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Americans ramped up spending during the holidays despite some financial anxiety and higher costs

NEW YORK (AP) — Holiday sales rose this year and spending remained resilient during the shopping season even with Americans wrestling with higher prices in some areas and other financial worries, according to the latest measure.

Fish fillets sold at Whole Foods Market recalled due to undeclared allergen

365 Whole Foods Market beer-battered pollock and cod fillets sold at locations nationwide are being recalled due to an undeclared soy allergen.

WATCH: Marine surprises son during school assembly

A third-grader at a Wallingford, Connecticut, elementary school got an early Christmas surprise on Tuesday when his father returned home from Marine training.

Florida woman killed by brother, who was then shot by sibling, during fight over Christmas gifts, sheriff says

A 23-year-old mother in Florida was killed by her younger brother Sunday during a family dispute over Christmas gifts, authorities said

Teen brothers get into fight over Christmas presents, sister shot and killed, sheriff says

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri is set to give an update on a deadly shooting that happened on Christmas Eve in Largo.

Holiday travel is mostly nice, but with some naughty disruptions again on Southwest Airlines

Conditions were mostly nice this year for travelers flying ahead of and on Christmas, but some naughty disruptions again plagued those flying with Southwest Airlines. For millions of people traveling over the holiday, this year was much better than last.

Stadiums expand into entertainment districts. Who pays the price?

These entertainment compounds will be splattered with restaurants, shops and other services to bring in more revenue.

Around the world

Iran ramps up production of highly enriched uranium, nearing weapons' grade levels

Iran has increased its production of highly enriched uranium after a slowdown earlier this year, edging it closer to possibly creating nuclear bombs.

Pope Francis denounces the weapons industry as he makes a Christmas appeal for peace in the world

Pope Francis on Monday blasted the weapons industry and its “instruments of death” that fuel wars as he made a Christmas Day appeal for peace in the world and in particular between Israel and the Palestinians.

The death toll rises to 18 in a furnace explosion at a Chinese-owned nickel plant in Indonesia

PALU, Indonesia (AP) — The death toll following the explosion of a smelting furnace at a Chinese-owned nickel plant on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island rose to 18 on Tuesday, as police ordered the plant to stop operations until an investigation is completed.

4 young children and their mother were killed in their French home. The father is in custody

MEAUX, France (AP) — Four children between nine months and 10 years old and their mother were killed in their apartment east of Paris, in what local authorities called an exceptionally violent crime. The children’s father was arrested Tuesday and is the primary suspect.

King Charles III's Christmas message reflects a coronation theme and calls for planet's protection

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III reflected his coronation theme of public service Monday in a Christmas message that he connected to the health of the planet and wars that are raging.

Colombia's ELN rebels say they will only stop kidnappings for ransom if government funds cease-fire

Colombia's Marxist ELN rebel group says it will only suspend kidnappings of civilians if the government finances projects that would provide the group with other sources of income.

China is using AI to ramp up spying, US says

The FBI says China is planting people inside companies to gather trade secrets and using AI to collect personal data.

Technology

The top Google Pixel tips of 2023

More and more, there are Android tips — and then there are Pixel tips. Owning a Google Pixel phone has become a ticket of sorts to a uniquely top-tier type of Android experience.

China's BYD to build its first European electric vehicle factory in Hungary

One of the world’s largest electrical vehicle manufacturers, China’s BYD, will open its first European EV production factory in Hungary, the country’s foreign minister said on Friday.

How software engineering will evolve in 2024

Software development is currently undergoing a profound transformation, marked by a quiet yet remarkable surge in advanced automation. This impending shift promises to streamline the creation and deployment of high-quality applications on an unprecedented scale.

Meet ElliQ, the tabletop AI ‘sidekick’ helping seniors cope with the loneliness epidemic

Joyce Loaiza lives alone, but when she returns to her apartment at a Florida senior community, the retired office worker often has a chat with a friendly female voice that asks about her day. A few miles away, the same voice comforted 83-year-old Deanna Dezern when her friend died.

China drafts new rules proposing restrictions on online gaming

HONG KONG (AP) — China released draft guidelines Friday aimed at curbing excessive spending on online gaming in the latest move by the ruling Communist Party to keep control of the virtual economy.

Science doesn’t yet support broad restrictions on teens’ access to social media, experts say

Social media also creates opportunities for exploitation and harassment that simply didn't exist before vast swaths of the population were connected by pocket-sized computers.

Thailand sends 3 orangutans rescued from illicit wildlife trade back to Indonesia

Three trafficked Sumatran orangutans have been sent back from Thailand to Indonesia as part of a joint effort between the countries to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.

Sports News

Carlton Johnson declares for NFL Draft

FRESNO, Calif. (KGPE) - In mid-September, the Fresno State football team had a game at Arizona State in which the Bulldogs forced eight turnovers.

Premier League goalkeeper appears to push ballboy in frustration during game

Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno appeared to push a ballboy after the boy had taken an extra moment to give Leno a ball as time wound down in a game.

Shohei Ohtani gives a Porsche to Joe Kelly's wife for his No. 17 with the Dodgers

After the wife of reliever Joe Kelly offered her husband's uniform number to help lure Shohei Ohtani to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the two-way star responded by giving her a Porsche.

Utes offense struggles in 14-7 loss to Northwestern

LAS VEGAS (ABC4 Sports) - The Pac-12 era is not ending on a positive not for the Utes football team. Utah managed just 211 total yards and one touchdown in a 14-7 loss to Northwestern in the Las Vegas Bowl Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium. This is Utah's fifth straight bowl loss.

Eastern Michigan apologizes to South Alabama for player's punch that sparked brawl after bowl game

Eastern Michigan's athletic director apologized to South Alabama on Sunday, a day after an EMU player raced onto the field after the 68 Ventures Bowl and punched an opposing player in the head, sparking a brawl.

Lions playoff scenarios: How Detroit can get 1st, 2nd, or 3rd playoff seed in final 2 weeks

The Detroit Lions are tied for the top record in the NFC. Here's how they can still end up with the No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3 seed in the playoffs.

Max Strus scores 26 points to lead injury-depleted Cavaliers past Bulls, 109-95

CHICAGO (AP) — Max Strus had 26 points and seven assists to help the injury-depleted Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Chicago Bulls 109-95 on Saturday night. The Bulls lost for just the fourth time in 12 games since Zach LaVine was sidelined because of inflammation in his right foot.

Politics News

Supporters, naysayers weigh in on push to phase out school choice in Chicago

Next November, Chicago voters will begin electing members of the School Board and their views on school choice will be front and center.

Supreme Court rejects prosecutor's push to fast-track ruling in Trump election subversion case

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Friday it will not immediately take up a plea by special counsel Jack Smith to rule on whether former President Donald Trump can be prosecuted for his actions to overturn the 2020 election results.

From whistleblowers to Congress, UFO mania hit the US in 2023

Claims of a UFO retrieval program brought lawmakers from both sides of the aisle together in a search for answers.

Far-right activist blasts Speaker Phelan for being "pro-Muslim" in political mailer

The card insinuates that Phelan wants to wish his constituents a happy Ramadan instead of a merry Christmas. Muslim Texans say it’s Islamophobic and some Republicans say it doesn't reflect Christian values.

'Unprecedented rise' in threats against public officials: Deputy AG

Claims the DOJ is biased have "no resemblance to the Justice Department that I know," Deputy AG Lisa Monaco said.

Florida bill would ban schools, government agencies from displaying pride flags

The Florida Senate filed a new bill on Monday that would prohibit any governmental entity from flying a flag depicting a political viewpoint.

Congress launches an investigation into the Osprey program after the deadly crash in Japan

A congressional oversight committee has launched an investigation into the V-22 Osprey program following a deadly crash in Japan, which killed eight Air Force special operations service members.