Cheetah cubs destined for the illegal trade in exotic wildlife rescued in Somaliland

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Ten undernourished cheetah cubs held in captivity for months and destined for international wildlife trade markets have been rescued in Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia. Laurie Marker, founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, which is caring for the cubs, said Wednesday they were in a stable condition, though they were all limping due to being held in captivity for so long. Two people who were in possession of the cubs were arrested during a Aug 14 operation in the northern Sallahley District. The authorities have urged the public to report suspected wildlife trade activities to help conserve threatened species.

Google's Pixel 10 phones raises the ante on artificial intelligence

Google on Wednesday unveiled a new line-up of Pixel smartphones injected with another dose of artificial intelligence that’s designed to do everything from fetch vital information stored on the devices to help improve photos as they’re being taken. The AI expansion on the four Pixel 10 models amplifies Google’s efforts to broaden the use of AI. At the same time, Google is taking a swipe at Apple’s inability to deliver on its promise to smarten up iPhone with more AI technology. Google also isn't raising the prices on the new Pixel phones at a time trade wars are pressuring Apple to consider charging more for the next iPhone.

Dave Koz and his band were in flight delay hell. So they picked up their instruments

Passengers plagued by delays on a flight from St. Louis to Seattle got an unexpected pick-me-up when jazz saxophonist Dave Koz and bandmates held an impromptu jam session on the plane. It happened last week when the plane was stuck on the tarmac in Boise, Idaho. Koz and fellow musicians on the Summer Horns Tour were headed to Seattle for two shows. Their flight was supposed to be direct but had to divert to Boise after flight crew members timed out. Later there was a mechanical issue. Koz says a flight attendant asked them to play a song, and the video of their performance has gone viral.

Hundreds of historic tall ships sail into Amsterdam for a maritime festival

AMSTERDAM (AP) — A flotilla of hundreds of historic ships is sailing into Amsterdam for a five-day festival celebrating the Dutch capital’s maritime history. Vessels from all over the world left the North Sea coastal town of IJmuiden to begin their hourslong journey along a canal into the city for SAIL 2025, the first edition in a decade. Each tall ship is greeted with two cannon shots and its country’s national anthem as it enters the harbor.

Aubrey Plaza describes grief over husband Jeff Baena's death, likens it to an 'ocean of awfulness'

Aubrey Plaza has described her grief over husband Jeff Baena’s death, likening it to “a giant ocean of awfulness.” The actor spoke on the podcast ’’Good Hang with Amy Poehler,” telling her former “Parks and Recreation” costar in her most detailed public remarks to date that it’s been “a daily struggle” to overcome the tragedy. Writer-director Baena’s January death at age 47 was ruled a suicide. Plaza tells Poehler that her grief feels like an image from a horror movie “The Gorge” in which a gorge between two cliffs is filled with monsters.

Walmart recalls frozen shrimp over potential radioactive contamination

Walmart has recalled frozen, raw shrimp sold in 13 states after federal health officials warned of potential radioactive contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked Walmart to pull certain lots of Great Value brand frozen shrimp from stores after the agency detected potential contamination with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope. The contamination was found in shipping containers and a sample of breaded shrimp. The shipping containers and shrimp were processed by a company doing business as BMS Foods of Indonesia. FDA officials say the shrimp could pose a “potential health concern” for people exposed to low levels of over time.

Singer Tamar Braxton says she 'almost died' in weekend accident

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Singer and actor Tamar Braxton says she “almost died” in a weekend accident she doesn't remember. On Tuesday, Braxton shared on Instagram that a friend found her in a pool of blood with a face injury. She says she fractured her nose, lost some teeth and mobility. Earlier that day, she posted: “Thank you God for waking me up today.” She says she received calls after the post and struggled to talk, so she shared what happened publicly. Braxton says her outlook on life is now different and asks for prayers as her journey to healing begins.

This Swedish church is being moved down the road before a mine swallows its town

KIRUNA, Sweden (AP) — One of Sweden’s most beloved wooden churches is being moved as part of the relocation of the town of Kiruna. It’s happening because the world’s largest underground iron-ore mine is threatening to swallow the town. This week, thousands of visitors have descended upon the town north of the Arctic Circle to watch the church's relocation. The vicar kicked off the move with a blessing Tuesday morning. The slow journey is scheduled to end Wednesday afternoon and is being livestreamed by Sweden's national broadcaster. But there are concerns among Sami reindeer herders that plans for a new mine could threaten reindeer migration routes.

NASA's Webb telescope finds a new tiny moon around Uranus

NEW YORK (AP) — The Webb Space Telescope has spotted a new tiny moon orbiting Uranus. NASA announced the discovery on Tuesday. The moon appears to be just six miles wide. It was spotted by the telescope’s near-infrared camera during observations in February. Scientists think it hid for so long because of its faintness and small size. Uranus has 28 known moons that are named after characters from Shakespeare and Alexander Pope. About half are smaller and orbit the planet at closer range. This newest addition, still nameless, ups the planet’s total moon count to 29.

Milan Lucic, 37, who last played in 2023, gets a tryout with the Blues

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Blues are bringing in 37-year-old forward Milan Lucic for a tryout. The member of the Boston Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup championship team last played in 2023. Lucic was on long-term injured reserve when police were called to his home by his wife. She told them he pulled her hair and tried to choke her. The charges were dropped when his wife declined to testify in court. Lucic entered the league’s Player Assistance Program. The Blues say he has completed the program and has been reinstated by the NHL.