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Australia tells dating apps to improve safety standards to protect users from sexual violence

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s government said Monday the online dating industry must improve safety standards or be forced to make changes through legislation, responding to research that says three-in-four Australian users suffer some form of sexual violence through the platforms.Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said popular dating companies such as Tinder, Bumble and Hinge have until June 30 to develop a voluntary code of conduct that addresses user safety concerns.The code could include improving engagement with law enforcement, supporting at-risk users, improving safety policies and practices, and providing greater transparency about harms, she said.But, Rowland added, if the safety standards are not sufficiently improved, the government will use regulation and legislation to force change.“What we want to do in this sector is not stifle innovation, but balance the harms,” she told reporters.The government is responding to Australian Institute of Criminology rese...

What are the sister cities of St. Louis?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Cultural influences are strong in St. Louis, not only through history and traditions, but also support from more than a dozen sister cities. A sister city, also known to some as a twin city or friendship city, forms when two cities from different countries form a partnership with each other. For many big cities around the United States, building ties through sister cities became increasingly popular after World War II. Day Two of UAW strike: Wentzville picketers explain their motives Oftentimes, sister cities work together to promote cultural exchange, economic benefits, tourism, and social initiatives. They open eyes to a variety of cultures and perspectives that exist globally, and partnerships ultimately aim to promote peace and learning. According to the St. Louis Sister Cities Program and Sister Cities Of the World websites, the City of St. Louis is a sister city to 15 cities across 15 different countries. Those include the following:Bogor (Indonesia)Bologna (Ita...

You Paid For It: SoulFisher Ministries clears hurdles to aid women leaving prison

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - With help from the You Paid For It team, the path appears clear for an organization helping women get out of prison.Recently, Elliott Davis talked to Shawntelle Fisher, President and CEO of the SoulFisher Ministries in north St. Louis County. After spending 14 years in prison, Fisher came out and earned three bachelor's degrees and a master's degree. She also started the SoulFisher Ministries nonprofit to help other women once they're released from prison. Day Two of UAW strike: Wentzville picketers explain their motives SoulFisher Ministries received a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education and a $1.6 million grant from the Department of Justice. The money will help with one big long-term goal: A center to help women recently freed from prison. "We have received a residential building permit," said Fisher. "We’re ready and excited about being able to finally go in and begin renovations on the residential side of the property. We're still a...

Before Broncos’ frantic finish, calamitous mid-game sequence set Sean Payton’s team up for failure

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

Mary made good on the Broncos’ prayer request Sunday.Brad Rogers’ officiating crew delivered no such intervention on an equally imperative two-point conversion attempt.Denver’s Week 2 fate hung in the balance as Russell Wilson’s last-play, Hail Mary rainbow caromed twice and landed in the waiting arms of Brandon Johnson in the end zone. It was sealed in the loss column when Wilson turned down a wide-open Jerry Jeudy to the left and fired a pass right for Courtland Sutton, open by a sliver but getting tugged at by Commanders cornerback Benjamin St.-Juste.The driving force behind Denver’s 35-33 loss to Washington, however, was neither the divine nor the adjudicators.The bulk of the blame after Sean Payton’s team tied the fourth-largest blown lead at home in franchise history does not rest on whether Wilson should have stayed with Jeudy or whether Denver should have had another chance from half the distance.Unlikely as this frantic finish was, it doesn’t materialize if not for a ...

Kiszla: Broncos’ best hope is to tank for the privilege of drafting USC quarterback Caleb Williams

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

Let us pray that the next truly good news for the Broncos will begin with these words: With the first pick in the 2024 NFL draft …Let the Caleb Williams watch begin.You got a better idea? Broncos coach Sean Payton obviously does not.After blowing an 18-point lead and losing to Washington 35-33 on Sunday, the next destination for the Broncos is Tank City. With no realistic chance of making the NFL playoffs, it’s time to start dreaming about plucking Williams from the USC Trojans roster to finally begin the rebuilding process Denver has delayed for far too long.“We’ve got to keep our foot on their neck,” lamented Denver cornerback Pat Surtain II.The Broncos need to blow it up and start over.Two games into the Payton Era, we can either concentrate on Williams wearing a Denver uniform as the team’s new starting quarterback next season, or wallow in the stench of this orange-and-blue dumpster fire.“We have to be better than that, and that starts with me,” Payton said.After reviewin...

Broncos receiver Brandon Johnson’s Hail Mary touchdown catch gets sent to oblivion after no-call on 2-point conversion

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

Wide receiver Brandon Johnson doesn’t have too many highlights in his two seasons with the Broncos. But on Sunday against the Washington Commanders, he made the catch of all catches.Denver was pinned midfield and trailing 35-27 with three seconds left in regulation when quarterback Russell Wilson rolled to his left and launched a prayer deep down the field. The throw was a few yards shy of the goal line, but the ball bounced off wide receiver Courtland Sutton and Adam Trautman before Johnson corralled it for a 50-yard touchdown.Moments after Empower Field at Mile High rocked in celebration, Johnson’s shining moment faded into oblivion.In need of a two-point conversion to tie the game, Wilson threw to Sutton in the end zone. Commanders cornerback Benjamin St. Juste appeared to have his hand on Sutton’s facemask just as the ball was entering his direction. But no flags were thrown. The pass was ruled incomplete, and the Broncos are now 0-2 after a crushing 35-33 defeat.“There’s enough...

Teen firefighter in training severely burned in tragic accident

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

A teenage firefighter-in-training, who dreams of working for the Pasadena Fire Department, managed to survive a tragic dune buggy accident outside Las Vegas, but was left with severe burns over most of her body.  For 17-year-old America Salmeron, the story is about determination and perseverance. She has a long road to recovery and what those around say she needs most right now is support from the community that she hopes to one day serve.  “America embodies everything that the Pasadena Firefighter Explorer Program is,” Pasadena Fire Department Capt. Arno Avakian told KTLA. “She’s a hard worker, she’s driven, positive attitude, always willing to help others.”  The teen is also already a leader in the department’s Explorer Program and was in the process of interviewing to become a sponsored cadet at the Verdugo Fire Academy, but after the accident, her journey is going to take longer than she’d planned.  “Overall, the situation that I’m currently in is very hard,” she ...

49ers’ defense rises in the second half to shut down Rams

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

The 49ers’ vaunted defense found itself being seriously outplayed in the first half Sunday.Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, having healed up from the elbow miseries that ruined his season a year ago, was slicing, dicing and getting rid of the ball before the 49ers’ pass rush could do any damage.But the 49ers pushed across a late touchdown on a 1-yard sneak by Brock Purdy on the last play of the first half, tying the game 17-17, and a defense that feels it should be one of the best in the NFL played closer to that standard in a 30-23 win at SoFi Stadium.A week ago, the 49ers defense came out breathing fire in a 30-7 win at Pittsburgh, forcing five consecutive three-and-outs and taking control of the game early.So how is it that the 49ers might have even learned more about themselves against a mostly no-name Rams team that nonetheless looks much improved from last year’s 5-12 disaster?Because they got off the deck against an elite passer and turned the ...

Sahith Theegala wins the Fortinet Championship in Napa for his first PGA Tour victory

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Sahith Theegala made more than enough birdies to cover for his mistakes while playing with the lead on Sunday, shooting a 4-under 68 for a two-shot victory at the Fortinet Championship, his first win in 74 starts on the PGA Tour.The 25-year-old Theegala, who began the day with a two-shot lead, pulled away by playing his first five holes in 3 under while being followed by a large, jubilant group of friends and relatives, including his parents.“No matter the good golf or the bad golf, they just have my back. It’s a team win,” Theegala said, his mom and dad by his side on the 18th green. “It’s not just a win for me, it’s a win for the whole family.”Theegala finished with seven birdies and three bogeys, including one after he hit a tee shot that landed in a fairway bunker on a different hole. With a three-shot lead, he hit his drive and his layup into the rough on the par-5 18th hole and tapped in for a 6. He finished at 21-under 267.S.H. Kim (68) f...

Giants open 9-run lead, hang to to beat Rockies 11-10 and stop slide

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Thairo Estrada and Joc Pederson had two hits each in a 10-hit sixth inning as San Francisco opened a nine-run lead, and the Giants hung on to beat the Colorado Rockies 11-10 on Sunday and stop a three-game skid that hurt their wild card chances.San Francisco led 9-0 in the sixth inning before Colorado closed. After scoring four times in the ninth, the Rockies had runners at second and third with two outs when pinch-hitter Charlie Blackman hit a soft liner to Estrada at second.“Joc always brings in whiskey after a win. He was like ‘Hey, you need a double today,'” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “Filled to the brim there. That’s going to be useful.”The Giants stopped their longest road losing streak since 1996 at nine games. They had lost the first three games of the four-game series and are two games back for the last NL wild card, needing to overcome three teams.Mitch Haniger put the Giants ahead with an RBI double in the fifth against Chris Flexen (1-8), ...