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As TikTok bill steams forward, online influencers put on their lobbying hats to visit Washington WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers, meet your latest lobbyists: online influencers from TikTok. Haleluya Hadero, The Associated Press Dec 23, 2024 2:52 PM Dec 23, 2024 3:20 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers, meet your latest lobbyists: online influencers from TikTok. The platform is once again bringing influencers to Washington, this time to lobby members of Congress to reject a fast-moving bill that would force TikTok's Beijing-based parent company to sell or be banned in the United States. On Tuesday, some influencers began a two-day advocacy event in support of TikTok, which arranged their trip ahead of a House floor vote on the legislation on Wednesday. But unlike a similar lobbying event the company put together last March when talks of a TikTok ban reached a fever pitch, this year’s effort appeared more rushed as the company scrambles to counter the legislation, which advanced rapidly on Capitol Hill. Summer Lucille, a TikTok content creator with 1.4 million followers who is visiting Washington this week, said if TikTok is banned, she “don’t know what it will do” to her business, a plus-sized boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina. “It will be devastating,” Lucille said in an interview arranged by the platform. The legislation is drawing unusual support in Congress In an unusual showing of bipartisanship, a House panel unanimously approved the measure last week. President Joe Biden has said he will sign the legislation if lawmakers pass it. But it’s unclear what will happen in the Senate, where several bills aimed at banning TikTok have stalled. The legislation faces other roadblocks. Former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, who holds sway over both House and Senate Republicans, has voiced opposition to the bill, saying it would empower Meta-owned Facebook, which he continues to lambast over his 2020 election loss. The bill also faces pushback from some progressive lawmakers in the House as well as civil liberties groups who argue it infringes on the First Amendment. TikTok could be banned if ByteDance, the parent company, doesn’t sell its stakes in the platform and other applications it owns within six months of the bill’s enactment. The fight over the platform takes place as U.S.-China relations have shifted to that of strategic rivalry, especially in areas such as advanced technologies and data security, seen as essential to each country’s economic prowess and national security. The shift, which started during the Trump years and has continued under Biden, has placed restrictions on export of advanced technologies and outflow of U.S. monies to China, as well as access to the U.S. market by certain Chinese businesses. The Biden administration also has cited human rights concerns in blacklisting a number of Chinese companies accused of assisting the state surveillance campaign against ethnic minorities. TikTok isn’t short on lobbyists. Its Beijing-based parent company ByteDance has a strong lobbying apparatus in Washington that includes dozens of lobbyists from well-known consulting and legal firms as well as influential insiders, such as former members of Congress and ex-aides to powerful lawmakers, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will also be in Washington this week and plans to meet with lawmakers, according to a company spokesperson who said Chew’s visit was previously scheduled. Influencers descend on Washington But influencers, who have big followings on social media and can share personal stories of how the platform boosted their businesses — or simply gave them a voice — are still perhaps one of the most powerful tools the company has in its arsenal. A TikTok spokesperson said dozens of influencers will attend the two-day event, including some who came last year. The spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about how many new people would be attending this year’s lobbying blitz. The company is briefing them ahead of meetings with their representatives and media interviews. Lucille, who runs the boutique in North Carolina, says has seen a substantial surge in revenue because of her TikTok page. The 34-year-old began making TikTok content focusing on plus-sized fashion in March 2022, more than a decade after she started her business. She quickly amassed thousands of followers after posting a nine-second video about her boutique. Because of her popularity on the platform, her business has more online exposure and customers, some of whom have visited from as far as Europe. She says she also routinely hears from followers who are finding support through her content about fashion and confidence. JT Laybourne, an influencer who also came to Washington, said he joined TikTok in early 2019 after getting some negative comments on videos he posted on Instagram while singing in the car with his children. Laybourne, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, said he was attracted to the short-form video platform because it was easy to create videos that contained music. Like Lucille, he quickly gained traction on the app. He says he also received more support from TikTok users, who reacted positively to content he produced on love and positivity. Laybourne says the community he built on the platform rallied around his family when he had to undergo heart surgery in 2020. Following the surgery, he said he used the platform to help raise $1 million for the American Heart Association in less than two years. His family now run an apparel company that gets most of its traffic from TikTok. “I will fight tooth-and-nail for this app,” he said. But whether the opposition the company is mounting through lobbyists or influencers will be enough to derail the bill is yet to be seen. On Tuesday, House lawmakers received a briefing on national security concerns regarding TikTok from the FBI, Justice Department and intelligence officials. ____ AP Journalist Didi Tang contributed to this report. ___ This story was originally published on March 12, 2024. It was updated on December 23, 2024 to clarify a quote by TikTok content creator Summer Lucille. Haleluya Hadero, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More Entertainment News Clarification: TikTok-Bill-Lobbying story Dec 23, 2024 2:49 PM Elaborate holiday light displays are making spirits bright in a big way Dec 23, 2024 2:34 PM Burt, the huge Australian crocodile who had a cameo in ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ dies at 90 Dec 23, 2024 2:00 PM Featured Flyer

Hello and welcome to Yahoo's live news blog this Wednesday. Commonwealth has backflipped on a controversial move when withdrawing cash. The Labor government had branded the move as "really unfair" amid a cost-of-living crisis. Uber has revealed which customers are best and worst behaved in the past year. The rideshare company has broken it down into states and shamed the one with the worst rider ratings. Find out where your state sits below. Follow along as we bring you regular updates throughout the day. Two men have been charged after NSW Police allege nearly $1.4 million was fraudulently claimed from the state's Department of Education. Earlier this year police began investigations into allegations a school employee was mismanaging funded intended for maintenance and building works at two schools. "During the investigation, it was identified the employee had assistance from another man known to him, who was the director of a building company, and helped facilitate the fraudulent claims," NSW Police said in a statement. The two men, aged 38 and 38, were arrested today and charged with over 60 charges each, including dishonestly obtaining financial advantage. They are due to front court later today. In some breaking news now, has been told by Commonwealth Bank it plans to scrap its controversial $3 cash withdrawal fee just one day after announcing it. The nation's biggest bank faced widespread backlash for the announcement, including from the Albanese government. Read more . A man will face court today after NSW police allegedly found $18 million worth of prohibited drugs stashed inside the door cavity of his car. Police say 25 kilograms of methylamphetamine and 10 kilograms of cocaine bricks were located after his Toyota Corolla was stopped in Gundagai on Tuesday. One of the packages allegedly found included a picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The 26-year-old man has been charged with two counts of supplying prohibited drug with a large commercial quantity and possessing a DECCD to commit serious criminal activity. Coles says it will hand out thousands of prizes to customers in the lead up to Christmas, with shoppers able to score cash off their shops in store. "Offering a total prize pool of $2 million, more than 66,000 lucky customers will have the chance to win instant money off their in-store shop until New Year’s Day," the supermarket giant said. "Starting today, shoppers who spend $20 or more in-store and scan their registered Flybuys will find out if they've scored an instant win prize at the checkout, helping customers save on their shopping throughout the Christmas and summer entertaining season." There will be 1,667 $100 prizes handed out, while there'll be 3,333 $50 prizes, 4,999 $20 prizes and 6,6667 $10 prizes that can be won. “We want to say thank you to our customers for shopping at Coles by spreading some festive cheer – and we can't wait to see the joy and excitement as our customers win," Coles Chief Customer Officer Amanda McVay said. Move over , there's another zoo animal that's the most talked about globally now. But sadly for giant panda and viral sensation Fu Bao, it's because there's concerns for her health after she was spotted displaying unusual behaviour by visitors to her panda base including twitching. The development has blown up on Chinese social media, with the much-loved panda, who recently arrived in China after being the first giant panda born in South Korea, leaving millions eagerly awaiting an update after Fu Bao went in for testing. In some good news, preliminary observations have note shown any abnormalities. The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda said on Tuesday that Fu Bao, the first giant panda born in South Korea, is being closely monitored after exhibiting concerning symptoms in SW China's Sichuan. Born in July 2020, Fu Bao returned to China in April. — People's Daily, China (@PDChina) It seems Woolworths aren't the only ones getting frustrated with the ongoing strikes at the supermarket's distribution centres. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) says the United Workers Union, who are blocking gates at the centres, should allow workers to turn up to work if they wish. “Everyone has the right to feel safe at work, and industrial action should not impede on workers wishing to carry out their everyday duties," the ARA's Fleur Brown said. “If an employee wishes to return to work, they should be able to do so without fear of retribution." Brown also said that Australians need access to vital food and grocery products particularly in the lead-up to Christmas. “This is the busiest period for retailers and shoppers which places great demand on the supply of these products with a flow-on effect to many Australians," she said. The strike has lasted two weeks now with the union and supermarket at loggerheads over conditions and pay. Here's one you might have missed as it came through yesterday evening. Three teens were hospitalised at a NSW school after science experiment went wrong. Paramedics rushed to Brisbane Water Secondary College in Woy Woy on Tuesday morning after three year 10 students suffered burns. The Daily Telegraph understands the experiment went wrong, with ethanol spilling and catching fire. The three students were taken to separate hospitals in stable conditions. The Department of Education said it was "deeply concerned" over the incident, with the school's science labs being closed off. , but it's London's turn now. Brits have savaged Trafalgar Square's 20-metre tree gifted from Norway, with some left asking where the other half is. The tree's official X account hit back, saying "haters gonna hate" before reminding people the tree will fill out after spending days in transit. And the British Embassy in Oslo also hit back, calling the tree "beautiful", while reminding people of the longstanding tradition between the two countries which began during World War II. Only been up for five minutes and already I’m a fluffy mighty pine 🎄✨💅 Haters gonna hate, but let’s remember this beautiful tradition and let’s hope it continues forever ❤️ Will yule be coming to my ceremony this Thursday?! 🎉✨ — Trafalgar Square Tree (@trafalgartree) People from Western Australia have been revealed as the worst customers for , the rideshare giant says. Sharing its annual rider ratings rankings, Uber revealed the state's average rating of 4.79 was the lowest across the country. Victoria didn't fare much better with a rating of 4.8. NSW customers led the state to top spot as the best behaved, scoring on average 4.84. NT came second, while Queensland and Tasmania tied third. has stripped a Chinese product from its shelves over fears that it could be a biosecurity breach. A broom imported from China spotted in one of its NSW stores appeared to contain rice plants in its head, sparking fears it could pose a biosecurity threat, the ABC reported. "I could see these grains in the head of the broom and on closer inspection I nearly fell over because I'm absolutely certain they were rice grains. The biosecurity concerns are just mammoth," former rice grower Keith Rowe, who spotted the broom, told the public broadcaster. An investigation is underway and a Bunnings spokesperson said the hardware giant is taking it "very seriously". Bunnings straw broom made in china , supposedly millet ,looks like rice to me — rowey_brolga (@Rowey_brolga) Labor says a Commonwealth move to slug its customers $3 to withdraw cash is "really unfair". Housing Minister Clare O'Neil said the move just didn't sit right with the government. “I just think the government feels this is really unfair to customers, to Australians, especially just before Christmas,” she told Sunrise on Wednesday. “Everyone’s had a bit of a tough year on the cost-of-living front and last thing they need is a kick in the guts from the Commonwealth Bank right before Christmas.” Read all about the new fee on Yahoo Finance .Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles make their second-to-last road trip of the regular season Sunday to face Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens. The NFC East-leading Eagles (9-2) have won seven in a row and play four of their final six games in Philadelphia, traveling only about 125 miles to visit the Ravens (8-4) this weekend and the Washington Commanders in Week 16. Sunday's game features the NFL's two leading rushers. Barkley (1,392 yards) and Henry (1,325) are far ahead of Green Bay's Josh Jacobs (944) in third place. Henry leads the league with 13 rushing touchdowns. Barkley (10) is tied for fourth and Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts (11) tied for second. The matchup also features two of the top candidates for Most Valuable Player honors entering Week 13 in Barkley and Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson, who won his second MVP award last season. Their competition includes quarterbacks Josh Allen of Buffalo and Jared Goff of Detroit, with Allen widely considered the favorite. "Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are phenomenal football players that help their team win football games, and Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley are phenomenal football players that help their team win football games," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. "Excited about the opportunity this week because it's our next one. It will be a really good opponent, really well coached, good players, good atmosphere that will be there. Excited about the opportunity this week. And we're going to have to be on it against a really good team." The showdown at M&T Bank Stadium also pits Baltimore's No. 1 offense (426.7 yards per game) and No. 2 scoring offense (30.3 points per game) against Philadelphia's No. 1 defense (274.6) and No. 6 scoring defense (18.1). The Eagles have held seven consecutive opponents to under 300 total yards, while the Ravens have gained at least 329 yards of offense in all 11 games. Philadelphia is coming off a 37-20 road win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night in which Barkley smashed the franchise record with 255 rushing yards. Baltimore also earned a prime-time win in Los Angeles, defeating the Chargers 30-23 in the "Harbaugh Bowl" on Monday night behind Jackson's three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). Jackson said he's looking forward to the Barkley and Henry show. "I've known Saquon from high school. We were in the all-star game together and he jumped over somebody's head," Jackson recalled Wednesday. "So I've pretty much seen him before I even got to the league, college, anything. I've been knowing about Saquon, but Derrick Henry -- King Henry -- I'm with him every day and I'm seeing what he's capable of, so it's going to be a great matchup." Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith practiced Wednesday after sitting out Monday with a hamstring issue. Nose tackle Michael Pierce (calf) was designated to return from injured reserve. Tight end Charlie Kolar (broken arm) is out for several weeks and cornerback Arthur Maulet (calf) did not practice. The Eagles lost veteran defensive end Brandon Graham to a season-ending triceps injury Sunday. Wideout DeVonta Smith (hamstring) missed the win over the Rams and did not practice Wednesday. Neither did cornerbacks Darius Slay (concussion) or Kelee Ringo (calf). Philadelphia is 5-1 away from home this season -- 6-1 if you count their season-opening "home" victory against the Packers in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Baltimore is 4-1 at home. The Ravens hold a 3-2-1 lead in the series with the Eagles. They haven't met since Baltimore's 30-28 win in Week 6 at Philadelphia in 2020. --Field Level Media

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