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A detail of Michelangelo's 16th century statue of David is seen on display at the Accademia gallery, in Florence, central Italy, Monday, March 18, 2024. Michelangelo’s David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But curators worry the marble statue’s religious and political significance is being diminished by the thousands of refrigerator magnets and other souvenirs focusing on David’s genitalia. The Galleria dell’Accademia’s director has positioned herself as David’s defender and takes swift aim at those profiteering from his image. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo’s David raises questions about freedom of expression

Michelangelo’s David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But curators worry the marble statue’s religious and political significance is being diminished by the thousands of refrigerator magnets and other souvenirs focusing on David’s genitalia.

Trader Joe’s upped the price of its bananas for the first time in decades. Here’s why

FILE - Justin Coleman, of Birmingham, Ala., holds his glasses up to his eyes as he watches the solar eclipse atop a parking structure, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Birmingham. Safe solar eclipse glasses block out the sun’s ultraviolet rays and nearly all visible light. When worn indoors, only very bright lights should be faintly visible – not household furniture or wallpaper. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Looking at a solar eclipse can be dangerous without eclipse glasses. Here’s what to know

FILE - The Cinderella Castle is seen at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, July 14, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney reached a settlement agreement Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in a lawsuit over who controls Walt Disney World’s governing district.(AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Settlement reached in lawsuit between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ allies

This photo provided by Jeep shows the 2024 Grand Cherokee. Top trim levels such as the Summit Reserve, pictured here, provide high levels of luxury and off-road capability. (Courtesy of Stellantis via AP)

Edmunds compares: 2024 Honda Passport vs. 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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Beijingers play fetch with migratory birds in traditional game

BEIJING (AP) — Passersby in Beijing during winter or early spring might happen upon groups of residents playing fetch with birds.

After a county restricted transgender women in sports, a roller derby league said, ‘No way’

A women’s roller derby league in suburban New York has thrust itself into the national discussion over the rights of transgender athletes.

Students agonize over addressing race in college essays since affirmative action was struck down

When the Supreme Court ended affirmative action, it left the college essay as one of few places where race can play a role in admissions decisions.

The British royal family learns that if you don’t fill an information vacuum, someone else will

The British royal family learned the hard way: in the modern media world, if you don’t fill an information vacuum, others will fill it for you, and it’s not likely to be pretty.

Those Godzilla claw shoes on the Oscars red carpet are just one of Hazama’s ‘dark fantasy’ creations

One Japanese creation grabbing attention on the Oscars red carpet wasn’t a movie. It was the kitsch shoes that seemed to be clenched in Godzilla’s claw.

The Aral Sea has all but disappeared. But in small towns and villages, signs of life are popping up

MUYNAK, Uzbekistan (AP) — Weddings, school dances, music festivals — in small pockets along the Aral Sea, there are signs of life.

Book of kids’ drawings reflect regular violence shaping their lives in a Rio de Janeiro favela

Dozens of kids and teenagers from Rio de Janeiro’s Mare neighborhood gathered for the launch of a book in which they show, with their own words and pictures, how violence in their poor, bayside community weighs on their young lives.

Be like Caitlin: Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is inspiring a younger generation of players

Caitlin Clark has reshaped women’s college basketball and the perception of it. The Iowa star has made a name for herself by breaking records and stretching the range of shooting possibilities to the midcourt logo.

The British Museum is suing a former curator it says stole 1,800 items and tried to sell them

The British Museum is suing a former curator alleged to have stolen hundreds of artifacts from its collections and offered them for sale online.

Do you want fries with that? Krispy Kreme doughnuts are coming to McDonald’s

Krispy Kreme and McDonald’s are getting together over breakfast. The doughnut chain and the fast food giant unveiled plans on Tuesday to offer Krispy Kreme products at McDonald’s locations across the United States.

The irony of Steve Martin’s life isn’t lost on him

People participate in documentaries for all kinds of reasons. But Steve Martin may be unique in making a film about his life with the instruction of: “See if you can make sense of all THAT.”

Visa, Mastercard settle long-running antitrust suit over swipe fees with merchants

Visa and Mastercard have announced a major settlement with U.S. merchants, potentially ending nearly two decades of litigation between merchants and the major payment companies over credit card fees.

Not all vegetables are annuals. Here are some that come back year after year

Most vegetables grown in home gardens are annuals. They wither and die at the end of the season and need to be replanted every year to reap more crops.

Girl Scout troop resolved to support migrants despite backlash

As government officials debate how to handle the influx of new arrivals, the Girl Scouts — whose Troop 6000 has served kids who live in the shelter system since 2017 — are quietly welcoming hundreds of the city’s youngest new residents with the support of donations.

Bird flu, weather and inflation conspire to keep egg prices near historic highs for Easter

Egg prices are at near-historic highs in many parts of the world as Easter and Passover approach. The cost of filling a basket or completing a Seder plate reflect a market scrambled by disease, high demand and growing costs for farmers.

New York City owl Flaco was exposed to pigeon virus and rat poison before death, tests show

New York City’s celebrity owl Flaco was suffering from a pigeon-borne illness and high levels of rat poison when he crashed into a building and died last month.

Animal chaplains offer spiritual care for every species

(RNS) — Sarah Bowen says she’s been doing the work of an animal chaplain since she was 6 years old.

Raised in the Midwest as a Presbyterian preacher’s kid, she was often hauled to hospice facilities and funeral homes but noticed that the chipmunks and other animals crumpled by the side of the road weren’t treated with the same compassion shown to people.

The scent of orange blossoms is bringing the world to a spring tradition in Morocco

Orange blossoms are among Morocco’s quintessential fragrances. Moroccan women are welcoming spring by collecting the waxy white blossoms in copper pots used to distill the scent that’s folded into honey-laden pastries, sprinkled on mint tea and used in religious ceremonies as an ode to paradise.

How to make an Easter ham last all week

The beauty of making a baked ham for Easter — or any large gathering — is that there’s bound to be leftovers. Leftover ham will last for up to five days in the fridge.

To feed a crowd for Easter brunch, bake your eggs. Two chefs offer their recipes

Cooking breakfast for a crowd is no fun when you have to stress over how people like their eggs. So this year for Easter brunch, bake your eggs instead.