Who emerged victorious at the box office this weekend? The Reynolds-Lively household
NEW YORK (AP) — Both husband and wife, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, experienced success at the box office. Reynolds’ Marvel Studios hit “Deadpool & Wolverine” retained its position as the top movie in North American theaters for the third consecutive week, generating $54.2 million in ticket sales according to studio estimates on Sunday. Globally, it has now crossed the $1 billion mark. Following closely behind “Deadpool & Wolverine” was “It Ends With Us,” the romantic drama starring Lively, which exceeded expectations with a stellar $50 million opening. Together, these films created a unique family edition of “Barbenheimer,” where two vastly different movies thrived partly due to counterprogramming. This time, the contrasting movies were headlined by one of Hollywood’s most famous couples.
Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Red Hot Chili Peppers to perform at Paris Olympics’ closing ceremony
PARIS (AP) — The closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics will feature performances by stars like Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. This star-studded lineup is part of the handover to the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Each of these music artists hails from California, including H.E.R., who is set to perform the U.S. national anthem live at the Stade de France. Los Angeles is hosting the Olympics for the third time, with previous Games held there in 1984 and 1932. This will be the first time the city hosts the Paralympics.
Harrison Ford, Angela Bassett, Miley Cyrus, and more to be honored as Disney Legends at ceremony
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Disney is recognizing 14 artists who have significantly shaped the company, including Harrison Ford, Angela Bassett, and Miley Cyrus, with “legends” status. According to the company, the honorees, who have left a lasting impact on Disney’s legacy, include composer John Williams, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kelly Ripa, among others. These 14 new Disney Legends will be inducted into Disney’s hall of fame in a ceremony at The Honda Center in Anaheim, California, as part of the D23 convention. The evening will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest, with directors James Cameron and James L. Brooks also being honored.
World Boxing set to announce a significant increase in membership after Paris to support Olympic boxing
PARIS (AP) — World Boxing is anticipating a growth in its membership base, exceeding 50 national federations in the weeks following the conclusion of the eventful Paris Olympics. Boris Van Der Vorst, the organization’s president, expressed his confidence in the sport’s ability to achieve “the greatest comeback story ever in the Olympic movement.” World Boxing serves as an alternative to the Russian-dominated International Boxing Association, which has been expelled from the Olympic movement. Despite not being included in the program for the 2028 Olympics, boxing must establish a new governing body to participate, as outlined by the International Olympic Committee.
Canadian b-boy Phil Wizard claims gold in Olympic breaking final
PARIS (AP) — Canadian b-boy Phil Wizard (Philip Kim) secured the gold in the inaugural Olympic men’s breaking competition on Saturday. Local favorite French b-boy Dany Dann clinched the silver, while American b-boy Victor took home the bronze after defeating Japanese b-boy Shigekix. Known as the “local hero,” Dany Dann received enthusiastic applause from the audience, with chants of “Dany! Dany!” echoing every time he executed a powerful move. Kim impressed spectators with his dynamic moves, nimble footwork, and charismatic personality synchronized with the music.
Three German open water swimmers fall ill after Olympic races in the Seine River
PARIS (AP) — Three German swimmers fell ill after participating in the women’s open water race at the Paris Olympics, though it remains unclear if the polluted Seine River was the cause of their sickness. The swimmers were not identified in a statement released by the German Olympic Sports Confederation on Saturday. However, Leonie Beck took to social media to disclose her condition after finishing ninth in the 10-kilometer event. She shared a photo on Instagram showing her looking unwell but giving a thumbs up. According to the German committee, a total of three open water swimmers, two females, and one male, experienced illness.
Susan Wojcicki, former YouTube CEO and longtime Google executive, passes away at 56
Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube and a longstanding Google executive, has passed away. Her husband, Dennis Troper, announced her death via social media late Friday, revealing that Wojcicki, aged 56, lost her battle with non-small cell lung cancer after a two-year struggle. No further details regarding her passing were provided. Wojcicki resigned as CEO of YouTube in 2023, following a nine-year tenure leading the video-sharing platform that reshaped entertainment, culture, and politics. She also played a pivotal role in Google’s inception, renting her Menlo Park, California garage to the company’s co-founders.
Large geological formation known as the ‘Double Arch’ and the ‘Toilet Bowl’ collapses in southern Utah
PAGE, Ariz. (AP) — A substantial geological feature in southern Utah, commonly referred to as the “Double Arch,” the “Hole in the Roof,” and sometimes the “Toilet Bowl,” has collapsed. National Park Service officials confirmed that no injuries were reported. The popular arch in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area collapsed on Thursday. Park rangers suspect that fluctuating water levels and erosion from waves in Lake Powell contributed to its downfall. The arch originated from 190 million-year-old Navajo sandstone dating back to the late Triassic to early Jurassic periods. This fine-grained sandstone endured erosion from weather, wind, and rain.
Mars and Jupiter make a close approach in the night sky. The planets won’t be this near again until 2033
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Mars and Jupiter are drawing close in the night sky for their closest encounter of the decade. On Wednesday, they will be so near from our viewpoint that just a sliver of the moon could fit between them. Despite appearing close, our solar system’s largest planet and its reddish neighbor will still be over 350 million miles apart. This alignment hasn’t occurred since 2018, and it won’t happen again until 2033. These celestial events, known as planetary conjunctions, occur only every three years.
