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UK watchdog softens position on Microsoft Activision deal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:47 GMT

LONDON (AP) — British antitrust regulators scrutinizing Microsoft’s blockbuster purchase of videogame maker Activision Blizzard on Friday dropped concerns that the deal would hurt the console gaming market, narrowing the scope of their investigation.The Competition and Markets Authority said it no longer thinks the $69 billion deal will result in a “substantial lessening of competition” for console games in the U.K., an update to provisional findings issued last month based on new evidence. The all-cash deal is set to be the biggest in the history of the tech industry. But it faces stiff opposition from rival Sony and is being examined by regulators in the U.S. and Europe over fears that it would give Microsoft control of popular game franchises like Call of Duty.The purchase hit a hurdle last month when the U.K. watchdog said in its initial decision that the deal would stifle competition for both cloud and console gaming. Based on the new evidence, including data that gives b...

12 Naperville businesses cited for selling tobacco to underage residents

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:47 GMT

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Twelve businesses in Naperville have been cited following a round of tobacco compliance checks.The checks were performed at 76 Naperville businesses and 12 were cited for allegedly selling tobacco or alternative tobacco products to those under 21. Postal carrier robbed of mail keys in Westchester The following is a list of the businesses, per Naperville police.Dr Lungzzz, 2728 W 75th St. #114Food Plus, 351 E Bailey RdMobil (Casey’s), 20 E Ogden AvMobil, 1280 W Ogden AvSHO Mart, 1303 Plainfield-Naperville RdSmoke O Vapor, 686 S Route 59Smoke XL, 1003A W Ogden AvSmokes N Vapes, 760 N Route 59 #108Smokers Choice, 803 E Ogden AvSmoky Brothers, 2811 Patriots Ln #105Speedway, 631 N Route 59U Smoke, 931 E Ogden Av

Chick-fil-A discontinuing longtime side dish to 'help simplify' menu

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:47 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Chick-fil-A customers looking to offset their intake of fried chicken with some sort of vegetable will soon have one less option to choose from.As of April 3, Chick-fil-A locations across the country will no longer offer the chain’s Side Salad, which has existed on the Chick-fil-A menu in some form or another (sometimes with carrots and cabbage) for at least a decade.“Serving guests is at the heart of all we do at Chick-fil-A,” reads a statement issued by Chick-fil-A, Inc., concerning the salad’s discontinuation. “In order for our Restaurant Team Members to continue to deliver quality food and signature hospitality, at times we have to make difficult decisions to help simplify our menu.”Customers who order the salad between now and April 3 will also be provided with a “flyer letting them know of the upcoming change,” a spokesperson for the chain told Nexstar. Chick-fil-A confirms customer info stolen in ‘automated attack’ While the Side Salad itself may be disappearing...

Chicago snowplow naming contest concludes: Seven winning names unveiled

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:47 GMT

CHICAGO — Coming to a snowy Chicago street near you, Salter Payton could be clearing the way as one of seven newly named city snowplows.The Department of Streets and Sanitation unveiled the seven winning snowplow names of its inaugural "You Name a Snowplow" contest.They are:Mrs. O’Leary’s Plow Da Plow Salter Payton Sears Plower Sleet Home Chicago Holy Plow! Jean Baptiste Point du Shovel  Winter Weather Advisory issued early Saturday morning The winners were selected by a popularity vote from a list of 50 finalists. Originally only six names were to be selected, one for each of Chicago's snow districts, however a near tie for sixth place led to the seventh being added.Nearly 17,000 responses were received from Chicago residents, which translated to over 80,000 votes for the snowplow names, according to a press release.The officially named snowplows will enjoy a mini-parade at a Friday event where those who originally submitted the winning names wi...

Microsoft unveils plans to use AI feature in Outlook, Excel and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:47 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.Everything you need to know about Microsoft’s new AI featureArtificial intelligence is quickly becoming a part of people’s daily routines. Some creative professionals have embraced these new technologies as tools to make their workflow easier. On the other hand, AI critics worry it will bring more harm than good.Microsoft seems to have big plans for AI tools, having incorporated the technology into its Bing search engine. On March 6, Microsoft announced it would also use an AI large language model in its Microsoft 365 products.In this article: Microsoft 365 Personal, Microsoft 365 Family and “Office 365 All-in-One For Dummies”What is ChatGPT?“I am a large language model developed by OpenAI based on the GPT-3.5 architecture,” said ChatGPT, when we asked it in a typed query. “I was designed to understand natural language, generate humanlike responses and perform a wide range of ...

Yes, the IRS wants you to report stolen items - unless you return them

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:47 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - If you haven't filed your taxes yet this year - you have less than a month until the April 18 deadline - which means you still have time to report your income. While doing so, don't forget to report income you collected from illegal activity or profits from items you stole. Yes, you read that right. IRS guidelines say you must include in your income money made from illegal activities, like dealing illegal drugs or thievery. According to the IRS's Publication 17, "income from illegal activities, such as money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your income on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 8z, or on Schedule C (Form 1040) if from your self-employment activity." When will I get my tax refund? When it comes to reporting stolen property, you'll need to report the item's (or items') fair market value - unless you return the item in the same year. The guideline is sometimes referred to as "the Al Capone rule," Mark Steber, Chief Tax Information Officer at Jackson H...

Man in 20s shot, killed in southeast Austin; city's 6th homicide in 10 days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man died Thursday night after he was shot multiple times at an apartment complex in southeast Austin. A 911 "shots fired" call came in at 10:43 p.m. from the Woodway Square apartment complex on Teri Road, according to the Austin Police Department. Police said medical treatment was administered, but the man was pronounced dead on the scene at 11:09 p.m.Homicide detectives started investigating the case Thursday night. Police said there was a relationship between the victim and suspect, and this was an isolated incident. A male person of interest was detained and questioned. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023? This is being investigated as the 21st homicide of the year, and 6th in ten days.

Volunteers needed in Alzheimer's research that could spot disease decades before

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:47 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KXAN) -- The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to double in the next two decades, according to new findings by the Alzheimer’s Association.The report warns Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are expected to increase from 6.7 million today to nearly 13 million by 2050.An experimental drug aims to change that outlook.“It is now possible to identify individuals at risk of developing dementia 20 years before symptoms,” said Dr. Thomas Obisesan of Howard University.Howard University is part of the 75 academic centers across the nation asking people between 55 to 80 years old without memory loss to take part in the AHEAD study, funded by the National Institutes of Health.The trial is testing a newly FDA approved investigational drug called Lecanemab, which aims to identify a protein in the brain called “amyloid” that builds up in people who go on to have memory problems because of Alzheimer’s disease.“That's why the AHEAD study is so cr...

Presser on former Doane Stuart building fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:47 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Officials from Albany speak on the fire at the former Doane Stuart building. Mayor Kathy Sheehan called the incident and "devastating fire" and went on to say the building holds significant meaning to many members of the community. The mayor said that the city was hoping the building could be revitalized. She also said the fire is under investigation at this time. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Albany Fire Chief Joseph Gregory said the original call came in at 6:26 p.m. on Thursday and crews were at the former school by 6:33 p.m. When crews arrived the building was already burning throughout the structure. The chief said just moments after firefighters arrived the steeple collapsed into the building.There were a total of 24 units and 51 firefighters on the scene to battle the blaze. Luckily, no one was injured while fighting the fire. The chief said the fire was finally under control around 10:30 p....

New tuxedo shop gets fancy in Lake George

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:47 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A new shop in the village of Lake George is looking to keep visitors well-dressed, whether local or paying the lake a visit. This week, tuxedo and suit business "Stay in Tux" opened a new location on Route 9N in the town of Lake George. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The ribbon was cut on Thursday at Stay in Tux's new location at 2315 Route 9N. Owners Cheryl and Todd Smith purchased the business under a previous name in the summer of 2021, rebranding it and getting it all dressed up for a move. That shift to Lake George started in late 2022, and the owners bring a history in wedding attire to the location.“I love weddings and being a small part of someone's special day, said Cheryl Smith. "I believe I have trained my whole life for this and just needed the chance to do something with all of my training."The business offers tuxedos, suits, and accessories ready for proms, weddings and other form...