Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren recovering after double lung transplant

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Olympic wrestler and former UFC fighter Ben Askren has undergone a double lung transplant after battling severe pneumonia. In a social media post Wednesday, Askren shared that he is now recovering. He revealed he remembers little from a 45-day ordeal between late May and early July, during which he was on a ventilator and his heart stopped four times. Askren lost 50 pounds during the experience but expressed gratitude for the love and support he received. Known for his amateur wrestling and MMA career, Askren retired in 2019 and briefly returned for a boxing match in 2021.

Mattel introduces its first Barbie with Type 1 diabetes

NEW YORK (AP) — Mattel has introduced its first Barbie doll with representing someone with Type 1 diabetes. The doll, part of the Fashionistas line, includes realistic medical accessories like a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump — as well as an outfit that pays homage to diabetes awareness. The company says partnered with Breakthrough T1D, a diabetes research and advocacy group, to ensure accuracy. This addition continues Barbie's push for inclusivity in its wider Fashionistas line. This line has previously featured dolls with hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, and Down syndrome. According to the CDC, about two million Americans, including many children, lived with Type 1 diabetes as of 2021.

Samsung unveils its new line of foldable devices at Unpacked

NEW YORK (AP) — Samsung introduced several updates to its foldable devices lineup on Wednesday, with the new Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and the new Z Flip 7 FE taking stage at the latest Unpacked event. The Korean electronics company unveiled the upgrades — including a new version of their watch — in New York but also announced an expanded partnership with Google to inject more artificial intelligence into its foldable lineup.

Red Bull fires F1 team principal Christian Horner after 20 title-filled years

Longtime Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has been fired after a 20-year stint that included eight Formula 1 drivers’ titles. Red Bull did not give a reason for the decision in a statement Wednesday, but thanked Horner for his work and said he will “forever remain an important part of our team history.” Laurent Mekies of sister team Racing Bulls will replace Horner. Horner had been Red Bull team principal since it entered F1 as a full constructor in 2005.

Job scams are on the rise and more people are falling for them. Protect yourself with these tips

NEW YORK (AP) — As job-seekers look for work in an challenging environment, an increasing number are falling victim to scams that promise good pay for completing easy online tasks. The Federal Trade Commission says the scams start innocuously, often with a tailor-made text or WhatsApp message. The tasks seem legitimate, but victims are then told they need to pay money to access their earnings. To avoid falling victim to these scams, ignore unexpected messages, never pay to access your pay, and avoid accepting positions where you rate, like, or leave phony reviews for products or services.

Latest 'Tiger King' twist finds 'Doc' Antle sentenced to 1 year in prison for animal trafficking

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — “Tiger King” star Bhagavan “Doc” Antle has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison for illegally buying endangered animals. Prosecutors say Antle bought animals like chimpanzees and tigers on the black market, fueling illegal poaching. The 65-year-old Antle used the animals for his Myrtle Beach Safari, which charged $200 for a five-minute photo session with a chimpanzee. Federal guidelines and prosecutors asked for around a two-year sentence, but the judge says he was swayed by Antle's love for animals. Antle's friends and family say he is generous and caring and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight poaching and preserve wild habitats for tigers, lions and chimpanzees.

Pastors who endorse political candidates shouldn't lose tax-exempt status, IRS says in filing

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS says pastors endorsing political candidates during services should not risk losing their tax-exempt status. This challenges the Johnson Amendment, a 1954 rule barring tax-exempt groups, including churches, from political endorsements. On Monday, the IRS and a Christian media group asked a Texas court to stop enforcing the rule against religious organizations. The group argues the amendment violates their First Amendment rights. The IRS has rarely enforced the rule against churches. In 2017, President Donald Trump signed an order to limit its enforcement, and Republican lawmakers have since pushed to repeal it.

Residents wear masks as volcanic ash blankets villages near erupting Indonesian volcano

MAUMERE, Indonesia (AP) — Residents are wearing masks to protect themselves from thick volcanic ash that is blanketing several Indonesian villages as rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted for a second straight day. The eruption at dawn Tuesday sent lava and clouds of ash more than 2 miles high. That followed two larger eruptions Monday. Photos and videos circulating on social media showed terrified residents ran for their lives under the rain of ash and gravel as the ash clouds expanded into a mushroom shape. The volcano has been at its highest alert level since last month, and no casualties have been reported. A disaster agency official says residents increasingly understand how to minimize the impact of disaster risks.

Greece shuts the Acropolis due to high temperatures

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Authorities in Athens closed the Acropolis for several hours due to high temperatures. The closure lasted from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Mandatory work breaks remain in effect in parts of Greece, especially islands and central regions where temperatures have exceeded 104 F. These measures, which began Monday, include fines of 2,000 euros per worker for noncompliance. Officials warn that the risk of wildfires, already at a "very high" level in the eastern mainland, could worsen later this week. Elsewhere in Europe, a wildfire in northeastern Spain burned roughly 3,000 hectares on Tuesday. Authorities ordered some 18,000 people in Tarragona province to remain indoors.

Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron says he's leaving the band after nearly 30 years

AP Entertainment Writer (AP) — Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron says he’s leaving the band after nearly 30 years. The 62-year-old Cameron announced his departure in a social media post on Monday. He says he has taken his “final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam,” and thanked the band members for giving him the opportunity of a lifetime. The band called Cameron a “singular and true powerhouse of a musician" in a statement. Cameron didn’t give a reason for his departure. Cameron played drums for Seattle grunge legends Soundgarden for more than a decade before joining Pearl Jam.