Latest news with #Safety
News18
a day ago
- News18
Block Them: Instagram Gets New Safety Features To Protect Kids On Social Media
Last Updated: Meta is bringing new safety tools for kids on Instagram that gives them more power to block and report suspicious accounts. Meta continues to prioritise kids safety on its platforms like Instagram and Facebook, which means more features are getting added to protect them from predators online. The platform has been forced into some of these decisions, as the regulators have come hard on social media apps and ordered them to safeguard their young audience with better parental control and self-blocking mechanisms. The teen protection toolkit now allows kids to see the profile of the people messaging them and giving them more power to act on suspicious accounts. Meta Safety Tools Upgraded For Kids Instagram DMs are the main target of these safety features for kids, and now Meta will shove these tools on their face when they start messaging other profiles. The platform will advise them to check the profile details of the person, and they will be asked to stop chatting if they don't feel something is right. It is also important that under-age users on Instagram know about sharing content like photos and texts on the platform with strangers. Knowing The Profiles They can also block and report the profiles based on their issues with them, something that was earlier available to the parents who were guiding the youth for their account. The company is also making sure the profile picture of kids accounts are run with parent guidance. Adults can create an account with a kid's profile but they have to mention it in their profile bio, or kids cannot run the account by themselves. These updates are vital and are said to be part of Meta's aggressive push to secure kids on its platforms. Having said that, parents can always consider keeping them away from these apps till a certain age, which is surely the easy way to control their activities on the internet. view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 12:38 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
'Not satisfied': ABC reporter denied compo for Ross River fever mozzie bite
An ABC reporter has been told she will not receive compensation after contracting Ross River fever from a mosquito she says bit her while she was covering floods for the public broadcaster The journalist, who has worked at the ABC nearly 30 years, says she was bitten by a disease-carrying mozzie while working at Coraki in northern NSW on February 14, 2020. But Comcare, the national workers' compensation authority, says Elloise Farrow-Smith was bitten later - when she was on long service leave. It's not disputed that she got the disease, which can cause painful, swollen joints, muscle pain, fevers, headaches, a rash, tiredness and swollen lymph nodes. But the Administrative Review Tribunal found Ms Farrow-Smith did not go to the doctor until April of the same year, a delay she says was because of COVID-19 lockdowns at the time. Meanwhile Comcare says the journalist didn't display symptoms until at least late March, making the offending bite more likely to have occurred later than she claimed. "I am not satisfied that the applicant is accurately describing her symptoms during March 2020," tribunal deputy president Damien O'Donovan said in his decision handed down on July 22. "In those circumstances, I am not satisfied that the applicant contracted Ross River fever as a result of a mosquito bite in February 2020." That meant she wasn't eligible for compensation under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, he said. Mr O'Donovan said he doubted Ms Farrow-Smith's contention that she could not remember being bitten by a mosquito between February 14 and April when she was diagnosed with Ross River fever. In her evidence, she said when she was filming in Coraki, which was hit by flooding at the time, she was swarmed by mosquitoes. "I felt mosquitos biting through my jacket on my shoulder blades and on the skin at the back of my neck, as well as biting my neck through clothing," she said. "The mosquito attack went on for about five minutes ... I felt very itchy as I drove back to the office." Ms Farrow-Smith worked for another fortnight, then started long service leave on February 28 when she says she felt unwell with aches and pains and went to a pharmacy and later to Yamba on holiday, where the tribunal concluded she may have been bitten again. "I am satisfied that the applicant was bitten on multiple occasions in the period from February 2020 to April 2020," Mr O'Donovan said in his decision. He said the ABC was concerned the reporter's delay in seeking medical advice "suggests that she may have in fact developed her symptoms later than 28 February 2020". Mr O'Donovan concluded: "In these circumstances, I am not satisfied that the applicant contracted the Ross River fever from which she suffers in mid-February 2020 as a result of a mosquito bite suffered while reporting for the ABC. "It is possible that that is what occurred, but I am not affirmatively satisfied that that is what occurred. "It is more likely, and more consistent with the independently verifiable facts, that the applicant suffered a mosquito bite in March 2020 while on long service leave and developed Ross River fever symptoms in early April following which, her condition gradually worsened." The application for compensation was heard by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in May 2022 and its decision was appealed to the Federal Court which referred it to the Administrative Review Tribunal. The ABC has been embroiled in a long-running legal battle with journalist Antoinette Lattouf. In June Ms Lattouf was awarded $70,000 in damages after winning her unlawful termination case over her views on Gaza in the Federal Court. Taxpayers are facing a $2 million-plus bill for the public broadcaster's failed legal defence. An ABC reporter has been told she will not receive compensation after contracting Ross River fever from a mosquito she says bit her while she was covering floods for the public broadcaster The journalist, who has worked at the ABC nearly 30 years, says she was bitten by a disease-carrying mozzie while working at Coraki in northern NSW on February 14, 2020. But Comcare, the national workers' compensation authority, says Elloise Farrow-Smith was bitten later - when she was on long service leave. It's not disputed that she got the disease, which can cause painful, swollen joints, muscle pain, fevers, headaches, a rash, tiredness and swollen lymph nodes. But the Administrative Review Tribunal found Ms Farrow-Smith did not go to the doctor until April of the same year, a delay she says was because of COVID-19 lockdowns at the time. Meanwhile Comcare says the journalist didn't display symptoms until at least late March, making the offending bite more likely to have occurred later than she claimed. "I am not satisfied that the applicant is accurately describing her symptoms during March 2020," tribunal deputy president Damien O'Donovan said in his decision handed down on July 22. "In those circumstances, I am not satisfied that the applicant contracted Ross River fever as a result of a mosquito bite in February 2020." That meant she wasn't eligible for compensation under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, he said. Mr O'Donovan said he doubted Ms Farrow-Smith's contention that she could not remember being bitten by a mosquito between February 14 and April when she was diagnosed with Ross River fever. In her evidence, she said when she was filming in Coraki, which was hit by flooding at the time, she was swarmed by mosquitoes. "I felt mosquitos biting through my jacket on my shoulder blades and on the skin at the back of my neck, as well as biting my neck through clothing," she said. "The mosquito attack went on for about five minutes ... I felt very itchy as I drove back to the office." Ms Farrow-Smith worked for another fortnight, then started long service leave on February 28 when she says she felt unwell with aches and pains and went to a pharmacy and later to Yamba on holiday, where the tribunal concluded she may have been bitten again. "I am satisfied that the applicant was bitten on multiple occasions in the period from February 2020 to April 2020," Mr O'Donovan said in his decision. He said the ABC was concerned the reporter's delay in seeking medical advice "suggests that she may have in fact developed her symptoms later than 28 February 2020". Mr O'Donovan concluded: "In these circumstances, I am not satisfied that the applicant contracted the Ross River fever from which she suffers in mid-February 2020 as a result of a mosquito bite suffered while reporting for the ABC. "It is possible that that is what occurred, but I am not affirmatively satisfied that that is what occurred. "It is more likely, and more consistent with the independently verifiable facts, that the applicant suffered a mosquito bite in March 2020 while on long service leave and developed Ross River fever symptoms in early April following which, her condition gradually worsened." The application for compensation was heard by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in May 2022 and its decision was appealed to the Federal Court which referred it to the Administrative Review Tribunal. The ABC has been embroiled in a long-running legal battle with journalist Antoinette Lattouf. In June Ms Lattouf was awarded $70,000 in damages after winning her unlawful termination case over her views on Gaza in the Federal Court. Taxpayers are facing a $2 million-plus bill for the public broadcaster's failed legal defence. An ABC reporter has been told she will not receive compensation after contracting Ross River fever from a mosquito she says bit her while she was covering floods for the public broadcaster The journalist, who has worked at the ABC nearly 30 years, says she was bitten by a disease-carrying mozzie while working at Coraki in northern NSW on February 14, 2020. But Comcare, the national workers' compensation authority, says Elloise Farrow-Smith was bitten later - when she was on long service leave. It's not disputed that she got the disease, which can cause painful, swollen joints, muscle pain, fevers, headaches, a rash, tiredness and swollen lymph nodes. But the Administrative Review Tribunal found Ms Farrow-Smith did not go to the doctor until April of the same year, a delay she says was because of COVID-19 lockdowns at the time. Meanwhile Comcare says the journalist didn't display symptoms until at least late March, making the offending bite more likely to have occurred later than she claimed. "I am not satisfied that the applicant is accurately describing her symptoms during March 2020," tribunal deputy president Damien O'Donovan said in his decision handed down on July 22. "In those circumstances, I am not satisfied that the applicant contracted Ross River fever as a result of a mosquito bite in February 2020." That meant she wasn't eligible for compensation under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, he said. Mr O'Donovan said he doubted Ms Farrow-Smith's contention that she could not remember being bitten by a mosquito between February 14 and April when she was diagnosed with Ross River fever. In her evidence, she said when she was filming in Coraki, which was hit by flooding at the time, she was swarmed by mosquitoes. "I felt mosquitos biting through my jacket on my shoulder blades and on the skin at the back of my neck, as well as biting my neck through clothing," she said. "The mosquito attack went on for about five minutes ... I felt very itchy as I drove back to the office." Ms Farrow-Smith worked for another fortnight, then started long service leave on February 28 when she says she felt unwell with aches and pains and went to a pharmacy and later to Yamba on holiday, where the tribunal concluded she may have been bitten again. "I am satisfied that the applicant was bitten on multiple occasions in the period from February 2020 to April 2020," Mr O'Donovan said in his decision. He said the ABC was concerned the reporter's delay in seeking medical advice "suggests that she may have in fact developed her symptoms later than 28 February 2020". Mr O'Donovan concluded: "In these circumstances, I am not satisfied that the applicant contracted the Ross River fever from which she suffers in mid-February 2020 as a result of a mosquito bite suffered while reporting for the ABC. "It is possible that that is what occurred, but I am not affirmatively satisfied that that is what occurred. "It is more likely, and more consistent with the independently verifiable facts, that the applicant suffered a mosquito bite in March 2020 while on long service leave and developed Ross River fever symptoms in early April following which, her condition gradually worsened." The application for compensation was heard by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in May 2022 and its decision was appealed to the Federal Court which referred it to the Administrative Review Tribunal. The ABC has been embroiled in a long-running legal battle with journalist Antoinette Lattouf. In June Ms Lattouf was awarded $70,000 in damages after winning her unlawful termination case over her views on Gaza in the Federal Court. Taxpayers are facing a $2 million-plus bill for the public broadcaster's failed legal defence. An ABC reporter has been told she will not receive compensation after contracting Ross River fever from a mosquito she says bit her while she was covering floods for the public broadcaster The journalist, who has worked at the ABC nearly 30 years, says she was bitten by a disease-carrying mozzie while working at Coraki in northern NSW on February 14, 2020. But Comcare, the national workers' compensation authority, says Elloise Farrow-Smith was bitten later - when she was on long service leave. It's not disputed that she got the disease, which can cause painful, swollen joints, muscle pain, fevers, headaches, a rash, tiredness and swollen lymph nodes. But the Administrative Review Tribunal found Ms Farrow-Smith did not go to the doctor until April of the same year, a delay she says was because of COVID-19 lockdowns at the time. Meanwhile Comcare says the journalist didn't display symptoms until at least late March, making the offending bite more likely to have occurred later than she claimed. "I am not satisfied that the applicant is accurately describing her symptoms during March 2020," tribunal deputy president Damien O'Donovan said in his decision handed down on July 22. "In those circumstances, I am not satisfied that the applicant contracted Ross River fever as a result of a mosquito bite in February 2020." That meant she wasn't eligible for compensation under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, he said. Mr O'Donovan said he doubted Ms Farrow-Smith's contention that she could not remember being bitten by a mosquito between February 14 and April when she was diagnosed with Ross River fever. In her evidence, she said when she was filming in Coraki, which was hit by flooding at the time, she was swarmed by mosquitoes. "I felt mosquitos biting through my jacket on my shoulder blades and on the skin at the back of my neck, as well as biting my neck through clothing," she said. "The mosquito attack went on for about five minutes ... I felt very itchy as I drove back to the office." Ms Farrow-Smith worked for another fortnight, then started long service leave on February 28 when she says she felt unwell with aches and pains and went to a pharmacy and later to Yamba on holiday, where the tribunal concluded she may have been bitten again. "I am satisfied that the applicant was bitten on multiple occasions in the period from February 2020 to April 2020," Mr O'Donovan said in his decision. He said the ABC was concerned the reporter's delay in seeking medical advice "suggests that she may have in fact developed her symptoms later than 28 February 2020". Mr O'Donovan concluded: "In these circumstances, I am not satisfied that the applicant contracted the Ross River fever from which she suffers in mid-February 2020 as a result of a mosquito bite suffered while reporting for the ABC. "It is possible that that is what occurred, but I am not affirmatively satisfied that that is what occurred. "It is more likely, and more consistent with the independently verifiable facts, that the applicant suffered a mosquito bite in March 2020 while on long service leave and developed Ross River fever symptoms in early April following which, her condition gradually worsened." The application for compensation was heard by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in May 2022 and its decision was appealed to the Federal Court which referred it to the Administrative Review Tribunal. The ABC has been embroiled in a long-running legal battle with journalist Antoinette Lattouf. In June Ms Lattouf was awarded $70,000 in damages after winning her unlawful termination case over her views on Gaza in the Federal Court. Taxpayers are facing a $2 million-plus bill for the public broadcaster's failed legal defence.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Lives will be saved': Fatal Caledon crash prompts community safety zone designation for busy corridor
A challenging stretch of Coleraine Drive and Emil Kolb Parkway, often flagged by residents for speeding and safety issues, was designated a Community Safety Zone (CSZ) by the Region of Peel last Thursday. The designation comes less than a year after a fatal four-vehicle collision in this section of road claimed the life of 23-year-old Bolton resident Adrianna McCauley last September. According to a news release from the town, the section from Ellwood Drive West to De Rose Avenue in Bolton which was given the CSZ designation is intersected by Harvest Moon Drive where the fatal collision occurred. Coun. Mario Russo, who brought the motion to regional council on July 10, told the Caledon Enterprise in an email that residents' concerns prompted him to 'expedite' the matter before the summer break. He is proud to have secured unanimous approval, he said. According to the Wards 4, 5 and 6 regional councillor, McCauley's death ignited public concern about 'truck and vehicular carelessness' and rampant aggression on roads. 'The Caledon Community Road Safety Advocacy (CCRSA) Group was born and residents from all corners of Caledon, not just Bolton, got involved,' said Russo in an email. 'We (the town) also created the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) that continues to seek where we can do better.' According to Russo, who is TSAC council liaison, one of the first things the task force worked on was the CSZ designation for this stretch of road which is owned and operated by the region. 'That would give us more tools, primarily the ability to implement an automated speed enforcement camera, increased signage and overall awareness at that intersection,' he added. Russo said the 'concerns of residents and Adrianna's family' led to him bring the matter to regional council quickly. CCRSA spokesperson Amanda Corbett hopes this will bring peace to McCauley's family. 'Our understanding is the CSZ was something that Adrianna's family was very much in support of, and we are hopeful that this helps bring some peace to the family,' Corbett wrote in an email. 'It is well known that our group started as a result of Adrianna's death and the fact that the community has had enough of being unsafe on our roads, even when we are close to home.' Corbett described the issue as complex and spanning all levels of government. 'Improving a single intersection or single stretch of road may help that specific area, but it will not solve the wider problem of making our communities safer,' she added. According to Corbett, the CCRSA will keep pushing all levels of government to make communities safer and to voice residents' concerns. Community Safety Zones are recognized under provincial legislation and have strict speed limits and increased fines. As per the town's statement, implementation of this new CSZ will happen this summer. 'Lives will be saved on Caledon roads through the actions taken at the Peel Regional Council,' Mayor Annette Groves said in the news release. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Travel + Leisure
Uber's New Feature in the U.S. Makes Ride-sharing Safer for Female Riders and Drivers
Ride-sharing is getting safer for women in America. Uber is launching Women Preference settings in the United States, giving female riders and drivers more choice, confidence, and flexibility whenever they use the app. Uber's Women Preference setting will come to the U.S. in August, starting with Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit before rolling out to more cities. With this in-app feature, female riders will have the option to request an on-demand trip or reserve a trip in advance with a female driver. Similarly, female drivers will be able to toggle "women preferred" in the settings of their app, and Uber will work to match them with female riders. They will be able to easily change the settings in their app whenever they choose. This setting will make Uber more accessible, especially for those using it late at night. This safely unlocks more earning opportunities for female drivers during peak hours while giving female riders peace of mind. Screenshots showing the in app Uber women rider experience. 'After hearing from women riders and drivers around the world, it was clear: Many want the option to match with other women,' Camiel Irving, Uber's Vice President of Operations in the United States and Canada, said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure . Uber first launched Women Preference in Saudi Arabia in 2019, soon after the country ended its ban on women driving. The response to Women Preference was overwhelmingly positive, which is why the product has expanded to give women more choices and flexibility no matter where they are. Since then, the Women Rider Preference feature has expanded to 40 countries including Australia, Mexico, and Canada–completing more than 100 million trips. Uber has also addressed safety concerns for female drivers and riders by anonymizing phone numbers, allowing loved ones to track Uber trips, and adding 10-plus ways to report safety issues. 'When we make our platform better for women, we make it better for everyone,' said Irving. 'It's about giving women more choice, more control, and more comfort when they ride and drive.' Uber's Women Preference setting will come to the U.S. in August, starting with Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit before rolling out to more cities. With this in-app feature, female riders will have the option to request an on-demand trip or reserve a trip in advance with a female driver. Similarly, female drivers will be able to toggle "women preferred" in the settings of their app, and Uber will work to match them with female riders. They will be able to easily change the settings in their app whenever they choose. This setting will make Uber more accessible, especially for those using it late at night. This safely unlocks more earning opportunities for female drivers during peak hours while giving female riders peace of mind. 'After hearing from women riders and drivers around the world, it was clear: Many want the option to match with other women,' Camiel Irving, Uber's Vice President of Operations in the United States and Canada, said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure . Uber first launched Women Preference in Saudi Arabia in 2019, soon after the country ended its ban on women driving. The response to Women Preference was overwhelmingly positive, which is why the product has expanded to give women more choices and flexibility no matter where they are. Since then, the Women Rider Preference feature has expanded to 40 countries including Australia, Mexico, and Canada–completing more than 100 million trips. Uber has also addressed safety concerns for female drivers and riders by anonymizing phone numbers, allowing loved ones to track Uber trips, and adding 10-plus ways to report safety issues. 'When we make our platform better for women, we make it better for everyone,' said Irving. 'It's about giving women more choice, more control, and more comfort when they ride and drive.'
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Olympics-US Olympic & Paralympic Committee bars transgender women from competing in women's sports
FILE PHOTO: Workers pack up a space used for a press conference held by the International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 14, 2024. REUTERS/Daniel Cole/File Photo (Reuters) -The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has updated its policy to align with an executive order signed earlier this year by U.S. President Donald Trump barring transgender women from competing in women's sports. "The USOPC will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders with oversight responsibilities, e.g., IOC, IPC, NGBs, to ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment consistent with Executive Order 14201 and the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act," the USOPC said in an update to its Athlete Safety Policy. The USOPC did not respond to a request for comment on the change. USOPC President Gene Sykes and CEO Sarah Hirshland referenced Trump's executive order in a memo to the Team USA community sent out this week, ABC News reported, which said, "As a federally chartered organization, we have an obligation to comply with federal expectations." Trump signed the "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" order in February in a bid to exclude transgender girls and women from female sports, a directive that supporters said will restore fairness but critics argue it infringes on the rights of a tiny minority of athletes. The order directs the Department of Justice to make sure all government agencies enforce a ban on transgender girls and women from participating in female school sports under Trump's interpretation of Title IX, a law against sex discrimination in education. Trump's order goes beyond high school and college sports, calling for the U.S. government to deny visas for transgender females seeking to compete in the United States. Trump also said he would not allow transgender athletes to compete in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. The executive order instructed the State Department to pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to change its policy, which allows trans athletes to compete under general guidance preventing any athlete from gaining an unfair advantage. The order is expected to affect only a small number of athletes. The president of the National Collegiate Athletics Association told a Senate panel in December he was aware of fewer than 10 transgender athletes among the 530,000 competing at 1,100 member schools. (Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Chris Reese)
