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Stock market today: Wall Street sinks as stocks tumble worldwide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:21 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street fell again Wednesday as stocks tumbled worldwide on worries about the economy.The S&P 500 dropped 0.7% after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Republicans and Democrats remain “far apart” in their efforts to prevent a potentially disastrous default on the U.S. government’s debt. The main U.S. stock index is on track for its worst week in more than two months as the once-unthinkable creeps closer to possibility. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 255 points, or 0.8%, while the Nasdaq composite lost 0.6%.Other markets around the world fell even more as discouraging figures piled up on the economy. Stock indexes tumbled 1.7% in London, 1.9% in Frankfurt and 1.6% in Hong Kong.Inflation in the United Kingdom remains worse than expected, raising worries that the Bank of England may keep hiking interest rates and squeezing its economy. In Germany, business confidence fell in Europe’s largest economy. And in China, worries remain about a weaker-th...

AI guru Yoshua Bengio says regulation too slow, warns of ‘existential’ threats

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:21 GMT

MONTREAL — Artificial intelligence pioneer Yoshua Bengio says regulation in Canada is on the right path, but progress is far too sluggish.Speaking in Montreal, the Université de Montréal professor said he backed a bill tabled in the House of Commons last June that adopts a more general, principles-based approach to AI guardrails and leaves details to a later date.However, Ottawa has said the act known as Bill C-27 will come into force no sooner than 2025.“That’s way too slow,” Bengio told reporters Wednesday. “There are simple things that could happen that don’t need two years to be figured out.”He is calling on the federal government to begin rolling out rules immediately against certain threats, such as “counterfeiting humans” using AI-driven bots.“The users need to know that they’re talking to a machine or a human. Accounts on social media and so on need to be regulated so we know who’s behind the account — and it ...

Jets work out punter Matt Araiza after San Diego State investigation found no wrongdoing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:21 GMT

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets hosted punter Matt Araiza for a workout at the team’s facility Wednesday, six days after a San Diego State investigation found no wrongdoing by him in an alleged gang rape at an off-campus party in October 2021.Joe Linta, Araiza’s agent, confirmed the punter’s visit with the Jets during an interview on WFAN Sports Radio in New York.ESPN first reported what is believed to be Araiza’s first workout for an NFL team since he was released by Buffalo last August.The session with the Jets could prompt other teams to bring in Araiza, who has maintained his innocence on the allegations.The workout with New York didn’t necessarily mean a signing was imminent. The Jets already have an established punter on the roster after signing veteran Thomas Morstead to a $1.3 million contract that includes $1.1 million in guarantees.The San Diego District Attorney decided late last year to not press criminal charges against Araiza, ...

North Carolina Senate makes changes to House measure legalizing sports gambling

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:21 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Legislation to authorize and regulate sports gambling in North Carolina that passed the House earlier this spring has been altered by the Senate by making it easier for any adult to bet in person and adding horse racing to betting options. The measure that cleared the Senate’s commerce committee on Wednesday also would increase the tax rate on the revenues that the legalized sports books would generate.These and other Senate changes could place obstacles between their House counterparts toward hammering out a final bill before this year’s primary General Assembly work session ends, probably in early summer. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper also supports sports wagering legislation.The chief sponsor of the House measure declined to comment after the committee vote on the changes. The Senate version must still go through two committees and floor votes.“I’ll wait to see what their final product is,” GOP Rep. Jason Saine of Lincoln County said in a text ...

Pritzker announces 2024 state budget agreement

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:21 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced state lawmakers have agreed Wednesday afternoon on a 2024 budget.You can watch the entire press conference live in the video player above. Pritzker announces unit of over 30 ‘peacekeepers’ to provide crisis support in Chicago The President of the Illinois Senate Don Harmon (D) and the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Emanuel Welch (D) joined Gov. Pritzker during Wednesday's press conference.

Police: Suburban man charged with sexual assault of 8, 9-year-old daughters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:21 GMT

DES PLAINES, Ill. — A man from Forest Park has been charged after he allegedly sexually assaulted his 8-year-old and 9-year-old daughters in 2022, according to the Des Plaines Police Department.Anthony J. Meza, 32.Anthony J. Meza, 32, was charged with two felony counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault and two felony counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. Police said the incidents tied to the charges happened between March and September of 2022 when Meza victimized his then 8-year-old and 9-year-old daughters. Wisconsin Republicans join push to outlaw child sex dolls Des Plaines police also said the incidents happened at the victims' grandparents' house in the 2000 block of Craig Drive in Des Plaines.No other information is available at this time.

Wisconsin Republicans join push to outlaw child sex dolls

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:21 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans have joined a national push to outlaw child sex dolls, releasing a proposal Monday that would make possessing one a felony.Some groups say the dolls help protect children by providing those attracted to children another outlet. Others find the dolls abhorrent.Some dolls can be constructed to resemble specific children. For example, a Florida mother in 2020 discovered photos of a child sex doll being sold online that exactly resembled her 8-year-old daughter, according to the Child Rescue Coalition, a nonprofit organization that works to protect children from sexual exploitation. Wisconsin bill creates felony for sexual misconduct in schools A number of states have passed laws outlawing child sex dolls since 2019, including Florida, Tennessee, South Dakota and Hawaii. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill Friday outlawing the dolls in her state. Republican legislation banning them nationwide — dubbed the Creeper Act — has been floating ar...

Man shoots roommate in buttocks over Hot Pocket, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:21 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVO) – A man in Kentucky was arrested after allegedly shooting his roommate in the buttocks over a frozen Hot Pocket, according to police.Clifton Williams, 64, was arrested and charged with second-degree felony assault after police say he and his roommate got into an argument over the frozen food item on Saturday night. Video of WI supermarket’s frozen pizza section goes viral: ‘What’s going on down there?' As detailed in a citation from the Louisville Metro Police Department, the victim claimed Williams "got mad that he ate the last Hot Pocket," at which point Williams began "throwing tiles" at his roommate. The roommate attempted to fight back but ultimately decided to leave "when Mr. Williams went inside the residence and got a gun," according to the complaint.The victim told police Williams "shot him in the a--" as he was trying to leave, according to the citation. The roommate was able to run away for help.Williams was arrested just before 1 a.m. on Sunday ...

Circle K offering 40 cents off fuel for 3 hours only on Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:21 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) – Circle K is celebrating the unofficial holiday of "Fuel Day" by offering customers 40 cents off per gallon — if you time it right.The 40-cent discount is only available between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday at Circle K-branded locations. The discount will apply at over 5,000 Circle K and Holiday Stationstore locations across the U.S., the company says. What’s the cheapest day of the week to buy gas? Here’s when to fill up In addition to the 40-cent discount, most Circle K locations will also be handing out a limited number of fuel discount cards. Those will be redeemable for 10 cents off, per gallon, outside of the 3-hour window on Thursday.“After an overwhelming response from customers, we are thrilled to bring back Circle K Fuel Day in a bigger way,” said Louise Warner, senior vice president of global fuels for Circle K. “With summer right around the corner, we want to thank our customers for their loyalty by providing them an opportunity to fuel their adve...

Districts in 'dire straits' as they watch school funding fights in Texas legislature

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:34:21 GMT

Austin (KXAN) – The Texas House on Wednesday postponed a Senate bill to create a school voucher-like program in the state. Senate Bill 9 was amended to include several measures that would have provided some increase to teacher salaries at a time when educators are quitting the profession in large numbers.The move means the bill will not pass this legislative session – and leaves House Bill 100 as the last viable bill in the Texas legislature that could provide a raise to teachers.House Bill 100, which was drastically changed in the Senate Commission on Public Education to include a school voucher-like program or Education Savings Accounts, and passed by the Senate on Tuesday, is now headed back to the House where representatives have expressed upset over the additions. The fight over school choice and teacher salaries playing out in the Texas legislature comes as school districts are establishing budgets and new wages for the upcoming school year.Many educators, according to school ...