‘Twisters’ whips up $80.5 million at box office, while ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ looms
Moviegoers ran toward the tornadoes this weekend, propelling “Twisters” to a blockbuster opening. The standalone sequel to the 1996 hit made $80.5 million in ticket sales from 4,151 theaters in North America, according to studio estimates Sunday. That’s about $30 million more than analysts expected initially. It opened last weekend in some markets internationally and continued its expansion this weekend. Globally, its total earnings are estimated to be $574.4 million. Universal also had the No. 2 movie in the country with “Despicable Me 4,” now in its third weekend. It added $23.8 million, bringing its domestic total to $259.5 million.
Arike Ogunbowale and Caitlin Clark lead WNBA All-Stars to 117-109 win over U.S. Olympic team
PHOENIX (AP) — Arike Ogunbowale set the WNBA All-Star scoring record with 34 points and Caitlin Clark made the most of her All-Star debut as the WNBA team beat the U.S. Olympic team 117-109 on Saturday night. It was the second consecutive win for the WNBA All-Star team over the Olympians. The All-Stars also won in 2021 led by Ogunbowale, who was MVP of that game. The loss didn’t slow down the Americans in 2021 as they went on to winning their seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal. The U.S. hopes for the same results in Paris later this month. No team in the world could match the depth or talent that the WNBA All-Stars had. Saturday’s loss came hours after the U.S. men’s Olympic team rallied to beat South Sudan by one point in an exhibition game in London.
Ernest Hemingway fans celebrate the author’s 125th birthday in his beloved Key West
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — Ernest Hemingway spent the 1930s in Key West, Florida, and more than six decades after his death, fans, scholars, and relatives continue to congregate on the island city to celebrate the author’s award-winning novels and adventure-filled life. Hemingway Days started in 1981 with a short-story competition and a look-alike contest. This year’s celebration concluded Sunday on the 125th anniversary of Hemingway’s birth on July 21, 1899. As a novelist, short-story writer, and journalist, Hemingway’s spot in the pantheon of American literature is undeniable, and his legacy permeates the culture and character of Key West.
Frozen treats, cold showers, and lots of ice; Florida zoo works to protect animals from summer heat
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Zoos in hot weather states are working hard during the summer to keep their animals cool. At the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society in Florida, keepers throw big piles of ice into the black bear enclosure for the animals to wallow in. Otters get ice blocks and frozen fish in their water to play with and eat. Zoo officials say tigers get some especially interesting treatment. The big cats are fed frozen cow bones in a block of ice with sides of frozen goat milk. Zookeepers also are showering giant tortoises with cool water, which they can feel through their shells.
89-year-old comedian recovering after she was randomly punched on New York street
NEW YORK (AP) — An 89-year-old comedian is recovering after being randomly punched and knocked to the ground while waiting to cross a street in New York earlier this month. D’yan Forest said she had just stopped at a coffee shop and was heading to a swimming pool when someone came up to her from behind and hit her in the eye. Police on Saturday said the female suspect in the July 10 incident had a medium complexion and cornrow braids and was last seen wearing a tank top and shorts with a Jurassic Park logo. Forest holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest working female comedian.
Biden praises longtime US Rep Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, who died of cancer
President Joe Biden is calling longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas “a towering figure in our politics.” Jackson Lee died Friday night in Houston with her family around her. She was 74. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and then pancreatic cancer. The Democrat helped lead federal efforts to protect women from domestic violence, and to get Juneteenth recognized as a federal holiday, recognizing when the last enslaved people in the United States learned they were free. Biden says she was “always fearless,” and that “she spoke truth to power and represented the power of the people of her district in Houston with dignity and grace.”
Disneyland workers authorize potential strike ahead of ongoing contract negotiations
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Thousands of workers at Disney’s theme park and resort properties in California have voted to authorize a potential strike, as contract negotiations drag on. The vote was late Friday. The strike authorization was approved by an overwhelming margin, nearly 99% of the members who cast votes, according to a union statement. The election was held by a coalition of four unions, which represents 14,000 Disney ride operators, store clerks, custodians, candy makers, ticket takers, and other employees. Union leaders now have the option to call a strike. The company said it was committed to reaching a contract that satisfies workers and positions Disneyland Resort for growth.
A fire severely damages the historic First Baptist Dallas church sanctuary
Firefighters in Texas have contained a fire that all but destroyed the historic church sanctuary at First Baptist Dallas. The blaze sent smoke billowing over the city but caused no deaths or injuries. The Texas Historic Landmark was built in 1890. Interim Fire Chief Justin Ball told KDFW-TV it may have started in the basement Friday evening and they’re investigating the cause. The evangelical megachurch counts about 16,000 members, and Senior Pastor Robert Jeffress is a close supporter of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Jeffress says he’ll go ahead with Sunday services at the modern worship center adjacent to the historic sanctuary.
Do you really have to wait to go swimming after eating?
No, you don’t really have to wait 30 minutes after eating to go swimming. Doctors say there’s no need in most cases to wait. That old warning stems from worry that people might drown or struggle because blood will be diverted to their full stomachs instead of their muscles. But Dr. Matthew Badgett of the Cleveland Clinic says people will still have plenty of blood flowing to their muscles after eating. That said, those who plan to swim laps may want to wait to avoid cramps.
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