Soccer star Kylian Mbappé apologizes for apparent reference to Mao as a 'dictator'
BEIJING (AP) — Kylian Mbappé has apologized for comments referring to Mao Zedong as a dictator. He said his remarks were ill-judged and hurt many people in China and Chinese communities worldwide. On Tuesday, at least three companies, including Dongpeng and Mengniu, cut ties with the French soccer star. They stated they oppose words and actions that hurt national sentiment. The controversy arose after a video clip showed Mbappé discussing a meme depicting him as Mao. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and social media platform RedNote also criticized the comments. Mbappé's account on RedNote was banned from accepting new followers.
'Crash ur row only': United flight turned around after passenger allegedly said he'd 'hijack' plane
LAS VEGAS (AP) — An airplane passenger was arrested for allegedly writing that he was going to “hijack” the plane, forcing the United flight to be diverted back to Las Vegas shortly after takeoff. Police said they arrested the 25-year-old man on charges of making a threat or providing false information regarding an act of terrorism. The man allegedly communicated that he was “gonna hijack” the plane and “crash ur row only,” according to a copy of the criminal complaint. The man is scheduled for an initial court appearance Tuesday. An attorney listed for him did not immediately return a request for comment. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it will investigate the incident.
St. Louis Blues condemn what they called an antisemitic protest at an NHL game against Vegas
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Blues have condemned what they called an antisemitic protest during a game last week at Enterprise Center. Signs that read “Israel Kills” and “Free America from Israel” were held by fans in the stands Thursday when the Blues played the Vegas Golden Knights. In a statement on Monday, Blues owner Tom Stillman called the signs “vile messages of hate” that were “unfortunate and unforgivable.” Stillman says the fans who held the banners were ejected from the arena. The 2026 Freedom Convoy disagreed with Stillman’s characterization of the protest.
How daylight saving time changes affect you and what you can do about it
It's almost time for most Americans to set their clocks back an hour. Daylight saving time ends in the U.S. at 2 a.m. local time next Sunday. Standard time will last until March 14, when we will again “spring forward” with the return of daylight saving time. Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do — mostly in North America and Europe — the date that clocks are changed varies. In the U.S., Hawaii and most of Arizona don’t change and stay on standard time.
Jay-Z picks himself to headline the Super Bowl halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Southern California
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jay-Z will headline the Super Bowl halftime show on February 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation announced the news Monday night. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he always wanted Jay-Z to perform when the time felt right. Jay-Z expressed excitement about the opportunity, calling it a dream come true. His Roc Nation has partnered with the NFL since 2019 to produce entertainment presentations, including the halftime show. Jay-Z, who has won 25 Grammy Awards, will perform at the stadium where he recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of his debut album, “Reasonable Doubt.”
'You Can See Everything' surges with $19.5M at box office; 'Clayface' takes No. 1
NEW YORK (AP) — DC Studios scored a modest, R-rated win with “Clayface,” landing a $24 million opening weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. But the biggest success story in theaters remained A24’s Elizabeth Holmes documentary “You Can See Everything,” which pulled in $19.5 million in its first weekend of wide release. The Nathan Fielder, Lance Oppenheim-directed “You Can See Everything” increased from 855 locations to 2,655. In expansion, it continued to blow away expectations. With $45.1 million in two weeks, it already ranks among the highest grossing documentaries ever. Ticket sales were also good for the stop motion animation “Wildwood” and the comic fable “Wicker.” But “Ali G: Who Iz I?” was a nonevent in cinemas.
Former NBA star Malik Beasley negotiating plea deal over gambling charges
Former NBA player Malik Beasley is negotiating a plea agreement with the Department of Justice after initially pleading not guilty to charges of altering his play in 2024 to benefit sports bettors and ease his debts. Beasley entered a not guilty plea in July in New York federal court. His attorney said Saturday that they expect an agreement soon. Beasley and sports agent Paolo Zamorano are among six people charged in a gambling scandal involving over three dozen arrests. Beasley is accused of fixing his performance in at least four games while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024.
UK police says letter with claims against Meghan's father was not shared with other law enforcement
LONDON (AP) — British police confirm they passed a letter about alleged offenses by Meghan Markle's father to her in 2019. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, says she's "deeply distressed" by allegations that child sexual abuse images were found at her father Thomas Markle Sr.'s former home in the Philippines. Her brother reportedly discovered the images while clearing the property. Meghan refers to a letter with "troubling allegations" sent to British police, which shared its contents with her. The police are reviewing their handling of the matter. Thomas Markle Sr. denies the allegations. Investigations are ongoing in the Philippines and the U.S.
Six Flags says it will install seat belts on Georgia roller coaster after rider's death
Six Flags says it will install seat belts on the Georgia roller coaster from which a rider fell to his death earlier this month. The theme park company made the announcement less than two weeks after a 42-year-old Atlanta man died after being ejected from his seat on the Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Six Flags Entertainment President and CEO John Reilly said in a statement Friday that other coasters with a similar restraint system to Goliath's will also get seat belts. The company currently has eight additional coasters with similar restraints shut down at five parks in the U.S. and Canada. Reilly did not say when they might reopen.
A fire devastates the Eagle's Nest retreat built for Hitler in Germany. A suspect is detained
BERLIN (AP) — A fire has swept through the mountaintop retreat built for Adolf Hitler and known as the Eagle’s Nest as emergency services struggled to tackle the blaze in snow and wind. Authorities said Saturday that a man was arrested on suspicion of arson. Emergency services in the Berchtesgaden district, in the Bavarian Alps in Germany’s southeastern corner, were alerted to the fire by an alarm at about 9:15 p.m. Friday. Firefighters and police rushed to the scene — located at the end of a narrow road that winds up the mountain. They stopped and arrested a man on a motorcycle driving the other way down the road.
