Brigitte Bardot, 1960s French sex symbol turned militant animal rights activist, dies at 91
PARIS (AP) — French 1960s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot has died at age 91. Bardot became one of the greatest screen sirens of the 20th century and later a militant animal rights activist. She died on Sunday at her home in southern France. Bardot rocketed to international stardom in the 1956 movie “And God Created Woman.” The film was directed by then husband Roger Vadim. It triggered a scandal with scenes of the long-legged beauty dancing on tables naked. Bardot earned her compatriots’ respect as an animal rights activist. She was awarded the nation’s highest honor. But Bardot later fell from public grace as her animal protection diatribes took on a decidedly extremist tone and her far-right political views sounded racist.
Hounded by photographers for years, Bardot identified with the animals she later set out to save
PARIS (AP) — Brigitte Bardot, who has died at 91, often said that the hounding she received from the world's press in her years as a sex symbol of the 1960s made her identify with hunted and abused animals. So it was that the sultry star of “And God Created Woman” and many other films reinvented herself as a militant animal rights activist, devoting herself to protecting animals across the globe. But while she was initially lauded and honored for her work, she was later repeatedly convicted of inciting racial hatred and several towns removed statues of Marianne — the bare-breasted symbol of the French republic — that were modeled on Bardot.
Trump welcomes Zelenskyy for talks, asserts Russia and Ukraine both want peace, however elusive
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump says he believes both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin want an end to their war. Trump welcomed Zelenskyy to his Florida club Sunday after speaking with Putin by phone. Trump is hosting Zelenskyy to try to close out a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia that would end nearly four years of war. Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s capital in the days before the meeting.
Midair helicopter crash in New Jersey leaves 1 dead and another critically injured
HAMMONTON, N.J. (AP) — Officials say two helicopters have crashed midair in southern New Jersey on Sunday, killing one person and leaving another critically injured. Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said rescuers responded to a report of an aviation crash at about 11:25 a.m. on Sunday. Video from the scene shows a helicopter spinning rapidly to the ground. Police and fire crews subsequently extinguished flames that engulfed one of the helicopters. One person was killed and another was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Friel said the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash.
A winter storm threatens to bring blizzards and ice to parts of the US, hampering holiday travel
A powerful winter storm driven by a rapidly intensifying cyclone was sweeping east from the Plains on Sunday, bringing heavy snow, ice, rain and severe weather expected to affect much of the country. Forecasters warned of possible blizzard conditions and whiteouts in parts of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, where snowfall could exceed a foot and reach 2 feet near Lake Superior. The system is expected to deliver freezing rain in New England, thunderstorms across the South and East, and widespread strong winds. The storm follows some flight disruptions during the busy holiday travel period.
Winter rain floods Gaza camps as Netanyahu heads for US meeting
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Winter rain has lashed the Gaza Strip and flooded camps with ankle-deep puddles as Palestinians displaced by war try to stay dry in fraying tents. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled for an expected meeting on Monday with U.S. President Donald Trump about the second phase of the ceasefire. The first phase that took effect on Oct. 10 was meant to bring a surge in humanitarian aid for Gaza including shelter. The ceasefire agreement's progress has slowed but the deal has mostly held. Its second phase is expected to be even more challenging with issues including Gaza's security and governance.
Thailand and Cambodia sign a new ceasefire agreement to end border fighting
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand and Cambodia have signed a ceasefire agreement to end weeks of fighting over border disputes. The agreement, effective Saturday at noon, halts military movements and airspace violations. Thailand had conducted airstrikes in Cambodia as recently as Saturday morning. The deal includes the repatriation of 18 Cambodian soldiers held by Thailand after 72 hours of ceasefire. Both countries have suffered civilian and military casualties. The ceasefire aims to allow displaced civilians to return home. The agreement also addresses land mine concerns and calls for joint demining operations. Malaysia's Prime Minister praised the agreement, emphasizing restraint for civilian safety.
Thai and Cambodian top diplomats meet in China to solidify ceasefire
BEIJING (AP) — Top diplomats from Thailand and Cambodia have started talks in China to address their border dispute. The meeting comes after a new ceasefire was signed, halting weeks of fighting that killed over 100 people and displaced more than half a million. The talks, mediated by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, aim to ensure a lasting peace. China, along with the U.S. and Malaysia, seeks to mediate the crisis. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold trade privileges unless a ceasefire is maintained. China has also announced emergency aid for Cambodia and expressed readiness to support ongoing dialogue.
Myanmar holds first election since military seized power but critics say the vote is a sham
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Voters in Myanmar have voted in the first phase of the country’s general election. The polls are being held under military rule amid a civil war. Final results will not be known until after two more rounds of voting are completed in January. The first phase was held on Sunday. It's widely expected that Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing will assume the presidency. The general led the ouster of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021. Critics argue the election is a facade to legitimize military control under the pretense of civilian rule. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party is the heavy favorite to take power.
Guineans vote in first election since 2021 coup with junta leader likely to win
CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — Guineans were voting to elect a new president in the country’s first election since a 2021 coup. The election on Sunday featured a weakened opposition with a total of nine candidates. Analysts have predicted a likely win for junta leader Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya. The election in Guinea is the latest such vote among African countries that have seen a surge in coups in recent years. Voting officially closed at 7 p.m. local time as electoral officials started counting votes across the polling units. Doumbouya’s closest challenger is the little-known Yero Baldé of the Democratic Front of Guinea party, a former education minister. More than half of Guinea’s 15 million people are experiencing record levels of poverty and food insecurity despite its rich mineral resources.
