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TikTok says it has 150 million US users amid renewed calls for a ban

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:20 GMT

(CNN) — TikTok now has 150 million monthly active users in the United States, CEO Shou Chew confirmed on Tuesday, in a clear attempt to highlight the platform’s vast and growing reach in the country amid renewed calls for a ban.“That’s almost half the US coming to TikTok to connect, to create, to share, to learn, or just to have some fun,” Chew said in a TikTok video on Tuesday. The figure also includes about five million businesses that use TikTok to reach customers, Chew said.The new disclosure comes just days before Chew is scheduled to appear before a Congressional committee to defend the fate of the app in the United States. A growing number of lawmakers in the United States and abroad have raised national security concerns about the short-form video app because of TikTok’s ties to China through its parent company, ByteDance.TikTok acknowledged to CNN last week week that federal officials are demanding the app’s Chinese owners sell thei...

Perrigo Company recalls Gerber formula over bacteria contamination concerns

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:20 GMT

In a recent announcement, Perrigo Company, the parent company of Gerber, has recalled several batches of its baby formula. The product in question is the Good Start SoothePro powder formula, which the company has stated could be contaminated with bacteria.According to the company, there have been no reports of anyone getting sick or experiencing adverse events related to the use of the formula. Additionally, none of the distributed products have tested positive for the bacteria.Customers who have purchased the affected products are advised to immediately stop using them and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Perrigo Company has also set up a dedicated hotline for customers to call with any questions or concerns related to the recall.The company also stated that they are working closely with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the situation and take appropriate action.

Miami Lakes man wins $1 million from CASH4LIFE draw game

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:20 GMT

The Florida Lottery announced that a lucky Miami Lakes resident, Phu Nguyen, has won the CASH4LIFE multi-state Draw game, taking home the grand prize of $1,000 a Week for Life from the drawing held on November 5, 2022. Nguyen chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,040,000.00.The 34-year-old purchased his winning Quick Pick ticket from a Publix, located at 8601 NW 186th St. in Hialeah. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning game ticket.Florida is the ninth state to join the CASH4LIFE game. The muti-state game offers two-lifetime prizes with the chance to win $1,000 a day or $1,000 a week for life. The winning numbers are drawn daily at 9:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, at the New Jersey Lottery Headquarters studio, and the results can be viewed on www.livestream.com/CASH4LIFE.For more information on the Florida Lottery, please visit www.flalottery.com.

Veteran Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower announces retirement

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:20 GMT

Longtime New England Patriots player Dont’a Hightower is calling it a career and thanking fans for their support throughout his nine years with the team.“It’s been a hell of a ride & a career beyond my wildest dreams,” Hightower said on social media, sharing a piece entitled “Thank You, New England” on The Players’ Tribune. “It’s time to hang em up, from the bottom of my heart – thank you to everyone who played a part.”https://twitter.com/zeus30hightower/status/1638177239509655557?s=20The Lewisburg, Tenn. native spent nine seasons playing for the Patriots after being drafted in the first round out of Alabama, where he was part of two national college championship-winning teams.“I can’t even lie to you,” Hightower wrote in his announcement. “My first reaction when I got the call from the Patriots on draft night was, ‘Dang it seems cold up t...

Cactus League report: White Sox’s Yoán Moncada OK after collision — and an important season for Adbert Alzolay’s Cubs future

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:20 GMT

Hanser Alberto continued his impressive spring Monday with two hits, including a three-run homer, for the White Sox in a 7-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Camelback Ranch.Alberto made a stellar play at third base in the first inning to start a double play. He singled in second and homered in the fourth, his second home run this spring. The non-roster invitee is hitting .483.Right fielder Eloy Jiménez exited after the second inning with right calf cramping, according to the Sox, who said he is day to day. Jiménez hit a tapper in front of the plate and was thrown out by catcher Carson Kelly in the second, his only at-bat.The Cubs were off Monday and resume Cactus League play with a Tuesday night game against the Kansas City Royals.Chicago Tribune baseball writers LaMond Pope, Meghan Montemurro and Paul Sullivan will be providing Cubs and White Sox updates throughout spring training.Yoán Moncada is ‘good’ after leaving WBC gameSox manager Pedro Grifol s...

Gwyneth Paltrow’s trial begins for Deer Valley ski crash

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:20 GMT

By SAM METZ (Associated Press)PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Gwyneth Paltrow’s trial is set to begin on Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by a retired optometrist who said that the actor-turned-lifestyle influencer violently crashed into him in 2016 while skiing in Utah at one of the most upscale ski resorts in the United States.Terry Sanderson, 76, said Paltrow was cruising down the slopes so recklessly that they collided, leaving him on the ground as she and her entourage continued their descent down Deer Valley Resort, a skiers-only mountain known for its groomed runs, après-ski champagne yurts and posh clientele.“Gwyneth Paltrow skied out of control,” Sanderson’s attorneys claim in the lawsuit, “knocking him down hard, knocking him out, and causing a brain injury, four broken ribs and other serious injuries. Paltrow got up, turned and skied away, leaving Sanderson stunned, lying in the snow, seriously injured.”In a case that has lasted years since...

ASK IRA: Did Heat err in reliance on G League prospects?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:20 GMT

Q: The G League is where players go to develop . Clearly, these guys haven’t developed to their potential yet – or may never. They need to go back down where they belong . – Paolo.A: Actually, the Heat have done a quality job with the development of former G League talent. The greater issue is over reliance on such talent. The projection never was specifically to cast Gabe Vincent as the starting point guard; then Kyle Lowry’s knee soreness happened. The goal never was to specifically cast Max Strus as their leading 3-point threat; then Duncan Robinson’s shooting went south. It’s all about the role. Orlando Robinson, for example, did what was asked; the difference there is not as much was asked. It’s all about perspective with such players.Q: Everyone other than Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro should be gone. – Roth.A: But the greater question is whether the trio of Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro is good enough to ...

Trump waits out grand jury as New York braces for protests

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:20 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Facing the possibility of criminal charges, Donald Trump waited it out in Florida on Tuesday as New York braced for disruptions that could follow an indictment. Republican contenders in the 2024 race sized up the impact a prosecution could have on a campaign in which the former president is a leading contender.Trump over the weekend claimed without evidence that he would be arrested on Tuesday, but there was no indication that prediction would come true. A Manhattan grand jury did appear to take an important step forward on Monday by hearing from a witness favorable to Trump, presumably so prosecutors could ensure the panel had a chance to consider any testimony supporting his version of events.The next steps were unclear, and it was uncertain if additional witnesses might be summoned. But a city mindful of the riot by Trump loyalists at the U.S. Capitol more than two years ago took steps to protect itself from any violence that could accompany the unprecedented pros...

UN: Fresh gang violence in Haiti leaves 187 dead in 11 days

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:20 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — New clashes between gangs in Haiti’s capital and beyond have killed at least 187 people in less than two weeks and injured more than 150 others, the U.N. said Tuesday.The fresh wave of violence recorded from Feb. 27 to March 9 in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and in the central region of Artibonite also has displaced hundreds of people and forced farmers to abandon fields as starvation worsens, officials said.“The situation is all the more alarming for children, who are often subjected to all forms of armed violence, including forced recruitment and sexual violence,” the U.N. in Haiti said.The surge of violence in central Haiti has been largely blamed on a gang called “Baz Gran Grif,” which roughly translates to “Big Claw Crew.”In addition, nearly 260 kidnappings have been reported since the start of the year, with people abducted from their homes or public places, officials said.Gangs have grown more powerful since the July 2021 assassination of Presiden...

Trudeau chief of staff Katie Telford to testify on foreign interference at committee

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:20 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office says his chief of staff, Katie Telford, will testify at a House of Commons committee on the issue of foreign interference in Canadian elections.The move has made moot a vote planned later today on a Conservative motion before the entire House of Commons to demand that Telford appear.It came moments after NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said his party would back the Conservative motion if Liberal members of Parliament did not stop filibustering at the committee.The Liberals had been jamming up the procedure and House affairs committee to prevent a motion that would compel Telford to appear, prompting the Conservatives to take the case to all MPs.Trudeau’s office has also now issued the mandate for special rapporteur David Johnston, who is tasked with overseeing investigations into foreign interference.He will have until the end of October to complete his work and make recommendations for how the government should proceed, including...