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Banksia integrifolia is a species of tree that grows in Australia between Victoria and Central Queensland. One of the most widely distributed Banksia species, it has a broad range of habitats, from coastal dunes to mountains. It is highly variable in form, but most often encountered as a tree up to 25 metres (82 ft) in height. Its leaves have dark green upper surfaces and white undersides. It is one of the four Banksia species collected by Sir Joseph Banks in early 1770, and one of the four species published in 1782 as Carolus Linnaeus the Younger's original description of the genus. A hardy and versatile garden plant, B. integrifolia is widely planted in Australian gardens. It is a popular choice for parks and streetscapes, and has been used for bush revegetation and stabilisation of dunes. Its hardiness has prompted research into its suitability for use as a rootstock in the cut flower trade, but has also caused concerns about its potential to become a weed outside its natural habitat. (Full article...)

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Trachelomonas cervicula

... that the algal species Trachelomonas cervicula (pictured) has been observed in environments highly polluted with cadmium, lead, and zinc?
... that William Williams was a newspaper publisher who volunteered for service during the War of 1812 and advanced to the rank of colonel?
... that "Hey, Hey, Rise Up!" is the first new Pink Floyd song in more than 25 years?
... that Johannes zu Eltz, who decided to become a Catholic priest after promotion to a doctorate in law, has advocated blessings of same-sex marriages by the Catholic Church?
... that the Jefferson Scholarship gives scholars more than $293,000 to attend the University of Virginia?
... that Carrie Jenkins Harris, the North American writer who died in 1903, should not be confused with Carrie Jenkins Harris, the North American writer and editor who died in 1903?
... that Castle Hill in Budapest's 1st district is easily accessible by funicular?
... that when Hasan Gayo led a group of men to seize a railway company, its Japanese guards offered no resistance?

In the news

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan (pictured) wins the World Snooker Championship, defeating Judd Trump in the final.
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Twitter's board of directors accepts a takeover offer from Elon Musk.
The Freedom Movement, led by Robert Golob, wins the most seats in the Slovenian parliamentary election.

On this day

May 6

Cartoon of a Chinese man barred from entering the U.S.

1801 – French Revolutionary Wars: The 32-gun Spanish frigate El Gamo was captured by the outmanned and outgunned HMS Speedy.
1882 – U.S. president Chester A. Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act into law (cartoon pictured), implementing a ban on Chinese immigration to the United States that remained for 61 years.
1915 – Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition: SY Aurora, anchored in McMurdo Sound, broke loose during a gale and began a 312-day drift in sea ice.
1988 – Widerøe Flight 710 crashed into the fog-covered mountain of Torghatten in Brønnøy, Norway, killing all 36 people on board.
2008 – British barrister Mark Saunders was shot dead by police after a five-hour siege at his home in Chelsea, London.

Henry David Thoreau (d. 1862)
Martin Brodeur (b. 1972)
Reg Grundy (d. 2016)

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Logo of the 1962 comic book series The Incredible Hulk

The Hulk, a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe, has appeared in several video games starting with the 1984 graphic adventure title Questprobe featuring The Hulk. He has appeared on home and handheld consoles in games developed by various companies, including Radical Entertainment and Edge of Reality. Apart from his standalone titles, which are often action-based beat 'em ups, the Hulk has appeared in other Marvel-based games within an ensemble cast, in which he may be accompanied by supporting characters such as Abomination and She-Hulk. (Full list...)

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Einat Kalisch-Rotem (born 1970) is an Israeli urban planner who has served as the mayor of Haifa since November 2018. She unseated the incumbent Yona Yahav in the 2018 mayoral election, becoming the first woman to lead any of Israel's three major cities. Besides her public career, Kalisch-Rotem has a black belt in karate.

Photograph credit: Edward Kaprov

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