Despite the challenges brought by war, the streets of Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities are filled with flowers
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Flowers have always been a part of Ukraine’s cultural identity, but since the invasion by Russia in 2022, their importance has only grown. Flowers, particularly sunflowers, have become a symbol of resistance and hope for the country amid the devastation of war. Ukrainians make every effort to adorn Kyiv and other urban areas with flowers sourced from the vast rural heartland of the country. These blooms are not only seen in nature but also featured on banknotes, textiles, and murals across the nation. It’s common to see young men on dates and even soldiers, some with missing limbs, carrying bouquets as they return home. In a memorable gesture, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy brought a bouquet on a hospital visit to a teenage girl injured while fleeing Russian forces near Kyiv in 2022.
Discovery of the oldest termite mounds inhabited for 34,000 years
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Scientists in South Africa recently made a surprising discovery: termite mounds in an arid region of the country that are still actively inhabited and are 34,000 years old, making them the oldest known inhabited termite hills. These mounds existed during a time when saber-toothed cats and woolly mammoths roamed other parts of the Earth, and large portions of Europe and Asia were covered in ice. These structures predate some of the earliest cave paintings found in Europe and have been consistently inhabited by termite colonies. Researchers emphasize the importance of studying termite mounds for insights into climate change, ecosystem sustainability, and potential applications in agriculture.
LeBron James signs 2-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, per AP source
LeBron James is set to return for his 22nd season in the NBA, signing a record-tying 2-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. This upcoming season could see the league’s all-time scoring leader playing alongside his son Bronny as teammates with the Lakers. The agreement includes a second year option for James, which could make him a free agent again next summer. The Lakers have confirmed that Bronny James has already signed his first NBA contract, a four-year deal.
US ends legal battle against Titanic expedition, potential future conflicts remain
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The U.S. government has officially dropped its legal opposition to an upcoming dive to the Titanic shipwreck, as long as the expedition refrains from entering the ship’s hull or removing artifacts from the site. This decision was made to comply with a federal law that designates the wreck as a memorial. The salvage rights to the Titanic are owned by the Georgia-based company RMS Titanic Inc., which has scaled back its dive plans for this year. Uncrewed submersibles will only capture images of the wreck and debris field during the mission scheduled for mid-July.
Remains of girl taken by crocodile found in northern Australia
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Police have located the remains of a 12-year-old girl two days after she was snatched by a crocodile while swimming in a creek in remote northern Australia. The discovery was made near where the girl went missing in the Indigenous community of Palumpa, southwest of Darwin in the Northern Territory. Injuries confirmed the involvement of a crocodile in the attack, and efforts are ongoing to capture the offending crocodile, as they tend to remain in nearby waterways. The incident prompted a thorough search effort involving land, water, and air resources over a 36-hour period.
Banned NBA player Jontay Porter facing charges in betting case, court documents suggest
NEW YORK (AP) — Former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter is expected to face federal charges linked to a sports betting scandal that led to his lifetime ban from the NBA, according to court papers. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn filed a criminal information sheet without specifying the charges or a court date. The case is related to the prosecution of four gamblers accused of conspiring to profit from inside information provided by a player about leaving games early. Porter’s lawyer has not yet responded to inquiries from The Associated Press.
Exciting highlights on Discovery ‘Shark Week,’ featuring women in prominent roles
NEW YORK (AP) — Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” promises plenty of thrills, including marine biologist Liv Dixon’s daring act of steering a life-sized whale carcass decoy into deep waters to attract sharks and observe their behavior. The program lineup for this year’s 21 hours of new content showcases scientists taking risks to gain a better understanding of apex predators. The event, hosted by John Cena, kicks off with Dixon’s hour-long special “Belly of the Beast: Bigger & Bloodier.”
Jessica Campbell appointed as the first female assistant coach on an NHL bench for Seattle Kraken
SEATTLE (AP) — Jessica Campbell has made history by becoming the first woman to serve on an NHL franchise’s coaching staff, following her appointment as an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken. Campbell spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the Kraken’s AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley under head coach Dan Bylsma, who recently took over as the head coach for the Kraken. Campbell has had a successful career as a player in the NCAA, Canadian Women’s Hockey League, and Canada’s national women’s team, winning a silver medal at the 2015 world championship.
Shohei Ohtani opts out of Home Run Derby at All-Star festivities
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Despite ranking second in the majors with 27 home runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani has decided not to participate in the Home Run Derby on July 15. Ohtani participated in the Derby once before, exiting in the first round in 2021. He cited ongoing rehab for an injured elbow ligament and recent surgery as reasons for skipping this year’s event at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized that it’s not solely Ohtani’s responsibility to promote the sport.
Rescued lion cub Freya finds safety in South Africa amid ethical concerns over lion breeding
PAARL, South Africa (AP) — A 6-month-old lion cub named Freya, rescued from the wildlife trade in Lebanon, has been relocated to a sanctuary at the Drakenstein Lion Park in South Africa. While Freya is safe from exploitation, animal welfare organizations are drawing attention to the contradictory practices in South Africa where lions are bred for activities like “canned hunting” and the lion bone trade. Although the country has a strong conservation reputation, the captive lion industry raises ethical concerns regarding the treatment of these majestic animals.
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