Greece shuts Acropolis during hottest part of day as southern Europe swelters in a heat wave
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s Culture Ministry has ordered the Acropolis to shut for several hours in the middle of the day, while authorities warn of extreme heat as southern Europe swelters in sizzling temperatures. Meteorologists say the hot air from Africa is forecast to continue baking Greece for several more days and at least through Sunday, with the heat wave peaking on Wednesday and Thursday when temperatures were expected to reach 43 degrees Celsius (109 Fahrenheit). Authorities shut down Athens’ famed Acropolis, the country’s biggest cultural attraction, from noon to 5 p.m. while municipalities were making air-conditioned indoor spaces available to the public.
Kathy Willens, pathbreaking Associated Press photographer who captured sports and more, dies at 74
NEW YORK (AP) — A pathbreaking photojournalist who helped cement women’s place behind the lens during her nearly 45-years career at The Associated Press has died. Kathy Willens was 74. Nephew Ben Willens says his aunt died Tuesday at her Brooklyn home of ovarian cancer. It was diagnosed shortly after her 2021 retirement. Willens was among The AP’s first female staff photographers, joining the news cooperative in 1976. She went on to shoot more than 90,000 images — of presidents and Pope John Paul II, protests and war, sports triumphs and human tragedy.  Specializing in sports, Willens became a photographer of such stature that the New York Yankees paid tribute to her when she retired.
Jarren Duran’s 2-run HR gives AL a 5-3 win over NL in All-Star Game started by rookie pitcher Skenes
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Boston’s Jarren Duran, the All-Star MVP, hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the fifth inning and the American League beat the National League 5-3 for its 10th win in the past 11 All-Star Games. Pittsburgh rookie Paul Skenes pitched a hitless first for the NL, twice hitting 100 mph, and Shohei Ohtani hit a three-run homer in the third for a 3-0 lead. Juan Soto hit a two-run double and scored on David Fry’s single for the AL to tie the score in the third, and Duran went deep off Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene. Oakland right-hander Mason Miller got the win after throwing a 103.6 mph fastball in his perfect inning. Hard-throwing Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase struck out two in the ninth for the save.
Singer Ingrid Andress says she was drunk during panned MLB anthem performance, will get treatment
Country singer and four-time Grammy nominee Ingrid Andress says she was drunk during her widely panned performance of the national anthem at the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby. The singer posted a statement Tuesday that addressed her performance and says she will be seeking treatment. On Monday night, the 32-year-old singer-songwriter belted an a cappella version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” an incredibly challenging song to sing. Clips of her less-than-popular rendition have made the rounds on social media, drawing comparisons to lackluster performances of the song by Rosanne Barr and Fergie in years past. The MLB said it would not comment. A representative for Andress says there will be no additional comment at this time.
After reshaping Las Vegas, The Mirage to be reinvented as part of a massive Hard Rock makeover
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Mirage is about to vanish from the Las Vegas Strip. The iconic tropical island-themed hotel-casino that reshaped an industry and sparked a resort building boom closes Wednesday. That’s after a last-days frenzy of standing-room crowds wagering to win $1.6 million in pent-up slot machine progressive jackpot winnings that regulators say can’t be on the books when doors close. Its new operators, Hard Rock International and Florida-based Seminole Gaming, are planning a three-year renovation. They will replace the resort’s fire-spewing sidewalk-side volcano with a bright new guitar-shaped hotel with 600 rooms. They say Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas will open in 2027.
Jack Black ends Tenacious D tour after bandmate’s Trump shooting comment
The comedy rock duo Tenacious D has cancelled the rest of their tour after band member Kyle Gass’ remarks on the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. While on stage at a concert in Sydney, Australia on Sunday, Gass was presented with a birthday cake and asked to “make a wish” by bandmate Jack Black. Gass responded, “Don’t miss Trump next time.” The video was widely circulated on social media. On Tuesday, Black shared a statement on Instagram, stating that he “no longer” felt it appropriate to continue the tour, and that “all future creative plans are on hold.” Gass apologized.
Elon Musk says he’s moving SpaceX, X headquarters from California to Texas
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Billionaire Elon Musk says he’s moving the headquarters of SpaceX and social media company X to Texas from California. Musk posted on X Tuesday that he plans on moving SpaceX from Hawthorne, California to Starbase, Texas. X will move to Austin from San Francisco. He called a new law signed Monday by California Gov. Gavin Newsom that bars school districts from requiring staff to notify parents of their child’s gender identification change the “final straw.”
Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, the father of Kobe Bryant, dies at 69
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died, according to his alma mater, La Salle University. Bryant, who spent eight seasons in the NBA with three different franchises, was 69. Citing La Salle coach Fran Dunphy, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Joe Bryant recently had a massive stroke. He was the No. 14 pick by Golden State in the 1975 draft, and the Warriors wound up selling his rights to Philadelphia before the start of his rookie season. He played four years for the 76ers, three for the San Diego Clippers and one for the Houston Rockets, averaging 8.7 points in 606 games.
Kennedy apologizes after a video of him speaking to Trump leaks
PHOENIX (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has apologized after a video was posted online showing part of a private phone call between the independent presidential candidate and Donald Trump. The video shows Kennedy listening on a speakerphone as Trump shares disproven claims about childhood vaccines, an issue that has helped Kennedy amass a loyal following among people who reject the scientific consensus that the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risk of rare complications. Trump also appears to pitch Kennedy on endorsing his campaign. A spokesperson for Kennedy has said he’s not dropping out.
MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe’ host says he was surprised and disappointed the show was pulled from the air
MSNBC “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough says he was “surprised and disappointed” the news and talk show was pulled off the air the day before and that the explanation he was given didn’t hold water. The show, a favorite of President Joe Biden and his fans, was pulled Monday morning in favor of a live news stream from the NBC News Now streaming service. Scarborough said he was told that would happen to all of MSNBC’s shows on Monday, but “that did not happen” and he hasn’t gotten a good explanation about why. MSNBC had no comment on Scarborough’s charges.
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