Bonnie Tyler fans line the streets of a Welsh village as her coffin is brought home
LONDON (AP) — Fans have gathered in a Welsh village to bid farewell to singer Bonnie Tyler. Her coffin was brought home on Saturday. The Grammy-nominated star, known for "Total Eclipse of the Heart," died last month in Portugal. She was 75. Locals and fans from the United Kingdom and beyond lined the streets of Mumbles, near Swansea, to see the hearse, which carried her coffin draped in a Welsh flag. Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins, was a coal miner’s daughter from Skewen in Wales. She earned three Grammy nods and was honored as a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2022. A celebration of her life is planned for Monday in Swansea.
Europe's tallest statue of the Virgin Mary is inaugurated in a small Polish village
KONOTOPIE, Poland (AP) — An enormous statue of the Virgin Mary that is believed to be Europe’s tallest has been inaugurated in a small Polish village. It was financed by one of Poland’s richest businesspeople. The monument towers 55.6 meters (182 feet) over Konotopie in central Poland. Its height includes a crown-shaped 15-meter (49-foot) pedestal. It’s taller than the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which measures some 38 meters (125 feet) including its pedestal. The vast majority of Poles identify as Catholic, but the influence of religion in public life has gradually declined in recent years.
America In Focus: Inflation cools in July, but so do consumers with their spending
U.S. inflation slowed last month and a measure of underlying price pressures also cooled, suggesting higher oil and gas prices from the Iran war are only having a limited impact on broader costs in the economy. Consumer prices rose 3.4% in July from a year ago, down slightly from 3.5% in June, the Labor Department said Wednesday. Meanwhile, Americans unexpectedly cut their spending in July as a boost from government tax refunds faded. Retail sales slipped 0.6% last month, the biggest drop since May 2025, from a revised gain of 0.2% in June, according to Commerce Department data released Friday.
Record-breaking rain floods Chiba east of Tokyo, killing at least 5 people
TOKYO (AP) — Record-breaking rainfall has flooded cities east of Tokyo, killing at least five people and injuring over two dozen others. Authorities reported the deluge stranded thousands overnight. On Friday, the Japan Meteorological Agency downgraded its severe rain warning in Chiba prefecture but forecasted more rain. The area saw unprecedented rainfall levels Thursday, causing widespread damage. Homes, cars, and railway tracks were submerged, and some areas lost power. Chiba officials said five deaths occurred, including individuals found in flooded cars. The Ground Self-Defense Force helped evacuate about 4,000 stranded people. Train services partially resumed Friday morning.
Persistent Etna ash shuts Sicily's busiest airport during peak holiday week
MILAN (AP) — Ash spewing from Sicily’s Mount Etna has forced the closure of the island’s largest airport for the fifth consecutive day. Hundreds of summer holiday travelers are stranded during the biggest travel week of the year. Catania’s airport will remain closed until Saturday afternoon, coinciding with the Ferragosto holiday. This is the longest emergency since 2002. Volcanic ash poses a significant risk to aircraft, potentially stalling engines. The closure has led to rerouted flights, increased taxi fares, and higher car rental prices. Trenitalia has added trains to ease travel pressure.
Nero’s Bridge emerges from Tiber River as Rome faces water crisis
ROME (AP) — Rome’s ancient Nero’s Bridge has reemerged from the Tiber River as exceptionally low water levels expose parts of the historic structure near St. Peter’s Basilica. Weeks of little to no rain have caused the Tiber’s flow to fall below 80 cubic meters per second, according to Rome’s civil protection service. Archaeologists say the bridge, traditionally associated with Emperor Nero, may actually predate his reign and have been built under his uncle, Emperor Caligula. The discovery comes as Rome faces a water crisis after prolonged dry periods followed relatively abundant winter rainfall.
Winning ticket for $1 billion Powerball jackpot was sold in Illinois
A Powerball ticket sold in western Illinois has won a $1 billion jackpot. Lottery officials say the ticket that won the jackpot on Wednesday night was purchased at a Hy-Vee gas station in Quincy along the Missouri border. It's not clear if the winner has come forward yet. The prize can be taken as a $1 billion annuity over 29 years or a lump sum of $450.5 million in cash. Most winners take the lump sum. This is the first jackpot win since May 2. The odds of winning the jackpot are one in 292 million. The Powerball jackpot now resets to $20 million for the next drawing on Saturday.
Field of Dreams nostalgia lives on through the Ghost Players and their passion for Iowa and baseball
The Iowa farmland mystique from “Field of Dreams” still lives on through a group of locals who call themselves the Ghost Players. They're fashioned after the dead baseball players who emerged from the cornfield in the fantasy film. They started appearing at the movie site in 1990 and have taken their traveling ballplaying troupe to 28 countries and dozens of states. Major League Baseball has returned to the Field of Dreams site with a game between the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies. The event is another point of pride for the Ghost Players and their passion for Iowa and baseball.
250,000 Cooluli minifridges recalled over fire and burn hazards
CHICAGO (AP) — Cooluli has recalled about 250,000 minifridges due to fire and burn hazards. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recall affects “10-Liter” and “15-Liter” minifridges with an electric switch that can short circuit. The company has received at least 19 reports of the products overheating or catching fire, causing over $80,000 in property damage. The recall covers older minifridge models sold between January 2019 and October 2024. Cooluli will provide a free repair kit to affected customers. In the meantime, consumers are urged to stop using the recalled fridges immediately.
Marc Anthony, Chayanne and more to play benefit concert for Venezuela and Colombia earthquake relief
Latin music stars Marc Anthony, Feid, and others are set to perform at a benefit concert in Miami on Sunday to raise money for those affected by recent earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia. Proceeds from ticket sales and online donations will support rebuilding homes, restoring schools and providing mental health support. Anthony's nonprofit, Maestro Cares Foundation, and the Univision Foundation will manage the funds. The concert will be livestreamed on TelevisaUnivision platforms and iHeartLatino. Additional benefits are planned, including a concert by Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel in Los Angeles.
