Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as New York Citys new mayor on Jan. 1, alongside a party spanning seven blocks that will accommodate 40,000 spectators, his transition team said.

Shopping should be about lust. Instead, its become a slog.

Politics and border hassles have chased away foreign visitors, costing businesses billions. Some fear next years World Cup wont be enough to bring tourists back.

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The Paramount Pictures water tower is seen in Los Angeles, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, with the Hollywood sign in the distance. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)2025-12-21T14:00:06Z Warner Bros. Discovery is in the middle of a Hollywood tug-of-war between Netflix and Paramount. And chances are itll be a long, bumpy regulatory road ahead for either buyer.Warners board on Wednesday urged shareholders to back the deal it struck with Netflix to sell its studio and streaming business for $72 billion. Meanwhile, Skydance-owned Paramount is moving forward with its hostile $77.9 billion bid for a full takeover of the company, including networks like CNN.In both scenarios, a merger would likely trigger a review by the U.S. Justice Department, which could sue to block the transaction or request changes. But other countries and entities could challenge either acquisition, too. Politics are also expected to come into play under U.S. President Donald Trump, who has made unprecedented suggestions about his personal involvement on whether a deal will go through. The process could drag on for more than a year, if not longer. But regardless of who wins, new ownership of Warner properties would drastically reshape the industry impacting movie-making, streaming platforms and the broader media landscape.Heres what we know. A look at the playersThe buyout target Warner Bros. Discovery is a 102-year-old Hollywood giant. It is one of the big five studios, producing titles ranging from Harry Potter to Superman. And its cable operations include top networks like CNN and Discovery. Warner also owns DC Studios and HBO Max.Paramount, which closed its own $8 billion merger with Skydance just months ago, is also one of Hollywoods remaining legacy studios with a blockbuster lineup including Top Gun and The Godfather. Beyond traditional film and TV production, it owns networks like CBS, MTV and Nickelodeon, as well as the Paramount+ streaming service. An aerial view shows Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) An aerial view shows Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More For Netflix, streaming is its bread and butter, accounting for 20% of the U.S. market for on-demand subscriptions, according to data from streaming guide JustWatch. That compares to 13% for HBO Max and 7% for Paramount+. But Netflix has also built up its own production arm, rolling out popular titles like Squid Game and Stranger Things.Netflix is the biggest of the three companies, with a market capitalization of around $430 billion as of mid-December. Warner Bros. Discovery is about $70 billion, while Paramount Skydance trails at closer to $14 billion. Regulatory hurdles for Netflix vs ParamountParamount has already pointed to Netflixs streaming dominance, arguing that bringing the platform under the same roof as HBO Max would squash competition and give it overwhelming market share. But Netflix has maintained its merger will give consumers more choice, allowing it to offer more plans and titles for customers to choose from Warners catalog. Antitrust experts expect Paramount and Netflix to try to convince regulators that theyre not just up against more traditional rival subscriptions, but broader video libraries across the internet. A Netflix sign is displayed atop a building in Los Angeles, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) A Netflix sign is displayed atop a building in Los Angeles, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More YouTube is at the top of the list and Netflix is already laying the groundwork to show Googles streaming platform dominance in terms of viewing hours, which, according to media analytics firm Nielsen, accounted for nearly 13% of viewership this fall compared with 8% for Netflix. Jim Speta, a professor at Northwestern Universitys Pritzker School of Law, expects both companies to say that a merger is necessary for them to compete against YouTube. The broader you make the market that were thinking about, the less the merger looks anti-competitive, Speta said.Meanwhile, others will argue that either merger is bad for consumers. While content libraries may broaden, a case could be made about a combined company wielding its power to control prices or adding more subscription hoops for consumers to jump through to watch certain titles.Among concerns, the range of available content on the streaming services might decrease, said Scott Wagner, head of antitrust practice at law firm Bilzin Sumberg. He pointed to older movies in particular that could potentially see shorter streaming windows across platforms. Implications for studio production and newsIf successful, Paramounts takeover would combine two of Hollywoods big five studios. And while Netflix has agreed to uphold Warners contractual obligations for theatrical releases in its proposed acquisition, critics are skeptical given its reliance on online streaming.Some trade groups have warned that consequences of either deal could include job losses. Layoffs tied to restructuring are common following a merger and wouldnt likely draw antitrust scrutiny, but Speta notes competition concerns could still arise if a company becomes so big that it has purchasing power and is deemed to control wages more broadly. A Netflix sign is displayed atop a building in Los Angeles, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, with the Hollywood sign in the distance. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) A Netflix sign is displayed atop a building in Los Angeles, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, with the Hollywood sign in the distance. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More For Paramount specifically, theres also the news and broader cable landscape to consider. Attorneys like Wagner expect the prospect of having Warner-owned CNN and Paramounts CBS under the same roof will be brought up in the regulatory review. But he doesnt believe it will carry the same weight as streaming and content library questions or become a tipping point that will lead to the mergers demise overall. Similar to broadening the definition of the streaming market, advocates of the Paramount merger will probably point to wider media offerings beyond traditional TV news, including information-sharing on social media platforms, Warner said. But there are also political implications around a possible CBS-CNN combo. Under new Skydance ownership, Paramount has already taken steps to appeal to more conservative viewers in its news operations, notably with the installation of Free Press founder Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News. And if the companys takeover bid of Warner is successful, many expect similar shifts at CNN a network that has long attracted ire from Trump.Trumps potential roleTrump has been vocal about whether a buyout of Warner will go through, and even said he would personally be involved in that decision.Speta says such a suggestion should raise alarm. While changes in administration have caused shifts in the reach of antitrust enforcement over the years, presidents picking whether mergers happen or dont happen is completely unprecedented, he said. Earlier this month, Trump said Netflixs deal could be a problem because of the size of the combined market share. The Republican president also has a close relationship with billionaire Oracle founder Larry Ellison the father of Paramount CEO David Ellison whose family trust is heavily backing the companys bid to buy Warner. An investment firm run by Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, was among other initial contributors to Paramounts bid, but later backed out.Meanwhile, Netflix has its own political connections. Trump previously called Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of the streaming giant, a fantastic man and said the two met in the Oval Office before the proposed Warner merger was announced. And Trump has continued to publicly lash out at Paramount over editorial decisions at CBS 60 Minutes. Even without Trumps intervention, the companies could bruise themselves as the process plays out, according to Paul Nary, assistant professor of management at University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School of Business. He notes Warner Bros. Discovery has largely unperformed for shareholders since its inception just three years ago and could potentially being left in even worse shape if management is distracted by shuffling through a long, drawn-out deal.Theres a potential for the winners curse here, he said. Media and entertainment is one of those spaces where you see all of these mega mergers high stakes (and) big egos competing over the glamorous assets. And so many of those deals end up failing. WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS Grantham-Philips is a business reporter who covers trending news for The Associated Press. She is based in New York. twitter mailto RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Workers install panels at a solar project May 21, 2025, in Galena, Alaska. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)2025-12-21T14:03:32Z There were some highs amid a lot of lows in a roller coaster year for clean energy as President Donald Trump worked to boost polluting fuels while blocking wind and solar, according to dozens of energy developers, experts and politicians.Surveyed by The Associated Press, many described 2025 as turbulent and challenging for clean energy, though there was progress as projects connected to the electric grid. They said clean energy must continue to grow to meet skyrocketing demand for electricity to power data centers and to lower Americans utility bills.Solar builder and operator Jorge Vargas said it has been a very tough year for clean energy as Trump often made headlines criticizing renewable energy and Republicans muscled a tax and spending cut bill through Congress in July that dramatically rolled back tax breaks for clean energy. There was a cooldown effect this year, said Vargas, cofounder and CEO of Aspen Power. Having said that, we are a resilient industry.Plug Power president Jose Luis Crespo said the developments both policy recalibration and technological progress will shape clean energys trajectory for years to come. Energy policy whiplash in 2025Much of clean energys fate in 2025 was driven by booster Joe Bidens exit from the White House.The year began with ample federal subsidies for clean energy technologies, a growing number of U.S.-based companies making parts and materials for projects and a lot of demand from states and corporations, said Tom Harper, partner at global consultant Baringa. It ends with subsidies stripped back, a weakened supply chain, higher costs from tariffs and some customers questioning their commitment to clean energy, Harper said. He described the year as paradigm shifting.Trump called wind and solar power the scam of the century and vowed not to approve new projects. The federal government canceled grants for hundreds of projects. The Republicans tax bill reversed or steeply curtailed clean energy programs established through the Democrats flagship climate and health care bill in 2022. Wayne Winegarden, at the Pacific Research Institute think tank, said the time has come for alternative energy to demonstrate viability without subsidies. ( Fossil fuels also receive subsidies.)Many energy executives said this was the most consequential policy shift. The bill reshaped the economics of clean energy projects, drove a rush to start construction before incentives expire and forced developers to reassess their strategies for acquiring parts and materials, Lennart Hinrichs said. He leads the expansion of TWAICE in the Americas, providing analytics software for battery energy storage systems.Companies cant make billion-dollar investments with so much policy uncertainty, said American Clean Power Association CEO Jason Grumet. Consequently, greenhouse gas emissions will fall at a much lower rate than previously projected in the U.S., said Brian Murray, director of the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability at Duke University. A worker does checks on battery storage pods at Orsteds Eleven Mile Solar Center lithium-ion battery storage energy facility Feb. 29, 2024, in Coolidge, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) A worker does checks on battery storage pods at Orsteds Eleven Mile Solar Center lithium-ion battery storage energy facility Feb. 29, 2024, in Coolidge, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Still, solar and battery storage are boomingSolar and storage accounted for 85% of the new power added to the grid in the first nine months of the Trump administration, according to Wood Mackenzie research. Thats because the economics remain strong, demand is high and the technologies can be deployed quickly, said Mike Hall, CEO of Anza Renewables. Solar energy company Sol Systems said it had a record year as it brought its largest utility-scale project online and grew its business. The energy storage systems company CMBlu Energy said storage clearly stands out as a winner this year too, moving from optional to essential. Trumps effort to manipulate government regulation to harm clean energy just isnt enough to offset the natural advantages that clean energy has, Democratic U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said. The direction is still all good.The Solar Energy Industries Association said that no matter the policies in Washington, solar and storage will grow as the backbone of the nations energy future. Nuclear and geothermal had a good year, tooDemocrats and Republicans have supported investing to keep nuclear reactors online, restart previously closed reactors and deploy new, advanced reactor designs. Nuclear power is a carbon-free source of electricity, though not typically labeled as green energy like other renewables. Who had restart Three Mile Island on their 2025 Bingo card? questioned Baringa partner David Shepheard. The Pennsylvania plant was the site of the nations worst commercial nuclear power accident, in 1979. The Energy Department is loaning $1 billion to help finance a restart. The base of a cooling tower at Constellations nuclear power plant stands on Three Mile Island near Middletown, Pa., June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File) The base of a cooling tower at Constellations nuclear power plant stands on Three Mile Island near Middletown, Pa., June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Everyone loves nuclear, said Darrin Kayser, executive vice president at Edelman. It helps that the technology for small, modular reactors is starting to come to fruition, Kayser added.Benton Arnett, a senior director at the Nuclear Energy Institute, said that as the need for clean, reliable power intensifies, we will look back on the actions being taken now as laying the foundation. The Trump administration also supports geothermal energy, and the tax bill largely preserved geothermal tax credits. The Geothermal Rising association said technologies continue to mature and produce, making 2025 a breakthrough year.Offshore wind had a terrible yearMomentum for offshore wind in the United States came to a grinding halt just as the industry was starting to gain traction, said Joey Lange, a senior managing director at Trio, a global sustainability and energy advisory company. Wind turbines operate at Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) Wind turbines operate at Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More The Trump administration stopped construction on major offshore wind farms, revoked wind energy permits and paused permitting, canceled plans to use large areas of federal waters for new offshore wind development and stopped federal funding for offshore wind projects. That has decimated the projects, developers and tech innovators, and no one in wind is raising or spending capital, said Eric Fischgrund, founder and CEO at FischTank PR. Still, Fischgrund said he remains optimistic because the world is transitioning to cleaner energy. More clean energy needed in 2026An energy strategy with a diverse mix of sources is the only way forward as demand grows from data centers and other sources, and as people demand affordable, reliable electricity, said former Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu. Landrieu, now with Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future, said promoting or punishing specific energy technologies on ideological grounds is unsustainable.Experts expect solar and battery storage to continue growing in 2026 to add a lot of power to the grid quickly and cheaply. The market will continue to ensure that most new electricity is renewable, said Amanda Levin, policy analysis director at the Natural Resources Defense Council.Hillary Bright, executive director of Turn Forward, thinks offshore wind will still play an important role too. It is both ready and needed to help address the demand for electricity in the new year, which will become increasingly clear to all audiences, she said. Turn Forward advocates for offshore wind.That skyrocketing demand is shaking up the political calculus that drove the administrations early policy decisions around renewables, she said.BlueWave CEO Sean Finnerty thinks that states, feeling the pressure to deliver affordable, reliable electricity, will increasingly drive clean energy momentum in 2026 by streamlining permitting and the process of connecting to the grid, and by reducing costs for things like permits and fees.Ed Gunn, Lunar Energys vice president for revenue, said the industry has weathered tough years before.The fundamentals are unchanged, Gunn said, there is massive value in clean energy. ___The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. JENNIFER McDERMOTT McDermott is a reporter on the Associated Press Climate and Environment team. She focuses on the transition to clean energy. twitter mailto

Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will play against the Miami Dolphins, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, who hit 56 home runs in Nippon Professional Baseball in 2022, has agreed to a two-year, $34 million contract with the White Sox, sources told ESPN.

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Angela Halili, 29, right, cohost of the Christian podcast, "Girls Gone Bible," prays over a follower during their live show held at the Atlanta Symphony Hall, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)2025-12-21T13:27:06Z ATLANTA (AP) Millennial and Generation Z Christian influencers are increasingly filling a void in American religion, growing audiences across digital platforms by steering young people to biblical answers to tough questions that arent always answered in Sunday sermons.I can be that in-between Monday to Saturday help to give you practical things to make you feel like youre not walking this walk alone, said Megan Ashley, 35, sitting cross-legged in sweats on the couch where she records her In Totality podcast. From myriad backgrounds, these influencers talk candidly to their listeners about everything from anxieties and doubts to dating and culture, delving into the Bibles complexities. Those of faith say Christian influencers are galvanizing young people looking for meaning in a culture that lacks it at a time when years of declining church attendance has slowed. What theyre making accessible is a truth that transforms people, said Lecrae Moore, a Christian rapper and podcaster. Theres something thats happening existentially supernaturally that I cant explain. Christian podcaster, Megan Ashley, sits on the couch where she films her show, In Totality, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at her home in Acworth, Ga. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Christian podcaster, Megan Ashley, sits on the couch where she films her show, In Totality, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at her home in Acworth, Ga. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Ashley and Moore are among a half-dozen popular influencers who described their work for this story. With and without formal theological training, they describe themselves as churchgoers who dont want their messages boxed in by denominational labels. Some grew up in church; others didnt, but they commonly describe experiencing a spiritual transformation that came out of hardship or a sense of emptiness they pin on secular lifestyles.Were like, listen, were two mess-ups too. Its OK, said Arielle Reitsma, 36, co-host of podcast Girls Gone Bible, which gets more than a million listens or streams each month. Girls Gone Bible podcasters, Angela Halili, left, and Arielle Reitsma, attend 2819 Church on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Girls Gone Bible podcasters, Angela Halili, left, and Arielle Reitsma, attend 2819 Church on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Connecting online, and in personThese algorithm-savvy podcasters fit comfortably in a long tradition of Christian celebrities, said Zachary Sheldon, a Baylor University lecturer on media, religion and culture who cited televangelist Billy Graham as an example. Working independently, they can harness audiences more easily than established congregations and media organizations can.Exposing people to the faith and challenging them to ask questions and search for something more are really good things to do, Sheldon said. But he pointed to potential dangers in granting them too much authority on the basis of their celebrity and their acumen with social media. Followers of the Christian podcast, Girls Gone Bible, cry during the live show held at the Atlanta Symphony Hall, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Followers of the Christian podcast, Girls Gone Bible, cry during the live show held at the Atlanta Symphony Hall, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More These influencers encourage church attendance and describe reaching a variety of people, including those who have been particularly disconnected from religion, which polls show is a growing number of young Americans. Only 41% of people ages 18-35 surveyed in 2023-24 said they believe in God with certainty, down from 65% in 2007, according to the Pew Research Center.People are spiritually hungry, emotionally hungry, and I think for the first time ever people are encountering Jesus even through online platforms, and theyre realizing, this is true life and fulfillment, said Angela Halili, 29, Reitsmas co-host. The pair now draws live crowds since starting the podcast more than two years ago. At an event in Atlanta, they warned hundreds of fans against idolizing work or relationships, Bibles in hand, and recounted their days as Hollywood actors battling addiction, heartbreak and mental health disorders. Halili said God brought them radical healing, and they want listeners to know that God can perform miracles in their lives, too.Afterward, they hugged and prayed for people in the audience, where Anna Williams, 17, said she considers both Reitsma and Halili to be a big sister in her life. They say Christian life isnt easy, but its worth itEven as they espouse biblical principles as guidance toward true joy, influencers say that being Christian can be hard.God does make everything better, but that doesnt always come in the way that we think its gonna come, said In Totality host Ashley.Her current obsession, which she teaches with fervor, is a biblical passage about living as a sacrifice. God asks people to give up certain wants and behaviors so they can grow closer to him, Ashley says. She said her intensity grew after a healing encounter with Gods severity as a freshly divorced single mom plagued by suicidal thoughts and depression. Bible passages, day-to-day plights and heavier challenges are covered on With the Perrys, a podcast led by husband and wife authors and spoken-word artists who also run a streetwear brand.It is the all how do we do all of this stuff in this weird flesh and weird world? said Jackie Hill Perry, 36. Christian podcaster and poet, Preston Perry, second from left, and his wife, Jackie Hill Perry, a Christian rapper and podcaster, third from left, attend service at 2819 Church on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Christian podcaster and poet, Preston Perry, second from left, and his wife, Jackie Hill Perry, a Christian rapper and podcaster, third from left, attend service at 2819 Church on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More She is an admired speaker who is working towards her seminary degree and wrote a book about leaving behind same-sex relationships. She and husband Preston Perry, 39, started podcasting in 2019. Followers already resonated with Perrys theological debates and story of growing up around poverty and violence before finding faith and becoming a Christian evangelist. God calls us to ruffle feathers sometimes, to speak to culture, Perry said.In a recent episode, the Perrys urged listeners to be honest with God about struggling to trust him. Through focused prayer, obedience and Bible reading, God brings lasting peace, answers and growth during hard circumstances, they say, but this requires more than quick fixes like scrolling and sex.At just 22, Bryce Crawford teaches Bible chapters on his self-named podcast and posts videos of himself talking to people about Christianity at Pride parades, the Burning Man counter-culture festival and a satanic temple. In this handout photo provided by Divij Vaswani, Christian podcaster, Bryce Crawford, speaks to followers At Lyrical Theater, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (Divij Vaswani via AP) In this handout photo provided by Divij Vaswani, Christian podcaster, Bryce Crawford, speaks to followers At Lyrical Theater, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (Divij Vaswani via AP) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Rather than shout repent, Crawfords street evangelism aims to change minds through kindness. His followers say theyre attracted by his empathetic yet bold demeanor while delivering talking points against lifestyles such as same-sex marriage.My issue with repent or burn in hell is that people get frustrated because they dont know why youre telling them that, said Crawford, who describes being severely anxious and bitter toward God until God healed him at a Waffle House. Our tactics have been one-on-one conversations, calmly listening, asking questions because we care about them, and in that explaining our worldview.The challenges of online ChristianityThese influencers acknowledge that online Christianity has its challenges.A hyperfocus on online drama and Christianitys more esoteric beliefs can miss the basics, such as love and Christs sacrifice, Hill Perry said. She worries that simply talking about gentleness or respect or kindness or patience is gonna be boring to people.And the deep political and cultural rifts among Christians emerge online too.For example, Halili and Reitsma got pushback for taking the opportunity to pray at a pre-inauguration rally for President Donald Trump. The Perrys have been criticized by conservatives for talking about police brutality and racial injustice, and liberals for expressing opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion.Some followers say these influencers provide a welcome alternative to the buttoned-up pastors they grew up with who spoke of God as a faraway deity that would reject them for breaking too many rules.I really needed someone who was a younger Black female portraying something that wasnt super traditional, said Olivia Singleton, 24. Shes involved with her church and likes her pastor, but feels like these influencers are like one of the girls walking out the faith with you.___Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. ___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. CHARLOTTE KRAMON Kramon covers government and politics from Atlanta. She is a Report for America corps member. twitter mailto

Kaillie Humphries Armbruster has won dozens of races in her bobsled career. The victory she got Sunday was like none of the others: her first since becoming a mother.

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In some studies, half of patients stopped taking GLP-1s within a year despite the benefits, citing the expense and side effects.

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Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks during an event with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House, Oct. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell, file)2025-12-21T17:15:38Z WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday defended the Justice Departments decision to release just a fraction of the Jeffrey Epstein files by the congressionally mandated deadline as necessary to protect survivors of sexual abuse by the disgraced financier.Blanche pledged that the Trump administration eventually would meet its obligation required by law. But he stressed that the department was obligated to act with caution as it goes about making public thousands of documents that can include sensitive information.Fridays partial release of the Epstein files has led to a new crush of criticism from Democrats who have accused the Republican administration of trying to hide information. Blanche called that pushback disingenuous as President Donald Trumps administration continues to struggle with calls for greater transparency, including from members of his political base, about the governments investigations into Jeffries, who once counted Trump as well as several political leaders and business titans among his peers. The reason why we are still reviewing documents and still continuing our process is simply that to protect victims, Blanche told NBCs Meet the Press. So the same individuals that are out there complaining about the lack of documents that were produced on Friday are the same individuals who apparently dont want us to protect victims. Blanches comments were the most extensive by the administration since the file dump, which included photographs, interview transcripts, call logs, court records and other documents. But some of the most consequential records expected about Epstein were nowhere to be found, such as FBI interviews with survivors and internal Justice Department memos examining charging decisions. Those records could help explain how investigators viewed the case and why Epstein was allowed in 2008 to plead guilty to a relatively minor state-level prostitution charge. Trump, who was friends with Epstein for years before the two had a falling-out, tried for months to keep the records sealed. Though Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, he has argued there is nothing to see in the files and that the public should focus on other issues.Federal prosecutors in New York brought sex trafficking charges against Epstein in 2019, but he killed himself in jail after his arrest. Democrat see a cover-up, not an effort to protect victimsBut Democratic lawmakers on Sunday hammered Trump and the Justice Department for a partial release.Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., argued that the Justice Department is obstructing the implementation of the law mandating the release of the documents not because it wants to protect the Epstein victims.Its all about covering up things that, for whatever reason, Donald Trump doesnt want to go public, either about himself, other members of his family, friends, Jeffrey Epstein, or just the social, business, cultural network that he was involved in for at least a decade, if not longer, he said on CNNs State of the Union. Blanche also defended the departments decision to remove several files related to the case from its public webpage, including a photograph showing Trump, less than a day after they were posted. The missing files, which were available Friday but no longer accessible by Saturday, included images of paintings depicting nude women, and one showed a series of photographs along a credenza and in drawers. In that image, inside a drawer among other photos, was a photograph of Trump, alongside Epstein, Melania Trump and Epsteins longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.Blanche said the documents were removed because they also showed victims of Epstein. Blanche said that Trump photo and the other documents will be reposted once redactions are made to protect survivors.It has nothing to do with President Trump, Blanche said. There are dozens of photos of President Trump already released to the public seeing him with Mr. Epstein.The thousands of Epstein-related records posted publicly offer the most detailed look yet at nearly two decades worth of government scrutiny of Epsteins sexual abuse of young women and underage girls. Yet Fridays release, replete with redactions, has not dulled the clamor for information given how many records had yet to be released and because some of the materials had already been made public. Justice Department has just learned the names of more potential victims, Blanche saysBlanche said that the department continues to review the trove of documents and has learned the names of additional potential victims in recent days. The deputy attorney general also defended the decision by the federal Bureau of Prisons, which Blanche oversees, to transfer Maxwell to a less restrictive, minimum-security federal prison earlier this year soon after he interviewed her about Epstein. Blanche said that the transfer was made because of concerns about her safety. Maxwell, Epsteins onetime girlfriend, is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for her 2021 conviction for sex trafficking crimes.She was suffering numerous and numerous threats against her life, Blanche said. So the BOP is not only responsible for putting people in jail and making sure they stay in jail, but also for their safety.Meanwhile, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., have indicated they could draft articles of impeachment against Attorney General Pam Bondi for what they see as the gross failure of the department to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said on ABCs This Week that there needs to be a full and complete explanation and then a full and complete investigation as to why the document production has fallen short of what the law clearly required, but he stopped short of backing impeachment.Blanche dismissed the impeachment talk.Bring it on, Blanche said. We are doing everything were supposed to be doing to comply with this statute.___Associated Press writer Adriana Gmez Licn in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report. AAMER MADHANI Madhani covers the White House for The Associated Press. He is based in Washington. twitter mailto

Missouri has hired Michigan's Chip Lindsey as offensive coordinator, with sources saying he agreed to a three-year contract.

Devils star Jack Hughes, who injured his hand during a team dinner in Chicago on Nov. 13, will return to the lineup against the Sabres on Sunday.

President Donald Trump holds a cell phone with a call to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang as he departs on Air Force One at Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Elm City, N.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)2025-12-21T17:52:46Z WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) The U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday was pursuing another sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea as the Trump administration appeared to be intensifying its targeting of such vessels connected to Venezuelan government.The pursuit of the tanker, which was confirmed by a U.S. official briefed on the operation, comes after U.S. administration announced Saturday it had seized a tanker for the second time in less than two weeks.The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly about the ongoing operation and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Sundays pursuit involved a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuelas illegal sanctions evasion. The official said the vessel was flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.The Coast Guards pursuit of the tanker was first reported by Reuters. Saturdays predawn seizure of a Panama-flagged vessel called Centuries targeted what the White House described as a falsely flagged vessel operating as part of the Venezuelan shadow fleet to traffic stolen oil.The Coast Guard, with assistance from the Navy, seized a sanction tanker called Skipper on Dec. 10, another part of a shadow fleet of tankers that the U.S. says operates on the fringes of the law to move sanctioned cargo. It was not even flying a nations flag when it was seized by the U.S. Coast Guard. Trump, after that first seizure, vowed that the U.S. would carry out a blockade of Venezuela. It all comes as Trump has ratcheted up his rhetoric toward Maduro and warned that the longtime Venezuelan leaders days in power are numbered. This past week Trump demanded that Venezuela return assets that it seized from U.S. oil companies years ago, justifying anew his announcement of a blockade against oil tankers traveling to or from the South American country that face American sanctions. Trump cited the lost U.S. investments in Venezuela when asked about his newest tactic in a pressure campaign against Maduro, suggesting the Republican administrations moves are at least somewhat motivated by disputes over oil investments, along with accusations of drug trafficking. Some sanctioned tankers already are diverting away from Venezuela.U.S. oil companies dominated Venezuelas petroleum industry until the countrys leaders moved to nationalize the sector, first in the 1970s and again in the 21st century under Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chvez. Compensation offered by Venezuela was deemed insufficient, and in 2014, an international arbitration panel ordered the countrys socialist government to pay $1.6 billion to ExxonMobil.The targeting of tankers comes as Trump has ordered the Defense Department to carry out a series of attacks on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean that his administration alleges are smuggling fentanyl and other illegal drugs into the United States and beyond. At least 104 people have been killed in 28 known strikes since early September. AAMER MADHANI Madhani covers the White House for The Associated Press. He is based in Washington. twitter mailto

People take part in the winter solstice celebrations during sunrise at the Stonehenge prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (Andrew Matthew/PA via AP)2025-12-21T11:03:24Z LONDON (AP) Thousands of people cheered and danced around Stonehenge as the sun rose over the prehistoric stone circle on Sunday, the winter solstice.The crowds, many dressed as druids and pagans, had gathered before dawn, waiting patiently in the dark and cold field in southwest England. Some sang and beat drums, while others took time to reflect among the huge stone pillars.Many make the pilgrimage to the stone circle every summer and winter and consider it a spiritual experience. The ancient monument, erected between 5,000 and 3,500 years ago, was built to align with the movement of the sun on the solstices key dates in the calendar for ancient farmers.English Heritage, the organization that manages Stonehenge, said some 8,500 people celebrated Saturday at the monument on Salisbury Plain, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) southwest of London. It added that its livestream of the festivities drew over 242,000 views from around the world. Sunday is the shortest day of the year north of the equator, where the solstice marks the start of astronomical winter. Its the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is the longest day of the year and summer will start.The winter solstice is when the sun makes its shortest, lowest arc, but many celebrate it as a time of renewal because after Sunday, the sun starts climbing again and days will get a little longer every day until late June.

Kansas men's basketball assistant coach Joe Dooley was arrested for driving under the influence and will be suspended for three weeks, head coach Bill Self announced.

U.S. forces had boarded a different tanker on Saturday. The actions signaled a crackdown on such vessels.

Avatar: Fire and Ash took in $88 million over the weekend, a sizable No. 1 total that nonetheless fell 34 percent behind the opening for its franchise predecessor.

(AP Illustration / Peter Hamlin)2025-12-21T18:44:40Z Melanin Bee curves her spine like a stretching cat as she lets out a maniacal, forced laugh.The quick-fire pattern of manufactured giggles oh, hoo hoo hoo, eeh, ha ha ha soon ripples into genuine laughter, and she giddily kicks her feet.Shes practicing what she calls Laughast, a hilarious yoga routine she created that is a descendant of laughter clubs that emerged in India in the 1990s. It feels awkward at first, but you fake it till you make it, she said.Its about allowing yourself to be OK with being awkward, said Bee, a Los Angeles comedian and speaker. Then youre going to find some form of silliness within that is going to allow you to laugh involuntarily.The laughter clubs were based on the common-sense notion that laughter relieves stress. But a good laugh is also good for your heart, immune system and many other health benefits, said Dr. Michael Miller, a cardiologist and medical professor at the University of Pennsylvania.Like we say, exercise at least three to five days a week, Miller said. Belly laugh at least two to five days a week. This article is part of APs Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health. Read more Be Well. The study of laughterAlthough luminaries from the ancient Greeks to Freud have opined on the roots and implications of laughter, the modern study of laughter gelotology began emerging in the 1960s.Stanford University psychologist William F. Fry, one of gelotologys founders, drew blood samples from himself while watching Laurel and Hardy. He discovered that laughter increased the number of immune-boosting blood cells.In 1995, Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician in Mumbai, got wind of the emerging research as editor of a health magazine while researching an article on stress management. To combat his own stress, he started the first daily laughter club in a park. It ballooned from a handful of participants to more than 150 within a month, he said. After the group quickly ran out of jokes, Kataria created exercises that activated the diaphragm, and he incorporated yogic breathing exercises, light stretches and deliberately silly sounds and movements.We were faking in the beginning and within seconds, everybody was in stitches, Kataria said. Why is laughter good for you?Miller began studying laughter in the 1990s. Showing funny movies to study participants, he found that laughter produces endorphins in the brain that promote beneficial chemicals in the blood vessels. Nitric oxide, for example, causes blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure, inflammation and cholesterol.The combination reduces the risk for a heart attack, he said, and the endorphins are natural pain killers.When youve had a really good laugh, you feel very relaxed and light, said Miller, who is also chief of medicine at the Philadelphia Veterans Administration, where he is implementing a laughter therapy program. Its like youve taken pain medication.Forced laughter or simulated mirth, in academia may even be more beneficial than spontaneous laughter, said Jenny Rosendhal, a senior researcher of medical psychology at Jena University in Germany.Rosendhal completed a meta-analysis of 45 laughter studies, among other research, and found that laughter-inducing therapies decreased glucose levels, the stress hormone cortisol and chronic pain. They also improved mobility and overall mood, especially in older populations. Because humor is subjective, it is hard to measure. Thats why much of the more recent research has focused on laughter yoga and similar programs that provoke sustained bouts of laughter during 30- to 45-minute sessions, Rosendhal said.Laughter yoga is particularly effective for people who might not feel like laughing, such as those struggling with depression or cancer patients, she said. With simulated laughter, the physiological mechanisms are the same, such as additional inhaling, exhaling and muscle activity that also improves mood.The well-being comes through the back door, she said. You start with an exercise, and then the spontaneous laughter comes later because its funny to see people laughing. How to laugh moreDuring a recent video call, Kataria said the trick is to learn to laugh for no reason. He and others in laughing yoga classes around the world have created hundreds of exercises that help.The simplest: Get together with another person, look in each others eyes and repeat the sound ha for a full minute. Or try the breathe in and laugh. Bring your hands to your chest on a deep inhale, hold your breath for three seconds, and burst out laughing on the exhale while extending your hands forward.In laughing yoga classes, people may pretend to greet each other like aliens, crawl around like their favorite animals, or tap their temple as if a light bulb went off, exclaiming, Aha! ha ha ha!Kataria suggested bringing laughter into your daily life, even at things that might not seem funny. Demonstrating credit card bill laughter, he held out his hand as if looking at a statement, and burst into a roiling, infectious laughter. For inspiration, you could log into one of the three dozen free online American laughter clubs recognized by Laughter Yoga International. Really, its not about forcing yourself to laugh, he said. Its like activating your laughter muscles, getting rid of your mental inhibitions and shyness. Then the real laughing is childlike laughing, unconditional laughing.___EDITORS NOTE: Albert Stumm writes about wellness, food and travel. Find his work at https://www.albertstumm.com

Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins left Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills on a cart after suffering a right leg injury.

Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew sustained a left knee injury in the opening minute vs. the Titans, left the game before halftime and was ruled out.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy suffered a hand injury in Sunday's game against the Giants.

A week after gunmen killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration, hints of political divisions and anti-immigration rhetoric emerge in Australia.

Durante dos dcadas, luch contra incendios forestales para el gobierno de EE. UU. Ahora se enfrenta al cncer, a las deudas y a la amenaza de separarse de su hijo de 11 aos.

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Georgetown suspended head coach Ed Cooley for one game after he struck a child in the stands with a water bottle in a moment of frustration.

Problems are mounting for Man United after Sunday's defeat, a result that vaulted Aston Villa into the title race. Can Amorim & Co. turn this around with a thin squad and crowded fixture list?

The proliferation of illegal firearms from the United States has fueled a spike in gun violence in Canada, where most guns used in crimes are smuggled across the border.

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Mario Cristobal and Joe Judge were among the notables to sound off with memorable lines after Round 1 of the College Football Playoff.

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Steelers wideout DK Metcalf threw a punch at a fan hanging over the railing at Ford Field in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Lions in Detroit.

Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers is expected to continue to start after coach Mike McDaniel said he "earned" the opportunity.

While Jordan Love remains in the concussion protocol, his backup, Malik Willis, is dealing with a shoulder injury suffered in Saturday's loss to the Bears.

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Even with the holidays coming up, NFL teams remained their petty selves in Week 16.

Matt Kuchar and son Cameron Kuchar set an event record for the PNC Championship after shooting 18-under 54 to finish the 36-hole event at 33-under 111.

Texas A&M won its first NCAA volleyball championship after sweeping Kentucky, one of three No. 1 seeds the Aggies beat in the tournament,.

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones expressed his disappointment Sunday with how the season has gone for his team.

Chase Brown, Puka Nakua and Chris Olave led the way with big Week 16 performances, while Josh Allen, Josh Jacobs and Baker Mayfield were among the biggest disappointments.

Will Texas A&M and Kentucky be the teams to beat again in 2026? How about Nebraska and Texas?

Mr. Kimmel will speak out against fascism and about the importance of free speech in the holiday address, according to a Channel 4 spokesman.

The Chinese government once focused on political dissidents and exiled activists. Now, federal officials say, it is targeting artists in the United States whose creative protests test its tolerance.

Ynon Kreiz, the chief executive of Mattel, believes consumers squeezed by tariffs and inflation will cut back on other things before they skimp on Barbies and Hot Wheels.