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Wall Street's main indexes rose in a truncated trading session before Christmas, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq up for the third consecutive day, helped by gains in a handful of megacap and growth stocks. Broadcom and Nvidia provided the biggest boost to the indexes on Tuesday, advancing 2.7 per cent and 0.7 per cent, respectively, while Consumer Discretionary and Technology led gains among S&P 500 sectors. With few major catalysts, thin trading volumes expected in the final days of the year raised the prospect of choppy trading. Stock markets will shut at 1pm local time on Tuesday and will be closed for Christmas on Wednesday. In early trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 32.38 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 42,939.33, the S&P 500 gained 21.68 points, or 0.36 per cent, to 5,995.75, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 116.55 points, or 0.59 per cent, to 19,881.43. "Investors are breathing a sigh of relief that maybe the hawkish rate cut last week combined with the softer PCE reading indicate that inflation is not that big of a re-emerging threat," said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist of CFRA Research. "As a result, maybe this market will end up creeping higher between now and the end of the year." After a stellar run to record highs following the November election, which sparked hopes of pro-business policies under US President-elect Donald Trump, Wall Street's rally hit a bump this month as investors grappled with the prospect of higher interest rates in 2025. The US Federal Reserve eased borrowing costs for the third time this year last Wednesday, but signaled only two more 25-basis-point reductions next year, down from its September projection of four cuts, as policymakers weigh the possibility of Trump's policies stoking inflation. Traders expect the Fed to leave rates in the range of four per cent to 4.25 per cent by the end of 2025, from between 3.75 per cent and four per cent about 10 days ago, according to CME's FedWatch tool. Markets are currently in a historically strong period called the "Santa Claus rally". The S&P 500 on average has gained 1.3 per cent in the last five days of December and first two days of January, according to data from the Stock Trader's Almanac going back to 1969. However, market participants are questioning if US stocks' climb to new record highs will be attainable in the coming days, amid concerns about sky-high valuations and the market's overall health. The benchmark S&P 500 fell about one per cent in December but the equal-weight S&P 500, a proxy for the average index stock, is down 5.8 per cent. NeueHealth soared 64 per cent after the healthcare provider said New Enterprise Associates, its largest shareholder, and a group of existing investors will take the company private in a $1.3 billion ($A2.1 billion) deal. American Airlines' shares were down 1.9 per cent after the carrier briefly grounded all its flights in the United States due to an unspecified technical issue. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.21-to-1 ratio on the NYSE, and by a 1.07-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted two new 52-week highs and no new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 17 new highs and 31 new lows.

There were scenes of crowd disturbance at Manchester City's Champions League clash on Tuesday night, with a rowdy Feyenoord following making themselves heard at the Etihad. The Dutch supporters marched with a police escort from the city centre to the Etihad before kick-off, and took their full allocation across the three tiers of the South Stand. After City went three goals up, Feyenoord pulled a goal back with around 15 minutes remaining which prompted riot police to block home and away fans from fighting towards the end of the contest. ALSO READ: Man City vs Feyenoord as it happened ALSO READ: City 16-year-old starlet nets stunning 18-minute hat-trick while in-form sensation sends message After the goal, Feyenoord fans rushed towards the City fans in the corner of the East Stand, with items thrown towards the dividing line from both sets of fans. Riot police soon joined the lines of stewards between the away end and home sections, with Feyenoord's second goal prompting more anxious moments in the closing stages before the visitors then drew level late on. It was an incredible on pitch conclusion to a game City had complete control of midway through the second half. Erling Haaland's penalty late in the first period had broken the deadlock before Ilkay Gundogan and Haaland again put the home side three up. But the Dutch outfit capitalised on a slack City showing and individual errors to force their way back into the contest in incredible fashion. Jack Grealish hit the bar with a deflected effort as City tried to find a late winner but the contest ended all square.Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to be appointed as Leicester City's new manager, various British media outlets reported on Wednesday. Van Nistelrooy recently left Manchester United after a short spell as interim manager and serving as assistant to Erik ten Hag. Leicester sacked Steve Cooper on Sunday after just 12 Premier League games in charge, with the Foxes 16th in the table and only one point above the relegation zone. Two of Van Nistelrooy's three wins in four games as United's caretaker boss in the past month came against Leicester in the League Cup and Premier League. The 48-year-old Dutchman has previous managerial experience from one year in charge of PSV Eindhoven in 2022/23. Sky Sports reported that he could even be appointed in time to lead Leicester in their next game away at Brentford on Saturday. A prolific goalscorer, Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a glorious playing career, most notably at PSV, Man United and Real Madrid.(The Center Square) — California’s senators have sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg requesting last-minute federal funding for the state’s high-speed rail project before the Trump administration takes office in January. This move comes amid concerns that the incoming administration might pull federal funding from the now $135 billion project, and use California as a national example for redirecting federal funds from Democratic priorities. Once complete, the project is supposed to carry passengers from San Francisco to Los Angeles in under three hours, with one-way tickets priced at $86. It’s unclear how competitive this will be with air travel; one-way flights booked more than two weeks in advance currently cost $59 on Southwest, which includes two checked bags. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), proposed by the incoming Trump administration, aims to reduce what it views as wasteful government spending, recently spotlighted the project, and Congressmen Kevin Kiley, R-California, announced his bill to eliminate federal funding for the endeavor. Amid the state’s financial foes, a pause or withdrawal of federal funding could leave the state with no choice but to put the project on hold. During the spring, the California High Speed Rail Authority requested the use of state rainy day funding to plug the $8 billion to $10 billion funding shortfall for the system’s initial $30 billion to $33 billion, 171-mile segment connecting the cities of Bakersfield and Merced in the relatively sparsely populated Central Valley. But with the state’s legislative analyst now finding the state has “no capacity” for new spending and projecting annual deficits will soon rise to $30 billion, enhanced state support for the project is unlikely, leaving federal funding as the only option to fill the gap. The letter , signed by Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, and Reps. Pete Aguilar, Zoe Lofgren, and Jim Costa, requests an additional $536 million to join $134 million in state funds to complete a 30%, or preliminary, design of one tunnel in Southern California and one tunnel in Northern California. The letter also recounted the federal government’s existing $6.8 billion in support for the project, and $22 billion from California for the project thus far. “By preparing for future final design and construction of complex tunnels in this corridor, the Project will advance both state and federal goals to improve safety, expand economic strength and global competitiveness, address equity issues, and implement sustainability practices to confront climate change,” wrote the federal legislators. “These investments will continue to support living wage jobs, provide small business opportunities, and equitably enhance the mobility of communities in need – including disadvantaged agricultural communities – all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” In 2012, the state legislative analyst’s office found the bullet train would increase overall greenhouse gas emissions for the first 30 years of its operation, putting the project’s emissions impact — and state funding based on emissions reductions — into question. Kiley, who is aiming to pass a bill in Congress ending federal support for the project, said even if a grant is approved, he hopes to keep that money away from California’s bullet train. “A small group of CA Democrats is asking Biden to send even more money for High-Speed Rail ... before Congress can pass my bill to deny further funding,” said Kiley on X. “If Biden complies, we will make sure that the grant is promptly revoked.” Because U.S. Congress holds “power of the purse,” Kiley’s bill could allow the federal government to withhold any further funding from the project – even spending that is already approved. However, it's less clear whether the Trump administration could unilaterally halt funding. As a discretionary grant under the Department of Transportation, such a decision might fall within its authority, but political and legal challenges could arise.

The Oklahoma City Thunder (13-4) match up against the Golden State Warriors (12-5) Wednesday at Chase Center. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NBA odds around the Thunder vs. Warriors odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets. Season series: Warriors lead 1-0. OKC dethroned the Sacramento Kings with a 130-109 road win Monday as 3.5-point favorites. G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held it down with 37 points and 11 assists, while G Jalen Williams added 28 points. The Thunder have won 2 straight and are 6-4 over the last 10 as they deal with some significant absences. The Dubs have dropped 2 straight after a 128-120 clunker as 13-point home favorites against the Brooklyn Nets Monday. G Stephen Curry did all he could with 28 points on 8-for-16 from distance. They just lacked a presence in the paint with F Jonathan Kuminga (illness) out. Key afternoon injury update : Curry is listed as out for Wednesday night. Thunder at Warriors odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 3:56 p.m. ET. Thunder at Warriors key injuries Thunder Warriors For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report . Thunder at Warriors picks and predictions Prediction Thunder 121, Warriors 113 Moneyline I like the Thunder (-190) here. They're playing a little better than the Warriors (+155). Playing at Chase Center is no longer a "gimme" for OKC, but I prefer the spread over the -190 ML. Instead, take Thunder C ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN OVER 25.5 POINTS+REBOUNDS+ASSISTS (- 105 ). His last two games lines are as follows: 19 points, 10 boards and 4 assists; 13 points, 14 boards and 3 assists. Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now ! Against the spread BET THUNDER -4.5 (- 110 ). The Warriors beat the Thunder 127-116 in OKC Nov. 10 -- Golden State was a 6.5-point underdog and the Over (228.5) cashed. However, the Thunder had won 3 straight vs. the Warriors before that loss -- including 2 at Chase. Over/Under The Over is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings between these teams. OKC is 11th at 115.2 points per game; Golden State is 6th at 117.7. They are 5th and 6th in pace, respectively. This is a hittable number. TAKE OVER 226.5 (- 110 ). Want to play some games of your own? Play for free at the best social casinos and enjoy lots of slots, blackjack, video poker, roulette and more. You can even earn real prizes! For more sports betting picks and tips , check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW . Follow Ryan Dodson on Twitter/X . Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook . Access more NBA coverage: HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Spurs Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire More NBA Picks and Predictions! Brooklyn Nets at Phoenix Suns odds, picks and predictions Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs odds, picks and predictions Toronto Raptors at New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and predictionsFrom Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know! Firearms are one of the leading causes of death among children aged 1 to 17, according to a Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions report . Sunny Vespico Jackson, a registered nurse and the injury prevention coordinator at Penn Medicine Trauma Center, cares for patients impacted by gun violence and works to underscore preventative measures. In the hospital’s trauma unit, Vespico Jackson and her colleagues see cases that range from gunshot injuries on the skin to fatal wounds to the body. “A lot of the injuries are life altering whether it’s because of the physical injury, but definitely because of the emotional injury and the psychological effects of the injury,” Vespico Jackson said. Sunny Vespico Jackson, an RN and Penn Medicine trauma and injury prevention coordinator (right), worked to obtain gun safes to hand out for free in the community Nov. 18, 2024. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY) Penn Medicine Trauma Center is working to educate the public on gun safes as a preventative measure to curb gun violence, and to encourage keeping firearms locked and out of reach of children. Vespico Jackson believes it is also important to teach children and teens about firearm safety and responsible storage. Penn Medicine Trauma Center makes gun safety resources available on its website , which emphasizes proper gun storage and handling. “Parents don’t realize the kids know where the guns are,” Vespico Jackson said in an interview with WHYY News. “So if the guns are locked up, it prevents them from accessing the guns and getting injured or injuring someone else.” Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wonder database shows that approximately 3,500 children died in gun-related incidents in 2022, and firearms remain the top cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. to date. Athena Lee, PSOM clinical research coordinator (second from right), and Neda Khan, director of strategy and operations (right), helped hand out free gun safes to the community at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine in Philadelphia on Nov. 18, 2024. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY) Advocates disappointed after court rejects Philly gun control lawsuit Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court upheld state laws that prevent municipalities from enacting their own firearm regulations. 4 days ago Terrence Betsill, security operations manager at Penn Medicine, noted that many of the accidental shootings among young children happen in homes where firearms are not safely stored. “73% of children know where guns are stored in the home, while 36% have actually touched the gun. The ideal way to store a firearm is to unload it, lock it and separate it from ammunition,” Betsill said. Black Americans are 10 times more likely to experience nonfatal firearm injuries compared to their white counterparts, according to researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Tracy Duckery of Mount Airy does not take the statistics lightly. The single mother of three is a city social worker and a gun owner. She purchased a firearm to protect her family amid concerns about rising crime, but felt the need to store it in a safe. “You want it to be safe in your home if you have kids, elderly people or other family members,” Duckery said. “You want to protect yourself from people on the outside, but you also want to protect the inside.” Duckery, who received firearm training, understands the risks guns pose in homes with children, which is why she recognizes the importance of proper storage. “My fear started to be bigger than protecting my home,” she said. “[It’s] thinking about my smaller kids. I had smaller kids, and I also have adult kids.” Dukery supports the teaching of the Penn gun safety program, and she underscores the need for accountability and open conversations about firearm security. “I’m just glad this program exists. I hope it continues,” Duckery said. With funding from the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant , Penn Medicine launched the gun safety initiative on National Injury Prevention Day on Nov. 18. As part of the program, Jackson said they hope to distribute more than 1,200 free gun safes to Philadelphia gun owners who live in the city limits. Gun owners don’t have to come to UPenn to get a gun safe in person. They can visit the university’s website to sign up , and a gun safe will be shipped out to the gun owner. Show your support for local public media You turn to WHYY News for impactful, community-centered journalism. With your help, we can go further. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — KyKy Tandy scored 21 points and Florida Atlantic pulled away late in the second half to beat Oklahoma State 86-78 on Thursday in the Charleston Classic. It was the second straight loss by a Power Four team in the tournament after Miami fell to Drake in the opener. Florida Atlantic (4-2) plays the Bulldogs in the semifinals on Friday, while Oklahoma State (3-1) battles the Hurricanes in a consolation game. Leland Walker completed a three-point play with 4:38 left in the second half to give FAU its first lead, 68-67, since it was 16-14. Tandy made a 3-pointer from the corner to cap FAU’s 11-1 run for a 75-68 lead with 2:41 left. Oklahoma State went five-plus minutes without a field goal late in the second half until Brandon Newman made a fast-break layup with 1:17 remaining. But Ken Evans Jr. answered with a three-point play at the other end for a nine-point lead. The Cowboys turned it over on their next possession with 52.3 seconds left. Evans finished with 13 points, Walker scored 12 and Tre Carroll had 10 for FAU. The Owls attempted 49 free throws leading to three Oklahoma State players fouling out and three others finishing with four fouls. Khalil Brantley had 16 points and Robert Jennings II scored a career-high 14 points to go with 11 rebounds for Oklahoma State. Patrick Suemnick was helped off the floor with 1:40 left in the first half and did not return. Oklahoma State led 39-34 at halftime despite making just 33.3% of its shots. FAU shot a better percentage from the field (47.8) than at the free-throw line (46.7) in the first half. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

NEW YORK — I’ll get you, my pretty! And your little pygmy hippo, too! Forgive us the shameless attempt to link the fantasy hit “Wicked” to the delightful Moo Deng . But, hear us out — there’s something the two have in common as the year draws to a close. Escapism. Whether we found it on the yellow brick road, or in videos from a Thailand zoo, or perhaps in unlikely Olympic heroes , we gravitated toward fantasy and feel-good pop culture moments this year. There were new trends, as always. “Brat summer” became a thing, as did “demure, mindful.” And for some inexplicable reason, we became obsessed with celebrity lookalike contests. There were breakups — Bennifer is, again, a thing of the past — and reunions: Oasis, please try to stay together for the tour. Yet some things stayed, remarkably, the same: Taylor Swift and Beyoncé kept on breaking records and making history. So, after a year where much changed but some things held steady, here’s our annual, very selective trip down pop culture memory lane: Lily Gladstone poses in the press room Jan. 7 with the award for best performance by an actress in a motion picture, drama for "Killers of the Flower Moon" at the 81st Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. It starts as a cheery tweet from a beloved “Sesame Street” figure: “ ELMO is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” The answers hint at something deeper and more worrisome. “Not great, Elmo. Not great,” says one milder reply. Doing much better is the viral phenomenon called “BARBENHEIMER,” which makes its awards season debut at the GOLDEN GLOBES . But perhaps the most poignant moment comes from neither film: LILY GLADSTONE , first Indigenous winner of best actress in a drama for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” begins her remarks in the language of her tribe, Blackfeet Nation. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) kisses Taylor Swift on Feb. 11 after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime during the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game in Las Vegas. Valentine’s Day — a perfect time to settle into a sweet love saga via TikTok. Only that’s not quite what we get with “Who TF Did I Marry?,” REESA TEESA ’s depressing, fascinating, 50-part account of her disastrous marriage with a man who lied about absolutely everything. Meanwhile, if you're looking for a single week that encapsulates peak SWIFT cultural dominance , try this: she begins with the Grammys in Los Angeles (becoming the first artist to win album of the year four times AND announcing a new album), then heads to Tokyo for four tour dates, then jets back just in time for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas — where she shares a passionate smooch with boyfriend TRAVIS KELCE on the field of victory. Ryan Gosling performs the song "I'm Just Ken" from the movie "Barbie" on March 10 during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. “What was I made for?” BILLIE EILISH sings at the OSCARS, channeling BARBIE . And what was KEN made for? Not entirely clear — but it's clear RYAN GOSLING was made to play him. His singalong version of “I’m Just Ken” is one of the most entertaining Oscar musical moments in years. Still, Christopher Nolan's “OPPENHEIMER” prevails, a rare case of the top prize going to a blockbuster studio film. Will it happen again in 2025? CYNTHIA ERIVO and ARIANA GRANDE sure hope so; as presenters, they make a sly reference to their upcoming juggernaut, “WICKED.” Speaking of marketing, people are obsessed with that bizarre “DUNE” popcorn bucket. Beyonce And BEYONCÉ carves her space in country music with “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” which will make her the first Black woman to top the Billboard country chart. Taylor Swift performs June 21 at Wembley Stadium in London as part of her Eras Tour. Tennis, anyone? The game’s been around for centuries, but it’s having a cultural moment right now, helped mightily by “CHALLENGERS,” the sweaty romance triangle starring ZENDAYA, MIKE FAIST and JOSH O'CONNOR (40-love? More like 40-sex.) Elsewhere, a new era dawns: At midnight, SWIFT drops “THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT," then drops another 15 songs two hours later. The fascinating and disturbing “BABY REINDEER,” the story of a struggling comedian’s extended encounter with a stalker, debuts on Netflix. Ben Affleck, left, and Jennifer Lopez arrive Feb. 13 at the premiere of "This Is Me ... Now: A Love Story" at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It’s MET GALA time — or as it's known in 2024, another early marketing moment for “WICKED.” ERIVO and GRANDE make fashion waves on the carpet and then musical ones at dinner, with a soulful performance of “When You Believe.” If the “Wicked” tour is in full force, another one stops in its tracks: JENNIFER LOPEZ cancels her summer tour amid reports of both poor ticket sales and trouble in her marriage to BEN AFFLECK . It’s been an eventful year for J.Lo, who's released an album and movie called “THIS IS ME ... NOW" — both reflections on her renewed love with Affleck. Welcome to BRAT SUMMER ! CHARLI XCX releases her hit “Brat” album , with its lime green cover, and launches a thousand memes. Collins Dictionary defines “brat,” its word of the year, as “characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.” At the celeb-heavy SWIFT shows in London, we see PRINCE WILLIAM shaking it off, which is either charming or cringe, you decide. Even better: KELCE dons a top hat and tux and performs for one night. At another stadium across the pond, METS infielder JOSE IGLESIAS delights the crowd with his cheery number “OMG.” Stephen Nedoroscik is introduced June 29 at the United States Gymnastics Olympic Trials in Minneapolis. Bonjour, it’s OLYMPICS time! In Paris! An audacious opening ceremony along the Seine is punctuated by a fabulous CELINE DION , perched on the EIFFEL TOWER , singing her heart out — in the rain, too. Controversy swirls over a scene critics feel mocks Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” (organizers say it does not). Olympic stars are born — including French swimming superstar LEON MARCHAND , rugby player ILONA MAHER , and bespectacled “Pommel Horse Guy” gymnast STEPHEN NEDOROSCIK , who nets two bronze medals and comparisons to Clark Kent. Baby pigmy hippo Moo Deng plays with a zookeeper Sept. 19 in the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand. Also capturing hearts: yep, MOO DENG , born this month. Her name means “bouncy pork.” Australia's Rachael Gunn, known as B-Girl Raygun, competes Aug. 9 during the Round Robin Battle at the breaking competition at La Concorde Urban Park at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. This is them ... now: BENNIFER is no more. After two decades, two engagements and two weddings, J.Lo files for divorce. One union dissolves, another returns: OASIS announces a reunion tour. Everyone seems to want to get in on TikToker JOOLS LEBRON 's “ DEMURE, MINDFUL ” act — even the WHITE HOUSE press team. Back at the Olympics, in the new sport of breaking, we meet Australia’s RAYGUN , arguably neither demure nor mindful with her “kangaroo” move. Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani brings his dog Decoy to the mound Aug. 28 before Decoy delivered the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles in Los Angeles. Cute animal alert: SHOHEI OHTANI ’s perky pooch DECOY does a great “first pitch” in his Major League Baseball debut. Chappell Roan performs "Good Luck, Babe" on Sept. 11 during the MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. One of the year’s biggest breakout artists, CHAPPELL ROAN , withdraws from a music festival after speaking out about frightening fan interactions. And more on the price of fame: In an excruciating moment, “Bachelorette” JENN TRAN , the franchise’s first Asian American lead, is forced to sit through a painful viewing of her proposal to her chosen suitor, after tearfully explaining how he’d later dumped her over the phone. Tran is keeping busy though — she’s announced as part of the new “Dancing with the Stars” lineup. Also on the list: rugby player Maher, and Pommel Horse Guy! Also, ANNA SOROKIN , dancing with an ankle monitor. Online fandom, meanwhile, is shaken when X is temporarily suspended in Brazil and celebrity stan accounts post tearful farewells, revealing to many across the globe that their favorite accounts are run by Brazilians. Miles Mitchell, 21, wins of the Timothee Chalamet lookalike contest Oct. 27 near Washington Square Park in New York. “Dune” Chalamets! “Wonka” Chalamets! Thousands gather in Manhattan for a TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET lookalike contest, and things really get interesting when Chalamet himself shows up. He doesn’t enter the contest, though, and with his mustache, he may not even have won. The trend continues with contests for JEREMY ALLEN WHITE, ZAYN MALIK and — in a very Washington version — Kennedy scion JACK SCHLOSSBERG , who's been gathering a following with some interesting social media posts. New York Liberty Kennedy Burke dances with the mascot, Ellie the Elephant, during an Oct. 24 ceremony after a parade in honor of the Liberty's WNBA basketball championship at City Hall in New York. Turning to basketball, who’s that dancing with USHER ? Why it’s ELLIE THE ELEPHANT , the now-viral NEW YORK LIBERTY mascot. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, right, appears Nov. 2 with Maya Rudolph on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" in New York. MAYA RUDOLPH does a pretty good KAMALA HARRIS laugh on “Saturday Night Live,” but you know who does it better? HARRIS herself. The Democratic candidate makes a surprise cameo three days before the U.S. presidential election, following in the footsteps of HILLARY CLINTON , SARAH PALIN and others. Elsewhere in television, Bravo announces that “VANDERPUMP RULES,” the Emmy-nominated reality show that has lived through countless scandals, is entirely recasting its 12th season — apart from namesake LISA VANDERPUMP . As for MOO DENG , she doesn't have her own TV series yet, but our favorite pygmy hippo is generating plenty of merch . And THAT brings us back to ... Ariana Grande, left, and Cynthia Erivo pose for photographers Nov. 11 prior to the premiere of "Wicked" at Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City. “WICKED” ! Director JON M. CHU ’s emerald-hued fantasy remains very very popular, to quote one of its buzzy show tunes, dancing through life and defying gravity at the multiplex. Moviegoers also come for “GLADIATOR II” and, in a veritable tidal wave, Disney's “MOANA 2,” which beckons us back to the seas of Oceania. Once again, 2024 seems to be telling us: Give people some whimsy, a place to escape, maybe some catchy tunes — and no one knows how far they’ll go. The stories and images that defined 2024. Searching for something? From queries about U.S. politics to cricket in India, Wikipedia has become a source of information for millions of people across the globe. From the Paris Olympics to the Super Bowl. From Simone Biles to Shohei Ohtani. And, of course, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. These are the sp... AP photographers assembled a visual catalog of our civilization as life in 2024 hurtled directly at us at every speed and in every imaginable ... In 2024, photographers captured glimpses of humanity, ranging from a deeply divisive presidential election, to hurricanes and fires that ravag... Associated Press photographers captured voters with raw emotions of joy, excitement, contemplation or sorrow. See entertainment's biggest moments in 2024, through the lens of Associated Press photographers. It beat five other finalists: demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore. News anchors, politicians and other public figures in the U.S. struggled with these words the most this year. Is it any surprise Merriam-Webster's word of the year is "polarization"? Here are the other words that rounded out the top 10 for 2024. 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