Calisthenics are making a comeback. Is body weight enough to get a good workout?
Calisthenics is an age-old form of fitness that uses little or no equipment and relies on body weight for resistance. It's making a comeback. In July, President Donald Trump even reestablished the Presidential Fitness Test, intending that youth across the country will again practice old-school exercises like situps, pushups and pullups. Some experts say the no-frills moves of calisthenics speak to our overscheduled lives when it might be hard to go to a gym. It's also cheaper than going to a gym. But is performing these exercises an effective way to work out? It depends what your goal is. Experts say calisthenics can improve everything from muscle strength to aerobic conditioning. But they also say weight machines and dumbbells have their advantages too.
'Predator: Badlands' tops box office with $80 million worldwide
NEW YORK (AP) — "Predator: Badlands" has topped the North American box office with a $40 million debut, according to studio estimates. This marks a new high for the franchise, surpassing the $38.3 million opening of 2004’s "Alien vs. Predator." The film, written and directed by Dan Trachtenberg, also earned $40 million overseas. Despite a challenging box office climate, "Predator: Badlands" has performed well, receiving positive reviews and an “A-” CinemaScore. Other new releases, like "Die My Love" and "Christy," struggled to make a significant impact, while "Sarah’s Oil" emerged as the best performer among newcomers.
Top BBC bosses resign after criticism of the broadcaster’s editing of a Trump speech
LONDON (AP) — The head of the BBC has resigned after criticism of the broadcaster’s editing of a speech by U.S. President Donald Trump. The BBC said that director-general Tim Davie and news CEO Deborah Turness both announced their resignations on Sunday. Britain’s public broadcaster has been criticized for editing a speech Trump made on Jan. 6, 2021, before protesters attacked the Capitol in Washington. Critics said the way the speech was edited for a BBC documentary last year was misleading and cut out a section where Trump said that he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully.
Norris wins Formula 1's Brazilian Grand Prix to extend his lead with 3 races left
SAO PAULO (AP) — McLaren driver Lando Norris has significantly extended his lead in the F1 championship after winning the Brazilian Grand Prix. His main rival and teammate Oscar Piastri received a 10-second penalty and again failed to make the podium. Norris also won Saturday’s sprint race and started from pole position. He earned his first win at Interlagos with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen second and third. Norris now has 390 points in the standings, with Piastri’s fifth place leaving him 24 points behind on 366 with three more races to go. Four-time world champion Verstappen has 341 points.
Cyndi Lauper calls for courage and Salt-N-Pepa romp through 'Push It' as they join Rock Hall of Fame
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cyndi Lauper has turned “True Colors” into a powerful anthem at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. On Saturday, she led an all-star jam with artists like Chris Robinson and Bryan Adams to honor fellow Rock Hall inductee Joe Cocker. Lauper acknowledges the women who paved the way for her and those who follow. Salt-N-Pepa also celebrated women's power in music, performing hits like “Push It” and “What a Man.” Outkast doesn't perform together, but Big Boi and Andre 3000 share heartfelt speeches. Soundgarden's segment includes emotional tributes to Chris Cornell. The White Stripes and other rock legends received rousing tributes, making the night unforgettable.
Rockefeller Center Christmas tree arrives in Manhattan, kicking off New York's holiday season
NEW YORK (AP) — The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has arrived in Manhattan, marking the start of New York City's holiday season. This year's tree is a 75-foot Norway spruce from East Greenbush, a suburb of Albany. It traveled about 150 miles on a flatbed truck to reach its new home. On Saturday workers used cranes to position the 11-ton tree at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The spruce will soon be decorated with over 50,000 LED lights and a Swarovski star. It will be lit Dec. 3 during a live TV broadcast. The tree was donated by Judy Russ and her family.
Families on SNAP worry about not just feeding themselves but also their pets
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — With SNAP benefits going out late, nonprofits are begging for pet food donations to prevent desperate owners from surrendering their dogs and cats to animal shelters. Nonprofits say it is common for owners to supplement their pet’s diet with human food purchased using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits. For other owners, SNAP frees up money to buy pet food. The situation is so dire that one Louisiana shelter is considering diverting money normally used on veterinary care to buy more pet food. Another Illinois nonprofit is pairing SNAP recipients with volunteers so they can shop together for human and pet food.
Fox Sports lets go of Mark Sanchez and hires Drew Brees as NFL analyst
Fox Sports has let go of NFL analyst Mark Sanchez and hired Drew Brees in his place. Sanchez has been off the air since police said he was stabbed during a fight with a truck driver outside an Indianapolis hotel on Oct. 4. He was in Indianapolis for Fox’s coverage of the Oct. 5 game between the Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders. Sanchez faces a felony battery charge, along with several misdemeanor charges, for what prosecutors have said was a fight over parking. Brees will replace Sanchez on Fox’s No. 4 NFL crew. Brees’ first game will be Nov. 16.
Louvre vows to restore the imperial crown dropped by thieves during museum robbery
PARIS (AP) — The diamond and emerald-studded crown of Empress Eugénie, which was found damaged near the Louvre after being dropped by thieves during last month's robbery, will be restored as a symbol of “renaissance,” the museum's director Laurence des Cars said. Thieves stole eight objects, including a sapphire diadem and necklace, but the imperial crown was recovered outside the museum. Des Cars said Friday the crown was likely damaged when removed from its display case. She said the restoration will be funded by patrons. Des Cars offered to resign after the robbery, but the culture minister refused. She said she has pushed for modernizing the museum since 2021, addressing issues like overcrowding and security.
A lesser-known Farmers' Almanac will fold after 2 centuries, citing money trouble
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The 208-year-old Maine-based Farmers’ Almanac says it will publish its planting guidance and weather predictions for the final time, citing financial challenges. The Farmers’ Almanac is not to be confused with its older, longtime competitor, The Old Farmer’s Almanac from neighboring New Hampshire. Both publications used secret formulas based on sunspots, planetary positions and lunar cycles to generate long-range weather forecasts. Studies found them to be a little more than 50% accurate, or slightly better than random chance. Still, many readers considered the almanacs a quaint relic with a special kind of charm. The Farmers’ Almanac said Thursday that its 2026 edition will be its last.
