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Elsewhere
The first trailer is out for "Gladiator 2." The film is a sequel of 2000's "Gladiator", which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. It follows Lucius, the son of the first film's antagonist, as he returns to Rome as a gladiator. The cast includes Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen and Joseph Quinn. "Gladiator 2" hits theaters on November 22nd.
https://variety.com/2024/film/news/gladiator-2-trailer-paul-mescal-pedro-pascal-1235817146/
In Hawaii, an organization called Conservation Dogs of Hawaii has trained three dogs to sniff out the dreaded Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. The invasive insect attacks coconut and other palms by breeding in decaying trunks and sucking the tree nutrients from the developing palm fronds which causes the palm to die. Conservation Dogs says the three dogs on the Kauai team found over 300 Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles from April to June by detecting breeding sites.
A man is facing charges in China after authorities caught him trying to smuggle more than 100 live snakes into the country--in his pants. Customs officials said yesterday they caught the man trying to cross into mainland China from Hong Kong. He reportedly had six canvas bags strapped to his legs filled with live snakes of various varieties.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9r3lr2l4zxo
Shrek is returning to the big screen with original cast members including Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy. Cameron Diaz is coming back as well. DreamWorks Animation announced yesterday that "Shrek 5" is currently in development, and is currently set for release in July 2026.
Officials at Yosemite National Park have a message for visitors: Stop leaving used toilet paper behind. Yes, they say used toilet paper has been found throughout the park. Yosemite officials say the toilet paper creates several problems, not to mention nobody wants to step in it. They add that burying toilet paper can be harmful to the environment because it takes years to decompose. They suggest bringing a sealable plastic bag and depositing the waste in a proper trash bin.
There's a new food collaboration that's putting some people in a real pickle. Yesterday, we told you about a New York deli's pickle sandwich going viral. Now, in honor of July being National Pickle Month, New York City-based Baked by Melissa and Claussen pickles have come out with a pickle-flavored green mini cupcake. The cupcake is pickle-flavored and topped with pickle buttercream icing. The bakery describes the cupcake as "dill-lightful" and says it's a great sweet-salty-sour pickle treat.
https://www.foodandwine.com/baked-by-melissa-claussen-pickle-flavored-cupcakes-8675676