Dozens of pilot whales beach on western Australian coast
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Authorities in Australia say dozens of pilot whales have beached on the country's western coast and wildlife authorities are trying to save them. The Western Australia Parks and Wildlife Service said in a statement Thursday that between 50 and 100 whales are stranded at Toby’s Inlet near the tourist town of Dunsborough. Staff from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and Perth Zoo veterinarians are being deployed. Officials are urging the public not to attempt to rescue the whales without direction from government staff because that may cause further injury, distress the animals and hinder a coordinated rescue effort.
Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights
The Biden administration is setting new rules on airline fees and refunds. The Transportation Department said Wednesday that the final rules will spell out exactly when consumers are owed a refund for a delayed flight. That used to be up to the airlines. Now the government says it'll be for delays of three hours on domestic flights and six hours for international flights. Under a separate rule, the Transportation Department is requiring airlines to disclose the price of baggage fees and ticket-change fees the first time travelers are shown a fare for their trips. Airlines also will have to tell passengers they aren't required to pay extra for a seat.
Judge declines to dismiss lawsuits filed against rapper Travis Scott over deadly Astroworld concert
HOUSTON (AP) — A judge has declined to dismiss hundreds of lawsuits filed against rap star Travis Scott over his role in the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival in which 10 people were killed in a crowd surge. State District Judge Kristen Hawkins issued a one-page order made public Wednesday denying Scott’s request to be dropped from the case. An attorney for the family of one of the 10 people killed says Scott’s actions before and during the concert showed a “conscious disregard for safety.” Scott’s attorneys had argued that he was responsible for creative aspects and not safety planning related to the concert on Nov. 5, 2021. The first trial related to the lawsuits is set for May 6.
Chicago's 'rat hole' removed after city determines sidewalk with animal impression was damaged
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago's so-called “rat hole” is gone. A Chicago sidewalk landmark some affectionately call the “rat hole” has been removed after city officials determined the section bearing the imprint of an animal was damaged. A spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Transportation says the square section of sidewalk was placed in temporary storage. It contains an impression resembling the outline of a rat — claws, tail and all. But there is a rigorous debate over whether a squirrel is truly responsible. Neighbors in the residential area have complained of noise and mess left by people coming to see the quirky landmark since a social media post spiked interest in January.
Rush hour chaos in London as 5 military horses run amok after getting spooked during exercise
LONDON (AP) — Five military horses spooked by noise from a building site have bolted during routine exercises near Buckingham Palace in central London and ran loose through the heart of the city. They injured at least four people, collided with vehicles and caused chaos during the morning rush hour. Four soldiers were thrown off the horses and three of the troops were hospitalized with injuries. The horses were all captured shortly after and were taken back to the barracks in Hyde Park where they are undergoing medical tests. The horses are from the Household Cavalry, the ceremonial guard of the monarch and a feature of state functions in London.
Reggie Bush is reinstated as 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, with organizers citing NIL rule changes
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Reggie Bush has been reinstated as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner more than a decade after Southern California returned the award. Bush gave up the trophy in 2010 following an NCAA investigation that found he received what were impermissible benefits during his time with the Trojans. Heisman Trust President Michael Comerford said the trust considered the enormous changes in college athletics over the last several years that now make some forms of athlete compensation permissible. Bush amassed more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 18 touchdowns in 2005. He received the fifth most first-place votes in Heisman history.
100-year-old British D-Day veteran dies before he can honor fallen comrades one more time
LONDON (AP) — British army veteran Bill Gladden, who survived a glider landing on D-Day and a bullet that tore through his ankle a few days later, wanted to return to France for the 80th anniversary of the invasion so he could honor the men who didn’t come home. It was not to be. Gladden, one of the dwindling number of veterans who took part in the landings that kicked off the campaign to liberate Western Europe from the Nazis during World War II, died Wednesday, his family said. He was 100. With fewer and fewer veterans taking part each year, the ceremony may be one of the last big events marking the assault that began on June 6, 1944.
Ex-minor league umpire sues MLB, says he was harassed by female ump, fired for being bisexual man
NEW YORK (AP) — A fired minor league umpire sued Major League Baseball on Wednesday, claiming he was sexually harassed by a female umpire and discriminated against because he is male and bisexual. Brandon Cooper, an umpire who worked in the Arizona Complex League last year, filed the suit in federal court in Manhattan against MLB and PDL Blue Inc., an affiliated entity. He says because MLB hasn't had a big league female umpire it "implemented an illegal diversity quota requiring that women be promoted regardless of merit.” Cooper alleged a hostile work environment and wrongful termination and/or retaliation because of gender and sexual orientation under New York state and city law.
A portrait by Gustav Klimt has been sold for $32 million at an auction in Vienna
VIENNA (AP) — A portrait of a young woman by Gustav Klimt that was long believed to be lost has been sold at an auction in Vienna for 30 million euros ($32 million). The Austrian modernist artist started work on the “Portrait of Fräulein Lieser” in 1917, the year before he died, and it is one of his last works. Bidding started on Wednesday at 28 million euros, and the sale price was at the lower end of an expected range of 30-50 million euros. The intensely colored painting was auctioned on behalf of the current owners, Austrian private citizens whose names weren’t released, and the legal heirs of Adolf and Henriette Lieser, one of whom is believed to have commissioned the painting.
Minnesota senator wanted late father's ashes when she broke into stepmother's home, charges say
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Criminal charges say that a Minnesota state senator told police she broke into her stepmother’s home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes. Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury was arrested early Monday at the home in Detroit Lakes. The arresting officer said he heard Mitchell tell her stepmother she was trying to get some of her dad’s things because the stepmother had cut off contact. The complaint, filed Tuesday, charges the former broadcast meteorologist with one count of first-degree burglary. Court records don't list an attorney for her.
