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Microsoft says China approves its plan to buy video game-maker Activision Blizzard

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:31 GMT

Microsoft said Friday that China has unconditionally approved its plan to buy video game company Activision Blizzard, even as the deal still faces antitrust opposition in the U.S. and United Kingdom.China’s approval is complicated by the fact that Activision Blizzard stopped offering many of its games in mainland China earlier this year because of a dispute with its local publishing partner.China and the European Union are the two biggest economies to have approved Microsoft’s planned $69 billion takeover of the California game publisher behind popular titles such as World of Warcraft, Call of Duty and Candy Crush.European regulators representing the 27-nation bloc approved the deal Monday on condition that Microsoft make some promises meant to boost competition in the emerging cloud-based gaming market. China’s State Administration for Market Regulation cleared it without conditions, according to Microsoft, though as of late Friday the agency’s website didn’t ment...

Connecticut governor looking to bring NHL’s Coyotes to Hartford

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:31 GMT

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Friday he’s planning to meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman about the possibility of moving the Arizona Coyotes to Hartford. Lamont told reporters during a news availability that he has reached out to the NHL and hopes the meeting can take place sometime next week.“This is a great hockey state and a great hockey town,” Lamont said. “It’s evidenced by the passion we have for the Whalers going back years — still one of the best selling jerseys. I think we can guarantee them a very strong market right here, and a government that’s ready to come and be their partner.”Talk of a relocation for the Coyotes has taken on steam since voters in Tempe, Arizona this week rejected referendum for an $2.3 billion entertainment district that would allow the franchise to build a new arena there.Connecticut has not had an NHL team since the Hartford Whalers left for North Carolina in 1997. The state has just one top-tier professional sp...

Montgomery County school bus crash sends 2 to hospital

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:31 GMT

One adult and one child have been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries following a Friday morning crash involving a school bus in Gaithersburg, Maryland.RT @mcfrsPIO7 East Village at Plum Creek, serious collision. Road closure, motorists should avoid the area. @MCFRSNews @mcfrsPIO @DavidPazos15 https://t.co/tGmhRibxtQ pic.twitter.com/TgBatVRh6m— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) May 19, 2023School leaders at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland, confirmed in an email to WTOP that the accident involved a member of their senior class and his younger brother, and that both are “in critical condition.”A Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service official said both victims were in a car that collided with the bus at the intersection of E Village Avenue and Plum Creek Drive.A Montgomery County Public Schools spokeswoman said that six children were aboard the bus at the time of the crash, and they suffered minor injuries.The school bus was heading to Forest Oak...

Denver ranks top 5 for worst air quality in the world on Friday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:31 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says moderate to heavy smoke will be possible across much of the state on Friday.According to the air quality rating on Friday morning, Denver ranked in the top five for worst air quality in the world. You can check your air quality level here The CDPHE has issued an air quality health advisory alert for the Front Range and Denver metro area. It will be in effect until 4 p.m. on Friday.What is causing the smoke?The smoke is coming from several large wildfires burning in Canada, which is causing smoky skies across multiple states, including Colorado.Is the smoke dangerous?Will the level of smoke be dangerous for your health? Here's what the CDPHE said you should know."If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity wh...

Colorado student spending rose at one of nation's lowest rates in 2021

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:31 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado's per-pupil spending rose by one of the nation's lowest rates in 2021, according to data released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau.Nationally, spending per student jumped upward from 2020 to 2021 at twice the rate it usually does. Spending rose about 3.5% annually each of the previous four years, but 7% from 2020 to 2021. Colorado school districts have gotten $1.63 billion in COVID funding Much of this can be chalked up to the COVID-era influx of dollars to school districts from elementary and secondary school emergency relief funds, which were used to address learning loss. Colorado school districts received billions from this funding.In Colorado, though, the per pupil spending rose 5.6% in the same time frame, the 11th lowest rate among U.S. states. Maine's per-pupil spending rose 16%. The relatively low funding increase halted a trend. In each of the previous three years, Colorado's per-pupil spending had risen by some of the nation's highest rates....

Martha Stewart breaks age barrier modeling for Sport’s Illustrated 2023 swimsuit issue

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:31 GMT

Martha Stewart is out to prove age is just a number. At 81 years young, she’s the cover girl for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition.The photo spread is historic, iconic and a true reflection of beauty in the body of an 81-year-old woman.“I’m going to be the oldest person ever on the cover of Sports Illustrated,” Stewart said. “This is kind of historic.”Stewart knows this is a moment people will remember.She even said it herself that she hopes her Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover inspires people to challenge themselves and try new things.“Breaking barriers is a good thing, and showing people new opportunities is also a great thing, and that’s what it’s all about,” Stewart said. On Friday, the cover model will walk the red carpet with other big names like actress Megan Fox, Grammy-winning transgender artist Kim Petras and model Brooks Nader.They’ll be together at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood ...

Commuters mark National Bike to Work Day in Boston

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:31 GMT

Hundreds of commuters left their cars at home and biked into Boston Friday, meeting up outside City Hall as part of National Bike to Work Day. Mayor Michelle Wu joined in on the fun, riding with a group from her neighborhood. Wu spoke to 7NEWS, saying the annual trips help her see how Boston is changing first-hand. “We see each time the infrastructure changes that have been highlighted starting to be put in place and change,” Wu said. “Whether it was bumpy parts of the Southeast Corridor that are now smoothed over or signal changes, I like to look for those little things we can fix right away that can actually make a big improvement in how people perceive the availability and accessibility of our services.” Bike to Work Day happens every year on the third Friday of May. 

Debt limit talks resume at Capitol as Republicans, White House face ‘real differences’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:31 GMT

By KEVIN FREKING, LISA MASCARO and ZEKE MILLER (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Debt limit talks resumed at the U.S. Capitol late Friday, a sudden turnaround after negotiations came to an abrupt standstill earlier in the day when Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said it’s time to “pause” negotiations, and a White House official acknowledged there are “real differences.”A White House official confirmed late Friday the talks were back on. The official was granted anonymity to talk about the private discussions. Earlier in the day, McCarthy said resolution to the standoff is “easy,” if only Democratic President Joe Biden’s team would agree to some spending cuts Republicans are demanding. The biggest impasse was over the fiscal 2024 top-line budget amount, according to another person briefed on the talks and granted anonymity to discuss them. Democrats staunchly oppose the steep reductions Republicans have put on the table ...

Chicago White Sox minor-league report: Injury news on Colson Montgomery and Noah Schultz — and what’s next for Liam Hendriks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:31 GMT

Colson Montgomery had a productive 2022 while playing for three teams in the Chicago White Sox system.A midback strain has delayed the top prospect’s start to 2023. The 2021 first-round pick continues to rehab, according to assistant general manager Chris Getz.“It has improved a good amount here in the last week or two,” Getz said Thursday afternoon. “And we are increasing his activities and look forward to getting him back.“He would have liked to be with an affiliate out of the gate, but this midback strain seems to be kind of in the rearview mirror and hope to get a good chunk of the season this year.”Three of the top four prospects in the Sox system are in various stages of coming back from injuries.Third baseman Bryan Ramos, the organization’s No. 3 prospect, is in extended spring training recovering from a groin-related injury.“He’s (been a designated hitter), played third base,” Getz said. “He’s got a coup...

Everett football stars giving back to community with youth football camp

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:31 GMT

Mike Sainristil was looking for ways to give back to Everett and resorted to his past to find a present solution.The former Everett High football star and current Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely are the headliners at this weekend’s Youth Football Camp at Everett Memorial Stadium. The camp is open to all youngsters in Everett as well as those in surrounding communities.On Saturday, the 9-to-noon session is for kids from kindergarten to fourth grade. There are two sessions on Sunday, with the early grouping (9-noon) consisting of kids from fifth to eighth grade, with the final session (12-3) for high school students.“The kids deserve all the credit, they put it all together,” said former Everett assistant coach Carlos Ruiz. “Mikey started it last year and he just wanted to give back to the community. Now more of his former teammates want to be a part of this and it’s an amazing thing to see.”According to Ruiz, in addition to Sainristil and Likely, other prior Ever...