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Facebook blocks grieving families from sharing obituaries as Online News Act dispute rages on

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:56 GMT

Hayley Wilson got some heartbreaking news in August. Her beloved grandmother passed away at the age of 81 after living a long and fruitful life. Phyllis Jeannie Lindsay was known as a “social butterfly” who loved sports, family, gardening, and life.When she passed, Wilson and the rest of her family, wrote up an obituary and sent it into the Hamilton Spectator, which posted it to their obituary section on the newspaper’s website.Wilson, caught up in her own grief, wanted to let her friends know about the loss but could not call them all so she tried to share the obituary on Facebook. She was met with a message stating, “In response to Canadian government legislation, news content cannot be shared.”That legislation is the recently-passed Online News Act, which will require tech giants like Google, Facebook and Instagram to pay news organizations for content that is shared or otherwise repurposed on their platforms. In response to the bill, Meta removed news fro...

‘Letterkenny’ creator Jared Keeso signs content deal for spinoffs, new series

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:56 GMT

TORONTO — “Letterkenny” creator and star Jared Keeso has signed a multi-year content deal to develop spinoffs and new series for Crave.The deal comes as the 12th and final season of “Letterkenny” is set to premiere Dec. 25.Crave and New Metric Media say the deal will expand the “Letterkenny” universe with 49 episodes of spinoffs including “Shoresy” and all-new series over the next several years.The deal includes additional brand extensions, from merchandise to live productions.Created by Keeso and developed and written by Keeso and Jacob Tierney, “Letterkenny” revolves around the titular small rural Ontario community. “Letterkenny” premiered in 2016 as Crave’s first-ever original series, going on to amass a loyal following and a U.S. streaming partnership with Hulu.It spawned the half-hour comedy “Shoresy” in 2022, following veteran hockey player Shore as he moves to Sudbury, Ont., to help reve...

Facebook parent sued by New Mexico alleging it has failed to shield children from predators

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:56 GMT

Santa Fe, N.M. (AP) — Facebook and Instagram fail to protect underage users from exposure to child sexual abuse material and let adults solicit pornographic imagery from them, New Mexico’s attorney general alleges in a lawsuit that follows an undercover online investigation.“Our investigation into Meta’s social media platforms demonstrates that they are not safe spaces for children but rather prime locations for predators to trade child pornography and solicit minors for sex,” Attorney General Raul Torrez said in a (prepared statement Wednesday.The civil suit filed late Tuesday against Meta Platforms Inc. in state court also names its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, as a defendant.In addition, the suit claims Meta “harms children and teenagers through the addictive design of its platform, degrading users’ mental health, their sense of self-worth, and their physical safety,” Torrez’ office said in a statement.Those claims echo a lawsuit filed in late October by the attorneys general of 3...

British government plans to ignore part of UK’s human rights law to revive its Rwanda asylum plan

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:56 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The British government on Wednesday published legislation that will let it ignore a part of the U.K.’s human rights law in order to send asylum-seekers on a one-way trip to Rwanda. The bill is part of government plans to overcome a block by the U.K. Supreme Court on its Rwanda policy. The court ruled last month that the plan was illegal because Rwanda is not a safe country for refugees.Britain and Rwanda have since signed a treaty pledging to strengthen protection for migrants. The U.K. government says that will allow it to pass a law declaring Rwanda a safe destination.Home Secretary James Cleverly said the Safety of Rwanda Bill “will make absolutely clear in U.K. law that Rwanda is a safe country.” He urged lawmakers in Parliament to pass the legislation even though it may violate international human rights rules.The government says the law will allow it to “disapply” sections of U.K. human rights law when it comes to Rwanda-related asylum claims. On the ...

Chaos at a government jobs fair in economically troubled Zimbabwe underscores desperation for work

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:56 GMT

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — A stampede at a government-organized job fair involving hundreds of young people in Zimbabwe desperate for work left some limping and others screaming in pain after being stomped on or beaten by security guards Wednesday.The chaos came as job seekers rushed to register for potential vacancies, but no serious injuries were reported.The crush of people illustrated the growing distress over the lack of formal jobs in the southern African nation of 15 million people, which has been hit by long-running economic problems. Hundreds turned up for the fair in the capital, Harare, holding envelopes with their resumes and college certificates. They were hoping to be registered on a database of job seekers.People stomped on each other in the rush to access a large hall where the registration was taking place. Security guards used batons to restore order, but people still surged forward. Last month, 31 people died in a crush at a military recruitment event at a stadium in...

3 Chicago aldermen call for resignations over failed Brighton Park migrant site

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:56 GMT

CHICAGO — Three Chicago aldermen are calling for the immediate resignation of the leaders responsible for the failed Brighton Park migrant camp site.In a letter sent to Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday, Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th), and Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41st) demanded the resignations of Garien Gatewood, Beatriz Ponce de Leon, Lori Lypson, Alyxandra Goodwin, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Maura McCauley and Matthew Richards. The letter comes a day after the governor's office announced the state would not proceed with the migrant base camp at the 38th Street and California Avenue site. The decision was made after review by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).The site could have housed up to 2,000 migrants. The migrant camp was going to be funded by the state, but run by the city. State will not proceed with Brighton Park migrant camp after environmental review, governor says The full letter to the mayor reads:Mayor ...

Republican Debate: Streaming coverage from the spin room

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:56 GMT

Editor's note: Live coverage from the GOP Debate will stream in the player above beginning at 5:30 Eastern. (NEXSTAR) - Tighter qualifications, a narrowing field of candidates and one significant "no" from the RSVP list mean only four Republican presidential challengers will take the stage in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Wednesday as NewsNation hosts the fourth GOP debate. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie are expected to share the spotlight at Moody Music Hall on the University of Alabama campus beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Beginning at 5:30 E.T., anchors Alicia Barnes and Chip Brewster will host a livestream on location from inside the venue, offering a recap of the prior debates, a preview of key themes and guest analysis from party insiders. You will be able to watch that stream in the video player above. The duo will return followi...

Virtual career fair for veterans set for Tuesday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:56 GMT

CHICAGO — An online recruiting event aims to connect all US military job seekers with potential employers. DAV & RecruitMilitary will host the Central Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans on Tuesday, Dec. 12. The online job fair goes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Search for jobs on our job board Registration is free and available online to all transitioning military personnel, veterans, military spouses, and dependents. For more information, click here.

Support of donors needed for UT Tower restoration

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than a year after University of Texas President Jay Hartzell announced future renovations for the campus' most famous site, a vision is set for upgrades to the UT Tower. The university said donors will play a big part in making those upgrades happen. Hartzell announced the renovations at last year's State of The University address, calling the Tower a beacon for truth-seekers and academic excellence and achievement. A video produced by UT to talk about the need for restoration reflected that sentiment. UT Tower to be upgraded for first time in its 85-year history "Through the years, the tower has become our most beloved symbol and embodies the greatness of the University of Texas, how we stand tall and fearlessly work to change the world," the video said in part. "It is now our time to stand in support of our tower as we embark on a bold vision to restore it, revitalize it and reimagine it."It'll be the first time since the tower was constructed in 1937 that ...

Crews rescue person trapped in vehicle on I-35

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, first responders were able to successfully rescue a person trapped inside a vehicle in north Austin.According to Austin-Travis County EMS, a vehicle rescue call was initiated at 11:56 a.m. in the 6900-7400 blocks of Interstate 35 heading south. ATCEMS said the Austin Fire Department and Austin Police Department also responded to the incident.AFD said one person in the vehicle was pinned by the dash. Crews were stabilizing the patient and used tools to extricate the patient before handing them off to ATCEMS.ATCEMS medics declared the patient a trauma alert, so they will be taken to the hospital with potentially serious injuries. Officials said to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.