Here are the AP's top stories and promotable content. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan.
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Here are the AP's top stories and promotable content. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan.
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NATIONAL
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Husband charged in double homicide after having affair with au pair is going on trial in Virginia
SUMMARY: A Virginia man who had a relationship with a Brazilian au pair is going on trial in the killings of his wife and another man. Brendan Banfield is charged with aggravated murder in the February 2023 killings of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan at a home in northern Virginia. Prosecutors argue the killings stem from a catfishing scheme in which Banfield lured Ryan to the house and staged it to look like he and the family's au pair shot a predator in defense. Not all officials investigating the case believe Banfield catfished Ryan. Banfield's attorney says that officials are searching for evidence to fit their theory of the elaborate scheme.
WORDS: 542 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 1:18 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSVirginiaWifeKilling/599b3cda90ebcd2e4e2868abfba74dd5/text___
Daniel Walker Howe, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, dead at 88
SUMMARY: Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Daniel Walker Howe has died at 88. A spokesperson at UCLA confirmed he died Dec. 25. Howe was known for his book “What Hath God Wrought,” which chronicled the vast changes in the U.S. from 1815 to 1848. The book was part of Oxford University Press' series on American history and won the Pulitzer in 2008. Howe's work explored themes like Manifest Destiny, the rise of political parties, and the debate over slavery. He highlighted how technological advances impacted society and politics. Howe taught at several universities and aimed to make history accessible to general readers.
WORDS: 936 - MOVED: 01/10/2026 10:55 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSObitDanielWalkerHowe/35e12403dee74e58afa406691262c012/text___
6 people killed in Mississippi rampage, including 7-year-old girl. Suspect charged with murder
SUMMARY: Authorities in Mississippi have charged a 24-year-old man with murder after six people were killed in a series of related shootings Friday night. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott says Daricka M. Moore shot his father, brother and uncle at one house before driving to another home and shooting the 7-year-old daughter of a cousin. He then allegedly drove to a church and shot the pastor and the pastor's brother. Moore was captured at a police roadblock after an hourslong search. Prosecutors say they plan to seek the death penalty. Moore is expected to be appointed a public defender on Monday.
WORDS: 647 - MOVED: 01/10/2026 12:42 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMississippiShootingthLdWritethru/e7fcceb607e0e830c0215c4ae560e1c1/text___
Virginia man pleads not guilty to charges in DC pipe bomb case
SUMMARY: A Virginia man has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of planting two pipe bombs outside the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican national parties on the eve of the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Brian J. Cole Jr. entered the plea at a brief hearing on Friday. He is facing two counts of transporting and attempting to use explosives. Justice Department prosecutors have said that Cole confessed to placing pipe bombs outside the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee headquarters only hours before a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol.
WORDS: 213 - MOVED: 01/10/2026 9:56 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSPipeBombInvestigation/7c737b5bf881c01011777c586ed41e12/text___
VR headsets are 'hope machines' inside California prisons, offering escape and practical experience
SUMMARY: Prisoners are now taking regular trips to far-flung, exotic locales such as Thailand. No passport required, just a virtual reality headset. A Los Angeles-based nonprofit is bringing the technology to California lockups with the goal of providing inmates a brief escape and, more importantly, exposure to real world scenarios that will prepare them to reenter society. During a weeklong program last month, incarcerated men at Valley State Prison near Fresno strapped on VR goggles. Some saw the sights on the other side of the globe, including Bangkok, while others experienced more practical scenes, such as job interviews.
WORDS: 874 - MOVED: 01/10/2026 8:05 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSPrisonVirtualRealitystLdWritethru/806a017bc5b232a39f5246280e5ccdfc/text___
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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Transgender teen athlete in a Supreme Court fight knows the upcoming sports season could be her last
SUMMARY: Becky Pepper-Jackson is a 15-year-old in West Virginia who knows the upcoming sports season could be her last. West Virginia has banned transgender girls like the discus-throwing sophomore from competing in girls and women’s sports. The state is among more than two dozen with similar laws. Lower courts have blocked the West Virginia law, but the outcome could be different at the conservative-dominated Supreme Court. The justices have allowed multiple restrictions on transgender people to be enforced in the past year. The justices are hearing arguments Tuesday. President Donald Trump’s Republican administration has targeted transgender Americans.
WORDS: 1191 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 12:28 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSupremeCourtTransgenderAthletes/ee41b615b2a44c6b8dc24072a208265d/text___
Lawsuits by Trump allies could shape how the 2030 census is done and who will be counted
SUMMARY: The next U.S. census is four years away, but two lawsuits playing out this year could affect how the head count will be done and who'll be counted. Allies of President Donald Trump are behind the lawsuits challenging various aspects of the once-a-decade count by the U.S. Census Bureau that's used to determine congressional representation and federal aid to states. The lawsuits align with parts of Trump's agenda, even as his administration must defend the Census Bureau and its methods in court. Democratic-aligned groups are trying to intervene because of concerns over whether the Justice Department will defend the bureau vigorously.
WORDS: 990 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 12:54 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCensusstLdWritethru/ec3df3a18350a73266ea0b0b12c82f72/text___
US launches new retaliatory strikes against IS in Syria after deadly ambush
SUMMARY: The U.S. has launched another round of strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria. This follows last month’s ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and an American civilian interpreter. The strikes, conducted with partner forces, targeted multiple Islamic State group locations across Syria. U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes occurred around 12:30 p.m. ET. Saturday’s action is part of a broader operation in response to the deadly ISIS attack in Palmyra. The operation, called Operation Hawkeye Strike, began on Dec. 19 with a large-scale strike hitting 70 targets in central Syria.
WORDS: 315 - MOVED: 01/10/2026 9:36 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSUnitedStatesSyriathLdWritethru/411cab1d15b646cf30c4084ba2838fe4/text___
US intercepts fifth sanctioned tanker as it exerts control over Venezuelan oil distribution
SUMMARY: The U.S. military says U.S. forces have boarded another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea as the Trump administration continues to target sanctioned tankers traveling to and from Venezuela. The pre-dawn action was carried out by Marines and Navy sailors launched from an aircraft carrier that is part of the extensive force the U.S. has built up in the Caribbean. That's according to U.S. Southern Command, which declared “there is no safe haven for criminals” as it announced the seizure of the vessel called the Olina on Friday. The Olina is the fifth tanker seized by U.S. forces as part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to control the production and global distribution of Venezuela’s oil products.
WORDS: 795 - MOVED: 01/09/2026 2:16 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSVenezuelaUSthLdWritethru/c3b6e0cee49af87f78a22425f505249d/text___
Trump pushes a 1-year, 10% cap on credit card interest rates and banks balk
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump says he wants a one-year, 10% cap on credit card interest rates. It's an idea that revives a campaign pledge and could save Americans tens of billions of dollars. But it's drawing immediate opposition from an industry that's been in his corner. Trump wasn't clear in a social media post Friday night whether a cap might take effect through executive action or legislation. One Republican senator said he had spoken with the president and would work on a bill with Trump's “full support.” Trump said he hoped it would be in place Jan. 20, one year after he took office. Average interest rates now range from 19.65% to 21.5%.
WORDS: 1054 - MOVED: 01/10/2026 4:30 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpCreditCardsInterestrdLdWritethru/dba221f122789427c1c625ba873c9b71/text___
Supporters press for a DC memorial to Thomas Paine, whose writings helped fuel the Revolutionary War
SUMMARY: British-born Thomas Paine helped inspire the 13 English colonies to declare independence and form the United States of America. Yet there's no formal tribute to the author of “Common Sense” from his adopted country. A Washington memorial to Paine was authorized by a 2022 law, and today it awaits approval from the Department of Interior. If approved, the memorial would have a 2030 deadline for completion. Saturday marks the 250th anniversary of the publication of “Common Sense.” It’s one of the milestones of a yearlong commemoration of America's founding and the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
WORDS: 1301 - MOVED: 01/10/2026 1:02 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSAmericaCommonSensestLdWritethru/2b02db3670ee5ea2d299784019eb0c86/text___
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INTERNATIONAL
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Death toll in crackdown on protests in Iran spikes to at least 538, activists say
SUMMARY: Activists say the death toll in the crackdown on two weeks of nationwide protests in Iran has spiked to at least 538 people. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency on Sunday also said over 10,600 people have been detained. It said that of those killed, 490 are protesters and 48 are members of security forces. It warns the toll is likely to go up. Meanwhile, Tehran has warned that the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators. With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations has grown more difficult.
WORDS: 1165 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 5:53 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranProtestsndLdWritethru/ae5add408f0dbc724962d41cc37c939a/text___
Guard at Winter Olympic construction site dies in nighttime sub-freezing temperatures
SUMMARY: Authorities have confirmed the death of a guard at construction site near a 2026 Winter Olympic venue in the mountain resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo. The death occurred during a frigid overnight shift. Italy’s Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini has called for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 55-year-old worker’s death. Italian media reported that the death happened on January 8, outside Cortina’s ice arena. Temperatures that night plunged to minus 12 degrees Celsius, or 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are scheduled for Feb. 6-22. Cortina city officials expressed deep sadness and concern over the incident.
WORDS: 150 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 1:24 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APOLYWinterGamesWorkerDeathstLdWritethru/641eff7f048f9df8ad1dbff9f43a19fb/text___
Ukrainian drone attack in Russia kills 1 following Moscow's intense bombardment
SUMMARY: A Ukrainian drone strike has killed one person and wounded three others in the Russian city of Voronezh. Russian officials said Saturday's attack damaged more than 10 apartment buildings, private houses and a high school. Regional Governor Alexander Gusev said air defenses shot down 17 drones over the city. Voronezh is about 155 miles from the Ukrainian border. The strike follows Russia's intense bombardment of Ukraine with drones and missiles that killed at least four people in Kyiv. At least 30,000 Kyiv residents were still without power on Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said talks with the U.S. are ongoing about defending Ukraine from further aggression.
WORDS: 471 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 7:18 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarthLdWritethru/1f81528293f9ee2f7cccef7695090a2d/text___
Iranian protests are growing. Israel is watching closely
SUMMARY: Israel is closely monitoring the fallout from widespread Iranian protests. An Israeli official said Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to attack Iran could escalate the situation into a regional war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed Iran overnight Saturday. However, Israel’s military said there are no new guidelines for civilians to stay close to bomb shelters. The protests are considered an internal Iranian matter, but the military is ready to respond if needed. Experts believe neither side wants another war, and Israel is likely to wait and see what happens next.
WORDS: 786 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 2:15 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranProtestsIsrael/388a52c539a4774a0eeb1b80fe3a2374/text___
Erich von Däniken, Swiss writer who spawned alien archaeology, dies at 90
SUMMARY: Erich von Däniken, the Swiss author whose books on the extraterrestrial origins of ancient civilizations brought him both fame and scorn, has died at age 90. Von Däniken’s representatives announced on his website on Sunday that he had died the previous day in a hospital in central Switzerland. Von Däniken gained fame in 1968 with "Chariots of the Gods," claiming ancient cultures were visited by alien astronauts. Despite criticism from the scientific community, his books sold almost 70 million copies in more than 30 languages. He faced financial troubles and legal issues throughout his life but remained committed to his theories.
WORDS: 716 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 1:20 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUSwitzerlandObitVonDnikenndLdWritethru/57a8a84b8976475791eee82461d53138/text___
Slow-moving prisoner releases in Venezuela enter 3rd day after government announces goodwill effort
SUMMARY: Venezuelan detainee Diógenes Angulo has been released from prison after a year and five months. He was detained for posting a video of an opposition demonstration. As he left the prison Saturday, he learned that former President Nicolás Maduro had been captured by U.S. forces on January 3rd. Venezuela’s government pledged to release a significant number of prisoners, but only 16 have been freed so far. Meanwhile, Venezuelans aligned with the government have been marching, demanding Maduro's return. The U.S. and Venezuela are evaluating the restoration of diplomatic relations, broken since 2019.
WORDS: 841 - MOVED: 01/10/2026 10:38 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTVenezuelaUSPrisonersthLdWritethru/624fc981b7541d85b0b3c35eb58cd58b/text___
Kurdish fighters evacuated from Aleppo after days of violent clashes
SUMMARY: Kurdish fighters have been evacuated from a contested neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria, after days of violent clashes with government forces. State media reports that buses have transported the fighters to northeastern Syria, controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi has confirmed a ceasefire and evacuation agreement through international mediation. The fighting that began Tuesday has killed at least 22 people and displaced over 140,000. U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack has urged all parties to cease hostilities and return to dialogue. The situation remains tense, with ongoing security operations in the area.
WORDS: 889 - MOVED: 01/10/2026 12:02 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLSyriaAleppoFightingthLdWritethru/4cb2f16a58436205aea2cd8503a85296/text___
Retouched images of Netanyahu's wife, distributed by the state, ignite a fiery ethics debate
SUMMARY: Israel’s official state photos from last year portend to show history in the making. They include images of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trips to the U.N. and world leaders convening to advance a tenuous Gaza peace plan. But when examined closely, the pictures are not accurate depictions of reality. Experts say they have been altered to make Sara Netanyahu look younger. That discovery has ignited a firestorm in Israel. Journalists, lawyers and members of the political opposition say the edited photos violate ethical codes and risk denigrating the state’s archives.
WORDS: 1086 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 5:07 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIsraelSaraNetanyahuPhotoFracasndLdWritethru/217896b96d01bf5cfcd7aa606b5fa78e/text___
Kenyan women lost their husbands and then their land. But some are fighting back
SUMMARY: Thousands of widows in western Kenya face losing their land after their husbands die. In certain ethnic groups, widows are pressured to marry their late husband's brother or have sex with another man to "cleanse” them of the stigma of widowhood. Women who refuse can be disinherited. Kenya’s constitution guarantees all citizens the right to own land. But often women are unaware. Women's advocates say the lack of legal assistance is a key challenge. But the local assembly in one Kenyan county has unanimously passed a Widows Protection Bill that would criminalize the forced disinheritance.
WORDS: 939 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 3:14 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFKenyaWidowsInheritanceRightsstLdWritethru/07a8482eefd789dc6e58dfd4fe94c877/text___
Myanmar holds second round of voting in first general election since military takeover
SUMMARY: Myanmar has opened a second round of voting in the country’s first general election since a takeover that installed a military government five years ago. The voting Sunday expanded to additional townships including some areas affected by the civil war between the military government and its armed opponents. Polling stations opened in 100 townships. Many of the areas have seen clashes in recent months or remain under heightened security. The election is being held in three phases due to the civil war. The first round took place Dec. 28. Critics say the polls organized by the military government are neither free nor fair.
WORDS: 938 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 12:20 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASMyanmarElectionndLdWritethru/6661c927e1b6079d899ccc022f0a981d/text___
Millions of Venezuelans scattered across Latin America cautiously watch what comes next
SUMMARY: Many of the 8 million Venezuelans scattered across the Americas received the news of their president's capture with caution. After fleeing political and economic crises over the past decade many say they do not foresee a quick return to their homeland. But some politicians in the countries where they are now living are already talking like it is time for Venezuelans to go home. Experts say it is unlikely there will be sufficient improvement in Venezuela to tempt many to return in the near future. But pressure on Venezuelan migrants to move again could put at risk an already vulnerable population.
WORDS: 1363 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 5:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTVenezuelaMigrantsLatinAmerica/a13345cf133c783b523a30fcc4e174b5/text___
Greenland’s harsh environment and lack of infrastructure have prevented rare earth mining
SUMMARY: Greenland’s harsh environment, lack of key infrastructure and difficult geology have prevented anyone from building a mine to extract the sought-after rare earth elements that many high-tech products require. Those challenges won't go away even if President Donald Trump takes control of the Arctic island. Trump has made it a priority to break China’s stranglehold on the global supply of rare earths and has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to do that. Now the president is again pitching that taking over Greenland could solve the problem. But Greenland may not ever produce many rare earths because of the inherent challenges.
WORDS: 1079 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 5:04 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpGreenlandRareEarthsstLdWritethru/3f47c0b2ae3edfb322a908ee39c42c05/text___
Anti-ICE protesters assemble across the US after shootings in Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon
SUMMARY: Minnesota leaders are urging protesters to remain peaceful as demonstrators converge on a Minneapolis park to protest the fatal shooting of a woman. The protests across the country on Saturday follow that death and the shooting of two people in Portland, Oregon, by federal officers enforcing a Trump administration immigration crackdown. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says a protest Friday night turned violent when people threw ice, snow and rocks at officers. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey faults “agitators that are trying to rile up large crowds.” The demonstrations come as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security pushes forward in the Twin Cities with what it calls its biggest-ever immigration enforcement operation.
WORDS: 1001 - MOVED: 01/10/2026 5:40 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSImmigrationEnforcementthLdWritethru/a5922ea4b414afa485f324c0adf1d232/text___
Nicaragua’s government says it’s freeing detainees after pressure from the US
SUMMARY: Nicaragua’s Interior Ministry has announced the release of dozens of prisoners. This comes as the United States increases pressure on the government led by President Daniel Ortega. On Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua said Venezuela had released political prisoners, but lamented that over 60 people remain detained in Nicaragua. The Interior Ministry said Saturday that people from the National Penitentiary System are returning home. It’s unclear who was freed or under what conditions. The government has been cracking down since 2018, imprisoning and exiling critics.
WORDS: 426 - MOVED: 01/10/2026 10:00 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTNicaraguaPrisonersReleasedstLdWritethru/9045547a8a3a7e06a652cf060bd6818b/text___
Filipino rescuers detect 'signs of life' in garbage avalanche that killed 4 and left dozens missing
SUMMARY: A Philippine official says rescuers have detected signs of life in an avalanche of garbage that killed at least four workers and left more than 30 others missing. The official says the search will be intensified at the landfill in the central Philippines. Twelve workers have been retrieved alive from the huge mound of garbage that collapsed Thursday afternoon. The collapse happened among low-slung buildings of a waste management facility in Binaliw village in Cebu City. Mayor Nestor Archival says authorities confirmed the presence of signs of life in specific areas that require careful excavation and a more advanced crane
WORDS: 523 - MOVED: 01/10/2026 6:29 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASPhilippinesLandfillCollapsendLdWritethru/98569359af3bc93cc33cc442844a618e/text___
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BUSINESS
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A $400,000 payout after Maduro's capture is putting prediction markets in the spotlight
SUMMARY: Prediction markets let people wager on anything from a basketball game to the outcome of a presidential election — and recently, the downfall of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Last week, an anonymous trader on Polymarket pocketed more than $400,000 after betting that Maduro would soon be out of office. The commercial use of prediction markets has skyrocketed in recent years, opening the door for people to wage their money on the likelihood of a growing list of future events. But in terms of government oversight in the U.S., the trades are categorized differently than traditional forms of gambling, raising questions about transparency and risk.
WORDS: 1268 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 2:10 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMaduroPredictionMarketsstLdWritethru/1f47e737f915fff00c57f03e7390b41f/text___
Google teams up with Walmart and other retailers to enable shopping within Gemini AI chatbot
SUMMARY: Google is expanding the shopping features in its AI chatbot by teaming up with Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair and other big retailers to turn the Gemini app into a virtual merchant as well as an assistant. An instant checkout function will allow customers to make purchases from some businesses and through a range of payment providers without leaving the Gemini chat they used to find products, according to Walmart and Google. The news was announced Sunday on the first day of the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York. The role of artificial intelligence in e-commerce and its impact on consumer behavior are expected to dominate the three-day event.
WORDS: 418 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 4:00 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSGoogleWalmart/f1679240ba93d40b90a97348b73039d3/text___
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RELIGION
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Buddhist monks and their dog captivate Americans while walking for peace
SUMMARY: A group of Buddhist monks is getting viral attention with their 2,300-mile Walk for Peace from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C. The monks say their aim is to promote mindfulness and healing and finding inner peace. Their journey has already attracted large crowds across five southern states. Accompanied by a rescue dog named Aloka, they have faced challenges, including a road accident that injured two of the monks. When they reach the nation's capital, they plan to request official recognition of Vesak as a federal U.S. holiday. Vesak is the day which marks the birth and enlightenment of the Buddha.
WORDS: 1282 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 1:55 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSRELBuddhistMonksPeaceWalk/26cadee973657ef026ab2370d04b39c5/text___
Milan’s Catholic archdiocese brings Olympic values into parish life
SUMMARY: As Milan prepares to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, the city’s Catholic archdiocese launched a multi-year program that uses sport to promote values such as inclusion and solidarity among children and adolescents. Through parish youth centers, schools and community initiatives — including a traveling Olympic torch and encounters with athletes — the project seeks to translate the spirit of the Games into everyday pastoral life.
WORDS: 825 - MOVED: 01/09/2026 7:01 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APOLYRELCatholicChurch/4e13e8c0bc04215ff9a6d2a1ad928f39/text___
Pope Leo baptizes 20 infants in a tradition marking the end of the Christmas season
SUMMARY: Pope Leo XIV has baptized 20 babies in the Sistine Chapel, continuing an annual tradition marking the end of the Christmas holiday at the Vatican. On Sunday, beneath Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling, Leo celebrated his first baptismal ceremony as pope. He emphasized the importance of faith, comparing it to essential needs like food and clothing. The infants — children of Vatican employees — received the sacrament without fuss. The ceremony commemorates Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan, a feast day established in 1981 by St. John Paul II. Fathers receive candles symbolizing the Christian light guiding their path.
WORDS: 321 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 10:33 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APRELVaticanPopeBaptismsstLdWritethru/3eab76085b1f8ed0026a7d6033068adf/text___
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ENTERTAINMENT
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The Golden Globes are tonight. Here's what to look for and how to watch and stream the show
SUMMARY: The Golden Globes bill themselves as Hollywood’s booziest bash. Whose ready to party? Political tension and industrywide uncertainty are the prevailing moods heading into Sunday's 83rd Golden Globes. Hollywood is coming off a disappointing box-office year and now anxiously awaits the fate of Warner Bros. But through their ups and downs, the Globes have always tried to put pomp over politics. The Golden Globes kick off at 8 p.m. on CBS while streaming live for Paramount+ premium subscribers. The favorite going in is Paul Thomas Anderson's “One Battle After Another.” The leading TV nominee is “The White Lotus.” Timothée Chalamet could win his first Globe. And podcasters will get an award for the first time.
WORDS: 1052 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 5:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTGoldenGlobesstLdWritethru/1538032b1bb06383484b15c3c4b9c16f/text___
Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir dies at 78
SUMMARY: Bob Weir, guitarist, singer and founding member of the Grateful Dead, has died at 78. Weir’s death was announced Saturday in a statement on his Instagram page. The statement says Weir had beaten cancer but succumbed to underlying lung issues. Weir joined the Grateful Dead in 1965 at just 17 years old. He would spend the next 30 years playing on virtually nonstop tours alongside fellow singer and guitarist Jerry Garcia, who died in 1995. Weir wrote or co-wrote and sang lead vocals on classics including “Sugar Magnolia” and “Mexicali Blues.” In the decades since, he kept playing with other projects including Dead and Company.
WORDS: 684 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 12:27 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTObitBobWeirthLdWritethru/af908fd1bba6cd338bc08024e2d77234/text___
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SPORTS
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Caleb Williams rallies Bears from 18 points down for 31-27 playoff win over rival Packers
SUMMARY: Caleb Williams came through in his playoff debut, throwing a go-ahead, 25-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore with 1:43 remaining, and the Chicago Bears rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat the rival Green Bay Packers 31-27 in a wild-card playoff game. The NFC North champion Bears extended their resurgent first season under coach Ben Johnson with their seventh fourth-quarter comeback victory. Chicago trailed 21-3 at halftime and 21-6 through three quarters, only to outscore Green Bay 25-6 in the fourth on the way to its first playoff win in 15 years.
WORDS: 1103 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 5:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFBNPackersBearsndLdWritethru/7729bbfcab314e6eef5bf7b1bba4cdef/text___
How Olympians think about success and failure and what we can learn from them
SUMMARY: Olympians can teach us to redefine what it means to be successful. They face daily setbacks and have to learn to deal with coming up short. If it were only about winning gold medals, the vast majority of Olympians would be seen as failures. The rest of us can learn from this. The United States will send about 235 athletes to Italy when the Winter Olympics open Feb. 6. The United States won gold medals in nine events in the last Winter Games in Beijing in 2022. So most will come back empty handed.
WORDS: 967 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 12:26 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APBeWellThinkAsAnOlympian/9d96981fbe07429ba8508a006b732b15/text___
Stafford's late TD pass to Parkinson lifts the Rams past the Panthers 34-31 in tense playoff opener
SUMMARY: Matthew Stafford threw a 19-yard go-ahead touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds to lift the Los Angeles Rams to a dramatic 34-31 wild-card round win over the Carolina Panthers in the opening game of the NFL playoffs. Stafford finished 24 of 42 for 304 yards with three touchdown passes, while Puka Nacua had 10 receptions for 111 yards and two total touchdowns as the Rams, who were 10 1/2-point favorites, advanced to the divisional round. Bryce Young threw for 264 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score for Carolina, which finished the season losing four of its final five games.
WORDS: 957 - MOVED: 01/11/2026 1:17 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFBNRamsPanthersthLdWritethru/da0a75fa53f976093d0cd72f0d04426d/text___
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