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Microsoft’s revamped $69 billion deal for Activision is on the cusp of going through

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:59 GMT

LONDON (AP) — British competition regulators gave preliminary approval Friday to Microsoft’s restructured $69 billion deal to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard, easing a final global hurdle that paves the way for one of the largest tech transactions in history to go through.The Competition and Markets Authority said the revamped proposal “substantially addresses previous concerns” about stifling competition in the fast-growing cloud gaming market, which frees players from buying expensive consoles and gaming computers by streaming to tablets, phones and other devices.The updated offer “opens the door to the deal being cleared,” the watchdog said, though there are lingering concerns. Microsoft has offered remedies that the watchdog provisionally decided will resolve those issues, and regulators are now getting feedback from “interested parties” before making a final decision.The announcement shows the U.K. watchdog is close to reversing its earlier decision to block Microsoft ...

Thousands of teachers protest in Nepal against education bill, shutting schools across the country

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:59 GMT

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Schools for millions of students in Nepal were closed Friday as tens of thousands of teachers protested in the capital against an education reform bill in parliament.Teachers have been demonstrating in Kathmandu since Wednesday against the School Education Bill while teachers’ groups negotiate with government leaders over changes to the legislation. The teachers oppose provisions that would shift government-run schools to local control, saying it would lower their status, and that would scrap many temporary teacher positions. The teachers blocked the main street leading from the parliament building to key government ministries, disrupting traffic in the heart of the capital. Hundreds of police in riot gear blocked the road leading to parliament with barbed-wire barricades. The teachers have threatened to bring more protesters to Kathmandu if their demands are not addressed.“Our key demand is we teachers should be kept under the central government like a...

A tale of two teams: Taliban send all-male team to Asian Games but Afghan women come from outside

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:59 GMT

HANGZHOU, China (AP) — In the first Asian Games since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, two teams of athletes are arriving in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, looking very different.One, sent from Afghanistan where women are now banned by the Taliban from participating in sports, consists of about 130 all-male athletes, who will participate in 17 different sports, including volleyball, judo and wrestling, Atel Mashwani, a Taliban-appointed spokesman for the Afghanistan’s Olympic Committee, told The Associated Press. Another, competing under the black, red and green flag of the elected government the Taliban toppled in 2021, is drawn from the diaspora of Afghan athletes around the world, and includes 17 women, according to Hafizullah Wali Rahimi, the president of Afghanistan’s National Olympic Committee from before the Taliban took over. Rahimi, who now works from outside Afghanistan but is still recognized by many countries as its official representative on Olympic mat...

Taylor residents try to stop pay increase for city council members

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:59 GMT

TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -- Taylor residents are attempting to overturn a pay increase for city council members after the council approved a nearly 4000% increase in monthly compensation. More than 1,300 Taylor residents signed a petition that, if approved, will create a referendum vote on the next regular election. "Most were upset that the council gave themselves an increase," Terry Burris, the man who started the petition, explained. On August 17, after almost a year of discussing pay compensation, council members voted 3-2 to approve an increase that would pay council members $500 for every meeting they attend and the mayor $750 for each meeting he attends. Mayor Brandt Rydell, Mayor Pro-Tem Gerald Anderson, and district 4 council member Robert Garcia approved the pay hike with council members Dwayne Ariola and Mitchell Drummond voting no. The new compensation structure will begin on October 1. A nearly 4000% increase in payCurrently, the council is paid a $50 stipend every month. T...

Near 100º through the weekend, but rain is a good bet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today is the final full day of summer and it will sure feel like it. Morning clouds will give way to increasing sunshine as we head through the late morning and afternoon. High temperatures will still be very close to the 100º mark today, but should fall just shy in Austin. BLOG: October forecast Slight shower chances develop during the afternoon in our eastern counties, but most areas stay dry.Today's forecastAnother low rain chance (10%) returns Saturday evening into the Hill Country as storms may make it into a couple of our counties after another hot day.Weekend forecastBetter rain chances start to pick up later on Sunday (30%) as a cold front approaches. Some storms may be severe Sunday evening, mainly north of Austin.Monday continues to look to be our best chance of rain for the next week (60%).Rainfall amounts have trended lower with most areas getting 0.25"-1.0", but localized higher amounts will be possible in areas that get more thunderstorms.7 Day Rain...

Sneak peek at King Coil Spirits, opening soon in Vandalia Tower

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:59 GMT

St. Paul has a new distillery — with pizza — and we got a sneak peek this week.King Coil Spirits, from the owners of Lake Monster Brewing, opens Sept. 29 in Vandalia Tower, just across the way from Lake Monster.The distillery has a full slate of house-made spirits and liqueurs and will be slinging some top-tier cocktails, formulated with the help of spirits and cocktail consultant David Curiel.The front bar at King Coil Spirits in Vandalia Tower. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)There are two bars: a front bar, serving more classic cocktails like a lighter Manhattan, a stellar white negroni, and an old-fashioned; and a back bar, serving some more time-intensive and intricate cocktails. We loved the Spanish gin and tonic and the very umami, yet balanced, sesame boulevardier.The pizza is Roman-style, which is square like Detroit-style, but not quite as thick and puffy. Chef Bryan Hurley, formerly of Babette and Copper Hen, is heading the kitchen. There are snacks like roasted...

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Is It Too Early To Put Up Halloween Decorations?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Ava and it's about setting up Halloween decorations in September. Here's the email. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! My name is Ava and I’ve been arguing with my daughter all week about putting up Halloween decorations inside and outside our house. She thinks we need to wait till at least the second week in October and I think we can do it now. The debate began after we went to Sams Club and Michaels’ crafts and started looking at decorations. We bought a bunch of stuff and I wanted to start decorating right away. She, on the other hand, put all of the decorations we bought in the basement. Someone in our neighborhood already has a big skeleton out in front of their house, so why can’t we? Do you think it’s too early to put up Halloween decorations? Should we wait until it's at least October? Thanks.AvaI say if you like the decorations, put them up! It's your hou...

'Bar Without Boundaries': Saratoga family rolls out mobile business 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:59 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - From a vintage horse trailer to a good time on wheels! The 'Bar Without Boundaries' is a full service mobile bar and café serving up cocktails, mocktails and lite bites. Fathers, father figures drop kids off at school in Schenectady From backyard parties, weddings, graduations, corporate events and more, the mobile bar and café can decorate and custom each event just for you. For bookings and to get a quote, call 518-350-9524 or email [email protected].

5 things to know this Friday, September 22

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Friday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, we're going to have some great weather to end summer, with fall officially beginning at 2:49 a.m. tomorrow. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Columbia County search crews combed Hudson Thursday in an effort to find Robert Coons who's been missing since July. Meanwhile, a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Saratoga Springs will go to trial. The decision regarding Darryl Mount’s death has taken 10 years. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Friday morning. 1. Search for missing Hudson man intensifiesWhere is Robert Coons? Columbia County search crews combed Hudson Thursday to get an answer to that question.2. Darryl Mount wrongful death lawsuit to go to trialA wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Saratoga Springs will go to trial. The decision regarding Darryl Mount’s death has taken 10 years.3. Testimony re...

Ask Amy: Nonprofit volunteer worries about future

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:59 GMT

Dear Amy: I’ve been a devoted supporter of a local nonprofit organization for 25 years. I am one of two continuous volunteers from when the organization was first founded.When our executive director asks, I give advice, but I self-monitor and don’t insert myself unduly.I served on the board and at the end of my term was asked to continue as emeritus (non-voting), and attend meetings.Recently, a staff member announced a new and unrealistic financial giving expectation for all board members.Board members promised support, but their offerings have been weak.As a fundraising professional myself, I spoke with the executive director when he asked and said that this staff member’s approach was not going to work.I also met with the employee, at his invitation.When I shared best practices, he took over the conversation. He sent a follow-up communication showing that he took nothing in.It is damaging to set board members up to fail.As a long-time supporter, what’s my best op...