“‘Black Phone 2’ Tops Box Office with $26.5 Million Opening”

Universal Pictures announced that the horror sequel Black Phone 2 has debuted at the top of the North American box office, generating an estimated $26.5 million in ticket sales. The film, which features Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames, opened in 3,411 theaters and received positive reviews, capitalizing on the success of its predecessor four years prior. This performance comes as a relief for Blumhouse Productions, which has faced challenges this year, including the underwhelming release of M3GAN 2.0. The overall box office is seeing a modest increase of about 4% compared to last year, despite a slow October.

Black Phone 2 also earned $15.5 million internationally, bringing its total global earnings to $42 million against a production budget of $30 million. This solid opening positions the film as a potential hit, allowing Blumhouse to regain momentum in a year marked by financial disappointments.

Travis Hunter Scores First NFL Touchdown in London

In another highlight from the weekend, rookie Travis Hunter scored his first NFL touchdown during a game at Wembley Stadium. Hunter, playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars, caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams, bringing the score to 28-7. Before this moment, Hunter had recorded 20 receptions for 197 yards in the season, showcasing his patience and skill as he awaited his first score. Jaguars coach Liam Coen expressed intentions to integrate the talented player more into the offensive strategy.

Jason Momoa Embraces Hawaiian Language in ‘Chief of War’

In entertainment news, Jason Momoa prepared for his role in the Apple TV series Chief of War by working with a personal language coach for nearly a year. The series, which premiered in August, is notable for being the first major television production to showcase the Hawaiian language and culture. Although Momoa is Native Hawaiian, he did not grow up speaking the language. Experts have praised the series as a significant step in the revival of Hawaiian, although the use of the language decreases as the episodes progress. Fans are now eagerly anticipating news of a second season.

Jaromir Jagr Returns to Professional Hockey at 53

At the age of 53, former NHL star Jaromir Jagr began his 38th professional season with the Kladno Knights in the Czech Republic. He participated in a match against Vitkovice, contributing to a 3-1 victory while logging 10:08 minutes of ice time. Jagr, who made his debut for Kladno at age 16, returned to the club in 2018 after his time with the Calgary Flames. His resilience and commitment to the sport continue to inspire fans and fellow athletes alike.

Ford Issues Recall for Over 290,000 Vehicles

In automotive news, Ford has announced a recall affecting more than 290,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to a malfunction with the rearview camera system, which may not display images correctly in certain lighting conditions. This issue poses an increased risk of accidents. The recall includes certain models of the F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD manufactured between 2020 and 2022.

United Airlines Incident at Chicago O’Hare

A United Airlines flight experienced an incident at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport when it clipped the tail of another United aircraft. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Passengers on Flight 2652, arriving from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, were able to deplane normally after a brief delay. The second aircraft involved was stationary and had its horizontal stabilizer struck during the event.

Orionid Meteor Shower Set to Peak

The Orionid meteor shower is expected to peak this week, coinciding with a new moon, which will minimize moonlight interference. Experts predict that up to 20 meteors per hour could be visible during optimal viewing conditions on Tuesday morning. This annual meteor shower, originating from debris from Halley’s Comet, continues to draw stargazers eager to witness the celestial display. No special equipment is needed; simply find a dark location away from city lights.

Ace Frehley of Kiss Passes Away at 74

In a sad development for the music world, Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the iconic band Kiss, has passed away at the age of 74. His agent confirmed that he died peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall. Frehley’s family expressed their devastation over the loss, while celebrating his legacy and the joy he brought to fans through hits like “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City.” Known for their theatrical performances, the band’s influence on rock music remains significant.

Meta Introduces Parental Controls for AI Interactions

Meta has announced new parental controls designed to regulate children’s interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots. Parents will now have the option to disable one-on-one chats with AI characters, although the AI assistant will remain accessible for educational purposes. The company emphasizes that default age-appropriate protections will be in place to ensure the safety of teenagers interacting with the platform.

Taylor Swift Fans Surge to German Museum

Lastly, a German museum has seen an unexpected influx of visitors as Taylor Swift fans flock to see a painting that resembles a scene from her music video “The Fate of Ophelia.” The Hessische Landesmuseum reported a significant increase in attendance over the weekend, as fans were drawn to the Art Nouveau painting by Friedrich Heyser, featuring Ophelia from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Museum representatives are exploring ways to accommodate the fans, including plans for a special tour, while attempts to contact Swift have not yet yielded results.