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‘Hunger Games’ prequel tops box office

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” topped the North American box office in its first weekend in theaters with $44 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.It was a busy weekend at the multiplex, leading into the often lucrative Thanksgiving corridor. And while there was plenty to choose from at the buffet, not everything could be a hit. Audiences had “The Marvels,” which plummeted a record 78% in its second weekend, as well as the nationwide debuts of the family-friendly “Trolls World Tour,” Taika Waititi’s soccer comedy “Next Goal Wins” and the R-rated slasher “Thanksgiving” all in wide release.“The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” is an interesting case study for a franchise that’s been dormant for 8 years and is testing the waters for a new era. Its $44 million from 3,776 locations, including 1,610 premium screens, marks a low for films carrying “T...

Reactions to the death of Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and global humanitarian

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Reactions to the death of Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and global humanitarian:___Former President George W. Bush called Carter a woman of dignity and strength. “There was no greater advocate of President Carter, and their partnership set a wonderful example of loyalty and fidelity. She leaves behind an important legacy in her work to destigmatize mental health. We join our fellow citizens in sending our condolences to President Carter and their family,” Bush said in a statement with former first lady Laura Bush.___U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia said Carter would be remembered for her compassionate nature and passion for women’s rights, human rights and mental health reform. “The State of Georgia and the United States are better places because of Rosalynn Carter,” Ossoff said in a statement. “I join all Georgians and Americans in mourning her loss. May Rosalynn Carter’s memory be a blessing.”___Former first lady Melania Trump said Carter leaves behind a m...

Escaped llama safely corralled by OPP after wandering onto GTA highway

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

An escaped llama has been corralled and safely returned home after it made its way onto a busy GTA highway.Callers to the CityNews 680 traffic centre reported seeing a llama in lives lanes of traffic on Highway 400 in York Region on Sunday morning. The animal was spotted around 10:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes near King Road.Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) posted to social media a few hours later, saying officers and members of the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) were able to corral the animal.OPP say the owner of the animal was contacted and the llama was safely removed from the highway.Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) helped corral an escaped llama that had wandered onto Highway 400 near King Road on Nov. 19, 2023. (Photo: OPP)Police are urging motorists to slow down if they happen to spot an animals on the highway.“See alpacas go slow doesn’t have the same ring as see snow go slow,” reads the OPP post on X. “But h...

NFC North-leading Lions rally from 12-point deficit late to beat Bears 31-26 on Montgomery's TD run

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — David Montgomery's go-ahead 1-yard touchdown run with 29 seconds left against his former team lifted the Detroit Lions to a 31-26 comeback victory over Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears on Sunday.The NFC North-leading Lions (8-2) overcame four turnovers, including Jared Goff's season-high three interceptions, and a 12-point deficit over the last 3:06 to rally for the win.Detroit has its best record through 10 games since 1962, giving the franchise a shot to win a division title for the first time in three decades.The Bears (3-8) blew chances to win consecutive games for the first time in nearly two years.Fields mostly played well in his first game in a month, but slightly overthrew Tyler Scott on a deep pass late in the game. He also fumbled on his last snap when Aidan Hutchinson sacked him and the football went out of the end zone for a safety.Field, who was out with a dislocated right thumb, threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore late in the third quarter. Cai...

31 premature babies are evacuated from Gaza's largest hospital, but scores of trauma patients remain

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Health officials said 31 premature babies in “extremely critical condition” were transferred safely Sunday from Gaza 's main hospital and will go to Egypt, while over 250 patients with severely infected wounds and other urgent conditions remained stranded days after Israeli forces entered the compound to look for Hamas operations there.The plight of the babies, along with Israeli claims against Shifa Hospital, have become potent symbols in the devastating war between Israel and Hamas. An Israeli offensive has taken a heavy toll on Palestinian civilians, while Israel has accused Hamas of using Shifa and other hospitals as headquarters for military operations.The newborns from the hospital, where power was cut and supplies ran out while Israeli forces battled Palestinian militants outside, were receiving urgent care in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. They had dehydration, hypothermia and sepsis in some cases, said Mohamed Zaqout, director of Gaza hospit...

Lions rally from 12-point deficit late to beat Bears 31-26

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

DETROIT — David Montgomery's go-ahead 1-yard touchdown run with 29 seconds left against his former team lifted the Detroit Lions to a 31-26 comeback victory over Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears on Sunday.The NFC North-leading Lions (8-2) overcame four turnovers, including Jared Goff's season-high three interceptions, and a 12-point deficit over the last 3:06 to rally for the win.Detroit has its best record through 10 games since 1962, giving the franchise a shot to win a division title for the first time in three decades.The Bears (3-8) blew chances to win consecutive games for the first time in nearly two years.Fields mostly played well in his first game in a month, but slightly overthrew Tyler Scott on a deep pass late in the game. He also fumbled on his last snap when Aidan Hutchinson sacked him and the football went out of the end zone for a safety.Field, who was out with a dislocated right thumb, threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore late in the third quarter. Cairo Sa...

Comedian Dana Carvey says he's taking a break from acting after son’s sudden death 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

(KTLA) -- Dana Carvey, the comedian and actor best known for his time as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” has announced that he will be taking a break from work and social media after the death of his son. Dex Carvey died of an accidental drug overdose at his L.A. County home on Wednesday, his family confirmed to People Magazine. He was 32 years old.  Former first lady Rosalynn Carter dies at 96 Dex had previously opened for his father’s 2016 Netflix special “Straight White Male” and also starred in “Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser” and “The Funster,” the latter of which was a series featuring his father. According to a social media post from the elder Carvey, Dex “packed a lot into those 32 years” and was extremely talented in numerous creative outlets, including music, art, filmmaking, and comedy. “Dex was a beautiful person,” Carvey posted on Instagram. “We will miss him forever.” The “Wayne’s World” star announced Saturday that he would be stepping ...

Texas high school football regional semifinal game times, locations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Local Class 6A football fans better get comfortable at the Alamodome this weekend.Dripping Springs, Lake Travis and Westlake will play their regional semifinal games at San Antonio's flagship venue Friday and Saturday. Texas high school football playoff scores for Friday, Nov. 17 Lake Travis takes on San Antonio Brennan at 3 p.m. Friday in a Division I tilt. Both teams are 10-2 and the Cavaliers thumped SA Johnson 48-21 in the area round last week. Brennan beat PSJA 36-14.Dripping Springs and Westlake are part of a Saturday slate at the Alamodome with the Tigers playing SA Jay in the early game at 11 a.m. Dripping Springs rallied to get by Converse Judson 38-34 last week and Jay topped Welasco 27-14 in the Division II bracket.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersWestlake takes the field at 3 p.m. against Loredo United in the Division I bracket. The Chaparr...

This simple hack yields the best mashed potatoes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

By Vaughn Vreeland, The New York TimesMashed potatoes, while buttery and delicious, can also be a little uninspired. To me, they’ve always felt like filler on my Thanksgiving plate — an afterthought, more vehicle for gravy than anything else.I wondered: How could I turn a “just fine” side dish into something more exciting?The answer may be brown butter.In the hopes of discovering my platonic ideal, I started testing reader suggestions accompanying a blueprint recipe from Julia Moskin (at nytcooking.com), playing with potato variety, cooking and mashing methods, and flavors.I had a few essential findings: All cooks think their version is supreme (all were delicious!). How you mash is up to you (one reader suggests finding a teenager “with a strong arm and a good heart who loves hanging out in the kitchen”). And, at the end of the day, you can make just about anything taste good with enough butter and salt.In the end, my favorite version emerged from a 2-year-old Thanksgiving me...

Rosalynn Carter, outspoken former first lady and global humanitarian, dead at 96

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:36:15 GMT

By BILL BARROW and MICHAEL WARREN, Associated PressATLANTA — Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Jimmy Carter during his one term as U.S. president and their four decades thereafter as global humanitarians, has died at the age of 96.The Carter Center said she died Sunday after living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. The statement announcing her death said she “died peacefully, with family by her side” at 2:10 p.m. at her home in the rural south Georgia community of Plains. It said a schedule of memorial events and funeral preparations would be released later.“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Carter said in the statement. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”The Carters were married for more than 77 years, forging what they both described as a “full partnership.” Unlike many previous first lad...