Jackpot for Mega Millions surges past $1B after no numbers match on Christmas Eve drawing
Hang onto those stocking-stuffer lottery tickets. The Mega Millions jackpot has surpassed $1 billion after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn on Christmas Eve. That means the estimated jackpot for Friday's drawing is $1.15 billion, potentially the fifth largest jackpot in the game's history. Lottery officials say the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350, while the odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24. Tickets for the game are sold in 45 states. Mega Millions tickets are $2 a piece. Half of the proceeds from the sale of each ticket remains in the state where the ticket was sold.
Desi Bouterse, a dictator convicted of murder who twice ruled Suriname, has died at 79
PARAMARIBO, Suriname (AP) -- Former Surinamese dictator Desi Bouterse has died at 79. He was a military strongman who led a 1980 coup in the former Dutch colony and then returned to power by election three decades later despite charges of drug smuggling and murder. Surinamese Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk wrote on Facebook Wednesday that Bouterse's "life had a lasting impact on our country and his efforts will not be forgotten." The cause of death was not immediately known. Bouterse was applauded by supporters for his charisma and populist social programs. For his opponents, he was a ruthless dictator who was convicted of drug trafficking and extrajudicial killings.
Snowy owl rescued from car grille by Minnesota woman who saved another bird hours earlier
A great gray owl and a snowy owl are being treated by experts after being rescued by a northern Minnesota woman. Annabell Whelan says she found the first owl on Monday morning and brought him to a wildlife rehabilitation center, which sent him to a raptor rescue. Hours later Whelan helped save a second owl that was stuck in the grille of a car. She says there was a lot more trauma this time but she was relieved to wake up Tuesday to find Nowl had made it through the night. She brought her to the wildlife center, which treated the bird and arranged for her to go to the raptor rescue too.
Saturday NFL draws larger audience than college games for rollout of 12-team playoff
A pair of Saturday NFL games drew a larger viewing audience than college football for the rollout of the sport's 12-team playoff. The game between SMU and Penn State averaged 6.4 million viewers on TNT networks, compared with the Texans-Chiefs game on NBC, which averaged 15.5 million viewers. Later, Clemson-Texas drew 8.6 million viewers on TNT, compared with 15.4 million for Steelers-Ravens on Fox. ESPN, ABC and others aired the other two college games -- Indiana-Notre Dame (13.4 million) on Friday night and Tennessee-Ohio State (14.3 million) on Saturday night. The overall average of 10.6 million viewers was higher than all but four college games this season.
Biden signs a bill officially making the bald eagle the national bird of the US
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Joe Biden has made it official: The bald eagle is now the national bird of the United States. Biden signed a bill into law on Tuesday to correct what had long gone unnoticed and designate the bald eagle as the national bird. The bald eagle has been a symbol of the United States for more than 240 years, appearing on the nation's Great Seal since the design was finalized in 1782. That year, Congress also designated the bald eagle as the national emblem. But the honor of becoming the national bird had remained elusive until now.
The end of the 'Rust' criminal case against Alec Baldwin may unlock a civil lawsuit
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- The conclusion of a criminal case against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer may clear the way for a related civil lawsuit by relatives of the deceased woman and efforts to depose the actor under oath. Attorneys for the parents and sister of deceased cinematographer Halyna Hutchins said Tuesday that they'll move forward with their suit for damages and compensation after prosecutors withdrew an appeal in the dismissal of a criminal charge against Baldwin. Hutchins died shortly after being wounded during a rehearsal in the movie "Rust" in October 2021 at a film-set ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Richard Perry, record producer behind 'You're So Vain' and other hits, dies at 82
Hitmaking record producer Richard Perry has died at 82. With a flair for both standards and contemporary sounds, his many highlights included Carly Simon's "You're So Vain," Rod Stewart's "Great American Songbook" series and a Ringo Starr album featuring all four Beatles. Perry was widely known as a "musician's producer," treating artists like peers rather than vehicles for his own tastes. He was also the rare producer to have No. 1 hits on the pop, R&B, dance and country charts.
King Charles III focuses Christmas message on healthcare workers in year marked by royal illnesses
LONDON (AP) -- King Charles III used his annual Christmas message to hail the selflessness of those who have cared for both him and Kate, the Princess of Wales this year, after both were diagnosed with cancer. The 76-year-old monarch said he and his family are "continually" impressed by those who dedicate their lives to help others. The broadcast Wednesday was the king's third Christmas speech since he ascended the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died. It's the first since he was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February. He was joined by Prince William, Kate and other family but his scandal-plagued brother, Andrew, was absent.
Soprano Angel Blue sings her first Metropolitan Opera 'Aida' in a new production
Angel Blue, one of the most admired singers of her generation, is headlining the Metropolitan Opera's first new production of Verdi's "Aida" in 36 years. The 40-year-old takes on the title role of the enslaved Ethiopian princess torn between love for an Egyptian warrior and loyalty to her country. It's a part that comes weighted with history, especially for a Black soprano at the Met, where Leontyne Price embodied the role from her first performance in 1961 until her retirement in 1985. Blue tells The Associated Press she's long looked up to Price, and directors who have worked with her say the singer is ready for the challenge. Blue's Met debut in 'Aida' will happen New Year's Eve.