Paris Olympics water safety patrol ‘like guardian angels’ during surfing competition in Tahiti
TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti (AP) — Cracked helmets, sutured skin and checks for concussions have been a part of the Paris Olympics surfing competition, as surfers go head-to-head on the treacherous waves of Teahupo’o, Tahiti. With big waves and wipe outs, surfers say it’s thanks to the water safety patrol— a team of highly-skilled, local workers patrolling with jet skis, operating boats and constantly assessing the ocean from a watch tower— that they’ve been able to enter the heavy, barrel-shaped waves with confidence. While there’s been no severe injuries during the Paris Olympics surfing events, several athletes have gotten stitches, bloody scrapes or large bruises.
Fans of the Olympics find a new star. And Laurie Hernandez is not even competing this time
PARIS (AP) — Two-time Olympic medal-winning gymnast Laurie Hernandez’s fresh approach to her new role as a TV analyst has made her a fan favorite. The 24-year-old who won gold and silver alongside Simone Biles in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro is part of NBC’s gymnastics broadcast team in Paris. Hernandez says her job is to inform viewers who are new to the sport while also staying empathetic to what the athletes are going through.
Everything is tougher on a bike in the Olympics: eating, drinking and, yes, bathroom breaks
PARIS (AP) — Everything is a little more difficult in a bike race, particularly the Olympics, where the men’s peloton tackled the longest course in its history on Saturday. That includes everything from eating and drinking to bathroom breaks. Nils Politt, a German rider, went viral after finishing in 70th place when video surfaced of him pulling into a Parisian cafe and use the facilities. So, how do the riders handle basics such as eating, drinking and going to the bathroom during six or seven hours on the bike? Here is a look at how they manage those details during a long day in the saddle.
More US schools are taking breaks for meditation. Teachers say it helps students’ mental health
REX, Ga. (AP) — School districts across the U.S. are adopting mental health practices as a part of their daily schedules and curriculums. Yoga, meditation and mindfulness exercises are being implemented alongside traditional reading, math and science lessons. Programs such as Inner Explorer, an audio platform that supports mindfulness and social-emotional learning, have been supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as improving students’ mental development and growth. In 2023, the CDC recommended schools use mindfulness practices as a part of a course or in brief sessions throughout the day to help students manage stress and emotions.
Meet Wisin — Mexico’s latest viral meme and the ‘puppy luchador’
MEXICO CITY (AP) — With floppy ears and a tail on his costume coming unstitched after all the wrestling, Wisin the “puppy luchador” has captured the imagination of fans across Mexico. Since the early summer, videos of a wrestler dressed in a dog costume brawling in “lucha libre” matches have been making the rounds on Mexican social media. Though the popular Mexican form of wrestling has been around for decades, Wisin came onto the fighting scene only a few months ago. He was originally created by the Institute of Youth in Mexico City to motivate children to exercise. However, his character quickly evolved into a viral meme across Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.
Third set of remains found with gunshot wound in search for 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre graves
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A third set of remains with a gunshot wound has been found in the search for graves of victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Oklahoma State archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck said on social media Friday that the remains were exhumed and are being examined at an on-site forensic laboratory at Tulsa’s Oaklawn Cemetery. The discovery comes about a month after identification of the first set of remains exhumed from the cemetery as searchers seek victims of the massacre by a white mob that looted and burned Tulsa’s Greenwood District, also known as Black Wall Street. More than 1,200 homes, businesses, schools and churches were destroyed.
Same storm, different names: How Invest 97L could graduate to Hurricane Debby
It’s an area of low atmospheric pressure, thunderstorms and wind sloshing out of the Caribbean Sea into the Gulf of Mexico. But by the time it dissipates, weather forecasters may have called it by five different names. First it was Invest 97L, then it was Potential Tropical Cyclone Four. Late Friday it became Tropical Depression Four. On Saturday it became Tropical Storm Debby and it could intensify into Hurricane Debby on Sunday or Monday. Why? Various names are used to classify the intensity of storms in the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern and central Pacific Ocean.
Officials ID Florida deputy sheriff killed in shooting that wounded 2 other deputies
Authorities have released the name of a Florida sheriff’s deputy killed in what officials called an ambush shooting that wounded two other deputies after all responded to a disturbance call. The Lake County sheriff says 28-year-old Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Link died “heroically serving his community and fellow deputies” Friday night in Eustis. Two suspects were killed and a third was wounded when police stormed the home in an attempt to retrieve Link after officers were met with “a hail of gunfire.” Officials said one wounded deputy was seriously injured and the other was listed as stable. There was no immediate word on the condition of the wounded suspect.
Aerosmith retires from touring, citing permanent damage to Steven Tyler’s voice last year
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aerosmith says Steven Tyler’s voice has been permanently damaged by a vocal cord injury last year and the band will no longer tour. The iconic band behind hits like “Love in an Elevator” and “Livin’ on the Edge” posted a statement Friday announcing the cancellation of remaining dates on its tour. Tyler announced in September he injured his vocal cords during a show on tour. Tyler said in an Instagram statement at the time that the injury caused bleeding but that he hoped the band would be back after postponing a few shows. They were near the start of a 40-date farewell tour when Tyler was injured.
22 injured during explosion in paddock area at Germany’s Nuerburgring auto racing track
BERLIN (AP) — Twenty-two people have been injured during an explosion in the padlock area of Germany’s famous auto racing circuit Nuerburgring. German police said Saturday that they believe the accident was caused by a compressed air canister. German news agency dpa reported that one person was injured severely, three seriously and the others slightly. Several people were taken to nearby hospitals by helicopter. Nuerburgring organizers said in a statement that the accident took place during a test and set-up run in the run-up to the NLS4 race behind a pit in the paddock area. On Saturday morning, criminal police were on the scene to investigate what caused the alleged explosion of the compressed air canister.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
