be ...
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Proposal would bar university coach-athlete relationships

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - The South Dakota Board of Regents is considering a policy that would bar university faculty members from having sexual relations with students who are under their athletic supervision.

Faculty members who have students under their academic supervision are already barred from having consensual relationships. But ...
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Jeff Bridges to receive Cecil B. DeMille Award at Globes

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Jeff Bridges may have once been considered as one of Hollywood's most underappreciated actors, but next month's Golden Globe Awards will showcase his life and illustrious career next month by bestowing him one of its highest honors.

Bridges will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award during ...
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Dortmund on course for Bundesliga with Klopp joining praise

BERLIN (AP) - Borussia Dortmund is the Bundesliga's "autumn champion," though that's not a title they really seem to care about.

Dortmund came through a tough game against Werder Bremen on Saturday to win 2-1 and claim the honorary title awarded to the league leader after the opening half of ...
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Grace Cavalieri named Maryland's 10th poet laureate

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gov. Larry Hogan has appointed Maryland's 10th poet laureate.

The Capital reports that Hogan selected Grace Cavalieri, of Annapolis, as announced in a statement last week. Hogan called Cavalieri's dedication to the arts "nothing short of astounding."

The 86-year-old has published 24 books and chapbooks, produced ...
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3 English teams face German opposition in Champions League

NYON, Switzerland (AP) - Three English teams will take on three German teams in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Liverpool was paired with Bayern Munich in Monday's draw, while Manchester City will play Schalke and Tottenham will face Bundesliga leader Borussia Dortmund.

Also, three-time defending champion Real Madrid ...
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Malaysia files criminal charges against Goldman Sachs

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysia filed criminal charges against Goldman Sachs and two former executives on Monday for their role in the alleged multibillion-dollar ransacking of state investment fund 1MDB.

Attorney General Tommy Thomas said the government is seeking several billion dollars in fines from Goldman Sachs for breaches ...
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Boston's Museum of Fine Arts receives gift of Chinese art

BOSTON (AP) - Boston's Museum of Fine Arts has received what museum officials are calling a transformative gift of nearly 200 pieces of Chinese art that have been in the same family for six generations.

The gift from Wan-go H. C. Weng is the largest and most significant gift of ...
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Josh Doctson, Chris Thompson active for Redskins vs. Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Wide receiver Josh Doctson will play for the Washington Redskins Sunday at the Jacksonville Jaguars after spending part of the week in concussion protocol.

Running back Chris Thompson and safety Montae Nicholson, who popped up on Washington's injury report Friday with illnesses, are also active.

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Arsenal's unbeaten run ends with 3-2 loss at Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) - Arsenal's 22-game unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end with a 3-2 loss at Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday, with Charlie Austin's 85th-minute goal sealing a first win for new Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuettl.

Arsenal twice came from behind through goals from ...
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Teen artists can apply for week-long stay at Isle Royale

HOUGHTON, Mich. (AP) - Young artists interested in developing their talent through a wilderness experience can apply for the Teen Artist Exploration program at Isle Royale National Park.

Two youths will be selected for 2019. Each will spend a week at the Lake Superior park next summer.

They will explore ...
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Ski resort hosting 2019 US Freestyle Championships

WATERVILLE VALLEY, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire's Waterville Valley Resort will welcome the nation's best mogul skiers for the 2019 U.S. Freestyle Championships.

The resort from March 16-17 will host athletes from around the country.

Waterville Valley hosted the 2018 U.S. Freestyle Championships last March.

In 1969, Waterville Valley Resort ...
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Kids at a Vatican charity give Pope Francis a birthday cake

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Children who frequent a Vatican pediatric dispensary have given Pope Francis a birthday cake, a day before he turns 82.

Francis joked with them Sunday, saying he hoped "such a big cake doesn't give indigestion" and blew out a candle atop the treat decorated in the ...
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Dier out until January, leaves Spurs light in midfield

LONDON (AP) - Tottenham is facing a shortage of central-midfield options over the busy festive period after Eric Dier was ruled out until the new year after having surgery to remove his appendix.

Dier missed the 1-0 win over Burnley on Saturday after contacting Tottenham's medical staff with acute abdominal ...
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg talks 'On the Basis of Sex' sex scene in sold-out NYC event

NEW YORK — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an unlikely national rock star. But "The Notorious RBG" is now the subject of a second film about her this year - in theaters on Christmas Day.

On Saturday evening, the 85-year-old Brooklyn native appeared in person, expressing love ...
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Pete Davidson Instagram post prompts police visit

NEW YORK — New York City police were concerned about Pete Davidson after he wrote "I don't want to be on this earth anymore" on Instagram. And they visited the "Saturday Night Live" star to make sure he was OK.

A police spokesman declined to say where officers met with ...
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Carter scores 27 as Texas A&M beats No. 8 Oregon State 76-70

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) - Chennedy Carter could only watch the final 22 seconds after fouling out. She had done plenty before that to put Texas A&M in position to get a big win.

Carter scored 27 points as the injury-depleted Aggies beat No. 8 Oregon State 76-70 on Saturday night ...
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Broncos lose another heart-breaker in fourth quarter

DENVER (AP) - Even down to one healthy cornerback, another spitting up blood, three sidelined with injuries and one ejected for throwing a punch, Vance Joseph trusted his defense more than his offense.

The Denver Broncos' embattled second-year coach sent kicker Brandon McManus out for a field goal rather than ...
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California counterculture writers make Kentucky hall of fame

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - They were two small-town Kentucky boys who went to study literature at Stanford University. They ended up at ground zero of California's emerging counterculture with beatniks, hippies, rock 'n' roll and psychedelic drugs.

Read "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test," Tom Wolfe's famous 1968 book about author ...
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Rondon helps Newcastle end losing run at Huddersfield

HUDDERSFIELD, England (AP) - Newcastle ended a sequence of four matches without a win after Salomon Rondon scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory at fellow English Premier League struggler Huddersfield on Saturday.

Former West Bromwich Albion forward Rondon sent Huddersfield plunging to a fourth straight league defeat after ...
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Man City back on top of EPL after win; Eriksen saves Spurs

Facing opposition decked out in royal blue for the second week running, Manchester City avoided any surprises this time round.

After watching his side crash to its first English Premier League defeat at Chelsea last weekend, Pep Guardiola was looking for a positive reaction from City on Saturday and the ...
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Spanish club Reus will pay players in bid to keep going

MADRID (AP) - Facing the threat of possible extinction, Spanish second-tier team Reus is paying money owed to its players.

Reus has until next week to give its squad back pay for the last three months, or be forced to dissolve.

Reus said Saturday that "the corresponding payments are being ...
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Man charged in shooting deaths after gas station assault

AMBRIDGE, Pa. (AP) - A man has been charged in the shooting deaths of two men he said were among a group that assaulted him outside a western Pennsylvania gas station.

Thirty-one-year-old Brandon Lee Richardson was charged with criminal homicide after the gunfire reported at about 2:30 a.m. Friday in ...
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Sabres suspend Berglund for failing to report to team

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Buffalo Sabres have suspended forward Patrick Berglund indefinitely for failing to report to the team.

The Sabres announced the suspension Saturday, hours before facing the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals. They said there would be no further information or comment at this time.

Berglund missed ...
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Lincoln artist continues sketching with Parkinson's disease

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The artist's hand moves up and down making small, even pencil strokes on the paper.

"This is a gorilla," Bob Sharp said.

Up and down, the fur. Shorter strokes, an eye.

When he lifts his right hand, the pencil is still in motion - up and ...
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Jesus double leads Man City past Everton 3-1

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Manchester City showed there was no lasting damage from last week's surprise defeat at Chelsea as the Premier League defending champions beat Everton 3-1 Saturday.

Gabriel Jesus scored twice and substitute Raheem Sterling grabbed the other goal to lead City back to the top of the ...
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Putin says rap should be controlled in Russia, not banned

MOSCOW (AP) - Alarmed by the growing popularity of rap among Russian youth, President Vladimir Putin wants cultural leaders to devise a means of controlling, rather than banning, popular music.

Putin says "if it is impossible to stop, then we must lead it and direct it."

But Putin said at ...
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FIFA leader Infantino wins SE Asia support for re-election

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - FIFA President Gianni Infantino has received another pledge of support in his campaign for re-election next year.

The ASEAN group of national soccer federations in southeast Asia says its members "unanimously declared their support for Mr. Infantino."

The regional group has 12 voters - including Australia, ...
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Goodman, Slocum key No. 8 Oregon St. rout over E. Washington

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) - Aleah Goodman scored 22 points and Destiny Slocum added 17 to lead No. 8 Oregon State to a 93-45 win over Eastern Washington on Friday night in the Maui Jim Maui Classic.

Mikayla Pivec had 14 points and Kat Tudor 12 for the Beavers (6-1). Oregon ...
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CBS replacing head of struggling morning show

NEW YORK (AP) - CBS News is replacing the top executive at "CBS This Morning," which has struggled to maintain its footing since Charlie Rose was fired a year ago on sexual misconduct charges.

The network announced Friday that executive producer Ryan Kadro will be leaving the show and network. ...
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Wentz has stress fracture in back, questionable to face Rams

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Eagles coach Doug Pederson says Carson Wentz has a stress fracture in his back and is questionable to play Sunday night against the Rams in Los Angeles.

Pederson says the injury evolved over time and does not require surgery but could take up to three months to ...
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Wisconsin strip club reaches $400k settlement with dancers

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A Wisconsin strip club has agreed to pay $400,000 to settle dancers' claims that they were paid essentially nothing for their performances.

Teriana Jones, who worked as a stripper at Cruisin' Chubbys Gentleman's Club, filed a federal class action lawsuit in 2017 alleging club managers required ...
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HS football in Mexico City to include college choices

The first high school all-star game to be played outside the United States will take place Dec. 22 in Mexico City, three days after many of the players involved will reveal which colleges they will attend.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame World Bowl Presented by Xenith will be at ...
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School defends expulsion of Wade family friend

PLANTATION, Fla. (AP) - A South Florida prep school at the center of a dispute over the expulsion of a student who is friends with NBA star Dwayne Wade and actress Gabrielle Union says its handbook explicitly states that any student who uses profanity toward a staff member will be ...
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Royals reveal the images on their Christmas cards

LONDON (AP) - British officials have released the photos chosen by members of the royal family for their Christmas cards.

Prince William and his wife Kate are shown outside in casual clothes, their three young children in tow. Prince Harry and Meghan chose a black and white motif that shows ...
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Texan accidentally shot by Dick Cheney recalls 2006 incident

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Harry Whittington was a longtime Austin lawyer and a largely behind the scenes player in Texas Republican politics in February 2006 when he became a central actor in what came close to being a life-or-death drama involving then-Vice President Dick Cheney.

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reports ...
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N Carolina teacher, MLB player's daughter dies after drill

HERTFORD, N.C. (AP) - Authorities in North Carolina say a fifth-grade teacher who fell ill during a fire drill died at school.

Perquimans County Schools assistant superintendent James Bunch tells The Virginian-Pilot that 45-year-old Kim Hunter Daugherty died Thursday morning of an undisclosed medical emergency at Hertford Grammar School.

Daugherty ...
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Kelly Clarkson backs lip-synching mom who embarrassed son

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - Kelly Clarkson is sending some love to the mom who was captured lip-syncing on a fan cam while her son dove for cover in his hoodie.

The video of Mandy Remmell's performance of Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" at Tuesday's University of Maryland basketball game, ...
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UEFA fines Milan $13M, threatens 1-year European ban

NYON, Switzerland (AP) - AC Milan was fined 12 million euros ($13.6 million) by UEFA on Friday and threatened with a one-season ban from European competition for breaking financial fair play rules.

UEFA said its club finance panel ruled the ban will be activated if Milan fails to break even ...
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Violent Eintracht fans create disorder at Lazio match

ROME (AP) - Italian authorities are still summing up the damage committed by visiting Eintracht Frankfurt fans before, during and after a Europa League match against Lazio.

Fans heading to the stadium on Thursday launched firecrackers in downtown Rome and damaged a supermarket. There was more disorder and clashes with ...
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Wichita art gallery reports break-in, theft of 8 pieces

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - A Wichita art gallery says eight pieces of glass art were stolen during a break-in.

The founder of Karg Art Glass, Rollin Karg, says he discovered the break-in and theft early Wednesday.

Gallery officials estimated the loss was about $2,500.

Police are investigating.

The Wichita Eagle ...
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