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TikTok videos promoting steroid use have millions of views, says report criticized by the company

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:12 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — TikTok has become a key marketing channel for vendors promoting steroids and other bodybuilding drugs to millions of the app’s users, according to a report released Thursday that the social media company disputes.In the study, the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate says popular videos encouraging use of the products for aesthetic or athletic gain are being posted by influencers who often downplay the risks associated with them. It follows a warning issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April about performance-enhancing drugs being marketed to teenagers and young adults on social media platforms.“They’re being marketed to young men by influencers who are deliberately saying, ‘If you want to be like Captain America, you’ve got to take these drugs’,” CCDH founder and CEO Imran Ahmed said. The findings from the study show TikTok videos — under certain hashtags — promoting what researchers called “steroid-like drugs” have racked up more than 5...

Group monitoring RCMP response to mass shooting inquiry needs public’s help: chair

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:12 GMT

HALIFAX — The head of the committee overseeing how governments and the RCMP are responding to the Nova Scotia mass shooting inquiry says the public will play a key role in ensuring the inquiry’s recommendations do not gather dust.Linda Lee Oland, chair of the independent Progress Monitoring Committee, told a news conference today that the 16-member group does not have a “stick” to force the Mounties and government officials to do the right thing.Instead, the retired Nova Scotia judge says the committee’s annual reports will provide a yardstick for the public to measure how much progress has been made.Oland says the committee, appointed by the federal and Nova Scotia governments, recently met for the first time, holding two days of discussions that were sometimes emotional.In all, the federal-provincial public inquiry issued 130 recommendations, mostly aimed at improving public safety, reforming the national police force and addressing the root causes of gende...

Israel’s High Court hears challenge to a law that makes it harder to remove Netanyahu from office

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:12 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Supreme Court on Thursday heard a challenge to a law that makes it harder to remove a sitting prime minister, which critics say is designed to protect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been working to reshape the justice system while he’s on trial for alleged corruption.The hearing, which lasted eight hours, was part of several pivotal court challenges against a proposed package of legislation and government steps meant to alter the country’s justice system. It comes after months of turmoil in Israel over the plan and deepens a rift between Netanyahu’s government and the judiciary, which it wants to weaken despite unprecedented opposition. Thursday’s hearing on the law, the second by the High Court, took place in front of an expanded 11-judge panel, underscoring the importance of the deliberations.Netanyahu’s governing coalition — Israel’s most religious and nationalist ever — passed an amendment in March known as the “incapacitation law,” wh...

First Nation wants reasons for Trans Mountain ruling; says it’s entitled to appeal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:12 GMT

CALGARY — A B.C. First Nation is asking the Canada Energy Regulator to release its reasons as soon as possible for allowing a modification of the Trans Mountain pipeline’s route.In a letter to the regulator dated Wednesday, a lawyer representing the Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc Nation (SSN) said the decision to grant the route deviation Monday without providing its reasons has left the First Nation without the ability to decide its next steps.The letter said the First Nation has the right to request a reconsideration of the decision, or to appeal it through the Federal Court of Appeal.“This has, in fact, created significant uncertainty for SSN and left SSN without the procedural options that would otherwise be afforded to it with the potential for irreparable harm to its rights and title as a result,” the letter states.The Canada Energy Regulator ruled Monday to allow Trans Mountain Corp. to alter the route slightly for a 1.3-kilometre stretch of pipeline in the Jack...

Chicago's iconic Signature Room closes abruptly

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:12 GMT

CHICAGO — One of Chicago's most iconic scenic restaurants has abruptly closed. Crain's Chicago Business first reported that The Signature Room at 95th, located at 875 North Michigan Avenue in Streeterville, is closing due to persisting "economic issues" related to the post-COVID-19 pandemic. ‘It’s amazing’: Chicago day care focuses on teaching sign language A letter posted on the business window posted by The Signature Room owners read:It is with a heavy heart that we announce the permanent closing of our beloved Signature Room at 95th effective Thursday, September 28, 2023.For over 30 years, we have had the privilege and honor of serving Chicagoans and visitors from all over the world. Unfortunately, after the closure of our city and restaurant due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been faced with severe economic hardship and the challenges have been greater than anticipated. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you for your support over the years. Photo courtesy of WG...

'Violations have continued': Illinois AG alleges Trump Tower underreporting water discharges into Chicago River

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:12 GMT

CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed an amended lawsuit Thursday against Trump Tower — alleging the property is continuing to break environmental laws by "significantly underreporting" the average daily volume of water it discharges into the Chicago River.His office initially filed a lawsuit against Trump Tower in 2018 following violations of Illinois environmental laws. At the time, Raoul stated the property was using water from the Chicago River to cool its air-conditioning systems without a valid permit. Trump Tower still uses the system that is capable of pulling in more than 20 million gallons of river water a day before returning the water at a warmer temperature, according to Raoul. In Feb. 2021, an Illinois judge ruled that Trump International Hotel and Tower was liable for violating state environmental laws.Raoul's office then later entered into an agreed interim order that required Trump Tower to follow the terms of its expired National Pollutant Discharge...

Another painful ending takes Cubs' playoff fate out of their hands

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:12 GMT

ATLANTA — There has been nothing but pain for the Cubs the last two days in Atlanta thanks to a pair of late heartbreaking losses.Because of that, the team no longer controls their playoff destiny.After dropping a lead in the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs lost to the Braves 6-5 in 10 innings on an RBI single by Ozzie Albies of Daniel Palencia that drove in Ronald Acuna Jr.It's the second straight game that David Ross' team lost a lead in the final innings, dropping their overall record to 82-76 with just four games to go in the season.What made Wednesday night more painful was the fact that the Cubs no longer control their own destiny thanks to what happened in New York.(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)After losing Game 1 of their doubleheader to the Mets at Citi Field, the Marlins scored two runs in the top of the ninth to win Game 2 4-2. Thanks to that, they've moved into a tie with the Cubs for the third Wild Card spot, but in reality have the lead thanks to winning the first tiebreak...

Chicago officers found not guilty in 2022 Pilsen shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:12 GMT

CHICAGO — A judge found two Chicago police officers not guilty after they were accused of shooting an unarmed man, then lying about it. Sgt. Christopher Liakopoulos and Officer Ruben Reynoso were each been charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and official misconduct. Last year, prosecutors said the officers instigated a gunfight with a teenager, then shot and wounded his companion Miguel Medina in the Pilsen neighborhood. Person with gun breaks into migrant shelter in Gage Park: police In the officers' report, they claimed they came under fire and shot Medina in self-defense — but no gun was found near him.

Taylor Swift expected to attend Travis Kelce's next NFL game on Sunday: report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:12 GMT

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Taylor Swift is expected to make another appearance at Travis Kelce's next scheduled NFL game.According to TMZ, the pop star plans to attend Sunday's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Travis Kelce breaks silence after appearance with Taylor Swift This would be Swift's second Chiefs game of the season. Her first was last Sunday when she made headlines after being spotted sharing a suite with Kelce's mother while cheering on the tight end.In a video captured by WGN TV’s Jarrett Payton, Kelce and Swift could be seen walking side by side after the Chief’s blowout win against the Chicago Bears. The video has gone viral and as of Thursday, has over 16.2 million views.The two then reportedly drove off in a convertible and headed to a private party together that Kelce set up. WGN’s Jarrett Payton’s viral video captures Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift leaving Arrowhead Stadium together The news comes amid rumors t...

Gypsy Blanchard to be released from prison on parole in December

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:48:12 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KOLR) — Gypsy Blanchard has been granted parole and is scheduled to be released in December, the Missouri Department of Corrections confirmed. Blanchard, 32, pleaded guilty to murder in 2016 for her role in the killing of her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard. Gypsy was sentenced to 10 years in prison but has been granted early release.  Gypsy Rose Blanchard is now married despite still being in prison The Greene County case attracted a national spotlight and inspired documentaries and an eight-episode miniseries on Hulu. Gypsy’s attorneys say her mother abused her and held her prisoner for years as part of an elaborate fraud scheme. They say the abuse included Blanchard’s mother isolating her, forcing her to use a wheelchair and subjecting her to unnecessary medical procedures. The Louisiana native advanced the lies by claiming they were Hurricane Katrina survivors and Gypsy’s medical records had been destroyed in the storm. In June of 20...