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Christmas across Georgia: Churches celebrate birth of Christ with traditional Nativity scenes, acts of kindness

At New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville, a camel seems to enjoy the spotlight in a traditional Nativity.

Churches across Georgia have been celebrating the Christmas season with candlelight services, Nativity scenes, and theatrical productions, all geared toward heralding the birth of Christ. Here are photos churches have posted to Facebook in recent days.

Year in review: Georgia Baptist leaders who died in 2023

Charles Stanley, the face of In Touch Ministries, is shown posing for a photograph in his office.

The Georgia Baptist community lost many church leaders during 2023, including Charles Stanley and Michael Catt, the pastors who developed worldwide outreaches through Christian broadcasting and filmmaking.

German medical device maker plans $88 million expansion in suburban Atlanta, hiring more than 200

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. (AP) — A German drug packaging and medical device maker says it will expand in suburban Atlanta, investing $88 million and hiring more than 200 new employees. Gerresheimer AG, based in Dusseldorf, said Thursday that it would build a new factory in Peachtree City, south of Atlanta.

Single-engine plane crashes at Georgia resort, kills pilot

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) — The pilot of a single-engine plane was killed after the aircraft crashed at Lake Lanier Islands Resort on Thursday. The Hall County Sheriff's Office said it happened around 5:15 p.m. in a parking lot along Lanier Islands Parkway near Pine Cone Drive, news outlets reported. The plane had taken off about 15 minutes earlier from DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, authorities said.

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Nation

Man-made snow is blown from snowmaking equipment near the summit of Pleasant Mountain ski resort, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Bridgton, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Try Alaska

For most Americans dreaming of a white Christmas, this year's prospects aren't good. Although parts of the Rockies and Midwest already have snow or could get a fresh dusting by Monday, other parts of the country that are normally coated in white this time of year are still sporting their drab late-fall look.

Chatty robot helps seniors fight loneliness through AI companionship

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) — Joyce Loaiza lives alone, but when she returns to her apartment at a Florida senior community, the retired office worker often has a chat with a friendly female voice that asks about her day. A few miles away, the same voice comforted 83-year-old Deanna Dezern when her friend died. In central New York, it plays games and music for 92-year-old Marie Broadbent, who is blind and in hospice, and in Washington state, it helps 83-year-old Jan Worrell make new friends.

Busiest holiday travel season in years is off to a smooth start with few airport delays

NEW YORK (AP) — The holiday travel rush hit its peak Friday as mild weather and lower flight cancelation rates raised hopes for merrier drivers and airline passengers than last year. U.S. airlines are predicting a blockbuster holiday season and have projected confidence they can handle the crowds after hiring thousands of pilots, flight attendants and other workers, seeking to avoid the delays and suspensions that marred travel last year and culminated with the Southwest Airline debacle that stranded more than 2 million people.

Israel expands ground war against Hamas

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — More than 20,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza during Israel’s war against Hamas, according to claims by health officials in the Hamas-controlled enclave, as Israel expands its ground offensive and orders tens of thousands more people to leave their homes.

Bionic prostheses empower wounded Ukrainian soldiers

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — When Alexis Cholas lost his right arm as a volunteer combat medic near the front lines in eastern Ukraine, his civilian career as a surgeon was over. But thanks to a new bionic arm, he was able to continue working in health care and is now a rehab specialist helping other amputees. The 26-year-old is delighted with his sleek black robotic arm — he described it as “love at first sight” — and realizes how lucky he was to get one.

Gunman kills at least 14 people in a mass shooting at a Prague university

PRAGUE (AP) — A student opened fire Thursday at a university in Prague, killing at least 14 people, officials said, and injuring more than 20 in the Czech Republic’s worst mass shooting. The bloodshed took place in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said. The gunman also died, authorities said. His name has not been released.

Authorities return restored golden crosses to the domes of Kyiv's St Sophia Cathedral

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Workers using cranes on Thursday installed two more restored crosses on top of the domes of Kyiv’s 11th-century St. Sophia Cathedral as part of ongoing repair work at the landmark site. The seven golden crosses atop the iconic cathedral’s seven domes had become corroded. Officials said they required urgent attention.

Still haven't bought holiday gifts? Retailers have a sale for you

NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers are stepping up sales and other enticements in the final days before Christmas to lure shoppers who've been waiting for the best deals, or who didn’t have the time or the urge to wrap up gift-buying early. Incentives to spend last minute are an extension of ongoing efforts by stores to keep shoppers engaged, an effort that began as early as October this year.

What stores are open and closed on Christmas Eve? See hours for Walmart, CVS, Costco and more

NEW YORK (AP) — Christmas Eve is almost here. But before running out the door for some last-minute gifts or final tree trimmings ahead of Santa's visit, you might want to double-check the hours of the stores you're headed to. Business closings on Christmas Eve are less common than those on Christmas Day, but many large chains still cut back hours or close up shop early for the coming holiday.

More US auto buyers are turning to hybrids as sales of electric vehicles slow

DETROIT (AP) — America’s automakers have staked their futures on the notion that electric vehicles will dominate sales in the coming years, spurred by buyers determined to reduce carbon emissions and save on fuel. But so far, while EV sales are growing, their pace is falling well short of the industry’s ambitious timetable for transitioning away from combustion engines.

Retailers are improving their delivery speeds, meaning good news for late holiday shoppers

NEW YORK (AP) — Haven’t ordered any of your holiday gifts yet? Well, you might find solace in discovering some of America’s biggest retailers are working to increase their shipping speeds to please shoppers expecting faster and faster deliveries. Walmart, Target and Amazon are all-in on the shipping wars, a move retail experts say will help them maintain a competitive edge against low-cost Chinese retailers Shein and Temu.

Sturdivant scores 21, leads big finish for Georgia Tech against UMass

HONOLULU (AP) — Kyle Sturdivant scored 21 points and sealed the win with a pair of free throws, capping Georgia Tech's rally from a double-digit deficit to defeat Massachusetts 73-70 at the Diamond Head Classic on Thursday night. Georgia Tech closed the game on an 18-6 run in which Sturdivant scored eight points, including the final six.

Former backup quarterbacks Minshew, Heinicke in spotlight as surging Colts visit fading Falcons

ATLANTA (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons are relying on former backup quarterbacks as the teams headed in opposite directions prepare to meet on Sunday. The Colts (8-6) have won five of six with Gardner Minshew leading the offense to move into a share of first place in the AFC South. The Falcons (6-8) have benched turnover-plagued starter Desmond Ridder for the second time this season following two straight losses.

Georgia Tech and Central Florida aim to end season with winning record in Gasparilla Bowl

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Central Florida coach Gus Malzahn believes a victory over Georgia Tech in Friday night’s Gasparilla Bowl will do more than enable the Knights to finish with a winning record in their first season in a Power 5 conference. It also could be a springboard toward Big 12 championship aspirations in a revamped conference as Texas and Oklahoma move to the SEC next season. And, there's the expansion of the college football playoffs from four to 12 teams.