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Liz Weston: Companies’ deceptive ‘dark patterns’ online cost you money – here’s how to fight back

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

See if any of this sounds familiar:● You can’t find an easy way to cancel an unwanted subscription, so you let it continue for another month — telling yourself you’ll try again later.● You feel rushed into an online purchase you regret, but there’s no option to undo the transaction or demand a refund.● You want to read an article or shop at a store online, but you’re bombarded with pop-up requests for your data. There’s no easy option for saying no, so you click “allow” just to get the annoying pop-up out of the way.These are just a few examples of “dark patterns” — intentionally deceptive designs that companies use to steer people into making choices that aren’t in the consumers’ best interest.Dark patterns may sound like a feature of sketchy websites, but these manipulative practices are a common way mainstream companies dupe people into sacrificing their privacy or paying for stuff they don’t really want.Buttons that allow sites to scoop up and sell your data may be prominent, wh...

Israel and Hamas prepare for fourth swap as mediators seek to extend cease-fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

Israel and Hamas are preparing for a fourth exchange of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, as mediators seek to extend a cease-fire in Gaza that is set to expire after Monday.On Sunday, Hamas freed 17 more hostages — 14 Israelis and three Thais — in a third exchange under the four-day truce. In turn, Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners.Of the roughly 240 hostages captured by Hamas in its Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel that ignited the war, 62 have been released, one was freed by Israeli forces and two were found dead inside Gaza. Israel has said it would extend the cease-fire by one day for every 10 additional hostages released. Hamas has also said it hopes to extend the truce, which was mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt.With the truce deal has come increased shipments of fuel and supplies into Gaza — though aid groups say it's still barely enough to dent the needs of the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza who have endured weeks of Israel...

Construction to begin on winterized tent camp in Brighton Park despite resident pushback

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

CHICAGO — Migrants are coping with the frigid temperatures and snow that swept across Chicagoland on Sunday as the city prepares to begin work on a winterized tent camp in Brighton Park on Monday and neighbors in the area continue to push back on the plans.For several weeks, dozens of residents have shown up every day to voice their concerns and opposition to the city's proposal to house migrants at the vacant property located near West 38th Street and South California Avenue. Police warn residents on West, Northwest sides after string of armed robberies While Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has not confirmed that the construction will begin on Monday, 12th Ward Alderwoman Julia Ramirez has and said residents in the area are disappointed. "This is outrageous what they're doing here," Yuan Mo, a resident in the area, said. For weeks, crews have been busy coming in and out of the property with bulldozers and other construction equipment while in the background, res...

Monday Forecast: Cold conditions with temps in upper 20s

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

CHICAGO — Cold conditions Monday and mostly cloudy. Winds: W 10-15 G25. High: 27. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Mostly clear tonight. Winds: WNW 10-15 G20. Low: 15.Tuesday Forecast: Mostly sunny conditions. Winds: WNW 5-10 G15. High: 25.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Where to chop down your own Christmas tree in Central Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Sure, the quaint tradition of chopping down a Christmas tree and lugging it home may be a little more commonplace in the North than in Texas, but still, there is an opportunity for many living in the state to give it a whack – just likely with less snow.The Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association keeps tabs on all the state farms allowing Texans to choose a tree and cut it down themselves. There are dozens of Christmas tree farms across the state and nine in Central Texas.Is it legal to cut down Christmas trees in national forests?The U.S. Forest Service allows people to trek into national forests to chop down their own trees as long as they purchase a Christmas tree permit before.And cutting down Christmas trees from a National Forest is mutually beneficial – you get your own tree, and removing it improves the forest's health. The U.S. Forest Service Christmas tree permit system directs people to remove trees from densely populated areas so that other trees ca...

Gas prices continue to fall post-Thanksgiving, AAA says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Traveling back to work from the holiday weekend won't be as much of a pain on your wallet as gas prices continue to fall, according to AAA. Texas drivers pay the lowest average price per gallon of any state, AAA said. California drivers pay the highest price. The company said Monday the U.S. average price of a gallon of regular of $3.25 is 31 cents cheaper than it was at this point in 2022. The national average is 27 cents lower than last month.Current$3.25Week Ago$3.31Month Ago$3.52Year Ago$3.56U.S. Average Price of Gallon of Regular (Source: AAA)The statewide average is $2.71 a gallon. That is down 18 cents from last year and 30 cents from last month. California drivers pay $4.90 a gallon, AAA said. Current$2.71Week Ago$2.80Month Ago$3.01Year Ago$2.89Texas Average Price of Gallon of Regular (Source: AAA)Drivers in the Austin-San Marcos area are paying an average price of $2.68, AAA said. That is 35 cents lower than last month and 23 cents lower than last year. Cu...

Vehicle fire blocks right lane on I-87 in Coxsackie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

COXSACKIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to 511 NY, a vehicle fire blocked the right lane on I-87 southbound before Exit 21B in Coxsackie. Drivers in the area should expect delays. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! NEWS10 is working to learn more about the vehicle fire and traffic at this time. Stick with NEWS10 as more information becomes available.

GasBuddy: Avg. Alb. prices fell 4.8 cents in last week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Average gasoline prices in Albany have fallen 4.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.50/g Monday, according to GasBuddy's survey of 546 stations in Albany. Prices in Albany are 19.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 32.0 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 5.2 cents in the last week and stands at $4.23 per gallon. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Albany was priced at $3.19/g Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.89/g, a difference of 70.0 cents per gallon. The lowest price in the state Sunday was $2.47/g while the highest was $4.99/g, a difference of $2.52/g.The national average price of gasoline has fallen 5.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.21/g Monday. The national average is down 26.0 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 30.3 cents per...

Best Amazon Cyber Monday holiday gifts under $50 in 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.It’s time to shop for the holidaysBetween Secret Santa exchanges at work, white elephant parties, stocking stuffers and growing families, with each passing year our collective shopping lists seem to grow longer and longer. Hunting for the perfect gift is already a stressful affair, and budgets make things even more complicated.To simplify your shopping experience, we have assembled a collection of top-quality gifts priced under $50, currently available at discounts of up to 60% off for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Whether you’re seeking ingenious kitchen gadgets, transformative beauty products or practical cleaning items that enhance the lives of your loved ones, we guarantee these budget-friendly discoveries will leave a lasting impression without straining your wallet.Last updated on Nov. 27, 2023, at 3:30 a.m. PT. Zulay Powerful Milk Frother50% OFFGive the gift of p...

“Starkweather” re-examines grisly 1950s murders by two teens | Book review

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

Even 65 years later, the name “Starkweather” brings chills.Charles “Charlie” Starkweather, 19, accompanied by his 14-year-old girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate, murdered 10 people in six days in Nebraska and Wyoming. He was America’s first contemporary mass killer, a psychopath who thought of himself as an outlaw and dreamed of going down in a blaze of glory in a shootout with the cops. When he was captured instead, he said he wanted to be put to death in the electric chair with Caril on his lap.Dr. James Melvin Reinhardt, left, professor of criminology at University of Nebraska, watches as Charles Starkweather, right, arrives at the Lincoln courthouse for another day of his first degree murder trial in Lincoln, Neb., May 29, 1958. Dr. Reinhardt sought the reason for Starkweather’s crime spree in extensive interviews with him, his family, friends and associates and by first hand observation. Behind Starkweather is Sheriff Merle Karnopp. (AP Photo)The red-hai...