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‘Hunger Games’ feasts, ‘Napoleon’ conquers but ‘Wish’ doesn’t come true at Thanksgiving box office

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:37 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The Walt Disney Co.’s “Wish” had been expected to rule the Thanksgiving weekend box office, but moviegoers instead feasted on leftovers, as “The Hunger Games: Songbirds and Snakes” led ticket sales for the second weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.Neither of the weekend’s top new releases — “Wish” and Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” — could keep up with Lionsgate’s “Hunger Games” prequel. After debuting the previous weekend with $44.6 million, the return to Panem proved the top draw for holiday moviegoers, grossing $28.8 million over the weekend and $42 million over the five-day holiday frame. In two weeks of release, “Songbirds and Snakes” has grossed nearly $100 million domestically and $200 million globally. The closer contest was for second place, where “Napoleon” narrowly outmaneuvered “Wish.” Scott’s epic outperformed expectations to take $32.5 million over the five-day weekend and an estimated $20.4 million Friday through Sunday. The film, sta...

Hamas releases third group of hostages in Gaza as part of truce deal

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:37 GMT

The fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was back on track Sunday as the militants freed 17 more hostages, including 14 Israelis and the first American, in a third set of releases under a four-day truce.Red Cross representatives transferred the hostages out of Gaza. Some were handed over directly to Israel, while others left through Egypt. Israel’s army said one was airlifted directly to a hospital.The Israeli hostages ranged in age from 4 to 84 and included Abigail Edan, a 4-year-old girl whose parents were killed in the Hamas attack that started the war on Oct. 7. The U.S. identified her as the first American hostage freed; White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told NBC’s “Meet the Press” the U.S. had reason to believe an American hostage would be released and said there were hopes it would be her.In all, nine children ages 17 and younger were on the list, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. Separately...

Former UK leader Boris Johnson joins thousands marching against antisemitism in London

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:37 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Thousands of people including former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gathered in London on Sunday for a march against antisemitism, a day after large crowds turned out for a pro-Palestinian rally. Johnson was joined by the U.K.’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and other senior government officials at the march to express solidarity with the Jewish community. Organizers billed it as the largest gathering against antisemitism in London for decades. Marchers waved Israeli and the U.K.’s Union flags and held placards reading “Never Again Is Now” and “Zero Tolerance for Antisemites.”Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, the former leader of the far-right English Defence League, was detained by police at the march. Yaxley-Lennon, more widely known by his alias Tommy Robinson, was among crowds of counter-protesters who clashed with police during an Armistice Day march in London earlier this month. Police said he refused to leave after he was warned about concerns that his...

1 killed, 2 injured in east Austin homicide, police investigating

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said it began investigating an east Austin homicide late Saturday. Police said the homicide occurred near the 2500 block of Sol Wilson Avenue.At approximately 10 p.m., police responded to the area after multiple callers reported hearing gunshots.APD said two men were found with "obvious trauma to their bodies."Police said one of the men died at the scene while the other was taken to the hospital. APD reported the man taken to the hospital was in stable condition. According to APD, a disturbance led to three people being injured, one of which was the man who died. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023? As of Saturday evening, APD said no one was in custody related to the incident.Police said this incident was being investigated at Austin's 64th homicide of 2023.

Which Texas city is Gen X moving to?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:37 GMT

Editor's note: The video above includes the top headlines from Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023.TEXAS (KXAN) — One Texas city was named one of the most popular destinations for Gen X residents to move to in 2022, according to a 2023 study conducted by financial technology company SmartAsset. The cities were ranked based on which one had the largest percentage of new residents aged 45-54 who moved into the city out of the city's total population.Wichita Falls came in at No. 8 on the Top 10 cities Gen Xers were moving to, per the report. SmartAsset's analysis found 2,187 new Gen X residents moved into the city last year, increasing the Gen X population to 10,775 residents — or 10.56% of the city's total population.Here's a look at the complete Top 10 places Gen Xers moved to in 2022.Surprise, Arizona:4,414 new Gen X residents; total population for age range rose to 18,239 residentsGen X represents 11.93% of total populationBend, Oregon:2,858 new Gen X residents; total population for age range ro...

Best Amazon Black Friday and Cyber Monday holiday gifts under $50

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:37 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.It’s time to shop for the holidaysBetween Secret Santa exchanges at work, white elephant parties, stocking stuffers and growing families, with each passing year our collective shopping lists seem to grow longer and longer. Hunting for the perfect gift is already a stressful affair, and budgets make things even more complicated.To simplify your shopping experience, we have assembled a collection of top-quality gifts priced under $50, currently available at discounts of up to 60% off for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Whether you’re seeking ingenious kitchen gadgets, transformative beauty products or practical cleaning items that enhance the lives of your loved ones, we guarantee these budget-friendly discoveries will leave a lasting impression without straining your wallet.Last updated on Nov. 25, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. PT. Zulay Powerful Milk Frother50% OFFGive the gift of perfe...

Deaths of 3 people outdoors in Denver this weekend under investigation

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:37 GMT

The Denver Police Department is investigating the deaths of three people found outdoors in less than 24 hours during the snowy, below-freezing weekend.As of 9:30 a.m. Sunday, all three deaths were still under investigation, but a police spokesperson told The Denver Post that investigators didn’t believe either of Saturday’s two deaths were related to the cold snap. No further information was available on the third death, reported Sunday morning, police said.None of the three cases are homicide investigations, though police said they would update the public if that changes.The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner will release the victims’ names and the causes of death after further investigation.On Saturday, Denver police announced two outdoor death investigations in a two-hour span on social media: one in the 2400 block of North Alcott Street, and another in the 1700 block of Wewatta Street.The first announcement came at 4:44 p.m. Saturday, as temperatures fell be...

National Weather Service extends beach hazard warning day after man, girl swept out to sea

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:37 GMT

The National Weather Service says the threat of rogue waves and riptides remain high in the Bay Area, a day after a 54-year-old man and a 5-year old were swept out to sea by a sneaker wave.Related ArticlesWeather | Post-Thanksgiving weekend could see dropping temperatures, harsh waves on the Bay Area coast Weather | NOAA reports over 1 million pieces of trash collected along Monterey Bay shoreline over 4 years Weather | What’s behind E. coli in Point Reyes National Seashore? Beef grows between ranchers and environmentalists Weather | Marin beach visitor dies after being swept into ocean Weather | California parks to increase penalty for camping no-shows, tighten reservation rules The National Weather Service said it was extending its beach hazard warning until noon on Sunday. The warning extends along the coast from Sonoma County to Monterey County.The threat is particularly high on beaches facing ...

Affordable Chevy Bolt Models Are Still Available

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:37 GMT

General Motors is planning to suspend production of its popular Chevy Bolt models at the end of 2023, disappointing electric vehicle advocates who value the attributes of these competent, unpretentious EVs. Folks looking to purchase an affordable, efficient EV should seriously consider snapping up a Bolt right away. The 2023 Bolt and the 2023 Bolt EUV are two of the most inexpensive EVs available in the United States, and both are currently eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit.The Bolt was introduced in 2017 to much acclaim, and sales in the first half of 2023 were the strongest they have ever been. They are being discontinued to make way for a new generation of EVs built on GM’s state-of-the-art Ultium battery platform. Later in 2024, the Chevy Equinox will take over as GM’s most affordable EV, and the automaker is promising to roll out a new, Ultium-based Bolt at some point in the not-too-distant future. The superior batteries in the new Bolts will likely deliver improv...

LA Auto Show: What A Concept!

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:37 GMT

The 1938 Buick Y-Job has a unique and dubious place in automotive history. It arguably had the worst name of any vehicle ever made. More important, it was the first concept car. It’s the practice of showcasing a vehicle to the public it may never be able to purchase.Harley J. Earl, the automotive designer and industry executive icon whose “Project Opel” became the Chevrolet Corvette, drove the concept for years. It had electric windows, flush door handles, a “gunsight” hood ornament, power-operated hidden headlamps and wraparound bumpers.The Y-Job, a 2-door convertible coupe with a 5.2-liter engine, also featured the waterfall grille design still used by Buick.Its name, in part, was Earl’s penchant for being different. While other concepts include the letter “X,” Earl decided “Y” was better.The Y-Job was never a consumer vehicle, but the concept car idea stuck. It’s how car manufacturers, mostly at automobile shows, t...