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The Irish Sun
24 minutes ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Warning to anyone with Blue Badge over ‘misunderstood rule' that could land you with £1,000 fine or see you lose permit
BLUE Badge holders have been issued a warning over a "misunderstood rule" that could leave drivers with a £1000 fine. The Blue Badge scheme was set up to help those with mobility issues by allowing them easier access to 2 Blue Badges are given to those with mobility issues Credit: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett 2 Your Blue Badge must be clearly displayed Credit: Alamy However, there is often confusion over when it can be used, with recent figures from the Where Can Blue Badge Holders Park? It is often wrongly assumed that having a Blue Badge allows you to park anywhere. However, this is not the case. Blue Badge holders are not permitted to park anywhere where their vehicle could endanger others or obstruct access, such as near junctions, bus stops, or the entrance to hospitals. Read more motors stories Where To Display a Blue Badge Blue Badge holders must always ensure to display their badge clearly on the dashboard, with the relevant details on show. Some people mistakenly think that its OK to borrow a Blue Badge from someone, or use it whilst the holder is not present, but this is not the case. People who use someone else's Blue Badge, when the badge holder is not in the car could be subject to a £1000 fine. Using a badge that has expired and failing to return a badge that is no longer needed can also lead to hefty fines. Most read in Fabulous How To Get A Blue Badge In England, Some people qualify for the badge automatically, whilst others are assessed on an individual basis. My car was towed from disabled parking spot even though I have a badge - I had to pay £100s but it's the council's fault Local councils are in charge of assessing eligibility for badges, with applications taking up to 12 weeks. If the council decides you are not eligible for the badge, you can request them to reconsider your application. Badges in England cost £10, whilst in Scotland, they are priced at £20. Badges in Wales are free. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Entitledto's and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. Blue Badges in England and Wales typically last for three years, after which holders must reapply. However, some badges are valid until the end of certain benefits, such as Personal Independence Payments . Reminders of expiration are not sent out to badge holders, so you have to keep an eye on the date yourself, and apply for renewal 12 weeks in advance.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- General
- Forbes
Google's 7-Day Gmail Account Hack Warning — Act Now
Google's 7-day Gmail account hack warning. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Hackers armed with the latest AI tools have turned their attention to your Gmail account, and for good reason, as gaining control of this provides them with a treasure trove of valuable data and ongoing access. Google has confirmed that responding within seven days is pivotal to retaining the keys to your email kingdom. Here's what you need to know and do. I have been reporting about the increasingly sophisticated threats facing users of the world's most popular email platform for months now. The pivotal moment for Gmail attacks occurred when the most convincing AI-driven hacking campaign so nearly succeeded in fooling a cybersecurity consultant at the end of 2024. Despite the best efforts of Google, these attacks have continued and are still ongoing. The latest to come to my attention is all too familiar, apart from the fact that the target is Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram. Mosseri explained that the attack started with a phone call pertaining to be from Google support, moved to an email sent from a noreply@ address and claimed his account had been compromised and a password change was required immediately. This is similar to so many attacks that I have reported on across the course of the last year: 1, 2, 3. The mitigations are equally similar across the attack surface, and I advise you start here. and continue here. In the case of Mosseri, a Google spokesperson said that it has suspended the Google form and the site in question, and reminded users that 'Google will never call you about your account.' But what if it's too late? What if the attackers have compromised your account, changed your password, 2FA protections and even your recovery email and telephone numbers? Do not panic, Google can help, but you do need to act fast. The tactics used by these attackers are not unique to Gmail, all email platforms, all online services for that matter, are at risk of the same kind of account takeover threats. Gmail, however, is a bit like Windows when it comes to the hack attack threat: it's very high profile and used by billions people. In other words, it's a hacker magnet. The Google spokesman confirmed that situations where attackers both compromise an account and change passwords etc to prevent the real owner from logging in do happen. Another good reason to always use the latest phishing-resistant authentication technology, a passkey, rather than wait for an attacker to use theirs to lock down your account. 'We recommend all users to set up a recovery phone as well as a recovery email on their account,' Google said, 'these can be used in cases where users forget their own passwords, or an attacker changes the credentials after hijacking the account.' Importantly, the original Google account holder has a seven-day period in which they can use the original recovery details to regain account control from the attacker. A recovery phone number is analogous to seatbelt use in your car; it enhances your ability to recover fully after a hack, just as a seatbelt enhances your chances of survival in a crash. When your recovery information is changed, Google told me, you can still use your existing email or phone number for seven days to receive account recovery sign-in codes. So, what are you waiting for? Add those recovery details now and be prepared in case the worst happens and a sophisticated hacker takes control of your Gmail account. Unlike if you ignore this advice, you have nothing to lose.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Summer 2025 Travel Deals To Save Money and Explore
There are a few opportunities to book discounted travel packages and enjoy competitive rates for some of the world's best vacation destinations. In several instances, airfare is actually cheaper than last year. Here are a few deals to check out. CHONBURI, THAILAND - 2025/03/20: Visitors seen walking through the alley of the street food stalls at Bang Saen Beach. Bang Saen Beach is a popular coastal spot just a short drive from the city. (Photo by Nathalie Jamois/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Two resorts in New England are offering summer packages that tennis and golf fans don't want to miss: Both locations are easily accessible for Boston and New York residents, making them ideal for weekend or extended stays. Flights are approximately 10% cheaper than last summer at $817 round-trip, according to Hopper. That's also notably lower than 2023's average of $1,056, which was also the most expensive travel year in recent memory. The most-booked cities are the usual suspects, such as London, Rome (which is celebrating a special jubilee year), Paris, and Dublin. You may also explore less-visited yet comparable destinations to spend less on lodging. For example, anticipate paying up to $300 per night in major cities versus half the cost in: Average nightly rates can vary depending on the destination and travel dates. It's worth comparing several potential trip ideas if you have a flexible schedule. Flights to Asia are also at some of the most affordable post-pandemic levels. An average round-trip costs $1,328, down 13% year-over-year. However, airfare is still pricier than it was several years ago, when itineraries hovered around $1,000 per person. Lodging can be notably cheaper than in Western countries, helping offset higher flight prices. For example, anticipate paying approximately $200 per night in Tokyo, Singapore, or Bali. If you're more adventurous, consider off-the-beaten-path cities like Pattaya, Thailand ($69/night), or Da Nang, Vietnam ($60/night), to enjoy similar experiences. Taking advantage of the exciting 1:1 Japan Airlines point transfer opportunity can be pivotal to booking a dream Asian trip this summer. Hopper's Summer 2025 Travel Outlook indicates that domestic flight prices are trending 3% lower compared to similar round trips from last summer. Las Vegas is one of the most affordable major cities in the United States this year, with average nightly rates of just $116. In contrast, New York City is one of the most expensive at $327 per night. Many other popular destinations have average nightly rates between $200 and $250, including Hawaii. Many theme parks and beach destinations offer competitively priced vacation rentals that provide more bedrooms and privacy than hotels at a similar rate. Orlando is one of the most budget-friendly options at $258 per night ($75 per bedroom). Early summer travel deals are available. However, you may also be better off waiting until late summer with an August or early September travel date when crowds are lighter. Overall, flights are cheaper to many places than in the past few years, and you can also save on lodging. Related Articles:
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
The best 12 food spots in Ireland revealed at takeaway awards with over 160k votes cast
IRELAND's best takeaway spots for 2025 have been revealed at a major awards ceremony. Twelve Irish 2 The results of Ireland's 2025 Deliveroo awards have been revealed Credit: LightRocket via Getty Images 2 And some top Irish food spots brought home awards Credit: Deliveroo Galway's Smashbird and Juice Jar, which operates in both Belfast and Dublin also took home major awards at the ceremony. BuJo in Dublin won the Ireland and UK Environmentally Sustainable award while SEED in Deliveroo launched these awards back in 2018 to celebrate the best local eateries across Ireland and the UK. READ MORE ON FOOD This year, 65 categories were available, covering a wide variety of cuisines and restaurant types. Taste of Hong Kong in Dublin took Best Chinese, The Pizza Co in Belfast got Best Pizza and Pablo Picante in Dublin won Best The Juice Jar secured Best Salads and Healthy Cuisine for its locations in Belfast and Dublin, Kerala Kitchen won Best Indian and Nepalese, while Galway's Smashbird was named Best Burger and American. San Sab in Dublin won Best Thai, Mad Egg took Best Chicken and Musashi earned Best MOST READ IN FABULOUS And Reyna was the first ever winner of the new Best Middle Eastern cuisine category. Boss Aylin Aydin said they are looking forward to serving up our award-winning Middle Eastern dishes to Dublin locals for a long time to come. Ireland's first 24-7 pizza vending machine arrives in Dublin He said: 'Wow, I can't believe we've won! It's incredible to be named Deliveroo's Best Middle Eastern restaurant in Ireland. "Huge thanks to everyone who voted – your support means everything. We're looking forward to serving up our award-winning Middle Eastern dishes to Dublin locals for a long time to come." One of the most contested awards in Ireland is Best Burger, which was won this year by They said: 'We can't believe it — we actually did it! The team here at Smashbird Galway are absolutely buzzing to have won Deliveroo's award for Best Burgers & American in Ireland! Bujo in Sandymount won the Deliveroo award for Environmental Sustainability. They said: 'We are thrilled to have won the Deliveroo award for Environmental Sustainability. "We go above and beyond to make sure we are as sustainable as possible from using eco-packaging and cooking with ethically sourced products all underpinned by an award winning waste management system." 'Finest culinary talent' SEED narrowly missed out on the UK & Ireland Independent Restaurant of the Year but still took home the Irish title. Deliveroo's judging panel included CEO Will Shu, food critic Jimi Famurewa and TV chef Tilly Ramsay. Helen Maher from She added: 'Congratulations to all the winning restaurants recognised as the best local favourites across Ireland. "This year's winners and nominees represent some of the finest culinary talent we've ever seen. "At Deliveroo, we're proud to partner with such exceptional restaurants to create more meaningful and memorable moments for our customers."
9 News
3 days ago
- 9 News
Microsoft users told to act now or lose all their passwords
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Microsoft Authenticator users have been warned to act before they lose their passwords as the organisation moves to phase out its password management system. Microsoft Authenticator is a security software that provides two-factor security for online accounts. It also safely stores and autofills passwords for apps and websites you visit on your phone. Microsoft Authenticator is a security software that provides two-factor security for online accounts. (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett) From June 1, new passwords will no longer be saved in Microsoft Authenticator as the organisation moves to the Microsoft Edge browser. By July 1, the autofill function will stop working and saved payment information, including credit cards, will be removed from Authenticator. From August, saved passwords will no longer be stored in Authenticator. The company says anyone who wishes to keep using their passwords and log-ins after August need to download Microsoft Edge onto their phone and other devices. According to Microsoft, saved payment data won't automatically transfer over to Edge. (Getty) According to Microsoft, saved payment data won't automatically transfer over to Edge. Users will have to re-enter their card information. The organisation says the move will streamline autofill so customers can access saved passwords easily across all devices. CONTACT US
