Did Taylor Swift invent a new era of food bank donations?
Since last March, Taylor Swift has donated hundreds of thousands of meals to help the growing number of Americans struggling with the rising cost of food and housing. She chose to donate without the fanfare of her celebrity status, and her gifts have been well received. But food bank operators say they have only provided temporary relief as food insecurity soars and federal COVID-19 aid ends. Food bank operators say Swift's donation was meaningful because it drew attention to a service that is critical, especially for low- and moderate-income families. But there is an annual food assistance funding shortfall of about $33 billion, according to Feeding America, a network of food banks, pantries and community meal programs.
'Deadpool' and 'Alien' top the charts again while 'Blink Twice' gets off to a muted start
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “The Wolverine and Deadpool,” “Alien: Romulus” and “It Ends With Us” once again topped the box office charts, beating out new releases such as “Blink Twice” and “The Crow.” The third installment of the “Deadpool” series earned $18.3 million, the latest “Alien” film earned $16.2 million in its second weekend and “It Ends With Us” earned $11.9 million. Walt Disney Co., which owns 20th Century Studios, held the top two spots on the chart, with “Inside Out 2” staying there for the 11th week in a row. “Blink Twice” debuted in fourth place with $7.3 million and “The Crow” debuted in eighth place with $4.6 million.
Lebanon's former prime minister, Salim Hoss, dies at age 94
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's current prime minister has announced that five-time prime minister Salim Hoss has died at age 94. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Hoss died Sunday. In a statement, he described the former government minister and member of parliament as “the conscience of Lebanon.” Hoss served during one of the most turbulent periods in Lebanon's modern history. Often described as a technocrat, he was widely respected as a rare statesman in a country marked by political and sectarian divisions. Hoss served four terms as prime minister during the country's 15-year civil war from 1975 to 1990, his last term being from 1998 to 2000.
Babe Ruth's 'Cold Shot' jersey sells for more than $24 million at auction
DALLAS (AP) — The jersey worn by Babe Ruth when he hit a home run to center field in the 1932 World Series has sold at auction for more than $24 million. The New York Yankees slugger's jersey sold for $24.12 million early Sunday after a bidding war that lasted more than six hours in Dallas, according to Heritage Auctions. Heritage said the buyer wished to remain anonymous. The highest bid for the jersey surpassed the previous record, which was set for fellow Yankees player Mickey Mantle's 1952 rookie card, which the Dallas-based auction house sold for $12.6 million in 2022.
Walmart recalls apple juice sold in 25 states due to elevated arsenic levels
WASHINGTON (AP) — Walmart is recalling about 10,000 cases of apple juice sold in stores across the United States after the product was found to contain potentially harmful levels of inorganic arsenic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classified the recall as more urgent on Friday after an initial announcement on Aug. 15. The new classification says the products in question may temporarily cause adverse health effects but are unlikely to cause serious or irreversible medical problems. The recall applies to 9,535 cases of Great Value brand apple juice sold in 25 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Florida-based manufacturer Refresco Beverages US Inc. voluntarily recalled six-packs of tainted 8-ounce juice bottles.
American rapper Macklemore claims he cancelled Dubai show because UAE supplied weapons to Sudanese paramilitaries
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. rapper Macklemore said he canceled a concert scheduled for October in Dubai because of the United Arab Emirates' role in the “ongoing genocide and humanitarian crisis” in Sudan. The UAE denies providing weapons to the Rapid Assistance Forces, a Sudanese paramilitary group that has been fighting Sudanese forces in a conflict that has killed more than 18,800 people since 2023. Macklemore's comments reignited debate over the UAE's role in the war. In an Instagram post on Saturday, the Grammy Award winner said he had received calls from a range of people “calling on me to cancel my concert in solidarity with the people of Sudan and to boycott business in the UAE because of the role they play in the ongoing genocide and humanitarian crisis.”
Paralympic social media accounts surpass traditional media with edgy perspective
PARIS (AP) — Paralympians and the International Paralympic Committee have also been raising awareness on social media by posting content that highlights and even pokes fun at their disabilities. Outside commenters have criticized the images and videos as in poor taste, but the athletes themselves are leaning toward highlighting their abilities along with their disabilities. International Paralympic Committee spokesman Craig Spence said Paralympians “have a great sense of humor. They're not wrapped up in cotton wool and shielded from society.” The Paralympics open in Paris on Aug. 28.
Authorities have found the body of an Arizona woman who went missing after flooding in the Grand Canyon.
SPAI, Ariz. (AP) — The body of an Arizona woman who went missing several days ago after a flash flood in Grand Canyon National Park has been recovered, park rangers said. The body of Chenoa Nickerson, 33, of Gilbert, a Phoenix suburb, was discovered Sunday by a group rafting the Colorado River. Park rangers retrieved her body and transported it by helicopter to the rim. National Park Service officials said Nickerson was swept into Havasu Creek, upstream from its confluence with the Colorado River, about 1:30 p.m. Thursday. She was not wearing a life jacket. More than 100 people were evacuated to safety.
Coney Island's famous Cyclone roller coaster closed after mid-ride malfunction
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City's famed Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster has been closed indefinitely after it stopped mid-ride last week. City officials said the 97-year-old wooden coaster at Luna Park was ascending Thursday when a chain sprocket in the motor room broke, causing the operator to suspend operations. No one was injured. A post on Luna Park's website Sunday said the Cyclone will reopen once repairs are completed and the ride passes inspection.
'We were disposable': Residents downwind of world's first nuclear test on mission to tell their story
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (AP) — Not many people know that the world's first atomic bomb was detonated on U.S. soil. It wasn't until a few weeks after it was dropped on Japan during World War II that humanity witnessed the power of atomic weapons. While the damage in Japan is well documented, less is known about the health damage to New Mexico's downwind residents and the fallout from the Trinity test. The documentary “We Bombed New Mexico First” is currently screening in Los Alamos, the birthplace of the atomic bomb, as part of the Oppenheimer Film Festival. Director Lois Lippman hopes the film will resonate with Congress and other elected leaders as campaigners seek compensation for survivors of the first atomic bomb.
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