AP National News

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Former Philadelphia Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood Jr. is facing sentencing after he pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges. The plea agreement was approved Friday by a federal judge in Delaware. Smallwood, of New Jersey, was accused of submitting fraudulent tax returns and applications for hundreds of thousands of dollars in

Associated Press PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Two reporters were killed and several were wounded Tuesday in a gang attack in Haiti on the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital, the country’s online media association said. A police officer was also killed in the attack. Street gangs forced the closure of the General Hospital early this

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A boat explosion at a South Florida marina has left one person dead and five others injured. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue says the explosion occurred Monday night at the Lauderdale Marina. Officials say rescue workers transported five people to local hospitals, three with traumatic injuries. A sixth person was found

Associated Press PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Officials say rare Pakistani airstrikes have targeted multiple suspected hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban inside neighboring Afghanistan, dismantling a training facility and killing some insurgents. In Kabul, Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry denounced Tuesday’s strikes. The officials said that the second known strike of this year was carried out in Paktika

Associated Press DENVER (AP) — The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for help finding a man suspected of fatally shooting a 7-year-old boy on a tribal reservation in Colorado earlier this month. The agency announced the reward Monday for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Jeremiah Hight, 23, in the Dec. 11

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A judge has struck down parts of a Missouri law requiring redactions of many court records, including the names of all witnesses and victims involved in lawsuits and criminal proceedings. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that a Moniteau County associate circuit judge has ruled Friday provisions of the 2023 law

AP Sports Writer OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Asked if there was any special meaning to playing on Christmas for a second straight season, Lamar Jackson paused for several seconds before answering. That said it all. “I mean, it is,” he finally replied, trying to be diplomatic. “That means we’re good, but at the same

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s government says it has lifted a ban on access to WhatsApp and Google Play after more than two years. That’s according to the official IRNA news agency. The report on Tuesday said the country’s Supreme Council of Cyber Space made the decision in a meeting led by reformist President Masoud

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian ballistic missile struck a residential building Tuesday in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih and at least one person was killed, local authorities said. Gov. Serhii Lysak said at least 11 other people were injured and more people could be trapped beneath the rubble of the four-story apartment block.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton was discharged from a Washington hospital on Tuesday and will be home for Christmas after he was admitted the day before with a fever. Clinton is being treated for the flu, Angel Urena, Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, said in a statement about his release. “He and his

Associated Press VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis kicked off the 2025 Holy Year on Tuesday, inaugurating a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome in a test of the pope’s stamina and the ability of the Eternal City to welcome them. From his wheelchair, Francis

AP Sports Writer 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

AP Basketball Writer LeBron James made his Christmas debut in 2003. Victor Wembanyama was born 10 days later. That’s right: James has been featured on the NBA’s big day for longer than Wembanyama has been alive. And on Wednesday — when the league celebrates Christmas with games for the 77th time — the league’s oldest

Associated Press SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — Persistent high surf and flooding threats along California’s coast have residents on high alert a day after a major storm was blamed for one man’s death and the partial collapse of a pier. And two other men remained missing Tuesday, one of them presumed dead, after being swept

Associated Press If she has the voice of an angel, and the face of an angel, she must be an Angel. Angel Blue, that is. The American soprano, one of the most admired singers of her generation, is headlining the Metropolitan Opera’s first new production of Verdi’s “Aida” in 36 years. Blue, now 40, debuted

Associated Press 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

AP Business Writer A survey shows small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the economy following the election. The National Federation of Independent Businesses’ Small Business Optimism Index rose by eight points in November to 101.7, its highest reading since June 2021. The Uncertainty Index declined 12 points in November to 98, following October’s

AP Basketball Writer Caitlin Clark raised the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both the college ranks and the WNBA, and Tuesday she was named the AP Female Athlete of the Year for her impact on and off the court. After leading Iowa to the national championship game, Clark was the top pick

Associated Press MADRID (AP) — Spain’s maritime rescue agency and the Russian Foreign Ministry say a Russian cargo ship sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria. Two crew members are missing. Spanish authorities rescued 14 of the Ursa Major’s crew from a lifeboat and transferred them to southeastern Spain. The Russian ministry said