January 2025 - The News

Friday, January 3, 2025

Apple to pay $95m to settle Siri 'listening' lawsuit

January 03, 2025 0

 Apple has agreed to pay $95m (£77m) to settle a court case alleging some of its devices were listening to people without their permission.





The tech giant was accused of eavesdropping on its customers through its virtual assistant Siri.

The claimants also allege voice recordings were shared with advertisers.

Apple, which has not admitted any wrongdoing, has been approached for comment.

In the preliminary settlement, the tech firm denies any wrongdoing, as well as claims that it "recorded, disclosed to third parties, or failed to delete, conversations recorded as the result of a Siri activation" without consent.

Apple's lawyers also say they will confirm they have "permanently deleted individual Siri audio recordings collected by Apple prior to October 2019".

But the claimants say the tech firm recorded people who activated the virtual assistant unintentionally - without using the phrase "Hey, Siri" to wake it.

They say advertisers who received the recordings could then look for keywords in them to better target ads.

The lead plaintiff Fumiko Lopez claims she and her daughter were both recorded without their consent.

They allege they were served targeted ads after talking about products including Air Jordans.

Class action

Apple has proposed a decision date of 14 February in the court in Northern California.

Class action lawsuits work by a small number of people going to court on behalf of a larger group.

If they are successful, the money won is paid out across all claimants.

According to the court documents, each claimant - who has to be based in the US -could be paid up to $20 per Siri-enabled device they owned between 2014 and 2019.

In this case, the lawyers could take 30% of the fee plus expenses - which comes to just under $30m.

By settling, Apple not only denies wrongdoing, but it also avoids the risk of facing a court case which could potentially mean a much larger pay out.

The California company made $94.9bn in revenue in the three months up to 28 September 2024.

Apple has been involved in a number of class action lawsuits in recent years.

In January 2024, it started paying out in a $500m lawsuit which claimed it deliberately slowed down iPhones in the US.

In March, it agreed to pay $490m in a class action led by Norfolk County Council in the UK.

And in November, consumer group Which? started a class action against Apple, accusing it of ripping off customers through its iCloud service.

The same law firm is suing Google in a similar class action, accusing it of listening to customers using Google devices.

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Wayne Osmond Dead At 73, Cause Of Death Revealed

January 03, 2025 0

 The Osmonds’ rise to fame began when they were discovered by Andy Williams’ father while performing at Disneyland. During the 1960s, they became regular performers on "The Andy Williams Show" and later toured extensively throughout Europe. Over time, the group eventually went their separate ways as they pursued solo music careers.

Best known as the brother of Marie and Donny Osmond, stars of the 1970s variety show "Donny & Marie," Wayne Osmond's passing on New Year's Day was confirmed by his family in an emotional statement.

Wayne Osmond Passes Away According To Family's Statement

The Osmonds started as a barbershop quartet before rising to fame as “teen music idols.” They later went on to produce the popular TV series "The Osmond Family Show," which was filmed in Orem.

Wayne Osmond, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his loving wife and five children," the family's statement obtained by local ABC affiliate KTVX read.

“His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world. He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best dessert. We love him and will miss him dearly,” the family added.

The Osmond Family Shares Heartfelt Tributes

Several of Wayne’s siblings have shared heartfelt tributes on social media to honor their brother. Jay Osmond expressed that throughout his life, he “always felt the most connected to Wayne out of all of my siblings.”

“My heart is deeply saddened for the loss of my brother Wayne. It is said that where there is great love there is great grief as we part during our earthly journey,” Jay said. “What gives me joy is to know that my brother ‘Wings’ has earned his wings and I can only imagine the heights he is soaring right now.”

Merrill Osmond Speaks Out

Merrill Osmond shared more details, revealing that his brother suffered a “massive stroke.” He recounted rushing to the hospital upon hearing the news and expressed gratitude that he was able to be there to say his final goodbyes.

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Thursday, January 2, 2025

At least 10 shot outside Queens nightclub as multiple gunmen open fire

January 02, 2025 0

 At least 10 people were shot when three to four gunmen opened fire on a group standing outside a Queens nightclub where a private event was taking place Wednesday night, the New York Police Department said in an early morning press briefing Thursday.



All of the victims in the 144th Street shooting outside Amazura nightclub -- six females, four males -- are expected to survive, police said. Authorities are investigating if the shooting is gang-related. They say there is no nexus to terror.

According to investigators, police got multiple 911 calls shortly after 11 p.m. for a shooting at the club. Roughly 90 people were inside, upstairs at a private venue, celebrating the life of a 16-year-old who was shot to death. The venue was at capacity, and about 15 were waiting to get in.

Authorities say that's when three to four males, believed to be in their mid-to-late-teens to early 20s, walked up and opened fire on the group standing outside the club. About 30 shots were fired. At least 10 people were hit.

No arrests have been made.

"There's zero tolerance for these senseless shootings," Philip Rivera, the NYPD's chief of transportation, said at a press conference. "These horrible acts of violence on our streets, and those responsible for this crime, will be apprehended and brought to justice."

On New Year's Day, a 42-year-old allegedly drove a truck into a crowd of people celebrating on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing 15 people and injuring dozens in what authorities say was an apparent act of terror. The suspect was killed in a shootout with police at the scene.

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New details emerge on the suspect involved in the fatal Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion

January 02, 2025 0

  New details on the suspect involved in the fatal Cybertruck explosion at the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas are emerging following federal search operations in Colorado Springs.



On New Year's Day, it was revealed the now-deceased suspect had rented the Tesla Cybertruck in Colorado via the Turo app.

Investigators have identified the suspect as 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, who had multiple addresses associated with him in Colorado Springs.

FBI investigators are at one of Livelsberger's townhome residences. ATF has been brought in to assist.

Federal sources said the suspect in Las Vegas and the suspect behind the fatal attack in New Orleans both served in the military and the FBI is investigating a connection between them.


Las Vegas Metro police are asking the community that if they see anything suspicious to please report it immediately. You can do so online at snctc.org. If you are in or see an emergency, call 911.

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Wednesday, January 1, 2025

See the list of Rose Parade float award winners for 2025

January 01, 2025 0

 Two dozen flower-covered Rose Parade floats were awarded honors Wednesday morning by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.





The 2025 Rose Parade float award winners were judged in a variety of categories, including the Sweepstakes Award for most beautiful entry. The highly coveted award presented since 1924 went to the San Diego Zoo.

Float scores are based on creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, computerized animation, thematic interpretation, floral and color presentation, and dramatic impact. Judges reviewed each float at sessions before the New Year's Day parade on Colorado Boulevard.

Banners for each award winners were carried in the parade, which features nearly 40 total floats. Some are sponsored by Southern California cities and others are backed by businesses and organizations like UPS, Trader Joe's, the San Diego Zoo, Pasadena Humane, Kiwanis International and Kaiser Permanente. Universal Pictures also entered a float celebrating "Wicked" with nods to the production's star characters -- Glinda and Elphaba.

After the parade, the floats will go on display at the Floatfest at Sierra Madre and Washington boulevards, where spectators can get a close-up loo. The Floatfest will be open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The Floatfest will open at 7 a.m. Thursday for seniors and people with disabilities.

Here are the 2025 award winners.

How much does a Rose Parade float cost?
The average high-quality float costs $275,000.

Sweepstakes: San Diego Zoo

Most beautiful entry encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment.

Americana: ELKS U.S.A

Most outstanding depiction of national treasures and traditions.

Animation: City of Burbank

Most outstanding use of animation.

Bob Hope Humor: Boys & Girls Club

Most whimsical and amusing float.

Crown City Innovator: La Canada Flintridge

Most outstanding use of imagination, innovation and technology.

Director: Explore Louisiana

Most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral materials.

Extraordinaire: One Legacy Donate Life

Most extraordinary float.

Fantasy: City of South Pasadena

Most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination.

Founder: Downey Rose Float Assoc.

Most outstanding float built and decorated by volunteers from a community or organization.

Golden State: Sierra Madre Rose Float Assoc.

Most outstanding depiction of life in California.

Grand Marshal: Love 2 Yeu

Most outstanding creative concept and float design.

International: Coding For Veterans

Most outstanding float from outside the United States.

Isabella Coleman: City of Hope

Most outstanding presentation of color and color harmony through floral design.

Judges: The UPS Store

Most outstanding float design and dramatic impact.

Leishman Public Spirit: Cal Poly Universities

Most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial participant.

Mayor: City of Alhambra

Most outstanding float from a participating city.

Past President: Visit Mississippi

Most outstanding innovation in the use of floral and non-floral materials.

President: Western Asset

Most outstanding use and presentation of flowers.

Princess: City of Torrance

Most outstanding floral presentation among entries 35 feet and under in length.

Queen: Shriners Children's

Most outstanding presentation of roses.

Showmanship: Trader Joe's

Most outstanding display of showmanship and entertainment.

Theme: Pasadena Humane/Hill's Pet Nutrition

Most outstanding presentation of the Rose Parade theme.

Tournament Volunteer: Rotary

Most outstanding floral presentation of the Rose Parade Theme among floats 35 feet and under in length.

Wrigley Legacy: Kaiser Permanente

Most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design and entertainment.

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