As the new century began, the era of peace with which the old one had ended continued. True, the peace was uneasy. In Europe, the old balance of power was challenged as Russia discarded authoritarianism and modernized its economy with help from a newly united Germany. In the Balkans, the breakup of the old “multiethnic” states had unleashed the horrors of unbridled nationalism and sectarian strife. China was awakening. Japan absorbed and bettered Western technology....

Alexis must leave Arsenal for a big club The former Manchester United man is now committed to the Baggies until June 2019 after penning a two-and-a-half year contract. Foster, 33, has been ever-present for West Brom this season and his strong performances have helped Tony Pulis’ men go into Christmas in eighth place in the Premier League. Pulis told the club website: “We’re delighted we’ve extended Ben’s contract. “His form this season has been there for all to see and he continues to set the standards at the club all the goalkeepers have to aspire to....

With effort to increase how much philanthropic funding goes to minority-led groups, Donors of Color pressed the top 40 climate funders to disclose what percentage of their funding over the past two years went to organizations led by Black, Indigenous, Latino and other racial minorities, as well as pledge at least 30 percent of their climate donations to these groups. Five of the top 40 donors released their data, as well as another nine smaller funders....

A whole lot richer. After missing the 2019-20 season with a torn left ACL and the 2020-21 season with a torn right Achilles, it’s looking like Klay Thompson will make his highly anticipated return to the Warriors in the New Year. It was reported several months ago that the Warriors were targeting Christmas Day itself for the five-time All-Star’s return, but recent reporting indicates that it’s more likely to come in the first couple of weeks of January....

Quazier Watterson and Tavon Williams, both 19, were arrested alongside 23-year-old Trevian Cherry and 24-year-old Joshua Galloway VI shortly after the shooting on Monday night, according to a joint news release that the DeRidder Police Department and the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office issued on Tuesday. The four men were charged with criminal conspiracy to commit attempted armed robbery; aggravated assault with a firearm; illegal use of weapons or other dangerous instrumentalities; and aggravated criminal damage to property....

Kilmeade argued with fellow Monday morning Fox News crew co-hosts Steve Doocy and Ainsley Earhardt over the “disaster” announcement that Pentagon officials said “completely blindsided” them Sunday night. Trump ordered hundreds of U.S. troops to be pulled out of the region in a move many top Republicans are labeling a “betrayal” of the Kurds who have long helped the U.S. fight Islamic State militants. Kilmeade questioned why the president would “abandon our allies” and what kind of message that sends to any future forces who may consider supporting American troops....

Oh, and he was dancing. Sort of. 49ERS-PACKERS: Walk-off field goal sends SF to NFC title game Fox Sports did a brief cross-promotion with one of its MLB studio hosts in the fourth quarter. The original A-Rod was watching the other A-Rod, Aaron Rodgers, try unsuccessfully to guide the Pack to a snowy divisional round victory. The camera zoomed in on Rodriguez and, it was believed, a companion as he swayed to the music on the PA system....

Conservative political activist James O’Keefe on Monday published the first part of what he has revealed will be a multi-part series. He claims the hidden camera clips, reportedly taken by “whistleblower” Cary Poarch—who claims he worked as a satellite uplink engineer at CNN’s Washington bureau—captures biases against Trump and his allies at the network. The recordings include conversations with CNN staffers, as well as a call allegedly between CNN president Jeff Zucker and news staff, where Zucker encouraged his team to diligently cover Trump’s impeachment inquiry....

Hume leapt to the defense of his colleague in response to a Saturday tweet from Steve Milloy, a Fox contributor who bills himself as “perhaps the most influential climate science contrarian,” which suggested that Griffin was suffering from “Stockholm Syndrome” or had been reporting “as instructed” out of a sense of fear. “This is bullshit,” Hume tweeted in response to Milloy. “Jen plays it straight and always has.” Trump and the White House have vehemently denied the claims, while the president has also called for Griffin, Fox’s national security correspondent, to be fired for her reporting....

Appearing next to live footage of Biden’s front lawn, Hannity said the former vice president had been “very quiet” over the past few days, but said his team would be “happy” to hear from him if he was willing to step outside. The Fox News host also accused Biden of “hiding” after the New York Post ran a story alleging that Hunter Biden had tried to use his father’s status to benefit his business dealings in Ukraine....

Pressed by Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace, who asked if the audit was “a terrible waste of taxpayer money,” the Republican governor and Trump ally said the initiative was a worthwhile pursuit. “There are audits of every aspect of government,” Abbott said. “We have a state auditor, there’s a federal auditor for the way the government operations work. Businesses that are public companies are subject to an annual audit....

The Democratic-controlled House Ways and Means Committee on Friday publicly released Trump’s long sought-after tax returns following years of legal battles and staunch opposition from Republicans. Democrats have maintained the release was part of a broader probe into the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) presidential audit, but Republicans have accused them of releasing the tax returns for political reasons. Brady, a retiring Texas Republican who serves as the committee’s ranking member, has been one of the GOP members of Congress who has vocally opposed releasing Trump’s tax returns....

During an interview on Fox News Sunday, Bream asked the senator about his thoughts on proposing such a bill ahead of the upcoming midterms as it might affect the GOP’s chances in the elections. “I’m pro-life, even in an election year,” Graham said. “And to those who suggest being pro-life is losing politics, I reject that.” Graham announced the new federal legislation proposal on Tuesday, which would allow no abortion “on demand” after 15 weeks except in the cases of rape, incest, or if the mother’s life is at risk....

The panelist of Fox News show The Five told the show’s viewers how to get in touch with their senator on Monday, providing the number for a switchboard as he took aim at the “pomp and circumstance” of the impeachment process. Gutfeld also said viewers were “not going to miss an episode of The Five” if they asked their senator to “get this thing over with” on the eve of today’s impeachment trial session....

Gutfeld made the while discussing the New York Times’ credibility after the newspaper’s latest story on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during a segment on Fox News’ The Five. “I’m surprised because the New York Times is highly profitable these days,” co-host Juan Williams said. “Oh yeah, it makes a lot of money lying to America,” Gutfeld said. “I’m just saying, they’re hardly dead,” Williams responded, “I mean, that’s a big company....

News of Ali’s release from a hospital on Tuesday comes as a relief for fans of the most recognizable man in sport. Ali is boxing to his fans, nearly 55 years after he captured gold at the 1960 Olympics. MORE: Rare photos of Ali | 2015 sports events you won’t want to miss His accomplishments in the ring, including winning heavyweight boxing titles three times, are noteworthy. But life inside the ropes is just part of the Ali story....

The second came as a result of physical contact with an official, something that McCaffery denies happened. The suspension means McCaffery will miss the team’s game Thursday vs. Northwestern. Assistant coach Kirk Speraw will lead the team in McCaffery’s absence. It just so happened that Thursday's game was to be Fran McCaffery Bobblehead Night, but Iowa has postponed that giveaway to the Jan. 19 game vs. Minnesota as a result of McCaffery's absence....

Ngannou, who hasn’t fought since beating Ciryl Gane in January 2022, was recovering from knee surgery. The news broke after UFC Vegas 67. Gane will fight the returning Jon Jones at UFC 285 for the now-vacant title on March 4. Ngannou’s exit causes a shakeup not only in UFC but also for the future of the 36-year-old MMA champion. While he stated he would “never say never” to a possible return to the UFC, there are plenty of options now for Ngannou....

Newsweek spoke with renowned artist and Kidrobot Chief Creative Officer, Frank Kozik, about turning the company around, forging new partnerships and the new products in development for 2020. “I kind of got an ambition,” recalls Kozik about the process of rebuilding Kidrobot’s image. “I want to bring back the color and the fun, the novelty of new artists, female artists and international artists.” Frank spent a year traveling to reassemble artists, clients, customers, and even former distributors....

Graham, president of the aid organization Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association set up by his father, told Axios that people should not delay in getting the COVID-19 shot. Asked by interviewer Mike Allen whether “nothing is more important to you than saving souls,” Graham replied: “No, I want people to know that God loves them, he will forgive you and God will accept you into his presence....