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Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. Soprano Angel Blue sings her first Metropolitan Opera 'Aida' in a new production Angel Blue, one of the most admired singers of her generation, is headlining the Metropolitan Opera’s first new production of Verdi’s “Aida” in 36 years. The 40-year-old takes on the title role of the enslaved Ethiopian princess torn between love for an Egyptian warrior and loyalty to her country. It’s a part that comes weighted with history, especially for a Black soprano at the Met, where Leontyne Price embodied the role from her first performance in 1961 until her retirement in 1985. Blue tells The Associated Press she’s long looked up to Price, and directors who have worked with her say the singer is ready for the challenge. Blue’s Met debut in ‘Aida’ will happen New Year’s Eve. Centuries-old angels uncovered at Boston church made famous by Paul Revere BOSTON (AP) — Conservators have uncovered eight angels in a historic Boston church that counted Paul Revere as a bell ringer and played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War. The angels were painted in the early 18th century but painted over in 1912 as part of a renovation of the Old North Church. Inspired by research showing the existence of at least 20 angels, conservators for the past four months have been removing the white paint that covered the eight angels located on the balcony's arches in the church sanctuary. The public is now able to view them. Swiss Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger dies in avalanche, aged 26 Swiss Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger has died following an avalanche at a mountain resort. The country's skiing federation says the incident took place at the Arosa resort in Switzerland. The 26-year-old Hediger competed at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in the women’s snowboard cross and the mixed team version of the same event. Hediger achieved her first two World Cup podium finishes in the 2023-24 season. Her best result was a second place in St. Moritz in January. NFL on Netflix: Christmas Day games are a 1st for streaming giant Netflix will have one of its biggest days since the site launched in 1998 when it carries two NFL games for the first time on Christmas. “NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix” kicks off with a two-hour pregame show at 11 a.m., before Pittsburgh hosts Kansas City. Baltimore faces Houston in the second game. The streaming giant agreed to a three-year contract in May to carry Christmas Day games. Magic and lights draw crowds to an alpine village in Washington state for Christmas LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (AP) — Freshly baked pretzels, shining tree lights and sleds in the snow lend a ruddy warmth to an unlikely collection of Bavarian-themed chalets in the mountains of Washington state. Decades ago, the town of Leavenworth was a near ghost town, one of the poorest parts of the Pacific Northwest. The mines and the sawmill had closed, and even the railroad left. That’s when desperate business owners took a serious gamble -- reinventing the community in the vision of an alpine village. More than half a century later, the result brings tourists from near and far -- especially during the holidays, when Leavenworth takes on the flavor of a German Christmas market. Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton was admitted Monday to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington after developing a fever. The 78-year-old was admitted in the “afternoon for testing and observation,” Angel Urena, Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, said in a statement. “He remains in good spirits and deeply appreciates the excellent care he is receiving,” Urena said. Packers clinch playoff berth with 1st shutout in NFL this season, 34-0 over Saints GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Josh Jacobs gained 107 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown for a sixth straight game as the Green Bay Packers clinched a playoff berth while producing the first shutout of the NFL season, 34-0 over the hapless New Orleans Saints. Green Bay improved to 11-4 and earned its fifth postseason appearance in six years. New Orleans played without injured quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara. Rookie Spencer Rattler started and went 15 of 30 for 153 yards with an interception and a fumble. The Packers have won nine of their last 11 games. Prosecutors withdraw appeal of dismissed case against Alec Baldwin in fatal movie set shooting SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico prosecutors won’t pursue an appeal of a court’s decision to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin. The actor had been charged in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal on a movie set outside Santa Fe in October 2021. Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey withdrew on Monday the appeal of a July decision at trial to dismiss the charge. The decision to drop the appeal solidifies the decision by Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer halfway through trial to dismiss the case on allegations that police and prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense. An all-Filipino crew is set to make history in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race SYDNEY (AP) — There have been plenty of “firsts” in the history of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race which was first held in 1945. An all-Filipino crew of 15 sailors will make it another when the annual ocean classic begins in Sydney Harbor on Thursday. With veteran sailor Ernesto Echauz at the helm, Centennial 7 will embark on the 628-nautical mile race. The boat itself is no stranger to the race. Previously, the TP52 yacht was known as Celestial and claimed the Sydney to Hobart overall handicap victory in 2022 under Sam Haynes after being runner-up the year before.Mayor Brandon Johnson’s handpicked school board was blocked from modifying Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez’s duties by a Cook County Judge on Tuesday, giving the embattled schools chief a victory as he battles with City Hall over the district’s future. Judge Joel Chupack granted Martinez a temporary restraining order against CPS board members after hearing arguments that they obstructed Martinez’s performance of his job duties. The Tuesday hearing — which lasted over an hour and a half — included an assertion by Martinez’s lawyer William J. Quinlan that CPS board members appointed by Johnson met with the teachers union but not their own team while negotiating the teachers contract Monday. “They’re not shy about the interference. They’re brazen. They’re bullish. And they’ll tell you that,” said Martinez’s attorney Quinlan of Quinlan Law Firm LLC before the judge. The testimony came during a court hearing sought by Martinez to stop the board from removing his powers. He was fired on Friday but given six months to continue on the job. In firing the CEO, the board also voted on a resolution that modified his duties and responsibilities. The hearing was in many ways the fallout of that modification vote, following months of back-and-forth between Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Teachers Union and CPS amid ongoing teachers contract negotiations. Quinlan filed a lawsuit in the Cook County Court last Friday to prevent the board from firing the CEO, and then amended the complaint early Tuesday morning. “The CEO, is the ‘sole representative of the Board’ authorized to conduct such negotiations,” according to the complaint. In contrast, the complaint said, “nothing in the School Code or the Board Rules permits individual Board members to participate in such negotiations.” Jeremy Glenn, the lawyer representing the board, said the board was acting in its duties to attend negotiations Monday, adding “all contracts should be subject to approval by the Board of Education,” under board rules for collective bargaining agreements. “This is an employer, employee relationship,” Glenn said. “Can you imagine a situation where an employer who is approving a contract is not allowed to get updates?” Quinlan focused most of his testimony on the school board’s decision to attend teachers contract negotiations on Monday. He said the presence of the board members at negotiations made it so Martinez could not “effectively do his duty.” He told the judge it was “an emergency” since the board just voted to fire Martinez and now could do anything to push through a new teachers contract. The current teachers contract expired in June. “My concern is if they continue to obstruct the negotiations, it will change the tenor to a point where we can’t go back,” Quinlan said. Martinez, for his part, expressed alarm that the board members were collaborating with CTU. Though he was fired, he still has 180 days as acting CEO. “(The board) didn’t even go to my team. They went directly to CTU, and even went after to strategize,” Martinez told the judge. “They feel empowered ... They have the mayor and the board. And so they’re telling my team to agree.” Three board members — President Sean Harden, and members Olga Bautista and Frank Thomas — were seen by the Tribune exiting the teachers union’s headquarters Monday afternoon. Asked what teams they met with during contract negotiations, Thomas said both CPS and CTU. But Martinez asserted Tuesday in court that the board members went directly into a room with the teachers union. Judge Chupack, after adjourning for several minutes to deliberate, sided with Martinez. “What’s been raised is the defendant’s obstruction to Mr. Martinez performing his obligations,” Judge Chupack said. “The court finds that Mr. Martinez has established that his duties as chief executive officer have been diminished, not merely modified.” He requested the lawyers come to terms on clear language distinguishing the board members’ roles in contract negotiations versus the CEO’s. “Do you think you’ll have an order now, or do you think it will be Thursday?” he asked. “Today,” murmured CPS CEO Martinez. “Do you think you could hand-write something out?” Chupack asked later. The conflict dates back to September when the mayor asked CPS CEO Martinez to take out a $300 million high-interest loan to cover a new proposed teachers contract and a pension payment previously paid for by the city. Facing deficits of around $500 million in each of the next five years, Martinez said the loan would be fiscally irresponsible. Johnson then gave directives for Martinez to resign , according to an internal memo obtained by the Tribune. The mayor’s board resigned in October around the dispute, and Johnson — a former teacher and union organizer — appointed a new board. The court hearing occurred several hours after a leaked memo from a CPS official revealing Johnson remains on a “CTU leave of absence” from CPS. That means Johnson can return as a CTU teacher, after negotiations have wrapped up. Quinlan handwrote an injunction that he handed to the judge before signing off for the holidays. A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9 at 3:15 p.m. Chicago Tribune’s Gregory Royal Pratt contributed.
The champions crashed to a fifth straight defeat in all competitions – something not experienced by the club in more than 18 years – as they were thrashed 4-0 by Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The loss, which was also a third in succession in the Premier League and shattered a 52-game unbeaten home run, damaged the club’s hopes of winning an unprecedented fifth title in a row. It is the worst run of Guardiola’s glittering managerial career and the City boss, who extended his contract until 2027 last week, is determined to turn the situation around. The Catalan said: “When we start to lose I say to the people I have to find a way, I have to. It’s my duty, my responsibility, to find a way to be more consistent, that our game will be better and win games. “This is what we have to do.” City have been hampered by injuries to key players in recent weeks, particularly by the absence of Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri, who has been sidelined for the remainder of the season. Problems have emerged at both ends of the field with a lack of clean sheets – just five in 19 outings this term – and a shortage of goals being scored on occasions, like Saturday, when the prolific Erling Haaland has an off-day. Guardiola said: “We don’t expect to lose important players but it’s happened and you have to find a way. We have to find other abilities. “I don’t think we didn’t create enough chances. We created a lot of chances, clear ones at 0-0, 0-1, 0-2. “Of course we want a lot of players to score but it’s happened now. “I know at the Etihad when we are there and we score goals our momentum is there, but now we are not solid enough. That is the truth. “In both sides normally we are solid but we concede the goals. Now in both sides we are not good enough. “In these situations, what do you have do to? Keep going my friends, keep going. “We have done it in the past – not in terms of results being as bad as now – but we have done it and we face the situation and move forward.”
Cowboy star receiver to miss final-two games of season
Stock Split Likely To Be Announced On November 25: Multibagger IT-Company Bags New Order Worth Rs 84,50,000 From Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation - Dalal Street Investment JournalYou're reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool's Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources , and more. Learn More If you are on the lookout for a big income boost, then the ASX dividend stocks in this article could be just the ticket. They are rated as buys by analysts and tipped to provide huge dividend yields in the near term. Here's what you need to know about them: Healthco Healthcare and Wellness REIT (ASX: HCW) The first high yield ASX dividend stock that is being tipped as a buy for income investors is the Healthco Healthcare and Wellness REIT. It is a real estate investment trust with a focus on healthcare and wellness assets. This includes hospitals, aged care, childcare, government, life sciences and research, and primary care and wellness properties. Bell Potter is positive and recently commented: As we highlighted in our recent detailed note, at a prevailing 27% discount to NTA, HCW's share price is factoring a poor... James MickleboroBegun, the OLED monitor price wars have! We’re already seeing tons of deals on gaming displays for Black Friday, and OLED upgrades have recently smashed through a $500 price floor. This 27-inch AOC 1440p OLED monitor is the cheapest one we’ve seen yet, with . That’s a whopping $200 off its regular price, making it less than half of what you’d pay for a similar monitor just a little while ago. Though AOC is generally a budget brand, this Agon Pro AG276QZD isn’t skimping. It’s a 27-inch monitor with the “sweet spot” QHD (2560×1440) resolution that’s popular with PC gamers right now. And with its 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, it’s more than fast enough for intense online multiplayer games. The screen gives you DisplayPort and double HDMI inputs, plus two USB-A ports, a headphone port, a little RGB bling around the back, and VESA mounting if you want to add a monitor arm. The included stand is pretty good, with a vertical option and an angled base if you like to contort your gaming keyboard into weird spots. The only thing missing here is USB-C for easy laptop connections, but at this price that’s a justified sacrifice. Newegg is offering free shipping and labeling this as a “Black Friday Deal,” so presumably it’ll stick around for the next week. The price might stay the same, but Newegg’s stock might go quickly... so if you’re ready to buy! If this isn’t quite what you’re looking for, then check out our dedicated ! Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he's the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop "battlestation" in his off hours. Michael's previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he's covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he's always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.
Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flightsAlthough Queens (Reinas) is Switzerland’s entry for the International Feature Oscar this year, the movie is actually set in Peru and told in Spanish. Director and co-writer Klaudia Reynicke , who left her native Peru at the age of 10, says the film helped her reconnect with her roots after spending most of her life in Europe and the U.S. “I didn’t think it in a conscious way, but I had a need of going back to Peru and shooting something in Spanish,” she said during a panel at Deadline’s Contenders Film: International awards-season showcase. “Now that I have done it,” Reynicke added, “I can see that it was actually very important this reconnection, something has changed. I guess cinema allows this, right?” While Queens is not Reynicke’s own personal story, “it’s definitely very, very connected to it,” she said. The touching family drama — which also has comedic elements — is set in 1992 Peru as the country undergoes social and political upheaval. Single mother Elena is making plans to leave the country with her daughters Lucía and Aurora, but needs their predominantly absent father, Carlos, to sign papers to allow the daughters to cross a border. The girls, whom the well-intentioned but hapless Carlos calls “queens,” are at first skeptical of him. But they eventually warm to their father as the impending farewell from home and family draws ever nearer. RELATED: Contenders International — Deadline’s Complete Coverage This is Reynicke’s third feature, and premiered at Sundance before going on to win the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature in the Generation Kplus strand of Berlin. In Locarno, it won the Audience Award and took Best Screenplay at the Festival de Lima in Peru. Gonzalo Molina , who plays Carlos, describes the character as “a broken man” who thinks the only way to be forgiven “by these two lovely kids is calling them queens ... Carlos thinks that they are better in many ways than him.” He also “doesn’t know how to repair the damage, but he tries to make things a little better.” RELATED: Best International Feature Film Oscar Winners Through The Years: Photo Gallery Luana Vega , who plays Aurora, says she had to “search for these feelings” when playing “the resentment Aurora has ... Aurora has lived more of this not-present father and Lucía hasn’t, so I think that’s why she tries to take advantage of him.” And yet, the family does come together before parting ways, with Reynicke framing them as a unit. “When you feel that this group of people is becoming a family finally, and the camera embraces them, that’s when you know there is going to be a big separation,” she said. “But to me it’s not really a bad ending, it’s actually life. The family has gained in love and has gained in solidity.” Check back Monday for the panel video.
Amorim enjoyed the perfect start when Marcus Rashford poked the visitors ahead after 81 seconds at Portman Road following excellent play by makeshift right wing-back Amad Diallo. The 39-year-old would have expected United to kick on, but the opposite occurred as Ipswich roared back and claimed a deserved leveller via Omari Hutchinson’s deflected 43rd-minute strike. In the end the visitors were indebted to goalkeeper Andre Onana, who produced two outstanding saves either side of half-time to deny Liam Delap from close-range and ensure they did not taste defeat on Amorim’s big day. While the former Sporting Lisbon boss was happy with the effort of his players, especially in his favoured 3-4-3 system for the first time, he provided a damning assessment of their immediate prospects. “It is hard to expect anything now. It is like not a surprise but you have to see it in the game. That is why I was a little bit anxious, because you cannot understand what will happen in the game. I felt that,” Amorim reflected. “What I understood today is that they are trying, they are really trying. They stay in the positions, they receive information and they try to use it in the game. That is very important. “Even in the difficult moments, I felt they were doing the things we said for them to do. “I know it is frustrating for the fans, but we are changing so much in this moment with a lot of games. We are going to suffer for a long period and we will try to win games. This will take time, but I know we have to win games. “We could lose if it was not (for) Onana. We have to understand that and think and be pragmatic that these guys had two days training to change so much.” The early big calls by Amorim paid off as Diallo, in an unorthodox wing-back role, burst forward past Jens Cajuste’s lunging tackle and set up Rashford, who had been preferred down the middle over Rasmus Hojlund. Something to build on for Ruben's Reds 🧱 #MUFC || #IPSMUN pic.twitter.com/GuzuP6KrHW — Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 24, 2024 Christian Eriksen fizzed an effort wide soon after but Ipswich enjoyed the better of the first half and after Onana produced a miraculous save to deny Delap – following a Leif Davis pass – Town got their reward when Hutchinson turned Casemiro and his left-footed strike deflected in off Noussair Mazraoui. A frantic start to the second period, where Onana denied Delap again after he produced a back flick to Wes Burns’ cross, was followed by a lull before late chances for both teams were squandered as it finished all square in Suffolk. Amorim added: “We started very well but then we should have more possession with the ball. “When we make a new structure and you are so clear on that, they need time to have some fluidity in the game. I felt that but it is two trainings (sessions after the international break) and they did OK.” What also left an impression on Amorim was a buoyant Portman Road. “The atmosphere, you are lucky guys,” he said with a smile. “You have the best, by far, the best league in the world and you see this every weekend, but to tell you the truth, when the game started, it is the same thing since the (Portuguese) third division, I am so focused on the game and I am playing with my players inside the pitch.” Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, who used to manage United’s Under-18s side, felt his newly-promoted team could have beat his old club and paid tribute to Onana’s sensational two saves to deny Delap. “I thought it was his head to be honest, but if he’s saved that from that range, it’s an incredible save,” McKenna admitted. 🗣️ "Lots of good things and another point." Kieran McKenna's full interview following #IPSMUN is now available on TownTV. ⤵️ — IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) November 24, 2024 “The save in the second half was probably a big one. I’ve not seen it back but that was maybe the clearest chance in the second half, so that’s a really good save. “We probably had the better chances, but it was an even game. “We certainly felt we could have won it but there is big positives in how we played.”An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” Macron said at the reopening ceremony. Thomas Adamson And John Leicester, The Associated Press Dec 7, 2024 10:56 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - People stand outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, on Nov. 29 2024. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool Photo via AP, File) PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” Macron said at the reopening ceremony. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” to Parisians, France and the world. Macron spoke in front of 1,500 guests invited to celebrate the restoration of Paris’ 12th-century cathedral which was nearly destroyed by a fire in 2019. They included world leaders like President-elect Donald Trump , U.S. first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes . The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. Monumental feats of restoration Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework — an area equal to six soccer pitches — were meticulously cleaned, revealing luminous limestone and intricate carvings. Overhead, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” were used to rebuild the spire and roof, restoring the cathedral’s iconic silhouette. The thunderous great organ, with 7,952 pipes ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide, resounded for the first time since the fire. Its newly renovated console, boasting five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, was a marvel of restoration, reawakening a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s identity. Guests gradually filing into the cathedral for the evening reopening ceremonies were awestruck by the renovated interiors, many whipping out cellphones to capture the moment. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, which raised nearly half of the €900 million ($950 million) in donations for the restoration. He last visited in 2021, when the cathedral was cloaked in scaffolding. “It was somber,” he said. “It’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian pastor who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument—it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Historical details enrich the occasion Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Macron's political woes The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to embattled Macron, whose prime minister was ousted this week , plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. The French president, who has called Notre Dame's reopening “a jolt of hope,” will address the gathering. He had hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership. Macron's presidency now faces its gravest crisis after the government's collapse this week in a historic no-confidence vote that toppled Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The vote followed months of political gridlock after snap elections in June. Calls are now growing louder from opposition forces for Macron to resign. But he vowed Thursday to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, and said he'll name a new prime minister within days. As France struggles with economic woes and social unrest, Notre Dame's rebirth celebrations form a stark contrast. Security is tight for this global event Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. ___ Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Thomas Adamson And John Leicester, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? 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