Native American ceremony will celebrate birth of white buffalo calf in Yellowstone park
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Ceremonies and celebrations are planned near the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park to mark the recent birth of a white buffalo calf in the park, a spiritually significant event for many Native American tribes. Witnesses saw the white calf shortly after its birth on June 4 in the Lamar Valley. For the Lakota people, the birth portends better times but also signals that more must be done to protect the earth and its animals. Wednesday’s ceremony will include announcing the name of the calf and members of several tribes explaining the spiritual and cultural significance of the calf’s birth under their traditions.
Chanel goes to the opera in a gleaming but designer-less couture collection
PARIS (AP) — Chanel’s latest couture display at the Paris Fashion Week is a finely executed collection channeling theatricality. Few Parisian fashion houses can fill the Paris Opera and gain applause from Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and other luminaries without even having a designer. It’s a testament to Chanel’s enduring power and its world-renowned atelier following Virginie Viard’s abrupt exit on June 5.
Afghanistan-South Africa T20 World Cup semifinal pits cricket’s overachievers against underachievers
TAROUBA, Trinidad (AP) — The underdog Afghanistan team has reached the Twenty20 World Cup semifinals for the first time and has captured the attention of cricket fans everywhere. Rashid Khan and his Afghan lineup will go back to work Wednesday against South Africa, which has been at or near the top of limited-overs cricket for decades but never won a title at a global tournament. And so the first of the T20 World Cup semifinals in Trinidad will be a contest between the overachievers and underachievers of international cricket. The second semifinal on Thursday will feature two of the sport’s heavyweights, India and defending champion England.
Hollywood crews, studios reach tentative contract deal, making another big strike unlikely
The union that represents most behind-the-scenes film and television crews has reached a tentative deal with studios for about 50,000 of its members, making another production-stopping strike unlikely after a year of labor turmoil in Hollywood. The union said in an email to members that the tentative deal includes the pay hikes and protections against artificial intelligence they were seeking. The members must vote to approve the deal. After actors and writers strike brought production to a halt in 2023, many feared a crew strike would do the same in 2024. But the deal for crew members including editors and costume designers was reached well before the old contract expired.
Gena Rowlands has Alzheimer’s, her son Nick Cassavetes says
NEW YORK (AP) — Celebrated actor and honorary Academy Award recipient Gena Rowlands is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, says her son, the filmmaker Nick Cassavetes. Cassavetes, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly published Tuesday, says Rowlands has had Alzheimer’s for five years. In the 2004 film “The Notebook,” Cassavetes directed his mother, playing the older version of the character played by Rachel McAdams, as a woman with dementia. A representative for Rowlands confirmed that Cassavetes “speaks for the family.” Rowlands’ mother, the actor Lady Rowlands, also had Alzheimer’s. During the making of “The Notebook,” Gena Rowlands said she channeled her mother.
The mastermind behind ‘CSI’ turns the franchise to a new direction with unscripted CBS series
NEW YORK (AP) — There have been five “CSI” shows with actors playing forensics experts. Now it’s time for the real experts to bask in the spotlight. “The Real CSI: Miami,” premiering on CBS on Wednesday, is a documentary-style look at the hunt for real criminals told by the officers and lab-coated pros who solved the murders. The series uses real 911 calls, actor portrayals, surveillance video, interrogation and bodycam footage, crime scene images, cool graphics and re-creations. There are also interviews with survivors and family members to underline the pain of loss. The series is created by writer-producer Anthony E. Zuiker, who created the hit franchise.
Ford recalls over 550,000 pickup trucks because transmissions can suddenly downshift to 1st gear
DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 550,000 pickup trucks in the U.S. because the transmissions can unexpectedly downshift to first gear no matter how fast the trucks are going. The recall covers certain F-150 pickups from the 2014 model year. Ford says in documents posted Tuesday by U.S. safety regulators that the downshifting can cause drivers to lose control of the trucks, increasing the risk of a crash. Documents say the problem is caused by a lost signal between a transmission speed sensor and the powertrain control computer. There also could be corrosion and problems with connector pins. Dealers will update the powertrain control software at no cost to owners, who will be notified by letters in early July.
For Tesla’s futuristic new Cybertruck, a fourth recall
DETROIT (AP) — Tesla is recalling its futuristic new Cybertruck pickup for the fourth time in the U.S. to fix problems with trim pieces that can come loose, and failing front windshield wipers. The new recalls each cover more than 11,000 trucks. They were announced Tuesday in documents posted by the government. Tesla says the windshield wiper motor controller can stop working because it’s getting too much electrical current. That can cut visibility. Tesla will replace the wiper motor at no cost to owners. In the other recall, a trim piece on the truck bed can come loose and fly off, creating a hazard for other motorists. Tesla will secure the trim so it stays on.
Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines flights disrupted by pressurization problems
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A Korean Air flight to Taiwan was forced to return to Incheon airport west of Seoul after a sudden depressurization on the plane, a Boeing 737 Max 8. The transport ministry said 19 of the 133 people aboard the flight Saturday were sent to hospitals, but none suffered serious injuries. An airline spokesperson and the ministry said the cause of the problem was under investigation. The aircraft was grounded and the ministry ordered South Korea’s 11 airlines to examine pressurization systems in all their 400 aircraft. Separately, Malaysia Airlines said one of its flights en route to Bangkok on Monday made a U-turn back to Kuala Lumpur after the Airbus A-330 experienced a “pressurization issue.”
Spain eliminates sales tax on olive oil to help consumers cope with skyrocketing prices
MADRID (AP) — Spain’s government says it will temporarily eliminate the sales tax on olive oil to help cushion skyrocketing prices. Spain is the world’s leading producer and exporter of olive oil. Spaniards use olive oil to cook and to garnish sandwiches, salads, vegetables and other dishes. But its cost for domestic consumers has risen dramatically due to global inflationary pressures and a prolonged drought that decimated supplies. There will be no sales tax on olive oil until October, when it will be taxed at 2%. That will rise to 4% next year.
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