By SAM MEDNICK Associated Press PORTO-NOVO, Benin (AP) — For many people in Benin, the forests empowered them before they were born, or in the first months of their lives. Barren women performed Voodoo rituals by sacred trees to get pregnant. Others were brought as newborns by parents seeking to ward off evil spirits. Some
Continue ReadingBy SUZAN FRASER Associated Press ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey is marking the 100th anniversary of the creation of the modern, secular republic from the ruins of the Ottoman Empire with few pageantries and no gala reception to memorialize the important milestone. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has opted for a low-key celebration of the
Continue ReadingBy MARK THIESSEN Associated Press EKLUTNA, Alaska (AP) — The Russian Orthodox church on the outskirts of Alaska’s biggest city is packed with treasures for the Christian faithful: religious icons gifted by Romanov czars, panels of oil paintings and jewel-studded incense burners. But outside the hand-hewn log sanctuary, dozens of miniature Alaska Native spirit houses
Continue ReadingBy CAROLYN THOMPSON Associated Press BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — They attend the same classes with access to the same programs, and even come from the same families. But girls consistently are outperforming boys, graduating at higher rates at public high schools around the country. The gap between them is wide, often as wide as the
Continue ReadingBy ISABELLA VOLMERT Associated Press CARMEL, Ind. (AP) — An Indiana Moms for Liberty chapter is unexpectedly a major point of contention in a mayoral race following the group’s use of a quote by Adolf Hitler. Moms for Liberty, known for challenging diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in schools, has focused on forming chapters in
Continue ReadingLOS ANGELES (AP) — “Friends” star Matthew Perry, the Emmy-nominated actor whose sarcastic, but lovable Chandler Bing was among television’s most famous and most quotable characters, has died at 54. The actor was found dead at his Los Angeles home, according to coroner’s records. An investigation into how Perry died is ongoing, and it may
Continue ReadingLOS ANGELES (AP) — “Friends” star Matthew Perry, the Emmy-nominated actor whose sarcastic, but lovable Chandler Bing was among television’s most famous and most quotable characters, has died at 54. The actor was found dead at his Los Angeles home, according to coroner’s records. An investigation into how Perry died is ongoing, and it may
Continue ReadingBy RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Merrill Kelly pitched three-hit ball over seven innings, Ketel Marte extended his postseason hitting streak to a record 18 games and the Arizona Diamondbacks routed the Texas Rangers 9-1 on Saturday night to even the World Series at one game apiece. Gabriel Moreno hit a
Continue ReadingBy JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — UCLA coach Chip Kelly had a simple message for his team at halftime — get in the holiday spirit. In this case, the one on Tuesday and not looking ahead to the one two months from now. “I had to remind our kids that this
Continue ReadingBy RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Merrill Kelly pitched three-hit ball over seven innings, Ketel Marte extended his postseason hitting streak to a record 18 games and the Arizona Diamondbacks routed the Texas Rangers 9-1 on Saturday night to tie the World Series at one game apiece. Gabriel Moreno hit a
Continue ReadingBy JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Washington remains undefeated — and unsatisfied — following another narrow escape against what was supposed to be an overmatched opponent. Michael Penix Jr. threw four touchdown passes and No. 5 Washington took advantage of a fourth-down drop to hold off a fierce comeback attempt and
Continue ReadingBy Veronica Stracqualursi, Kristen Holmes, Kaitlan Collins, Jeff Zeleny and Kyung Lah, CNN (CNN) — Former Vice President Mike Pence has suspended his campaign for president amid lagging poll numbers and financial challenges, vowing to help elect “principled Republican leaders” moving forward. “After much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to suspend my campaign for
Continue ReadingLOS ANGELES (AP) — Defender Ryan Hollingshead and Golden Boot Award-winner Dénis Bouanga both scored goals in each half and Los Angeles FC began defense of its title with a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in an MLS playoff opener on Saturday night. LAFC (15-10-10), the third seed in the Western Conference, grabbed a
Continue ReadingBy Chris Isidore and Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN New York (CNN) — The United Auto Workers union came to a tenative agreement with Stellantis Saturday. But it expanded the strike against General Motors, America’s largest automaker and the last remaining Big Three holdout, dashing hopes it was close to ending the last remaining auto strike. The
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CNN By Lisa Respers France, Cheri Mossburg and Josh Campbell, CNN Matthew Perry, the beloved actor who starred as Chandler Bing on “Friends,” has died. He was 54. Police in Los Angeles are investigating Perry’s death, a law enforcement source told CNN. There is currently no foul play suspected, the source said, however, the incident
Continue ReadingLOS ANGELES (AP) — “Friends” star Matthew Perry, the Emmy-nominated actor whose sarcastic, but lovable Chandler Bing was among television’s most famous and most quotable characters, has died at 54. The actor was found dead of an apparent drowning at his Los Angeles home Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Times and celebrity website TMZ,
Continue ReadingLOS ANGELES (AP) — “Friends” star Matthew Perry, the Emmy-nominated actor whose sarcastic, but lovable Chandler Bing was among television’s most famous and most quotable characters, has died at 54. The actor was found dead of an apparent drowning at his Los Angeles home Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Times and celebrity website TMZ,
Continue ReadingLOS ANGELES (AP) — ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry has been found dead at his Los Angeles home, reports say.
Continue ReadingBy MICHAEL WAGAMAN Associated Press BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Jaylin Smith deflected Fernando Mendoza’s pass in the end zone on a 2-point conversion try with 58 seconds remaining, and No. 24 Southern California ended a two-game losing streak with a 50-49 win over California on Saturday. The Trojans (7-2, 5-1 Pac-12) rallied after trailing by
Continue ReadingMICHAEL WAGAMAN By The Associated Press BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Linebacker Eric Gentry deflected Francisco Mendoza’s pass in the end zone on a two-point conversion try with 58 seconds remaining and No. 24 Southern California ended a two-game losing streak with a 50-49 win over California on Saturday. The Trojans (7-2, 5-1 Pac-12) rallied after
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