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Amazon’s $1.7B iRobot purchase faces UK antitrust scrutiny

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:24 GMT

LONDON (AP) — British antitrust regulators have started investigating Amazon’s purchase of robot vacuum maker iRobot, adding further scrutiny to the $1.7 billion deal.The Competition and Markets Authority said Thursday that it’s considering whether the deal will result in a “substantial lessening of competition” within the United Kingdom. In an initial step, the U.K. watchdog invited comments on the deal from “any interested party.”The acquisition is already facing a review in the U.S. by the Federal Trade Commission amid worries about Amazon’s growing market power. Consumer groups had voiced concerns after the deal was announced last year that it would further the e-commerce giant’s dominance in the smart home market.Amazon said it’s “working cooperatively with the relevant regulators in their review of the merger.”Bedford, Massachusetts-based iRobot, which makes the popular Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners, said it “continues to work cooperatively with both t...

Political novice confirmed victorious in Montenegro election

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:24 GMT

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Official results published Thursday confirmed a crushing defeat for Montenegro’s long-time leader Milo Djukanovic in a weekend presidential election, signaling his departure from the small Balkan state’s political scene after more than 30 years in power.Economy expert and political novice Jakov Milatovic won the presidential runoff election held on Sunday with around 59% of the vote, to Djukanovic’s 41%, according to the final official results.Djukanovic led Montenegro to independence from much larger Serbia in 2006 and to NATO membership in 2017. Milatovic’s victory reflected voter fatigue with Djukanovic — who has served as president twice and prime minister seven times — as well as disillusionment with established politicians. Although the presidency is largely a ceremonial position in Montenegro, it influences the political trends in the country.Djukanovic meanwhile rendered his resignation as the president of his centrist Democratic Party of S...

European tour wins case with LIV Golf after panel ruling

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:24 GMT

LONDON — The European tour was within its rights to sanction members who competed on the Saudi-funded LIV Golf without permission, an independent tribunal ruled Thursday.An appeal panel at Sports Resolutions found that a number of players, including Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, committed “serious breaches” of the European tour’s code of behavior by playing in LIV Golf events last year despite requests to be released having been refused.The ruling allows the European tour to impose fines of 100,000 pounds ($125,000) on players who competed in the rival league without a conflicting events release.Keith Pelley, the European tour chief executive, welcomed the tribunal’s decision.“We are delighted that the panel recognized we have a responsibility to our full membership to do this and also determined that the process we followed was fair and proportionate,” Pelley said. “In deciding the level of these sanctions last June, we were simply administering the regulations which were created b...

Macron appeals to China’s Xi to ‘bring Russia to its senses’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:24 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron appealed on Thursday to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who received an effusive welcome from Vladimir Putin in Moscow last month, to “bring Russia to its senses” and help make “lasting peace” in Ukraine.Macron pointed to Chinese support for the United Nations Charter, which calls for respect of a country’s territorial integrity, and for nuclear agreements. He said peace and stability based on those were threatened by the Russian president’s invasion of Ukraine.Xi’s government declared it had a “no limits friendship” with Russia ahead of the February 2022 attack but has tried to appear neutral. Beijing has called for peace talks.“I know I can count on you, under the two principles I just mentioned, to bring Russia to its senses and bring everyone back to the negotiating table,” Macron told Xi. “We need to find a lasting peace,” Macron said. “I believe that this is also an important issue for China, as muc...

First Lady keeps 'EGGucation' theme for annual White House Easter Egg Roll

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jill Biden wants the White House's annual Easter Egg Roll to be about more than just coaxing hard-boiled eggs across the lawn to a finish line.A teacher for 30 years, the first lady is again turning the annual tradition into an “EGGucational” experience. A variety of stations on the South Lawn and Ellipse will help teach thousands of children about farming, healthier eating, exercise and more, the White House announced on Thursday.In a nod to Biden's “EGGucation” theme, NASA sent a souvenir wooden White House Easter egg to the International Space Station for the astronauts to help teach students about gravity. Children roll eggs during the 140th annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House April 2, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Footage by Alex Wong/Getty Images)About 30,000 people, most of them children, are expected to participate in the festivities in nine waves between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, the White Hous...

Widespread rain over the next 48 hours

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Grab the rain gear - widespread showers and storms are a good bet across most of Central Texas today (and it's about time!)Live radarLive traffic conditionsPeriodic showers and storms can be expected through the day with coverage leaning slightly heavier east of I-35. Rain could be heavy at times, but no major flooding issues are anticipated at this time.THURSDAY: 2 out of 4 risk (yellow) of flash flooding from Highway 281 eastwardThere is a low risk of hail and damaging winds today, but most storms are expected to stay sub-severe.THURSDAY: 1 out of 5 risk (dark green) for severe storms | concerns: hail & windAdditional showers and storms are expected again Friday leading to widespread totals of 1"-3" by the end of the event. Isolated areas could end up in the 3-5" rain, probably in our eastern counties. Some unfortunate spots may end with two-day rainfall amounts less than 1", which would probably be in the Hill Country.Potential rainfall totals by end-of-the-d...

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Would You Ditch A Date Who Needed A Ride?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:24 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Beth and it's about a dating situation Here's her email: Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Hi Jaime, I just turned 35 and met a guy on a dating app that is 45. He is older than I would like, but I am ready for a relationship, so I thought I'd give it a shot. We met at a bar. During drinks the issue of age came up. I told him that I would never want to be with a guy that is more than 10 years older than me. He said he had a confession to make. He said he is actually 52 and not 45. He said he was afraid I wouldn't give him a chance if I knew. He believed the date was going well. He didn't understand why I felt deceived. So things got awkward so I suggested we just leave. When we got to the parking garage, he realized his car had been towed. He asked if I would wait, as he needed to make some calls. He said he would likely need a ride. He walked out of the garage...

Traffic delays on I-270 semi-trailer overturns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Traffic is delayed in both directions of Interstate 270 near the Missouri-Illinois state line after a semi-trailer overturned in north St. Louis County. Police are working to move the overturned semi-trailer. Officials are currently diverting traffic to exit ramps off the interstate around the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Trending: St. Louis-area April 4 municipal election results The truck is overturned and blocking traffic in both lanes near the Lilac Avenue exit. Drivers are asked to consider alternate routes. No injuries have been reported at this time. FOX 2's Nissan Rogue Runner is riding around the scene to show impacts. We will update as more information becomes available.

Man shot, killed overnight in north St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Authorities searching for a suspect Thursday morning after a murder overnight in north St. Louis. Homicide detectives with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department have been called in to take over this case. There appears to be more questions than answers in this early stage of the investigation.This all unfolded on Athlone Avenue near the O'Fallon Park neighborhood. Police received a call for assistance around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. Trending: St. Louis-area April 4 municipal election results The victim, a man, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was found outside not far from the front yard of a house. Police had the front yards of two homes as well as the street in front of them taped off as the investigation unfolded.Loved ones of the man who was killed gathered at the scene and were visibly upset. Police told FOX 2 earlier that at this point there is no suspect information to disclose. The victim's name and age also have not been released.If you have any infor...

St. Charles Co. police search for 'endangered' missing woman

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:24 GMT

ST CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - The St. Charles County Police Department is asking for the public's help with finding an "endangered" missing woman. Police say Annette Sarandos, 59, was last seen around 1 a.m. Wednesday around the Shirley Ridge Drive area. Trending: St. Louis-area April 4 municipal election results St. Charles County Police say Annette is possibly disoriented, barefoot and may be wearing a purple jacket.She is described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. If you have any information, contact St. Charles County Police at 636-949-3000 or your nearest law enforcement agency.