Serena Williams hosted an ESPY awards show celebrating a landmark year for women’s sports. The event took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and honored athletes like Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley, and JuJu Watkins. However, the show was delayed due to President Joe Biden’s news conference and experienced a technical glitch during its closing minutes. Host Serena Williams entertained the audience with jokes and even sang during the show.
On NYC beaches, surveillance drones monitoring swimmers and sharks are facing opposition from angry birds. The drones have been attacked multiple times by birds, causing pilots to ground the devices. City officials are now avoiding nesting areas to prevent further attacks. However, wildlife experts warn that the drones could cause stress to the birds and lead them to abandon their nests, especially those of the endangered piping plovers.
Hollywood star Shelley Duvall, known for her roles in films like “The Shining” and “Nashville,” passed away at the age of 75 due to complications from diabetes. Duvall was discovered by Robert Altman’s staff members at a party in Texas in 1970 and went on to become a protege of the filmmaker. Her partner, Dan Gilroy, confirmed her death, noting her significant contributions to the film industry.
Japanese Kabuki star Danjuro Ichikawa is challenging the traditional roles of Kabuki theater both on and offstage. In his latest production, Danjuro plays multiple roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor. While his performance on stage is dynamic, offstage, he is advocating for modernizing Kabuki traditions and updating the art form for contemporary audiences.
The Prague Zoo welcomed a second critically endangered Chinese pangolin in less than two years, defying the odds and surprising park officials. The female pangolin was born in July, following her sister’s birth in February the previous year. Prague Zoo has become one of the few European zoos to successfully breed Chinese pangolins in captivity, despite challenges and tensions with China over diplomatic agreements.
A 161-million-year-old stegosaurus fossil named Apex will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York. The nearly complete skeleton, standing 11 feet tall and measuring 27 feet nose to tail, was discovered in Colorado. Experts believe the stegosaurus lived to an advanced age based on evidence of arthritis in its remains, shedding light on the life span and health of these prehistoric creatures.
Heavy rains in northern Mexico have led to about 200 crocodiles entering urban areas near the Texas border. State authorities have captured and relocated the reptiles to prevent conflicts with residents. The increase in crocodile sightings is linked to rising water levels in coastal lagoons due to recent hurricanes, prompting the animals to seek shelter in nearby cities.
A heartbreaking photo captures a father holding his 12-year-old son who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. The father’s expression of deep love and grief for his lost child resonates with viewers around the world, illustrating the devastating impact of conflict on innocent civilians. The image serves as a reminder of the human cost of ongoing violence in the region.
The IRS has collected a milestone $1 billion in back taxes from high-wealth taxpayers as part of efforts to increase tax fairness and combat tax evasion. The Biden administration’s initiatives aim to ensure that all taxpayers, including the wealthy, pay their fair share. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen applauds the Inflation Reduction Act for its success in recovering unpaid taxes from high-income individuals.
Jasmine Paolini has advanced to the Wimbledon final after defeating Donna Vekic in a thrilling match. She will face Barbora Krejcikova, the 2021 French Open champion, in the title match. Paolini’s success at Wimbledon follows her runner-up finish at Roland Garros, making her a strong contender for the championship title. The Italian player is the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach the finals of both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season.
