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Facebook and Instagram users in Europe could get ad-free subscription option, WSJ reports

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:34 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Meta plans to give Facebook and Instagram users in Europe the option of paying for ad-free versions of the social media platforms as a way to comply with the continent’s strict data privacy rules, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.The company wants to charge users about 10 euros ($10.50) a month to use Instagram or Facebook without ads on desktop browsers, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the proposal. Adding more accounts would cost 6 euros each.Prices for mobile would be higher, at roughly 13 euros a month, because Meta needs to account for commissions charged by the Apple and Google app stores on in-app payments, the newspaper said.Meta reportedly is hoping to roll out paid subscriptions in the coming months as a way to comply with European Union data privacy rules that threaten its lucrative business model of showing personalized ads to users.Meta would give users the choice between continuing to use the platforms with ads or payin...

8 rehabilitated manatees return to Florida after Ohio stay

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:34 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WSVN) — It was a heartwarming day for Tampa Zoo and SeaWorld Orlando as they welcomed back eight manatees, concluding over two years of extensive rehabilitation in Ohio.“Today is such a special day as we welcome back three of our orphan calves that came as rescues back in 2021,” expressed the Tampa Zoo team.Three of these manatees, Picolina, Solerey, and Caliopy, returned to Zoo Tampa after receiving care for severe underweight conditions. They were undergoing rehabilitation at Cincinnati Zoo’s Manatee Springs since last November.“We have Picolina, Solerey, and Caliopy, all of which were rescued as orphans,” noted the team, radiating happiness at their return.Now, these three will receive further care at Zoo Tampa until they are ready for release into the Crystal River in February.“Cincinnati was wonderful; they took these three girls in and got them nice and large for us so that they could return to Florida waters,” empha...

Parents of 9-year-old who went missing on New York camping trip received ransom note before daughter was found, governor says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:34 GMT

(CNN) — Charlotte Sena, the 9-year-old girl who went missing while on a camping trip at a New York state park two days ago, has been found safe and a suspect has been detained, authorities said Monday evening.Before she was found, Charlotte’s parents received a ransom note at their home, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Monday evening.At a late-night news conference, the governor outlined the meticulous work by authorities after they found the note – and the crucial piece of evidence that led to a break in the case.Hochul said the break in the case came around 4:20 a.m. ET Monday when the suspect drove to Charlotte’s parents home and put a ransom note in the mailbox.“He literally drove up to the family’s mailbox assuming they were not home,” Hochul said, adding Charlotte’s parents were still at the campground searching for their daughter.The family’s home was being monitored by state police, but the officers had been sent to another call in the area when...

Tensions flare between Chicago and White House over migrant crisis

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:34 GMT

(CNN) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson confronted top White House officials late Sunday, demanding they take fast and concrete steps to address a migrant crisis they believe is about to reach a breaking point in the Windy City, according to two people on the call.On a conference call they pushed for on short notice, the two Democratic leaders and aides laid out concerns about Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ramping up the number of buses bringing migrants to the city, arguing that it could double the number of migrants there – currently more than 17,000 – just as temperatures begin to drop in a city famous for its harsh winters.White House intergovernmental affairs director Tom Perez, who was on the call along with White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, urged Chicago to follow the “best practices” put in place in New York, where new efforts have launched to try to help migrants obtain work permits. But that did little t...

Patriots OLB Matt Judon facing season-threatening timeline with torn bicep

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:34 GMT

Patriots outside linebacker Matt Judon is expected to miss at least two months with the torn bicep tendon he suffered last Sunday, according to the NFL Network.Judon will undergo surgery on Wednesday, per reports. ESPN reports Judon wants to return and play again this season, but there are doubts whether he can or will. His exact recovery timeline will be determined after Wednesday’s surgery.In the meantime, Judon, a four-time Pro Bowler, will be out indefinitely. It’s all but assured he will soon land on injured reserve and create an open roster spot.The 31-year-old tore his bicep while attempting an arm tackle of Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 38-3 defeat. He finished with one tackle and two QB hits. Judon got hurt after the Patriots had pulled quarterback Mac Jones trailed 31-3, though coach Bill Belichick said post-game the staff didn’t discuss removing their star pass rusher.Since his arrival in 2021, Judon has widely...

Biden says that all 10 drugs targeted for the first Medicare price negotiations will participate

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:34 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that the manufacturers of all of the first 10 prescription drugs selected for Medicare’s first price negotiations have agreed to participate, clearing the way for talks that could lower their costs in coming years and give him a potential political win heading into next year’s election.The drugs include the blood thinner Eliquis, which the White House said was used by more than 3.7 million Medicare enrollees from June of last year through this past May and had an average out-of-pocket cost of $608 per enrollee for 2022. Also included is diabetes treatment Jardiance, which was used by nearly 1.6 million Medicare enrollees and had a 2022 out-of-pocket cost per enrollee of $490.In all last year, 9 million seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries paid more than $3.4 billion on these 10 drugs alone, the White House said. “For decades, drug companies in America made record profits while big pharma worked to block Medicare...

Shooting at a major Bangkok shopping mall kills at least 2, and a suspect is in police custody

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:34 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — A shooter opened fire inside a major shopping mall in the center of Thailand’s capital Tuesday afternoon, killing at least two people before being apprehended, authorities said. Police said a suspect was taken into custody less than an hour after the first reported gunshots at the Siam Paragon Mall, long been seen as one of Bangkok’s biggest and most upscale shopping destinations. Video uploaded to social media and broadcast on television showed a long-haired teenage boy in the custody of police. Major Thai media said he was 14 years old, though recently appointed police chief Torsak Sukvimol confirmed only that he is a minor and appeared to be suffering from mental illness.Torsak said two people had been killed, a visitor from China and a Myanmar national. Earlier, Yutthana Sretthanan, director of Bangkok’s Erawan Emergency Medical Center, had said three people were killed and six were injured. There was no explanation of the discrepancy, though Yutthana later ...

Britain’s COVID-19 response inquiry enters a second phase with political decisions in the spotlight

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:34 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s inquiry into the response to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the nation entered its second phase Tuesday, with political decision-making around major developments, such as the timing of lockdowns, set to take center stage. Families whose loved ones died during the pandemic held a silent protest outside the inquiry in London, and claimed the new stage of the investigation — the so-called Module 2, the second of four planned phases — is ignoring how they were failed by politicians and policymakers. Many were holding portraits of their deceased loved ones, and stood beside a banner which read “Stop silencing the bereaved.” “I hope the inquiry has access to evidence it needs which includes evidence from the bereaved,” said Lorelei King, 69, who lost her actor husband Vincent Marzello, 72, in March 2020. “They have taken impact statements, but we have much more to provide. Many of us were eyewitnesses to what went on during that time.”Chair ...

Donald Trump returns to court as his fraud trial gets down to business after a fiery first day

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:34 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump returned to a New York court Tuesday after a fiery start to his business fraud lawsuit trial.After Monday’s opening statements, Tuesday’s court action is expected to center on the more plodding task of going through years of his financial documents. An accountant who prepared Trump’s financial statements for years is expected to be back on the witness stand for a second day.Trump spent a full day Monday as an angry spectator at the civil trial. It’s the culmination of a lawsuit in which New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, has accused the Republican former president and current 2024 GOP front-runner of deceiving banks, insurers and others for years by giving them papers that misstated the value of his assets.Judge Arthur Engoron delivered an early victory to James last week, ruling that Trump committed fraud by exaggerating the size of his penthouse at Trump Tower, claiming his Mar-a-Lago estate in Flori...

Driver arrested after cutting off motorcyclist on Hwy. 410, seriously injuring rider: OPP

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:34 GMT

A 24-year-old motorcyclist is in hospital and the driver of another vehicle is in custody following a crash on Highway 410 in Mississauga.The crash happened in the southbound HOV lane of the 410 near Highway 401 just before 7 a.m. on Tuesday.“A motorcyclist was travelling southbound in the HOV lane when a white vehicle from the through lanes moved across the double white solid lines directly in front of the path of the motorcyclist, causing a serious collision,” OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said on X, formerly known as Twitter.The motorcycle rider, from Brampton, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.The driver of the other vehicle, a 59-year-old from Brampton, was arrested for careless driving causing bodily harm.Schmidt said the driver of the white vehicle was travelling alone so shouldn’t have been in the HOV lane.“Crossing those HOV lanes is an offence, and cutting in front of a motorcyclist like this can cause significant, serious and even tragic result...