Shaun White and Nina Dobrev call off their engagement, break up after 5 years
Shaun White and Nina Dobrev have called off their engagement and brought an end to their five-year relationship, a person close to the couple tells The Associated Press. The Olympic champion snowboarder and the one-time star of “The Vampire Diaries” made a mutual decision to part, according to the person. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. White, 39, and Dobrev, 36, went public about their relationship in 2020. They announced their engagement in October 2024, posting a picture of White kneeling in front of Dobrev at a New York restaurant.
Australia approves world-first vaccine to save koalas from chlamydia
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia has approved a world-first vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia. This disease causes infertility and death in the endangered species. Developed by the University of the Sunshine Coast, the single-dose vaccine reduces symptoms and mortality by at least 65%. Approval means it can now be used in wildlife hospitals and in the field. Some conservationists argue resources should focus on habitat preservation. Koalas face threats from habitat loss, climate change and disease. Experts warn that without action, koalas could become extinct by 2050. The vaccine is part of a broader effort to save them.
Jane Austen fans honor 250 years since her birth with grand costumed balls and dancing
LONDON (AP) — Fans of Jane Austen are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the beloved author's birth with costumed balls and themed events. This weekend, thousands of Austen devotees from all over the world are descending on Bath, England, for a 10-day festival celebrating the author of “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility.” The highlight is a Regency costumed promenade, expected to draw some 2,000 people. The popularity of “Bridgerton” has renewed interest in all things Regency and drawn in a new generation of fans. Many “Janeites” say they get huge enjoyment in making Austen’s words and imageries come to life by making their own period dress and immersing themselves in historical dances.
A United Airlines passenger plane makes emergency landing in Osaka as cargo fire is suspected
NAGASAKI, Japan (AP) — A United Airlines passenger plane carrying 142 people bound for the Philippine island of Cebu has made an emergency landing in Osaka after an indicator showed a fire in the cargo room. That's according to Japanese aviation officials. Footage on Japan’s NHK television showed passengers sliding down escape shooters from the aircraft parked on a runway at the airport. The UA flight 32, which departed from the Narita International Airport near Tokyo was flying over the Pacific Ocean when it noticed the problem. So far there are no reports of injuries. Officials said they were investigating whether there was actual fire or smoke.
Former NBA player Jason Collins undergoing treatment for brain tumor
NEW YORK (AP) — Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player who now serves as an ambassador for the league, is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, his family says. Collins came out in 2013, becoming the first publicly gay athlete in the four main North American sports leagues. He retired in 2014 after a 13-year career with several teams, including the New Jersey Nets and Boston. His family sent a statement to the NBA, asking for privacy and welcoming support and prayers. Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds during his career, with his best season in 2004-05 for the then-New Jersey Nets.
Polly Holliday, theater star famous as the tart waitress Flo on sitcom 'Alice,' dies at 88
NEW YORK (AP) — Polly Holliday, known for her role in the CBS sitcom “Alice,” has died at 88. Her agent said she passed away Tuesday at her New York home. Holliday became famous for her catchphrase “Kiss my grits!” on the show, which ran from 1976 to 1985. She earned four Golden Globe nominations, winning one in 1980, and received four Emmy nominations. Holliday's career spanned Broadway, film and TV, including roles in “Golden Girls” and “Gremlins.” She was the last surviving member of the principal cast of “Alice.”
Prince Harry has tea with his father, King Charles III, in their first meeting in over a year
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Prince Prince Harry has joined his father, King Charles III, for tea at his Clarence House home in London, the first time they’ve met in well over a year. The two have been distant since Harry and his wife, Meghan, left royal life and moved to California in 2020 and then publicly aired grievances about the royal family. Harry was driven through the gates Charles’ London home following an earlier engagement at the Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London. There had been speculation that Harry might meet his father after he arrived Monday in the U.K. to visit several charities.
Musk loses crown as the world's richest person to Larry Ellison and then snatches it back
NEW YORK (AP) — The battle among billionaires for bragging rights as the world’s richest person got heated Wednesday with the surprising surge of an old contender: Larry Ellison. In a stunning few minutes of trading early in the day, stock in Oracle, the software giant that the college dropout co-founded, rocketed more than a third, enough to temporarily wrest the title from its longtime holder Elon Musk. But the stock market is fickle, and by the end of the day Musk was back on top, at least according to wealth tracker Bloomberg, as Oracle gave a bit of its gains. Musk is now worth $384.2 billion versus $383.2 billion for Ellison.
The newest Bachelorette is 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' star Taylor Frankie Paul
There’s a new Bachelorette in town, and we’ve met her before. “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul will be the lead on Season 22 of “The Bachelorette.” She broke the news herself Wednesday on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. ABC confirmed the season would air next year. Paul became known as an influencer in the #MomTok community. She told “Call Her Daddy” host Alex Cooper she at first wondered if she could manage the show as a single mom. She's also returning to the third season of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” on Hulu in November. Hulu and ABC are both owned by Disney.
Amazon's Zoox launches its robotaxi service in Las Vegas
Amazon’s Zoox on Wednesday launched its robotaxi service in Las Vegas, offering free rides through parts of the entertainment mecca for anyone willing to gamble on the safety of a driverless vehicle. The Las Vegas debut of Zoox’s long-planned ride-hailing service reflects Amazon-owned robotaxi maker’s confidence in the safety of its boxy vehicles after two years of testing them in the city. Zoox's robotaxis will pick up and drop off passengers at five designated locations, and the rides will be free for a few months.
