5 Things to Know This Morning

5 Things to Know This Morning

ByABC News
July 8, 2014, 5:57 AM

— -- Your look at the five biggest and most buzz-worthy stories of the morning.

1. 4 Injured, Dozens Stranded for Hours on Stalled Roller Coaster

A roller coaster hit a tree branch at the Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park Monday, dislodging the front car, leaving four people slightly injured and keeping nearly two dozen summer fun-seekers hanging 20 to 30 feet in the air for hours as day turned to night.

Two of the four people hurt on the Ninja coaster were taken to the hospital as a precaution, but all the injuries were minor, fire and park officials said.

2. Powerful Typhoon Pounds Japan's Okinawa Islands

A powerful typhoon pummeled the southern Japanese islands of Okinawa on Tuesday, paralyzing transport and prompting U.S. forces based there to cancel all outdoor activity.

The Okinawan government said 10 people were injured, one seriously. Separately, a man was reported missing from a fishing boat in rough seas off Kyushu island, to the north.

3. Oscar Pistorius Defense Team Closes its Case

The defense in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial closed its case today, with final arguments scheduled for Aug. 7 and 8.

Today’s court proceedings took less than five minutes.

The state will hand in its final arguments to Judge Thokozile Masipa on July 30, with the defense’s final arguments due on Aug. 4.

4. How You Can Watch the World Cup Semifinals at Work

The worst thing about today and Wednesday's World Cup semifinals is the time.

It's taking place during prime working hours in most of the U.S., with Brazil-Germany kicking off today at 4 p.m. ET. Tomorrow's Argentina-Netherlands semifinal clash will be played at the same time.

That means millions of you are going to have to get creative in how to watch while the boss isn't looking.

5. Watch Singer do 28 Celebrity Impressions in One Song

Rob Cantor posted a video of his song "Perfect" to promote his new album "NOT A TRAMPOLINE" and in it, he does almost 30 celebrity impressions.

Cantor says it's 29 impressions, but by count it's 28 and he does one of himself that is "spot on."

It's amazing, he starts off with voices like Kermit the Frog and Louis Armstrong, then transitions effortlessly into Adam Sandler and Gwen Stefani. It is absolutely incredible how easily he switches from a guy's voice to a woman's and nails it perfectly.