CAIRO (AP) — A leading human rights group dismissed on Thursday the conviction of a prominent Egyptian political activist as an act of retaliation for his decision to challenge President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in last year’s presidential election. On Tuesday, a Cairo misdemeanor court sentenced former presidential hopeful Ahmed Altantawy, along with 22 of his aides, including his campaign manager, …

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Thursday that U.S. Republican senators should be “ashamed” for leaving about $60 billion in wartime aid for Ukraine in limbo in a recent vote. Poland borders Ukraine and has been pressing the U.S. and Europe for unwavering support for Kyiv’s struggle against Moscow’s aggression as security concerns mount in the …

BOSTON (AP) — The NBA-leading Boston Celtics added some depth at center on Wednesday, acquiring big man Xavier Tillman from the Grizzlies in exchange for forward Lamar Stevens and two future second-round draft picks. With the deal Boston adds some depth in the frontcourt behind 7-footer Kristaps Porzingis, who has struggled with durability, and 37-year-old veteran Al Horford. The 6-foot-8 …

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A landslide in the southern Philippines left at least seven villagers dead and 48 others missing, including miners waiting in buses for a ride home, officials said Wednesday. Army troops, police and volunteers rescued 31 residents who were injured when the landslide hit the mountain village of Masara in Davao de Oro province Tuesday night. The …

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. Murray State Racers (9-14, 6-6 MVC) at Belmont Bruins (12-11, 5-7 MVC) Nashville, Tennessee; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bruins -2; over/under is 146 BOTTOM LINE: …

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. Central Arkansas Bears (8-17, 4-5 ASUN) at Jacksonville Dolphins (11-12, 2-7 ASUN) Jacksonville, Florida; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Jacksonville faces the Central Arkansas Bears after Robert …

Rap legend Jam Master Jay lay, mortally wounded, on his studio floor. One of his aides was in pain from a gunshot to the leg. Another was crying and screaming on the floor. Dashing in from an adjoining room, Randy Allen took in the bloody scene, grabbed a gun and charged outside to seek whoever had done it, he testified …

For the second time as governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem has been banished from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Last week, the Oglala Sioux Tribe said the Republican governor was no longer welcome on tribal lands, and its leaders referred to her rhetoric linking immigration and crime as opportunistic and dangerous. “Our people are being used for her political …

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Swedish officials said Wednesday that they have decided to close their investigation into the September 2022 explosions on the underwater Nord Stream gas pipelines which were built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany, saying they don’t have jurisdiction. Sweden’s investigation was only one of three into the explosions. Denmark and Germany are also examining the …

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Santa Anita has postponed Friday’s nine-race card to give time for horses to return to a normal routine after training was suspended since last weekend. Regular training will resume Friday and racing will be held Saturday. This Friday’s races will be run on Feb. 15. “We got over 10 inches of rain since Sunday afternoon, but …

A push to ask Arizona voters to add a right to abortion to the state constitution took on new stakes this week when the state’s Supreme Court ruled that the state can enforce a ban on abortion in all stages of pregnancy. Arizona is one of several states where abortion might be on the ballot this year. Across the country, …

NEW YORK (AP) — The 75 free agents who have signed, with name, position, former club if different, and contract. The contract information was obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources. For players with minor league contracts, terms for major league contract base salaries are in parentheses: AMERICAN LEAGUE BALTIMORE (1) — Signed Craig Kimbrel, Philadelphia, to …

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. CSU Fullerton Titans (11-11, 4-6 Big West) at UC Davis Aggies (14-8, 9-2 Big West) Davis, California; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Max Jones and the CSU …

Las Vegas (AP) — While police were pursuing and apprehending a man who climbed a Las Vegas Strip landmark, local, federal and NFL officials met with the media on Wednesday to outline hardened security measures and declare the Super Bowl a “no drone zone.” League, FBI and Secret Service officials and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said there have not …

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A man accused of murdering two Alaska Native women recorded images of both of his victims, and the break in the case came when a third woman stole the man’s phone and provided police with photos and videos of one of the killings, a prosecutor told jurors during opening statements in the case Tuesday. Brian Steven …