Popular unicycle performer Red Panda injured at halftime of WNBA game
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Red Panda performed during halftime at a WNBA game in Connecticut in May.
Vera Nieuwenhuis/Associated Press
She has been a regular performer at Celtics games for years. She recently performed during Game 5 of the NBA Finals last month in Oklahoma City.
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Los Angeles Times
42 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
A classical drive: Road rumble strips play Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in UAE emirate of Fujairah
FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates — The humble road rumble strip, used around the world to alert drifting drivers to potential hazards or lane departures, can play Beethoven on a mountain highway in the far reaches of the United Arab Emirates. For nearly a half-mile along the E84 highway — also known as the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road — motorists in the right-hand lane coming into the city of Fujairah can play Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony where the rubber meets the road. 'The 'Street of Music,' of course, is an art project that exists in some countries ... but we wanted this project to be in our country,' said Ali Obaid Al Hefaiti, director of the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy, which recently wrapped up the project in collaboration with local authorities. 'I think that the project is focused on spreading the art culture. The combination of music in our lives and our normal lives,' he added. For drivers coming into Fujairah, the rumble strip initially looks like a larger, rectangular version of the dash lines separating the three-lane highway. That's until you hit the first block, and the grooves of the road combine with the speed of the vehicle to make music. Driving over each block sounds out the best-known parts of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony — the final movements known commonly as the tune 'Ode to Joy,' or in its more modern form, the official anthem of the European Union. Al Hefaiti recommended motorists hit the blocks at around 60 mph to get the tune just right. The road has become a social media sensation, bringing visitors to one of the lesser-known emirates in the UAE along its eastern coast with the Gulf of Oman. Drivers have been spotted slowing down to experience the musical road as they come into the city. Passers-by can get the same effect from standing on the side of the road, though motorists often come in quickly. The concept isn't new — there have been 'singing shoulders' deployed in other countries including across the Persian Gulf in Iran. But Al Hefaiti believes this is the first one in the Arab world. Beyond it going viral, Al Hefaiti thinks it will bring classical music into everyday life and 'raise awareness about the importance of art culture.' As for why an Emirati fine arts school picked a European composer born in the 18th century to represent Fujairah, Al Hefaiti said that he always encourages his students to explore different cultures. Levin writes for the Associated Press.
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
NASCAR's Shane van Gisbergen is hoping for another successful weekend in downtown Chicago
Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — The first time Shane van Gisbergen raced in Chicago, he was largely unknown in NASCAR. The second time, he was one of the favorites on the downtown street course. The third time is a different situation for van Gisbergen once again. This time, he has a second Cup Series victory in his back pocket — providing some flexibility for the 36-year-old New Zealand native as he prepares for the playoffs. 'We're in a nice position now having won a race,' van Gisbergen said Friday. 'And it may change our strategy. If we're in a position to get a playoff point, we'll probably try and get that, but that'll put us deep in the field for the next stage. So yeah, there's a bit of a toss-up there what we're going to do, but it's a nice position to be in.' Sure is. Just two years ago, van Gisbergen — a three-time champion in Australia's Supercars — put on a dazzling show in a rainy first edition of NASCAR's downtown Chicago experiment. Making the most of his extensive street racing experience, he became the first driver to win his Cup Series debut since Johnny Rutherford in the second qualifying race at Daytona in 1963. He won Chicago's Xfinity Series stop last year and the first stage in the Cup race before he was knocked out by a crash. 'You know, I have great memories here," van Gisbergen said. "This place has changed my life, so I'm going to have special memories of this place forever.' Van Gisbergen's success in Chicago led to a full-time Cup ride with Trackhouse Racing. But the driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet is learning his way around NASCAR and he got off to a slow start this season. While oval tracks remain a challenge, he certainly hasn't forgotten his roots on street and road courses. He posted his second Cup win last month at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. Van Gisbergen is scheduled to compete in both Chicago races this weekend. Next up for NASCAR is another road course at Sonoma Raceway, providing an opportunity to move up from No. 32 in the Cup standings and build up some momentum. 'Road courses are just a bonus for us,' he said. "We know we're going to be good and we can just focus on trying to get results there.' Even after two years, the downtown Chicago street course remains a tricky proposition. The 12-turn, 2.2-mile track is narrow and bumpy in spots — to go along with manhole covers, and transitions from concrete to asphalt and back — and there is little room for error in some areas. Rain affected the action in each of the first two weekends, and there could be more showers on Sunday. Patience is sometimes the best approach, but that only goes so far in NASCAR. 'It's easy to say that until Shane is out there a second faster than you and you have to go put yourself in some uncomfortable situations,' said Joey Logano, the reigning Cup Series champion. When it comes to van Gisbergen on road courses, Logano said the rest of the Cup Series is "in a way, playing catch-up.' Van Gisbergen said he feels the same way about ovals. 'These guys have been doing left-handers since they were 10 years old,' van Gisbergen said. "You know, they're two completely different sports, and although there has been road racing in NASCAR forever, it's not that much. So yeah, just the experience levels are different in what we do. And I feel like, yes, they've definitely gotten a lot better since the first one on this track, for sure.' ___ AP auto racing: recommended
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Seales routs Australia's opening batters and limits lead to 45 on day two in Grenada
Associated Press ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (AP) — Jayden Seales ripped out the opening batters to reduce Australia's second innings to 12-2 and lead over West Indies to 45 runs on day two of the second test on Friday. The West Indies' first innings almost lasted the entire day but it was all out for 253 — 33 runs behind Australia — which left a tricky half-hour in the day. The hosts made it as hostile as possible and preyed on Australia's nervous top order. Seales bowled Sam Konstas for a duck in the first over and almost claimed Cameron Green on the next ball. Green barely fended off Seales and was fortunate the ball dropped in front of second slip. Seales then got a nip-backer to trap Usman Khawaja plumb on 2. Khawaja's video review showed it was going to hit middle stump. Nathan Lyon came in as the nightwatchman and he and Green just made it to stumps. On the penultimate ball, Lyon took an Alzarri Joseph delivery into his left bicep. He needed on-field treatment. Seales had 2-5 from three overs, including a maiden. Top-order troubles For Konstas, it was his third single-digit score in four innings on tour. Opening partner Khawaja has scored 47, 15, 16 and 2. Before that, he had 0 and 6 in the World Test Championship final. No. 3 Green is also still looking for a morale-boosting score. The West Indies have their own top-order issues. Kraigg Brathwaite was out for a duck in his first bat in his 100th test, caught and bowled by Josh Hazlewood in the first over. Keacy Carty went the same way on 6 to Pat Cummins, and John Campbell wasted a good start of 40 when he skewed Beau Webster to mid-on. It took Brandon King's maiden test half-century and the tailenders' 73 invaluable runs for the West Indies to get close to Australia's 286. The West Indies was 174-7 after lunch, still more than 100 behind, but the Nos. 8-11 batters — notably Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, not related — frustrated the Australians for 25 overs and led the West Indies past 200 and 250. King and captain Roston Chase, who took 18 balls to get off the mark, rebuilt West Indies from 64-3 to a confident 110-3 by lunch. Chase was out straight after lunch, trapped on 16 by Hazlewood after Australia reviewed. But King lofted Hazlewood for six over square leg then his seventh boundary brought up his 50 off 77 balls, his first 50 in his second test and West Indies' first 50 in the series. King waltzed down the track to hit Lyon for another couple of sixes as his partnership with Shai Hope began to flourish. But Cummins ended their 58-run stand when he bowled Hope on 21, and King fell in the next over nicking Lyon behind. King labored for 75 off 108 balls with eight boundaries and three sixes. A third wicket in four overs, Justin Greaves, tumbled West Indies to 174-7. But the Josephs made it to tea and kept going for 51 runs together. Alzarri scored 27 and Shamar 29. Last pair Anderson Phillip and Seales resisted for another nearly 11 overs for 16 runs. All six Australia bowlers took wickets; Lyon led with 3-75. ___ AP cricket: recommended in this topic
