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Microsoft closes deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard after antitrust fights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

NEW YORK — Microsoft has completed its acquisition of video game-maker Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, closing one of the most expensive tech acquisitions in history that could have repercussions across the video game industry.The notice that the deal has gone through came seven hours after Microsoft got final approval from Britain’s competition watchdog, which reversed its earlier decision to block the $69 billion gaming deal, removing the last obstacle for the transaction.Taking over the studios behind blockbuster games like Call of Duty, Diablo and Overwatch will be a boost for Microsoft’s Xbox gaming console, which ranks third in sales behind PlayStation and Nintendo. The software giant also has bigger ambitions to fold Activision titles into its multi-game subscription service that works something like a Netflix for video games.The nearly 22 months it took to close the deal reflected concerns from rivals and government regulators that Microsoft could use its growing collec...

Israeli evacuation call in Gaza hikes Egypt’s fears of a mass exodus of refugees into its territory

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — Israel’s call Friday for half of the Gaza Strip’s population to evacuate south is hiking Egypt’s fears of a massive influx of refugees across the heavily fortified border into its territory.Since Hamas’ bloody attack on Israel sparked a massive retaliation in Gaza, Egypt’s leadership has frantically tried to negotiate the entry of humanitarian aid through its crossing into the Palestinian territory — partially in hopes of averting an exodus into Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Officials say its efforts have received no response from Israel.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was expected to visit Cairo over the weekend and Egyptian officials are expected to discuss the entry of aid with him.Israel sealed off the Gaza Strip, stopping all entry of food, water, medicine and fuel to its 2.3 million people, while bombardment has leveled swaths of its cities. That has left Egypt’s Rafah crossing as the sole access. But repeated Israeli airstrikes at the Palestinian side of the cr...

Ruling expected in trial of DCFS workers in connection to death of 5-year-old AJ Freund

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

CHICAGO -- A McHenry County judge is expected to make a ruling on two former DCFS workers accused of ignoring signs of child abuse. They have both pleaded not guilty.Carlos Acosta and Andrew Polovin worked on 5-year-old AJ Freund's case who was killed by his parents in 2019.They are accused of ignoring red flags and failing to remove 5-year-old AJ Freund from his Crystal Lake home despite signs of abuse and multiple police reports indicating the likelihood of abuse. Testimony also was heard from emergency room doctors who treated the boy. Freund was murdered in 2019 by his parents and his bod was found in a shallow grave after his parents claimed he was missing. Chicago to open new migrant shelters weekly His parents, Joanne Cunningham and Andrew Freund, were both convicted of numerous charges in connection to his murder and are serving at least 30 years in prison. The defense has tried to poke holes in the police reports for a lack of consistency and defense attorneys have said ...

Dean's Reviews: 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' movie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

CHICAGO — It's a show that's done so well across the country that it's now become a movie. Like everything else involving Taylor Swift, many are doing what they can to catch a glimpse of "The Eras Tour" on the big screen. A concert film named after the performers immensely popular 2023 series of shows is now being shown in AMC Theatres across the countries, including a Chicago premiere on Thursday. Naturally, Dean Richards took some time to review this latest offering from Smith on his weekly review segment on Friday's WGN Morning News. He also shared some of the thoughts of those who watched the film during a showing in Chicago. You can see what he thinks of "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" movie from the October 13 show in the video above.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

How to take photos of the eclipse without damaging your phone, camera

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Photographers, both professional and amateur alike, are excited about capturing the moment the solar eclipse becomes a ring of fire, obscuring the sun. But photography experts say just pointing your smartphone camera at the eclipse could cause catastrophic damage if you don't have proper equipment."How do I protect my camera sensor being totally destroyed by this thing?" is the No. 1 question Adam Gallardo, manager at B&C Camera in Las Vegas, said photographers are asking him as they visit the store this week."Digital cameras, DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, even your phone [...] all have sensors," Gallardo said. "It's really not a good idea to point them directly to the sun, especially during this solar eclipse without the proper equipment." MAP: Where, when and how to get the best view of the 2023 annular eclipse A solar filter, Gallardo said, is essential to photograph a solar eclipse. Viewing an eclipse through a camera lens, telescope or binoculars with...

Man charged with stealing 'Wizard of Oz' slippers from Minnesota museum expected to plead guilty

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man charged with the museum heist of a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the “The Wizard of Oz” was expected to change his plea to guilty in court Friday, pulling back the curtain on a whodunnit mystery dating back 18 years.Terry Jon Martin, 76, was indicted in May on one count of theft of a major artwork. The shoes from the film were stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in the actress' hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and recovered in 2018 by the FBI.No one was arrested in the case until Martin, who lives near Grand Rapids, was charged earlier this year. Martin’s attorney, Dane DeKrey, said his client, who is in poor health, has been cooperative with authorities.“I think Terry is facing his own mortality and I think when people are reaching that point in their life, they cut through the pleasantries and talk turkey,” DeKrey said in an interview ahead of Friday's scheduled hearing.The one-page indictment gave no details of the path that le...

How to watch the 2023 'ring of fire' solar eclipse over the U.S. Saturday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Starting on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 14 an annular, or partial, solar eclipse will pass over the United States, as well as Central and South America.Millions of Americans will be able to see the phenomenon, but only a handful of cities in the "path of annularity," or the maximum amount of obscuration, will see the "ring of fire" created when the moon lines up perfectly with the sun, leaving only the burning rim visible. How to watch the 2023 solar eclipse safely – and what you should never do The 2023 solar eclipse will stream live in a player at the top of this article for those well outside of the path of annularity, but if you're planning on breaking out the eclipse glasses and seeing it for yourself, this map shows viewing times for a number of cities:If you aren't able to travel to the 150-mile-wide path of annularity, you can still see a partial view of the eclipse.The 80-90% range includes portions of California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming,...

WATCH LIVE: NASA launch sets sights on metal-rich asteroid, possible core of small planet

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — NASA's Psyche mission is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket this morning to start a nearly six-year mission to a "metal-rich" asteroid.The mission namesake is also the target: Asteroid 16 Psyche. While NASA has conducted a number of asteroid-related missions, including the recent return of its first asteroid samples, this will be the agency's first mission to an asteroid which they believe has more metal than rock or ice. While there won't be a return trip for the Psyche spacecraft, scientists hope to confirm a theory from afar. They hypothesize the asteroid, which is 173 miles in diameter at its widest point, could actually be the leftover core of a planetesimal, or very small planet. If confirmed, the study of 16 Psyche could offer a look at what might be Earth's own center and how our planet was created. Psyche mission: watch the most recent science and mission update brief As of Thursday at 2 p.m. EDT, the mission...

Dog trick-or-treating event returning to Albany

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The annual “Hounds of Halloween” dog trick-or-treating and costume contest is returning to downtown Albany on Saturday, October 21. Hundreds of costumed dogs and their humans will have a day of trick-or-treating, specials, discounts, and photo-ops. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "Hounds of Halloween has become a seasonal staple in Albany's Central Social District, giving pet lovers the opportunity to experience a fun-filled afternoon of trick-or-treating with their canine companions, all while supporting a great cause," said Downtown Albany BID Executive Director Georgette Steffens.The trick-or-treating, specials, and photo-ops will be at participating businesses from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some bars and restaurants will also be offering Yappy Hour specials and discounts from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Haunted attractions in the Capital Region for 2023 Participating businessesAlbany Symphony, 19 Clinton AvenueAlias...

NASA solar astrophysicist explains difference between solar and total eclipses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

ST. LOUIS - There's a lot of buzz about the annual solar eclipse happening Saturday.Unfortunately, Mother Nature isn't going to give St. Louis a great view of what would have been a partial eclipse for us. However, a fantastic "ring of fire" will be visible in the sky across the west and southwest. St. Louis youth football coach recovering after shooting, suspect charged Trevor Knuth, a postdoctoral research fellow and solar astrophysicist with NASA, spoke with FOX 2's Angela Hutti about how these eclipses happen and their importance to science. Knuth also explained how this annular solar eclipse isn't a total eclipse. There is a difference.  He added that while this is exciting for those in the ring of fire path, it is especially important to researchers.