Family of explorer who died in the Titan sub implosion seeks $50M-plus in wrongful death lawsuit
The family of a French explorer known as “Mr. Titanic” who died in a submersible implosion has filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking more than $50 million that accuses the sub’s operator of gross negligence. Paul-Henri Nargeolet was among five people who died when the Titan submersible imploded during a voyage to the famed Titanic wreck site in the North Atlantic in June 2023. No one survived the trip aboard the experimental submersible owned by OceanGate, a company in Washington state that has since suspended operations. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday. A spokesperson for OceanGate has declined to comment on it.
Sea turtles strandings have increased dramatically. Congress might create a fund to bail them out
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Sea turtle strandings have ticked up at an alarming rate in New England, but now the reptiles are close to receiving a lifeline from Congress to help them stay in the water. Congress is nearing passage of the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act, which would create a new $33 million federal grant program to fund institutions around the country that rescue, rehabilitate and research stranded turtles. The aid would arrive as scientists and federal authorities are sounding the alarm that an increasing number of cold-stunned turtles are washing up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, likely as a result of climate change.
Suga of K-pop sensation BTS fined for driving while drunk. What he was driving causes confusion
SEOUL (AP) — Suga, a member of K-pop sensation BTS, apologized for driving an electric vehicle while intoxicated. His label, Big Hit Music said Min Yoon-gi, famously known as Suga, was driving an “electric kickboard” when he fell while parking it. A police officer spotted him and administered a breathalyzer test which Suga failed, leading to his license being revoked and a fine, the label added. An electric kickboard refers to a type of vehicle without a seat. However, police told local media Wednesday Suga’s vehicle had a seat and resembled an electric scooter under traffic law. The type of vehicle will affect the penalty the popular star will face.
Disney’s streaming business is profitable for first time, but slowing US park business ups anxiety
Disney returned to a profitable third quarter as its combined streaming business started making money for the first time, along with a very strong showing in theaters for the movie “Inside Out 2.” The company said Wednesday that operating income for the entertainment segment, which includes its movie studio and parts of its television wing, nearly tripled to $1.2 billion. Disney’s run at the box office continues with “Deadpool & Wolverine,” giving the company the top two films of the year. Disney said Wednesday that its direct-to-consumer business, which includes Disney+ and Hulu, reported a quarterly operating loss of $19 million, which was much smaller than its loss of $505 million a year earlier.
How Lahaina’s more than 150-year-old banyan tree is coming back to life after devastating fire
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — The deadly wildfire that tore through Lahaina last August scorched the 151-year-old banyan tree along the historic town’s Front Street. The chair of the Maui County Arborist Committee says about half of the tree’s branches have died. But thanks to the efforts of arborists and volunteers, parts of the sprawling, 60-foot tree are healthy and growing back. Those efforts have included installing sensors on the tree to monitor the flow of sap, and developing plans to install compost tubes and an irrigation system. According to Sparkman, some branches now have hundreds of leaves, and are even producing fruit.
Japan’s Honda reports a nearly 9% rise in profit on healthy demand for its motorcycles and cars
TOKYO (AP) — Honda has reported an 8.7% increase in its fiscal first quarter profit as strong sales of hybrid vehicles in Japan and the U.S., and motorcycles in India and Brazil, boosted the Japanese automaker’s earnings. Honda’s April-June profit totaled 394.7 billion yen, or $2.7 billion. Honda reported Wednesday that its quarterly sales rose nearly 17%. A favorable currency exchange rate helped Honda, while tough price competition in China hurt, according to the maker of the Accord sedan, Fit subcompact, Super Cub motorcycle and Asimo robot. A weak yen works as a plus for Japanese exporters like Honda.
Boxer Imane Khelif advances to gold-medal bout with another victory amid gender misconceptions
PARIS (AP) — Boxer Imane Khelif of Algeria has advanced to the gold-medal bout in the women’s welterweight division with a semifinal victory at the Paris Olympics amid scrutiny over misconceptions about her gender. Khelif defeated Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand 5:0 in the semifinals at Roland Garros. Khelif has won three consecutive fights in Paris, and she will win either a gold or a silver medal when she completes the tournament on Friday. Khelif had already clinched Algeria’s first medal in women’s boxing before she stepped into the ring to rousing roars from a crowd chanting her name at Court Philippe Chatrier.
Brazil’s Olympic champion Andrade inspires girls at her hometown gym where career began
GUARULHOS, Brazil (AP) — Dozens of girls lined up with their parents early at the public gymnasium where Olympic champion Rebeca Andrade started her career 15 years ago. Some of those hopeful athletes in Guarulhos train at the gym every day, fight for trophies and medals in national competitions and also aim to reach the Olympic stage some day. Guarulhos city hall maintains the gymnasium, which hosts morning and afternoon classes and a local team for girls ranging in age between 9 and 17. Some of its staffers worked with Andrade almost 20 years ago.
Judge dismisses most claims in federal lawsuit filed by Black Texas student punished over hairstyle
HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed most of the claims in a lawsuit filed by a Black high school student who was punished by a Texas school district for refusing to change his hairstyle. Darryl George alleged racial and gender discrimination. The ruling on Tuesday was another victory in the case for the Barbers Hill school district near Houston. But in his order, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown questioned whether the school district’s rule over hair length causes more harm than good. George wears his hair in tied and twisted locs on top of his head. The school district says the length of his hair violates its dress code.
Billy Bean, second openly gay ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner’s office, dies at 60
NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Bean, who became the second former Major League Baseball player to come out as gay in 1999 before becoming the sport’s senior vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, has died. He was 60. MLB released a statement confirming his death. Bean died at home Tuesday after a yearlong fight with acute myeloid leukemia. The California native played in six big league seasons from 1987 to 1995, making his debut with the Detroit Tigers in a four-hit performance that tied a record for a player in his first game. He publicly came out as gay in 1999, the second former major leaguer to do so after Glenn Burke.
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