NFL playoff picture Week 13: Thanksgiving games bring huge ramifications

Every week for the duration of the2025 regular season,USA TODAY Sportswill provide timely updates to theNFL's ever-evolving playoff picture − typically starting Sunday afternoon and then moving forward for the remainder of the week (through Monday's and Thursday's games or Saturday's, if applicable. And, when the holidays roll around, we'll be watching then, too).

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference's seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Here's where things stand withWeek 13underway:

Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season

AFC playoff picture

1.New England Patriots(10-2), AFC East leaders:Sunday's narrow defeat of theBengalsgave the Pats the league's best record, moving them past Denver and into the conference's top spot. Good chance they hold onto it when they hit their off week.Remaining schedule: vs.Giants, BYE, vs.Bills, atRavens, at Jets, vs.Dolphins

2.Denver Broncos(9-2), AFC West leaders:Being idle during Week 12 cost them first place in the conference, but you can bet the break was welcome − especially for a team that will need to be close to fully charged for a brutal four-game stretch at the end of its regular season.Remaining schedule: atCommanders, at Raiders, vs.Packers, vs.Jaguars, at Chiefs, vs. Chargers

3.Indianapolis Colts(8-3), AFC South leaders:They've dropped two of their past three to fall off the conference pace ... and are now only one game ahead of Jacksonville and two better than Houston in the division. The next two intra-divisional matchups should be crucial.Remaining schedule: vs.Texans, at Jaguars, atSeahawks, vs. 49ers, vs. Jaguars, at Texans

4.Baltimore Ravens(6-5), AFC North leaders:They sleepwalked past the Jets on Sunday ... but past Pittsburgh and into first place by virtue of a better record in divisional games − and the Ravens will play in three more over the next three weeks, starting Thanksgiving night against Cincinnati.Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals, vs. Steelers, at Bengals, vs. Patriots, at Packers, at Steelers

5.Los Angeles Chargers(7-4), wild card No. 1:They needed last week off ... and Buffalo's loss granted the battered Bolts improved positioning.Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders, vs. Eagles, at Chiefs, at Cowboys, vs. Texans, atBroncos

6.Jacksonville Jaguars(7-4), wild card No. 2:Wins over the Chiefs and Chargers could serve them well when it's time to sort out tiebreakers. Despite beating the Bolts in Week 11, the Jags check in behind them because LA's 6-2 record in AFC games gives it precedence in the current three-way wild-card tiebreaker.Remaining schedule: at Titans, vs. Colts, vs. Jets, at Broncos, vs. Colts, at Titans

7.Buffalo Bills(7-4), wild card No. 3:QB Josh Allen took a beating− as did the Bills' hopes of catching the Patriots in the AFC East race in last week's loss to Houston. Now 4-3 in conference games, Buffalo sits behind the Chargers and Jags in the wild-card seeding.Remaining schedule: at Steelers, vs. Bengals, at Patriots, atBrowns, vs. Eagles, vs. Jets

8.Pittsburgh Steelers(6-5), in the hunt:Sunday's loss at Chicagodropped them from first place in the AFC North all the way out of the field. A Bengals ambush of Baltimore on Thanksgiving would definitely help.Remaining schedule: vs. Bills, at Ravens, vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Browns, vs. Ravens

9.Houston Texans(6-5), in the hunt:They've won four of five, including three in a rowwithout injured QB C.J. Stroud. If they want to win the AFC South for a third straight year, the Texans likely need to sweep the Colts while continuing their surge ... but the pieces are falling into place for a late charge to the top.Remaining schedule: at Colts, at Chiefs, vs. Cardinals, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, vs. Colts

10.Kansas City Chiefs(6-5), in the hunt:Their nine-year run atop the AFC West appears practically over. Still plenty of time to recover otherwise −and maybe that began last Sunday vs. Indy− for a team that's never missed the AFC championship game since Patrick Mahomes became the QB1 in 2018. Still, Thursday's Thanksgiving throwdown at Dallas looms as important ... if notquitemust-win.Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, vs. Texans, vs. Chargers, at Titans, vs. Broncos, at Raiders

26 NFL players named semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame

NFC playoff picture

1.Los Angeles Rams(9-2), NFC West leaders:While Philly owns the head-to-head tiebreaker, it doesn't matter now that the Rams have the better record in theaftermath of the Eagles' demise in Week 12. Still, LA has scant breathing room between itself and the Seahawks plus 49ers in the division.Remaining schedule: atPanthers, at Cardinals, vs. Lions, at Seahawks, at Falcons, vs. Cardinals

2.Philadelphia Eagles(8-3), NFC East leaders:Last Sunday's collapse likely won't cost them the division. But it did drop them behind the Rams and served as another worrisome potential harbinger for the defending champs.Remaining schedule: vs.Bears, at Chargers, vs. Raiders, at Commanders, at Bills, vs. Commanders

3.Chicago Bears(8-3), NFC North leaders:They've won eight of nine since an 0-2 start to stunningly take over first place in the division. An inferior record (5-2) in NFC games keeps Chicago behind the Eagles. But the winner of their Black Friday matchup will assume sole possession of second place in the conference.Remaining schedule: at Eagles, at Packers, vs. Browns, vs. Packers, at 49ers, vs. Lions

4.Tampa Bay Buccaneers(6-5), NFC South leaders:Their divisional lead over Carolina was (barely) restored Monday night, but it might not be worth much if injured QB Baker Mayfield is severely limited on the field.Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, vs.Saints, vs. Falcons, at Panthers, at Dolphins, vs. Panthers

5.Seattle Seahawks(8-3), wild card No. 1:All three of the 'Hawks' losses are against NFC opponents, including two in the division − defeats that won't serve them well in the tiebreaker department.Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings, at Falcons, vs. Colts, vs. Rams, at Panthers, at 49ers

6.Green Bay Packers(7-3-1), wild card No. 2:They can't improve their positioning in the wild-card ranks or division with a win in Detroit on Thanksgiving. But a loss would drop them out of the field entirely.Remaining schedule: at Lions, vs. Bears, at Broncos, at Bears, vs. Ravens, at Vikings

7.San Francisco 49ers(8-4), wild card No. 3:Not a pretty win Monday night, but the Niners will take it as they solidify their hold on the conference's final playoff spot.Remaining schedule: at Browns, BYE, vs. Titans, at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Seahawks

8.Detroit Lions(7-4), in the hunt:Thanksgiving is a huge game and won the Lions' can ill afford to lose after getting whacked by the Pack in Week 1. But salvage a sweep, and Detroit moves into second place in the NFC North and into the seventh seed in the conference (while pushing the Niners to sixth).Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, vs. Cowboys, at Rams, vs. Steelers, at Vikings, at Bears

9.Carolina Panthers(6-6), in the hunt:The Panthers (still) only have one win against a team (Green Bay) currently above .500 after losing in Silicon Valley on Monday night. But Carolina has beaten the .500 Cowboys, who they're otherwise virtually tied with.Remaining schedule: vs. Rams, BYE, at Saints, vs.Buccaneers, vs. Seahawks, at Buccaneers

10.Dallas Cowboys(5-5-1), in the hunt:Two wins in a row continues to fuel fresh postseason hope in Big D. But beating K.C for three in a row would only move Dallas past Carolina − and perhaps just temporarily.Remaining schedule: vs. Chiefs, at Lions, vs. Vikings, vs. Chargers, at Commanders, at Giants

NFL teams eliminated from playoff contention in 2025

▶New York Giants

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL playoff picture Week 13: Thanksgiving big for Cowboys, Packers

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November 27, 2025

NFL playoff picture Week 13: Thanksgiving games bring huge ramifications

Every week for the duration of the2025 regular season,USA TODAY Sportswill provide timely updates to theNFL's ever-ev...

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Missouri boosts coach Eli Drinkwitz to $10M club with new deal

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz joined college football's $10 million club with a six-year contract extension through the 2031 season.

The deal with the Tigers removes Drinkwitz from the offseason coaching carousel and was confirmed by the University of Missouri Board of Curators after unanimous approval Wednesday night. His annual salary will average $10.75 million.

"My family and I believe deeply in the vision and leadership from our administration and are incredibly happy to continue calling Columbia our home," Drinkwitz, 42, said. "I'm grateful for the unwavering support of President Mun Choi, the Board of Curators, led by Chair Todd Graves and incoming Vice Chair Bob Blitz, along with our athletics director Laird Veatch. We're also incredibly thankful for the support of our generous donors and NIL partners. I'm committed to continuing our work to build Mizzou into a championship program."

Drinkwitz was hired in 2019 after one season at Appalachian State. Missouri won 11 games in 2023 and was 10-3 last season after the Tigers had a 17-19 record in his first three seasons in Columbia.

The Tigers are 7-4 (3-4 SEC) this season, with three of their losses to ranked Southeastern Conference opponents (Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas A&M) still alive in the CFP playoff picture.

Missouri needs two more wins this season to hit 30 over the past three seasons. The Tigers are 33-9 at home under Drinkwitz but finish the regular season o the road Saturday against Arkansas (2-9, 0-7).

His success sparked interest from SEC programs with openings. He was rumored to be on the radar of Florida and LSU, programs with existing vacancies thought to both be prioritizing Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin.

"Under his vision and leadership, Coach Drinkwitz has transformed the standard for Mizzou Football and united our entire program and fan base behind a clear pursuit of excellence," Veatch said. "We're thrilled he will continue leading our team into the future. This is an incredible time for our program: Our unprecedented 20-game home sellout streak speaks to our fans' tremendous passion and commitment, while the Memorial Stadium Centennial Project reflects our growing and sustained investment in Mizzou Football.

"It's also critically important that we continue providing Coach Drinkwitz with the resources necessary to build and develop championship rosters in the Southeastern Conference. This new contract reflects our commitment to further strengthening and enhancing those resources. Our 'Will to Win' is clear - we're fully aligned behind Coach Drinkwitz and eager to keep building with him as he leads this program forward in the pursuit of championships."

--Field Level Media

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November 27, 2025

Missouri boosts coach Eli Drinkwitz to $10M club with new deal

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz joined college football's $10 million club with a six-year contract extension through...

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Court transcripts show Border Patrol official Greg Bovino dodging questions about use of force

CHICAGO (AP) — Newly released transcripts of private interviews with a senior U.S. Border Patrol official and other authorities leading the immigrationcrackdownin theChicago areareveal tense exchanges as leaders dodged questions about high-profile uses of force.

Greg Bovino, the Border Patrol leader behind the operation that has netted more than3,000 arrestssince September, sat for the sworn deposition over three days in late October and early November. He left Chicago this month to lead a similar operation in North Carolina and is expected to oversee another in New Orleans starting as soon as next week.

Hundreds of pages of transcripts from the deposition released Tuesday shed light on key moments noted by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis in ablistering 223-page opinionthis month in a lawsuit alleging federal agents used excessive force against protesters, journalists and clergy members.

Ellis issued apreliminary injunctionearlier this month restricting agents from using physical force and chemical agents like tear gas and pepper balls, unless necessary or to prevent "an immediate threat." Afederal appeals courtlater temporarily haltedthe order. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, called the appeals court ruling "a win for the rule of law and for the safety of every law enforcement officer."

Deposition transcripts reveal tense clashes between attorneys

The deposition was heated from its first moments as U.S. Department of Justice attorney Sarmad Khojasteh complained about an attorney representing the coalition of protesters, journalists and faith leaders not shaking Bovino's hand as they arrived.

"That was noted," Khojasteh said on Oct. 30. "I get your position. This is like the hill you're going to die on here. That's fine. Treat him with respect. Treat me with respect."

"Treat the process with respect, sir," the plaintiffs' attorney Locke Bowman responded.

The tense standoffs between the attorneys also included Khojasteh calling Bowman a "petulant old man" as Bowman accused Khojasteh of hindering the proceedings through constant objections.

"Stop it. Just stop it," Bowman finally said after Khojasteh consistently objected to questions throughout the deposition.

Bovino evades questions about immigration agents' use of force

The transcripts also include hours of Bovino giving evasive responses as he defended agents' use of force and characterized protesters as "violent rioters."

He was repeatedly questioned over an Oct. 23 protest in the historically Mexican-American neighborhood of Little Village, where Bovino initially claimed he threw tear gas canisters after being hit with a rock, which he said hurt but did not break skin. As he was questioned, Bovino admitted he was "mistaken" and the rock was thrown after he threw the tear gas. Ellis has accused Bovino of lying about the incident in court.

When he was asked if he threw "a canister of CS gas," Bovino said he did not.

"Okay. Why not?" he was asked.

"You said canister. I threw two. That's — that's plural," Bovino responded.

Bovino also said he believed agents were justified in using tear gas in a residential neighborhood prior to a Halloween parade before admitting he had not reviewed any footage of the incident.

He continued to dodge questions, even after being shown a clip of himself tackling a man to the ground during a protest outside a federal immigration facility in the west Chicago suburb of Broadview. After attorneys played footage of the man's arrest, Bovino repeatedly denied that he tackled "an older gentleman" in the video and dodged questions on whether he used force. Bovino acknowledged that he made physical contact with the man, but denied that he applied force.

Other officials dodge questions about 'Operation Midway Blitz'

Private interviews with other federal officials — Russell Hott, a US. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement official, and Daniel Parra, deputy chief patrol agent at Customs and Border Protection — also showed bickering between attorneys and lawyers representing the federal government consistently objecting to questioning.

During his deposition, Hott acknowledged that ICE agents do not receive regular training on crowd control and that he too had no crowd control experience before arriving in Broadview, the site of tense demonstrations over the last few months. He also admitted that the consistent use of tear gas and pepper balls stopped after Illinois State Police took over responding to these protests.

Hott also dodged questions about use of force, including by saying he doesn't know the context when asked if use of force was justified against a pastor shot in the head with pepper balls while praying. Parra, meanwhile, repeated "I do not recall" when asked about specific incidents in use of force reports presented by attorneys during his deposition.

Parra also admitted that Border Patrol agents do not typically work in dense urban areas or in situations where they encounter protesters — an issue brought up by Ellis in court as she slammed agents for engaging in high-speed car chases and using crowd control techniques she said were inappropriate for urban areas.

"This isn't the border," she said.

Parra also said he could not "think of at the moment" any evidence that Ellis' restrictions on use of force are adversely affecting Border Patrol enforcement operations. This comes after attorneys argued in court that complying with the requirements would halt immigration enforcement operations.

byNeo

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November 27, 2025

Court transcripts show Border Patrol official Greg Bovino dodging questions about use of force

CHICAGO (AP) — Newly released transcripts of private interviews with a senior U.S. Border Patrol official and other autho...

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Brazil seeks US cooperation as money laundering probe flags Delaware firms

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil'​s government will ‌seek a cooperation agreement ‌with the U.S. to fight money laundering ⁠and the ‌illegal export of weapons, ‍Finance Minister Fernando Haddad told reporters on Thursday.

Haddad ​said U.S.‌-based funds are being used for money laundering and to disguise foreign ⁠investments in ​Brazil, ​after a high-profile police operation in ‍the ⁠fuel sector uncovered entities incorporated in ⁠Delaware.

(Reporting by ‌Marcela AyresEditing by ‌Alexandra Hudson)

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November 27, 2025

Brazil seeks US cooperation as money laundering probe flags Delaware firms

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil'​s government will ‌seek a cooperation agreement ‌with the U.S. to fight money laundering ...

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Photos show Indonesia’s search for victims after deadly floods and landslides

MEDAN, Indonesia (AP) — Rescuers and residents across Indonesia's Sumatra island are sifting through mud, debris and swollen rivers afterdevastating floods and landslideskilled dozens of people and left dozens more missing. The images showrecovery teamsretrieving bodies, villagers checking the ruins of their homes, and people wading through flooded streets as monsoon rains continue to batter the region.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

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November 27, 2025

Photos show Indonesia’s search for victims after deadly floods and landslides

MEDAN, Indonesia (AP) — Rescuers and residents across Indonesia's Sumatra island are sifting through mud, debris and ...

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Colts finally home, turn to OL to fend off oncoming Texans

Hold the coronation of the Indianapolis Colts. The two-time defending AFC South champions might have something to say in the matter.

Houston hits Indiana's capital city with a three-game winning streak and a healthy quarterback, momentum the Texans plot to put to good use in closing the gap in the AFC South division. The Colts (8-3) are back in their comfort zone in Indianapolis on Sunday with two losses -- at Pittsburgh and at Kansas City -- that dented their lofty conference standing following a 7-1 start.

The Texans (6-5) have taken three consecutive meetings from the Colts by a combined nine points. Houston began the season 0-3, but has its season back on track thanks to a toothy defense.

With C.J. Stroud (concussion) out, the Texans took down Buffalo (23-19), Tennessee (16-13) and Jacksonville (36-29) the past three weeks with backup Davis Mills at quarterback. Even with the November to remember in progress for Houston, the Jaguars (7-4) separate the Colts and Texans in the South standings.

Indianapolis, which last won the division in 2014 behind third-year quarterback Andrew Luck, is in Jacksonville next week.

"As we stand, they're still in concussion protocol," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday of the progress of Stroud and nickel Jalen Pitre.

Stroud was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Barring a setback before Sunday, he'll be on the field for a fifth time opposite Indianapolis. Stroud is 3-1 in four games against the Colts.

"Picking up where we left off," Texans wide receiver Nico Collins said of Stroud returning to the lead of the QB rotation in Wednesday's practice. "Going out there and being himself. He looked good out there. Excited to get back."

Mills had five total TD passes and one turnover during the run of three consecutive wins that brought playoff conversation back into the realm of reality. The Sunday game will be the first of two meetings between these teams, who also square off in the regular-season finale Jan. 4 in Houston.

The Texans lead the NFL in total defense (264.3 yards per game) and rank second in scoring defense (16.5 points per game). But Buffalo averaged 4.9 yards per carry and rushed for 143 yards last week, when Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 70.5 percent of his passes but was sacked eight times.

Ryans said the Bills went away from the script most teams follow to block the Texans' attacking front seven with a seven-man blocking scheme -- incorporating multiple tight ends or a fullback -- and rolled the dice with one-on-one matchups across the field.

This is the first look for Ryans and the Texans at the Daniel Jones-led Indianapolis offense, one with a functional run-pass option foundation designed to isolate second-level defenders and freeze linemen committed to contain. The former Giants' first-round pick supplanted the purported QB of the future -- Anthony Richardson, drafted two picks after Stroud in 2023 -- and has accounted for 22 of the Colts' 40 touchdowns this season. He also has 10 turnovers in 11 games.

Even at home, it's a high-stakes, high-pressure environment for Jones against the Houston edge rushing duo of defensive ends Danielle Hunter (11 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (10.5), the player drafted between Stroud and Richardson. Hunter and Anderson are the first pair of teammates with 10-plus sacks in the first 11 games of a season since 2019.

Jones (fibula) was limited Wednesday, but head coach Shane Steichen said he's "good to go." He'll need protection from his offensive line.

"We have a lot of confidence and trust in our guys up front, our tackles," Jones said. "Regardless of who you've got, you try to chip them, you try to help when you can. It's my job to get the ball out on time."

None of the Texans are asking for an introduction to MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor, Jones' partner in the Colts' backfield. He leads the NFL with 17 touchdowns (15 rushing scores) and has produced big numbers in eight career matchups with Houston: 1,067 total yards (133.4 per game) and 10 TDs (nine rushing). He registered the NFL's fastest speed on a scoring play this season -- touching 22.38 mph on a 43-yard reception in Week 2 -- per Next Gen Stats.

"They have smart players. But they have athletic players," Taylor said. "If we let that front run wild, it's going to be a long Sunday."

Taylor is running for history on Sunday.

With two TDs he can become the fifth running back in NFL history to reach 75 touchdowns from scrimmage -- non-passing TDs -- in fewer than 80 games. The others to accomplish the feat: Jim Brown and LaDainian Tomlinson (both 72 games), Emmitt Smith (77) and Todd Gurley (78).

--Field Level Media

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November 27, 2025

Colts finally home, turn to OL to fend off oncoming Texans

Hold the coronation of the Indianapolis Colts. The two-time defending AFC South champions might have something to say ...

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No. 4 Texas beats No. 3 UCLA 76-65 to advance to Players Era Championship final

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Rori Harmon scored 26 points andNo. 4Texas held on to beat No. 3 UCLA 76-65 on Wednesday in thePlayers Era Championship.

After building a 23-point lead late in the third quarter, the Longhorns staved off UCLA's late surge to advance to Thursday's championship game.

Texas (6-0) will face South Carolina in Thursday's title game, while the Bruins (6-1) will play Duke for third place.

Madison Booker finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Longhorns. Jordan Lee had 13 points and Justice Carlton chipped in 10.

The Bruins trailed by just four after a 24-7 run, sparked Kiki Rice's 12 points. But three failed possessions - a missed 3-pointer and two turnovers - allowed Texas to pull away.

Gianna Kneepkens and Rice led the Bruins, each with 17 points. Charlisse Leger-Walker scored 13 points on 50% shooting.

NO. 2 SOUTH CAROLINA 83, DUKE 66

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Madina Okot had 23 points and South Carolina (6-0) defeated Duke in the semifinals of thePlayers Era Championship.

South Carolina will face No. 4 Texas in Thursday's championship, while Duke will play No. 3 UCLA for third place.Texas beat UCLA, 76-65, earlier in the day.

Joyce Edwards scored 22 points for the Gamecocks, while AP preseason All-American Ta'Niya Latson finished with 12. Raven Johnson also contributed with 10 points.

Toby Fournier led Duke (3-4) with 16 points. Riley Nelson finished with 14 points and Ashlon Jackson had 11.

NO. 7 MARYLAND 74, NO. 16 KENTUCKY 66

CAROLINA, Puerto Rico (AP) — Kaylene Smikle scored 22 points, Yarden Garzon added 17 and Maryland held off Kentucky in a matchup of unbeaten teams at the Discover Puerto Rico Classic.

The Terrapins (8-0) build a 20-point lead midway through the third quarter before Kentucky (7-1) rallied. Tonie Morgan scored 12 points in the fourth quarter for the Wildcats and her layup with 48 seconds remaining cut the deficit to six points at 70-64. Maryland's Saylor Poffenbarger and Addi Mack each made a pair of free throws in the final seconds to secure the win.

Mack finished with 15 points and Poffenbarger 12 for Maryland (8-0), which was playing its first Power 4 opponent. Smikle was 9 of 11 from the line, where the Terrapins made their first 17 and finished 21 of 23. Garzon shot 5 for 10 from 3-point range.

Morgan had 22 points and eight assists for Kentucky (7-1), which shot 6 for 8 from the line and had 20 turnovers. Asia Boone added 13 points. The Wildcats were playing a ranked opponent for their second straight game.

NO. 6 MICHIGAN 102, DETROIT MERCY 53

DETROIT (AP) — Mila Holloway scored 19 points and Te'Yala Delfosse added 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead five players in double figures and help Michigan to a rout of Detroit Mercy.

Brooke Quarles Daniels also had 11 points and Olivia Olson and McKenzie Mathurin added 10 apiece for the Wolverines (6-1) who have beaten the Titans nine consecutive games. It is the third time this season that Michigan, which came into the game averaging 91.2 points per game, has scored at least 100 points.

Nisea Burrell scored 13 points and Maya Anderson added 10 for the Titans (1-4). The Tians are 3-15 against top 10 opponents and have not beaten a nationally ranked team since upending Green Bay in February 2017.

NO. 11 IOWA 86, WESTERN ILLINOIS 69

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Addison Deal scored 17 points of the bench, Ava Heiden had her fourth double-double of the season, and No. 11 Iowa defeated Western Illinois 86-69 on Wednesday night.

The Hawkeyes made 16 of 20 shots inside the arc in the first, 19 of 31 overall, and led 44-25 at the break. Heiden made 5 of 5 shot attempts and scored 13 points. She grabbed eight rebounds in the half.

Iowa's lead ranged from 18 to 23 points throughout the second half until Kennedy Herrig made two free throws for Western Illinois in the final minute.

Mia Nicastro scored 20 points, Reagan McCowan 16, and Addie Brownfield and Mallory Shetley 10 each for the Leathernecks (4-1).

NO. 15 BAYLOR 75, LOUISIANA TECH 46

WACO, Texas (AP) — Taliah Scott had 21 points, five rebounds and four steals, Darianna Littlepage-Buggs grabbed 12 rebounds to go with four points, and Baylor eased by Louisiana Tech.

Scott scored seven points during a 14-0 run in the first quarter to take control. Baylor held a double-digit advantage the rest of the way despite scoring just 12 points in the second quarter and 15 in the fourth.

Scott finished the first half with 12 points to help Baylor lead 36-21 as Louisiana Tech shot just 28.1%. She scored nine of Baylor's opening 13 points of the third quarter to go ahead by 24 points. The Bears led by as many as 31 in the fourth.

Marcayla Johnson and Yuting Deng each scored 11 points for Baylor (6-1), which lost to then-No. 19 Iowa on Nov. 20 and then beat Davidson in overtime two days later.

Paris Bradley was the lone scorer in double figures for Louisiana Tech (3-3) with 10. The Lady Techsters went 18 of 62 from the field (29%), including 3 of 21 from 3-point range.

Louisiana Tech lost by 44 points at Baylor last season, with Littlepage-Buggs, Bella Fontleroy and Jada Walker each securing a double-double.

OHIO STATE 83, NO. 21 WEST VIRGINIA 81

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Jaloni Cambridge scored 22 points andElsa Lemmilä made a go-ahead jumper with 24.9 seconds leftto help Ohio State beat West Virginia and claim the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship title.

Trailing 80-79, Ohio State (5-1) took its final timeout to set up a play. Ava Watson received the inbounds pass and drew two defenders on a drive before finding Lemmilä in the lane for a jumper.

West Virginia had two chances at the other end after an offensive rebound but could not get a shot to drop. Ohio State secured the defensive rebound, and Watson made two free throws for a three-point lead with three seconds left.

Sydney Shaw was fouled in the right corner on a 3-point attempt with 0.6 seconds left. After a lengthy review, Shaw missed the first free throw, made the second and Ohio State secured the rebound on the third to earn the win.

Cambridge was one of three Ohio State starters to foul out. Reserve Bryn Martin also fouled out with 16 points and four 3-pointers. Chance Gray added 15 points.

Gia Cooke led West Virginia (6-1) with 24 points. Kierra Wheeler had 19 points and 14 rebounds. Jordan Harrison and Shaw each finished with 13.

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November 27, 2025

No. 4 Texas beats No. 3 UCLA 76-65 to advance to Players Era Championship final

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Rori Harmon scored 26 points andNo. 4Texas held on to beat No. 3 UCLA 76-65 on Wednesday in thePlayers E...

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49ers focused on limiting damage by Browns' Myles Garrett

Two defenses coming off impressive performances set their targets on history-defying young quarterbacks when the San Francisco 49ers visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon.

Brock Purdy will be looking for a third consecutive victory, while Shedeur Sanders will be seeking to deliver the Browns their first winning streak of the season when the former low-round draft choices go head-to-head for the first time.

The start will be the 41st for Purdy, the 262nd and final pick of the 2022 draft. He already ranks fourth all-time in touchdown passes among seventh-round picks with 72. That is 71 more than Sanders, the rookie fifth-rounder who notched his first last Sunday in a 24-10 road win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is impressed with Sanders, Cleveland's third different starting QB this season.

"You could tell how important it is to him and how much work he's going to put into it," Saleh said. "A guy who's as good as gifted as he is, both physically and mentally, and with the confidence he has, you just know he's going to get better."

Purdy suffered his first career defeat as a starter after 10 straight wins bridging his rookie and second seasons when he was sacked three times and intercepted once in the 49ers' most recent trip to Cleveland, a 19-17 loss in Week 6 of the 2023 campaign.

Now 25 and in his fourth NFL season, he was able to overcome three interceptions when the 49ers (8-4) rode a stingy defense to a 20-9 home win over the Carolina Panthers on Monday night. Purdy was not sacked in the game.

Six days later, he'll have to deal with one of the top defenses in the league. Having held the Raiders to 268 total yards while sacking Geno Smith 10 times, the Browns (3-8) entered the week ranked second in the NFL in yards allowed (273.0) and sacks (42.0).

Myles Garrett was credited with three of the sacks and also forced two fumbles. He had six hits on Smith in all.

"He's the best in the league," Purdy assured reporters this week. "I can't be holding onto the ball too long."

Having recorded four sacks on Baltimore's Lamar Jackson in Week 11, Garrett will be attempting to become the first in the NFL since 1982 (when the stat was first recorded) to register three or more sacks in three straight games.

The San Francisco defense dominated Monday's win over the Panthers. Led by Bryce Huff, who helped pressure Bryce Young into a 169-yard performance, and Ji'Ayir Brown, who intercepted Young twice, the 49ers held an opponent to under 10 points for the first time since a 34-3 win at Jacksonville in November of 2023.

They'll take aim this week at Sanders, who earned a second start after throwing for 209 yards and just one interception against the Raiders.

The son of former 49ers star Deion Sanders expects better of himself this week.

"I'm never comfortable in a situation I'm in," the 23-year-old said. "I always want to exceed expectations, and I always want to grow in each and every week."

The matchup of Purdy and Sanders is the first this season between quarterbacks taken in the fifth round or later.

The 49ers watched the New Orleans Saints' Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round pick in 2024, burn them for three TD passes in Week 2, but that was against former first-rounder Mac Jones, who was subbing for an injured Purdy.

--Field Level Media

byNeo

in

November 27, 2025

49ers focused on limiting damage by Browns' Myles Garrett

Two defenses coming off impressive performances set their targets on history-defying young quarterbacks when the San F...

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Bulgaria withdraws 2026 budget proposal following street protests

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) —Bulgaria'sgovernment announced Thursday that it is withdrawing its 2026 draft budget, following streetprotestsat home over steep tax increases included in the budget, and warnings from abroad.

The surprise move was announced by the leader of the ruling center-right GERB party, Boyko Borissov, who asked the government to restore dialogue with employers and labor unions to reach consensus on the state finances. The turmoil surrounding the budget comes as the Balkan country prepares to join theeuro currency unionnext year.

The protests have reflected widespread concern over the budget's economic impact on individuals and businesses. The disputed budget included increases in social security contributions and the doubling of the dividend tax.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said that the budget, which had already been approved on a first reading in parliament, will be revised after talks with social partners and opposition parties to iron out its "defects."

"The new budget package should keep things balanced and match the goals of the parties in the government coalition. This will make sure that Bulgaria can join the euro zone on January 1 without any problems," he said.

Opposition and business groups have warned that higher taxes, increased social security contributions and planned expenditure increases foreseen in the budget could restrain investment and expand the shadow economy.

Earlier this week, the European Commission warned that Bulgaria's draft budget risked breaking the EU's recommended cap on net expenditure growth, while the International Monetary Fund urged the Balkan country to pursue a tighter fiscal policy.

People have taken to the streets to protest the budget, with the largest protest on Wednesday night. Thousands gathered in front of the parliament to denounce government plans to increase the state pension insurance contribution by 2 percentage points and double the tax on dividends to 10%.

Protesters also demanded full transparency in public spending and criticized record-high government spending of some 46% of GDP planned for next year. Organizers estimated that more than 20,000 people joined the protest.

Opponents of the budget argued that the plan to increase spending would have been financed primarily through higher taxes on businesses and workers, as well as a sharp rise in public debt. They argued this would spur inflation without improving the efficiency of public services.

byNeo

in

November 27, 2025

Bulgaria withdraws 2026 budget proposal following street protests

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) —Bulgaria'sgovernment announced Thursday that it is withdrawing its 2026 draft budget, following...

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A high school coach is wanted on child porn charges. What we know about the search in rural Virginia

An undefeated rural Virginia high school football team won a regional semifinal game last weekend in highly unusual circumstances: without their head coach, who police said had disappeared just two days before.

This week, authorities made the situation clearer just days before the next playoff game, saying Union High School's CoachTravis Turner is wantedon five counts of child pornography possession and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.

Police have been scouring the mountainous area for Turner, leaving a community grappling with allegations against a man trusted to teach high schoolers and lead a successful football team, which now presses for a potential state championship in his absence.

Here's what we know (and what we don't) about the investigation and search for the small-town football coach.

A weeklong search

While investigators were heading to Turner's home on November 20 in Appalachia, a western Virginia town of fewer than 2,000 people, they were told he wasn't at home, Virginia State Police said, without relaying who told them that.

Police toldlocal mediaover the weekendthat Turner was missing, but did not initially explain why they had visited his house. Turner's football team, knowing he had disappeared, played a regional semifinal game without him,winning 12-0to keep their season alive.

On Tuesday, state police announced the charges he is sought for, saying they obtained warrants for each count a day earlier. They have not released further details about the allegations.

Brett Hall, the commonwealth's attorney for Wise County, told CNN Wednesday over email his office "is aware of the ongoing investigation pertaining to charges against Union High School's head football coach" but can't comment further.

Turner, who was also listed as a physical education teacher at Union High School in a now-removed entry on the school's online staff roster, was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants and glasses, state police said. The agency hasn't shared any details about when or where he was last seen or who may have seen him last.

Union High School is located just outside the community of Big Stone Gap and a few miles southeast of Appalachia, the town where Turner lives.

In an email to CNN Tuesday, the Wise County Public Schools superintendent, Mike Goforth, said the district is "aware that law enforcement has filed charges against a staff member who has been on administrative leave."

Turner is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students, Goforth said.

Students and community members gathered for a prayer circle before kickoff Saturday, three days before the charges against Turner were publicly announced.

"No matter what's going on, we can count on our neighbors, and we can count on those God's put in our life, and we can count on our community to be bigger than the situation we're facing," Bryan Gunter, pastor of First Baptist Church of Big Stone Gap, said at the time,CNN affiliate WCYB reported.

Terrain poses challenges

Turner "went into the woods" near his home in Appalachia, Jason Day, an officer with Virginia State Police, told local TV stationWJHLover the weekend.

Since Turner's disappearance, authorities have used search and rescue teams, drones and police dogs to try to locate him, state policesaid this week.

But searching the area, nestled in a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains, isn't easy.

Itsrugged topography, carved by rivers and forests with elevations that vary from low valleys to high peaks, makes for a challenging environment for search and rescue operations.

Outside of police dogs and foot traffic, authorities may need to rely on technology, like motion sensors left in an area of interest that send signals to the search team's base, or drones with heat-sensing abilities that can track movement, according to John Miller, CNN's chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst. That's not a perfect science, he notes, given all the activity such sensors pick up.

It is unclear how many resources are dedicated to the search overall.

"Once you're into man versus nature and wide open spaces, a lot of that hinges on the key dependency – what is the training experience and ability of the fugitive to operate in that environment?" Miller said.

"And we've seen both versions of that (in other cases), from people who were lifelong woodsmen and survivalists to people who had no background in camping and ran up into the woods and immediately ran up against the challenges of lasting."

If Turner is in the woods, weather could impact how he fares. Since his disappearance, the area has seen warmer than normal temperatures during the day and overnight – sometimes with light rainfall, but not enough to flood the area – according to CNN meteorologist Mary Gilbert. In the coming few days, Friday is expected to be the coldest, with highs just above freezing and lows in the upper teens. Some of the days after that offer potential for some icy, wintry weather and several rain chances.

Family is 'prayerful for his safe return'

When reached by CNN on Tuesday, Turner's wife shared a statement from the family's attorney, whom she identified as Adrian Collins.

"I speak today on behalf of Coach Turner's family. We remain prayerful for his safe return and for everyone affected by the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. We trust God to bring truth and clarity in His time. Any allegations should be addressed through the proper legal process – not through speculation or rumor," the statement reads.

The statement closed by asking for the family's privacy.

CNN has reached out to Collins for more information. CNN also sought comment from a person who is now serving as the interim head coach of Union High's football team.

Turner attended Appalachia High School himself, years before it was consolidated, along with Powell Valley High School, into Union High School in August 2011, according to reports by theBristol Herald Courier.He was a quarterback on the school's football team, coached by his father, Virginia High School League Hall of Famer Tom Turner, from 1994 to 1997, the newspaper reported.

Throughout his college career, Turner played football at Virginia Tech, Eastern Kentucky and the University of Virginia-Wise, the Bristol Herald Courier reported. He was then hired as head football coach at Powell Valley High School in early 2011, according to the newspaper.

As for the Union High team that Tuner coached until last week: It will play in aregional finalgame at home against Ridgeview on Saturday afternoon. If Union wins, it would advance to the Class 2 state semifinal on December 6, one step before the state final set for December 13.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byNeo

in

November 27, 2025

A high school coach is wanted on child porn charges. What we know about the search in rural Virginia

An undefeated rural Virginia high school football team won a regional semifinal game last weekend in highly unusual circumstances: without ...

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A crystal Fabergé egg crafted for Russian royalty is expected to sell for more than $26 million

LONDON (AP) — A rare crystal and diamondFabergé eggcrafted for Russia's ruling family before it was toppled by revolution is going up for auction, valued at more than 20 million pounds ($26.4 million).

Christie's auction housesays the Winter Egg is just one of seven of the opulent ovoids remaining in private hands. It will be offered for sale at Christie's London headquarters on Tuesday.

The 4-inch (10-centimeter) tall egg is made from finely carved rock crystal, covered in a delicate snowflake motif wrought in platinum and 4,500 tiny diamonds. It opens to reveal a removable tiny basket of bejewelled quartz flowers symbolizing spring.

Margo Oganesian, the head of Christie's Russian art department, likened it to a luxurious Kinder Surprise chocolate.

The Winter Egg is a superb example of craft and design, "the 'Mona Lisa' for decorative arts," Oganesian said.

One of just two created by female designer Alma Pihl, the egg was commissioned by Czar Nicholas II for his mother Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna as an Easter present in 1913. Pihl's other egg is owned by Britain's royal family.

Craftsman Peter Carl Fabergé and his company created more than 50 of the eggs for Russia's imperial family between 1885 and 1917, each elaborately unique and containing a hidden surprise. Czar Alexander III started the tradition by presenting an egg to his wife each Easter. His successor, Nicholas II, extended the gift to his wife and mother.

The Romanov royal family ruled Russia for 300 years before it was ousted by the 1917 revolution. Nicholas and his family were executed in 1918.

Bought by a London dealer for 450 pounds when the cash-strapped Communist authorities sold off some of Russia's artistic treasures in the 1920s, the egg changed hands several times. It was believed lost for two decades until it was auctioned by Christie's in 1994 for more than 7 million Swiss francs ($5.6 million at the time). It sold again in 2002 for $9.6 million.

Now it is expected to surpass the record $18.5 million paid at a 2007 Christie's auction for another Fabergé egg created for the Rothschild banking family.

There are 43 surviving imperial Fabergé eggs, most in museums.

byNeo

in

November 27, 2025

A crystal Fabergé egg crafted for Russian royalty is expected to sell for more than $26 million

LONDON (AP) — A rare crystal and diamondFabergé eggcrafted for Russia's ruling family before it was toppled by revolu...

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The Latest: Pope Leo brings messages of peace and Christian unity on trip to Turkey and Lebanon

Pope Leo XIV visits Turkey and Lebanon onhis first foreign trip, a visit that fulfills the late Pope Francis' plans to mark an important Orthodox anniversary and bring a message of peace to the region at a crucial time for efforts to end the war in Ukraine and ease Mideast tensions.

In Ankara, Leo will meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and then travel to Istanbul for three days of ecumenical and interfaith meetings that will be followed by the Lebanese leg of his Nov. 27-Dec. 2 trip.

Leo's main reason for traveling to Turkey is to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Christianity's first ecumenical council. In 325 AD, that council hashed out the first version of the Nicene Creed, a statement of faith that millions of Christians still recite each Sunday.

For the Vatican, Lebanon and its tradition of religious tolerance in the Middle East is a bulwark for Christians in the region, even more so after years of conflict and war that have shrunk Christian communities that date from the time of the Apostles.

Here's the latest:

Leo boards flight to Turkey

Pope Leo XVI has boarded the ITA charter flight that is taking him on his first trip as pope.

The Airbus A320 neo is heading first to Ankara, Turkey, where Leo will meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and deliver his first speech. The papal delegation, with some 80 international journalists in tow, then flies onto Istanbul for three days of ecumenical and interfaith activities.

The American pope heads to Lebanon on Sunday for the second and final leg of the trip.

Thursday is Thanksgiving in the United States and at least two journalists have brought pumpkin pies on board the flight to Ankara hoping to share them with the pope.

byNeo

in

November 26, 2025

The Latest: Pope Leo brings messages of peace and Christian unity on trip to Turkey and Lebanon

Pope Leo XIV visits Turkey and Lebanon onhis first foreign trip, a visit that fulfills the late Pope Francis' plans t...

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Former AP photographer's vintage images of Ireland capture a world before it disappeared

BERLIN (AP) — Rare photographs of Ireland from 1963 show a world about to disappear, a country before it took its first steps toward modernity.

Black and white images captured by a young German photographer, Diether Endlicher — who later spent four decades covering the Olympics and major global events for The Associated Press — are being shown at the Irish embassy in Berlin, where Endlicher, now 85, was honored last weekend for his role in documenting moments of Irish life from another era.

The photos feature boatmen, fishermen, workmen, herders taking their animals to markets, women transporting milk by donkey cart, a funeral, devout worshippers praying to relics in stone-walled fields, ruined abbeys, dramatic landscapes, children looking at TVs through a shop window, an evocation of a time before modern conveniences arrived to convert all.

The pictures lay unseen and forgotten in Endlicher's attic until recently, when he rediscovered them after deciding to go through his archive. He scanned the now 62-year-old negatives and contacted the embassy to see if there was any interest. There was.

Maeve Collins, the Irish ambassador to Germany, praised the photographs' "beautiful detail" and historical importance.

"They bring a vivid expression to the lived experience of people on the west coast of Ireland in the early 1960s," she said.

Photos are record of a road trip

Endlicher was 22 when he traveled with a friend from Germany to the west coast of Ireland in a tiny Fiat 500, a two-door bubble car known as the "Bambino" that was not designed for road trips. He carried a Leica M2 and three lenses to places where few had seen cameras before.

Once they got to Ireland's west coast, they found a man transporting turf to Inishmaan, one of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, in a large sailing vessel with no motor. They decided to go with him and Endlicher took photos as they went.

"I thought we'd never arrive there because the wind was not so strong. The boat traveled very slow," Endlicher told the AP. "It was an interesting trip there and then when we landed on Inishmaan, that was a different world."

He saw fishermen at work, and peasants threshing barley by beating stalks on stones. Their clothes were home-spun from tweed. Electricity hadn't reached the island. Turf from the mainland was used for heating and cooking.

Many of the locals made clear they didn't want their photos taken. The Aran Islands are still part of the Gaeltacht, the Irish-speaking area, and on Inishmaan at the time, most did not speak any English.

"Inishmaan was a different world, even from the mainland," Endlicher said. "Europe was very different then and so the difference between Ireland and Europe, mainland European countries was not so big. The agriculture was about the same. Farmers worked with horses. The only thing that was different in Ireland was donkeys. There were many donkeys at the time."

Return to work for the AP

Endlicher returned to Ireland in 1984 to cover U.S. President Roland Reagan's visit for the AP. He worked for the news agency from 1965 to 2007.

"I covered 29 Olympics altogether, Winter and Summer Olympics. I covered many Winter Olympics. As a Bavarian, I almost grew up on skis," said Endlicher, who would ski the slopes before big races to find the best positions for photos.

Endlicher was at the 1972 Olympics in Munich where11 Israeli athletes and coaches were killedafter being targeted by the Palestinian group Black September.

He traveled to Israel for news assignments in the 1980s and 90s and did several stints in Gaza, where he saw the first intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israel's military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

He remembers Israeli soldiers forcing him to hand over his film after he took photos of them beating a child who had been running with a Palestinian flag in Khan Younis, in Gaza.

"I had no chance, I had to give them the film," he said.

Endlicher covered the changes unleashed by the fall of the Berlin Wall and the breakup of the Soviet Union, as well as uprisings in Georgia and Armenia.

"I remember in Moscow, there was this uprising when the communists tried to occupy the parliament, that was after (former Russian President Boris) Yeltsin, there were a lot of shootings in Moscow," he said. "I was undercover, under a truck, and next to me was a TV cameraman in a telephone cell, and they shot at the telephone cell and he was wounded."

Endlicher was also embedded with American troops during the Gulf War in 1991, and had been in Prague, Czechoslovakia for the Soviet invasion in 1968, when he relied on a taxi driver driving to and from Vienna, Austria to get his films out to be processed and transmitted.

"He must have had some deal with the border police or the Russian army," he said.

Job presents dangers

Reflecting on the dangers he faced over a 42-year career with the AP — Endlicher also previously worked for German news agency DPA – he said he believes there is a necessity to take pictures, to bear witness.

"It's necessary that some people are willing to take the risk. LikeAnja Niedringhaus, she paid with her life," he said of his former AP colleague who was killed in Afghanistan in 2014. "The thing is you have to be independent, I think. If you're married and have kids, it's a different story. If you are single and have no obligations ... It's also difficult to keep up friendships. I had also a time when the job was the most important thing to me. And I neglected some of my family life. It's a conflict."

Endlicher's son, Matthias, accompanied him to the embassy's tribute on Saturday, and they were joined by his wife, Andrea, at the ambassador's residence for dinner that evening.

"I'm very happy that they saw the value of these pictures," he said.

byNeo

in

November 26, 2025

Former AP photographer's vintage images of Ireland capture a world before it disappeared

BERLIN (AP) — Rare photographs of Ireland from 1963 show a world about to disappear, a country before it took its first s...

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Political prisoners released in Myanmar mass amnesty

BANGKOK (AP) — Excited families greeted relatives released from Myanmar's Insein Prison on Thursday as part ofa mass amnestygranted by the country's military rulers ahead of next month's election.

At least eight buses carrying prisoners were welcomed outside the gate of the Yangon prison at 11:30 a.m. by relatives and friends who had been waiting since early morning.

The military administration granted amnesty to more than 3,000 people locked up for opposing army rule and dropped charges against more than 5,500 others, state-run broadcaster MRTV reported Wednesday. The amnesty was intended to ensure eligible voters could participate inthe Dec. 28 elections, it said.

An official from Insein Prison, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to release information, confirmed prisoners would be released starting Thursday but did not say how many or who they were. In past amnesties, releases have taken several days.

There was no sign that the prisoner release would include former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the National League for Democracy government ousted in the military takeover in 2021 and who has been held virtually incommunicado since then.

Among those freed were Kyi Toe, a member of NLD's central information committee, and freelance journalist Zaw Lin Htut, also known as Phoe Thar. Both were arrested in 2021.

"I am determined to work with Aunty until I am 90 years old," Kyi Toe told journalists as he arrived outside the prison gate. Aunty is a common expression of respect for Suu Kyi among senior NLD members.

He added that other senior NLD members still remain in prison.

Critics have assertedMyanmar's electionwill be neither free nor fair because there is no free media and most of the leaders of the dissolved NLD have been arrested.

MRTV said the National Defense and Security council, a constitutional administrative government body controlled by the military, granted amnesties covering 3,085 prisoners convicted under the part of the penal code known as the incitement law, which makes it a crime to spread comments that create public unrest or fear, or spread false news. It has been widely used to arrest critics of the government or military and is punishable by up to three years in prison.

Conditional release was granted to 724 prisoners, who would have to serve the rest of their old sentence if they commit a new offense, and 5,580 people who are either being prosecuted or are in hiding, will receive amnesty and have their incitement cases closed.

Some 22,708 political detainees, including Suu Kyi, were in detention as of Wednesday, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps detailed tallies of arrests.

The 80-year-old Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year sentence after being convicted in what supporters have called politically tinged prosecutions.

The army takeover in 2021 was met with massive nonviolent resistance, which has since becomea widespread armed struggle.

byNeo

in

November 26, 2025

Political prisoners released in Myanmar mass amnesty

BANGKOK (AP) — Excited families greeted relatives released from Myanmar's Insein Prison on Thursday as part ofa mass ...

Read More