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Stock market today: Wall Street points lower while oil prices surge as Mideast tensions flare

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:49:52 GMT

BANGKOK — Wall Street headed for losses before the open and oil prices surged Wednesday after an air strike on a hospital in Gaza triggered protests in many parts of the Middle East. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2% and futures for the S&P 500 fell 0.4% before the bell.Markets have been shaken by worries that conflict in the region could disrupt supplies if it draws in Iran or other major oil-producing countries.Within hours after a blast was said to have killed hundreds at a Gaza hospital, protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces in the occupied West Bank and at riot police in neighboring Jordan, venting fury at their leaders for failing to stop the carnage. A planned meeting between Arab leaders and President Joe Biden was called off. He is visiting Israel. The Hamas militant group blamed the blast on an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military blamed a rocket misfired by other Palestinian militants. Oil prices jumped after Iranian For...

US announces sanctions against a group of 10 Hamas members and financial network over Israel attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:49:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. announced sanctions on Wednesday against a group of 10 Hamas members and the Palestinian militant organization’s financial network across Gaza, Sudan, Turkey, Algeria and Qatar as it responds to the surprise attack on Israel that left more than 1,000 people dead or kidnapped. President Joe Biden, who arrived in the Middle East late Tuesday to show support for Israel, has tried to tamp down tensions in the escalating war between Israel and Hamas, but those efforts have faced massive setbacks, including a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital that killed about 500 people.Targeted for Wednesday’s sanctions action by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control are members who manage a Hamas investment portfolio, a Qatar-based financial facilitator with close ties to the Iranian regime, a key Hamas commander and a Gaza-based virtual currency exchange. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the U.S. “is taking swift and decisive acti...

Amazon will start testing drones that will drop prescriptions on your doorstep, literally

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:49:52 GMT

Amazon will soon make prescription drugs fall from the sky when the e-commerce giant becomes the latest company to test drone deliveries for medications. The company said Wednesday that customers in College Station, Texas, can now get prescriptions delivered by a drone within an hour of placing their order.The drone, programed to fly from a delivery center with a secure pharmacy, will travel to the customer’s address, descend to a height of about four meters — or 13 feet — and drop a padded package.Amazon says customers will be able to choose from more than 500 medications, a list that includes common treatments for conditions like the flu or pneumonia, but not controlled substances.The company’s Prime Air division began testing drone deliveries of common household items last December in College Station and Lockeford, California. Amazon spokesperson Jessica Bardoulas said the company has made thousands of deliveries since launching the service, and is expanding it to include p...

Versaille Palace evacuated for 3rd time this week following security alerts that included 3 airports

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:49:52 GMT

PARIS (AP) — The Palace of Versailles was evacuated for security reasons on Wednesday for the third time since the weekend, the former royal chateau said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. It was among a spate of evacuations in the past five days around France, including three airports that were also forced to close for security checks.The Chateau of Versailles apologized to visitors on X for being forced to clear out visitors from the sumptuous 17th-century palace “for security reasons.” Three French airports in the cities of Lyon, Toulouse and Lille were also evacuated Wednesday following security alerts, police said, following emailed threats, without elaborating on the nature of the threats.The evacuations were the latest in a series around France that included another popular tourist attraction, the Louvre Museum, following the killing of a teacher in the northern city of Arras on Friday. All the threats up to Wednesday proved false. The Louvre Museum and the Chateau of...

Why is B.C. banning drug use in public spaces?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:49:52 GMT

In today’s Big Story podcast, earlier this year, B.C. decriminalized certain amounts of some hard drugs, in an attempt to combat the overdose crisis. Nine months later, the same government has introduced legislation to ban those same drugs from public use. On the surface it looks like two conflicting approaches to the same problem — but is that true?Dr. Lindsay Richardson is an associate professor at the University of British Columbia and the Canada Research Chair in Social Inclusion and Health Equity. She says that while the province links the legislation to public health objectives, the new law is more about enforcement.“The actual legislation really is about enforcement of public drug use, and police activities related to public drug use,” she says.What do we know about how decriminalization has gone so far? What will the new act mean for users in the province, and for non-users who share public space with them? How will the ban be enforced, and who will it impa...

2 University of Chicago students robbed at knifepoint on campus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:49:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Two University of Chicago students were robbed at knifepoint on campus Tuesday night.According to a security alert from the university, the incident happened at 1314 East 58th Street around 10:15 p.m. as the students were walking and a vehicle pulled up next to them.Two people exited the vehicle, one of them was armed with a knife and announced a robbery.The offenders took the students' cellphones and wallets before entering a waiting grey Kia Sportage with an Illinois plate DYI9993 and driving away.The alert said the students were not physically injured.The vehicle used in this robbery is believed to be the same vehicle used in several recent incidents in the Hyde Park area. Suspected arsonist targeting North Side Halloween decorations The University of Chicago Police Department is investigating.Anyone who encounters the vehicle involved should contact 911 or the UCPD immediately at 773-702-8181.

Dean's Home Video: New seasons of 'Wolf Like Me' & 'Upload'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:49:52 GMT

CHICAGO — It's another chilly fall week here in Chicago and a good time to catch up on some of the newest releases on streaming services. Dean Richards has you covered on that with a new edition of "Dean's Home Video" on Wednesday's WGN Morning News. He featured a number of new seasons for shows, including the second round of episodes of "Wolf Like Me" on Peacock and season three of "Upload" on Paramount+.Along with those programs, he also featured season seven of "Big Mouth," "Bodies," "Neon," "Old Dads," "Peter and the Wolf," and more during the segment.You can watch this edition of "Dean's Home Video" on the October 18 WGN Morning News 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!

High-tech tattoo startup in Austin launches automated device

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:49:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin startup could totally transform the tattoo industry.Blackdot launched last week, unveiling the world’s first automatic tattooing device and opened up bookings at its flagship studio in east Austin.When it comes to tattoos, getting a highly detailed design from a well-known artist can be a tough task and can involve trips to New York, Los Angeles or abroad while waiting many months on a long waiting list.Yet, Blackdot has changed the name of the game, blending man and machinery into art through ink.The high-tech startup has created the first online marketplace of its kind, making art that was previously out of reach as a tattoo accessible to all.The Blackdot device creates credit card-sized designs, rendered through several tiny black dots.However, Blackdot's founder and CEO Joel Pennington insists he isn’t trying to replace tattoo artists.Instead, he says his technology is offering access to a new revenue stream through their digital marketplace.“Every time...

Hendrickson, Leander aim for district win in KBVO Game of the Week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:49:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The KBVO Game of the Week heads north to Leander's Bible Memorial Stadium for a 5A-District 11 game between Hendrickson and Leander on Thursday.Hendrickson is currently tied for fifth place in the district with Glenn and East View at 1-3 while Leander is still looking for its first district win. The Hawks lost a tough one last week 46-45 to Cedar Park and the Lions were blasted by A&M Consolidated 72-0.REPORT YOUR SCORE: We'd love to post your team's score on our website, but we need your help to do it. Email the score of your game to [email protected] and we'll get it on our websiteHendrickson's offense came alive and scored the most points in a game all season against Cedar Park, but the Hawks let Timberwolves running back Trae Hill run wild for 216 yards and five touchdowns. The Hawks have lost three consecutive games since beating Glenn 24-3 in the district opener.Leander won its first game of the season 48-28 over Pflugerville but has fallen on hard times sinc...

Missing adult found following search in Columbia County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:49:52 GMT

GHENT, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A missing vulnerable adult was found following a search involving multiple crews in Ghent. The missing 78-year-old was found in a wooded area with minor scrapes and bruises. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Sunday, around 4:44 p.m., Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers responded alongside New York State Police to assist in finding a missing 78-year-old from Ghent. The DEC says the subject was in a wooded area.Police responded with a bloodhound and a drone. One ranger had heard a faint call for help, at which point they were able to pinpoint the location of the person at 9:50 p.m. Austerlitz Fire assisted with a UTV for evacuation. Clifton Park unveils 2024 town budget proposal The subject was found with minor bruises and scrapes and was turned over to Greenport Rescue to be taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Resources were cleared at 11:30 p.m.