South Africa’s du Plessis retains middleweight UFC title
PERTH, Australia (AP) — South African Dricus du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight championship at UFC 305 by defeating Israel Adesanya with a submission. Du Plessis, with a record of 22-2, faced a barrage of body hits from Adesanya throughout the fight, but managed to secure the victory in the fourth round. Despite the pressure from Adesanya’s striking, du Plessis capitalized on an opening with a left hook followed by three rights, ultimately forcing Adesanya to tap out with a choke hold.
Trump again decries two gold medalist Olympic athletes, falsely labeling the female boxers as men
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump, in a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, falsely referred to two gold medalist Olympic athletes as men, sparking controversy. Trump’s comments centered around the issue of transgender athletes, a subject he has been vocal about in his rallies. LGBTQ+ advocates have criticized Trump’s language on gender identity, stating it is inaccurate and harmful.
Keith Urban plays free pop-up concert outside a Buc-ee’s store in Alabama
ATHENS, Ala. (AP) — Country singer Keith Urban surprised fans with a free concert in the parking lot of a Buc-ee’s store in north Alabama. Urban, known for hits in the country music genre, attracted hundreds of attendees to the impromptu show in Athens. The event took place outside a Buc-ee’s store, a popular chain known for its barbecue offerings. Urban’s decision to perform at the store was spontaneous, inspired by a previous visit where he found the location fitting for a concert.
Indiana Jones’ iconic felt fedora fetches $630,000 at auction
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A brown felt fedora worn by actor Harrison Ford in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” sold for $630,000 at auction. The hat, originally made by the Herbert Johnson Hat Company in London, exceeded expectations in terms of value. The fedora, part of a personal collection from a late stunt performer, presented challenges during filming to ensure it stayed in place.
Powerful earthquake hits off far east coast of Russia, though no early reports of damage
PETROPAVOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, Russia (AP) — A magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck in the Pacific near Russia’s far eastern coast, prompting a brief tsunami warning. Despite its intensity, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The earthquake, located east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city with a population of over 181,000, raised concerns due to its proximity to a naval base and volcanic regions. The tsunami warning was lifted soon after the earthquake.
Maurice Williams, writer and lead singer of ‘Stay,’ dead at 86
NEW YORK (AP) — Maurice Williams, singer of the classic ballad “Stay,” passed away at the age of 86. Williams, known for the short but impactful song, gained recognition in the music industry with his group the Zodiacs. “Stay” became a hit that transcended generations, covered by various artists over the years.
‘Shoot me up with a big one’: A timeline of the last days of Matthew Perry
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Details surrounding the final days of Matthew Perry emerged following the arrest of five individuals in connection with his overdose death. Perry, known for his role in “Friends,” struggled with an addiction to ketamine in his last days. Court documents revealed a troubling timeline leading to Perry’s overdose at the age of 54.
Madonna will fund a youth art project to celebrate her 66th birthday
ROME (AP) — Madonna marked her 66th birthday with a visit to Pompeii, where she announced plans to support a youth art project. The iconic pop star explored the archaeological site and engaged with young artists participating in the “Dream of Flying” project. Madonna’s contribution will fund the artistic initiative involving youths from surrounding areas.
Michael Brown’s death transformed a nation and sparked a decade of American reckoning on race
Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri, ignited widespread protests and fueled the growth of movements like Black Lives Matter over the past decade. The impact of Brown’s death transcended individual movements, sparking a larger conversation on racial justice in America. Advocacy efforts from various communities have reshaped democracy and culture, leading to a collective push for racial equality.
Prisoner serving life for murder who escaped in North Carolina has been caught, authorities say
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (AP) — A prisoner serving a life sentence for murder, who escaped during a medical appointment, has been recaptured in North Carolina. The escape, which involved assistance from at least one individual, resulted in a three-day manhunt before the prisoner was found at a hotel in Kannapolis, roughly 110 miles from the initial escape location.
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