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Facebook content moderators in Kenya call the work ‘torture.’ Their lawsuit may ripple worldwide

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:25:05 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — On the verge of tears, Nathan Nkunzimana recalled watching a video of a child being molested and another of a woman being killed. Eight hours a day, his job as a content moderator for a Facebook contractor required him to look at horrors so the world wouldn’t have to. Some overwhelmed colleagues would scream or cry, he said.Now, Nkunzimana is among nearly 200 former employees in Kenya who are suing Facebook and local contractor Sama over working conditions that could have implications for social media moderators around the world. It is the first known court challenge outside the United States, where Facebook settled with moderators in 2020.The group was employed at the social media giant’s outsourced hub for content moderation in Kenya’s capital of Nairobi, where workers screen posts, videos, messages and other content from users across Africa, removing any illegal or harmful material that breaches its community standards and terms of service.The moderato...

UNESCO member states expected to approve US decision to rejoin the UN’s cultural agency

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:25:05 GMT

PARIS (AP) — UNESCO’s 193 members states are gathering Thursday for a two-day meeting in Paris aimed at voting on the United States’ plans to rejoin the U.N. cultural and scientific agency after a decade-long dispute sparked by the organization’s move to include Palestine as a member. The U.S. announced earlier this month, that it wanted to return, five years after it withdrew from the agency during the presidency of Donald Trump. U.S. officials say the decision was motivated by concern that China is filling the gap left by the U.S. in UNESCO policymaking, notably in setting standards for artificial intelligence and technology education around the world.Approval by member states seems a formality since not a single country has raised an objection to the return of a country that was once the agency’s single biggest funder. The vote is expected Thursday or Friday.The U.S. and Israel stopped financing UNESCO after it voted to include Palestine as a member state in 2011. The Trump admin...

EU leaders to assess Putin’s position in talks with NATO and Ukraine chiefs at summit

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:25:05 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be key figures at Thursday’s European Union summit, underscoring the importance the 27 EU leaders attach to protecting their eastern flank from Russian aggression and beefing up Ukraine’s defense capabilities.Zelenskyy is set to address the gathering by video link and Stoltenberg will have an early lunch at the spring summit for leaders. But the biggest seat will be set aside for an item that is not officially on the agenda: the fallout from the stunning weekend mutiny in Russia.“It will be the elephant in the room,” said a high-level EU diplomat who asked not to be identified because the summit still had to open.Officials from several member states and EU institutions said the chaos and instability created by the rebellion would not only force the EU to double down on its support for Ukraine with commitments for more ammunition but also intensify efforts to make sure fighting and violen...

Daily horoscope for June 29, 2023

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:25:05 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Scorpio.Happy Birthday for Thursday, June 29, 2023:You are sensitive and intuitive, which is why you can get such a good read on people. You grasp their situation. This year is about service to others, especially family. Therefore, take care of yourself so you can help and support others. (Is it time for a makeover?) Focus on personalizing your home.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★Make friends with your bank account today, because something unexpected could impact your finances. Double-check details regarding taxes, debt, inheritances and anything you own jointly with others. Someone might back out of an agreement. Tonight: Repairs.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★Someone close to you might throw you a curveball today, or a partner or close friend might want to change the arrangement in your relationship. Whatever happens, you will be surprised by someone today. They might be rebellious, or perhaps i...

EU countries and lawmakers reach data rule deal targeting Big Tech

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:25:05 GMT

EU countries and EU lawmakers on Tuesday (27 June) agreed on rules that govern how Big Tech and other companies use European consumer and corporate data, with safeguards against non-EU governments gaining illegal access.The European Commission proposed the Data Act last year to cover data generated in smart gadgets, machinery and consumer products, part of a raft of legislation aimed at curbing the power of US tech giants.EU concerns about data transfers have grown following revelations by former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden in 2013 of mass U.S. surveillance.The agreement was reached after seven hours of talks."Tonight's agreement on the Data Act is a milestone in reshaping the digital space...we are on the way of a thriving EU data economy that is innovative and open — on our conditions," EU industry chief Thierry Breton said in a tweet.The new legislation gives both individuals and businesses more control over their data generated through smart objects, machines and...

Fireworks thrown at Hermosa Beach crowds celebrating Pride may be a hate crime

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:25:05 GMT

Police are searching for a man who threw an exploding firework into a large crowd at an LGBTQ+ Pride event in Hermosa Beach.On June 17, the suspect was near a silent disco event at a bar/restaurant called Vista around 9:45 p.m. when he pulled out a firework, lit it and threw it into the crowd. The incident was captured on a video shared by police.Fragments of fireworks struck multiple people at the crowded restaurant, located at 11 Pier Ave., police said. Despite the "significant explosion," victims' injuries were not life-threatening.Video released by the Hermosa Beach Police Department shows a man throwing a lit firework into a crowd on June 17, 2023. (Hermosa Beach Police)Jeremy McDermott, the manager of Vista, said hundreds of people were attending the event celebrating LGBTQ+ culture and Pride month when the explosion went off."We had 400 people already here,” McDermott said. “It was pretty rough and a rude awakening for everyone enjoying a silent disco here. It was an unfortun...

Dear Abby: I prevailed in the dispute but it split our friend group

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:25:05 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I’m a professional travel adviser who works on commission. Many of my clients are friends or relatives, and I sincerely appreciate their patronage.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: I’m sure his wife saw his inappropriate behavior with me Advice | Dear Abby: We can’t go out with her anymore, and we can’t tell her why Advice | Dear Abby: My daughters want to follow the same house rules as my son Advice | Dear Abby: He made my life miserable, and my daughter demands I socialize with him Advice | Dear Abby: How do I tell her our dinners are no longer high priority? Many years ago, my husband and I became friends with a delightful couple. We patronized the husband’s business, and they introduced us to many of their friends. We sponsored them into a social club, and they made many new friends because of it. We have entertained them in our home numerous times for priva...

Single family residence in Danville sells for $1.8 million

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:25:05 GMT

192 Belgian Drive – Google Street ViewThe spacious property located in the 100 block of Belgian Drive in Danville was sold on June 2, 2023. The $1,775,000 purchase price works out to $841 per square foot. The house, built in 1964, has an interior space of 2,111 square feet. The property features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, an attached garage, and two parking spaces. There’s also a pool in the backyard. The unit sits on an 0.3-acre lot.Additional houses that have recently changed hands close by include:In August 2022, a 1,860-square-foot home on Roan Drive in Danville sold for $1,588,500, a price per square foot of $854. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,664-square-foot home on the first block of Leonard Court in Danville sold in May 2022, for $1,865,000, a price per square foot of $1,121. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Green Valley Road, Danville, in July 2022, a 1,596-square-foot home was sold for $1,550,000, a price per square foot of $971. The home has 3...

Chicago hosts Los Angeles after Williams’ 21-point game

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:25:05 GMT

Los Angeles Sparks (7-8, 6-6 Western Conference) at Chicago Sky (6-9, 2-7 Eastern Conference)Chicago; Friday, 8 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Chicago plays the Los Angeles Sparks after Courtney Williams scored 21 points in the Chicago Sky’s 80-63 win over the Los Angeles Sparks.The Sky are 3-4 in home games. Chicago ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference at limiting opponent scoring, giving up 81.1 points while holding opponents to 44.2% shooting.The Sparks are 2-4 on the road. Los Angeles is ninth in the WNBA averaging 6.5 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 31.9% from deep. Karlie Samuelson leads the team averaging 1.5 makes while shooting 51.1% from 3-point range.The teams square off for the third time this season. The Sky won the last matchup 80-63 on June 28, with Williams scoring 21 points in the win.TOP PERFORMERS: Alanna Smith is scoring 10.4 points per game and averaging 6.8 rebounds for the Sky.Nneka Ogwumike is averaging 19.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.7 ste...

Atlanta hosts Washington on home slide

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:25:05 GMT

Washington Mystics (9-5, 5-4 Eastern Conference) at Atlanta Dream (5-8, 4-5 Eastern Conference)College Park, Georgia; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Atlanta takes on Washington looking to stop its four-game home losing streak.The Dream have gone 4-5 against Eastern Conference teams. Atlanta ranks sixth in the WNBA with 36.3 points in the paint led by Cheyenne Parker averaging 10.0.The Mystics’ record in Eastern Conference action is 5-4. Washington is sixth in the Eastern Conference with 6.5 offensive rebounds per game led by Shakira Austin averaging 1.6.The two teams square off for the second time this season. The Mystics defeated the Dream 109-86 in their last meeting on June 28. Elena Delle Donne led the Mystics with 25 points, and Parker led the Dream with 23 points.TOP PERFORMERS: Parker is averaging 16.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals for the Dream.Delle Donne is averaging 18.6 points and 6.4 rebounds for the Mystics.LAST 10 GAMES: Dream: 4-6, averaging 84.7 point...