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Airbnb is using AI to crack down on Halloween parties in Toronto. Here’s how it works

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

Airbnb says it’s using artificial intelligence to impede “disruptive and unauthorized” parties in Toronto ahead of Halloween and the upcoming weekend.The vacation rental company has implemented what it calls an AI-driven anti-party system across North America. Last year, the party-prevention approach blocked thousands of renters around this time. The AI learning system blocks certain one-night and two-night reservations over Halloween for entire home listings in Toronto and throughout Canada. An Airbnb spokesperson says the AI technology observes hundreds of signals of a booking attempt that could indicate a higher risk for what the company calls a “disruptive or unauthorized party incident,” including the length of the trip, the distance to the listing, and whether the booking is last-minute. Related: Airbnb cracking down on fake listings, has removed 59,000 so far “While disruptive parties are rare, we want to try to reduce the ...

Driver in Malibu crash that killed 4 college students is held on $8 million bail, authorities say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities say the 22-year-old driver of a car that struck and killed four college students on a coastal highway in Malibu is being held on $8 million bail.The man was arrested in the investigation Tuesday and is due in court Wednesday, said the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The man was arrested immediately after the Oct. 17 crash but released a day later while investigators gathered evidence, the sheriff’s department said in a statement. “The Sheriff’s Department is relentlessly working to ensure we get justice for the victims’ families,” the statement said.The case has been referred to the district attorney’s office, the statement said. It was not immediately known if the man had an attorney.The Pepperdine University students were walking along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway at 8:30 p.m. when the driver of a BMW lost control and sideswiped at least three parked vehicles before crashing into them and hitting two others, authorities have ...

USPS touts crackdown on postal crime, carrier robberies, with hundreds of arrests

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

With mail theft and postal carrier robberies up, law enforcement officials have made more than 600 arrests since May in a crackdown launched to address crime that includes carriers being accosted at gunpoint for their antiquated universal keys, the Postal Service announced Wednesday.Criminals are both stealing mail and targeting carriers’ so-called “arrow keys” to get access to mailboxes.“We will continue to turn up the pressure and put potential perpetrators on notice: If you’re attacking postal employees, if you steal the mail or commit other postal crimes, postal inspectors will bring you to justice,” Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale told reporters on Wednesday.The Postal Service announcement on Wednesday came against a backdrop of rallies by the National Association of Letter Carriers calling for better protection of carriers and harsh punishment for criminals who rob them. They’ve been held across the country in recent months, including one Tuesday in Denver an...

India resuming some visa services at high commission, consulates in Canada

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

India’s high commission in Canada says the country’s officials will resume processing some types of visa applications in Ottawa and at consulates in Toronto and Vancouver.The decision comes a month after New Delhi suspended the services in Canada and for Canadian citizens worldwide.The high commission says it is resuming business, medical and conference visas, as well as entry for people with family ties in India, but did not include information about other types of visas.The Canadian Press confirmed the authenticity of social-media posts about the decision, and has sought information about whether tourist, student and journalist visas will also be processed. Related: Poilievre says Trudeau soured India relations, as Modi government laments Liberals Canada has pulled most envoys out of India due to diplomatic immunity threats: Joly Trudeau says India’s move against Canadian diplomats should concern the world India rest...

A second Baltimore firefighter has died after battling rowhouse fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

BALTIMORE (AP) — A second Baltimore firefighter has died from injuries sustained while battling a rapidly intensifying blaze that engulfed multiple rowhouses in northwest Baltimore last week, a city official said.Lt. Dillon Rinaldo was hospitalized in critical but stable condition after the fire Thursday afternoon. He later succumbed to his injuries, Baltimore City Hall spokesperson Bryan Doherty confirmed Wednesday morning.Rinaldo joined the department in 2017, according to a city database.In the hours after the fire, officials announced the death of Rinaldo’s colleague, firefighter Rodney Pitts III, who had one year of service with the department. A funeral for Pitts is scheduled for Friday.Three other firefighters were also injured. Their updated conditions were not immediately available, but officials said Friday that two had been released from the hospital.Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said during a Friday news conference that the investigation into what caused the fire is...

Lawsuit accuses city of Minneapolis of inequitable housing code enforcement practices

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A new lawsuit accuses the city of Minneapolis of discrimination by lax housing code enforcement, especially for rental properties in a part of the city with high populations of people of color.The lawsuit was filed Tuesday on behalf of eight current and former residents of the city’s north side, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. It seeks to force the city to assign more housing code inspectors to north Minneapolis, where residents have for years complained of landlords who allow properties to fall into disrepair, but face few consequences. No financial settlement is being sought.“Despite the issues with predatory landlords in north Minneapolis being widely known, the City of Minneapolis has consistently failed to take action,” the suit said.Plaintiffs include tenants alleging a failure to crack down on landlords despite reports of lead paint, leaks, electrical problems and mold. A postal carrier claimed the city never responded to complaints of violatio...

House GOP hopes fourth Speaker nominee brings end to chaos: live coverage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

House Republicans are placing their bets on Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson to be the chamber's next leader, with an intention to elect him on the floor on Wednesday.They nominated Johnson late Tuesday after a 24-hour period that saw over a dozen candidates make their leadership pitches in two candidate forums, and the nomination of Majority Whip Tom Emmer (Minn.) followed by his quick withdrawal after former President Trump signaled disapproval.Johnson, 51, has been the House GOP’s vice chairman, a junior leadership position, since 2021. He is also a former chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative caucus in the House. “This is servant leadership. We’re going to serve the people of this country. We’re going to restore their faith in this Congress, this institution of government. America is the last best hope of man on the earth,” Johnson said.Follow along here for live updates.

Illinois ranks 5th for 'Swiftiest' state, study says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Illinois has taken the title of fifth "Swiftiest' state in the country, according to a new study.A company called Betway Insider analyzed hundreds of Google searches from the past year to determine which state is the most obsessed with Taylor Swift.Illinois took the fifth spot Illinois with 3,685,200 yearly searches and 19,005 searches per capita.New York came in fourth place with 5,495,520 yearly searches, translating to 26,004 searches per capita; Virginia was third with 2,028,240 yearly searches, averaging 31,345 searches per capita; Ohio took the second spot with 3,021,240 yearly searches and 38,771 searches per capita.And coming in first place with 5,502,720 yearly searches about Taylor Swift — Florida. Six Flags Great America closing two attractions, preparing for ‘future expansion’ To see a full list of the "Top 30 Most Obsessed Taylor Swift States," go to: usblog.betway.com

Dean shares recipe for Taylor Swift’s favorite cookie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

WGN Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards shares the recipe for Taylor Swift's favorite cookie.More recipes from Dean here.Ingredients1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened1/2 cup vegetable oil1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus more for sugaring tops1/2 cup powdered sugar1 large egg2 cups flour1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/4 teaspoon salt2 teaspoons vanilla extract1 chai tea bagorPackage Sugar Cookie Mix (follow box directions) and add in: 2 teaspoons vanilla extract1 chai tea bagGlaze:1-1/2 cups powdered sugar1/4 teaspoon nutmeg1/4 teaspoon cinnamon2 tablespoons milk or eggnog Dean Cooks: Homemade popsicle cups Directions:If using a package mix,  just follow the directions on the box.    Add the vanilla and chai to the dough mixture.   Bake according to box directions and let them cook before going to the glaze.  Otherwise:In a mixing bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer,  cream the butter until smooth and fluffy. Mix in the oil,  &nb...

Waco man charged with murder in connection with Wells Branch shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:50 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN News Today’s top morning headlines for Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – The Travis County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday a Waco man faces a murder charge after a 29-year-old died in the Wells Branch area earlier this week. According to TCSO, just before midnight Sunday night, a TCSO patrol deputy was flagged down by a man parked on the roadway in the 1700 block of Wells Branch Parkway and directed to the victim, Nahiean Edwin Wright, 29, of Killeen. Sheriff's office: 29-year-old man killed in Wells Branch shooting overnight Wright had multiple gunshot wounds and was in the backseat of a car, according to a release from TCSO.Wright was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.On Wednesday, the sheriff's office said it arrested George Nickerius Nolden, 32, of Waco. Nolden is charged with murder. An attorney was not listed to represent Nolden Wednesday morning. KXAN will reach out to an attorney an...