Officers arrest 23 people along Jordan River in ‘successful’ 2-day operation
Officers arrest 23 people along Jordan River in ‘successful’ 2-day operation
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department arrested 23 people, seized 1,700 fentanyl pills, and “mitigated” 12 camps in a two-day operation along the Jordan River Trail.
Salt Lake police conducted the operation on Jan. 28 and 29, dedicating a collective 311 hours to reducing crime along the Jordan River Trail, according to a press release. Officers arrested 13 people on felony charges and 10 on misdemeanor charges.
Winter storm to bring heavy snow to Utah mountains this weekend
Authorities said they also seized 1,770 fentanyl pills, 37 grams of heroin, and nearly 21 grams of ******** during the operation.
“This was a very important and successful operation, and our officers and detectives accomplished a lot of great work in a short time to make the Jordan River Trail safer,” said Police Chief Mike Brown. “Yet, we know there is still work to be done, and we remain focused on improving safety, reducing crime, and making sure support services are available for people who need them.”
Evidence including drug paraphernalia and several fentanyl pills seized during a felony arrest along the Jordan River Trail are shown on the hood of a police car. (Credit: Salt Lake City Police Department).
A Salt Lake City Police social worker speaks with a person arrested during a two-day operation along the Jordan River Trail. The social worker provided the person information on services prior to them being booked into jail. (Salt Lake City Police Department)
Several social workers joined police on the trail, according to the department. During the operation, one person accepted placement at a substance use disorder treatment center, and another — who was arrested on felony charges — received mental health and drug abuse resources from social workers.
While these Jordan River police operations are not new, authorities are adding steps to keep the area safe after the announcement of Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s public safety plan.
Some of these changes include trimming overgrown bushes and trees in high-crime areas, focusing on safety near Backman Elementary School, and installing security cameras in high-drug areas near Cottonwood Park and 500 North.
“The SLCPD will continue to monitor and quickly address crime patterns in these areas while expanding enforcement and intervention efforts citywide to enhance the safety and well-being of our community,” the press release reads.
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Seven dead, 19 injured in air ambulance ****** in Philadelphia – The Associated Press
Seven dead, 19 injured in air ambulance ****** in Philadelphia – The Associated Press
Seven dead, 19 injured in air ambulance ****** in Philadelphia The Associated PressLive Updates: Day after deadly Northeast Philly plane ****** NBC PhiladelphiaGirl killed in Philadelphia plane ****** mourned by hospital staff New York Post 7 dead, including 1 on ground, after a medevac jet with a child patient and her mother crashes in Philadelphia, mayor says CNNPhilly plane ****** live updates: 6 people onboard, including pediatric patient FOX 29 Philadelphia
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Donald Trump: US President poised to ignite trade war with hefty new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, China
Donald Trump: US President poised to ignite trade war with hefty new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, China
US President Donald Trump is expected to sign an order imposing hefty new tariffs of 25 per cent on goods from Mexico and Canada and 10 per cent on imports from China, threatening to ignite a trade war that could disrupt more than $US2.1 trillion ($A3.4 trillion) of annual trade.
Trump, who is at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida this weekend and spent Saturday morning golfing, said on Friday that there was little that the top three US trading partners could do to forestall the tariffs.
On Saturday, a source familiar with the matter said the US had formally informed Canada that tariffs would be imposed, and the ********* news channel CBC reported they would take effect on Tuesday.
Trump set the February 1 deadline to press for strong action to halt the flow of the opiate fentanyl and precursor chemicals into the US from China via Mexico and Canada, as well as to stop ******** immigrants crossing US borders.
Less than two weeks into his second term, Trump is upending the norms of how the United States is governed and interacts with its neighbours and wider world.
On Friday, he pledged to proceed with the levies despite acknowledging they could cause disruption and hardship for American households.
A model gauging the economic impact of Trump’s tariff plan from EY Chief Economist Greg Daco suggests it would reduce US growth by 1.5 percentage points this year, throw Canada and Mexico into recession and usher in “stagflation” at home.
“We have stressed that steep tariff increases against US trading partners could create a stagflationary shock – a negative economic hit combined with an inflationary impulse – while also triggering financial market volatility,” Daco wrote on Saturday.
That volatility was evident on Friday, when the ******** peso and ********* dollar both slumped after Trump vowed to fulfil his threats. US stock prices also fell and Treasury bond yields rose.
Until now, the prevailing assumption among investors, economists and the business community was that Trump had been floating the tariff threats to provide an impetus for negotiations and that he would ultimately hold off or start more slowly. But during a lengthy White House exchange with reporters on Friday, Trump brushed aside the notion that his threats were merely bargaining tools:
“No, it’s not … we have big (trade) deficits with, as you know, with all three of them.”
He also said revenue was a factor and the tariffs may be increased, adding: “But it’s a lot of money coming to the United States.”
Trump did, however, mention a potential carve-out for oil from Canada, saying that tariff rate would be 10 per cent. But he indicated that wider tariffs on oil and natural gas would be coming in mid-February, remarks that sent oil prices higher.
At nearly $US100 billion ($A160 billion) in 2023, imports of crude oil accounted for roughly a quarter of all US imports from Canada, according to US Census Bureau data.
Trump acknowledged that higher costs could be passed on to consumers and that his actions may cause short-term disruptions, but said he was not concerned about their impact on financial markets.
Jake Colvin, president of the National Foreign Trade Council, which represents major US companies, said imposing tariffs on key trading partners “could impact the cost and availability of everything from avocados to air conditioners to cars and risks shifting the focus of our relationships away from constructive dialogue”.
Although Trump speaks of “charging” other nations for tariffs, they are paid by importing companies, and sometimes passed on to consumers.
Automakers would be particularly hard hit, through tariffs on vehicles assembled in Canada and Mexico. Their vast regional supply chain, where components can cross borders several times before final assembly, would further exacerbate these costs.
And Trump said import taxes were also being considered on European goods, as well as on steel, aluminium and copper, and on drugs and semiconductors.
Trump’s move is expected to draw retaliatory tariffs, potentially disrupting more than $US2.1 ($A3.4) trillion in annual two-way US trade with its top three trading partners.
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Royal Caribbean fixes a terrible part of the cruising experience
Royal Caribbean fixes a terrible part of the cruising experience
It seems like you can’t read the news without the term “artificial intelligence,” or AI, appearing in at least a few stories. We’re in the early stages of a rapid evolution of AI technology, and it has implications for nearly every industry.
Of course, there are obvious uses of AI, such as self-driving cars and augmented reality video gaming. But AI also impacts industries such as banking, insurance, real estate, and yes, cruising.
Royal Caribbean uses AI technology in a few different ways. For example, the dynamic pricing it uses on its website for cruises and add-on purchases is driven by AI technology. It also uses AI to cut down on food waste, help track and analyze revenue, and more. But there’s one use that could help make the cruising experience far more pleasant for passengers.
Related: Royal Caribbean makes huge move with its next megaship
Waiting in a guest services line can be a real drag on your cruising experience. This is especially true if you happen to need help during a typically busy time like embarkation day, just before disembarking at a port, or on the final full day of the cruise. It isn’t uncommon to wait in line for more than 30 minutes, and that’s not including the time it takes to resolve your specific issue.
The problem is that while some people in the guest services line have complex issues that require the assistance of a knowledgeable agent to solve, that’s not always the case.
And it can seem like a real time killer on a cruise to wait for a half hour in line simply because you have a question about the beverage package or because you want to make changes to authorized spenders on your onboard account. Things like these take just a few seconds, and there needs to be a better way to handle them.
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Newer ships have better technology. Image source: Royal Caribbean
Using AI to cut down on a major pain point of cruising
During Royal Caribbean’s fourth quarter earnings conference call, CEO Jason Liberty said, “We also infused AI into the guest journey to provide a better, more efficient experience, and more personalized service.”
Liberty went on to give the specific example of the cruise line’s in-app chatbot. “Our new in-app chat saw a 35% increase in guest adoption that led to a 20% reduction in the customer service line on board.”
The chatbot was initially tested on Wonder of the Seas and has since reportedly been expanded to the Icon of the Seas mega-ship.
And while it certainly can’t do everything you might need to visit guest services for, it can handle tasks such as adding a registered user to your account, troubleshooting Wi-Fi issues, or answering questions about the cost of the drink package.
More Royal Caribbean news:
It isn’t just a chatbot. There’s a feature called “Human in the Loop” that allows you to talk to an actual guest service agent through the app.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
The guest services line isn’t going away completely
While the hope is that the number of guests who need to physically go to guest services onboard will continue to decline, the reality is that in some cases, you’ll still need to speak with a real-live representative to deal with your concerns.
For example, if you lose your room key, which is used to make all of your onboard purchases on the ship, there’s no way (at least not yet) for an app to replace it.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Have questions about booking a cruise? Schedule a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me’s Travel Agent Partner Postcard Travel Planning or call or text Amy Post at 386-383-2472.
However, the guest services line on a cruise ship is a major customer pain point, so an increase in the ability to deal with relatively minor issues through an AI-powered app is certainly an improvement.
Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to have all your questions answered.
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Christina Haack & Christopher Larocca Seal New Romance With a Kiss – Yahoo Entertainment
Christina Haack & Christopher Larocca Seal New Romance With a Kiss – Yahoo Entertainment
Christina Haack & Christopher Larocca Seal New Romance With a Kiss Yahoo EntertainmentChristina Haack ‘knew’ Josh Hall divorce was on the horizon as ‘Flip Off’ filming began USA TODAYChristina Hall makes out in public with new boyfriend Christopher Larocca as divorce battle with Josh continues Page SixChristina Haack kisses new boyfriend Christopher Larocca in public after crying over Josh Hall divorce Daily MailChristina Haack and Christopher Larocca Seal Their New Romance With a Kiss E! NEWS
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Matheus Cunha: Forward hints he is staying at Wolves with goal celebration
Matheus Cunha: Forward hints he is staying at Wolves with goal celebration
Some fans could have been forgiven for thinking Saturday’s game against Aston Villa would be Matheus Cunha’s last in a Wolves shirt.
The Brazil forward, 25, has scored 11 goals in 23 Premier League games for Wolves this season, but has been linked with a move away from Molineux in the past month.
With the transfer window closing on Monday evening, it looked like Cunha could have left with a brilliant farewell goal, curling past Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to seal a 2-0 win in the West Midlands derby.
Cunha appeared to signal his desire to stay at the club, pointing to the Wolves crest on his shirt and blowing kisses to the crowd.
After appearing to mimic signing a contract, not only is Cunha set to stay at Wolves, sources have told BBC Sport he has penned a new deal which will be announced in due course.
Head coach Vitor Pereira said after the game – which lifted Wolves out of the bottom three – the former Atletico Madrid forward is “committed” to the club and determined to ensure they begin next season in the top flight.
“He knows in the future he can play for the best teams in England, but he’s committed with us,” Pereira told BBC Match of the Day.
“He has the conscience that it is very important if he leaves, to leave the club in the Premier League.
“He has this quality. He is a special player. He has the quality to get the ball and create a goal alone.”
In a separate post-match interview with Sky Sports, Pereira added: “The last conversation we had, he said to me ‘I will help the team to be in the Premier League next season and then at the end of the season we will see’.
“With this quality, I believe and I am sure we will be in the Premier League next season.”
Wolves initially signed Cunha on loan from Atletico Madrid in December 2022 in a deal that had the potential to reach £35m.
He began his professional career with Swiss club Sion in 2017, and has also played for RB Leipzig and Hertha Berlin in Germany.
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Recovery crews return to scene of deadly US plane ******
Recovery crews return to scene of deadly US plane ******
The remains of 42 people have been pulled from Washington’s Potomac River after the mid-air collision of a passenger jet and US Army helicopter that killed 67.
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One of 3 soldiers aboard ****** Hawk chopper involved in midair collision identified as former White House aide
One of 3 soldiers aboard ****** Hawk chopper involved in midair collision identified as former White House aide
One of three soldiers aboard an Army ****** Hawk helicopter that was involved in the deadly midair collision with an American Airlines flight Wednesday near Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C., was identified Saturday by the Army as 28-year-old Capt. Rebecca Lobach, who had worked as a White House aide in the Biden administration.
The Army said Lobach had served as an aviation officer in the Army from July 2019 until January 2025. She had been awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
Her family in a statement released through the Army described her as a “bright star in all our lives. She was kind, generous, brilliant, funny, ambitious and strong.”
Capt. Rebecca Lobach (R) and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sabrina Bell (L) smile in the cockpit of a UH-60 ****** Hawk helicopter. Feb. 28, 2024.
Samantha Brown
Lobach was a native of Durham, North Carolina, and enlisted in the North Carolina Army National Guard while in college in December 2018, a friend, 1st Lt. Samantha Brown, told CBS News.
She attended Sewanee: The University of the South, where she played basketball, and then later the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she completed a degree in biology in 2019 as a distinguished military graduate, according to Brown.
An undated photo of 28-year-old Army Capt. Rebecca Lobach.
Lobach family
When she enlisted in the National Guard, she did so as a Simultaneous Membership Program cadet, a program which allows cadets to take part in both the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and the National Guard at the same time.
Lobach also served as a White House social aide during the Biden administration, Brown said. Just last month, she escorted Ralph Lauren through the White House when he was among those awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Joe Biden.
Capt. Rebecca Lobach pictured in the White House Briefing Room, Jan. 24, 2023.
Samantha Brown
The other two soldiers aboard the ****** Hawk helicopter have been identified as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, and Staff. Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia, who was the chopper’s crew chief.
The bodies of two of the three soldiers have so far been recovered from the wreckage of the Blackhawk helicopter, a law enforcement source familiar with the recovery efforts confirmed to CBS News Saturday.
The source said the bodies – a man and a woman – were recovered sometime Friday.
The ****** Hawk had taken off from nearby Fort Belvoir in Virginia, and was conducting a routine training mission at the time of the collision that killed 67 people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed.
“A routine annual retraining of night flights on a standard corridor for a continuity of government mission. The military does dangerous things. It does routine things on a regular basis,” Hegseth said Thursday. “Tragically, last night a mistake was made.”
The cause is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Kris Van Cleave
contributed to this report.
James LaPorta
James LaPorta is a verification producer with CBS News Confirmed. He is a former U.S. Marine infantryman and veteran of the Afghanistan war.
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Early morning fire tears through SC apartment, Columbia fire department says. 18 displaced
Early morning fire tears through SC apartment, Columbia fire department says. 18 displaced
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways
A fire tore through a Columbia apartment early Saturday morning leaving 18 people without a home, the Columbia-Richland Fire Department shared on social media.
Just before midnight, crews responded to Hampton Greene Apartments off of Gills Creek Parkway, officials said. While en route, firefighters saw a plume of smoke and called for a working fire dispatch.
When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire coming from one building and flames quickly spreading through the roof. Officials said it prompted a second alarm, dispatching more crews. The fire was brought under control around 2 a.m. The exterior of one other apartment building was damaged due to heat.
All residents escaped the building safely and there were no injuries, according to the fire department. However, 18 people were displaced.
The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced families with immediate needs like food, clothing and shelter, according to a news release.
“As our teams work with the families impacted, our hearts go out to them and we want to provide all the support we can,” Yolanda Gainwell, interim CEO of the Red Cross of South Carolina, said in a news release. “This (devastating) event reminds us that fires can happen anywhere, at any time, and we must always be prepared for these unfortunately frequent disasters. We encourage families to practice their home fire safety plan and test their smoke alarms.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation, the fire department said.
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Trump slaps tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China
Trump slaps tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China
U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing ahead with long-threatened import tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China.
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Arizona's Caleb Love ejected, **** coach Bobby Hurley loses tie and pulls team off court in heated rivalry game – Yahoo Sports
Arizona's Caleb Love ejected, **** coach Bobby Hurley loses tie and pulls team off court in heated rivalry game – Yahoo Sports
Arizona’s Caleb Love ejected, **** coach Bobby Hurley loses tie and pulls team off court in heated rivalry game Yahoo SportsHurley says Arizona had ‘no class’ in testy finish ESPNWATCH: Arizona’s Caleb Love, Arizona State’s BJ Freeman ejected after headbutt incident late in Wildcats’ win CBS SportsBobby Hurley loses his necktie and Jaden Bradley responds as ****, Arizona trade technical fouls Arizona SportsBobby Hurley takes parting shot, vows to not vote Caleb Love for All-Big 12 after BJ Freeman headbutt On3.com
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Keir Starmer must start EU customs union talks, says Ed Davey
Keir Starmer must start EU customs union talks, says Ed Davey
Sam Francis
Political reporter
PA Media
Sir Keir Starmer should “fire the starting gun” on creating a new ***-EU customs union at a meeting with European leaders in Brussels on Monday, the Liberal Democrats have said.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said such a move was a “no-brainer” for the prime minister, and would put “rocket boosters” on the *** economy and “strengthen our hand” with US President Donald Trump.
Sir Keir has ruled out rejoining the EU customs union and the single market, declaring it a “red line”.
But Labour has left open the possibility of joining another bloc, the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) convention, as part of efforts to “reset” European relations.
‘Vital tax revenue’
PEM allows tariff-free trade of some goods from across dozens of countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
The Lib Dems say the *** should join it as a “first step” to rejoining the ***-EU customs union, which allows tariff-free movement of goods between EU member states – but prevents members striking their own trade deals.
The party’s ultimate aim is for the *** to rejoin the European Union – but it has only started campaigning on the issue since the general election.
Downing Street says Sir Keir’s meeting with EU leaders on Monday – the first time a British prime minister has been invited to such a gathering since the *** left the EU in 2020 – is focused on defence and security cooperation.
Ahead of an appearance on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Sir Ed has written a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves calling for her to commission the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to properly explore the impact a new customs deal with the EU would have on the *** economy.
The forecasts then should be made public as part of the OBR’s forecasts due to be published alongside the Spring Statement on 26 March, he wrote.
“The chancellor is tying herself in knots trying to think up new ways to grow our economy,” Sir Ed said.
“But there’s a solution right under her nose: a new ***-EU customs union deal that boosts trade for British businesses and raises vital tax revenue for our public services.”
‘Trying to reopen past divisions’
Earlier this month, the EU’s new trade chief Maros Sefcovic told the BBC he was open to Britain joining PEM as part of a post-Brexit “reset”.
On the possibility of the *** joining the arrangement, the prime minister’s official spokesman has previously told reporters: “We’ve always said that we want to look at ways to reduce barriers to trade whilst remaining within our clear red lines.
“The arrangement that’s being discussed is not a customs union.
“Our red line has always been that we will never join our customs union, never re-join the single market, no freedom of movement, but we’re just not going to get ahead of those discussions.”
The Conservatives say joining PEM would turn the *** “into rule-takers and not rule-makers”.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the government of “trying to reopen the divisions of the past and edge us back into the EU”, after having “opposed us every step of the way” while the previous Conservative government brought the *** out of the EU.
She challenged Sir Keir to meet five tests that she said would ensure “he doesn’t undo Brexit”, which include: no “backsliding” on the free movement of people, or the compulsory transfer of asylum seekers, no new payments to the EU, and no reduction in fishing rights.
Badenoch also said Nato must have “primacy” when it came to European security – her final test.
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Kate Walsh: Hollywood star says Perth is ‘100 per cent’ home and talks about her fun role on ABC comedy Optics
Kate Walsh: Hollywood star says Perth is ‘100 per cent’ home and talks about her fun role on ABC comedy Optics
It’s been five years since Kate Walsh moved to Perth from New York. Now only the best projects, including new ABC comedy Optics, can draw her away: “I really think it’s a testament to how happy I am here.”
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Soldiers train for urban combat near the frontline in eastern Ukraine
Soldiers train for urban combat near the frontline in eastern Ukraine
Dozens of soldiers took part in military training near the frontline in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday. The drills, focused on sharpening urban combat skills, were held in the Donetsk region and organized by the 108th Separate Mechanized Battalion, known as the Da Vinci Wolves, for their newly recruited troops. (AP Video by Vasilisa Stepanenko)
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Trump’s Pentagon to rotate US media outlets from dedicated offices – The Indian Express
Trump’s Pentagon to rotate US media outlets from dedicated offices – The Indian Express
Trump’s Pentagon to rotate US media outlets from dedicated offices The Indian ExpressPentagon to swap traditional media with pro-Trump outlets under new rotational program for Defense Department workspace CNNPentagon to move NBC, Politico, NPR and NYT out of dedicated media offices The Washington Post
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AI-generated child sex abuse images targeted with new laws
AI-generated child sex abuse images targeted with new laws
Four new laws will tackle the threat of child ******* abuse images generated by artificial intelligence (AI), the government has announced.
The Home Office says that, to better protect children, the *** will be the first country in the world to make it ******** to possess, create or distribute AI tools designed to create child ******* abuse material (CSAM), with a punishment of up to five years in prison.
Possessing AI paeodophile manuals will also be made ********, and offenders will get up to three years in prison. These manuals teach people how to use AI to ********* abuse young people.
“We know that sick predators’ activities online often lead to them carrying out the most horrific abuse in person,” said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
“This government will not hesitate to act to ensure the safety of children online by ensuring our laws keep pace with the latest threats.”
The other laws include making it an offence to run websites where paedophiles can share child ******* abuse content or provide advice on how to groom children. That would be punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
And the Border Force will be given powers to instruct individuals who they suspect of posing a ******* risk to children to unlock their digital devices for inspection when they attempt to enter the ***, as CSAM is often filmed abroad. Depending on the severity of the images, this will be punishable by up to three years in prison.
Artificially generated CSAM involves images that are either partly or completely computer generated. Software can “nudify” real images and replace the face of one child with another, creating a realistic image.
In some cases, the real-life voices of children are also used, meaning innocent survivors of abuse are being re-victimised.
Fake images are also being used to blackmail children and force victims into further abuse.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) said it makes around 800 arrests each month relating to threats posed to children online. It said 840,000 adults are a threat to children nationwide – both online and offline – which makes up 1.6% of the adult population.
Cooper said: “These four new laws are bold measures designed to keep our children safe online as technologies evolve.
“It is vital that we tackle child ******* abuse online as well as offline so we can better protect the public,” she added.
Some experts, however, believe the government could have gone further.
Prof Clare McGlynn, an expert in the legal regulation of ************, ******* violence and online abuse, said the changes were “welcome” but that there were “significant gaps”.
The government should ban “nudify” apps and tackle the “normalisation of ******* activity with young-looking girls on the mainstream porn sites”, she said, describing these videos as “simulated child ******* abuse videos”.
These videos “involve adult actors but they look very young and are shown in children’s bedrooms, with toys, pigtails, braces and other markers of childhood,” she said. “This material can be found with the most obvious search terms and legitimises and normalises child ******* abuse. Unlike in many other countries, this material remains lawful in the ***.”
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) warns that more ******* abuse AI images of children are being produced, with them becoming more prevalent on the open web.
The charity’s latest data shows reports of CSAM have risen 380% with 245 confirmed reports in 2024 compared with 51 in 2023. Each report can contain thousands of images.
In research last year it found that over a one-month *******, 3,512 AI child ******* abuse and exploitation images were discovered on one dark website. Compared with a month in the previous year, the number of the most severe category images (Category A) had risen by 10%.
Experts say AI CSAM can often look incredibly realistic, making it difficult to tell the real from the fake.
The interim chief executive of the IWF, Derek Ray-Hill, said: “The availability of this AI content further fuels ******* violence against children.
“It emboldens and encourages abusers, and it makes real children less safe. There is certainly more to be done to prevent AI technology from being exploited, but we welcome [the] announcement, and believe these measures are a vital starting point.”
Lynn Perry, chief executive of children’s charity Barnardo’s, welcomed government action to tackle AI-produced CSAM “which normalises the abuse of children, putting more of them at risk, both on and offline”.
“It is vital that legislation keeps up with technological advances to prevent these horrific crimes,” she added.
“Tech companies must make sure their platforms are safe for children. They need to take action to introduce stronger safeguards, and Ofcom must ensure that the Online Safety Act is implemented effectively and robustly.”
The new measures announced will be introduced as part of the Crime and Policing Bill when it comes to parliament in the next few weeks.
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The 10 cheapest EVs in Australia
The 10 cheapest EVs in Australia
The electric vehicle market has been rocked by an influx of new models and price wars. These are the 10 cheapest EVs in *********** showrooms.
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State Supreme Court upholds landmark ruling affirming overlooked constitutional right: ‘We have been heard’
State Supreme Court upholds landmark ruling affirming overlooked constitutional right: ‘We have been heard’
In the United States’ first constitutional climate change trial, the Montana Supreme Court upheld a ruling in favor of 16 youth plaintiffs, affirming their “fundamental constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment.”
The 6-1 decision guarantees a stable climate for the youth plaintiffs, who argued Montana’s backing of planet-warming fossil fuels violated their rights.
“This ruling is a victory not just for us, but for every young person whose future is threatened by climate change,” lead plaintiff Rikki Held said.
The court’s ruling comes after two state laws passed in 2011 and 2023 significantly limiting the environmental review of new energy projects. The latter, signed into law by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, forbids environmental review of energy permits from evaluating potential greenhouse gas pollution or climate impact.
Both laws were overturned in the new ruling, with the court explicitly citing Montana’s greenhouse gas pollution as “a substantial factor in causing climate impacts to Montana’s environment, and harm and injury to the youth plaintiffs.”
In court, the youth plaintiffs illustrated the profound effects of climate change on their daily lives. They described worsening wildfires and smoke polluting the air they breathe, drought and decreased rainfall diminishing mountain snowpack, and low river levels unable to sustain fish, wildlife, recreation, and Indigenous traditions.
Watch now: Netflix chef and bestselling author talks about why she’s in love with new cooking technique
The landmark decision will force Montana officials to “carefully assess the greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts of all future fossil fuel permits,” said Melissa Hornbein, the plaintiffs’ attorney.
Policies such as this, as well as others that deter and restrict fossil fuel usage, are critical in recognizing and limiting dirty energy’s role in polluting the atmosphere and rapidly warming the planet. Rising global temperatures can make weather more extreme and lead to more deadly and destructive disasters, such as last year’s Hurricane Helene or the Los Angeles wildfires.
Dirty energy sources have also been linked to numerous public health concerns, such as cardiac problems, breathing issues, and premature death.
The plaintiffs and their attorneys were overjoyed at the court’s findings.
“I was really pleased to see that the Montana Supreme Court grounded its analysis of harm in the testimony of the youth plaintiffs,” Roger Sullivan, an attorney who represented the plaintiffs, told the Daily Montanan. “I was pleased to see they got both the harm these youth plaintiffs are experiencing, the cause of it as a result of fossil fuels being collected and combusted, and that Montana is one of the actors in this global phenomenon.”
“We have been heard, and today, the Montana Supreme Court has affirmed that our rights to a safe and healthy climate cannot be ignored,” Held said.
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Pentagon removes major media outlets, including NBC News, from dedicated workstations as part of a new 'rotation program' – NBC News
Pentagon removes major media outlets, including NBC News, from dedicated workstations as part of a new 'rotation program' – NBC News
Pentagon removes major media outlets, including NBC News, from dedicated workstations as part of a new ‘rotation program’ NBC NewsPentagon removes New York Times, NPR and more from workspaces as part of ‘rotation program’ The Guardian USTrump’s Pentagon to rotate US media outlets from dedicated offices The Indian ExpressPentagon to swap traditional media with pro-Trump outlets under new rotational program for Defense Department workspace CNNPentagon to move NBC, Politico, NPR and NYT out of dedicated media offices The Washington Post
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Pelican News
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Trump fires the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Trump fires the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
President Donald Trump has fired the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Rohit Chopra, in the latest purge of a Biden administration holdover.
Chopra was one of the more important regulators from the previous Democratic administration who was still on the job since Trump took office on Jan. 20. Chopra’s tenure saw the removal of medical debt from credit reports and limits on overdrafts penalties, all based on the premise that the financial system could be fairer and more competitive in ways that helped consumers. But many in the financial industry viewed his actions as regulatory overreach.
In a social media post Saturday about his departure, Chopra thanked people across the country who “shared their ideas and experiences” with the government’s consumer financial watchdog agency.
“You helped us hold powerful companies & their executives accountable for breaking the law, and you made our work better,” Chopra posted above on X above pictures of his letter announcing that he would no longer lead the bureau.
During Trump’s first term, the Republican had picked Chopra as a Democratic member of the Federal Trade Commission.
In his letter, Chopra noted that the bureau was ready to work with the Trump administration. He said the agency had prepared rules to block Russia, China and others from using data brokers to surveil Americans, and had put forth policies intended to prevent people from losing access to banking services for exercising their constitutional right to express their political or religious views.
The letter noted the CFPB has also analyzed Trump’s campaign proposal to cap credit card interest rates.
Chopra was notified of his firing in an email, according to a person familiar with the notice who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Under the law, Chopra was to serve a five-year term, which meant he could have stayed on as the CFPB director. But he had publicly stated that he would leave his post if the new president asked.
In many ways, Chopra exemplified some of the tensions between Trump’s promises to curb regulations for businesses and his populist appeals to voters. When The Associated Press reported on Jan. 22 that Chopra remained in his job after Trump took the oath of office, his critics in the financial sector quickly said the president needed to dismiss him.
“The longer Director Chopra stays, the harder it will be for this pro-growth administration to undo the politically-driven, government-price setting agenda that former President Biden’s appointee has engaged in over the last several years at the Bureau,” emailed Weston Loyd, press secretary at the Consumer Bankers Association.
Richard Hunt, executive chairman of the Electronic Payments Coalition, said Chopra’s tenure “was marked by witch-hunts and political weaponization” of the bureau, arguing that Chopra’s policies reduced the access that “vulnerable consumers” had to financial credit.
But many liberal groups stressed that Chopra’s work helped to return billions of dollars to consumers.
Kitty Richards, a former Treasury Department official and senior strategic adviser at the liberal think tank Groundwork Collaborative, said Chopra had been a “tireless watchdog” who held “predatory corporations accountable.”
“Trump was always more interested in serving his billionaire boys club than delivering change for working people,” Richards said.
Chopra is an ally of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who developed the idea of the CFPB and is one of Trump’s targets for criticism. The Massachusetts Democrat said in a statement that the bureau under Chopra had held “Wall Street accountable “for cheating hard-working families and preventing the de-banking of Americans across the country.”
California Rep. Maxine Waters, the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, said in a statement that Chopra’s dismissal “marks the end of an era of strong consumer protection and the beginning of a plan to end this important agency.”
The bureau was created after the 2008 financial crisis to regulate mortgages, car loans and other consumer finance. It has long been opposed by Republicans and their financial backers.
Last year, the Supreme Court rejected a challenge that could have undermined the bureau, ruling that the way it is is funded does not violate the Constitution. Unlike most federal agencies, the bureau does not rely on the annual budget process in Congress, but is funded directly by the Federal Reserve.
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Pelican News
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Sri Lanka rue missed chances in Aussie thrashing
Sri Lanka rue missed chances in Aussie thrashing
Sri Lanka have been left to rue missed opportunities in a record-breaking Test match loss to Australia.
But coach Sanath Jayasuriya points to recent history for evidence the hosts can level the series when the second match begins in seaside Galle on Thursday.
Australia recorded their largest-ever total on the subcontinent in the series opener (6d-654), before skittling Sri Lanka (165, 247) twice either side of a rare follow-on.
The tourists won by an innings and 242 runs just before tea on day four.
“They outplayed us, they played positive cricket and they got runs on the board. That was the key,” Jayasuriya said.
The loss was Sri Lanka’s largest in Test history, eclipsing a painful defeat to India by an innings and 239 runs in 2017.
But things could have been different had the hosts taken their chances on a dominant first day of *********** batting.
Usman Khawaja (232) was dropped twice and survived Sri Lanka’s decision not to review a caught-behind chance as he made his way to a 16th Test century.
Stand-in captain Steve Smith was put down by Prabath Jayasuriya from his own bowling on one run, and would go on to add 140 more.
Sri Lanka had earlier declined what would have been a successful lbw review on Travis Head (57) and missed a run-out chance on Marnus Labuschagne (20), though those errors proved less expensive.
“We can’t control (losing) the toss but we should’ve controlled the first session of the game,” coach Jayasuriya said.
“It would’ve been a different story altogether if we got some wickets. That was the key. Then they batted really well, Khawaja and Smith both.
“You need to take your half-chances, even the review, if you think it’s a half you have to go for it. We missed those.”
But Sri Lanka need only look at Australia’s last tour for evidence they can level the series in Galle, where conditions can be unpredictable from match to match.
Australia won the first Test by 10 wickets in 2022 on the back of some surprise off-spin brilliance from Travis Head (4-10) and Cameron Green’s half-century.
But in the second, middle-order veteran Dinesh Chandimal made an unbeaten double-hundred to power the hosts to victory by an innings and 39 runs – their largest-ever defeat of Australia.
Six players from that victorious team, including five of the top-six batters, featured in the recent loss to Australia.
“We are capable of doing the change,” said Jayasuriya.
“(In 2022) they lost badly in the first game, they came back and they did well. We have to do well.”
Sri Lanka are hoping to make at least one change to their XI for the second Test with opening batter Pathum Nissanka a chance to recover from a groin issue.
“If he’s fit, definitely Pathum is in. We haven’t decided anything else now,” Jayasuriya said.
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People in Four Seasons Diner duck for cover after Philadelphia plane ****** – 6ABC Philadelphia
People in Four Seasons Diner duck for cover after Philadelphia plane ****** – 6ABC Philadelphia
People in Four Seasons Diner duck for cover after Philadelphia plane ****** 6ABC PhiladelphiaLive Updates: Day after deadly Northeast Philly plane ****** NBC PhiladelphiaSeven dead, 19 injured in air ambulance ****** in Philadelphia, officials say The Associated Press7 dead, including 1 on ground, after a medevac jet with a child patient and her mother crashes in Philadelphia, mayor says CNN
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Two children die after being hit by car in Pitsea, Essex
Two children die after being hit by car in Pitsea, Essex
BBC
A man and a woman have been arrested after two children were killed when they were hit in a hit-and-run ****** in Essex.
The collision happened in Walthams Place in Pitsea, near Basildon, at about 18:25 GMT.
Essex Police said the car failed to stop at the scene.
A man and a woman have since been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
The force said emergency services were sent to the scene, but they could not save the children.
Police appealed for information, particularly CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
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An Oasis of Sustainable Luxury in the Heart of London
An Oasis of Sustainable Luxury in the Heart of London
Jon Day
In the heart of London’s prestigious Mayfair district, 1 Hotel Mayfair is a harmonious blend of luxury and environmental stewardship that provides a much needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Overlooking the verdant expanse of Green Park, the hotel offers guests a serene retreat amidst the city’s vibrant energy. I checked in one cold January morning to give the property a try; here’s everything you need to know:
Location and Design
Jon Day – The Lobby
Situated at 3 Berkeley Street, 1 Hotel Mayfair is in an extremely prime location, with Green Park just steps away. The hotel is within walking distance of iconic landmarks such as the Royal Academy, Bond Street’s luxury boutiques, and the historic Burlington Arcade. This proximity allows guests to immerse themselves in London’s multifaceted cultural scene with ease.
The hotel’s design is incredibly distinct. Like all 1 Hotels, it is focused on sustainable luxury. Natural materials and textures dominate the interiors, with over 1,300 plants from 200 species breathing life into the guest rooms and common spaces. The lobby features a stunning check-in counter crafted from a 200-year-old oak tree and a mesmerizing living chandelier, “Rainforest,” by French designer Patrick Nadeau, which is covered with over 50,000 strands of Spanish moss.
Accommodations
Milo Brown – Studio Suite
The hotel has 181 guest rooms, including 44 suites, each designed with a muted color palette of slate grey, beige, and green, complemented by British Oak flooring sourced from fallen trees on the Windsor Estate. Every room features a living moss wall, which I found to be incredibly grounding and soothing. Bathrooms are adorned with Welsh slate and offer refillable toiletries from the sustainable British brand Bamford. Eco-conscious amenities include filtered water taps – in order to eliminate the need for single-use plastics – and sensors that adjust lighting and airflow based on occupancy, which means you’re not wasting energy.
Service and Amenities
I found service at 1 Hotel Mayfair to be impeccable, with staff anticipating my needs before they even arose. Rooms are thoughtfully equipped with in-room yoga mats, which I availed myself of for some movement and restoration. The minibars are stocked with healthy, locally sourced snacks and beverages, which are included as part of the stay, which means it’s easy to raid the minibar somehow and feel good after doing so.
For fitness enthusiasts, The Field House offers a state-of-the-art gym equipped with Technogym equipment and custom fitness programming. Post-workout, guests can unwind at the Bamford Wellness Spa, which provides a range of holistic treatments in a tranquil setting.
Milo Brown – Dovetale Terrace
Dining
Culinary experiences at 1 Hotel Mayfair are curated by two-Michelin-starred Chef Tom Sellers. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Dovetale, offers a modern British menu emphasizing seasonal, organic, and locally sourced ingredients. Highlights include grilled Cornish lobster salad, Orkney scallop with lemon oil, English burrata, and roasted Hardwick lamb, which was excellent. For casual gatherings, the lobby café, Neighbours, serves as a welcoming spot, while the ********* bar, Dover Yard, provides a sophisticated ambiance for drinks.
Mikkel Vang
Skyline Junior Suite
Milo Brown – Living Wall In-Room
Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability is at the core of 1 Hotel Mayfair’s ethos. The hotel employs energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, with occupancy sensors to reduce unnecessary energy consumption. Soft, integrated lighting enhances the serenity of each guest room. Locally sourced, sustainable bed linens and non-toxic, organic mattresses are extremely comfortable, while also being great for the environment. The building’s exterior features live green walls, and an efficient irrigation system nourishes these walls using rainwater collected from the roof.
In all, 1 Hotel Mayfair was a completely unique experience in the heart of London. You feel truly calm within the property, even in the busy heart of the city. From its thoughtful design and prime location to its exceptional service and eco-friendly initiatives, it offers guests an experience that nowhere else in London truly can.
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