Hockey player and coach-turned-broadcaster Barry Melrose dies at age 70
Barry Melrose, a hockey player-turned-coach who led the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final before going on to a long career in broadcasting the sport, has died. He was 70. ESPN announced Melrose’s death Wednesday after his wife informed the network. Melrose stepped away from the role in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. From Kelvington, Saskatchewan, the hard-nosed defenseman played over 300 games in the NHL after nearly 200 in the World Hockey Association.
'South Park' creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone 'rename' show to 'South America' in jab at Trump
Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of "South Park," are changing the show's name to "SOUTH AMERICA," at least for now. They announced the change on the show's Instagram page. This move comes after President Donald Trump declared he is renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America" in the U.S. Apple and Google have already adopted the new name in their maps. The change comes a week before the 29th season premiere. Parker and Stone have also criticized their parent company, Paramount, which owns Comedy Central, where "South Park" airs. A recent storyline on “South Park” depicted Trump as a villain-like character romantically involved with Satan.
John Malkovich cancels performance in Israel over fabricated quote circulated by promoters
ABU SNAN, Israel (AP) — John Malkovich has canceled a planned performance in Israel after promoters circulated a false quote attributed to him. The American actor was set to perform “The Music Critic” in Tel Aviv in April. A press release quoted him as expressing “solidarity” with the Israeli people, but Malkovich told Hollywood Reporter he never made those statements. The show's Israeli producer acknowledged the mistake, citing “human error," and issued an apology. Israel has faced mounting cultural isolation over the war in Gaza. Malkovich has performed in Israel before, stating that performing in a country doesn’t mean he supports its politics.
Girl Scouts' first cookies for dogs will go on sale in January
Man’s best friend is getting some love from the Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts of the USA says its first cookies for dogs will go on sale in January. The blueberry muffin-flavored cookies were developed with Bark, a New York-based seller of dog treats and toys. The cookies, dubbed Patch Pals, will only be sold online. Also joining the Girl Scout cookie lineup in January are Sparkables, the organization’s first allergy-friendly cookie. The crunchy oatmeal cookie, which has chocolate chips and colored sprinkles, is made in a facility designed to avoid nine major allergens, including eggs, dairy, peanuts and wheat. Sparkables will also be sold online only.
Norway bids final farewell to popular King Harald V as crowds and royals converge for his funeral
OSLO, Norway (AP) — Norway has bid its final farewell to Harald V as crowds line the streets and foreign royals and leaders converge on Oslo for the funeral of the long-serving king. He was remembered on Wednesday as a popular monarch with a down-to-earth touch. A 21-gun salute rang out over the Norwegian capital at the start of a funeral procession from the royal palace to Oslo Cathedral. Harald’s son, new King Haakon VIII, and other senior royals walked behind the coffin, draped with the red Norwegian royal standard. Harald’s widow, Queen Sonja, and Haakon’s wife, Queen Mette-Marit, followed in a car.
Artemis II moonshot commander and pilot are hanging up their astronaut suits at NASA
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The two NASA astronauts who led the Artemis II moonshot earlier this year are leaving spaceflight behind. NASA announced Wednesday that Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover will no longer serve as active astronauts but will continue to support the moon exploration program as emeritus astronauts. Glover has taken a leadership job at Cal Poly, his alma mater. Wiseman's future plans are unknown. They flew around the moon in April with two other astronauts, setting a new distance record for humanity. Artemis II's Jeremy Hansen retired from the Canadian Space Agency in July.
Harry and Meghan surprised by the way Buckingham Palace released letter on non-working royal status
LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, were surprised by the way Buckingham Palace released a letter that made clear they remain non-working members of the royal family. The letter, sent on behalf of King Charles III, was released to the media on Monday. A person familiar with discussions argues the couple had little time to respond. The letter states they will continue to refrain from using royal titles and any charity work will be private. The issue highlights ongoing tensions after they returned to the U.K.
Trump's map-making on social media stirs controversy in North Atlantic
LONDON (AP) — President Donald Trump's recent social media map-making posts have stirred tension in the North Atlantic. He posted a map showing the U.S. extending across North America to Greenland and Iceland. The map, colored in U.S. flag colors, offered no explanation but echoed Trump’s past remarks about making Canada a U.S. state and taking over Greenland, Denmark’s self-governing territory. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called the map "disturbing." Iceland's foreign secretary summoned the U.S. Ambassador for a meeting. Trump's rhetoric has put Arctic states on edge, and his comments have also unsettled Canada. Over the weekend, he suggested renaming New Mexico as "New America."
Mirra Andreeva helps injured opponent Anastasia Potapova before finishing her US Open victory
NEW YORK (AP) — Mirra Andreeva remembers looking up to Anastasia Potapova well before they became rivals on the court. So when Potapova fell and was injured late in their fourth-round match Monday at the U.S. Open, Andreeva put aside the tennis and went to assist. The French Open champion helped Potapova up so she could get treatment, then finished off a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory that sent her to the quarterfinals in Flushing Meadows for the first time. Andreeva led 5-3 in the final set when Potapova lunged to hit a running forehand and went down holding her left knee.
'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' makes it 6 weeks in a row at No. 1 as Hollywood wraps a banner summer
NEW YORK (AP) — “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” remained the No. 1 movie in theaters over the weekend, becoming just the second film this decade to top the box office for six straight weeks. The last release to enjoy such a long stretch leading the box office was 2022’s “Avatar: The Way of Water.” “Brand New Day,” the fourth standalone Spider-Man starring Tom Holland, collected $18 million over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. Universal Pictures’ “The Odyssey,” as it has for much of the “Spider-Man” run, remained in second place. Christopher Nolan’s epic added $13 million. Both blockbusters helped lead Hollywood to its best summer since before the pandemic.
