Artist JR, the 'French Banksy' creates a 'cave' installation over Paris' oldest bridge
PARIS (AP) — The oldest bridge in Paris has begun vanishing as JR — the artist known as the “French Banksy” — began inflating a giant “cave” over the Pont Neuf. By Thursday, the 17th-century landmark that has carried Parisians across the Seine for more than 400 years looked as if a prehistoric cliff had risen in the heart of the city. The monumental, rocky illusion is the most dramatic stage yet of one of the most ambitious public artworks the French capital has seen in decades. The Associated Press has been documenting the transformation since March with time-lapse cameras, including one fixed on a rooftop terrace high above the river, watching the bridge slowly disappear day by day.
Dying star resembles a billowing crystal ball in new telescope photo
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A dying star has never looked so lovely. A telescope atop Hawaii's tallest peak, Mauna Kea, captured the star in its last gasps. The image was released Thursday. It's actually a binary star system 1,500 light-years away, nicknamed the Crystal Ball Nebula because of the milky white, spherical cloud of gas around it. The cloud forms when a star sheds its outer layers near the end of its life. The exposed stellar core heats the cloud to tens of thousands of degrees, giving it an ethereal glow. Scientists believe one of the nebula's two orbiting stars gave up the ghost.
Sorry, Arsenal fans, but a public holiday for you in Botswana is fake news
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Arsenal fans in Botswana were briefly excited by the apparent announcement of a public holiday to celebrate their team's first Premier League title win in 22 years. But the government of the southern African country has debunked the notice that falsely claimed President Duma Boko had declared the holiday. The fake statement with official-looking details was shared online but later marked "FAKE" by the government on X. The statement was dated May 17, or Sunday, while Arsenal's victory was only confirmed two days later.
Trump’s portrait hits New Delhi traffic as US Embassy rolls out 'Happy Birthday America!' rickshaws
NEW DELHI (AP) — In New Delhi, some auto-rickshaws are now displaying images of U.S. President Donald Trump with the slogan “Happy Birthday America!” splashed across the back of the vehicles. This campaign, featuring Trump and the Statue of Liberty, has appeared in about 100 auto-rickshaws across the city. It was unveiled last month by Sergio Gor, the U.S. ambassador to India, as part of a broader initiative to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The U.S. Embassy described the campaign with the slogan, “Freedom is on the move … literally!” The effort also aims to improve U.S.-India relations, which have been strained by tariff policies.
Seagull splatters King Charles III during Northern Ireland visit
LONDON (AP) — A seagull has left a lasting impression on King Charles III during his visit to Northern Ireland. The bird dropped a surprise on the king's suit jacket Wednesday, splattering others around him, including members of the press. According to a witness, the king quipped that it was fortunate it didn’t land on his head. The witness also mentioned that being hit by a seagull is supposed to be good luck. Earlier in the day, the king seemed to foreshadow the event during a visit to a food pantry when he picked up a roll of toilet paper and said, “very important.”
Shirtless fans the stars at MLB stadiums as 'Tarps Off' trend sweeps baseball world
Major League Baseball is experiencing an epidemic of (mostly) guys being dudes. At ballparks all across the country, groups of largely young men are joining in on the “Tarps Off” trend that’s loud, goofy, infectious and new to the baseball world. Joining in on the fun is simple: Go to the section where the party is happening, take off your shirt and start twirling it above your head. After getting its start in St. Louis last Friday, it has spread across the league to places like Detroit, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Anaheim.
North Korean soccer team beats South Korean hosts in rare match between divided countries
SUWON, South Korea (AP) — Drenched in rain, hundreds of South Koreans have cheered the North Korean visitors during a rare soccer match between the divided countries as Pyongyang-based Naegohyang Women’s FC defeated host Suwon 2-1 against the backdrop of political tensions. The win locked Naegohyang into another match in South Korea, a final Saturday against Tokyo Verdy Beleza which defeated Melbourne City 3-1 in the other semifinal of the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League. While athletes from North and South Korea have previously competed on combined teams and marched together in Olympic ceremonies during periods of warmer ties, such exchanges have largely disappeared in recent years as relations between the rivals deteriorated.
Lettuce introduce you to the live frog found in this grocery store salad bag
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian farmer has found a live frog in a bag of lettuce. Laura Jones said on Tuesday one of her house mates in Esperance in Western Australia state found the frog inside a sealed plastic bag he’d bought from a supermarket. The farmer was preparing dinner for his three housemates at the time. Supermarket chain Woolworths has apologized and is investigating with suppliers how the frog was not detected earlier. The frog was christened Greg and was released near the house.
Unwanted lab rats find new homes and are adopted thanks to an Argentine organization
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A group of people watches three albino rats leap from small baskets into a big cage at an indoor hall in the Argentine capital. It’s Ratapalooza, an annual event held on Sunday in Buenos Aires, promoting the adoption of rodents raised in animal facilities or used for research in science labs that are no longer wanted. To attract adoptive families, Team Ratas, which is Spanish for rats, organizes the Ratapalooza as a bit of a fair, complete with stalls selling keychains, mugs, stickers and hair clips in the shape of rats and mice. The money raised goes to veterinary and food expenses for the rodents, which they foster at home before putting them up for adoption.
Cardinals manager Marmol buys tickets for fans to continue shirtless revelry at Busch Stadium
ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol believes in the “no shirt, no problem,” mantra. His club was boosted to a win over the Royals Friday night by a group of college baseball players in the right-field seats who took off and waved their shirts as they sang, chanted and drew others into the fray. Marmol wants the good times to continue. He announced he'd buy tickets this weekend for fans who want to sit in the “right field Loge.” And the Lumberjacks of the Stephen F. Austin club baseball team took him up on that, returning for Saturday's win over Kansas City. They got to meet Marmol and Cardinals players after the game.
