In Senegal, Black surfers want to reclaim the waves despite lack of resources

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The origins of surfing can be traced back to the native populations of Peru, Polynesia and Hawaii, and European travelers documented children surfing along the coast of what is now Ghana as early as the 17th century. But today’s surfing, especially professional surfing, is a predominantly white sport. In West Africa, it is a sport for the fortunate few who can afford expensive equipment and training. The dream of surfer Ibra Samb of Senegal is to change that, he says. Together with other local surfers he holds free weekly classes for kids from his native Ngor village, hoping that one day one of them qualifies for the professional circuit.

Archaeological treasures uncovered beneath Kabul's crumbling ancient fortress

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The imposing fortress of Bala Hissar in the Afghan capital Kabul has endured centuries of upheaval and war. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture is conducting an extensive, yearslong project to painstakingly conserve the historic and strategic site. Sections of the sprawling fortress's defensive walls have crumbled, the result of years of neglect and Afghanistan’s repeated conflicts. Archaeological work there has unearthed ancient coins, fragments of Buddhist statues, glazed Islamic ceramics, oil lamps, pottery and the remains of palaces and monasteries. The restoration project aims to revive the site as a public archaeological park complete with landscaped gardens, restaurants and a museum.

Chimp sanctuary delivers an ape's food by drone amid Florida floods

A Florida chimpanzee sanctuary briefly had to deliver food to one of its 200 apes by drone this week because the property was swamped by heavy rain. But Save the Chimps says the animals stayed safe. By Saturday, the water finally was receding significantly. Rainstorms soaked southeast and central Florida from Sunday through Tuesday. Save the Chimps is near Fort Pierce. The organization says the animals' care houses were secure on high ground, but canals overflowed and submerged the internal roads that staffers normally use to deliver food to the apes by golf cart. Save the Chimps bought a delivery drone some time ago for just such an emergency.

A language of belonging: Advice for learning the mother tongue of your ancestors

NEW YORK (AP) — Learning the native language of ancestors is a meaningful way for descendants of immigrants to connect with their heritage. Experts say knowing the mother tongue can unlock family history and enhance cultural identity. Heritage language learners who grew up hearing a language other than Engish at home often have an advantage because they learned pronunciation early, but they might hesitate due to gaps in grammar. Experts encourage learners to embrace mistakes and enjoy the process. Listening to relatives, engaging with podcasts and videos in the language, and traveling to ancestral homelands can help. Community language schools and cultural activities also offer valuable opportunities for learning and connection.

Want to fly to the moon? NASA is looking for new astronauts to help grow its Artemis program

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Want to fly to the moon and help build a permanent lunar base? NASA is accepting applications for a new astronaut class that will help grow the Artemis program. Officials announced the news Saturday during an air show and tech expo at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. With only 32 active astronauts, the space agency says it needs more recruits as it looks to expand humanity’s presence beyond low-Earth orbit as quickly as possible. April’s lunar flyaround by the Artemis II astronauts kicked off the lunar campaign. NASA's last call for new astronauts was two years ago. From more than 8,000 applicants, only 10 made the cut.

3 games, 2 days, 1 program. The Bethesda men's basketball team does things very differently

Bethesda University, a small Christian school in Anaheim, California, faced a challenging weekend with three basketball games in two days. The team lost to Hawaii, Southern Utah, and Pepperdine, splitting their roster to cover all games. Bethesda, part of the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association, often plays Division I teams for financial support. Athletic director Leo Balayon, inspired by Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, emphasizes the unique opportunities and community spirit at the school. Despite frequent losses, players like Treveon Lee appreciate the chance to compete and grow, valuing faith and second chances over fame.

What to Stream: U2, 'Misty Green,' 'The Chosen' and Randy Travis

U2's new album and a Proud Family Christmas special are among the new streaming releases this week. Chris Rock returns to directing with "Misty Green" on Netflix, featuring Rosalind Eleazar as a fading Hollywood actor. Apple TV's "Being Heumann" tells the story of disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann. U2 releases "Carnaval De Luz," their first album in nearly a decade, featuring the last vocal tracks recorded by Dolly Parton. Randy Travis drops "Same Old Way," his first album of original music in 18 years. Chris Harrison is back to matchmaking with Fox Nation’s first original dating show called “Chris Harrison’s The Vow," which centers on faith and shared values.

3 women found the equation: Discomfort + inspiration = the invention of the sports bra

NEW YORK (AP) — The sports bra is so ubiquitous that it's easy to take for granted. But it was three young, unknown women who dreamed up the garment in 1977 as the jogging craze sweeping the U.S. The three- — Linda Lindahl, Hinda Miller and Polly Smith — set out to solve a problem of discomfort plaguing many women joggers and make a some money on the side. They ended up helping launch a billion-dollar industry and a product that has come to symbolize female strength and liberation.

Panda fans flock to Zoo Atlanta for the debut of Ping Ping and Fu Shuang

ATLANTA (AP) — Zoo Atlanta has welcomed two new pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, who arrived from China in September. The pandas made their public debut Friday after acclimating to their new habitat. The 6-year-old pandas are part of a 10-year loan agreement, marking the return of pandas to the zoo after a two-year absence. Visitors expressed excitement about the pandas' arrival. The Chinese ambassador to the U.S. highlighted the renewal of ties between China and Zoo Atlanta. Zoo Atlanta is now one of three U.S. zoos housing pandas, reflecting China's global panda diplomacy.