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UK’s new online safety law adds to crackdown on Big Tech companies

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:34:44 GMT

LONDON (AP) — British lawmakers have approved an ambitious but controversial new internet safety law with wide-ranging powers to crack down on digital and social media companies like TikTok, Google, and Facebook and Instagram parent Meta.The government says the online safety bill passed this week will make Britain the safest place in the world to be online. But digital rights groups say it threatens online privacy and freedom of speech. The new law is the U.K.’s contribution to efforts in Europe and elsewhere to clamp down on the freewheeling tech industry dominated by U.S. companies. The European Union has its Digital Services Act, which took effect last month with similar provisions aimed at cleaning up social media for users in the 27-nation bloc. Here’s a closer look at Britain’s law: WHAT IS THE ONLINE SAFETY LAW?The sprawling piece of legislation has been in the works since 2021.The new law requires social media platforms to take down illegal content, including chi...

1 in 4 adolescents have been cyberbullied, StatCan says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:34:44 GMT

A new StatCan report says one in four adolescents in Canada have been cyberbullied and it’s taking a toll on their mental health. The study says youth who have been victimized online have a greater risk of depression, anxiety, eating disorder symptoms and thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts. The report says transgender and non-binary youth, as well as females attracted to other females, are at higher risk of being victimized online.Adolescents living with chronic health conditions such as asthma, epilepsy or learning disabilities are also at higher risk for cyberbullying, especially if they live in low-income households.  The report is based on data from more than 13,000 adolescents who were between 12 and 17 years old. The data was collected in 2019 and did not capture First Nations adolescents living on reserve, or youth in foster homes or institutions.  This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2023.Canadian Press health coverage receives support t...

Corporate ethics czar investigating Levi Strauss over alleged links to forced labour

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:34:44 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada’s corporate ethics watchdog has launched an investigation into allegations that Levi Strauss Canada is working with companies that use forced labour in China. Sheri Meyerhoffer, the ombudsperson for responsible enterprise, is looking into whether the denim company known for Levi’s jeans has supply relationships with Chinese companies that source materials from Uyghur people forced to work in the Xinjiang region.Meyerhoffer’s office is tasked with investigating complaints about possible human-rights abuses in the operations of Canadian garment, mining and oil and gas companies.Levi Strauss denies the allegations, saying they are based on outdated and inaccurate data. The company did not make itself available for an initial assessment meeting and did not provide information verifying its response to the allegations, the ombudsperson’s office said.Given the company’s limited participation in the complaint process, the watchdog said it may c...

Putin accepts invitation to visit China in October after meeting Chinese foreign minister in Moscow

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:34:44 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday he accepted an invitation from his Chinese counterpart to visit China in October during the Belt and Road Summit. Speaking after a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow, Putin said Russia and China are “integrating our ideas of creating a large Eurasian space,” noting that China’s Belt and Road Initiative is a part of that.The Initiative is a huge program in which Beijing has been expanding its influence in developing regions through infrastructure projects.Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Putin has pivoted the country toward China, selling it more energy, and increasingly carrying out joint military exercises. China has adopted a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine and even denounced Western sanctions against Moscow. It also accused NATO and the United States of provoking Putin’s military action and declared last year that it had a “no-limits” friendship with Russia.On Tuesday, senior Russian...

Books on wildfires, race among finalists for Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:34:44 GMT

TORONTO — Books on wildfires, racism, and missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls are among the finalists this year for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction. The Writers’ Trust of Canada announced the short list for the $75,000 prize on Wednesday.The finalists include “Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast” by John Vaillant, which tells the story of how fire has become an existential threatin part by examining the aftermath of Alberta’s Fort McMurray wildfire in 2016.Also on the list is “Unbroken: My Fight for Survival, Hope, and Justice for Indigenous Women and Girls” by Angela Sterritt, which blends memoir with investigative journalism.“Ordinary Notes” by Christina Sharpe, about the everyday ups and downs of Black lives and how they exist within racist systems, also made the short list.“My Road from Damascus: A Memoir” by Jamal Saeed and translated by Catherine Cobham and “Ordinary Wonde...

Police: Romeoville murders of 4 family members was not random

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:34:44 GMT

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. — Investigators in Romeoville now say the shooting deaths of a family of four was not a random act.Police conducted a well-being check around 8:40 p.m. Sunday on the 500 block of Concord Avenue, after a member of the household did not show up to work and was not responding to phone calls.Upon arrival, officers found 38-year-old Alberto Rolon, 32-year-old Zoraida Bartolomei and their two sons, ages 7 and 9, dead inside the home.Police said three dogs were also found fatally shot. Couple, 2 children, 3 dogs found dead inside Romeoville home: police Romeoville Mayor John Noak and Deputy Police Chief Chris Burne released an update Tuesday."We were able to determine that this was not a random incident and there was no cause for a shelter-in-place order. The Will County Major Crimes Task Force has been brought in to assist our investigators with gathering evidence and reviewing video," Burne said.Burne also said authorities continue to seek assistance with evidence...

CPD: 3 armed robberies conducted in 15 minutes on Northwest Side

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:34:44 GMT

CHICAGO — Three armed robberies and an attempted armed robbery, all in a span of about 15 minutes, were conducted Tuesday night, according to police.The first armed robbery happened at around 9:24 p.m. in the 2500 block of West Division. Police said a 60-year-old man was standing in a parking lot when another man exited a vehicle and took his wallet at gunpoint.At around 9:30 p.m., a 25-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man were in the front yard of a residence in the 1400 block of North Rockwell when two males exited a grey sedan armed with handguns. CPD said the pair attempted a robbery, but the woman and man fled and were not injured.In the 1800 block of North Fairfield at around the same time, a 66-year-old woman was exiting a vehicle when she was robbed of her purse and other items at gunpoint by the pair. She was transported to St. Mary's in good condition. 19-year-old man in critical condition after shooting in Wicker Park The last robbery happened at around 9:40 p.m. in the...

Luis Robert Jr. continues to make White Sox history in 2023 - and can still make more

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:34:44 GMT

WASHINGTON D.C. — On the scoreboard, it was another forgettable night for the White Sox, but their center fielder continues to give fans at least something to smile about.That's because Luis Robert Jr. continues to make team history and still has the shot to make more before the season is out, adding to those chances with another big night Tuesday in Washington.The center field had a three-hit night against the Nationals in a 4-3 loss, which included his 37th homer of the season, 36th double, and 79th RBI. All three of those categories have put Robert alone in White Sox history this season along with Major League Baseball in 2023. He's the only player for the franchise to have at least 35 or more homers, 35 or more doubles, or 75 or more RBI in a single season. So far, Robert is the only one to pull that off in the majors this season as his fourth season with the White Sox continues to be his best.An American League All-Star, he's got a slash line of .265/.316/.543 along with a care...

'Phenomenal': Visiting Ukrainian man dives into New York canal to save driver who crashed

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:34:44 GMT

FREEPORT, N.Y. (WPIX) – A Ukrainian man is being hailed a hero after jumping into a canal in Long Island, New York, to save a driver who crashed into the water Tuesday morning, authorities said.The rescue happened in Freeport, New York, around 9:15 a.m., authorities said. Nassau County officials said the driver was likely speeding through a marina, went airborne over a boat, and landed in the water."To get over the bulkhead and also over the boat and into the water, he had to be going at a fairly high rate of speed," said Ray Maguire, executive director of the Freeport Fire Department.Volodymyr Zubko, the Ukrainian man, heard the crash in the water and dove in to help. Moments later, Nassau County police officers arrived and also jumped into the canal to help bring the driver to safety."I saw just one leg and another leg from the man, and I decided to jump into the water and swim and pull, and police helped to pull him from the water," Zubko said. NY man rescued after treading wat...

Inside the Investigations: Suspected inaccuracies of Austin Water smart meters

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:34:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each week the in-depth reporting from the KXAN Investigates team will get a spotlight on KXAN Live.A conversation will happen Wednesday at 9 a.m. about this week’s top stories with investigative reporter Kelly Wiley and KXAN Live anchor Will DuPree. People can watch that in this story or on the station's Facebook page. Georgetown finds new water source, but relief is years away They’ll discuss these headlines:KXAN investigator Mike Rush looked into some Austin Water customers' complaints about suspected errors into their new smart meters. He spoke to the city department about these people's concerns and shared more about their response. Join Kelly Wiley and Will DuPree every Wednesday morning for a live recap of the latest headlines and in-depth reporting from the KXAN Investigates team.