Heat wave in Greece halts visits to Acropolis as drones with thermal cameras monitor temperatures
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The Acropolis is closing for five hours due to heat wave temperatures in Greece that also shut many schools. The ancient site in Athens that drew nearly 4 million visitors last year is closed Wednesday from midday till 5 p.m. Temperatures hit 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit). The heat wave also halted garbage collection in Athens, while drones with thermal cameras are used to coordinate the public health response. A fire at a cookware and food container factory north of Athens sent clouds of thick black smoke into the sky and cellphone alerts urged residents in the area to remain indoors. Cooler weather is expected late Friday.
Americans celebrate their flag every year, and the holiday was born in Wisconsin
WAUBEKA, Wis. (AP) — Each June, Waubeka, Wisconsin, venerates one of the nation’s more enduring symbols with a holiday that escapes the notice of many Americans. Flag Day commemorates June 14, 1777, when Congress decreed the flag’s design. Waubeka, in north suburban Milwaukee, lays claim to the first Flag Day — in 1885 when a schoolteacher assigned his students essays on what the flag means. It became a federal observance in 1949. Waubeka has celebrated it on the second Sunday in June for 78 years.
Billy Ray Cyrus files for divorce from Firerose after 7 months of marriage
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Billy Ray Cyrus filed for divorce from singer Firerose, whose real name is Johanna Rose Hodges, after seven months of marriage. The 62-year-old country musician filed for divorce from the 36-year-old Hodges in a Tennessee court on May 22, citing irreconcilable differences and “inappropriate marital conduct.” The filing does not provide further details about the alleged inappropriate conduct. Cyrus is also seeking an annulment. Cyrus has been married twice before, notably to Tish Cyrus, with whom he shared five children, including musician and actor Miley Cyrus. Tish divorced Cyrus in 2022 after nearly three decades together, kicking off a highly publicized rift in the Cyrus family.
Rory McIlroy and wife end divorce proceedings to stay together as a family
PINEHURST, N.C. (AP) — Rory McIlroy showed up at the last major amid news he had filed for divorce. And then Tuesday at the next major came news McIlroy and wife Erica are staying together. McIlroy and his wife filed a voluntary notice of dismissal of their divorce proceedings on Tuesday in Palm Beach County, Florida. McIlroy says in a statement to The Guardian that they have realized their best future is as a family together. He says he’s thankful they have resolved their differences and look forward to a new start.
Bull that jumped the fence at Oregon rodeo forced to retire from competition, owner says
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The bull who jumped out of the arena at an Oregon rodeo, sending the audience into a frenzy, has been forced to retire from competition. The 3-year-old bull, named Party Bus, jumped the fence during a bull riding event at the Sisters Rodeo in central Oregon on Saturday. First responders said three people were injured after coming into contact with the bull, including a woman who was tossed into the air by its horns. The bull’s owner says the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association will no longer allow Party Bus to compete in rodeos. The bull will spend the rest of his days on Corey’s ranch in eastern Washington.
Dog fight! Joey Chestnut ‘gutted’ to be out of July 4 hot dog eating contest over brand dispute
NEW YORK (AP) — Organizers of America’s perennial July Fourth hot dog eating contest say the reigning champion won’t compete this year due to a contract dispute. Joey “Jaws” Chestnut has been competing since 2005 and hasn’t lost since 2015. At last year’s Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, he downed 62 franks and buns in 10 minutes. Organizers said Tuesday that the 40-year-old struck a deal with a competing brand. That’s a red line for the Nathan’s-sponsored event. Chestnut fired back on social media Tuesday night, saying the event organizers changed the rules telling his fans: “Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!”
The US cricket team is closing in on a major achievement at the Twenty20 World Cup
The United States national cricket team already made a dent in the hierarchy of the game by beating Pakistan last week at the Twenty20 World Cup. The team’s next game is set for Wednesday against India outside New York at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. The Americans aren’t expected to win that one, but neither were they expected to beat Pakistan. The U.S. team has a good chance to advance to the quarterfinal round at the tournament with another match against Ireland still to come on Friday. Pakistan needs to beat Ireland on Sunday to have a chance of advancing.
A jet missing since 1971 was found submerged in Vermont’s Lake Champlain
Fifty-three years after a private plane carrying five men disappeared on a snowy Vermont night, experts believe they have found the wreckage of the long lost jet in Lake Champlain. The corporate jet disappeared shortly after departing the Burlington airport for Providence, Rhode Island, on Jan. 27, 1971. Those aboard included two crew members and three employees of a Georgia development company. At least 17 searches failed to find the plane until underwater searcher Garry Kozak and a team last month found wreckage of a jet with the same custom paint scheme near where the plane disappeared. While relatives are grateful and relieved that the plane has been found, the discovery opens up more questions and old wounds.
Singer sues hospital, says staff thought he was mentally ill and wasn’t member of Four Tops
WARREN, Mich. (AP) — The lead singer of the Four Tops says a Detroit-area hospital restrained him and ordered a psychological exam after refusing to believe that he was part of the Motown music group. Alexander Morris filed a lawsuit Monday against Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren. He is claiming racial discrimination and other misconduct during a 2023 visit for chest pain and breathing problems. Morris says staff assumed he was mentally ill when he revealed his celebrity status. Morris is not an original member of the Four Tops, but he joined the group in 2019. The hospital won’t comment on the allegations but says it doesn’t condone discrimination.
Oregon man who drugged daughter’s friends with insomnia medication at sleepover gets prison term
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon man who drugged his daughter’s friends with a sleeping medication after they didn’t go to bed during a sleepover was sentenced to two years in prison. The Oregonian reports that Michael Meyden, a 57-year-old from the Portland suburb of Lake Oswego, apologized during his sentencing Monday, He pleaded guilty to three felony counts of causing another person to ingest a controlled substance. He said he planned a fun and memorable sleepover last summer for his daughter and three of her friends, all age 12, but they didn’t go to bed by 11 p.m. as he wanted. Authorities say Meyden laced fruit smoothies with a sleeping medication. One girl didn’t drink it and sought help.
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