Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) — A lot of theater companies dust off chestnuts like “A Christmas Carol” or “White Christmas” this time of year. But some are also taking on the TV Christmas rom-com — with a satirical twist. Love ’em or hate ’em, Hallmark’s formulaic meet-cute holiday flicks have become as much a part
Continue Reading AP Golf Writer Americans will be getting paid to play in the Ryder Cup for the first time. The PGA of America is announcing a new plan that gives each of the 12 players a $200,000 stipend. They also are awarded $300,000 to give to a charity of their choice. The $500,000 allocation is up
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TODAY: Showers and thunderstorms this morning will bring a wet start to some. A quick passing shower will be possible for most, but after that, the best chance for any continued precipitation will be largely confined south of HWY 50. Lightning and thunder will be the extent of the strength of these storms. Temperatures will
Continue Reading By Nadeen Ebrahim and Lauren Kent, CNN (CNN) — Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s departure from the country was unplanned, according to a statement posted Monday on the Syrian Presidency Telegram account, purporting to be from Assad. The statement claims Assad moved to Russia’s airbase in Syria’s Hmeimim on the morning of Sunday, December 8,
Continue Reading BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union has imposed fresh sanctions on dozens of officials linked to Russia’s war on Ukraine. Two top North Korean defense officials, a military unit blamed for an attack on a Kyiv children’s hospital and the heads of companies in the energy sector have been targeted. Measures have also been imposed
Continue Reading ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek police say that 17 alleged members and associates of an armed criminal gang involved in producing and distributing counterfeit alcoholic drinks have been arrested following raids across Athens. Police said Monday that the operation uncovered an abandoned building and apartments used for storage. Officers seized more than 2,000 liters or
Continue Reading AP Music Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Kane Brown’s fourth studio album, “The High Road,” is his favorite to date, the country superstar tells The Associated Press in an exclusive interview. It features more genre-detouring and more collaborations, including songs with EDM DJ Marshmello, Khalid, Jelly Roll, Brad Paisley. It also has two new duets
Continue Reading Associated Press HUSSEINIYEH, Syria (AP) — A rebel force has deployed to a village in southeastern Damascus to stop looters who swarmed a residential complex in the area and set some apartments on fire. The raid by the rebel force comes a week after the fighters marched on the Syrian capital in their lightening offensive
Continue Reading By Catherine Nicholls, Maria Kostenko and Billy Stockwell, CNN (CNN) — Two Russian tankers carrying thousands of tons of fuel were badly damaged in stormy weather near the Black Sea over the weekend, leading to an oil spill, according to Russian state media. The Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239 vessels were in the Kerch Strait
Continue Reading By Alexandra Banner, CNN (CNN) — Holiday shipping deadlines are quickly approaching if you want gifts to reach your loved ones on time. To avoid potential backlogs and delays, the USPS recommends that ground packages should be sent by this Wednesday for a December 25 delivery. Here’s what else you need to know to Get
Continue Reading Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s military intelligence agency and the Pentagon said Monday that some North Korean troops have been killed during combat against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk border region. These are the first reported casualties since the U.S. and Ukraine announced that North Korea had sent 10,000 to 12,000 troops to
Continue Reading LONDON (AP) — Britain’s government has approved the sale of Royal Mail’s parent company to a Czech billionaire, paving the way for the postal service to pass into foreign ownership for the first time in its 500-year history. Authorities confirmed Monday that the 3.6 billion-pound ($4.6 billion) takeover of Royal Mail’s owner, International Distribution Services,
Continue Reading BERLIN (AP) — Germany and France have launched a direct high-speed train between Berlin and Paris. The new connection was hailed Monday as a symbol of the two countries’ close friendship and a sign of Europe’s potential to attract more travelers to the rails — but it is unlikely to be a game-changer. At about
Continue Reading Associated Press BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Amnesty International says Serbia’s secret service and police have been spying on journalists and opposition activists by installing a spyware on their mobile phones. The report published Monday is backed by testimonies of those who claim their phones have been hacked in recent months. Amnesty says the spy software
Continue Reading Associated Press BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union nations have set out conditions for lifting sanctions on Syria. They want guarantees from Syria’s new leaders that they are preparing for a peaceful political future where extremism and former allies Russia and Iran can play no role. The new leadership has yet to lay out a clear
Continue Reading Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s biggest bank has apologized after an employee allegedly stole more than 1 billion yen ($6.6 million) from customers’ safe deposit boxes. The bank, MUFG, said Monday that it was investigating and that “several billion yen” might have been taken. The thefts occurred at two Tokyo branches of the bank,
Continue Reading By Karina Tsui, CNN (CNN) — A national private school group has apologized for comments made by speakers at a recent diversity and inclusion conference that were criticized by several Jewish organizations as antisemitic and perpetuating an anti-Israel bias. The conference, known as the People of Color Conference, was held earlier this month in Denver
Continue Reading PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo’s Special Prosecutor’s Office has summoned Prime Minister Albin Kurti to testify in a case that remains unclear, with his supporters saying it’s a politically driven move as the country gears up for election. According to the spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office, Kurti was on a trip abroad Monday and that
Continue Reading By Jessie Yeung, CNN (CNN) — A 16-year-old boy in New Mexico has been charged with killing four members of his family, state police said on Sunday. Authorities in Valencia County received a 911 call in the early hours of Saturday when, according to state police, teenage suspect Diego Leyva said he had killed his
Continue Reading By Steve Almasy, Brad Lendon and Hanna Park, CNN (CNN) — As pressure mounts on federal officials to address ongoing concerns about possible drone sightings, East Coast residents, especially in New Jersey, remain on edge, with similar reports emerging in Ohio that prompted a temporary airspace closure over a vital military base. Federal officials have
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