Meet the Liberty Bell fans visiting little-known replicas scattered across the country
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — If you can't visit the original Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, you might find a dead ringer nearby. For a 1950 bond drive, the Treasury Department commissioned replicas for each U.S. state and several territories. These replicas have become a fascination for “bell hunters” like Tom Campbell from Colorado. Campbell stumbled upon his first replica in Denver in the late 1990s, sparking a quest to visit them all. The replicas, cast in France, weigh the same as the original and even have faux cracks, but differ in metallurgical makeup. Many have suffered from neglect, but some are being restored as the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary.
A barge carrying Timmy the humpback whale journeys to the North Sea
BERLIN (AP) — A barge carrying a stranded humpback whale nicknamed Timmy has begun its journey toward the North Sea. The whale was spotted near Germany's Baltic Sea coast in March, far from its Atlantic Ocean habitat. Its health deteriorated as it repeatedly became stranded in shallow waters. Rescuers used a flooded barge and a dredged channel to move the whale. The barge is expected to travel around Denmark's northern tip. German officials describe the operation as unprecedented and successful. The whale's condition has sparked debate, with some experts concerned about stress, while others believe it is fit for transport.
Robot dogs with Musk and Zuckerberg heads roam around Berlin museum in Beeple's new exhibit
BERLIN (AP) — Robot dogs with hyper-realistic silicone heads modeled after famous figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are roaming a Berlin museum. They occasionally “poo” printed images of their surroundings, captured with integrated cameras. This interactive installation by American artist Beeple is at Berlin's Neue Nationalgalerie. Each image reflects the personality of the dog’s human figure, like Picasso's Cubist style. The exhibition comments on how algorithms shape our perceptions. Beeple, a prominent digital artist, is known for his “everyday” movement in 3D graphics. His work has sold for millions, marking significant milestones in digital art.
WNBA star Caitlin Clark to publish a children's book based on her life
NEW YORK (AP) — Caitlin Clark is releasing a picture book this fall based on her life. Random House Books for Young Readers has announced Tuesday that “EXTRAordinary! A Little EXTRA to Reach BIG Dreams” will be published in November. The WNBA star shares a message about the importance of effort and support through rhyming verse. Clark was inspired by a quote from her childhood mirror that read: “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the little EXTRA.” She hopes the book reminds children that they’re never alone in chasing their dreams. The 24-year-old Indiana Fever guard recently returned to playing after injuries limited her in 2025.
Sickness, cold killed nearly 30 sloths at a Florida import warehouse in 2024 and 2025
Disease and cold temperatures killed nearly 30 sloths at a Florida import warehouse in 2024 and 2025, according to a state report. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission inspection report from August states that a wildlife facility called Sanctuary World Imports in Orlando ordered 21 sloths from Guyana. They died after overnight temperatures in the warehouse fell to 46 degrees in late December 2024. The business ordered another 10 sloths from Peru. Two sloths were dead when they arrived and the other eight succumbed to what the report called “poor health issues.” Peter Bandre, listed in the report as the business' licensee, told inspectors that the warehouse was not ready to receive sloths during cold weather and that he would be looking for a new veterinarian.
Inside the world’s largest art heist when over $500M of paintings were stolen from a Boston museum
BOSTON (AP) — A former FBI agent is offering the first detailed account of how investigators identified the people believed to have carried out the 1990 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist. In a new book, Geoffrey Kelly argues the theft was the work of a loose network of Boston-area criminals, not international masterminds, and traces how the stolen art moved through violent criminal circles. His account sheds light on key suspects, investigative missteps and lingering questions, including the actions of a security guard that night. More than three decades later, the paintings remain missing — artworks Kelly calls the “perfect fugitives.”
Timberwolves lose Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo to leg injuries in Game 4 against Nuggets
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Donte DiVincenzo's season ends with an Achilles tendon injury, while Anthony Edwards' knee injury remains unclear. Minnesota coach Chris Finch shared the news Saturday night after the Timberwolves' playoff win over the Denver Nuggets. DiVincenzo was injured 1:19 into Game 4, suggesting an Achilles issue. Edwards was hurt late in the first half. Despite losing their starting guards, the Timberwolves, led by Ayu Dosunmu's 43 points, beat the Nuggets for a 3-1 lead in their series. Finch expressed devastation for DiVincenzo, and Dosunmu dedicated the win to both injured players.
Kevin Durant improving but Game 4 status vs. Lakers unclear as Rockets face elimination, Udoka says
HOUSTON (AP) — Houston coach Ime Udoka says injured star Kevin Durant is doing better but his status for Game 4 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night is still unclear with the Rockets facing elimination. Durant missed Game 3 on Friday night with a sprained left ankle as the Rockets blew a six-point lead with less than 30 seconds to go in regulation of an eventual 112-108 overtime loss to fall to 0-3 in the series. Udoka said Saturday that Durant is “getting treatment still around the clock.”
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu says he was treated for prostate cancer and is now healthy
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that he has undergone treatment for prostate cancer. It was his first public acknowledgment of the diagnosis. He said that roughly a year and a half ago he had prostate surgery. Then two and a half months ago, his doctors discovered and treated a small tumor at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital with radiation therapy. That was not announced at the time. The 76-year-old Israeli leader said Friday that he requested a delay to the announcement “so that it would not be released at the height of the war” against Iran.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is seeking counseling and will miss Day 3 of the NFL draft
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is seeking counseling and will not be with the team for Day 3 of the NFL Draft on Saturday, following the publication of photos of the coach and longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. Vrabel told ESPN he will start counseling this weekend. The Patriots confirmed Vrabel will miss the third day of the draft. The photos of Vrabel and Russini were taken before the annual NFL meetings that began in Phoenix on March 29, according to the New York Post. The NFL said it is not investigating Vrabel’s behavior. Vrabel and Russini are both married. Russini resigned from The Athletic.
