Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving can be described as a “man of many words,” but Irving’s new signature sneaker, the ANTA KAI 1 “Sacred Bond” sneakers, can speak for themselves. Irving, 32, has been delivering high-quality sneakers in beautiful colorways since globally launching his signature sneaker line, ANTA KAI 1, on February 26, 2024. Irving’s sneakers have been a great distraction for NBA fans who haven’t forgiven him yet. Aside from delivering sneakers, Irving has donated millions of dollars to various causes and humanitarian efforts, such as University of Miami graduate Cameron Mofid’s African charity to build a school in Lagos, Nigeria, and an orphanage in Accra, Ghana, while mentoring and supporting multiple youth empowerment initiatives to encourage today’s youth to pursue their dreams. The Mavericks have also recognized Irving for his civic contributions to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. ANTA KAI 1 “Sacred Bond” Sneakers Drop Kyrie Irving’s latest signature sneaker, the ANTA KAI 1 “Sacred Bond” sneakers, officially dropped on November 23, 2024. The ANTA KAI 1 “Sacred Bond” sneakers’ colorway rose above the basketball court to honor cultural heritage and brought to life the prophecy of the “Enlightened Warrior” — a person on a journey to unleash their inner powers and warrior spirit. The heartfelt sneakers can be purchased at ANTA.com and other select retail partners. The recent release of the sneakers built upon the foundation of the ANTA KAI 1 “Enlightened Warrior” colorway. The colorway introduced the general public to Irving’s unique blend of African American and Indigenous influences and then translated Irving’s personal journey into a meaningful performance sneaker. The colorway collaborated with ANTA’s Design Director, Jared Subawon, Color Design Director, Shaneika Warden, and Senior Graphic Designer Astin Davis. Kyrie Irving Proves His Creativity Kyrie Irving has proven to be the NBA’s most creative player on and off the court. Irving’s ANTA KAI 1 “Sacred Bond” sneakers showcase a carefully chosen color palette that symbolizes the strong bond between father and son. The “Sacred Bond” sneakers drew on the multi-layered symbolism of colors in the “Enlightened Warrior” colorway, using hues that represented strength (black), sacrifice (red), silver (wisdom), balance (blue), and harmony (gold). The hues echoed the duality in Irving’s life and game and bridged the gap between heritage and modernity, as well as family and personal legacy. Kyrie Irving Honors His Father There’s more to Kyrie Irving’s new ANTA 1 “Sacred Bond” sneakers than meets the eye. The “Sacred Bond” sneakers reportedly represent the powerful connection between Kyrie and his father, Drederick “Dred” Irving, a former professional basketball player who has been a guiding force and inspiration in Kyrie’s life. Drederick symbolizes the spirit of resilience, strength, and wisdom — three qualities that helped shape Kyrie into an awesome athlete and an “Enlightened Warrior” on and off the court. The sneakers are footwear showcasing style, while celebrating heritage and embodying the “Enlightened Warrior” prophecy. The sneakers’ other purpose is to empower athletes to perform at their peak and walk with purpose and pride, just like Drederick Irving did with his professional basketball career and his sacrifices as a father to Kyrie Irving. Drederick’s passion was passed onto Kyrie, who learned and was guided by his father. Kyrie eventually embarked on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment after Drederick reportedly set aside his career dreams to coach and guide Kyrie through the years. As a result, Kyrie and Drederick’s bond was so powerful that the former was inspired to play in the NBA after playing youth boy’s basketball at the Continental Airlines Arena (now the Meadowlands Arena) in East Rutherford, New Jersey during a fourth-grade field trip. This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.
AP News in Brief at 6:04 p.m. ESTPanthers TE Ja'Tavion Sanders carted off field for neck injuryPartsol Secures Technology-Enabled Service Subscription with the US ArmyMedia under the sinking lid in 2024
Even with technology taking over much of our day-to-day lives, board games still offer quality entertainment that can’t be beaten. Of course, the popular board games of today are a far cry from the games your parents grew up playing. Board games are perfect for encouraging your family to work together or for bringing your group of friends around the table for an evening. If you’d like to start up a weekly game night, let this helpful list of the most popular board games be your guide. Utter Nonsense Ages 8+ This game will have every player rolling in stitches with each ridiculous phrase that’s uttered. Combine crazy accents and hilarious phrases to impress the Nonsense Judge and win the round. The player with the highest number of wins ultimately wins the game, but the true fun of this card game is listening to your fellow players trying to say some of the most entertaining phrases of all time. This game is perfect for game nights or parties. Speak Out Ages 8+ This hilarious game is perfect if you have teenagers or are hosting a party with all adults. To play, you insert a mouthpiece that alters the sound of your speech, making every word sound silly. Set the timer and read one of the phrases on the cards and try to help your teammate guess what you’re saying. Speak Out easily provides hours of fun that even grandparents will love. Escape Room in a Box Ages 13+ What’s the next best thing to trying to break out of a room? Escape Room in a Box, of course. This thrilling, immersive game involves solving 2D and 3D puzzles in order to prevent a mad scientist from turning you and your friends or family into werewolves. Work together to escape your fate and use Amazon Alexa to enhance the experience. Codenames Ages 14+ This fun strategy game is perfect for anyone with teenagers. Form two teams and select a spymaster on each team. Using clues, spymasters try to help their teammates find all 25 of the agents they’re in contact with, hopefully without selecting the other team’s agents or running into the deadly assassin. This innovative game offers a challenging and rewarding time working together. Harry Potter Clue Ages 9+ Excite your kids on game night with this modern twist on a classic. Play as six recognizable Hogwarts characters — Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Ginny or Neville — to solve the mystery behind a fellow student’s disappearance. It’s up to you to figure out who attacked the student, what bewitching spell they used and where it occurred. Watch out for the Dark Mark, moving staircases and secret passages as you travel along in this magical family game. Pandemic Ages 8+ If you’ve ever wanted to save humanity from a deadly outbreak, you’ll love spending an hour playing Pandemic. You and your teammates must fight to contain four deadly diseases threatening the human race. Players must learn to work with their teammates to control outbreak hotspots and treat diseases. Win the game by curing all diseases without wiping out humanity first. Catan Ages 10+ This tactical 60-minute game will push your imagination to its limits as you embark on a journey across Catan. Acquire crucial resources as you travel, build roads, buildings, and cities, and be wary of the ruthless robber and other players halting you on your own road. Through careful trading and clever decisions, you can lead your travelers to victory in this role-playing game of limitless possibilities. Play again and again. Every game is different. Ticket to Ride Ages 8+ Train lovers will enjoy this innovative board game which has won numerous awards. This cross-country train adventure game mimics the concept of traveling around the world in 80 days. Collect train cars and claim railways across the country. Players earn the most points by establishing long train routes and connecting distant cities. Each game takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes to complete, and every adventure is different. 5 Second Rule Ages 10+ This quick-paced game gives each player five seconds to name items on a certain topic. Although the topics are objectively easy —“Name 3 Mountains,” “Name 3 Types of Hats” or “Name 3 Super Heroes,” the pressure of the time crunch is likely to put you on edge. Race the clock and remain composed to win this game. You can even make up your own topics if you prefer. Half the fun is just hearing what other people blurt out, whether it’s relevant to the topic or not. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Listen, I know is ~technically~ supposed to be all about for your loved ones or splurging on a spendy appliance while it's at its lowest price of the year. But hear me out: with earlier sunsets and frigid AF weather, now is the perfect time to make some , too. And considering that so many of ? Yeah, I rest my case. The race is officially on to find all the happening now—and our editors are working overtime (no, literally) to bring you all the latest and greatest finds. Right now, days before Black Friday, DTC darlings like and , not to mention mega-retailers like and , have major clothing discounts for the taking, . Related Stories As one of our editors' absolute , Abercrombie is always when it comes to Black Friday shopping. From November 27 through December 1, shoppers can take 25% off sitewide, plus an But if you're a myAF Member (it's free to ), you can start shopping deals now. There's nothing worse than getting a brand-new pair of shoes, only for them to be SO painful to walk in. That's why I love ALDO's selection of loafers, heels, boots, and more—they're outfitted with special "Pillow Walk" insoles that makes them actually comfortable. Bonus: you can shop (plus free shipping!) this Black Friday. The iconic athleisure brand known for its whisper-soft sweat sets and stylish workout sets is currently offering — —for Black Friday. Naturally, the most sought-after deals are selling out fast, but I managed to find a few pieces in stock in most sizes—like a pair of high-waisted leggings and a major faux leather puffer. When it comes to variety, few retailers are doing it quite like Amazon. There are literally of Black Friday fashion steals happening during Amazon's Black Friday sale (which runs ), including deep discounts on Levi's denim and platform suede slippers. And did I mention free two-day shipping for Prime members? This Black Friday, Anthropologie is giving shoppers an . I'm partial to the brand's impressive array of funky statement jewelry, but I also spotted deals on cold-weather essentials like snuggly sweaters and holiday party dresses. PSA: I found during the brand's Black Friday sale. You can also on over 1,000 styles, from luxe cashmere-wool coats to sleek bodysuits. When your office outfits need a lil' refresh (AKA always), check out Banana Republic Factory's Black Friday sale. The brand is offering . And if you have a Gap Inc. credit cart, the sales get even steeper, with an extra 30% discount stacked on top. Score designer at a discount thanks to Bloomingdale's Black Friday sale, which is offering an extra . Below, I've highlighted some of my top budget-friendly picks including studded Sam Edelman flats and a cozy sweater in 100% cotton. Just in time for holiday gifting szn, —I'm talking everything from trendy shoulder bags to classic totes and small leather goods like wallets and card cases. If you need me, I'll be upgrading my loungewear collection with all things soft and snuggly from Cozy Earth this winter. Right now, the brand is offering (plus free shipping over $50) for Black Friday, including a pair of pajamas that made —score! Step up your shoe game with Dolce Vita's 6 Days of Dolce, featuring discounts of . Plus, take during the brand's Black Friday sale . At DSW, save like Nike and Reebok during the brand's early Black Friday sale. What's more, I found deals of up to , including the viral Mini Bootie. Add code at checkout for an extra 30% off select items. Stars like Sofia Richie, Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner, and Meghan Markle have all been spotted in Eberjey's stylish pajamas. Save on celeb-loved sleepwear (and a bathrobe from Oprah's Favorite Things list) from November 24 through December 2 with code . Everlane is one of the best places to shop for for high-quality basics, and you can save during the brand's current Black Friday sale, which runs through November 27. But if you wait to shop until November 28, the discounts get even steeper, at up to 70% off—that is, if these best-selling pieces are still in stock. at Franco Sarto's Black Friday sale. The brand is slashing prices on everything from slingbacks to sandals, but I'm partial to the gorgeous selection of leather boots. Halara's trendy and affordable activewear has been all over my TikTok feed lately, in no small part due to Taylor Swift wearing the brand's pleated buckle skirt at Coachella this year. Now, you can —yes, including the famous skirt—at Halara's Black Friday sale. Editor-loved activewear brand Lululemon is still being hush-hush about , but I dug through the We Made Too Much section to bring you the very best pieces, like and the ever-popular Everywhere Belt Bag. Save on everything from essential denim to gift-worthy leather bags at Madewell's Black Friday sale. The brand is currently giving shoppers —that includes sale items, which means you can stack discounts for maximum savings. Mango is kicking off the Black Friday savings with up to including workwear, coats, accessories and more. Plus, get free shipping on orders of $220 or more. The brand behind some of , Mazin Jewels, is hosting a Black Friday sale. on all kinds of stunning baubles. Once the sale begins, all of these Blondie-approved pieces will all be available for under $50(!). Spoil yourself (and your loved ones) with fine jewelry from Mejuri. The brand's Black Friday sale is offering —just create a free Mejuri account to enjoy these discounts. Beginning November 29 and running through December 2, shop almost . That includes statement jewelry, stacking necklaces, earrings, and more. I keep finding sooo many of my favorite trends at Mint Velvet, from eye-catching holiday outfits to quality wardrobe staples. From November 27 to December 2, you can , so you can thank me later when your new wardrobe gets you tons of compliments. TBH, *so* many of our editors love Negative Underwear's ridiculously soft loungewear sets—which is why we were stoked to find out that the brand's Black Friday sale . Shop between November 28 and December 2 to save. Nordstrom has thousands of Black Friday deals to choose from at . I even spotted rare markdowns on coveted pieces, like a pair of Hoka Bondi 8s and the TikTok-viral SKIMS bodysuit. "Thanks, I got it on sale"—you, after shopping Reformation's Black Friday deals. Save 25% sitewide through midnight on December 2—and yes, that includes celeb favorites like Zendaya's cashmere sweater, and Kendall Jenner's mini skirt. From wedding guest dresses to trendy going-out tops, Revolve is my #1 . And although the retailer hasn't dropped any Black Friday deals (yet!), I found some fun finds in its clearance section. During Saks Off 5th's Holiday sale, you can like coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and sweaters when you use the code at checkout. Complete your new outfit with a pair of ultra-strong Sheertex tights, on sale now for Black Friday. You from simple sheers to playful polka dots, plus enjoy free shipping on your order. Ahead of SKIMS' official Black Friday offering, I spotted lots of lingerie and loungewear at a major discount in the brand's sale section. Save . I know Spanx is famous for its shapewear, but the brand has tons of clothing options that are perfect for the office. Before Spanx drops its official Black Friday deals, shop these . Spendier items like designer boots are one of the best things to shop during Black Friday, so I highly recommend checking out Stuart Weitzman's outlet to —just use the code at checkout . Snag at Sunglass Hut's Black Friday sale—including top brands like Versace, Ray Ban, and Burberry. From November 22 through November 28, Uniqlo is offering , like down parkas for under $100 and layering essentials starting at $15. Don't sleep on Walmart's fashion department. The mega-retailer has sooo many affordable (and adorable) finds on sale. From November 25 through December 1, you can at Walmart's Black Friday sale. at Zappos' Black Friday sale, plus apparel and outerwear. IMO, the best deal is on the ultra-popular Hoka Clifton 9 sneakers, since they almost never go on sale. Related Stories Lauren Gruber is an associate commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she writes for publications like , , , , , and more. She has over four years of professional experience covering a variety of lifestyle topics from home to fashion, with an advanced background in beauty and fragrance. When she’s not researching the most worthy Prime Day deals or hands-on testing all the latest perfume launches, Lauren is probably hanging out with her cat Serafina or flexing her AMC A-List membership at the movie theater. You can find her previous work at , , , , , and .FARGO — South Prairie-Max and Medina-Pingree-Buchanan both won their first-round matches Thursday during the North Dakota Class B state volleyball tournament at the Fargodome. No. 2-seeded South Prairie-Max earned a 25-14, 25-15, 27-25 victory against Kenmare-Bowbells in the state quarterfinals. No. 3 seed Medina-Pingree-Buchanan scored a 25-15, 25-9, 25-17 win against Central McLean to advance to the state semifinals. South Prairie-Max and Medina-Pingree-Buchanan are slated to play at 5 p.m. Friday in the state semifinals. Langdon Area-Munich and Dickinson Trinity and Fargo Oak Grove and Thompson are slated to play in the other state quarterfinals. Below are scenes from Thursday's opening-round Class B matches (check back at Inforum.com for updates) :
Pope Francis kicks off a yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome's patience VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has opened the great Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. The ceremony kicks off the 2025 Holy Year. It's a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome. And it will test the pope’s stamina and the ability of the Eternal City to welcome them. This begins the Christmas Eve Mass. The ceremony inaugurates the once-every-25-year tradition of a Jubilee. Francis has dedicated the 2025 Jubilee to the theme of hope. Bethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas Eve during the war in Gaza BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is marking another somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. The church was built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The war, the violence in the occupied West Bank it has spurred and the lack of festivities has deeply hurt Bethlehem's economy. The town relies heavily on Christmas tourism. The economy in the West Bank was already reeling because of restrictions placed on laborers preventing them from entering Israel during the war. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about one hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by an issue with a vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled. Haiti gangs fire on journalists covering a planned hospital reopening, leaving casualties PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Suspected gang members have opened fire on journalists in Haiti’s capital as they were covering the attempted reopening of the country’s largest hospital, wounding or killing an unknown number of people. The country's interim president, Leslie Voltaire, said in an address to the nation that journalists and police were among the victims of the vicious Christmas Eve attack. He did not specify how many casualties there were, or give a breakdown for the dead or wounded. Radio Télé Métronome said earlier on Tuesday that seven journalists and two police officers were wounded in the shooting. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Middle East latest: Israeli raid and airstrikes in West Bank kill at least 8 Palestinians The Palestinian Health Ministry says at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank. The ministry said three of the dead were killed by Israeli airstrikes. The attacks took place around the city of Tulkarem and nearby refugee camps. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of the war in Gaza. Most festivities were cancelled and crowds of tourists were absent. Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. NFL players who use platform to share their faith say it's their duty to spread their love of Jesus ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Jake Bates was standing on the turf in his hometown of Houston when asked to reflect on an unlikely journey from learning how to sell bricks to making game-winning kicks for the Detroit Lions. Bates used his platform as an NFL player to spread his love of Jesus. A month later, Bates told The Associated Press it is a duty to share his faith. The NFL is filled with players and coaches who feel the same way, such as Houston's C.J. Stroud, Atlanta's Kirk Cousins, and Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens. Major storm pounds California's central coast, blamed for man's death and partially collapsing pier SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A major storm has pounded California’s central coast bringing flooding and high surf that was blamed for fatally trapping a man beneath debris on a beach and later partially collapsing a pier, tossing three people into the Pacific Ocean. The storm was expected to bring hurricane-force winds and waves up to 60 feet Monday as it gained strength from California to the Pacific Northwest. Some California cities have ordered beachfront homes and hotels to evacuate early Monday afternoon. Forecasters have warned that storm swells would continue to increase throughout the day. Medellin Cartel victims demand truth and justice as cartel boss Fabio Ochoa walks free in Colombia BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — The return of the notorious drug trafficker Fabio Ochoa to Colombia, following his deportation from the United States, has reopened old wounds among the victims of the Medellin cartel, with some expressing their dismay at the decision of Colombian authorities to let the former mafia boss walk free.Some of the cartel victims said on Tuesday that they are hoping the former drug lord will at least cooperate with ongoing efforts by human rights groups to investigate one of the most violent periods of Colombia’s history, and demanded that Colombian prosecutors also take Ochoa in for questioning.
Pope Francis kicks off a yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome's patience VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has opened the great Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. The ceremony kicks off the 2025 Holy Year. It's a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome. And it will test the pope’s stamina and the ability of the Eternal City to welcome them. This begins the Christmas Eve Mass. The ceremony inaugurates the once-every-25-year tradition of a Jubilee. Francis has dedicated the 2025 Jubilee to the theme of hope. Bethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas Eve during the war in Gaza BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is marking another somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. The church was built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The war, the violence in the occupied West Bank it has spurred and the lack of festivities has deeply hurt Bethlehem's economy. The town relies heavily on Christmas tourism. The economy in the West Bank was already reeling because of restrictions placed on laborers preventing them from entering Israel during the war. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about one hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by an issue with a vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled. Middle East latest: Israeli raid and airstrikes in West Bank kill at least 8 Palestinians The Palestinian Health Ministry says at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank. The ministry said three of the dead were killed by Israeli airstrikes. The attacks took place around the city of Tulkarem and nearby refugee camps. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of the war in Gaza. Most festivities were cancelled and crowds of tourists were absent. Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. NFL players who use platform to share their faith say it's their duty to spread their love of Jesus ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Jake Bates was standing on the turf in his hometown of Houston when asked to reflect on an unlikely journey from learning how to sell bricks to making game-winning kicks for the Detroit Lions. Bates used his platform as an NFL player to spread his love of Jesus. A month later, Bates told The Associated Press it is a duty to share his faith. The NFL is filled with players and coaches who feel the same way, such as Houston's C.J. Stroud, Atlanta's Kirk Cousins, and Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens. Major storm pounds California's central coast, blamed for man's death and partially collapsing pier SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A major storm has pounded California’s central coast bringing flooding and high surf that was blamed for fatally trapping a man beneath debris on a beach and later partially collapsing a pier, tossing three people into the Pacific Ocean. The storm was expected to bring hurricane-force winds and waves up to 60 feet Monday as it gained strength from California to the Pacific Northwest. Some California cities have ordered beachfront homes and hotels to evacuate early Monday afternoon. Forecasters have warned that storm swells would continue to increase throughout the day. Medellin Cartel victims demand truth and justice as cartel boss Fabio Ochoa walks free in Colombia BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — The return of the notorious drug trafficker Fabio Ochoa to Colombia, following his deportation from the United States, has reopened old wounds among the victims of the Medellin cartel, with some expressing their dismay at the decision of Colombian authorities to let the former mafia boss walk free.Some of the cartel victims said on Tuesday that they are hoping the former drug lord will at least cooperate with ongoing efforts by human rights groups to investigate one of the most violent periods of Colombia’s history, and demanded that Colombian prosecutors also take Ochoa in for questioning. Man arraigned on murder charges in NYC subway death fanned flames with a shirt, prosecutors say NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors say a man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train used a shirt to fan the flames, causing her to become engulfed. The suspect, identified by police as Sebastian Zapeta, was arraigned in Brooklyn criminal court on Tuesday. He faces murder charges that could put him in prison for life. Federal immigration officials say 33-year-old Zapeta is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally after being deported in 2018. The apparently random attack occurred Sunday morning on a stationary F train at the Coney Island station in Brooklyn. Amsterdam court sentences 5 men over violence linked to Ajax-Maccabi soccer game THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An Amsterdam District Court has issued sentences of up to six months in jail against 5 men who were involved in violent disorder after a soccer match between the Dutch club Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv in November. The riots caused an international outcry and accusations of deliberate anti-Semitic attacks. The violence following a UEFA Europa League match left 5 people in hospital. More than 60 suspects were detained. The court on Tuesday sentenced one man to 6 months in prison, another to 2 1/2 months, two to 1 month and one to 100 hours of community service.
Avidity Biosciences Announces Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)Vulcan Materials Co. stock falls Tuesday, underperforms market
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Robert McCray scored 22 points as Jacksonville beat East Tennessee State 60-52 on Saturday. McCray added five rebounds, five steals, and four blocks for the Dolphins (6-5). Zimi Nwokeji scored 15 points while going 5 of 6 (4 for 5 from 3-point range) and added five rebounds. Kendall Munson shot 3 of 4 from the field and 2 for 3 from the line to finish with eight points. The Buccaneers (6-5) were led by John Buggs III, who recorded 15 points. East Tennessee State also got 13 points and five assists from Quimari Peterson. Jaden Seymour also put up nine points and two blocks. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year — especially in an election year. After eleven months of war between Democrats and Republicans, including weeks for the defeated side to mourn the results , Christmas is a season when everyone can rejoice. For Christians, Jesus’ birth is more important than any political battle. The Christmas spirit has something for people of every belief and background, however: It’s a time to cherish family and reflect on peace and goodwill toward all. Our politics, and the world, needs that spirit more than ever. Letting go of the hatreds built up over a bruising election cycle isn’t easy, and it can feel like betraying a cause you’ve spent months or years fighting for. But Christmas is a time of truce, and for the sake of peace among nations, it’s a time for hostilities at home to cease. The New Year kicks off full of peril and promise, from Ukraine to the Middle East. It won’t be easy, but the incoming administration has a chance to bring an end to years of bloodshed. Even many of President Trump’s critics concede his first term was an era of comparative tranquility, marked by the success of the Abraham Accords and a new seriousness on the part of NATO allies to meet their obligations for defense spending. Like Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan before him, Trump was able to engage in bold diplomacy because America’s opponents were afraid to underestimate him, and they knew his doctrine wasn’t to avoid conflict at any price but to keep peace through strength. Today the world is a far more dangerous place than it was when Trump left office, and restoring the peace will require more goodwill at home. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.), who is fast becoming the Democratic Party’s conscience, voiced the right spirit Sunday, saying he wasn’t “rooting against” the incoming president. “If you’re rooting against the president, you are rooting against the nation. And I’m not ever going to be where I want a president to fail,” he said on ABC News’ “This Week.” “So, country first. I know that’s become maybe like a cliché, but it happens to be true.” Other progressives have taken Kamala Harris’ loss to Trump much harder than Sen. Fetterman, and they’re in no mood to forget their ill-feeling toward the GOP. They’ve retreated to Bluesky — the social media site that supplies a leftist alternative to Elon Musk’s X — where they’re constantly reliving and refighting the Nov. 5 election. Yet that’s an online echo chamber, not the real world: Ordinary Americans, even in blue states and cities, put the campaign behind them long before they put up the Christmas decorations. I’ve seen that for myself in the deep-blue suburbs of Washington, DC, where life outside of politics carries on as normal. What the excessively online left and the officeholders who share its mentality need is a reminder that politics isn’t everything — the parties they should be thinking about this month are the Christmas kind. This is the season to overcome the resentments of the past, and not just those of the last year. Trump has given a sign of goodwill with nominations that cut across partisan lines, including a Kennedy for his Republican cabinet. RFK Jr. is controversial , to be sure, and so is Trump’s ex-Democratic nominee for director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard . But these were Democrats who gave Trump a fair hearing, and in turn he’s showing how willing he is to work with those who put aside partisanship to work with him. He’s made allies out of onetime rivals within the GOP, too, such as Sen. Marco Rubio , now his nominee for secretary of state. A spirit of generosity served Donald Trump well in building a winning coalition, and it’s the spirit that his nominations reflect, too. The president-elect’s political foes would do themselves a favor, as well as the country, if they displayed more of the charity — and patriotism — Sen. Fetterman expressed last weekend. Christmas is the easiest time of the year to set aside old grievances and embrace good cheer instead. It’s a season of hope and fresh beginnings — two things our politics urgently needs. There will be policy arguments aplenty in 2025, but the election is over, and the American people rendered an unmistakable verdict. Peace and goodwill aren’t just presents for Christmas. They’re the foundations of a successful nation — and a stable, orderly world. Christmas is the day to remember that anew, not only while the tree is up but as a New Year and new administration dawn. Daniel McCarthy is the editor of Modern Age: A Conservative Review and editor-at-large of The American Conservative.