There was a gender war sparked at an Australian gallery over some Picassos. Recently, the curator of an Australian art museum revealed that she was actually the artist behind three paintings that she had initially presented as works by Pablo Picasso. This revelation led to a gender discrimination case when she restricted viewing of the paintings to only female gallery patrons. The paintings were part of an exhibition called the Ladies Lounge at the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania, curated by Kirsha Kaechele. The paintings have been on display at the museum for over three years.
On the beaches of New York City, surveillance drones have been introduced to monitor swimmers and sharks, but they are facing resistance from birds. The drones have been repeatedly attacked by birds, leading to grounding of the devices multiple times since the program started in May. Wildlife experts are concerned that the drones could disrupt the birds’ nesting sites and cause stress among the bird populations, particularly American oystercatchers and piping plovers, an endangered species that inhabit the beach.
Hosted by Serena Williams, The ESPYS honored a significant year for women’s sports, recognizing athletes like Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins. The award show encountered delays due to a late start to President Joe Biden’s news conference. The three-hour show featured jokes by Williams during her monologue and a glitch in the closing moments which resulted in the abrupt ending of the live telecast. The show aimed to celebrate and highlight the achievements of women in sports.
Shelley Duvall, known for her roles in movies like ‘The Shining’ and ‘Nashville,’ passed away at the age of 75 at her home in Blanco, Texas. Her partner, Dan Gilroy, confirmed her death attributing it to complications from diabetes. Duvall’s acting career took off after she was discovered at a party in Houston in 1970, leading to collaborations with renowned filmmakers like Robert Altman and Stanley Kubrick.
The youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man, is set to marry his longtime girlfriend, Radhika Merchant, in what is considered the wedding of the year. The extravagant celebrations in Mumbai have attracted global celebrities, business magnates, and political figures. The wedding events featured performances by popstars Rihanna and Justin Bieber, with a guest list including prominent personalities like former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, as well as Adele and David Beckham.
Turkey’s television drama industry has gained international acclaim, drawing millions of viewers and tourists to the country’s historical and cultural sites portrayed in the shows. The industry’s success has significantly enhanced Turkey’s soft power on a global scale, with a surge in demand for Turkish series in markets like the United States, Canada, Greece, India, and Pakistan. The dramas resonate with audiences due to their themes of family, friendship, and love.
Danjuro Ichikawa, a prominent Kabuki star in Japan, is known for his versatility in playing multiple roles on stage. He recently played 13 different characters in a production at the Kabukiza Theater in Tokyo, showcasing his skill in transforming from one role to another. Offstage, Danjuro has been contemplating the need to modernize and evolve the traditional roles of Kabuki performers to appeal to contemporary audiences.
The Prague zoo welcomed the birth of a second critically endangered Chinese pangolin, surprising park officials and defying expectations. The female pangolin was born in captivity and is thriving, following the birth of her sister, Cone, in February last year. The zoo’s success in breeding these endangered mammals is a rare achievement, given the challenges associated with captive breeding programs. The births occurred following a diplomatic decision by Prague to revoke a sister-city agreement with Beijing and establish a new partnership with Taipei.
Sotheby’s in New York is set to auction the fossilized remains of a 161-million-year-old stegosaurus, named Apex, discovered in Colorado in 2022. The nearly complete skeleton of Apex stands 11 feet tall and measures 27 feet from nose to tail. Despite showing signs of arthritis, the fossil provides valuable insights into the life of stegosauruses and their behavior. Experts believe that stegosauruses used their tail spikes for defense, although the specimen being auctioned shows no signs of combat.
In northern Mexico, heavy rains associated with Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Alberto have led to around 200 crocodiles entering urban areas near the Texas border. State and federal authorities have been capturing and relocating the crocodiles, which ventured into coastal cities like Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira due to rising water levels in coastal lagoons. The influx of crocodiles has been attributed to the high rainfall caused by the recent storms in the region.
