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Microsoft’s planned Activision Blizzard merger temporarily blocked by US judge

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:34 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Microsoft’s planned $69 billion purchase of video game company Activision Blizzard was blocked by a federal judge Tuesday, giving more time for an antitrust review of the deal. U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in San Francisco ruled in support of a temporary restraining order sought by the Federal Trade Commission that will stop Microsoft from closing the deal. In a court filing Monday, the commission had sought both a restraining order and injunction to stop Microsoft’s acquisition of the California company behind hit games such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush Saga.Microsoft, maker of the Xbox game system, has spent months trying to win worldwide approval for the merger. While a number of countries have approved the acquisition, regulators for two important economies — the U.S. and the U.K. — have taken action to stop it, arguing it could suppress competition in the video game market.The judge said her order temporarily block...

Putin threatens to seize more of Ukraine to block attacks on border regions

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:34 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested Tuesday that he could order his troops to try to seize more land in Ukraine to protect bordering Russian territory — a threat with questionable credibility because the Kremlin lacks full control over areas it already annexed.In some of his most detailed remarks about the war in months, the Russian leader also asserted that Ukrainian forces had suffered “catastrophic” losses in a new counteroffensive, and he said he was not contemplating a new troop mobilization, as many Russians have feared. But he did not rule out another troop call-up later. And he reiterated Russia’s claim that Ukraine was responsible for blowing up a Dnieper River dam that caused vast flooding on both sides of the front line last week in the country’s south.Putin’s comments at an open meeting with military journalists and bloggers followed Kyiv’s claims that Ukrainian troops had captured a handful of villages in the early stages of...

Family searches for answers after Chicago woman goes missing in Japan

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:34 GMT

It was all smiles for Kandace Schipper when she landed at the airport in Tokyo back on May 8."every single day she had been communicating with family and friends," said Adam Willea, Schipper's brother-in-law. "I mean text, phone calls, pictures, updates, Instagram posts. And then it all abruptly ended on June 4th."Missing persons poster for Kandace Schipper, a 29-year-old Chicago woman who went missing in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan on June 4, 2023.Family haven't heard from the 29-year-old, or a man she was travelling with — 27-year-old Luis Torres — since.Schipper, originally from Chicago, was last heard from in Shibuya, Japan, after a credit card transaction alerted family.Willea said their family has filed a missing person's report with the Chicago Police Department, contacted the U.S. Embassy, and authorities abroad to help them locate Schipper, but he said they've hit a roadblock with Tokyo Metropolitan Police."I guess it's [an] issue because technically her flight home isn't schedul...

Teen's progress, positivity inspires just weeks after diving accident

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:34 GMT

Pato Gilchrist is a local young man whose life changed after one dive into the lake. He’s not alone. The injuries rise as summertime temps send people to pools and beaches. You can see Part 1 of his story here.Paralyzed but determined to walk and inspire others, Gilchrist’s progress has been steady, even surprising. And what started as a toe wiggle, brought tears of joy and hope.“It was like unreal,” he said. “The doctors came into see it and they said it opens up a whole new world of possibilities.”In April, on the first warm day of spring, Gilchrist was injured after he dove headfirst into the lake.“I hit the sand the bottom of the lake and I immediately couldn’t feel my legs or my neck,” he said.The injury changed the course for him.Even as he struggled to simply sit up, his spirit remained remarkably strong.“I’ve always known that my voice is extremely powerful and obviously my mind powers that,” he said. “And the fact that my personality was never altered is extremely impo...

What to know about Trump's appearance in federal court in Miami to face felony charges

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:34 GMT

Donald Trump made a first appearance in federal court in Miami on Tuesday facing 37 counts related to the mishandling and retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.Here’s a look at the charges, the special counsel’s investigation and how Trump’s case differs from those of other politicians known to be in possession of classified documents:WHAT HAPPENED IN COURT?Trump's lawyer entered a not-guilty plea for him, and the former president was released on his own recognizance without no bail. He will not have to surrender his passport or have his personal travel restricted.He scowled at times during the 50-minute hearing, but was otherwise expressionless. He folded his arms, fiddled with a pen and crossed his fingers back and forth as he listened.Trump leaned over to whisper to his attorneys before the hearing began but did not speak during the proceedings. He remained seated while his lawyer Todd Blanche stood up and entered the plea on his behalf. “We most certainly en...

From a foot fetish to fake accounts, Austin woman warns about Facebook Marketplace

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN)-- After decades in the Austin area, Tracy Miller and her husband are moving to the coast. "It's been a little bit of a sad thing for both of us, but we're ready," she said. Miller has sold dozens of items on Facebook Marketplace. But while getting rid of items, she's also received some unwanted attention from buyers that seem to be sending fake emails. "I instantly got an email saying that we weren't qualified yet to receive payment through Zelle," she said. She's also had odd requests about her shoes for sale. "He said, 'If you're willing to wear the shoes to the door, when I pick them up, I'll pay you $150.'"Miller said now that buyer won't leave her alone. "The fact that he's come back around even after I blocked him and reported him makes me a little more nervous," she said. Officer Jeffrey Woolverton in Hutto said they get reports about Facebook Marketplace often. "We got a report today on crib being sold on my Facebook marketplace ... And the seller never receive...

Missing teen in Copperas Cove left with unknown man, police say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:34 GMT

COPPERAS COVE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Copperas Cove Police Department is seeking the public's help in finding a missing teen who was last seen Monday evening, the agency said in a social media post.Copperas Cove Police said Kahlan Morello was last seen Monday, June 12. She was last seen leaving with an unknown man. | Courtesy Copperas Cove PoliceAccording to police, 15-year-old Kahlan Anne Morello was last seen in the backyard of the family's home at approximately 7:30 p.m.. Kahlan was picked up by an unidentified white man in an unidentified vehicle, police said.Furthermore, police said Kahlan was communicating via social media with the unidentified man, who is believed to be approximately 30 years old and is not a local resident.Detectives CCPD are working diligently to identify the unknown man, police said.Copperas Cove Police said Kahlan Morello was last seen Monday, June 12. She was last seen leaving with an unknown man, who is pictured above. | Courtesy Copperas Cove PoliceKahlan...

Three Chris Williams home runs ignite 21-hit attack in Saints’ 18-7 rout of Bats

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:34 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Chris Williams slugged three home runs, and the St. Paul Saints pounded out a franchise-record 21 hits in an 18-7 victory over the Louisville Bats in a Triple-A baseball game Tuesday night at Louisville Slugger Field.All nine batters for St. Paul (37-26) finished with a hit, and all nine scored a run. Seven of the nine had two or more hits, and six of them drove in at least one run.But Williams did the most damage, slamming a two-run homer in the second inning, another two-run homer in the third and a three-run homer in the fourth. He finished the night 3-for-5 with seven runs batted in.Williams has hit 10 home runs this season.Gilberto Celestino finished 3-for-6 for the Saints with a home run, a double, three RBIs and two runs scored.The St. Paul bullpen was impressive as Ronny Henriquez, Austin Brice, Michael Boyle and Patrick Murphy combined to pitch 5 2/3 shutout innings, allowing four hits while striking out eight.Related ArticlesMinnesota Twins | T...

Maternity services could close at Samaritan Hospital

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:34 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Maternity services at Samaritan Hospital could close within the next six months. St. Peter's Health Partners made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday.It is working on a provision plan to close maternity services but preserve prenatal care in Troy. The move is pending approval from the New York State Department of Health. If it is approved then the services will close within four to six months.SPHP's statement can be read in-full below:“The COVID pandemic has had a significant impact on health care, including financial and staffing effects that continue to be felt today. However, even before COVID, maternity services at Samaritan Hospital were operating at a substantial loss. And while St. Peter's Health Partners has made many efforts over the years to preserve those services in Troy, we are unfortunately no longer in a position to do so. At this time, a provisional plan has been created to consolidate ambulatory locations – closing maternity servic...

Lansingburgh teen charged in two shots fired incidents

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:34 GMT

PLEASANTDALE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 17-year-old from Lansingburgh is facing several charges after they were accused in two separate shots fired incidents in the city of Pleasantdale.The first incident took place on May 27. Police said the teen fired several rounds at a residence on Oakhurst Street. They were charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Criminal Use of a Firearm (Possessing a Deadly Weapon) in the First Degree, Criminal Use of a Firearm (Displaying a Firearm) in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, and Menacing in the Second Degree. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The second, separate incident took place the next day. Police said the teen fired several shots from a handgun at a different residence on Oakhurst Street. In the May 28 incident, they were charged with seven counts of Attempted Murde...