SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple is pumping more artificial intelligence into the latest iPhones during the holiday shopping season with a free software update that includes a feature that enables users to create customized emojis within a matter of seconds. The Wednesday release of the iPhone's upgraded operating system, iOS 18.2, extends Apple's expansion into AI months after rivals such as Samsung and Google began implanting the revolutionary technology on their devices. The update builds upon another one that came out in late October to usher in the AI era for Apple and the iPhone, as well as for the iPad and Mac. The latest round of AI tricks includes “Genmojis,” Apple's description for emojis that iPhone users will be able to ask the technology to create and then share. Apple says it is placing some limits its AI's emoji artistry to prevent the distribution of violent or hateful imagery. Other features include an “Image Playground” for a variety of AI-styled illustrations, writing tools and options for summarizing emails. The technology won’t work on iPhones that Apple made before 2023 because it requires a special processor that isn’t in older models. The AI will work on the iPhone 16 line-up that came out in September and the premium iPhone 15 models released last year. That exclusivity is expected to propel a cycle of iPhone upgrades during the current holiday shopping season into next year, driving up Apple's profit even higher from the $94 billion that the Cupertino, California, company pocketed in its last fiscal year ending in September. That expectation is the main reason Apple's stock price has climbed by about 30% so far this year to push the company's market value closer to the $4 trillion threshold for the first time. Apple is broadening the AI suite's appeal by including English versions tailored for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. that are included in the latest software update. Although the iPhone's AI is similar to many of the features that have already been available from other companies, Apple is taking a slightly different approach to the technology in an effort to stand out from the rest of pack. It is emphasizing its ongoing commitment to protecting iPhone users' privacy by processing most of its AI on the device itself or corralling it in a secured data center. Users seeking more AI wizardry than the device or the special data center can handle will have the option to reach out to the popular ChatGPT technology made by OpenAI, which has forged a partnership with Apple.NoneSoccer-Bayern’s Kane bags hat-trick in 3-0 win over AugsburgPortland Public Schools maps a 3rd way in the nationally charged debate over middle school algebrajili178 agent 。

Tim Walter's awful tenure at Hull City continued to plunge new depths on Tuesday, losing 2-0 to Sheffield Wednesday at an increasingly fed-up MKM Stadium. City's home woes continued with a poor first half display which saw them a goal down shortly before the break when Josh Windass slotted in a penalty after Joao Pedro's clumsy foul. The hosts did create two good chances through Regan Slater who should have scored and Xavier Simons, who hit a post, but they were cut open time and time again. Wednesday finally secured the points in the final 10 minutes when Michael Smith came off the bench to turn in their second and complete City's misery. Here's how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players under the MKM Stadium lights on Tuesday evening.... Ivor Pandur: A busy first period for the City stopper. Sent the wrong way by Windass' penalty kick and could do nothing about the second. 6/10 Cody Drameh: Found the going really tough in the first half before recovering in the second. Made a couple of timely interventions. 6/10 Charlie Hughes: Booked for a head-to-head clash with Ike Ugbo in one of the livelier moments of what was a game that fizzled. Booked for that, and was taken off for Bedia late on. 6/10 Alfie Jones: Saw plenty of the ball again but was often exposed alongside Hughes, as Wednesday often cut through the City side at will, at times. 6/10 Lewie Coyle: Another typical Coyle performance of grit and determination, bombing from right to left and back again. 6/10 Regan Slater: Had a glorious chance to fire City a goal up after half-an-hour from close range but picked out the goalkeeper's legs, before being hooked at half-time. 5/10 Kasey Palmer: Handed his maiden MKM Stadium start after his impressive cameo at Luton Town and went close in the early stages driving into the side-netting from the edge of the box. 6/10 Xavier Simons: Not in the game in the first half. Wednesday dominated but did hit the post with a shot at the end of it. Fizzed over in the second before coming off just shy of the hour. 5/10 Ryan Longman: A first start of the season for the winger after recovering from his shoulder surgery. Started on the right before moving to the left, struggled to get into the game and was sacrificed at half-time. 5/10 Abu Kamara: Early cross into the box almost caught out goalkeeper James Beadle. Still looks like he lacks confidence. Made a brilliant goal-saving tackle to stop Wednesday making it 2-0. 6/10 Joao Pedro: Nothing going forward, so tried to get involved in the game at the wrong end and gave away a silly penalty. Forced a decent save from Beadle in the second half with a looping header. 5/10 Subs: Abdus Omur (for Longman 46): His delivery from corners showed promise, and indeed, fashioned an opening for Pedro to head at goal. 6/10 Marvin Mehlem (for Slater 46): One decent knockback for Joao Pedro to miss from a yard or two out. Offered little else. 5/10 Gustavo Puerta (for Simons 58): Buzzed around when he came on, won a free kick on the far side with some nimble footwork. 5/10 Chris Bedia (for Hughes 77): Caused a few nervy moments for Wednesday, but couldn't get into a game City had not been in for long periods. 5/10 Mason Burstow (for Kamara 86): Too little time in truth, coming on wide left this time. 5/10 Rate them yourself using the slider below.... Did you know that you can get daily Tigers news sent straight to your device as soon as it happens through WhatsApp? It's quick and easy to join. Just click this link and select 'Join Community' to get started. Your information will be hidden, you'll only ever receive messages from the Hull Live sports team, and you can leave any time you like. For more information, click here . You can read our Privacy Notice here.

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Mutual Funds are one of the most incredible investment strategies that offer better returns...NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes got back to climbing on Wednesday after the latest update on inflation appeared to clear the way for more help for the economy from the Federal Reserve . The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to break its first two-day losing streak in nearly a month and finished just short of its all-time high. Big Tech stocks led the way, which drove the Nasdaq composite up 1.8% to top the 20,000 level for the first time. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, meanwhile, lagged the market with a dip of 99 points, or 0.2%. Stocks got a boost as expectations built that Wednesday’s inflation data will allow the Fed to deliver another cut to interest rates at its meeting next week. Traders are betting on a nearly 99% probability of that, according to data from CME Group, up from 89% a day before. If they’re correct, it would be a third straight cut by the Fed after it began lowering rates in September from a two-decade high. It’s hoping to support a slowing job market after getting inflation nearly all the way down to its 2% target. Lower rates would give a boost to the economy and to prices for investments, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. “The data have given the Fed the ‘all clear’ for next week, and today’s inflation data keep a January cut in active discussion,” according to Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Expectations for a series of cuts to rates by the Fed have been one of the main reasons the S&P 500 has set an all-time high 57 times this year , with the latest coming last week. The biggest boosts for the index on Wednesday came from Nvidia and other Big Tech stocks. Their massive growth has made them Wall Street’s biggest stars for years, though other kinds of stocks have recently been catching up somewhat amid hopes for the broader U.S. economy. Tesla jumped 5.9% to finish above $420 at $424.77. It’s a level that Elon Musk made famous in a 2018 tweet when he said he had secured funding to take Tesla private at $420 per share . Stitch Fix soared 44.3% after the company that sends clothes to your door reported a smaller loss for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It also gave financial forecasts for the current quarter that were better than expected, including for revenue. GE Vernova rallied 5% for one of the biggest gains in the S&P 500. The energy company that spun out of General Electric said it would pay a 25 cent dividend every three months, and it approved a plan to send up to another $6 billion to its shareholders by buying back its own stock. On the losing end of Wall Street, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment tumbled 20.1% after reporting a worse loss for the latest quarter than expected. It also said CEO Chris Morris has resigned, and the board has been working with an executive-search firm for the last few months to find its next permanent leader. Albertsons fell 1.5% after filing a lawsuit against Kroger, saying it didn’t do enough for their proposed $24.6 billion merger agreement to win regulatory clearance. Albertsons said it’s seeking billions of dollars in damages from Kroger, whose stock rose 1%. A day earlier, judges in separate cases in Oregon and Washington nixed the supermarket giants’ merger. The grocers contended a combination could have helped them compete with big retailers like Walmart, Costco and Amazon, but critics said it would hurt competition. After terminating the merger agreement with Kroger, Albertsons said it plans to boost its dividend 25% and increased the size of its program to buy back its own stock. Macy’s slipped 0.8% after cutting some of its financial forecasts for the full year of 2024, including for how much profit it expects to make off each $1 of revenue. All told, the S&P 500 rose 49.28 points to 6,084.19. The Dow dipped 99.27 to 44,148.56, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 347.65 to 20,034.89. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.27% from 4.23% late Tuesday. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for the Fed, edged up to 4.15% from 4.14%. In stock markets abroad, indexes rose across much of Europe and Asia. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was an outlier and slipped 0.8% as Chinese leaders convened an annual planning meeting in Beijing that is expected to set economic policies and growth targets for the coming year. South Korea’s Kospi rose 1%, up for a second straight day as it climbs back following last week’s political turmoil where its president briefly declared martial law. AP Writers Matt Ott and Zimo Zhong contributed.Heavy-Duty Lifting Magnets Market Outlook and Future Projections for 2030

Florcita dedicates publication to her mother Susy Díaz after strong fight for Miss World LatinaStock market today: Wall Street gets back to climbing, and the Nasdaq tops 20,000

The robot vacuum that kept my floors free of muddy paw prints this fall is $600 offThe Latest: UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect contests his extradition back to New York-- Reduces total emissions by approximately 14 percent since base year -- -- Decreases water withdrawal by approximately 17 percent since base year -- -- Achieves lost-time injury rate of 0.28, representing an approximate 32 percent reduction from prior year -- MORRISVILLE, N.C. , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pyxus International, Inc. (OTC Pink: PYYX), a global value-added agricultural company, today published its Fiscal Year 2024 Sustainability Report detailing the measurable impacts of the Company's sustainability initiatives as it progresses toward achieving its global targets. "Fiscal year 2024 was an exceptional year for Pyxus and this report highlights the positive impacts of our environmental and social initiatives, including collaboration with our contracted growers to reduce scope 3 emissions, improvement of our employee health and safety practices, and providing support to those in need," said Pyxus President and CEO Pieter Sikkel . "We remain committed to viewing all aspects of our business through a sustainable lens, helping us progress against our targets while delivering value to our stakeholders, the environment and the communities in which we operate." Notable fiscal year 2024 sustainability achievements include: Minimal Environmental Impact Support for People and Communities Ethical and Responsible Business In preparation of this year's report, Pyxus externally verified 11 global key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with its targets, up from three KPIs in the prior year. The report was prepared with reference to Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and discloses the Company's sustainability performance from April 1, 2023 , to March 31, 2024 . About Pyxus International, Inc. Pyxus International, Inc. is a global agricultural company with more than 150 years of experience delivering value-added products and services to businesses and customers. Driven by a united purpose—to transform people's lives, so that together we can grow a better world—Pyxus International, its subsidiaries and affiliates, are trusted providers of responsibly sourced, independently verified, sustainable, and traceable products and ingredients. For more information, visit www.pyxus.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pyxus-releases-fiscal-year-2024-sustainability-report-302329534.html SOURCE Pyxus International, Inc. Stay Informed: Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today

Ousted CEO Plots Return to End Possible Equity Wipeout at Grover

School districts throughout Schuylkill County will benefit from recent state grants that are intended to increase safety and security in schools and improve mental health among students, officials announced this week. The grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency were approved for the Mahanoy Area, Shenandoah Valley and North Schuylkill school districts, as well as Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 and the Schuylkill Technology Center campuses in Frackville and Marlin. The amounts are:North Schuylkill – $140,139Shenandoah Valley – $123,289Mahanoy Area – $121,155Schuylkill IU – $70,000Schuylkill Technology Center – $70,000 The Schuylkill IU is using its grant to help pay the costs of a board-certified behavioral analyst who serves students with special needs in all 12 public school districts that belong to the IU. In that role is Randy Lattis, who began this school year and will continue at least through next school year thanks to the grant, said Shannon Brennan, assistant executive director of the IU. The mental health issues of students across the county have risen since the COVID-19 pandemic, Brennan said, and Lattis helps students whose struggles require intervention. He develops support plans for those with behavioral or emotional issues, physical disabilities and other issues that result in a diagnosis, she said. “He’s been a huge asset,” she said. The north and south campuses of the Schuylkill Training Center recently created the position of health and safety coordinator, which its grant is helping to pay for through next school year, Brennan said. In addition to tracking health data in that role, Jennifer Fritz helps students deal with stress and emotional issues, connects them with county resources outside of school, and works on school health and safety plans, including protocols for fire drills and evacuations. Meanwhile, the Mahanoy Area School District is putting half of its grant towards the salary of a staff social worker, who is in place this school year and will continue next school year. The social worker primarily provides mental health services to junior and senior high school students and occasionally works with elementary students. They also address student crisis situations as needed, with student mental health needs having increased significantly since the pandemic, said Jack Hurst, business administrator and school safety and security coordinator. The rest of Mahanoy’s grant money will be used to install safety posts known as bollards in front of its elementary school as a security measure to prevent vehicles from driving into the building, Hurst said. That will bring the school in line with state safety requirements, he said. “These funds allow us to do things we otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford,” he said. Shenandoah will use its grant to add more exterior and interior security cameras across its elementary and secondary campus, and to cover part of the costs of the district’s two police officers, who began last year and will continue at least through next school year, said Brian Waite, superintendent. North Schuylkill will use its grant to hire a second armed security guard for its elementary and junior-senior high school buildings for the next year, and for physical upgrades to the buildings, including improving security at both school entrances, and installing a mass notification system to be used internally in case of crisis, said Robert Ackell, superintendent. Statewide, the financial awards were among the $120 million issued through the school safety grants program package appropriated in Pennsylvania’s 2024-25 budget, officials said. Along with the public school grants, nearly $20 million was awarded to nonpublic schools, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and approved security vendors supplying school security personnel services to schools. “Our kids can’t focus on learning if we aren’t meeting the basic need for safety within the walls of their schools and making sure students’ mental health needs are met,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and also the School Safety and Security Committee. “This program is more than funding—it’s about investing in the well-being of our kids and giving peace of mind to their families and school staff who are dedicated to helping them learn and grow.”

NoneATLANTA (AP) — Deliberations are underway in Atlanta after a year of testimony in the gang and racketeering trial that originally included the rapper Young Thug. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! ATLANTA (AP) — Deliberations are underway in Atlanta after a year of testimony in the gang and racketeering trial that originally included the rapper Young Thug. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? ATLANTA (AP) — Deliberations are underway in Atlanta after a year of testimony in the gang and racketeering trial that originally included the rapper Young Thug. Jurors are considering whether to convict Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, on gang, murder, drug and gun charges. The original indictment charged 28 people with conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Opening statements in the trial for six of those defendants happened a year ago. Four of them, including Young Thug, pleaded guilty last month. The rapper was freed on probation. Stillwell and Kendrick rejected plea deals after more than a week of negotiations, and their lawyers chose not to present evidence or witnesses. Both seemed to be in good spirits Tuesday morning after closings wrapped the previous night. Kendrick was chatting and laughing with Stillwell and his lawyers before the jury arrived for instructions. Kendrick and Stillwell were charged in the 2015 killing of Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as “Big Nut,” in an Atlanta barbershop. Prosecutors painted Stillwell and Kendrick as members of a violent street called Young Slime Life, or YSL, co-founded in 2012 by Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams. During closings on Monday, they pointed to tattoos, song lyrics and social media posts they said proved members, including Stillwell, admitted to killing people in rival gangs. Prosecutors say Thomas was in a rival gang. Stillwell was also charged in the 2022 killing of Shymel Drinks, which prosecutors said was in retaliation for the killing of two YSL associates days earlier. Defense attorneys Doug Weinstein and Max Schardt said the state presented unreliable witnesses, weak evidence and cherry-picked lyrics and social media posts to push a false narrative about Stillwell, Kendrick and the members of YSL. Schardt, Stillwell’s attorney, reminded the jury that alleged YSL affiliates said during the trial that they had lied to police. Law enforcement played a “sick game” by promising they would escape long prison sentences if they said what police wanted them to say, Schardt said. He theorized that one of those witnesses could have killed Thomas. The truth is that their clients were just trying to escape poverty through music, Schardt said. “As a whole, we know the struggles that these communities have had,” Schardt said. “A sad, tacit acceptance that it’s either rap, prison or death.” Young Thug’s record label is also known as YSL, an acronym of Young Stoner Life. Kendrick was featured on two popular songs from the label’s compilation album Slime Language 2, “Take It to Trial” and “Slatty,” which prosecutors presented as evidence in the trial. Weinstein, Kendrick’s defense attorney, said during closings it was wrong for prosecutors to target the defendants for their music and lyrics. Prosecutor Simone Hylton disagreed, and said surveillance footage and phone evidence supported her case. “They have the audacity to think they can just brag about killing somebody and nobody’s gonna hold them accountable,” Hylton said. The trial had more than its fair share of delays. Jury selection took nearly 10 months, and Stillwell was stabbed last year at the Fulton County jail, which paused trial proceedings. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker took over after Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville was removed from the case in July because he had a meeting with prosecutors and a state witness without defense attorneys present. Whitaker often lost patience with prosecutors over moves such as not sharing evidence with defense attorneys, once accusing them of “poor lawyering.” But the trial sped up under her watch. In October, four defendants, including Young Thug, pleaded guilty, with the rapper entering a non-negotiated or “blind” plea, meaning he didn’t have a deal worked out with prosecutors. Nine people charged in the indictment, including rapper Gunna, accepted plea deals before the trial began. Charges against 12 others are pending. Prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case. ___ Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon Advertisement AdvertisementSeneca Foods stock soars to all-time high of $74.06

'Wicked,' 'Gladiator II,' 'Moana 2' Could Break Thanksgiving Weekend Box Office: Stocks To WatchPrincipal Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:PFG) Shares Sold by Commerce Bank

Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full a dose of presidential pomp. And they held an impromptu meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria is gaining speed with news that they have reached the suburbs of the capital of Damascus. The government on Saturday was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus were reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander. They came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions. The factions are by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. The DNC chair candidates discuss Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and winning Latino voters SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Four Democrats are running for Democratic National Committee chair, looking to take on the task of reinvigorating a party demoralized by a second loss to President-elect Donald Trump. Others may still get into the race as Democrats reckon with what went wrong in the 2024 election, which saw Trump gain with nearly every demographic group in a decisive repudiation of the incumbent party. The 448 DNC members will elect a successor for outgoing Chair Jaime Harrison on Feb. 1. The party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee is scheduled to meet next week to approve rules for the contest. 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor recalls confusion and chaos during Japanese bombing 83 years ago PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors are planning to return to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. They are each over 100 years old. They will join active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for a remembrance ceremony hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. Do weighted blankets help you sleep better? Here's what to know NEW YORK (AP) — Weighted blankets are a popular choice to warm up in cold weather, but research on their effectiveness is limited. Such blankets come with extra heft in the form of glass beads, pellets or cotton. They're also more expensive than regular blankets. Scientists think the added pressure could calm the brain’s fight-or-flight response or signal the brain to produce what’s called the love hormone. There isn’t a ton of research on whether weighted blankets actually work, and the studies that do exist are on small groups. Experts say there’s no harm in giving them a try if you're willing to splurge.Highly anticipated movies "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" are being released on the same day and come shortly ahead of "Moana 2," setting up what could be a record-breaking Thanksgiving weekend for the movie theater industry . What Happened : "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" open in domestic movie theaters on Nov. 22, in a move that some compared to the release of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" on the same day last year. While "Glicked" or whatever acronym you want to use for seeing both movies the same day didn't catch on as big as last year's "Barbenheimer" did previously, expectations remain high for both movies. "Wicked," which comes from Comcast Corp CMCSA unit Universal Pictures, is expected to post a domestic opening weekend total in the range of $125 million to $150 million, as reported by Deadline. "Gladiator II," which comes from Paramount Global PARA PARAA , is expected to have a domestic opening weekend of more than $60 million. Deadline reports strong initial audience scores for "Wicked" from those who saw early screenings of the film and pre-sales that are "through the roof." As an R-rated movie, a total of $60 million or more could help "Gladiator II" become the highest-grossing R-rated film in November. Read Also: Airbnb Says ‘Are You Not Entertained?’ New Roman Colosseum Experience Coincides With Gladiator Sequel Why It's Important: The strong expected opens for "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" could be good news for AMC Entertainment Holdings AMC and Cinemark Holdings CNK and other movie theater operators in the U.S. Along with those two movies, movie theaters could also benefit from the release of "Moana 2" from Walt Disney Co DIS , which comes next Wednesday, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The three movies could help the domestic box office pass $300 million and hit all-time records for the holiday five-day weekend, according to The Hollywood Reporter. With three strong movies all released shortly before Thanksgiving, estimates predict a strong domestic box office next week, which could be another bright spot in the post-COVID-19 recovery for movie theaters and movie companies. A total of over $300 million, with most coming from the three films, could come close to the record. Here's a look at the current top-grossing five-day domestic Thanksgiving weekends and the highest-grossing film during the time period: 2018 : $315.6 million, "Ralph Breaks the Internet" ($84.8 million) 2013 : $294.2 million, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" ($109.9 million) 2017 : $270.5 million, "Coco" ($72.9 million) 2019 : $263.4 million, "Frozen II" ($125.0 million) 2016: $260.0 million, "Moana" ($125.0 million) The report said current tracking predicts "Moana 2" will gross between $125 million and $150 million for the five-day holiday weekend domestically, which would break records for the time period. The early Wednesday opening could contribute to the strong expectations for "Moana 2" as not all blockbusters haven't done this same holiday release window previously, the report added. While the strong opening expectations for the three films could help the movie companies behind them, the big winners will likely be the movie theaters as they could see many customers coming in more than once during a period that might have only drawn one visit in past years due to this year's strong lineup. Read Next: Elon Musk Predicts Gladiator Sequel Will Be ‘Painfully Bad. Embarrassingly So’: Film’s Star Says Movie Takes ‘New Direction’ Photo: Movie posters via IMDb © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.