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Forced labor concerns prompt U.S. lawmakers to demand ban on seafood from two Chinese provinces

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:10 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of U.S. lawmakers wants the Biden administration to ban seafood processed in two Chinese provinces from entering the U.S. market. They also say that Chinese facilities using forced labor should be banned from doing business with American companies.The request was sent Tuesday by the chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China to the Department of Homeland Security. The commission is a congressional group charged with monitoring China’s compliance with international human rights standards.It’s the latest effort by U.S. lawmakers to restrict imports of Chinese goods on the grounds of rights abuse, a move that is certain to irk Beijing at a time of tensions over trade and other issues.The commission cited investigations by the nonprofit journalist organization The Outlaw Ocean Project that revealed human rights abuses on China’s fishing fleet and the forced labor of ethnic Muslim Uighurs from the northwestern region of Xinjiang in sea...

States sue Meta claiming its social platforms are addictive and harming children’s mental health

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:10 GMT

Dozens of US states, including California and New York, are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young people’s mental health and contributing the youth mental health crisis by knowingly designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. The lawsuit filed in federal court in California also claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of federal law. “Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms,” the complaint says. “It has concealed the ways in which these platforms exploit and manipulate its most vulnerable consumers: teenagers and children.”In addition to the 33 states, nine other attorneys general are filing in their respective states, bring...

Woman shot in head near South Side strip mall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:10 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman was shot in the head while in a car near a South Side strip mall Tuesday morning.At around 10 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of West 87th Street, located in Chatham, on the report of a person shot.Authorities said a 42-year-old woman was inside of a vehicle when a bullet went through the glass and struck her in the head.She was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.SkyCam9 over the scene showed a heavy police presence around the sedan, parked on 87th Street, near the Starbucks.It's unknown if anyone is in custody at this time.

No charges for man who fired gun in the air near rallies in Skokie

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:10 GMT

SKOKIE, Ill. — No charges will be filed against a man who was arrested after firing a gun into the air near a pro-Palestinian, pro-Israel rally in Skokie on Sunday, according to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.In a statement Monday, the office said that the man is a FOID card holder and acted in self-defense upon being surrounded by the crowd.The full statement reads:The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) has reviewed the events that took place yesterday along Touhy Ave in Skokie and Lincolnwood during the Israeli and Palestinian demonstrations.  After reviewing the evidence, which includes surveillance video and witness statements, we have determined the individual, who holds a valid FOID card and Conceal Carry License and has no criminal history, acted in self-defense upon being surrounded by a crowd and attacked by some of those individuals. No charges will be filed in this case.  Cook County State's Attorney's OfficeThe incident happened Sunday evening at At...

Dozens of states suing Meta, alleging its social platforms addictive, harmful to kids

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:10 GMT

Dozens of US states, including California and New York, are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young people’s mental health and contributing the youth mental health crisis by knowingly designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms.The lawsuit filed in federal court in California also claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents' consent, in violation of federal law.“Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms,” the complaint says. “It has concealed the ways in which these platforms exploit and manipulate its most vulnerable consumers: teenagers and children.”In addition to the 33 states, nine other attorneys general are filing in their respective states, bringing the ...

Airbnb using AI to deter party rentals in Austin ahead of Halloween

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:10 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ahead of Halloween, vacation rental company Airbnb started a new system to stop party house rentals over the spooky holiday weekend. The company said its new system, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning, aims to restrict some one-night and two-night bookings for entire homes. RELATED: Is an Airbnb ‘collapse’ happening in Austin? Airbnb's system will look at hundreds of indicators when someone is trying to book a rental, the company said. These include the length of the trip, the distance to the listing and if the booking is last minute. Guests must also attest to the company's party ban policy, which was used last year. Over Halloween in 2022, about 1,500 bookings were deterred in Austin due to the company's party house preventions, per Airbnb. Across Texas, a total of 11,000 people were discouraged from Halloween house bookings compared to booking...

Report: Politics drives school district leaders away

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:10 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Politics is the top reason superintendents are stressed out, according to a recent report by the RAND Corporation, a non-partisan research group.“The RAND Corporation did a pretty comprehensive study showing that we're having the highest turnover rate that we've ever had in district leaders,” Doug Roberts, the CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation, said. The group said it is striving to empower superintendents nationwide.“This is not the job they signed up for 20 years ago. It was a very different role then than it is today,” Roberts said.The report found the turnover of superintendents nationally increased to 17% in 2022–2023 from 13-14% prior to and at the beginning of the pandemic in 2019.“They didn't necessarily sign up to be involved in political arguments between one group and another group in a community. And for that reason, a lot of people are saying, ‘...

Z'Tejas opening restaurant in Kyle

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:10 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — Austin-based restaurant chain Z'Tejas officially opens its newest location in Kyle at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Z'Tejas originated off Sixth Street in Austin in 1989, before that location ultimately closed April 1.The restaurant specializes in Tex-Mex cuisine with southern influence.“What better way to celebrate 35 years of being in business than marking off another first. We look forward to being a staple in this vibrant community and providing guests with an unforgettable dining experience,” Z’Tejas CEO Robby Nethercut said in the release. “We invite everyone to come explore the best of two culinary worlds and experience the charm of Z’Tejas.” Austin-based restaurant chain Z'Tejas opens its newest location in Kyle (Photo Courtesy: City of Kyle)Austin-based restaurant chain Z'Tejas opens its newest location in Kyle (Photo Courtesy: City of Kyle)Austin-based restaurant chain Z'Tejas opens its newest location in Kyle (Photo Courtesy: City of Kyle)Austin-based restaurant...

Twins position breakdown: shortstop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:10 GMT

Heading into last offseason, one of the biggest questions facing the Twins was how they could possibly fill the hole left by Carlos Correa, who was expected to opt out of his three-year contract and sign elsewhere.Correa did opt out of that contract, but a series of twists and turns — and concerns about his right ankle — ended up leading him back to Minnesota, where the Twins were ecstatic to welcome him back.Now, the Twins have no such questions as they look forward to their third season with Correa manning the position.2023 RECAPAfter all the offseason talk about his right ankle, it ended up being his left foot that bothered him throughout the course of the 2023 season. Correa was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in May but played through it, appearing in a team-leading 135 games.Though he was on the field, his production did take a hit. But Correa was always the first one to not blame it on the pain he felt in his heel. Correa hit .230 with an on-base percentage, slugging percent...

Opinion: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are desperate distraction from a world on fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:10 GMT

I’m not a Swiftie. I don’t own a single friendship bracelet, concert merch or a ticket stub from her “Eras Tour” movie.But I know everything about Taylor Swift and her now official boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce.Well, saying I know “everything” might be stretching it a bit. But I certainly know way more than I should about the love life of two 30-somethings I’ve never met.And now, I’m deeply invested in this must-see-NFL-TV romance.They were on “Saturday Night Live” together, swoon! He helped her from the car like a true gentleman! They even held hands! And omg, his hand is larger than hers! Finally, Taylor has security in a relationship! Not some manboy like the other guys she dated, every one of whom I have never laid eyes on and could not name if I wanted to.Still, I hope this romance never ends because then I will have to peel my eyes from the VIP box of practically any and every NFL stadium to look at what exactly?The news is nauseating of late. It was a crue...