A Brazilian bay’s surprise shark nursery sparks conservation project
ANGRA DOS REIS, Brazil (AP) — Scientists have discovered that a cove in Brazil's Ilha Grande bay is a nursery for pregnant blacktip sharks. This has led to conservation efforts to protect the area. Brazil is a major market for shark meat, but sharks face extinction threats from overfishing and climate change. The Sharks of Ilha Grande Bay project, supported by Petrobras, aims to protect these habitats. The project also educates local communities about the ecological importance and health risks of consuming shark meat. Conservationists hope ecotourism can provide alternative income for the community while preserving shark populations.
Trump's teleprompter operator on unpaid leave for alleged prediction market bets on Trump speeches
ATLANTA (AP) — The White House says President Donald Trump's teleprompter operator is on unpaid leave after reports that he used his inside knowledge to make bets about the president's speeches on the online prediction market Kalshi. The firm's enforcement chief said Kalshi contacted federal regulators about bets allegedly made about what Trump would say in speeches. ABC News first reported Thursday that Gabriel Perez used his inside knowledge to win more than $100,000 betting on what the president would say in addresses like the State of the Union speech earlier this year. Perez has been operating Trump’s teleprompter since 2016.
UK urges FIFA to investigate Argentina over Falklands banner at World Cup
LONDON (AP) — The British government has urged FIFA to investigate Argentina's soccer team after players posed with a banner claiming sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. The incident happened Wednesday after Argentina beat England 2-1 in a World Cup semifinal in Atlanta. The banner read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” which means “The Falkland Islands are Argentine.” FIFA rules ban political messaging on the pitch and the team could face disciplinary action. U.K. Business Secretary Peter Kyle called the behavior “entirely inappropriate.” The rivalry between the countries is heightened by political tensions over the South Atlantic archipelago. Britain and Argentina fought a 10-week war over the islands in 1982.
America already tried permanent daylight saving time. It lasted less than a year. Could it work now?
NEW YORK (AP) — The twice-yearly changing of the clocks could be a thing of the past if legislation currently in Congress that calls for permanent daylight time makes it through. But even as annoying as some find the back-and-forth of the time shift in the spring and the fall, that doesn’t necessarily mean sticking to one would go over well. America has tried it before. In 1973, Congress passed a law instituting permanent daylight saving time for what was supposed to be a trial period from January 1974 to April 1975. It lasted until October, when it was repealed after public outcry.
Fed probe suggests Tesla's self-driving feature wasn't to blame in crash that killed a grandmother
NEW YORK (AP) — Federal safety investigators say the driver of a runaway Tesla that killed a grandmother in her home last month had pressed the accelerator to full speed, suggesting the vehicle’s self-driving software was not to blame. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded Wednesday that the driver had overridden that feature by pressing on the pedal before slamming into the Katy, Texas, home and killing a 76-year-old woman in the front room. The crash drew national attention because Tesla CEO Elon Musk is seeking to assure the public its self-driving feature is safe as he prepares to turn Teslas already on the road into fully automatic vehicles.
George Santos' next gig? Reality TV show contestant
NEW YORK (AP) — George Santos has worn many hats: Serial swindler, congressman, expelled congressman, federal prison inmate, clemency recipient, podcast host, online betting influencer under investigation by the federal government. The obvious next gig? Reality TV show contestant. In September, Santos will appear on the fifth season of Fox’s “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test,” a grueling contest where participants will be subjected to chemical gassing and other military themed challenges in a Malaysian jungle. The network on Wednesday said he will go up against more than a dozen other contestants — including former NBA player Matt Barnes and actor Ruby Rose.
Donald Trump endorses 'Pillow Man' Mike Lindell for Minnesota governor
President Donald Trump has endorsed MyPillow founder Mike Lindell for Minnesota governor, praising him as “one of America’s greatest and most hard working Patriots.” Lindell has a national profile from his TV advertising campaign and he's been one of Trump’s most outspoken supporters, echoing the Republican president’s false claims his 2020 election defeat to Democrat Joe Biden was fraudulent. Trump posted Wednesday online, “Mike will be SPECTACULAR!!!" Trump says Lindell “loves Minnesota” and “wants to bring it back from oblivion and embarrassment.” Trump has accused outgoing Democratic Gov. Tim Walz of allowing rampant fraud in federal spending on childcare, which Walz disputes. Lindell's Republican rivals avoided criticizing Trump's choice. Minnesota's primaries are Aug. 11.
US Mint produces a $1 coin bearing Trump's face to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Mint has started producing a new $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The Treasury Department announced Wednesday the commemorative coin will be released in the fall. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts was appointed by the Republican president and approved the final design earlier this year, though this version differs from that coin in a few ways. The coin in production is not gold, as originally planned, but instead has a gold finish. Federal law prohibits depicting a living president on U.S. currency, though the treasury secretary has the authority to change that in some instances.
A 12-year-old baseball standout trains through tears after Venezuela quakes leave him homeless
GUARACARUMBO, Venezuela (AP) — There were many casualties in the earthquakes that rocked parts of Venezuela last month. Thousands of lives were lost, homes destroyed, livelihoods devastated. In the hardest hit state of La Guaira, the nation's most popular sport is providing solace and hope. Many baseball fields have been repurposed as campgrounds for the estimated 18,000 people made homeless by the twin temblors. And one abandoned baseball stadium provides a space for young players to train, remember and commiserate. Venezuela has long been an incubator for Major League Baseball stars, and coaches still believe that some of the boys have a future in the sport despite the hardship and loss.
France’s National Assembly gives final approval to assisted-dying bill after years of debate
PARIS (AP) — France's National Assembly has given final approval to a bill allowing adults with incurable illnesses to receive lethal medication. But the 291-241 vote in the lower house of parliament doesn’t mean the bill immediately becomes law. There will be a review to determine if it complies with the French Constitution. The approval on Wednesday marked the culmination of years of debate over end-of-life care. The bill will establish a right to medically assisted dying under strict conditions. The Senate rejected the bill but the National Assembly had the final say. The bill will be reviewed by the Constitutional Council.
