The animated sequel, Zootopia 2, has made a historic mark at the box office, achieving a staggering $556 million in global earnings during its opening weekend. Released just before the Thanksgiving holiday, the film grossed $96 million in North America over the weekend and a total of $156 million across the five-day Thanksgiving frame. This impressive opening sets a new record for the highest international debut for an animated film.
Nearly a decade after the original, Zootopia 2 features the beloved bunny cop, Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, alongside her cunning partner, Nick Wilde, voiced by Jason Bateman. The success of the film, alongside Wicked: For Good, which earned $62.8 million domestically over the same weekend, has provided a much-needed boost to theaters that have faced a challenging year.
As the holiday shopping season approaches, consumers are reminded to exercise caution during Travel Tuesday, a promotional day for the travel industry that coincides with Giving Tuesday. Airlines, hotels, and travel operators are offering one-day deals aimed at encouraging post-Thanksgiving travel. While consumer advocates note that legitimate savings are available, they also warn of marketing tactics that may create a misleading sense of urgency.
At an international wildlife conference in Uzbekistan, over 70 species of sharks and rays received greater protections. The measures, approved at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, aim to address concerns about overfishing and the billion-dollar trade in shark fins, meat, and oil. Conservationists highlight that more than 37% of shark and ray species are threatened with extinction.
In the music industry, an AI-generated country song titled Walk My Walk has sparked discussions about attribution and ethics. The song, credited to a fictional artist named Breaking Rust, topped Billboard’s country digital song sales chart, but its vocal style is based on the work of Grammy-nominated artist Blanco Brown, who was unaware of the song’s existence until informed by friends. Brown has since released his own version, emphasizing the unique value of authentic artistry in music.
The hemp industry faces potential upheaval due to a provision in a recent federal bill that could ban THC-infused products derived from hemp. As this rapidly growing $24 billion industry prepares for the ban to take effect in a year, concerns are rising about the implications for manufacturers who have relied on a loophole from the 2018 farm bill.
In a remarkable astronomical discovery, a telescope in Chile captured a stunning image of the Butterfly Nebula, located between 2,500 and 3,800 light-years away. This celestial wonder, photographed by the Gemini South telescope, celebrates the 25th anniversary of the International Gemini Observatory, with schoolchildren in Chile selecting it as a target for observation.
As Thanksgiving approaches in the United States, many consumers are preparing for holiday gatherings and shopping. While most national grocery chains remain open for last-minute needs, many major retailers are closing their doors on Thanksgiving Day, allowing employees to spend time with family and prepare for the busy Black Friday shopping event.
In corporate news, Martin Bally, Campbell’s vice president of information technology, has been placed on leave following allegations of racist remarks and mocking the company’s products. The claims are detailed in a lawsuit filed by former employee Robert Garza, who alleges that Bally demeaned Campbell’s products and made derogatory comments about Indian workers.
Finally, Virginia State Police are searching for a high school football coach who went missing just days before his undefeated team’s playoff game. Travis Turner, 46, is wanted on charges related to possessing child sexual abuse material. Authorities have utilized drones and rescue teams in their search for the coach, who was last seen at his home prior to the investigation.
These varied stories reflect significant happenings across entertainment, consumer behavior, wildlife conservation, music industry ethics, and public safety, painting a vivid picture of current events that resonate globally.
