Friday's Mega Millions drawing is worth an estimated $1.15 billion, one of the game's top jackpots
Americans still dreaming of a really big Christmas present can keep that dream alive during Friday's Mega Millions drawing for a jackpot worth an estimated $1.15 billion. Friday's jackpot will potentially be the fifth largest in the game's history. Mega Millions tickets are $2 a piece. But the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350, and the odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24, according to lottery officials. Tickets for the game are sold in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Five facts about electric vehicles in 2024
DETROIT (AP) -- Here are a few takeaways on electric vehicles in 2024: As of November, the global EV market grew by 25% year-over-year. That is for both battery EVs plus hybrids that plug in but which also have a gas tank. In China, EVs hit the 50% mark -- that's 50% of new cars sales across the world's biggest car market. Chinese companies such as BYD continue to gain traction worldwide with their inexpensive models. Tesla still makes the world's most popular electric cars, the Model Y and the Model 3 -- that's both globally and in the United States. The prize for fastest growth of EVs goes to Mexico where sales increased fivefold.
Christmas shooting at Phoenix airport leaves 3 people wounded, 1 stabbed
PHOENIX (AP) -- Police are investigating a Christmas shooting at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix that left three people wounded by gunfire and another person stabbed. Phoenix police say the evening shooting happened at a restaurant outside the security checkpoints in Terminal 4. An adult female and two adult males were shot, leaving the female with injuries police describe as a life-threatening. Police say the two men were in stable condition. Police say the people involved knew each other. They had a physical fight that led to one of them pulling a gun. A man and a girl were detained in a nearby parking garage.
Beyoncé's performance highlighted Netflix's NFL debut on Christmas Day
Beyoncé provided more excitement than either game during Netflix's NFL debut on Christmas Day. Riding into her halftime appearance on a white horse, the 32-time Grammy winner rocked her hometown Houston crowd in a nearly 13-minute performance on Wednesday. She surprised fans by bringing out Shaboozey to perform "Sweet Honey Buckiin" and Post Malone joined her for "Levii's Jeans." The action on the field didn't live up to expectations as the NFL showcased four of the AFC's top five teams. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce exposed a glitch in Pittsburgh's defense during Kansas City's 29-10 rout in the first game. The broadcast itself went off just fine.
Oregon house cat died after eating pet food that tested positive for bird flu
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon authorities say a house cat died after eating raw frozen pet food that tested positive for bird flu. The Oregon Department of Agriculture says the indoor cat contracted the H5N1 virus by eating the pet food. In response, Oregon-based pet food company Northwest Naturals has recalled one batch of its two-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food. The company says the product was sold nationwide through distributors in a dozen states, and in Canada's British Columbia. Oregon authorities say no human cases of bird flu have been linked to this incident, but that those who were in contact with the cat are being monitored for flu symptoms.
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.
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.
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.