From Decay to Glory: Ford restores grandeur to a Detroit train station that was once a symbol of decadence
DETROIT (AP) — For decades, the hulking, dilapidated Michigan Central Station symbolized Detroit’s decline, but after a six-year, multimillion-dollar renovation, it’s been given new life as the home of mobility projects aimed at revitalizing the Motor City. Once a hulking, windowless, trash-pick-strewn structure that cast an ominous shadow over the city’s Corktown neighborhood, the station is now home to Ford Motor Co. and the centerpiece of a sprawling, 30-acre Mobility Innovation District. Ford announced in 2018 that it was buying the 18-story building and an adjacent property as part of plans for a campus focused on autonomous vehicles. A grand opening celebration includes an outdoor concert Thursday, and public tours begin Friday.
Simone Biles wins 9th national title, giving momentum to Olympic champion Sunisa Li
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Gymnastics star Simone Biles won her record ninth U.S. championship and encouraged her best friend, Sunisa Lee, in the process. Lee, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist, appeared shaken by a fall on vault early in the competition. Biles, who fell on vault and withdrew from several events at the 2020 Olympics, listened to Lee and tried to build her confidence. Lee returned and ultimately finished fourth behind Biles’ winning total of 172.500 points. Skye Blakely and Kayla DiCello were second and third, respectively. The next Olympic Trials will be held in late June in Minneapolis.
Matchup set: Panthers and Oilers to meet in Stanley Cup Final
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Matthew Tkachuk is reuniting with an acquaintance. Connor McDavid is returning to where he began his NHL career. The opponent for the Stanley Cup Final has been decided. The Florida Panthers, in their second straight playoff appearance and looking to win their first championship, will face the Edmonton Oilers, who are looking to return to hockey’s pinnacle for the first time since 1990.
Sao Paulo Gay Pride Participants Reclaim Brazil’s National Symbol
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — The iconic yellow and green of the Brazilian flag mingled with a sea of rainbow tutus, fans and drag-queen hairstyles at Sao Paulo’s LGBTQ+ Pride Parade on Sunday. The event, which takes place on the city’s main thoroughfares, is one of the world’s largest gay pride celebrations. Synonymous with street parties every year, the parade draws thousands of people celebrating sexual diversity in a country that has seen a surge in violence and discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community in recent years. This year’s organizers made a special call for participants to wear green and yellow as a stern rebuke to far-right supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who recently appropriated Brazil’s national symbol for themselves.
Michael Douglas makes solidarity visit to southern Israel
JERUSALEM (AP) — Michael Douglas made a solidarity visit to an Israeli kibbutz that was heavily damaged in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that sparked war between Israel and the Islamic militant group. Douglas met with members of Kibbutz Be’eri and toured burned-out homes destroyed in the Oct. 7 attack. Douglas said he met with hostage families and visited the site of a music party where more than 300 people were killed. He also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who presented him with an Israeli identification necklace and a small pin with a yellow ribbon. “This is a very difficult time. I feel the deep impact of this whole experience,” Douglas said, expressing hope that the hostages will be released soon.
Yuka Sasao has won the U.S. Women’s Open again, this time a Japanese player.
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — Yuka Sasao became a U.S. Women’s Open champion while playing under a different nationality. She won in 2021 as a Filipina. Sasao changed nationality to bring Japan its first U.S. Women’s Open title. She started three strokes behind and shot 68 while everyone else around her crumbled at Lancaster Country Club. Sasao ultimately won by three strokes. The turning point came on the back nine, when Sasao made four birdies in five consecutive holes to pull away. Sasao has a Filipina mother and a Japanese father. She had to make a decision before she turned 21.
Rugby star and ALS activist Rob Barrow dies aged 41
LEEDS, England (AP) — Rob Burrow, the former rugby player who was widely praised for his fundraising and awareness efforts after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2019, has died. He was 41, the Leeds Rhinos announced. Burrow spent his entire career with the English rugby league club, helping them win the Super League eight times. He retired in 2017, and two years later it was revealed Burrow had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as motor neurone disease (MND). He then, along with former teammate Kevin Sinfield, raised millions of dollars to help build a new care center for ALS patients. Leeds said Burrow “never let others dictate what he could achieve.”
‘Garfield’, ‘Furiosa’ return to top of box office charts amid weak summer
North American cinemas had a quiet weekend, with Sony’s “Garfield Movie” and Warner Bros.’ “Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga” again dominating the box office. According to studio estimates on Sunday, “Garfield Movie” topped the charts with $14 million in ticket sales, while “Furiosa” finished in third place in a close race with “IF,” both of which made about $10.8 million. Disney/20th Century Studios’ “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” finished in fourth place with $8.8 million. Universal’s “The Fall Guys” rounded out the top five with $4.2 million. Box office revenues for 2024 are down about 24% from last year.
Rupert Murdoch holds fifth wedding at California vineyard
NEW YORK (AP) — Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, 93, has married for the fifth time. Murdoch’s News Corp. confirmed that he and Elena Zhukova, a 67-year-old Russian-born retired molecular biologist, were married Saturday at his vineyard in California. The couple announced their engagement in March. Murdoch was most recently married to model and actor Jerry Hall. The couple married in 2016 and divorced in 2022. Zhukova is the former wife of Alexander Zhukov, a billionaire energy investor and Russian politician. Their daughter, Dasha, was previously married to Roman Abramovich, a Russian billionaire who owned the Premier League soccer club Chelsea. Last fall, Murdoch stepped down as head of both the parent company of Fox News and News Corp.’s media holdings.
Monster truck strikes power line at show in Maine, knocking down pole in spectator area
TOPSHAM, Maine (AP) — Two people were sent to the hospital after a monster truck performing for a crowd in Maine struck overhead power lines, knocking down several poles, police said. A monster truck event was taking place at the Topsham Fairgrounds on Saturday when a vehicle dubbed the Crash Station shot into the air and crashed into power lines. Video showed a utility pole with a transformer falling onto the side of the tracks, sending people into a panic. Two people were taken to the hospital and others suffered minor injuries, Topsham police said. The truck driver was not injured.
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