In 1982, Graham became the first–and for many years the only–celebrity American evangelist allowed to preach in the Soviet Union. But in the last two years the once officially atheist nation has seen hordes of American preachers make pilgrimages in an effort to win souls–and a name for themselves back home. In May, Pennsylvania evangelist John Guest trooped around Kiev preaching and “planting” home churches. In June, Pentecostal faith healer Morris Cerullo of San Diego stood under a huge tinfoil cross in Moscow’s Olympic stadium and assured 10,000 nighttime listeners that “the Holy Spirit is here–it’s like liquid fire....

Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe: Word is she’s got a new man, and his name’s Oscar. Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn: Next time try starring in a movie called “The Devoted Couple.” Hilary Swank and What’s His Name: At least she didn’t spill any of his secrets on her way out. Pam Anderson and Kid Rock: Of all the splits, this one, frankly, left us stunned. Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown: “And I-eee-I will not always love you … "...

While everyone in Washington loves a good debate, we need less finger wagging and more facts. The public deserves access to documents from both the Chinese government and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Communist China’s secrecy is to be expected, of course, but the U.S. government ought to be more transparent and stop hiding what it knows about the virus research in Wuhan. Public health experts agree that to stop the next pandemic, we must find out how the COVID-19 virus—which has killed more than 4 million people worldwide and 600,000 Americans—began in China....

The 2-0 victory over Netherlands in Bari was always going to be something of a non-event once Bruno Martins Indi had been shown a ninth-minute red card with his side already trailing and about to face a penalty. From there the game was over as a contest, and any hope of either Conte or Guus Hiddink discovering anything telling about their new charges was just about extinguished, and it was only natural that the Netherlands boss should use the rest of the fixture as a glorified defensive training drill....

Active cases (those currently being treated in hospital or recovering at home) also dropped over four successive days since April 20, when the measure fell for the first time. Hospitalized patients and those in intensive care have both been decreasing since early April, according to Italian authorities. New cases also saw a significant decline on Thursday, dropping to 2,646, which was 724 less than Wednesday which recorded 3,370 new cases....

Indiana, Notre Dame, Purdue and Butler began the series in 2010. The team pairings alternate every year. This season’s Crossroads Classic tips off on Dec. 20, pitting Notre Dame against Purdue and Indiana against Butler. 2015 will look slightly different — Purdue will square off against Butler and Indiana will get Notre Dame. The Pacers’ Banker’s Life Fieldhouse plays host to the event. “We are thrilled to be the home of the Crossroads Classic through 2019,” said Rick Fuson, chief operating officer of Pacers Sports & Entertainment....

Abe, 67, was assassinated Friday when a suspected 41-year-old gunman shot him twice with what officials have deemed a homemade gun. The incident occurred while Abe was giving a stump speech in support of fellow Liberal Democratic Party member and national election candidate Kei Sato. Trump expressed condolences on Twitter to his family and all Japanese people, calling Abe “a truly historic figure & leader of lasting consequence,” adding that his “advice, wisdom & warmth had a profound impact” on her role in her father’s White House....

De Boer has been out of work since his sacking from Crystal Palace in September, the coach having previously been in charge at Ajax and Inter with contrasting results. Reports had linked De Boer with the Ivory Coast job as the successor to Marc Wilmots, who left the post in November, but FIF vice-president Sory Diabate says no decision has yet been made. Denying the De Boer claims, Diabate said: “It’s no secret that the FIF needs to find a new coach to replace Marc Wilmots....

However, plenty of questions remain about the 2020 campaign, and NFL players are still searching for answers. MORE: NFL players testing mouth shields as COVID-19 precaution In a tweet sent out Thursday afternoon, Texans star J.J. Watt revealed that the NFL Players Association doesn’t know how the league will handle COVID-19 testing, training camp procedures or the preseason schedule. Watt said he has been on four NFLPA calls in the past two weeks, and it seems players are understandably concerned about the lack of clarity....

There are conflicting reports of sales of Harry Potter titles from the U.S. and U.K. markets as figures are analyzed in light of the recent controversies. So have Rowling’s book sales been affected by her sharing her problematic views? Yes and no—depending on who you ask. Figures from NPD BookScan per Variety show that sales in print books in fiction overall rose 31.4 percent in the U.S. from May but Rowling’s book sales in the U....

On Sunday, the Harry Potter writer expressed her opposition to proposed laws, in which police in Scotland have said that they will “record rapes by offenders with male genitalia as being committed by a woman if the attacker ‘identifies as a female.’” Taking to Twitter to quote an article from The Times in the U.K.—titled “‘Absurdity’ of police logging rapists as women,” Rowling wrote: “War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery....

MORE: Must-see LeBron vs. Curry photos | Smith to become free agent after Finals In a classic candid moment, she told ESPN’s Lindsay Czarniak why she’s proud of her father, regardless of the outcome of the Cavaliers’ Game 6 matchup against the defending champion Warriors. Kids say the darndest things.

But there was a reason for Smith's freezeout. Smith's only shot was one 3-pointer in 26 minutes after coach Mike Woodson lit into him for shot selection and became angered by something Knicks guard said on the bench in the previous game against the Chicago Bulls, according to the New York Daily News. After the Knicks' Friday win over the Bulls, Woodson expressed his displeasure with Smith and told the Knicks' sixth man that he has been in his corner more than anyone else....

Parker touched the clouds on an electrifying dunk in the second quarter against the Cavs. Tristan Thompson wanted no part of this. MORE: Best Bucks of all time | Where do Bulls, Derrick Rose go from here? Oh, Kevin Love. He wasn’t ready. We missed you, Jabari. Keep getting BUCKets. (Get it? Because Bucks? I’m being told to leave the building). Any way, Parker finished with 12 points in the Bucks nail-biting 108-105 double overtime victory....

The Bucks announced the injury late Tuesday: MORE: Parker, Bucks have bright future despite injury | Eight places to trade Lance Stephenson | Nike Christmas collection Parker, the 2014 No. 2 overall pick, injured the knee on this play. Fans feared the worst as Parker appeared to hurt himself before colliding with a Phoenix player on a drive. The NBA has already lost top rookies Joel Embiid and Julius Randle to injuries this season....

After months and months of speculation, verbal jabs and will-they-won’t-they drama, the star forward is heading to Sin City for a package of picks and players. MORE: Vegas slips in latest Power Rankings The deal, announced Thursday morning, ends a saga between the injured Buffalo star and the team’s front office, who spent months trading shots in public despite Eichel’s trade request. At the heart of the issue was Eichel’s reported need of neck surgery, which the Sabres front office seemingly refused to let him get....

The bill, filed by Mayor Lenny Curry, would allow the mayor to independently allocate $33 million in federal funds for securing the upcoming convention. Hazouri opposes the bill and the convention in general because he feels too many questions remain about plans for the city’s safety and health amid such a massive political event. Though Hazouri said he could possibly change his vote after the local sheriff and other officials to testify in front of the council on Friday, the mayor hasn’t committed to attending the Friday meeting....

As the Jaguars vied to wrest Pro Bowl center Alex Mack from his transition tag, they also welcomed several draft prospects for visits. Among options for pick No. 3 reported to visit this week: Buffalo edge rusher Khalil Mack, Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson, Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, UCLA edge rusher Anthony Barr, UCF quarterback Blake Bortles and Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr....

His mom, seated next to him, was wearing a Tennessee hat and Alabama sweatshirt. A member of his crew behind also wore Tennessee gear. So when he picked up and donned the Florida hat, it was a bit of a surprise — especially to his mom. NATIONAL SIGNING DAY: Tracking top 2018 recruits The ESPN host immediately asked Copeland about what happened. “I don’t know exactly why she walked out," he said....

Ellsbury wore No. 2 with the Red Sox, but that belongs to Yankees captain Derek Jeter. MORE: Yankees still have plenty to do The outfielder agreed to a $153 million, seven-year contract Dec. 3, and the deal was completed four days later. He appeared at a Yankee Stadium news conference Friday. A lefty-hitting leadoff man, the 30-year-old led the majors with 52 steals despite a broken foot late in the season....