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TikTok fined $368M over mishandling children's privacy in EU 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:57 GMT

(The Hill) -- The video-sharing app TikTok was fined 345 million euros, or roughly $368 million, on Friday by a European regulator that said the platform failed to protect children’s privacy. The Irish Data Protection Commission said its investigation into TikTok found its policies were inadequate in a number of ways, including setting children’s accounts to public by default and failing to provide sufficient transparency about rules to users. The commission also identified TikTok’s “Family Pairing” setting as not strict enough. The setting allowed a non-child user, who could not be verified as the parent or guardian, paired to the account of the child to enable direct messages for children users over the age of 16, according to the commission. The regulator also said that TikTok was “nudging users towards choosing more privacy-intrusive options during the registration process.”  Google settles with California for $93M over location privacy allegations In respons...

Starbucks wants to overhaul its iconic cup, citing sustainability. Will customers go along?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:57 GMT

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Bethany Patton steps up to the counter and places her pink mug into a shoebox-sized dishwasher. It spins. It whirs. Water splashes inside. After 90 seconds, the door opens and steam emerges. A barista grabs the mug, dries it and prepares Patton’s order — a 16-ounce Starbucks double espresso on ice.For bringing her own cup, Patton gets $1 off her drink.“Saving the environment is important and all, but I probably come here more in knowing that I’m going to get a dollar off,” says Patton, 27, a cancer researcher at Arizona State University. Two friends who came on the afternoon coffee run nod as they hold the cups that they, too, brought along. Johnson & Johnson is ditching its script logo for all-new design after 136 years Just as noteworthy as what they're carrying is what they are not: the disposable Starbucks cup, an icon in a world where the word is overused.For a generation and more, it has been a cornerstone of consumer society, first in the United Stat...

Storm tears through Cedar Park neighborhood, multiple homes damaged

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:57 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Strong winds, rain, and hail ripped shingles off roofs, knocked down a gazebo, and littered debris near homes off Bagdad Road and Brashear Lane.The City of Cedar Park said the storm hit around 6 a.m. and is suspected to have been a microburst, not a tornado, but the National Weather Service will make an official ruling in the coming days. DEPTH: Tiny but dangerous — seek shelter during a microburst The city said emergency managers are assessing damage now, and that no injuries have been reported. One gazebo at an HOA park was flattened by the storm and multiple private properties were damaged, according to the city.Carrie Johannsen lives on Sebina Drive and said she woke up to the sounds of the storm around 5 a.m. She said winds were howling and hail was pounding down on top of the home. Johannsen said she looked out the window for early signs of damage and found her backyard had been torn apart."There was a lot of noise, we looked outside and saw there ...

Change of venue hearing Friday for APD officer charged with murder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:57 GMT

AUSTN (KXAN) -- A hearing is set for 1:30 Friday afternoon to discuss moving the trial for Christopher Taylor, the Austin Police officer charged with murder in the death of Mike Ramos, out of Travis County, according to Taylor's attorney Ken Ervin. Taylor's attorneys claim the case is too widely known locally for an impartial jury to be selected. They filed a motion to request a change of venue in July. Taylor is accused of shooting and killing Michael Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police in a south Austin apartment complex parking lot in April 2020. RELATED: Attorneys for APD officer request change of venue for upcoming October trial APD said on that day, officers responded after a 911 call reported someone dealing drugs in a car and that the man had a gun.APD said when officers arrived at the scene, Ramos was directed to get out of the car.After getting out of the car, police say the incident escalated and an officer hit Ramos in the thigh with a non-lethal bean bag rou...

Police investigating 'suspicious package' near Austin jail

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police are investigating a scene near the Blackwell Thurman Criminal Justice Center in downtown Austin after a "suspicious package" was reported in the area. According to the Travis County Sheriff's Office, a call came in around 8 a.m. about the package, which was placed behind the central booking area outside the building. The roads in the area are blocked while officials investigate. The Austin Police Department and TCSO are investigating to make sure it's nothing dangerous, TCSO said. According to TCSO, a suspect is already in custody. Central booking is still fully functional, but precautionary measures are in place for safety, the sheriff's office said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Members approve merger between Hiway, Spire credit unions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:57 GMT

Two of Minnesota’s largest credit unions, Hiway Credit Union and Spire Credit Union, will be merging.According to a press release Thursday, over 80% of the voting Hiway Credit Union members chose to approve the merger. The plans for a merger were announced in August, and Hiway members were required to approve because it would require Hiway to move into Spire’s broader community charter. After the merger, the new single credit union will be the fourth largest in Minnesota.The boards and management teams of both credit unions will be combined. President/CEO of the Falcon Heights-based Spire, Dan Stolz, will become CEO, and CEO of the St. Paul-based Hiway, Dave Boden, will become president.“We approached the merger from three circles,” Boden said. “What’s best for our members … what’s best for our employees … what’s best for our community.”Boden said the merger means that members of Hiway would have expanded branch cover...

Loons’ wild finish and rare celebration in stands imprints high school players from West Fargo, N.D.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:57 GMT

Franco Fragapane would never have done that in Argentina.After Minnesota United’s diminutive winger scored the tying goal in a 1-1 draw with New England last Saturday, he climbed a few rows into the supporters sections at Allianz Field. Ecstatic fans were reveling in the moment and then got an up-close chance to celebrate with the man of the moment.But all in all, it was pretty tame in perspective.“In Argentina, you can’t do that. No chance!” Fragapane told the Pioneer Press via a translation from Marleine Calderon.Bach in his native country, Fragapane would have had to fight off sticky fingers, if he was risky enough to go into the crowd. “They (would) take your jersey, your shorts,” he said.Fragapane’s goal was his highlight in a difficult season. After scoring seven times in MLS last season, Fragapane had not scored in 1,120 MLS minutes this season until that last kick of the game against New England. His struggles had put him out of favor with manager Adrian Heath.Fragapane’s bi...

The Loop NFL Picks: Week 2

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:57 GMT

Jets at Cowboys (-8½)New York savior Aaron Rodgers is done for the season after rupturing his Achilles’ tendon on the Jets’ fourth offensive play. The QB’s grotesque injury was so clear to see on replays that the diagnosis of a tear was immediately confirmed by Rodgers’ chief medical advisor, Dr. Joe Rogan.Pick: Cowboys by 17Raiders at Bills (-8½)The season has started in troubling fashion for Buffalo, which lost its opener in shocking fashion to the Aaron Rodgers-less New York Jets. And things could be difficult this week too as Bills QB Josh Allen will be without his favorite receiver … Jets safety Jordan Whitehead.Pick: Bills by 17Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is sacked by New York Jets defensive end Micheal Clemons (72) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)Packers at Falcons (+1½)Green Bay’s Jordan Love showed surprising skill by throwing three touchdown passes in the Packers’ season...

Kingston man sentenced 6 years for illegal gun

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:57 GMT

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Kingston man was sentenced to six years in prison on Thursday, September 7. David Stokes, 38, also faces five years of post-release supervision for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! New York State Police executed a search warrant at Stoke's home on January 6 which led to them finding the illegally possessed gun. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kristen Druse, Gun Violence Unit Chief. 

World Awareness Children's Museum closing for work

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:57 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The World Awareness Children's Museum will be closing its doors for a few weeks this fall. The reason? New programs on the way, and work to be done to get them there. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The educational museum will be closed from Monday, Sept. 18 to Friday, Oct. 6. to make room for something new. The museum is adding a new exhibition, "MountainTots," a toddler-centric educational space set to open on Saturday, Oct. 7. When it opens, MountainTots will feature a model mountain trail, kid-sized lean-to, and more for little ones to enjoy. The museum hosts a grand unveiling for the new exhibition on Oct. 7.While the museum is closed, it's still looking for help. Volunteers are wanted for a bouncy house village the World Awareness Children's Museum is running during the Adirondack Balloon Festival from Sept. 21-24. Volunteers are needed at Crandall Park in Glens Falls on Thursday, Sept. 21, an...