NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

‘Avengers’ sequel is 2nd-biggest US opener

LOS ANGELES

The Avengers are mighty, but not enough to beat themselves. The Marvel and Disney sequel earned a staggering $187.7 million in its debut weekend, making it the second-biggest U.S. opening of all time according to Rentrak estimates Sunday.

But “Avengers: Age of Ultron” failed to top the all-time record of the first film’s $207.4 million debut in 2012.

The rest of the top-five list included “The Age of Adaline,” $6.3 million, second place; “Furious 7,” $6.1 million, third; “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2,” $5.6 million, fourth; and “Home,” $3.3 million, fifth place.

Gaiman, Bechdel are table hosts at PEN gala

NEW YORK

Neil Gaiman, Art Spiegelman and Alison Bechdel are among the writers who have agreed to be table hosts at next week’s PEN American Center gala after six authors withdrew in protest of an award being given to the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo.

The literary and human- rights organization told The Associated Press this weekend that the other new hosts are George Packer, Azar Mafisi and Alain Mabanckou, a Congolese-born French author who will present the award to Hebdo’s editor in chief Gerard Biard and critic and essayist Jean-Baptiste Thore. PEN is giving the magazine a Freedom of Expression Courage award, a decision that has been fiercely defended and criticized.

“I was honored to be invited to host a table,” Gaiman wrote in an email Sunday to The Associated Press.

Vonn: Relationship with Woods is over

SAN FRANCISCO

Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn are no longer a power couple in American sports.

Golf’s biggest star and the Olympic ski champion said Sunday they were breaking up after more than two years. But in ending their relationship, both were in complete harmony in their separate announcements on social media, citing busy lives and times they will always “cherish.”

“After nearly three years together, Tiger and I have mutually decided to end our relationship,” Vonn said Sunday on her Facebook page. “I will always cherish the memories that we’ve created together. Unfortunately, we both lead incredibly hectic lives that force us to spend a majority of our time apart. He and his beautiful family will always hold a special place in my heart.”

“Lindsey and I have mutually decided to stop dating,” Woods said on his website. “I have great admiration, respect and love for Lindsey, and I’ll always cherish our time together. She has been amazing with Sam and Charlie and my entire family. Unfortunately, we lead very hectic lives and are both competing in demanding sports. It’s difficult to spend time together.”

Both are divorced.

Associate Press