Think 'brain rot' summed up 2024? Oxford agrees it was the word of the year

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 use of the phrase had increased 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."

Elton John says he has lost his eyesight and struggles to see his new stage musical

LONDON (AP) -- Elton John says he struggled to watch his new musical because he has "lost his eyesight" after contracting an infection. The singer-songwriter attended the opening night of "The Devil Wears Prada" in London on Sunday. He told the audience that "it's hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it and, boy, it sounded good tonight." John, who is 77, disclosed in September that an infection had left him "with only limited vision in one eye." John wrote the score for "The Devil Wears Prada," a stage musical based on the beloved 2006 fashion-world movie. Its tars Vanessa Williams as the fearsome editor Miranda Priestly, a role played by Meryl Streep in the film.

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.

Houston's Al-Shaair apologizes for hit on Jacksonville's Lawrence that led to concussion

HOUSTON (AP) -- Houston's Azeez Al-Shaair took to X to apologize to Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence after his violent blow to the quarterback's facemask led to him being carted off the field with a concussion. Back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of Houston's 23-20 win on Sunday. He initiated a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback. In the long post, Al-Shaair says "To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening."

Philadelphia ready to go the distance with RockyFest week dedicated to 'Rocky' movies

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Rocky Balboa fans are ready to go the distance to honor Philly's favorite fictional fighter almost 50 years after the first movie launched the enduring series of an underdog boxer persevering despite the odds. The city Rocky called home at last has a week dedicated to the box office heavyweight champion of the world a year after the inaugural Rocky Day was held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. RockyFest officially kicks off Tuesday and a series of events dedicated to the movies series are set to be held around the city.

This whale species is so rare it's never been seen alive. A dissection may decode its mysteries

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 will display 2,500 panda sculptures to capitalize on a local bear craze

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 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.