AP Trending SummaryBrief at 8:50 a.m. EDT (2024)

A climate-related mass die-off leaves over 100 tons of dead fish collecting at a Greek port

VOLOS, Greece (AP) — Authorities say more than 100 tons of dead fish have been collected in and around the port of Volos, in central Greece, following a mass die-off linked to extreme climate fluctuations. The dead freshwater fish filled the bay, 320 kilometers north of Athens, and nearby rivers after water levels were swollen by floods last year, followed by months of severe drought. Fishing trawlers have been chartered by the regional authorities, along with earthmovers, to scoop the dead fish out of the sea and load them onto trucks bound for an incinerator.

She's a Norwegian princess. He's an American self-professed shaman. Their wedding is this weekend

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The Norwegian king’s eldest child will marry an American self-professed shaman in a picturesque corner of southern Norway on Saturday. The wedding of Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verret comes amid widespread criticism of the couple’s actions and waning support for the Scandinavian royals. The 52-year-old princess is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne but said in 2022 that she’ll no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house to be able to work closer with her American fiancé. They became engaged in 2022. Once married, Verret will not have royal titles or official duties.

Swiss city of Basel is chosen to host next year's Eurovision Song Contest

GENEVA (AP) — The Swiss city of Basel will host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest from May 13 to 17. The mostly German-speaking city on the Rhine River was selected over Geneva in a faceoff that generated buzz and anticipation across Switzerland. TBasel’s city council said it was “delighted with the decision and sees hosting the world’s largest music competition as a great opportunity,” he Alpine country won the right to host the glitzy song-and-dance extravaganza after Swiss singer Nemo won the contest’s 68th edition in May. The annual event draws hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

'K-pop Idols' documentary looks at how the K-pop industry is embracing diversity

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A new Apple TV+ documentary series, “K-pop Idols,” offers an intimate look at how the K-pop industry is embracing diversity while grappling with challenges in a field that demands perfection. The six-part series features Korean American star Jessi and up-and-coming K-pop bands like Blackswan and Cravity. Blackswan members Fatou and Nvee told The Associated Press they practice up to 10 hours daily, including choreography and vocal sessions before the events to promote their latest songs. Once under contract, K-pop trainees enter a system that includes classes in manners, language, dance, and choreography. Despite pushback against the “dark side of K-pop” narrative, the documentary shows some problems persist.

Afghan taekwondo para-athlete makes history with the first medal for the Refugee Paralympic Team

PARIS (AP) — Zakia Khudadadi has made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympics by becoming the first athlete from the Refugee Paralympic Team to win a medal. Khudadadi won bronze in the women’s 47kg category after defeating Turkey’s Ekinci Nurcihan. When the final buzzer sounded at the Grand Palais in central Paris, Khudadadi erupted in joy, throwing her helmet and mouthpiece into the air. Born without one forearm, she began practicing taekwondo in secret at age 11 in a hidden gym in her hometown of Herat, in western Afghanistan. Following the rise of the Taliban in 2021, she was evacuated from Afghanistan. She settled in Paris and was later offered the opportunity to compete with the refugee team at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Stephen Curry signs $63 million extension with Warriors for 2026-27 season

Stephen Curry has signed a one-year extension with the Golden State Warriors for the 2026-27 season, one in which the NBA’s all-time 3-point leader and Olympic gold medalist will earn nearly $63 million. The team announced the signing. ESPN first reported the agreement was in place, and Curry’s agent, Jeff Austin of Octagon, later confirmed it to The Associated Press. Curry is now guaranteed about $178 million for the next three seasons; about $55.8 million for this season, about $59.6 million for 2025-26 and now about $62.6 million — the most the Warriors could offer by league rule — for 2026-27.

Nicole Kidman returns to Venice Film Festival with erotic drama ‘Babygirl’

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Nicole Kidman has returned to the Venice Film Festival for the world premiere of “Babygirl.” The erotic drama is about a powerful CEO who jeopardizes her career and family life by having an affair with a younger intern. “Babygirl” is playing in competition at Venice alongside the likes of “Maria” and the yet-to-premiere “The Room Next Door,” “Queer” and “Joker: Folie à Deux.” The movie will be released in theaters in December. “Babygirl” was made by “Bodies Bodies Bodies” filmmaker Halina Reijn, who was inspired by a love of erotic thrillers by filmmakers like Paul Verhoeven and Adrian Lyne.

Criminal charges weighed against a man after a country music star stops show over an alleged assault

PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — Criminal charges are being considered for a man suspected of hitting a woman at a concert in an incident that prompted country musician Scotty McCreery to stop his show and call the man out. The singer from North Carolina summoned police and security from the stage at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo and asked if the woman was OK. Audience members could be heard booing and chanting as officials responded during the Aug 24 concert. Authorities said Thursday that the man was not arrested and potential charges were referred to prosecutors. McCreery gained fame as a teenager appearing on the television show “American Idol.”

State Fair of Texas is sued by state's Republican AG over new rule banning guns on premises

DALLAS (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit seeking to block a ban on firearms at the sprawling State Fair of Texas, one of the state’s biggest annual celebrations. Fair organizers earlier this month announced a ban on guns after a shooting last year on the fairgrounds in the heart of Dallas. The move drew swift criticism from Republican state lawmakers, who have greatly expanded gun rights in recent years. Paxton, a Republican, threatened to sue if the ban was not repealed. He said the ban infringes on gun owners' rights.

NASA record holder can relate to astronauts stuck in space. He was, too

NASA's record-holding astronaut is urging his two stuck-in-space colleagues to stay positive and “keep up the good work." Frank Rubio says he's been helping out from Houston for the past two weeks with their prolonged space station mission. Rubio himself ended up spending a year at the space station, twice as long as planned. Rubio says he spoke with Suni Williams on Thursday, and both she and Butch Wilmore are staying busy and setting a great example. The pair should have returned to Earth on Boeing's troubled capsule back in June. NASA decided last weekend it would be safer to fly home with SpaceX in February.

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