With three billion people actively playing games today, and fueled by a new generation steeped in the joys of interactive entertainment, gaming is now the largest and fastest-growing form of entertainment.Today, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), a leader in game development and interactive entertainment content publisher.

This acquisition will accelerate the growth in Microsoft’s gaming business across mobile, PC, console and cloud and will provide building blocks for the metaverse.Microsoft will acquire Activision Blizzard for $95.00 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at $68.7 billion, inclusive of Activision Blizzard’s net cash.

When the transaction closes, Microsoft will become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony.

The planned acquisition includes iconic franchises from the Activision, Blizzard and King studios like “Warcraft,” “Diablo,” “Overwatch,” “Call of Duty” and “Candy Crush,” in addition to global eSports activities through Major League Gaming.

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PCR NOT mandatory for hospital or non-hospital deaths

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Director General of Health Services has issued a circular with respect to the deaths reported in Sri Lanka.According to the circular, all deaths that take place in hospitals and residences or other locations are NOT subject to mandatory PCR tests.However, a PCR can be carried out on the remains of a deceased person at the discretion of the Judicial Medical Officer.

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Civil servants to discuss mask wearing requirements

Senior civil servants will meet tomorrow ahead of NPHET's review on Thursday of mask wearing requirements in schools and other settings.

Paul Murphy Ireland politics

New Zealand Covid cases hit record high

New Zealand Covid-19 infections reached a record high as anti-vaccine protesters claimed victory after police failed to clear vehicles blocking the streets around parliament.

Andrew Coster Canada New Zealand city Wellington World Coronavirus

Alberta border protest blockade clears after police seize weapons

After 18 days of disrupting a Canada-U.S. border crossing, anti-COVID mandate protesters have dispersed their blockade near Coutts, Alberta.

Canada reports

B.C. woman criticizes North Vancouver RCMP for response to alleged sexual assault

A B.C. woman who claims she was sexually assaulted on a North Vancouver trail is criticizing RCMP for their delayed response to her report. Rumina Daya reports.

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Canada invokes Emergencies Act for first time to confront border blockades

For the first time in Canadian history, Ottawa granted itself extraordinary powers. Invoking the Emergencies Act, Monday, in a move designed to choke off the money keeping protesters across the country fueled and fed. Aaron McArthur reports.

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Red wine may protect you from contracting Covid-19 infection: Study

COVID.

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NO power cuts from Wednesday (16)- PUCSL

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), Janaka Rathnayake states that its new methodology will lead to NO scheduled power cuts in the near future. However, he stated that electricity generation from hydro will reduced by 50% from Wednesday (16).

Sri Lanka

Special traffic plan for tonight’s (16) Navam Maha Perahera

COLOMBO (News 1st); Wednesday (16) is the 2nd day of the 43rd Annual Navam Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple in Colombo.The Navam Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple has a special place among the Buddhist festivals in the country.This year’s procession has been organized with the blessings of Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, the Chief Incumbent of the Gangarama Temple, and the Maha Sangha.The casket with sacred relics was placed on the main Tusker by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, following religious observances on the first day of the procession.The Nawam Maha Perahera will parade the streets at 7:00 tonight.A special traffic plan will be in place in view of the Navam Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple.Traffic will be restricted on several roads from 5pm until the conclusion of the Perahera.1. Entry to James Peiris Mawatha from Piththala Junction2.

Mahinda Rajapaksa city Sangha Parke

4 charged with conspiracy to murder after raid on Coutts blockade

Eleven people involved in the Coutts border blockade were before a court Tuesday facing various weapons and mischief charges — and three among them were also charged with conspiracy to murder.

Coutts Alberta crime

Anti-hate experts concerned about possible neo-fascist involvement at Alberta trucker convoy

Anti-hate experts are raising concerns after a picture of weapons, ammunition and body armour seized at the border protest at Coutts, Alta. showed patches belonging to a neo-nazi group in Canada.

Jeremy Mackenzie state Florida Canada state Alaska county Canadian Coutts Alberta RCMP Alberta crime

Bringing children, food or fuel to convoy blockades prohibited under Emergencies Act

Bringing children to the antigovernment blockades that have immobilized downtown Ottawa and shuttered border crossings is among the activities that could net protesters a $5,000 fine or five years in prison while Canada is under the national Emergencies Act.

Justin Trudeau Marco Mendicino David Lametti Canada city Ottawa county Canadian covid-19 Emergencies Act

Coachella & Stagecoach Festivals Dropping All COVID-19 Vaccine, Testing, & Mask Requirements

Coachella and Stagecoach just made some big announcements about their upcoming music festivals.

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Global IT company asks employees to return to office as covid cases abate

Microsoft will give its employees 30 days to shift to a new stage of hybrid working which will bring more people onto its campuses. Who is required in the office and when will be decided by each team, said Chris Capossela, Microsoft’s chief marketing officer, in a blog post.

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India sees 30,615 new cases, 48% rise in Covid deaths in 24 hrs

caseload.

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Ambler officials halt plan to take business owner’s property through eminent domain

Officials in Ambler have backed off after planning to take an 80-year-old business owner's property through eminent domain. AMBLER, Pa. - A business owner in Ambler is celebrating after the borough backed off from trying to take his business property through eminent domain.Pasquall Riccardi was already struggling after his auto repair shop on South Main Street burned down on Feb. 3. After the fire, the 80-year-old owner was close to being forced to sell the property to the borough.RELATED: 1 hurt in fire that torched Ambler auto repair shopThe local government wanted his property to expand a parking lot at the nearby SEPTA rail station.

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Mother searching for strangers who saved her daughter from dog attack in Pennsauken

A local mother is looking for a group of heroes who saved her daughter from being mauled by a dog at Madison Park in Pennsauken. PENNSAUKEN, N.J. - A group of strangers quickly became heroes to Erika Rivera and her nine-year-old daughter Toni after saving the child from being mauled by a dog. Rivera spoke to FOX 29’s Jennifer Joyce via Zoom as she sat by her daughter’s bedside at Cooper University Hospital. She said her daughter was attacked by a neighborhood dog on Monday in Pennsauken’s Madison Park.The Good Samaritans saw the attack and rushed in to help. "They’re the ones who called the police," Rivera said.

Jennifer Joyce county Park hospital Parke Cooper

American companies return to 'normal' operations as COVID-19 pandemic wanes

NEW YORK (AP) - For the first time in two years for many people, the American workplace is transforming into something that resembles pre-pandemic days.Tyson Foods said Tuesday it was ending mask requirements for its vaccinated workers in some facilities. Walmart and Amazon — the nation’s No. 1 and 2 largest private employers respectively — will no longer require fully vaccinated workers to don masks in stores or warehouses unless required under local or state laws.

Tyson Foods Meta Platforms New York Usa state Washington covid-19 vaccine mask

Brown leads streaking Celtics to blowout win over Sixers

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 15: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics shoots over Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter shoots over at Wells Fargo Center on February 15, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE PHILADELPHIA - Jaylen Brown scored 26 of his 29 points in the first half and the Boston Celtics won their ninth in a row, dominating the Philadelphia 76ers 135-87 on Tuesday night.Jayson Tatum added 28 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for the Celtics, who have closed ground in the Eastern Conference with their stellar play of late. Boston entered sixth in the East, 4 ½ back of first-place Miami.

Brooklyn Nets Joel Embiid Williams Jaylen Brown Jayson Tatum state Minnesota state Pennsylvania state New Jersey city Boston county Camden county Wells Philadelphia, state Pennsylvania county Brown city Fargo, county Wells city Philadelphia, state Pennsylvania stars Camden

B.C. eases COVID-19 restrictions: how we got here.

Global’s Keith Baldrey looks at how we got to Tuesday’s easing of COVID-19 restrictions in B.C.

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Tyrese Mourns After Mother Dies Of COVID: 'This Is The Saddest Moment Of My Life'

Tyrese Gibson is mourning after the death of his beloved mother, Priscilla Murray Gibson.

Bob Saget Tyrese Gibson county Murray county Gibson covid-19 pneumonia death

Arizona Catholic priest resigns over wrongly-used word during baptism; what you should know about the mix-up

PHOENIX - In a unique situation for people of the Roman Catholic faith, a priest is resigning after the church's Phoenix Diocese determined the words he was using during baptisms are wrong, meaning those baptisms are now rendered invalid.Here's what you should know about the mix-up.In a statement released by officials with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, it was announced that all baptisms performed by a priest named Andres Arango until June 17, 2021 are presumed to be invalid due to the words that were used.At the center of the mix-up are the words "we" and "I." Diocesan officials say Arango should have used the following words during baptism:I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.Instead, diocesan officials say Arango used the following words:We baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.Diocesan officials said baptisms performed by Arango after June 17, 2021 are presumed to be valid.In a letter to faithfuls, Phoenix Catholic Bishop Thomas Olmsted said the determination that baptisms performed by Arango are invalid was made "after careful study by diocesan officials and through consultation with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome."Diocesan officials say the word change made a big difference for them."It is not the community that baptizes a person and incorporates them into the Church of Christ; rather, it is Christ, and Christ alone, who presides at all sacraments; therefore, it is Christ who baptizes," diocesan officials said, on their website.

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American Airlines employee stabs co-worker in Boston airport, police say

An American Airlines employee stabbed a co-worker at Boston Logan International Airport following a dispute between the pair, authorities said Tuesday. Kenrick Smith, 34, of Leominster, was arraigned hours later at the East Boston District Court, Massachusetts State Police spokesman David Procopio said in a statement. The incident occurred just before 1:30 p.m.

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Bob Saget’s family asking judge to block release of records related to his death

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 03: Bob Saget attends the Women's Guild Cedars-Sinai Annual Gala at The Maybourne Beverly Hills on November 03, 2021 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images) ORLANDO, Fla. - The family of comedian Bob Saget has filed a lawsuit to prevent the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office from releasing additional records related to his death investigation.The lawsuit filed by Kelly Rizzo, Saget’s wife, and daughters Aubrey Saget, Lara Saget, and Jennifer Saget, claims the "plaintiffs will suffer irreparable harm in the form of extreme mental pain, anguish, and emotional distress" if additional records are released.Saget was found dead last month at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Orlando.

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Did the Norochcholai breakdown lead to current power situation?

COLOMBO (News 1st); The average daily maximum demand for electricity in the country is around 2650 MW, and a significant portion of this is generated to the national grid from the Mahaweli, Laxapana and Samanala hydropower plants.In addition, the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant is the power plant that adds the most amount of power to the national grid.The country has been facing two major issues ever since the beginning of last December with regard to the energy sector. These include the country facing a dollar crisis which made it impossible to purchase even the most basic necessities, including fuel. Several other issues caused electrical engineers to take trade union action over the New Fortress LNG deal, the process of LNG tenders being suspended, the suspension of amending the Electricity Board Act No.

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Canada eases COVID border restrictions, removes PCR test requirement

As Canada’s COVID-19 situation stabilizes, the federal government is easing some testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers. That includes removing the requirement for expensive and lengthy PCR tests before arriving in Canada.

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Delhi likely to end Covid curbs in next DDMA meeting amid low positivity rate

Delhi registered 756 new Covid-19 cases at a positivity rate of 1.5%. At least 97% of beds for Covid patients are vacant in the national capital at present. The city added more recoveries (830) than new infections on Tuesday, as per the daily health bulletin. The total active case tally in the national capital went up to 3337 after Tuesday's addition.

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B.C. easing COVID-19 restrictions this week

British Columbians have been dealing with COVID-19 restrictions for the past two years and today we’re turning a corner. The provincial health officer announcing an end to some restrictions and offering a glimmer of hope to those eager to get back to a normal way of life.

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AG: Five charged for attempting to illegally get pandemic unemployment assistance in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced charges against five out-of-state residents accused of attempting to illegally get Pandemic Unemployment Assistance through funds from the CARES Act.Shapiro announced the charges against the five people on Tuesday in coordination with federal and local law enforcement agencies. A total of nine people conspired to illegally take PUA funds totaling $925,000. According to the Attorney General’s office, investigators learned seven of those people claimed to work for the same trucking company from January 2020 to March 2020. They then claimed their employment ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Political Implications of Invoking the Emergencies Act

Canada is entering uncharted territory, as Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act. Abigail Bimman explains what that means, and how it could impact police and protesters.

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COVID-19: Canada scrapping pre-arrival PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers

Canada will eliminate its pre-arrival COVID-19 PCR test requirements for fully vaccinated travellers at the end of the month, Federal Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos announced on Tuesday. As of Feb.

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BTS' V Positive For Coronavirus Just Weeks After Jimin Tested Positive

V is the latest member of BTS to test positive for coronavirus.

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More than two million boosters given; 1160 community cases; 56 in hospital

The Big Boost Week continues to see tens of thousands of people going out to get their booster dose each day. Yesterday, 46,156 booster doses were administered across the motu and brings the total so far to more than two million doses.

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Disney World to make face masks optional for fully vaccinated guests

ORLANDO, Fla. - Walt Disney World will no longer require face coverings for fully vaccinated guests in both outdoor and indoor locations starting Feb. 17. The company website was updated on Tuesday. However, face coverings will still be required by all guests (ages 2 and up) on enclosed Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner. ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - 2019/07/17: Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue inside of the Magic Kingdom theme park .

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Virgin Galactic reopens spaceflight ticket sales

Virgin Galactic logo. Virgin Galactic, an aerospace and space travel company, announced it will open up ticket sales to the public beginning Feb.

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COVID-19: Alberta’s top doctor says province is in transition

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, asks Albertans to respect each other’s experience as the province moves toward an endemic phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Some Ontario businesses not ready to drop vaccine certificates

The province will drop the requirements for vaccine certificates at the beginning of March, with the Premier saying it’s time to move on. But not all businesses agree and some say they will keep the measures until they feel the time is right.

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Doula’s call rules shutting them out of hospitals during childbirth “heartbreaking”

Quebec to end COVID-19 vaccine passport system on March 14 “A doula can offer continuous care throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period that can be really helpful for parents who are navigating a system that is often unknown to them,” said Door’s doula Stephanie De Sousa.The MotherWit doula care team argue that a doula is not just another person in the room. They claim the benefits of a second support outweigh the risks.“We help to reduce trauma in births.

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Montreal long COVID research clinic marks 1-year anniversary, patients demand more care

‘We’re not prepared’ — What it takes to recover from long COVID Carrie Anna McGinn got the virus around the same time, and is also still dealing with symptoms including extreme fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath.“I can’t think properly. I can’t be the active mom that I want to be.

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Police investigating robbery at Lukoil gas station in Westampton

Police in Westampton, New Jersey are investigating a robbery from December where the man pictured allegedly showed his handgun and demanded a gas attendant give him money. WESTAMPTON, N.J. - Officers with the Westampton Police Department in Burlington County, New Jersey, are investigating a robbery from December. According to police, a suspect robbed the Lukoil gas station at 584 Rancocas Road on Dec. 19, 2021, at 7:31 a.m. Officers said the suspect was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants.

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Toronto police reveal startling statistics around gun crime

In recent weeks, the city has seen a rash of gun violence involving young people and Toronto Police released some startling statistics on Tuesday. Erica Vella reports.

Erica Vella reports Citi

Alberta health minister warns COVID-19 has not gone away but situation is improving

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping says COVID-19 is not going away, but the pressures on the hospital system is improving.

Alberta Health Jason Copping hospital covid-19 Health

Mother of man fatally stabbed at South Philadelphia Wawa shaken by son's sudden death

PHILADELPHIA - Family and loved ones are searching for answers after a man was stabbed to death outside a South Philadelphia Wawa early Monday morning. The Philadelphia Police Department identified the 49-year-old victim as Roger Segal. According to a police source, video surveillance show Segal went inside the Wawa on South Columbus Boulevard around 2 a.m.

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Philadelphia mother calls out parents after her son was allegedly jumped, robbed by group of kids

PHILADELPHIA - A local mother is speaking out after she said her son and his friend were beaten by a group of other teens on Market Street. FOX 29’s Hank Flynn spoke with Jojuan Powell who said the attack on her 14-year-old son was completely random. Now, she’s sharing the video of the attack and urging other parents to do a better job at knowing where and what their children are doing. "I don’t even know what should happen," Powell said. "I just know I don’t want it to happen to another child." The mother said her son met up with a friend at an arcade in the Fashion District on Saturday.

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Queen Elizabeth Takes On Virtual Engagement After COVID-19 Scare

Queen Elizabeth is out and about after a COVID-19 scare.

Charles Princecharles Spain city Windsor Estonia virus covid-19 testing

My mental health crisis hit me like a baseball bat – I never thought I’d go through something like it, says Rylan Clark

RYLAN Clark has opened up about his mental health crisis saying it hit him in the face like "a baseball bat". Rylan, 33, was hospitalised after suffering a breakdown after he split from husband Dan Neal.

Rylan Clark Dan Neal crisis Health Matthews

Video captures flock of birds dropping dead mid-flight in Mexico

Security footage captured a flock of birds drop dead mid-flight on Feb. 7 in the northern Mexican city of Chihuahua.

Mexico reports Citi

Microsoft buys Activision Blizzard for $68.7B, company behind Call of Duty, Candy Crush

FILE - Activision Blizzard logo displayed on a laptop screen and a gamepad are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on Sept. 21, 2021.

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United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0

Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard

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