Associated Press stories, Page 435
Ecuador’s president promises answers and no ‘cover up’ after 4 children disappear
GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador — Under pressure from human rights organizations and fellow Ecuadorians, President Daniel Noboa on Monday said his government will not cover up for anyone involved in the disappearance of four children who were last seen running away from a military convoy. Noboa, in an interview with a local...
All Netflix wants for Christmas is no streaming problems for its 1st NFL games
Netflix is planning to provide plenty of gifts for viewers of its two Christmas Day games, including Mariah Carey kicking it all off with a taped performance of “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Yet, Netflix executive Brandon Riegg realizes it all amounts to a lump of coal if...
How faith communities can be welcoming of believers with disabilities this holiday season and beyond
The Rev. Shannon Blosser sees how his son loves church — the music, the singing, the communion. But the United Methodist pastor said his family hasn’t always felt like 11-year-old Noah, who is autistic, has been welcome. At one point, Blosser’s wife and the couple’s two sons stopped attending in-person...
Shohei Ohtani wins 3rd AP Male Athlete of the Year award, tying Michael Jordan for 1 shy of record
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani is keeping elite company. The Japanese superstar caps 2024 by winning The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time, tying him with basketball great Michael Jordan. He trails only four-time winners Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and LeBron James. “I’m very honored,”...
An ex-police officer is convicted of lying about leaks to the Proud Boys leader
WASHINGTON — A retired police officer in the nation’s capital was convicted Monday of lying to authorities about leaking confidential information to the leader of the Proud Boys extremist group. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson convicted former Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Shane Lamond of obstructing justice and making false...
Matt Petgrave, involved in play that led to Adam Johnson’s death, asks for donations for legal costs
Hockey player Matt Petgrave has called the death of Adam Johnson “a tragic accident” in a public appeal for donations to his legal costs amid a police investigation. Johnson, who had briefly played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, died after his neck was cut by Petgrave’s skate in a collision between...
Sean Manaea to re-sign with Mets for $75 million over 3 years, AP source says
NEW YORK — Sean Manaea is set to return to the New York Mets on a $75 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal was subject to a successful physical....
House Ethics Committee accuses Matt Gaetz of paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girlVideo
WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee on Monday accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including once with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress, as lawmakers released the conclusions of a nearly four-year investigation that helped sink his nomination for attorney...
Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to murder and weapons charges in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s deathVideo
NEW YORK — The man accused of fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare pleaded not guilty on Monday to state murder and terror charges while his attorney complained that statements coming from New York’s mayor would make it tough to receive a fair trial. Luigi Mangione, 26, was shackled and...
FDA says decongestant in many cold medicines doesn’t work. So what does?
WASHINGTON — Changes are coming to the cold and cough aisle of your local pharmacy: U.S. officials are moving to phase out the leading decongestant found in hundreds of over-the-counter medicines, concluding that it doesn’t actually relieve nasal congestion. Phenylephrine is used in popular versions of Sudafed, Dayquil and other...
Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group for $6.25 billion
Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal with the industry being squeezed by discount chains and other competition. Public companies are under a lot more scrutiny and if private, the Nordstroms...
Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it’s a painstaking process
NEW YORK — The immigration officers sat in their vehicles before dawn near a two-story building. A New York subway line rumbled overhead, then an officer’s voice crackled over the radio. After watching for about two hours, he said, “I think that’s Tango,” using a term for target. “Gray hoodie....
The Container Store, buffeted by rough housing market and competition, seeks bankruptcy protection
NEW YORK — The Container Store has filed for bankruptcy protection as the storage and organizational goods retailer with roots dating back to 1978 grapples with mounting losses and cash flow shortages. The Texas company has faced increasing competition from retailers like Target and Walmart at the same time that...
Germans mourn Christmas market attack victims as fears swirl of deeper social divisions
MAGDEBURG, Germany — Mourners laid flowers near the scene of the deadly Christmas market attack on Monday as investigators puzzled over the motive of the suspect and fears swirled that the rampage could deepen divisions in German society. The Johanniskirche, a church a short walk from the scene of the...
What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for automakers and the industry
BANGKOK — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance...
Biden gives life in prison to 37 of 40 federal death row inmates before Trump can resume executionsVideo
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced on Monday that he is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump, an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office. The move spares the lives...
Party City to close its stores as company files for bankruptcy
LOS ANGELES — For nearly 40 years, customers flocked to Party City for Halloween costumes, favors for children’s birthday parties and decorations for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Now, the go-to shop for everything from cartoon-themed balloons to Super Bowl decor is closing stores. Party City announced Saturday that it would...
Javon Small, Toby Okani help West Virginia men beat Mercyhurst
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Javon Small scored 19, Toby Okani added a double-double and West Virginia breezed to a 67-46 victory over Mercyhurst on Sunday. Small made 6 of 14 shots with a 3-pointer and 6 of 7 free throws for the Mountaineers (9-2), who upped their win streak to five...
Dorian Thompson-Robinson doesn’t settle any Browns QB questions in 1st start of seasonVideo
CINCINNATI — Dorian Thompson-Robinson didn’t put to rest any questions about the Browns’ long-term future at quarterback with his performance Sunday. Making his first start of the season and fourth of his career, the second-year player was sacked five times and threw two interceptions in Cleveland’s 24-6 loss to the...
Penn State beats Louisville to make Katie Schumacher-Cawley 1st female coach to win volleyball titleVideo
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Katie Schumacher-Cawley took in her milestone moment with a big smile, hugging confetti-covered players and supporters before hoisting the championship trophy that sets her apart from other volleyball coaches. Other than one focus lapse, the Nittany Lions made sure she would get it. Jess Mruzik had 29...
NFL Week 16: Michael Penix wins debut as Atlanta QB as Falcons drill hapless Giants
ATLANTA — Michael Penix Jr. won his debut as Atlanta’s starting quarterback, thanks largely to a defense that returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns, and the Falcons bolstered their playoff hopes by handing the hapless New York Giants their franchise-record 10th straight loss, 34-7 on Sunday. Jessie Bates and...
Burrow throws 3 TD passes and Bengals keep playoff hopes alive with 24-6 victory over BrownsVideo
CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes, including one as he was falling to the turf, and the Cincinnati Bengals kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 24-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Bengals (7-8) need to win their last two games and get some...
Rangers forward Matt Rempe suspended 8 games for elbow on HeiskanenVideo
NEW YORK — New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe was suspended for eight games by NHL’s Department of Player Safety on Sunday for boarding and elbowing Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen on Friday night. Rempe had an in-person hearing via Zoom on Sunday, as opposed to a phone call, which...
Texans WR Tank Dell released from hospital
HOUSTON — Houston Texans receiver Tank Dell was released after an overnight stay in the hospital and was traveling back to Houston on Sunday after suffering a severe knee injury in Saturday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Coach DeMeco Ryans provided the update Sunday but didn’t have many details...
Joe Burrow throws 3 TDs, Bengals keep playoff hopes alive
CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase keep putting up extraordinary numbers, but the Cincinnati Bengals still need help to reach the playoffs. Burrow threw three touchdown passes, including one as he was falling to the turf, and the Bengals kept their slim postseason hopes alive with a 24-6 victory...
