Serena Williams hosts an ESPY awards show celebrating landmark year for women’s sports
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The ESPYS, led by host Serena Williams, celebrated a groundbreaking year for women’s sports. Honorees included Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley, and JuJu Watkins at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday night. The three-hour show on ABC was delayed due to President Joe Biden’s late nationally televised news conference. Serena Williams delivered jokes during her monologue and even sang later in the show. However, a technical glitch occurred in the closing minutes, resulting in the premature ending of the live telecast in the East and Central time zones. ABC assured that the issues would be resolved for the tape-delayed viewing in the West.
Angry birds on NYC beaches fighting drones patrolling for sharks and swimmers
NEW YORK (AP) — Surveillance drones monitoring swimmers and sharks on New York City beaches are facing opposition from angry shorebirds. The drones have been attacked by birds, particularly American oystercatchers, causing pilots to ground the devices multiple times since the program launched in May. To mitigate the attacks, the city is now avoiding known nesting areas. Wildlife experts are concerned that the drones may induce stress responses in birds, leading them to abandon their nests. The beach is also home to piping plovers, a federally designated endangered species.
Shelley Duvall, known for ‘The Shining’ and ‘Nashville,’ passes away at 75
Star of films by Robert Altman and Stanley Kubrick, Shelley Duvall, has died at the age of 75 in Blanco, Texas. Her partner, Dan Gilroy, confirmed her passing due to complications from diabetes. Duvall’s career began when Altman’s staff members discovered her at a party in Houston in 1970, leading her to become Altman’s protege. She starred in Kubrick’s “The Shining” and several other iconic films.
Turkish TV dramas boosting tourism and capturing global attention
ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey’s television drama industry has become a leading exporter of dramas, attracting millions of viewers and tourists to the country’s historical and cultural sites featured in the shows. The success of Turkish series has led to a booming industry worth billions of dollars, enhancing Turkey’s soft power globally. Global demand for Turkish series has increased significantly, with markets in the United States, Canada, Greece, India, and Pakistan showing interest in the dramas.
Leading Kabuki star in Japan switches roles effortlessly on stage, prompting industry change
TOKYO (AP) — Danjuro Ichikawa, a prominent Kabuki theater star in Japan, seamlessly transitions between roles onstage, playing multiple characters in a single production. Offstage, he contemplates the need for Kabuki to evolve and adapt to modern audiences. His latest production at the Kabukiza Theater in Tokyo, “Hoshiawase Jusandan,” showcases efforts to update Kabuki by trimming scenes and modernizing dialogue.
Second critically endangered Chinese pangolin born in Prague zoo
PRAGUE (AP) — A second Chinese pangolin was born in the Prague zoo, surprising officials due to the species’ difficulty in breeding in captivity. The female pangolin, born in July, is the second of its kind in Europe following her sister Cone’s birth last year. The birth comes after Prague decided to revoke a sister-city agreement with Beijing and establish one with Taiwan in 2020, causing tension with China.
Stegosaurus fossil named Apex to be auctioned in New York
NEW YORK (AP) — A 161-million-year-old stegosaurus fossil, named Apex, will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York. The nearly complete remains, standing 11 feet tall and measuring 27 feet from nose to tail, were discovered in Colorado in 2022. The fossil shows signs of arthritis, indicating the dinosaur lived to an advanced age.
200 crocodiles enter cities in northern Mexico due to heavy rains
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Heavy rains associated with Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Alberto in northern Mexico have led to around 200 crocodiles entering urban areas. State and federal authorities have captured and relocated the reptiles, which emerged following the raised water levels in coastal lagoons.
Father holds son killed by Israeli airstrike in Gaza
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Nael Al-Baghdadi cradles his 12-year-old son, Omar, who was killed in Gaza by an Israeli airstrike. The heartbreaking photo captured by an Associated Press photographer shows Al-Baghdadi holding his bloodied son, embodying profound grief and love for the deceased child.
IRS collects $1 billion in back taxes from high-wealth taxpayers
WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS has collected $1 billion in back taxes from high-wealth tax evaders, demonstrating the agency’s efforts to enforce tax compliance. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen commended the Inflation Reduction Act for promoting tax fairness and ensuring wealthy taxpayers pay their owed taxes.
