Kansas holds off Auburn for No. 1 in AP Top 25 as SEC grabs 3 of top 4 spots; UConn slides to No. 25 Kansas continues to hold the No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. Auburn is pushing the Jayhawks in the latest poll after winning the Maui Invitational and checked in at No. 2. Two-time reigning national champion UConn nearly fell out entirely after an 0-3 week at Maui, falling from No. 2 to 25th. The Southeastern Conference had three of the top four teams with No. 3 Tennessee and No. 4 Kentucky behind the Tigers. The poll featured six new teams, headlined by No. 13 Oregon, No. 16 Memphis and No. 18 Pittsburgh. TCU, Duke climb into top 10, Notre Dame drops in women's AP Top 25; UCLA and UConn remain 1-2 TCU has its best ranking ever in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll after a convincing win over Notre Dame. The Horned Frogs jumped eight spots to No. 9, the first time the school has ever been in the top 10. The Fighting Irish, who were third last week, fell seven spots to 10th after losses to TCU and Utah. UCLA remained No. 1, followed by UConn, South Carolina, Texas and LSU. USC, Maryland and Duke are next. How to sum up 2024? The Oxford University Press word of the year is 'brain rot' LONDON (AP) — Oxford University Press has named “brain rot” its word of the year. It's defined as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state,” especially from consuming too much low-grade online content. Oxford University Press said Monday that the phrase “gained new prominence in 2024,” with its frequency of use increasing 230% from the year before. It was chosen by a combination of public vote and language analysis by Oxford lexicographers. The five other word-of-the-year finalists were demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore. Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl said the choice of phrase “feels like a rightful next chapter in the cultural conversation about humanity and technology.” Scientists gather to decode puzzle of the world's rarest whale in 'extraordinary' New Zealand study WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Scientists and culture experts in New Zealand have begun the first-ever dissection of a spade-toothed whale, the world's rarest whale species. The creature, which washed up dead on a beach on New Zealand's South Island in July, is only the seventh specimen ever found. None has ever been seen alive at sea. Almost nothing is known about it but scientists, working with Māori cultural experts, hope to answer some of the many lingering questions this week, including where they live, what they eat, how they produce sound and how this specimen died. Hong Kong launches panda sculpture tour as the city hopes the bear craze boosts tourism HONG KONG (AP) — Thousands of giant panda sculptures will greet residents and tourists starting on Saturday in Hong Kong, where enthusiasm for the bears has grown since two cubs were born in a local theme park. The 2,500 exhibits will be publicly displayed at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, one of Hong Kong’s popular shopping districts, this weekend before setting their footprint at three other locations this month. The displays reflect Hong Kong’s use of pandas to boost its economy as the Chinese financial hub works to regain its position as one of Asia’s top tourism destinations. Violent hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence 'has no business being in our league,' coach says JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was carted off the field after taking a violent elbow to the facemask from Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. It prompted two sideline-clearing scuffles. Lawrence clenched both fists after the hit, movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. Lawrence was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and mobbed Al-Shaair. Lawrence eventually was helped to his feet and loaded into the front seat of a cart to be taken off the field. He was not transported to a hospital. He was quickly ruled out with a concussion, though. Al-Shaair and Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones were ejected after the first altercation. Big Ten fines Michigan and Ohio State $100,000 each for postgame melee ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — The Big Ten Conference has announced it fined Michigan and Ohio State $100,000 each for violating the conference’s sportsmanship policy for the on-field melee at the end of the Wolverines’ win in Columbus .A fight broke out at midfield Saturday after the Wolverines’ 13-10 victory when Michigan players attempted to plant their flag on the OSU logo and were confronted by the Buckeyes. Police used pepper spray to break up the players, who threw punches and shoves. One officer suffered a head injury when he was “knocked down and trampled while trying to separate players fighting." The officer was taken to a hospital and has since been released. Marshall Brickman, who co-wrote 'Annie Hall' with Woody Allen, dies at 85 NEW YORK (AP) — The Oscar-winning screenwriter Marshall Brickman, whose wide-ranging career spanned some of Woody Allen’s best films, the Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” and a number of Johnny Carson’s most beloved sketches, has died. He was 85. Brickman died Friday in Manhattan, his daughter Sophie Brickman told The New York Times. No cause of death was cited. Brickman was best known for his extensive collaboration with Allen, beginning with the 1973 film “Sleeper.” Together, they co-wrote “Annie Hall," “Manhattan” and “Manhattan Murder Mystery." The loosely structured script for “Annie Hall,” in particular, has been hailed as one of the wittiest comedies. It won Brickman and Allen an Oscar for best original screenplay. 'Moana 2' sails to a record $221 million opening as Hollywood celebrates a moviegoing feast NEW YORK (AP) — “Moana 2” brought in a tidal wave of moviegoers over the Thanksgiving Day weekend with $221 million in ticket sales. Studio estimates Sunday show that, combined with “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” made for an unprecedented weekend in cinemas. “Moana 2" blew predictions out of the water, setting a record for Thanksgiving moviegoing. At the same time, the sensation of “Wicked” showed no signs of slowing down with $117.5 million over the five-day weekend. “Gladiator II” collected $44 million. For an industry that’s been battered in recent years by the pandemic, work stoppages and streaming, it was a triumphant weekend that showed the still-potent power of Hollywood’s blockbuster machine. College football players scuffle after flags come out following rivalry wins It was flag day in college football. Michigan, North Carolina State and Florida celebrated road wins by displaying flags on the logos in the middle of their rivals’ stadiums. Arizona State put its own twist on the day with a trident. The results were predictable. Michigan scuffled with Ohio State after a group of Wolverines attempted to plant their flag in the middle of Ohio Stadium. There was a similar scene in North Carolina after at least one N.C. State player tried to plant a Wolfpack flag on UNC’s home field. And another skirmish in Florida after Gators edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. planted a flag on Florida State’s logo.ph777. ph 。

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This week the British and Danish royal families will host state visits, which are often the most glamorous and formal events of the year. The Emir of Qatar will visit the UK from today, while on Friday Egypt's president will travel to Denmark. But in a "very unusual" move, King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark only announced their visitor on Monday evening despite state visits usually taking months of planning and preparation. READ MORE: Monaco's royals share Christmas card with a difference And in a blow to Britain's state visit, Queen Camilla has had to cancel her appearance alongside King Charles and Princess of Wales later today due to lingering effects from a chest infection. Today's events will be the first state visit Catherine has taken part in since her cancer diagnosis as she continues her gradual return to public duties. On Friday, the Princess will host her Together at Christmas concert inside Westminster Abbey alongside the rest of the royal family. There are two types of state visits: outward and incoming and they play an integral role in strengthening the host nation's relationships with other countries. They are the highest level of an international visit and help to promote links between the countries including social, commercial and cultural ties. Foreign monarchs, presidents or prime ministers are invited to visit the royal family on the advice of the country's foreign office.  Likewise, invitations are issued to the royal family to travel overseas via Foreign Office. Across Europe's royal families, state visits follow a similar format. READ MORE: King Charles 'snubbed' by Church of England parishes They begin with a formal, or ceremonial welcome, by the host country followed by a guard of honour. The visiting royals are usually accompanied by the host King and Queen in a carriage procession to the palace where the formalities continue. Daytime events usually include visits to places of importance to both the host and visiting royals. The most spectacular part of a state visit is the state banquet, or gala dinner, at the palace, when the dress code requires formal wear and, for the women, tiaras. Later today, Charles will host the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, in London. The Prince and Princess of Wales will welcome the Qatari royals at their residence, on behalf of the King, on Tuesday morning, UK time (early evening in Australia). READ MORE: Queen Margrethe appears on stage at Christmas ballet performance They will then will travel with the Emir and his wife to Horse Guards Parade, in central London, for the ceremonial welcome by the King including a Guard of Honour. But Camilla has had to pull out of this part of the day's events due to a chest infection, on the advice of doctors, contracted after a busy tour of Australia and Samoa . It is understood doctors did not want the Queen to spend extended time in the chilly outdoor weather, with temperatures expected to reach seven degrees Celsius. The King and Prince and Princess of Wales will then ride in a carriage procession, with the Qatari royals, along The Mall to Buckingham Palace. There, the royals will attend a lunch and visit a Picture Gallery exhibition. Palace aides said Camilla will join the Emir and his wife for the lunch and hopes to be able to attend the gallery display. The Queen will attend the glittering state banquet in the evening and will pose for a group photo as it begins. But Camilla is expected to take a short break before dinner while guests are being met in a receiving line. The Princess of Wales will not be in attendance at the banquet, but Prince William will be there. The Qatari state visit is the last to be hosted at Buckingham Palace until the end of 2027, due to a $700 million refurbishment of the residence. Future state visits will take place at Windsor Castle. Since Charles III came to the throne, he has hosted incoming state visits by the President of South Africa , the Korean President and the Emperor of Japan . Charles has travelled abroad for outward state visits to France, Germany, Kenya and Samoa. On Monday evening, the Danish royal household announced the president of Egypt would be visiting Denmark for a state visit on Friday. A gala dinner, hosted by Frederik and Mary, will be held at Christiansborg Palace on Friday evening with Mary expected to wear a tiara and even part of the Crown Jewels. Royal expert for Billed Bladet Ulrik Ulriksen said the announcement by the palace took many by surprise. "It may be that it is for security reasons that they have chosen to wait so long to announce the state visit or perhaps there was uncertainty until the end whether the planned visit could be carried out," he said. "In any case, it is very unusual for such news to come so late." "The royal family has of course, behind the scenes, been ready for the visit for a long time and will undoubtedly be 100 per cent ready to carry out the state visit in the best possible way with a royal couple in top form at the helm," Ulriksen said. It will be the second incoming state visit to Denmark hosted by Frederik and Mary since the change of throne in January. Their first was in October when Iceland's President Halla Tómasdóttir, and her spouse, Björn Skúlason, visited Copenhagen. For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here . For the gala dinner, Mary wore the Pearl Poiré tiara and an antique diamond necklace, and earrings previously worn by her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe II and Queen Ingrid, Frederik's grandmother. Frederik and Mary have also attended three outgoing state visits since the change of throne. The first was to Norway , followed by Sweden and later Germany . 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