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TikTok denies it’s controlled by China as exec faces Canadian MPs over security fears

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:52:26 GMT

OTTAWA — A TikTok executive faced off on Wednesday with Canadian lawmakers who have concerns that data from the app could end up in the hands of the Chinese government. Steve de Eyre, director of public policy and government affairs for TikTok Canada, said at a House of Commons committee meeting that the video-sharing app is not controlled by the Chinese government.Western governments have expressed worries that the popular platform owned by Beijing-based ByteDance could put sensitive data in the hands of China’s government or be used as a tool to further misinformation.Chinese law says the government can order companies to help it gather intelligence. When NDP MP Matthew Green asked about the law, another TikTok executive brushed off the question. “I’m not an expert in Chinese law,” said David Lieber, head of privacy public policy for the Americas. The federal government banned TikTok from government-owned devices in February, after its chief information off...

New Chicago police boss wants cops to be more aggressive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:52:26 GMT

CHICAGO — Larry Snelling is no stranger to the Chicago Police Department. The Englewood native has been on the job for 30 years. And that experience may have – at times – put him at odds with a sitting mayor known more for talking about equity and inclusion than crime and consequences. Snelling's mantra: "Remember who you are." In a sit-down interview with WGN Investigates, Snelling says he has carried those words with him since his earliest days as a patrol officer, well into the academy as a trainer and now as the head of CPD. What is CPD’s response time? Experts can’t say with certainty "It’s not just about you. It’s about your partner. It’s about the community. And most of all: It’s about the children of this city because we have to make sure they have a future," Snelling said.Newly anointed Snelling takes over a depleted department – down nearly 1,500 officers from just a few years ago – and a city frustrated by frequent flashes of lawlessness. F...

Chicago Interfaith leaders condemn murder of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoumi

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:52:26 GMT

CHICAGO — A group of interfaith leaders united in the Loop Wednesday afternoon to condemn the stabbing murder of six-year-old Palestinian American Wadea Al-Fayoumi, who prosecutors said was targeted because of his Muslim faith.Representatives of several religious entities, including the Mecca Center, Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, and Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, condemned the murder of Wadea, while also offering their sympathy for the boy's family."The Muslim community continues to mourn the loss of Wadea — a young, brilliant, energetic and loving child," said Sheikh Tariq Musleh, Associate Imam at the Mecca Center. "He was a child, who after just recently celebrating his birthday, spent his final moments on this Earth comforting his own mother, who watched him take his last breath.""This is the grossest example of disrespecting another human being, because of their religious views," added Pastor Gregg Morris from Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church. Preside...

Troops hurt after 3 drones attack US bases in Iraq as tensions flare after Gaza hospital blast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:52:26 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Coalition forces were slightly injured in Iraq in a spate of drone attacks over the last 24 hours at U.S. bases in Iraq as regional tensions flare following the deadly bombing of a hospital in Gaza.Two drones targeted the al Asad airbase in western Iraq used by U.S. forces and one drone targeted a base in northern Iraq, a U.S. official told the Associated Press. U.S. forces intercepted all three, destroying two but only damaging the third, which led to minor injuries among coalition forces at the western base, according to a statement Wednesday by U.S. Central Command.The U.S. official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the attacks.“In this moment of heightened alert, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation in Iraq and the region. U.S. forces will defend U.S. and coalition forces against any threat,” Central Command said in the release. Senate prepares to pass massive Israel aid package Iranian-backed militias in Iraq ...

'DEAD on DAMEN': Halloween display in Rogers Park raising money for charity

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:52:26 GMT

CHICAGO -- A Halloween display in Rogers Park will continue a spooky tradition after getting new life at a neighborhood school.Jessica Bernardi and her husband are responsible for "DEAD on DAMEN Avenue," a Halloween tradition in the Rogers Park neighborhood for the past four years.Traditionally located at Damen Avenue and Howard Street, but this year, the Bernardi's were forced to relocate the Halloween display just a few blocks over at Jordan Community Elementary School. 36 October festivals and events happening across Chicagoland Despite toning down on the gory decorations, Bernardi believes the new location will help them raise money to give back to the community."This year, the funds raised at the "DEAD on DAMEN Avenue" event will be donated to the ALS association, in honor of their dog who was diagnosed last year and recently passed.Seven sections and hundreds of homemade decorations, the Bernardi's expect to have the "DEAD on DAMEN Avenue" full display up and running by this...

Elephant dies at St. Louis Zoo shortly after dog runs loose and agitates her herd

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:52:26 GMT

ST. LOUIS (KTVI) – A female elephant at the Saint Louis Zoo died after her herd became agitated from a dog running loose, according to zoo officials. Rani (pronounced "Ronnie") died on Friday, Oct. 13. She was 27."We are absolutely devastated. We ask for the community’s thoughts and support during this difficult time,” zoo director Michael Macek said in a news release. “Our team of professional animal care experts did everything possible, but we couldn’t save Rani.”A small, unleashed dog was seen running near the Elephant Barn, a non-public area, Friday afternoon, Macek said. Puppies adopted together after being thrown over animal shelter fence An elephant outside the barn saw the dog and became agitated. The zoo's elephant care team quickly moved that elephant inside and captured the dog. Rani was already inside her sleeping area, having dinner. She did not see or hear the dog. But, at one point, zoo staffers noticed Rani became "agitated in reaction to the vocalizations from t...

NY court says employee arrested after disrupting Trump's fraud trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:52:26 GMT

A New York court employee was arrested Wednesday after approaching the bench to attempt to talk to former President Trump, who is attending his fraud trial in person this week in Manhattan. Lucian Chalfen, a spokesperson for the court, said the individual disrupted the trial by standing up and walking toward the front of the courtroom, yelling out to Trump and indicating that she wanted to "assist him." The person was stopped by court officers before nearing Trump or his counsel, and "none of the parties were ever in any danger," Chalfen said.The individual, who was later determined to be a court employee, has been charged with contempt of court in the second degree, which is disrupting a court proceeding, Chalfen added.The person has been placed on "immediate administrative leave" pending an investigation and is prohibited from entering any facility of the New York State Unified Court System "until further notice," Chalfen said. No further information about the employee is availabl...

How much did Austin spend on Barton Springs tree 'Flo' before removal?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:52:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin spent a couple thousand dollars extra and contracted with four different tree companies before cutting down Barton Springs tree "Flo," public information records obtained by KXAN show. The City says it has "several certified arborists on staff, including several who are tree risk assessment qualified and one board certified master arborist." One of those certified arborists was the one who spotted Flo's infection, the City told KXAN. Group pitches last-chance plan to save historic Barton Springs tree Flo "According to PARD's standard procedures, this tree would have been removed once lab results confirmed the infection. However, considering the iconic significance of this particular tree, PARD wanted to take extra precautions by seeking external expertise to validate and confirm the initial assessment," a spokesperson for the City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department wrote. The City sought external expertise to confirm Flo was unwell, fo...

Limited flights home keeping some Americans in Israel as conflict heats up

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:52:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the war wages on in Israel some Americans are still working to get home.Shortly after the conflict started, many airlines cancelled flights going in and out of Israel, making it more challenging for some travelers to get home."The first week the beaches were full, packed, a lot of people, a lot of families." said Chris Dunbaugh, who is on vacation in Israel with his wife.Chris and his wife Faye are staying in Bat Yam, which is about 35 miles north of Gaza. Chris said a week after they arrived that's when the conflict began and now the beaches that were once packed are now empty."On Saturday at 6 a.m. we heard the sirens," Chris said. Hundreds attend Israel, Palestine rallies at Texas Capitol Chris and Faye tell KXAN they witnessed a missile hit the the Mediterranean Sea, which is just across the street from where they are staying."IDF boats and the police boats came all around it and they circled all around there," Faye said. "We have had missiles over our head ...

Austin joins international campaign to help find missing, kidnapped Israelis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:52:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN)—You may have seen flyers, with pictures of missing or kidnapped Israelis around the Austin area. They're going up all over the world, since the war overseas began. It's a campaign started by a couple, who are both artists Nitzan Mintz and Dede Bandaid.They currently live in New York but are from Israel. "We didn't know what to do, we felt so helpless," Bandaid said. "And we wanted to do something to support the country and make people aware of what's going on."Their movement has picked up traction fast, in less than two weeks. In Central Texas now, a group of mainly Israeli women who live in Austin have been putting flyers up for days. "Cedar Park, Round Rock, Domain Pflugerville, Mueller area, Bee Cave," Ariella said. Ariella and Idiet felt joining this movement is the least they could do. They, too, feeling helpless in a sense. "The longer we wait, the less the chances are surviving," Ariella said. "So we have to act fast."Some of the flyers feature people the women ...