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Abuse in the machine: Study shows AI image-generators being trained on explicit photos of children

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:23 GMT

Hidden inside the foundation of popular artificial intelligence image-generators are thousands of images of child sexual abuse, according to a new report that urges companies to take action to address a harmful flaw in the technology they built.Those same images have made it easier for AI systems to produce realistic and explicit imagery of fake children as well as transform social media photos of fully clothed real teens into nudes, much to the alarm of schools and law enforcement around the world.Until recently, anti-abuse researchers thought the only way that some unchecked AI tools produced abusive imagery of children was by essentially combining what they’ve learned from two separate buckets of online images — adult pornography and benign photos of kids. But the Stanford Internet Observatory found more than 3,200 images of suspected child sexual abuse in the giant AI database LAION, an index of online images and captions that’s been used to train leading AI image-ma...

You can use your home or car as collateral to get a credit card. Should you?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:23 GMT

Secured credit cards are a credit-building solution for people with bad or limited credit. Approval for a secured credit card is largely based on one’s ability to put up the cash deposit, usually $200-$300, which becomes the card’s credit limit.But a deposit requirement can present financial hardship. Cardholders get the full deposit back when they close the account or upgrade to another card from the same issuer, but not everyone can afford to tie up cash indefinitely.Some financial technology companies are offering solutions for limited liquidity: asset-secured cards. Credit limits on these cards are backed by collateral like fine jewelry, a car or home equity. As such, credit lines on asset-secured cards can be higher, and interest rates may be lower, compared with a traditional secured card.As asset-secured cards have solved one problem, they’ve created a few more. Some of these cards require cardholders to send away their collateral items or car title. A bigger credit line mean...

Man, 55, hit by 2 different vehicles while crossing street on Northwest Side

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:23 GMT

CHICAGO — A 55-year-old man is critically injured after being struck by two different vehicles while crossing the street on the city's Northwest Side.It happened just before 1 a.m. Wednesday in the 4100 block of West Irving Park.According to police, the man was crossing the street and was struck by a gray pickup truck that was traveling eastbound. The driver then fled the scene.The man was then struck by a black Jeep that was traveling eastbound. Police said the male driver stopped and called authorities. 3 injured in high-rise fire in Uptown The man sustained trauma to the body and was transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital in critical condition.Area Four Detectives are investigating.

These 10 cities saw the biggest changes in home buying power in 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:23 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – With mortgage rates stubbornly climbing for much of 2023, prospective buyers in many U.S. cities watched as their dream home faded further out of reach – but in some cities house shoppers actually saw their buying power increase.A new study from online real estate marketplace Point2 looked at census data for the 100 largest U.S. cities to see how the average affordable home price changed from Nov. 2022 to Nov. 2023.When it comes to defining an "affordable" home, the study assumed a 20% down payment, a 30-year fixed mortgage and monthly payments less than 30% of income. These are the safest small towns and cities in every state: report After factoring in the different mortgage rates (7% in 2022 vs. 7.5% in November, 2023), Point2 found that buying power actually increased in a number of high-priced real estate markets, thanks in part to income growth. In top-ranked Irvine, California, buyers can afford a $498,161 home in 2023, on average, up $53,051 from last year's fi...

Rain chances increase late week through Christmas Eve

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:23 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today marks day 1 of a 5-day stretch of rainfall opportunities courtesy of a major Pacific storm spinning off the West Coast.Mist, drizzle and patchy fog could slow this morning's commute but little in the way of meaningful accumulation is expected. Isolated rain showers are possible through the day but most are expected to stay dry today.Wednesday afternoon rain chanceOur first of two distinct rounds of rain builds in Thursday into Friday. Spotty to scattered rain is expected to develop, growing in coverage and intensity overnight into Friday morning.No flooding or severe weather is anticipated at this time.Thursday afternoon rain chanceFriday morning rain chanceA strong Pacific storm will finally approach us from the west late week, opening up to our north this weekend. This will give us our second round of rain Saturday into Sunday.Warmer than normal through the weekendA cold front sweeps through the area late Sunday, clearing out the rain and dropping temperatur...

Trump widens Texas lead in Republican primary poll, but loses ground in matchup vs. Biden

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:23 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Donald Trump has widened his lead among Republican presidential primary candidates in a new Texas poll, but has lost some ground in a hypothetical rematch against President Joe Biden.The former president enjoys a wide lead over party rivals, as the first-choice candidate for 65% of Republican voters in Texas, according to the poll by the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project. His share is up by three percentage points since October. Who’s running for president? Here’s a look at the candidates still in the race Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is in a very distant second place with 12%, down one point from October. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is up two points, to 9% in the latest poll.Vivek Ramaswamy and Chris Christie each gained one point since October.The poll of 552 registered voters who say they will vote in the Republican primary was conducted between Dec. 1 and Dec. 10.How do the Republican candidates fare against Biden?The poll also asked 1,200 regi...

Signing day tracker: Members of Gophers football’s 2024 recruiting class officially join

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:23 GMT

The Gophers football program started officially adding high school players to its 2024 recruiting class on Wednesday morning.Here’s who signed their national letters of intent and a little blurb about each player.RELATED: Breakdown of Gophers recruiting class: strength, weakness, sleeper and more6:05 a.m.: SAF — Zahir Rainer, Richmond, Va., 5-10 185The son of former NFL linebacker Wali Rainer had more than 30 scholarship offers, but picked the U over his father’s alma mater (Virginia) and other suitors.6:10 a.m.: CB — Samuel Madu, Bronx, N.Y., 6-1, 170Gophers cornerbacks coach Nick Monroe uses his East Coast connections to bring in a corner with good size.6:21 a.m.: DL — Jaylin Hicks, New Rochelle, N.Y. 6-3, 250Another New Yorker comes to Dinkytown after turning down in-state scholarship offer from Syracuse, as well as Penn State and other eastern programs.6:23 a.m.: RB — Ohifame Ijeboi, Philadelphia, 6-0, 190The speedy tailback joins over offers from Nebraska, Northwestern, Rutgers...

Damaged bridge leads to road closure in Mohawk

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:23 GMT

MOHAWK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, state highway 334 in Mohawk is closed to all traffic between Veeder Road and Commons Road due to a damaged bridge from a crash. It is unknown at that time when the roads will reopen. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The Department of Transportation is currently on the scene. Stick with NEWS10 as more information on the crash becomes available. Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!

Albany man who set victim on fire sentenced in court

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:23 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man who was convicted of attempted murder was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison with five years of post-release supervision. Houston Ketter III was arrested on November 13, 2022, after intentionally setting a woman on fire near Bradford and Robin Streets. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! According to the Albany County District Attorney's Office (ACDAO), he is also accused of attempting to cause serious physical injury to a second victim in a different case. The victim in this case released a statement, via the ACDAO.“What a feeling to be instantaneously on fire and screaming for someone, anyone, to solve it. It was solved. Officer Newlove’s existence, timing, heart, is a blessing… I permanently have a trach… I have no hair on the back of my head, I have third-degree burns on 30% of my body, I cannot realistically tell you how many surgeries, blood transfusions, days and nights of horror I’ve over...

1 person injured in St. Charles house fire

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:23 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - Two people jumped from a second-story window after an intense fire overnight gutted their St. Charles home. On Wednesday morning, investigators think the flames may have started near a Christmas tree.On Hempstead Street in Newtown, St. Charles, close to North Canal Way, is where the fire destroyed the house. At this hour, fire investigators say there does not appear to be anything suspicious about the fire. The cause will likely be an accidental fire of some sort.St. Charles Fire Chief George Sheets lives close to the location and, in fact, was the first on the scene. Sheets revealed that the call came in a little before 1:00 a.m. Charges reduced for Bar:PM owner arrested after police crash When he arrived, Sheets told FOX 2 that the three people who lived here were all already out of the house. Sheets explained that a husband and wife had to jump from a second-floor window while their adult son was in the basement and was able to get out on his own.Autho...