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How a little-known agency holds power over TikTok’s future

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:05 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Under pressure from the U.S. government, TikTok is now facing the music with the possibility of a nationwide ban if it defies a government order to sell to an American company — unless the popular social media app can convince a high-powered panel that its data security restructuring plan sufficiently guards against national security concerns. At the heart of this social media business and national security drama is the increasingly tense relations between the U.S. and China.The video-sharing platform with 150 million U.S. users is best known for quick snippets of viral dance routines and has been under scrutiny for years by federal authorities who say that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, could share sensitive user data with the Chinese government, or push propaganda and misinformation on its behalf.Having already banned the shipment of certain technologies to China, and recently passing new legislation banning the app on government devices, lawmakers want t...

Oscar Pistorius denied parole, hasn’t served enough time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:05 GMT

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Former Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius was denied parole Friday and will have to stay in prison at least another year and four months after it was decided that he had not served the “minimum detention period” required to be released following his murder conviction for the 2013 killing of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.The parole board hearing Pistorius’ application ruled he would be able to apply again in August 2024, South Africa’s Department of Corrections said in a statement. The board cited a new clarification on Pistorius’ sentence that was issued by South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal three days ago, according to the statement.The result was a surprise but there has been legal wrangling over when Pistorius should be eligible for parole because of the series of appeals in his case. He was initially convicted of culpable homicide, a charge comparable to manslaughter, in 2014 but the case went through a number of appeals before ...

Japan FM to visit China as Tokyo imposes new export controls

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:05 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Friday he will visit China this weekend for talks with his counterpart Qin Gang, becoming Japan’s first top diplomat to do so in more than three years amid growing friction between the two countries, including new Japanese export controls and the detention of a Japanese national in Beijing.Hayashi hopes to “engage in a candid and in-depth exchange of views toward establishing a constructive and stable relationship” in the talks with Qin and other officials during his April 1-2 visit, he told a news conference.His trip comes after Japan announced Friday that it will tighten export controls on 23 materials used for semiconductor manufacturing, seen as an effort to limit China’s access to advanced chipmaking technology, a step sought by the United States.Hayashi is expected to demand the release of the detained Japanese national, discuss security concerns in the region and ask China to act “responsibly” on global...

'Everybody's had enough': Tennesseans demand action after Covenant School shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:05 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — On Thursday, the normally quiet surroundings of the Tennessee State Capitol were filled with the voices of frustrated residents. "Everybody's demanding change, everybody's had enough, and, it was a beautiful day," said Linda McFadyen-Ketchum, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action. The demand for change poured into the Capitol. Inside the Senate Chamber, chanting could be heard through the door, while state troopers tried to control the crowd. TN GOP discusses changes to school safety, makes no mention of stricter gun laws "Angry," is how McFadyen-Ketchum described the feeling during the protest. "There's a time for tears. I don't have any more tears. I'm angry, and a lot of people there were angry. I didn't see much emotion. It was, 'Fix this, there are things that we can do. Fix this.'"The protest was held just three days after six lives were taken in The Covenant School shooting. Gun control is now at the center of the issue, especially for those who kne...

'Honey Boo Boo's' sister diagnosed with cancer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:05 GMT

(WJW) – Anna Cardwell, the daughter of “Mama” June Shannon and the sister of Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, has stage 4 cancer.Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell was diagnosed with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma -- also called adrenocortical cancer -- in January, according to PEOPLE. ‘Never felt braver’: FOX 8’s Natalie Herbick shares message on cancer journey The National Cancer Institute (NIH) states that it is "a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the outer layer of the adrenal gland," and symptoms include abdominal pain. PEOPLE reported that the cancer was found in Cardwell's liver, kidney and lung after the 28-year-old complained of stomachaches.She reportedly went through her first round of chemotherapy last month.According to Cleveland Clinic, doctors diagnose only about one case of this rare cancer per 1 million people each year. NE Ohio resident wrongfully linked to hospital threats It’s unknown what causes it, though the NIH states that certain genetic condition...

What If America, The IMF and World Bank Converted Africa’s Debt Into Gold?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:05 GMT

Trump Indicted, Could Face Up To 30+ Counts Of Business Fraud

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:05 GMT

Austin Energy General Manager Jackie Sargent retires effective immediately

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:05 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy confirmed Friday its General Manager, Jackie Sargent, would be retiring effective immediately.She was selected to lead the utility in 2016.Sargent was with the utility through the February 2021 and February 2023 ice storms where thousands of Austin Energy customers were without power for several days. RELATED: More than 110 utility crews working to restore power in Austin Austin Energy is expected to provide a statement with more details later Friday.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for updates.

Middle School in Buda placed on lockout as 'safety precaution'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:05 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — At 9:34 a.m. Friday, the Hays County sheriff said McCormick Middle School in Buda was placed on a lockout as a safety precaution.The sheriff said deputies were working an incident off Hillside Terrace near Denise Ellen Dr in Buda. The tweet from the sheriff did not say what the incident was related to.In another tweet, the sheriff said this was an active investigation, and Hays County Sheriff's Office would provide an update as more information becomes available.“Please be mindful this will cause a traffic backup in the area,” HCSO said.According to Hays County ISD, a lockout is when there is a threat outside of the building.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for more information.

How going off path at Austin's Hike and Bike Trail is causing erosion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:05 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The popular 10-mile-long Ann & Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail that wraps around Lady Bird Lake and attracts 5 million people a year is showing signs of erosion.“The water is one of the biggest draws that we have in the city, right? said Grady Reed with The Trail Conservancy. "It's hot, people want to get out, they want to get on the water."But it’s how some people are getting to the water that has eroded parts of the trail said Grady.“We don't think it's intentional, right? You're on the trail, you see the water you want to get in, or you maybe don't want to carry your kayak that far. I think it's just human nature,” said Reed. That decision can ruin the nature around them.“The primary erosion is between the trail and the water and it happens when people are kind of creating informal access points to water,” said Reed.“We have 8 official entry points along the trail that are stabilized and safe for people to access the water.”The Trail Conservancy is in charge of...