Eastern spiny mouse

Rodents are mammals of the order Rodentia, characterized by two pairs of continuously growing incisors, one pair in the upper jaw and one pair in the lower jaw. About forty percent of all species of mammals are rodents, and they are found on all continents except Antarctica. They are the most diversified mammalian order, including mice, rats, squirrels, prairie dogs, porcupines, beavers, guinea pigs and hamsters. There are arboreal, burrowing, and semi-aquatic species. While the largest species, the capybara, can weigh as much as 66 kg (146 lb), many rodents weigh less than 100 g (3.5 oz) and have robust bodies, short limbs and long tails. They use their sharp incisors to gnaw food, defend themselves, and shape their habitat. Most eat seeds or other plant material. Many rodents live in societies with complex forms of communication, and can be monogamous, polygynous or promiscuous. The rodent fossil record dates back to the Paleocene on the supercontinent of Laurasia. (Full article...)

Mount Zion Church of God in Christ

• ... that baptisms hosted by the Mount Zion Church of God in Christ (pictured) became a tourist attraction?
• ... that the Australian War Memorial changed its rules retroactively to disqualify Flawed Hero: Truth, Lies and War Crimes from a prize it was already selected to receive?
• ... that basketball player Anton Bonke represented his home nation, Vanuatu, in rowing?
• ... that the captain of LOT Polish Airlines Flight 703 was initially hailed as a hero before an investigation later blamed the flight crew for the crash?
• ... that the University of Southern California's radio station went from "rinky-dink" to a national producer of classical-music programs within a decade?
• ... that Al Culver jumped into Lake Michigan to save a drowning man at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair?
• ... that the derelict Werdmuller Centre was a filming location for The Dark Tower and the Resident Evil TV series?
• ... that Abraham Howell established a colony on Crab Island without government approval?
• ... that Post Office Square does not have any post offices?

Protests in Albania

• In Albania, demonstrations erupt (pictured) against a proposed tourism development project on the environmentally protected island of Sazan.
• In Myanmar, an explosion at a Ta'ang National Liberation Army base leaves 43 people dead.
• In Twenty20 cricket, the Indian Premier League concludes with Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeating Gujarat Titans in the final.
• Following the collapse of Evika Siliņa's coalition, Andris Kulbergs is appointed prime minister of Latvia.

June 9

Skyline of Hamilton, Ontario

• 1846 – Hamilton, Ontario (skyline pictured) is granted city status by the Parliament of the Province of Canada.
• 1856 – The first company of Mormon handcart pioneers left Iowa City for Salt Lake City, Utah.
• 1920 – The courtesan Wang Lianying (pictured) was murdered in Shanghai, leading to months of media and literary coverage.
• 1965 – Fighting began between the Viet Cong and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam in the Battle of Đồng Xoài, one of the largest battles in the Vietnam War.
• 2010 – A child suicide bomber attacked a wedding in Nadahan, Afghanistan, killing at least 40 people and injuring at least 70 others.