Tornadoes

leave 2 dead

RUNAWAY BAY, Texas (AP) — At least two people have died from a severe tornado-producing storm that hit northern Texas, and many homes have sustained major damage. Wise County Judge J.D. Clark says the storm came through the town of Runaway Bay around 10 p.m. Saturday, killing one person.

Emergency responders worked to clear debris. The storm also hit Springtown, where Parker County Assistant Fire Chief David Pruitt says a second person died outside the city limits.

On Sunday, National Weather Service teams confirmed that an EF-2 tornado hit the Runaway Bay area and that an EF-1 tornado struck the Springtown area.

Georgia

fire grows

NAHUNTA, Ga. (AP) — One of two large wildfires in southeastern Georgia continues to grow and now exceeds 31 square miles. The Highway 82 Fire has been burning since April 20 and as of Saturday had destroyed at least 87 homes. Officials say Sunday that it was only 7% contained.

Brantley County Manager Joey Cason says in a Facebook post that the fire doubled in size from Saturday night and will be further impacted by the wind. Cason also said evacuation notices could be issued and residents should heed them. A second fire about 70 miles to the southwest, near the Florida state line, had burned more than 46 square miles as of Saturday.

Official in

Mali killed

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Malian Minister of Defense Gen. Sadio Camara has been killed in an attack as jihadi and rebel forces seized towns and military bases across the country.

A military officer and two other sources confirmed the news Sunday. Separatist fighters joined Islamic militants in one of the biggest coordinated attacks on the Malian army, leaving at least 16 wounded. Malian troops and Russian mercenaries withdrew from the northern city of Kidal after the attacks.

The separatists have been fighting for years to create an independent state in northern Mali. The Economic Community of West African States condemned the attacks.

‘Michael’

earns $97M

NEW YORK (AP) — “Michael,” the big-budget Michael Jackson spectacle, shrugged off bad reviews and a troubled production to launch with $97 million in U.S. and Canada theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday, shattering a record debut for music biopics.

A highly authorized portrayal of the King of Pop, co-produced by the Jackson estate, “Michael” far surpassed previous biopic top performers like “Straight Outta Compton” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” International sales were also strong. “Michael” collected $120.4 million overseas to give it a $217.4 million global opening — a new high for a music biopic.

Universal picked up distribution in most international markets.