British army horse that galloped through London after being spooked gets well-deserved retirement
LONDON (AP) — One of the five British Cavalry horses that made headlines when they broke away from their trainers and galloped thorough the streets of London last year has been retired to the country without ever returning to active service. Quaker, a 15-year-old black horse, suffered a broken bone and serious bleeding during the incident of April 24, 2024, when the horses were spooked by the noise of construction rubble falling through a chute. The horse retired to The Horse Trust sanctuary in rural Buckinghamshire, northwest of London.
Greece's famed Parthenon free of scaffolding for first time in decades
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Visitors to Athens can now enjoy an unobstructed view of the Parthenon. The scaffolding on the western façade, set up for conservation work 20 years ago, has been removed. This change, completed in late September, offers a clear view of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni says it’s the first time in about 200 years that the Parthenon is free of scaffolding on any side. However, new scaffolding will be erected in about a month for ongoing conservation. This work is expected to last until early summer 2026. The Acropolis remains Greece’s most popular tourist site.
An old tradition finds new life as Germans flock to forests to collect mushrooms
POTSDAM, Germany (AP) — Wolfgang Bivour, a renowned fungi expert in Germany, leads mushroom hunting tours near Potsdam. This activity, once a necessity after World War II, is seeing a revival. The pandemic and a growing interest in veganism and medicinal fungi have fueled this trend. Bivour emphasizes the ecological importance of mushrooms and biodiversity. He shares his knowledge through books, social media, and a podcast. Many new foragers are cautious, fearing poisonous varieties like the green death cap. Participants often seek expert verification before consuming their finds, highlighting the blend of curiosity and caution in this renewed hobby.
Melania Trump says 8 kids displaced by Russia-Ukraine war reunite with families after Putin talks
WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Melania Trump says eight children displaced by the Russia-Ukraine war have been reunited with their families after ongoing talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Melania Trump in August wrote to Putin and had her husband hand-deliver the letter when he and the Russian president met in Alaska. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in Russia taking Ukrainian children out of their country so they can be raised as Russian. The first lady said Friday at the White House that Putin responded to her letter and they had established an “open channel of communication” regarding the welfare of those children.
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, Loyola Chicago's beloved chaplain, dies at 106
CHICAGO (AP) — Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the beloved chaplain for Loyola Chicago's men's basketball team, has died at 106. The university announced her death on Thursday night. She became an international celebrity during the team's 2018 Final Four run and there was even a bobblehead of her likeness. Health issues led her to step down in August, but she remained an adviser. Loyola President Mark C. Reed praised her as a source of wisdom and grace for over 60 years. Sister Jean published a memoir in 2023 sharing life lessons.
Ex-Celtics star Paul Pierce found asleep in car, arrested on suspicion of DUI
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former NBA player Paul Pierce has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on a Los Angeles highway after he was found asleep behind the wheel. California state police arrested Pierce on Tuesday night after responding to an unrelated car crash on U.S. Highway 101. They saw a Range Rover SUV stopped in the road south of the crash and found Pierce asleep at the wheel. Officers conducted a DUI investigation and arrested him on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Pierce did not immediately respond to an Instagram message for comment.
Mike Greenwell, longtime Red Sox outfielder who finished second in 1988 MVP voting, dies at 62
BOSTON (AP) — Mike Greenwell, an outfielder who played 12 seasons with the Boston Red Sox and finished second in the 1988 American League MVP voting, has died. He was 62. Greenwell's wife, Tracy, says he died Thursday morning in Boston. Greenwell was a county commissioner in Lee County, Florida, and the county manager also announced his death. Known as “the Gator,” Greenwell played his entire career for Boston. He won the 1988 Silver Slugger Award and finishing second in that year’s MVP voting to Oakland Athletics outfielder Jose Canseco. After Canseco later acknowledged using steroids that season, Greenwell asked, “Where's my MVP?”
Ship parade kicks off events celebrating 250 years of the US Navy and Marine Corps
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A parade of ships streamed up and down the Delaware River beside Philadelphia to kick off a celebration of the 250th birthdays of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Among the ships that took part Thursday were the USS Lassen, the USS Billings and the USS Cooperstown. Thousands of people were expected to attend the boat parade and other anniversary-linked events over the next few days, including a reunion of veterans, a downtown street parade and a concert featuring singer Patti LaBelle, the Navy band and the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps. The events are happening despite the government shutdown that has closed many federal agencies and offices.
Kiss rocker Gene Simmons recovering after crashing SUV
MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — Kiss rock star Gene Simmons is recovering after he fainted while driving along California’s Pacific Coast Highway and crashed his SUV into a parked car. Authorities say the Kiss co-founder was evaluated at a hospital Tuesday before being released. Simmons posted on social media that he was completely fine and thanked fans for their kind wishes. Authorities say the 76-year-old’s SUV crossed several lanes before hitting a parked car along the highway in Malibu. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says Simmons was then transported to a hospital. Kiss retired from touring in 2023 but plan to play in Las Vegas in November.
Once-secret Emperor Commodus' passage to Rome Colosseum opens to public for the first time
ROME (AP) — For the first time in nearly 2,000 years, visitors to Rome’s Colosseum can walk through a hidden imperial passage. The corridor, known as the “Commodus Passage,” opens to the public on Oct. 27. Roman emperors once used it to enter the arena unseen. Archaeologists say the passage, named after Emperor Commodus, was initially discovered in the 1810s. The entrance features remnants of decorative elements related to arena spectacles. The project included structural conservation and a new walkway. A second restoration project is expected to begin in early 2026, focusing on the tunnel section beyond the Colosseum.
