AP Archives

Top Trump administration official defends partial release of Epstein files as Democrats cry foul

December 21, 2025 4:38 pm Cameron Montemayor

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday defended the Justice Department’s decision to release just a fraction of the Jeffrey Epstein files by the congressionally mandated deadline as necessary to protect survivors of sexual abuse by the disgraced financier. Blanche pledged that the Trump administration eventually would meet its obligation required by law.

Nicki Minaj surprises conservatives with praise for Trump, Vance at Arizona event

December 21, 2025 3:55 pm Associated Press

By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON Associated Press Rapper Nicki Minaj on Sunday made a surprise appearance at a gathering of conservatives in Arizona that was memorializing late activist Charlie Kirk, and used her time on stage to praise President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, calling them “role models” for young men. The rap star

Nicki Minaj surprises conservatives with praise for Trump, Vance at Arizona event

December 21, 2025 3:55 pm Associated Press

By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON Associated Press Rapper Nicki Minaj on Sunday made a surprise appearance at a gathering of conservatives in Arizona that was memorializing late activist Charlie Kirk, and used her time on stage to praise President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, calling them “role models” for young men. The rap star

Powerball lottery ticket forms are seen here at the Bluebird Liquor on December 1 in Hawthorne

Powerball jackpot climbs to $1.6 billion, among largest lottery prizes ever in U.S.

December 21, 2025 3:14 pm Associated Press

(AP) — The Powerball jackpot now stands at an estimated $1.6 billion, making it one of the largest lottery prizes in U.S. history, Powerball officials said Sunday.

NFL Glance

December 21, 2025 3:15 pm Associated Press

All Times EST AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF PA x-New England 12 3 0 .800 410 300 Buffalo 11 4 0 .733 434 344 e-Miami 6 9 0 .400 317 369 e-N.Y. Jets 3 12 0 .200 282 426 South W L T Pct PF PA Jacksonville 11 4 0 .733 410

NFL Expanded Glance

December 21, 2025 3:15 pm Associated Press

All Times EST AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div x-New England 12 3 0 .800 410 300 5-3-0 7-0-0 7-3-0 5-0-0 3-1-0 Buffalo 11 4 0 .733 434 344 6-1-0 5-3-0 8-3-0 3-1-0 3-2-0 e-Miami 6 9 0 .400 317 369 4-4-0 2-5-0 3-8-0 3-1-0 3-2-0 e-N.Y.

NHL Expanded Conference Glance

December 21, 2025 3:07 pm Associated Press

All Times EST EASTERN CONFERENCE GP W L OT Pts GF GA Home Away Div Carolina 35 22 10 3 47 119 101 11-5-1 11-5-2 8-2-0 Detroit 37 21 13 3 45 116 119 11-7-1 10-6-2 5-3-2 Washington 36 19 12 5 43 114 96 11-6-2 8-6-3 7-2-2 Montreal 35 19 12 4 42 114

Trump is leaning on son-in-law Jared Kushner for difficult diplomacy

December 21, 2025 2:23 pm Associated Press

By MATTHEW LEE and AAMER MADHANI Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — As the dawn rose on President Donald Trump’s second term, one key figure from his first administration stood back, content to focus on his personal business interests and not retake a formal government role. Now, nearly a year into Trump 2.0, Trump’s son-in-law Jared

Powerball jackpot climbs to $1.6 billion, among largest lottery prizes ever in U.S.

December 21, 2025 2:08 pm Associated Press

The Powerball jackpot now stands at an estimated $1.6 billion, making it one of the largest lottery prizes in U.S. history, Powerball officials said Sunday. No ticket matched all six winning numbers on Saturday — white balls 4, 5, 28, 52, 69 and red Powerball 20. That sets up the fifth-largest U.S. jackpot ever for

Chiefs lose another QB to a knee injury. Gardner Minshew knocked out of loss to Titans

December 21, 2025 1:58 pm Associated Press

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Pro Football Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew limped off the field Sunday early in the second quarter and never returned. For a second straight game, a starting quarterback for Kansas City was sidelined by a knee injury. Chris Oladokun replaced Minshew, who was making

NCAA Men’s Basketball Top 25 Daily Fared

December 21, 2025 12:51 pm Associated Press

Sunday No. 1 Arizona (11-0) did not play. Next: TBA. No. 2 Michigan (10-0) vs. La Salle. Next: TBA. No. 3 Duke (11-1) did not play. Next: TBA. No. 4 Iowa State (11-0) vs. Long Beach State. Next: TBA. No. 5 UConn (11-1) at DePaul. Next: TBA. No. 6 Purdue (11-1) did not play. Next:

Kansas suspends assistant basketball coach Joe Dooley after DUI arrest

December 21, 2025 12:39 pm Associated Press

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has suspended men’s basketball assistant coach Joe Dooley after he was arrested late Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence and failure to stop at an accident, the school said in a statement Sunday. Jayhawks coach Bill Self said Dooley “exercised poor judgement and will be suspended for three

Americans like artificial Christmas trees even though few are made in U.S. and prices are up

December 21, 2025 12:30 pm Associated Press

On a recent December day, Mark Latino and a handful of his workers spun sheets of vinyl into tinsel for Christmas tree branches. They worked on a custom-made machine that’s nearly a century old, churning out strands of bright silver tinsel along its 35-foot length.

College Basketball Scores

December 21, 2025 12:01 pm Associated Press

Sunday, Dec. 21 EAST Adelphi 68, Goldey-Beacom 54 Boston University 88, UMass Lowell 76 Bowie State 73, Johnson C. Smith 71 Caldwell 94, Assumption 92 California (PA) 93, Mansfield 70 Clarion 96, West Chester 90 Cornell 83, Albany 75 Delaware State 73, Holy Family 61 Drexel 74, Maine 56 Edinboro 86, Shippensburg 78 Felician 91,

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ launches with $88M domestically, $345M worldwide

December 21, 2025 11:31 am Associated Press

By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer NEW YORK (AP) — “Avatar: Fire and Ash” opened with $345 million in worldwide sales, according to studio estimates Sunday, notching the second-best global debut of the year and potentially putting James Cameron on course to set yet more blockbuster records. Sixteen years into the “Avatar” saga, Pandora is

Sports on TV for Monday, Dec. 22

December 21, 2025 9:10 am Associated Press

By The Associated Press (All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Monday, Dec. 22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) 6 p.m. ACCN — American U. at Virginia BTN — Siena at Indiana 7 p.m. SECN — Prairie View A&M at LSU 8 p.m. ACCN — East Carolina at North Carolina BTN — Cent. Michigan at

NBA Glance

December 21, 2025 9:01 am Associated Press

All Times EST EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB New York 20 8 .714 — Boston 17 11 .607 3 Philadelphia 16 11 .593 3½ Toronto 17 13 .567 4 Brooklyn 8 19 .296 11½ Southeast Division W L Pct GB Orlando 16 12 .571 — Miami 15 14 .517 1½ Atlanta 15

NBA Expanded Glance

December 21, 2025 9:01 am Associated Press

All Times EST EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB L10 Str Home Away Conf New York 20 8 .714 — 8-2 W-1 14-2 5-6 16-8 Boston 17 11 .607 3 7-3 W-2 9-5 8-6 13-8 Philadelphia 16 11 .593 3½ 7-3 W-2 9-7 7-4 13-10 Toronto 17 13 .567 4 3-7 L-2 8-7

NBA Expanded Conference Glance

December 21, 2025 9:00 am Associated Press

All Times EST EASTERN CONFERENCE W L Pct GB L10 Str Home Away Conf Detroit 22 6 .786 — 7-3 W-1 12-2 9-4 17-5 New York 20 8 .714 2 8-2 W-1 14-2 5-6 16-8 Boston 17 11 .607 5 7-3 W-2 9-5 8-6 13-8 Philadelphia 16 11 .593 5½ 7-3 W-2 9-7 7-4 13-10

NHL Glance

December 21, 2025 9:00 am Associated Press

All Times EST EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Detroit 37 21 13 3 45 116 119 Montreal 35 19 12 4 42 114 118 Tampa Bay 35 19 13 3 41 113 94 Boston 36 20 15 1 41 118 114 Florida 35 19 14 2 40 112 112

NHL Expanded Glance

December 21, 2025 9:00 am Associated Press

All Times EST EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Home Away Div Detroit 37 21 13 3 45 116 119 11-7-1 10-6-2 5-3-2 Montreal 35 19 12 4 42 114 118 10-9-1 9-3-3 5-4-0 Tampa Bay 35 19 13 3 41 113 94 9-9-0 10-4-3 4-3-1 Boston 36 20 15

US says talks with Ukraine, Europe on ending war with Russia ‘constructive’

December 21, 2025 8:55 am Associated Press

By The Associated Press A White House envoy said Sunday he held “productive and constructive” talks in Florida with Ukrainian and European representatives to end the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine. Posting on social media, Steve Witkoff said the talks aimed at aligning on a shared strategic approach between Ukraine, the United States

Vance refuses to set red lines over bigotry as conservatives feud at Turning Point

December 21, 2025 8:44 am Associated Press

By JONATHAN J. COOPER and SEJAL GOVINDARAO Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) — Vice President JD Vance said Sunday the conservative movement should be open to everyone as long as they “love America,” declining to condemn a streak of antisemitism that has divided the Republican Party and roiled the opening days of Turning Point USA’s annual

Thousands gather at Bondi Beach to mourn victims of antisemitic attack

December 21, 2025 5:00 am Associated Press

By ROD McGUIRK Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Thousands of mourners gathered under tight police security at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday evening to mark a week since two gunmen targeting a Jewish festival killed 15 people. Since then, Australian governments have been galvanized into action on countering antisemitism and tightening already strict

Israel’s Cabinet approves 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank

December 21, 2025 4:52 am Associated Press

By MELANIE LIDMAN Associated Press TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s Cabinet has approved a proposal for 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, the far-right finance minister said Sunday, as the government pushes ahead with a construction binge in the territory that further threatens the possibility of a Palestinian state. That brings

Multiple gunmen open fire at a South African pub, killing 9 and wounding 10

December 21, 2025 4:49 am Associated Press

By MICHELLE GUMEDE and ALFONSO NQUNJANA Associated Press BEKKERSDAL, South Africa (AP) — Nine people have died and at least 10 others were wounded after a group of gunmen carried out a shooting at a South African pub during the early hours of Sunday, authorities said. The incident occurred just before 1 a.m. in the

Élysée Palace silver steward arrested for stealing thousands of euros’ worth of silverware

December 21, 2025 4:11 am Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — Three men will stand trial next year after a silver steward employed at the official residence of the French president was arrested this week for the theft of items of silverware and table service worth thousands of euros, the Paris prosecutor’s office said. The Élysée Palace’s head steward reported the disappearance, with

AP-Scorecard

December 21, 2025 4:04 am Associated Press

TODAY’S SPORTS SCHEDULE ___ NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Final Chicago 152 Atlanta 150 Final Brooklyn 96 Toronto 81 Final New York 132 Miami 125 Final Minnesota 103 Milwaukee 100 Final San Antonio 124 Washington 113 Final OT Sacramento 125 Houston 124 ___ NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Final OT Detroit 3 Washington 2 Final Colorado 5 Minnesota 1

Missouri Daybook

December 21, 2025 4:02 am Associated Press

Associated Press Missouri Daybook for Sunday, Dec. 21. The daybook is for planning purposes only and is not intended for publication or broadcast. You should verify any event you plan to cover. Please keep the AP in mind when news develops. The Missouri bureau is reachable at 816-421-4844. Send daybook items to Missouri@applanner.com. To see

Nebraska Daybook

December 21, 2025 4:02 am Associated Press

Associated Press Nebraska Daybook for Sunday, Dec. 21. The daybook is for planning purposes only and is not intended for publication or broadcast. You should verify any event you plan to cover. Please keep the AP in mind when news develops. The Omaha bureau is reachable at 402-391-0031. Send daybook items to Nebraska@applanner.com. To see