WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s claim that he once told a NATO ally that he would encourage Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to “delinquent” members of the group sent shockwaves through Europe over the weekend. But in Washington, most Republicans downplayed or defended remarks that seemed to invite Russian aggression. “I was here when he was president. …

The top 10 teams in the Michigan Associated Press high school basketball poll, with records in parentheses. Totals are based on 15 points for a first-place vote, 14 for second,etc.: Division 1 School Record Total Points 1. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (5) (19-1) 75 2. Detroit Cass Tech (17-1) 70 3. East Lansing (16-2) 61 3. Dearborn (18-0) 61 5. …

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal lawsuit filed over five years ago challenging North Carolina’s new photo voter identification mandate is now set to go to trial in the spring, with an outcome that could possibly affect what people must do to cast ballots this fall. The U.S. District Court in Winston-Salem announced on Monday that Judge Loretta Biggs will …

Diamondback Energy will attempt to buy rival Endeavor Energy Resources to create an energy giant in the Southwestern United States worth more than $50 billion. Growing confidence in an economic recovery, particularly in the U.S., has driven massive deals in the energy sector in recent months, including Chevron’s $53 billion acquisition of Hess in October, and a $59.5 billion deal …

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Former professional wrestler William Albert “Billy Jack” Haynes Jr. has been taken into police custody in connection with the death of his wife in Portland, authorities said. Portland police said in a statement over the weekend that Haynes, 70, was in police custody at a local hospital, undergoing treatment “for a medical condition unrelated to the …

Minnesota Timberwolves (36-16, first in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (35-16, second in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Monday, 10:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers host Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Clippers are 21-12 against conference opponents. Los Angeles ranks eighth in the Western Conference with 50.8 points per game …

There were plenty of critics when CBS announced four years ago that it would produce a kids-centric broadcast of an NFL playoff game on Nickelodeon. Now, if a league or network isn’t doing something to appeal to younger fans, they are behind the times. Nickelodeon will air its fifth NFL game on Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs face the …

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Xavier Johnson’s 17 points helped Southern Illinois defeat Illinois State 69-66 on Saturday night. Johnson also added nine assists for the Salukis (16-9, 8-6 …

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Lu’Cye Patterson scored 22 points, Dishon Jackson had a double-double and Charlotte beat Temple 73-70 on Sunday. Patterson shot 6 for 12 (3 for 5 …

Feb. 12 1937 — Cleveland is granted an NFL franchise. The Rams play in Cleveland for nine years before moving to Los Angeles. After the 1994 season, the Rams move to St. Louis. 1947 — Boston’s Bill Cowley becomes the NHL all-time scoring leader when he scores a goal and an assist for the Bruins in a 10-1 win over …

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump said that, as president, he warned NATO allies that he “would encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to countries that are “delinquent” as the front-runner for the Republican nomination ramped up his attacks on foreign aid and long-standing international alliances. NATO’s leader said Trump’s words could undermine security and put American …

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. Jackson State Tigers (9-14, 5-5 SWAC) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (10-13, 5-5 SWAC) Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Monday, 8:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Ken Evans and the Jackson …

MIAMI (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists and the Boston Celtics withstood a late rally to beat the Miami Heat 110-106 on Sunday. Kristaps Porzingis had 25 points, Jaylen Brown had 20 points and Jrue Holiday scored 15 for Boston, which hit 16 of 39 3-point attempts. “Today was fun, we have a lot …

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. LINCOLN, Neb (AP) — Keisei Tominaga scored 19 points and Josiah Allick scored 16 points and Nebraska was never threatened in a 79-59 beat down over Michigan on …

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — First lady Jill Biden said in an email to campaign donors that she didn’t know what the special counsel was trying to achieve when he suggested President Joe Biden could not remember when his son Beau died. ”We should give everyone grace, and I can’t imagine someone would try to use our son’s death to score …