Defending champion Miki Sudo wins women’s division of Nathan’s annual hot dog eating contest
NEW YORK (AP) — Defending champion Miki Sudo of Florida has claimed her 10th title in the women’s division at the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest. Sudo, 38 years old, devoured 51 hot dogs in 10 minutes, setting a new world record for women. Mayoi Ebihara of Japan secured the second position by consuming 37 hot dogs in the same time frame. Competitors from over a dozen states and five continents, including Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia, and the Czech Republic, competed for the prestigious titles in men’s and women’s divisions and a $10,000 prize.
Mbappé warns of ‘catastrophic’ political situation in France as the far right gains ground
HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — French soccer captain Kylian Mbappé has raised an alarm about the “catastrophic” political scenario in France as the far-right party approaches power, potentially leading to the first far-right government since World War II. The National Rally has garnered approximately 33% of the vote nationwide in the initial round of a hurried election. The second round of legislative elections is scheduled for Sunday. Marine Le Pen’s party stands poised to potentially seize power. Mbappé urges the public to cast their votes “now, more than ever,” emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the need to prevent the country from falling into the hands of such entities.
An American swims in Paris’ Seine River before the Olympics amid pollution concerns
PARIS (AP) — A 76-year-old American swimmer took a plunge into the Seine River in Paris to celebrate the Fourth of July, showcasing the French government’s efforts to clean up the river for the upcoming Olympic Games. Subsequently, regional authorities released data indicating an improvement in water quality over the past week, raising hopes for the river’s suitability to host Olympic swimming events. American Joel Stratte McClure previously swam in the Seine in 1976 for a magazine cover shoot and acknowledged the progress made in cleaning up the river while expressing lingering safety apprehensions.
Despite the adversities of war, flowers bloom abundantly in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Flowers, particularly sunflowers, have assumed a greater significance in Ukraine’s culture since Russia’s 2022 invasion, serving as symbols of resistance and hope for the war-torn nation. Ukrainians seize every opportunity to fill Kyiv and other cities with flowers sourced from the country’s vast rural heartland. The prevalence of flowers is evident on Ukrainian banknotes, textile designs, and murals. Bouquets are carried by young men on dates and returning soldiers, some of whom bear war injuries, accentuating the cultural attachment to flowers. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s gesture of presenting a bouquet to a teenage girl injured during the conflict showcases the enduring importance of flowers.
LeBron James extends contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for two more years, insider reveals
LeBron James has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, extending his career to a record-equalling 22nd NBA season. The league’s all-time scoring leader could potentially play alongside his son Bronny as teammates with the Lakers. The contract includes a second-year option for James, allowing him the flexibility to become a free agent next summer. Meanwhile, the Lakers announced the signing of Bronny James to his first NBA contract, a four-year deal.
These oldest inhabited termite mounds have been active for 34,000 years
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Scientists in South Africa have made a remarkable discovery, finding inhabited termite mounds in an arid region that are an astonishing 34,000 years old, making them the oldest known active termite hills. These mounds existed during the era of saber-toothed cats and woolly mammoths while large parts of Europe and Asia were under ice. They even predate some of the earliest European cave paintings. Continuous habitation by termite colonies is evidenced in these mounds, urging researchers to study them further for insights on climate change, ecosystem sustainability, and potential agricultural enhancements.
US withdraws legal opposition to Titanic expedition, future dives’ legality remains uncertain
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The U.S. government has officially halted its legal dispute against an upcoming dive to the Titanic shipwreck, given the expedition’s revised plans to abstain from entering the ship hull or retrieving artifacts. The decision stems from concerns that such actions would violate a federal law designating the wreck as a memorial. RMS Titanic Inc., the Georgia-based company holding the Titanic’s salvage rights, has significantly scaled back its dive agenda, opting to capture images of the wreck and debris field using unmanned submersibles. The mission is scheduled for mid-July, although potential legal challenges over future dives loom.
Police recover remains of a girl seized by a crocodile while swimming in northern Australia
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Law enforcement authorities have located the remains of a 12-year-old girl two days after she was snatched by a crocodile during a swim in a creek in remote northern Australia. The recovered remains confirmed a crocodile attack, prompting ongoing efforts to capture the predator in the river system near the Indigenous community of Palumpa. Given the territorial nature of saltwater crocodiles, the culprit is expected to remain in nearby waterways. The incident triggered an extensive search involving land, water, and air operations to locate the girl.
Banned NBA player Jontay Porter to face charges in betting case, court documents suggest
NEW YORK (AP) — Court filings indicate that former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter is set to face a federal felony charge linked to a sports betting scandal that led the NBA to ban him for life. The criminal information sheet filed by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn does not specify the charges or a court date but suggests a connection to an ongoing prosecution of four gamblers profiting from insider information about a player’s early game exits. Attempts to reach Porter’s lawyer for comment were not immediately successful.
Discovery ‘Shark Week’ features massive makos, Queen Bosses, and a baby angel shark; focus on women in science
NEW YORK (AP) — Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” includes captivating segments like marine biologist Liv Dixon steering a life-sized whale carcass decoy into deep water to incite a shark feeding frenzy. Other highlights of the 21 hours of new programming feature scientists risking all to deepen our understanding of apex predators. Hosted by John Cena, the week kicks off with Dixon’s hour-long “Belly of the Beast: Bigger & Bloodier” as part of a lineup showcasing women’s contributions to marine science. The network’s dedication to spotlighting women in science is evident throughout the Shark Week programming.
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