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Ticker: Wall Street struggles as war worries collide with hope for stronger profits

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:59 GMT

U.S. stocks mostly fell Friday after fears about war in the Middle East collided in financial markets with hopes for stronger profits at big U.S. companies.Oil prices leaped, and Treasury yields fell after Israel’s military ordered the evacuation of northern Gaza ahead of a possible ground invasion. But several U.S. banking giants at the same time said their profits during the summer were better than feared, which offered hope on Wall Street for an earning reporting season that may deliver the first growth for big companies in a year.All the push and pull sent the S&P 500 down by 21.83 points, or 0.5%, to 4,327.78. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up by 39.15, or 0.1%, to 33,670.29, and the Nasdaq composite dropped 166.98, or 1.2%, to 13,407.23.Microsoft closes deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard after antitrust fightsMicrosoft has completed its purchase of video game-maker Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, closing one of the most expensive tech acq...

Bruins notebook: Pavel Zacha lifting a heavy load

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:59 GMT

If there’s a Bruin player with an impossible job, it is Pavel Zacha. He is essentially replacing future Hall of Famer Patrice Bergeron, centering the first line, being the bumper on the first power-play unit and taking a big role in penalty killing.While no one is expecting him to be the next Bergeron, of course, he is playing a very important role on this team. With training camp and the season opener in the books, the chemistry with his wings David Pastrnak and James van Riemsdyk is decidedly a work in progress. But Zacha feels like it was heading in the right direction..“I think it’s getting better,” said Zacha on Saturday morning. “We started OK in the first period. I don’t think it was anything great. Then in the second and third, especially the third, I think we were real good as a line and as a team. So I think the idea is to keep building, every practice, every game. Pasta and JVR, they’ve been in the league a long time and I’m excited to get so...

Ex-Connecticut police officer suspected of burglaries in 3 states

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:59 GMT

GLASTONBURY, Conn. (AP) — A former Connecticut police officer is suspected of being a serial burglar and committing 30 or more thefts in three states, including the community he had patrolled until recently. A newly unsealed warrant says former Glastonbury Police Officer Patrick Hemingway is believed to have targeted safes and cash registers at restaurants and businesses in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The warrant, cited in multiple news reports and released Thursday, says surveillance videos show a suspect possibly resembling the former officer.Hemingway, 37, was charged last month with computer crimes and making a false statement. A judge at his arraignment said more charges were expected. In one surveillance video, a tall male wearing a mask, gloves and a hooded sweatshirt is seen holding a flashlight “in a tactical manner.” The suspect is also holding “a coiled, corded object to his left ear” that resembles the portable police radios used by the Glastonbury Polic...

Man pleads guilty to murder in 2021 hit-and-run spree that killed steakhouse chef

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:59 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A man has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in the death of a Philadelphia steakhouse chef prosecutors say he intentionally killed during a drug-fueled, hit-and-run spree that caused injuries and damage in two counties.Kareem Welton, 43, also pleaded guilty Friday in Montgomery County Court to attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault and robbery of a motor vehicle in the violent predawn 2021 joyride that started in Philadelphia’s Center City and ended 30 miles (48 kilometers) away in neighboring Montgomery County.Prosecutors dropped a first-degree murder charge in exchange for the plea, which does not include any agreement on sentencing.Authorities alleged that Welton stole a car left running by a woman in July 2021 and then went to a family friend’s home and stole a 5-year-old poodle, hit two people on a motorcycle and then struck and killed 31-year-old Adriana Moreno-Sanchez as she walked home from her restaurant shift. Authorities s...

Crowds cheer as ‘ring of fire’ eclipse moves across the Americas, stretching from Oregon to Brazil

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:59 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.. (AP) — Cheers erupted among crowds in Oregon and New Mexico on Saturday as a rare “ring of fire” eclipse of the sun that had millions across the Americas waiting with anticipation began putting on a spectacular show.With the presence of cloudy skies, a NASA livestream of the phenomenon reported it in Eugene, Oregon, shortly after 9:15 a.m. local time. This came over an hour after a partial eclipse set in. For the small towns and cities along its narrow path, there was a mix of excitement, worries about the weather and concerns they’d be overwhelmed by visitors flocking to see the celestial event, also called an annular solar eclipse. Clouds and fog threatened to obscure the view of the eclipse in some western states, including California and Oregon.As totality began in Eugene, Oregon, oohs and ahs combined with groans of disappointment as the eclipse was intermittently visible, the sun’s light poking through the cloud cover from behind the moon only at times...

Collision in Scarborough involving police car closes north and southbound Markham Road

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:59 GMT

A collision in Scarborough involving a police vehicle has closed northbound and southbound Markham Road and eastbound Eglinton Avenue.At approximately 10:24 a.m. a collision with a police car involved occured in the Markham Road ad Eglinton Avenue area.The officer was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.The driver of the other involved vehicle was transported to hospital with serious injuries.Roads are closed in the area.

Plan for Canadians to leave Gaza via Egyptian border crossing Saturday cancelled

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:59 GMT

The Israeli Foreign Ministry says in a message sent to western embassies that a plan to allow foreign nationals to leave Gaza through a border crossing into Egypt has been called off. A Global Affairs Canada official said Friday that Canadians in Gaza might be able to use the crossing to escape the territory during a short window of time Saturday.However, Julie Sunday, Canada’s top official for consular services, cautioned that there was no guarantee the plan would come to fruition.The message from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, seen by The Canadian Press, stated that “the passage that was planned for today … is cancelled.”The message also advised people to stay away from the area and wait for further updates.Officials said Friday that 150 people with a connection to Canada, including Canadian citizens, their foreign relatives and possibly permanent residents, are inside the Gaza Strip.

Crews battle fire at century old church in East Side

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:59 GMT

CHICAGO -- A fire broke out at an over a century old church in the East Side neighborhood overnight.The fire erupted at the Advocate United Church of Crist located on 103rd and Avenue L around 4 a.m. No one was in the building and no injuries were reported.Neighbors told WGN the noise woke the up and looked outside to see flames shooting out of the over 100-year-old church. ‘It’s just so senseless:’ Friend remembers man killed in attempted armed robbery in Humboldt Park Nearby residents of the church were ordered to evacuate, and the church pastor said when firefighters got there a brush of flames erupted upon opening the door. "Very emotional, I really don't have any words," senior pastor Rev. Malcom Griffith said.Rev. Griffith said he was doing ministry Friday and mentioned the building passed a code inspection. He also said the church is considered a lifeline for many people and is known for its work to help the homeless.

Saturday Forecast: Rainy with high wind gusts, mid 50s

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:59 GMT

Saturday: It's a windy and dreary day in the Chicagoland area this Saturday. Rain showers are expected to decrease this afternoon and will be left with a few lake effect showers later. Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Winds will be strong out of the northeast 20-30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph with the most powerful winds near the lakeside. Highs today will be in the mid 50s with a few more showers overnight. Saturday night: Temps to be in the mid 40s with few lingering spot showers lakeside Sunday: Temps in the mid 40s with few lingering spot showers lakeside. Clearer and drier conditions with be around to the strat the work week.

Nevada substitute teacher accused of forcing 2 children to kiss, parents upset

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:46:59 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Several parents are leveling blame against the leaders of a North Las Vegas charter school for the actions of a substitute teacher who is accused of trying to get two kids to kiss.The incident happened on Tuesday at Legacy Traditional School – North Valley, located near Lone Mountain Road and Valley Drive, though parents weren’t notified until Thursday, according to emails families shared with 8 News Now. North Las Vegas substitute teacher accused of ‘inappropriate comments toward students’ “Who asks a sixth-grade student, 'Who has a boyfriend and a girlfriend?' Really, the kids are not here for that. They're here to learn,” Anais Gallegos said on Friday.Gallegos has two children who attend Legacy Traditional.One of them was in the class, where according to the email sent to parents Thursday, a substitute encouraged kids “to kiss each other” and used “inappropriate language.”“What my daughter was telling me, no, that's not okay,” Gallegos said. “The principal ne...