Prolific, wise character actor Bill Cobbs dies at age 90
NEW YORK (AP) — Veteran character actor Bill Cobbs has died. He was 90. Cobbs became a ubiquitous, wisecracking presence on the big screen in older years, appearing in films like “The Hudsucker Proxy” and “The Bodyguard.” A spokesman for Cobbs said he died Tuesday at his home in California’s Inland Empire, surrounded by family and friends. A Cleveland native, Cobbs was an actor throughout his life, appearing in about 200 films and TV shows, most of them in his 50s, 60s and 70s, when filmmakers and TV producers repeatedly turned to him for small but significant roles that would bring a wrinkled, jaded soul to his films.
Giant panda pair heads from China to San Diego Zoo under conservation partnership
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A pair of giant pandas are en route from China to the United States, where they will be cared for at the San Diego Zoo as part of ongoing conservation cooperation between the two countries. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance staff traveled to China on Wednesday for a farewell ceremony to mark the departure of giant pandas Yunchuan and Xinbao. The celebration included cultural performances, video greetings from Chinese and U.S. students and a gift exchange between conservation partners, according to a statement from the zoo. After the ceremony, the giant pandas began their journey to Southern California.
Canada ends moratorium on Newfoundland cod fishing for the first time in more than 30 years
ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland (AP) — The Canadian government has ended a cod moratorium in the Atlantic province of Newfoundland and Labrador that devastated the province’s economy and upended its small communities more than 30 years ago. Fisheries say commercial cod fishing will reopen in the province for the 2024 fishing season with an allowable catch of 18,000 tonnes. Ottawa announced the devastating cod moratorium on July 2, 1992. Cod stocks off the province’s north and east coasts had been depleted and the moratorium was put in place as a way to help stocks recover. Before that, the cod fishery was the province’s main economic driver, and the moratorium put many people out of work.
Alex Morgan was left out of the 18-man U.S. soccer team for the Olympics
U.S. forward Alex Morgan was left out of coach Emma Hayes’ squad for the Paris Olympics. Among the list of 18 players, Morgan was the most conspicuous absence. The 34-year-old three-time Olympian injured his left ankle on April 19 and missed more than a month with the San Diego Wave. He has since returned. Morgan was also named to Hayes’ squad for two friendlies against South Korea earlier this month. Morgan has 224 appearances for the national team, scoring 123 goals. “There’s no denying it’s been a very rigorous process,” Hayes said.
Tribes celebrate the birth of a rare white buffalo calf in Yellowstone and announce its name: Wakan Gri.
WEST YELLOWSTONE, Montana (AP) — A Native American religious ceremony with dancing, drumming, singing and a retelling of sacred legends commemorated the recent birth of a rare white buffalo calf in Yellowstone National Park. The calf was born earlier this month in the park’s vast Lamar Valley. For several tribes that revere the American bison, the calf’s arrival was both the fulfillment of a sacred prophecy and a message. Chief Arbol Looking Horse of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Oyate tribes of South Dakota said during a ceremony Wednesday near West Yellowstone, Montana, that the message was for people to come together to protect the earth for future generations.
The Knicks are set to acquire Mikal Bridges in a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, according to sources connected to the Associated Press.
NEW YORK (AP) — Mikal Bridges has been traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the New York Knicks, where he will join Jalen Brunson and other former Villanova University teammates, according to two people with knowledge of the details. In the first trade between New York’s rival teams since 1983, Bridges will join Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, who helped the Wildcats win two NCAA championships. The Knicks will pay big money to acquire him. ESPN reported Tuesday that the Nets are sending Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks and one protected first-round pick. The deal was confirmed to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it’s not yet official.
Chanel takes to the opera with a glittering couture collection without a designer
PARIS (AP) — Chanel’s latest haute couture show during Paris Fashion Week was a masterful display of theatricality. Few Paris fashion houses can sell out the Paris Opera and receive ovations from Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and other luminaries without hiring a designer. It was a testament to the enduring strength of Chanel and its world-famous ateliers, even after Virginie Viard’s abrupt departure on June 5.
Former ‘Jackass’ star Bam Margera pleads guilty in family altercation, gets six months probation
WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — Former “Jackass” star Bam Margera will receive six months’ probation after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct over an altercation at his suburban Philadelphia home on Wednesday. The guilty plea ends a misdemeanor assault case that began during a two-week trip home last year that his brother described as “scary and unpredictable.” Defense attorney William Brennan said Margera is now clean, sober and productive. He said Margera pleaded guilty to two summary charges. Jess Margera, who called her brother “a good guy when he wasn’t messing around,” said the altercation left her with a ruptured eardrum.
‘CSI’ mastermind takes franchise in new direction with CBS unscripted series
NEW YORK (AP) — After five episodes of “CSI,” actors have played forensic experts. Now it’s time for a real expert to step into the spotlight. “The Real CSI: Miami,” premiering Wednesday on CBS, is a documentary-style show about real criminal investigations, told by the cops and white-coated pros who solved murder cases. The series features real 911 calls, actor performances, security camera footage, interrogation and body camera footage, crime scene images, cool graphics and re-enactments. It also features interviews with survivors and family members to highlight the pain of loss. The series is created by Anthony E. Zuiker, the writer and producer behind the hit series.
Ford has recalled more than 550,000 pickup trucks because their transmissions may suddenly downshift into first gear.
DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 550,000 pickup trucks in the United States because their transmissions can downshift unexpectedly into first gear, regardless of the truck’s speed. The recall affects some 2014 model F-150 pickups. Ford said in documents released Tuesday by U.S. safety regulators that the downshifts can cause drivers to lose control of the truck, increasing the risk of a crash. The problem is caused by a loss of signal between the transmission speed sensor and the powertrain control computer, according to the documents. Corrosion or a failed connector pin may also be a cause. Dealers were notified by letter in early July and will update the powertrain control software at no charge to owners.
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