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Sean Penn, backing WGA strike, says AI dispute is ‘a human obscenity’ at Cannes Film Festival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

CANNES, France (AP) — Sean Penn strongly backed the current Hollywood screenwriters strike while speaking at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday, saying the dispute over artificial intelligence is “a human obscenity.” Penn addressed the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike in a press conference for his new film, “Black Flies,” director Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire’s harrowing, gritty drama about New York paramedics. Asked about the strike, Penn said “the industry has been upending the writers and actors and directors for a very long time.” “There’s a lot of new concepts being tossed about including the use of AI It strikes me as a human obscenity for there to be pushback on that from the producers,” said Penn, a veteran writer-director in addition to being an actor. Film and TV screenwriters earlier this month began striking after talks with producers broke off. The WGA is seeking better pay, new contracts for the streaming era and safeguards against the use of AI-scripted work-ar...

Johnston’s advice on public inquiry about foreign interference expected Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

OTTAWA — Special rapporteur David Johnston is expected to release his decision next Tuesday on whether the federal Liberals should hold a public inquiry on foreign interference. The recommendation is anticipated to be included in an initial report about how the government should proceed with allegations that Canada’s last two federal elections were subject to meddling by other countries.Opposition parties’ calls for a public inquiry into Chinese meddling have grown louder throughout the year amid a series of media reports shedding light on Beijing’s alleged attempts to influence the 2019 and 2021 elections.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tapped the former governor general to assess the extent and impact of such interference in Canada’s electoral process, including by reviewing the response to threats in the past two elections.The government said Johnston has been given access to relevant documents, records and classified information, and security services are p...

Federal Reserve Chair Powell hints at a pause in rate hikes when central bank meets next month

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chair Jerome Powell indicated Friday that the Federal Reserve will likely forgo an increase in its benchmark interest rate when it meets in June for the first time since it began raising its key rate 14 months ago to fight high inflation.In signaling so, Powell provided some clarity about the Fed’s likely next policy move after a cacophony of speeches this week by central bank officials had clouded the picture. “Having come this far, we can afford to look at the data and the evolving outlook and make careful assessments,” Powell said, referring to the Fed’s 10 straight rate hikes, which have elevated its key short-term rate from near zero a year ago to about 5.1%, its highest level in 16 years. Speaking at a Fed conference in Washington, Powell said the central bank’s benchmark rate, which affects many consumer and business loans, is now high enough to restrain borrowing, spending and economic growth. Fed officials hope that slower growth will coo...

Jordan Neely, NYC subway rider choked to death, is mourned at Manhattan church

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Friends, family members and civil rights leaders gathered at a Harlem church on Friday to mourn Jordan Neely, whose chokehold death on the New York City subway set off a debate about vigilantism, homelessness and public safety.A former Michael Jackson impersonator who had been struggling with mental illness and homelessness in recent years, Neely died May 1 when a fellow subway rider pinned him to the floor of a subway car in a chokehold that lasted several minutes.The fatal struggle was recorded on video by an onlooker who said Neely had been yelling at other passengers as he begged for money, but hadn’t attacked anyone.Last week the man who pinned and choked Neely, Daniel Penny, was charged with manslaughter by the Manhattan district attorney. Penny’s lawyers say he was acting to protect himself and other passengers after Neely made threatening statements.The Rev. Al Sharpton told worshippers that Neely’s life should be celebrated, “but we should not ig...

San Francisco officials are investigating if Elon Musk’s “Twitter Hotel” plan broke laws

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco officials are investigating Twitter after six former employees allege that owner Elon Musk’s leadership team broke laws in turning the company’s headquarters into a “Twitter Hotel” for workers being pushed to stay up late to transform the social media platform.The San Francisco Chronicle reports that city officials are opening their latest investigation into the company that Musk took over late last year. That’s after the ex-employees, including a former vice president of real estate, alleged in a lawsuit filed in a federal court in Delaware that Twitter didn’t pay them promised severance. Twitter is seeking to dismiss the case.They also allege that Musk’s team ordered numerous changes to the company’s headquarters in a 1930s Art Deco building in downtown San Francisco that violated building codes. Those changes included disabling lights and adding locks that wouldn’t open during an emergency, according to the lawsuit....

Boy, 3, dies after piece of furniture falls on him: Chicago police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

CHICAGO — A 3-year-old boy has died after a piece of furniture fell on him on the city's West Side.Officers responded to an injured toddler on the 2800 block of South Pulaski around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Police said a piece of furniture had fell on top of him. The boy was pronounced dead on the scene. Man charged in shooting that injured 2 boys outside Chicago library According to authorities, the incident has been classified as a death investigation.Area Four Detectives are investigating.

Mayor Johnson appoints first-ever deputy to combat root causes of crime

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson has appointed the first-ever Deputy Mayor of Community Safety in efforts to combat root causes of crime and violence, the City of Chicago said.Johnson announced Friday that Garien Gatewood, the director of the Illinois Justice Project (IJP), will serve in the newly created governmental role.In his time at IJP, Gatewood took action to refocus youth and adults away from the justice system and give support to those re-entering society after incarceration. Mayor Johnson meets with migrants in Chicago on second day in office In 2021, Gatewood was also appointed by Governer JB Pritzker to serve on the Board of Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, a state organization that hones in on improvement of public safety. In a statement released by the mayor's office, Gatewood said: “I’ve worked with the young people of Chicago for years, and I know that together we can deliver on a vision for a stronger, safer city that addresses the root causes of vi...

Boy injured, apartment damaged in shootout on North Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

CHICAGO — A boy was injured and several businesses, including an apartment were damaged after a shootout in Irving Park early Friday morning.According to police, a black Infiniti truck and red sedan were driving westbound near the 2800 block of West Irving Park Road around 3:05 a.m. when an anonymous witness said people in the vehicles began firing shots at one another. A 17-year-old boy was dropped off at a local hospital by the red sedan with a graze wound to the head. He is listed in good condition. Pedestrian fatally struck on Stevenson Expressway Police say the boy refused to answer questions. A neighbor described the shots going through his window."I heard gunshots and ran to my daughter's room and while I'm running, the shots go through my window." No one is in custody but police are investigating the incident.

How close is Liam Hendriks to a White Sox return?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

CHICAGO — Arguably the best storyline of a difficult start for the White Sox has been the comeback of their All-Star closer.Liam Hendriks, who began treatments for Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in January, finished treatments in April, was declared cancer-free, and is well into his work to return to the major leagues.But when will that happen? Well, there isn't a definitive answer to that, but Hendriks is back with the White Sox in Chicago as he continues to get himself back to form and make his 2023 debut for the club. Hendriks was in the bullpen throwing on Thursday as the White Sox completed their series with the Guardians at Guaranteed Rate Field. It's expected that he'll throw batting practice on Friday before they open a three-game series against the Royals. Liam Hendriks discusses his battle with cancer for the first time Manager Pedro Grifol said on Thursday that he still wasn't sure when Hendriks will officially be activated by the club. He remains on the 15-day IL, whi...

Flash flooding and severe storm concern into tonight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Most of this afternoon will be hot and dry but we'll likely finish our Friday with storms, some of which could be severe with a flash flooding risk.Mainly sunny skies will help temperatures return to the low 90s this afternoon. It's not until late afternoon (4-5 p.m.) do we start to see a few isolated storms bubble up in the northwest Hill Country.Friday afternoon forecast highsAs the afternoon turns to evening, storms will grow in coverage and intensity. Well-developed thunderstorms will be capable of large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall causing flooding concerns.Friday's severe risk: 2 out of 53 to 4 inches of rain is possible in localized pockets of the Hill Country. That amount of rain too quickly could lead to flash flooding. The Hill Country has the highest flash flooding concerns tonight.Flash flood risk: 2 out of 4A few isolated storms begin to develop in the Hill Country late afternoon / early eveningStorms grow in coverage and intensity Friday eve...