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Musk’s X tests $1 fee for new users in the Philippines and New Zealand in bid to target spam

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Elon Musk’s social media platform X has begun charging a $1 fee to new users in the Philippines and New Zealand, in a test designed to cut down on the spam and fake accounts flourishing on the site formerly known as Twitter. The company said late Tuesday that it has started trying out the annual subscription method for new and unverified accounts. The program, dubbed Not a Bot, won’t apply to existing users. It’s not clear why it only applies to New Zealand and the Philippines or why those countries were chosen. “This new test was developed to bolster our already successful efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform and bot activity, while balancing platform accessibility with the small fee amount,” the X support account tweeted. “It is not a profit driver.” Since Musk bought X a year ago, he has introduced a slew of changes such as renaming the platform and gutting its workforce — including its content moderation team. Outside watchdog grou...

Former Virginia House Speaker Filler-Corn will forego run for governor and seek congressional seat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn has decided against a bid for governor in 2025 and will instead run next year to represent the competitive northern Virginia congressional seat being vacated by a fellow Democrat, U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton.Filler-Corn, who has served in the Virginia General Assembly since 2010 and was the first woman and first Jewish person to hold the post of speaker, discussed her decision with The Associated Press on Tuesday afternoon before filing official paperwork.She made the case that she had overseen a period of tremendous progress in Richmond and said she wants to bring her legislative expertise to a “broken” Washington where a speaker-less GOP House majority was “truly taking us backward, making America weaker.” “I have a record for getting the job done, protecting Virginians from all sorts of Republican chaos and extremists,” Filler-Corn said. Filler-Corn’s move leaves two other presumptive candidates, U.S. Rep. ...

A Hong Kong protester shot by police in 2019 receives a 47-month jail term

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong man who was shot by police during pro-democracy protests in 2019 was sentenced Wednesday to 47 months in prison on charges of rioting, assaulting a police officer and perverting the course of justice, in the latest court ruling that severely punished participants in the anti-government movement. Tsang Chi-kin was the first known victim of police gunfire during the months-long protests beginning in June 2019. Then a secondary school student, he was shot at close range after he swung at a police sergeant with a rod. His shooting further inflamed already widespread public anger against the police, who were condemned as being heavy-handed in quelling the unrest.Tsang was charged with rioting and assaulting police. But after he was released on bail, he failed to appear in court. In October 2020, he tried to seek asylum at the U.S. Consulate but was turned away. He hid in various locations in the city with assistance from members of a YouTube channel that was ...

Major solar panel plant opens in US amid backdrop of industry worries about low-priced Asian imports

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

A South Korean company has begun production at a huge new solar panel factory in Georgia even as industry leaders say surging Asian imports could dampen efforts to make more solar components in the United States.Qcells, a unit of South Korea’s Hanwha Group, said Wednesday that it can now turn out enough solar panels to generate 5.1 gigawatts of power yearly at a two-factory complex in the northwest Georgia city of Dalton. That’s almost 40% of U.S. solar panel capacity, according to figures from the Solar Energy Industries Association. Qcells’ opened its first factory in 2019 and an even larger plant in phases since, what the company describes as the largest solar investment in American history. “It’s another milestone as we as a company really strive to become a global leader and a U.S. leader in solar manufacturing,” said Scott Moskowitz, Qcells head of market strategy and public affairs, speaking with The Associated Press after a plant tour Monday.The company say...

Biden says Gaza hospital blast 'appears as though it was done by the other team', not Israel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — President Joe Biden opened his visit to Israel on Wednesday vowing to show the world that the U.S. stands in solidarity with the Jewish people and offering an assessment that the deadly explosion at a Gaza Strip hospital appeared to have been carried out “by the other team” and not the Israeli military.“Based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you,” Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting, referring to Hamas militants. But Biden said there were “a lot of people out there” who weren't sure what caused the blast.The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike caused the destruction and hundreds of deaths. The Israeli military denied involvement and blamed a misfired rocket from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another militant group. However, that organization also rejected responsibility.Biden had been scheduled to visit Jordan after the stop in Israel, but meetings there wit...

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Can a Middle-Aged Man To Go To The Taylor Swift Movie Alone

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Jason, and It's about the new Taylor Swift movie. Here's the email:  Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Hi Jaime. I am a major Taylor Swift fan, which is not surprising, until you find out that I am a single 46-year-old man. I've just always loved her music and don't see it being any weirder than me liking the music of any other artist. Her fans are very possessive of her and sometimes are not nice to other fans. Despite knowing this, I went to the "Era's" movie at the theatre this weekend. I was going to take my niece, but she was sick and none of my other friends wanted to go with me, so I went alone. I knew I might get some looks, but the reaction was worse than I had expected. I actually had two women ask me where my family was. I also noticed that no one would sit near me in the theatre, and it was really packed. Was I so wrong to go to this movie by myself? D...

5 things to know this Wednesday, October 18

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy hump day! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, temperatures will trend milder with most reaching at least 60 degrees, except for the mountains. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The jury has voted in favor of the City of Saratoga Springs in the Darryl Mount wrongful death trial. Mount’s mother was seeking damages after she said her son’s death was the result of the police. Also, the Albany Common Council passed a loitering ordinance Monday night while many community organizers showed up to city hall to rally against the law. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Wednesday morning.1. Jury votes in favor of Saratoga Springs in Darryl Mount caseThe jury has voted in favor of the City of Saratoga Springs in the Darryl Mount wrongful death trial. Mount’s mother was seeking damages after she said her son’s death was the result of the police.2. Albany C...

Ask Amy: Friends delay and are now losing cruising

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

Dear Amy: I was planning to go on a cruise with a good friend, due to leave next month.I paid a $900 deposit to guarantee the cruise for both of us, nine months in advance.It was understood that my friend and I would split the total cost of the cruise 50/50.This includes the deposit and the remaining $2,000 that would be due, plus any other related costs.Last month I discovered I had cancer. I need to begin a chemotherapy regime.No cruise for me.Since the dates were already reserved (thanks to the deposit), I asked my friend if she wanted to take another person and go on the cruise without me.She said no, and that she only wanted to go with me.I canceled the cruise, losing the $900 deposit (no travel insurance).My friend had never paid me her half of the deposit because we were going to settle up on the total costs after the cruise had ended.She has said nothing (despite broad hints on my part) about paying her half of the $900 deposit, apparently assuming that the loss was my fault...

Bridge: Oct. 18, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

“Accidents will happen,” Captain Hook said offhandly. — graffiti.I don’t know whether Captain Hook ever visited a second-hand store, but knowledgeable second-hand play is a key aspect of defense. “Second hand low” is a guideline, not a rule.Today’s West led a heart, the suit East had bid, against 3NT. South won with the ace, led a diamond to dummy and returned the deuce of spades … and East followed with the nine, paying homage to second hand low.When South’s king won, he forced out the ace of clubs. He won East’s heart return and had nine tricks: a spade, two hearts, four diamonds and two clubs.MAXIMEast picked the wrong time to apply a maxim. He must not let South steal a spade trick, then set up tricks elsewhere. If East rises with the ace on the first spade and leads a second heart, South has only eight tricks and must let East get back in with the ace of clubs to cash two more hearts for down one.If East’s spades...

Citizens Financial Group: Q3 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Citizens Financial Group Inc. (CFG) on Wednesday reported third-quarter profit of $430 million.The Providence, Rhode Island-based company said it had net income of 85 cents per share.The results did not meet Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 92 cents per share.The bank posted revenue of $3.09 billion in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $2.01 billion, which also missed Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $2.04 billion.Citizens Financial Group shares have decreased 31% since the beginning of the year. The stock has dropped 25% in the last 12 months._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on CFG at https://www.zacks.com/ap/CFGSource