Latest news with #safety

RNZ News
an hour ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Pasifika icons on Run It: 'We understand, just be safe'
Run It has taken social media by storm with tens of millions of views. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport A pair of Pasifika icons say they understand why their people take part in the 'Run It Straight' collision craze, but are urging participants to keep themselves safe. The viral trend has swept the nation in recent weeks, with sanctioned events for $20,000 prizes , copycat leagues forced to cancel events , and the tragic death of a teenager taking part in a similar game . While many have condemned those people participating , former All Black captain and Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga empathises with them. "I see they are predominantly our people, Māori or Pacific Islanders that are doing it, just trying to get ahead in life. I see, like we are here, trying to give opportunities for our people." Umaga does not endorse the game, but is pleading with his people to stay safe should they play. "My situation's different to theirs, so I don't judge in terms of why they do it. I can see why they're doing it, because it could give them a bit of a stepping stone into making a better life for them and their family, but it is just making sure that they keep themselves safe." All Black flanker Ardie Savea expressed his deep sadness for the teen who lost his life. Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, died after suffering a catastrophic head injury while playing a version of the game on Monday evening. "First and foremost is condolences to the young brother that sadly passed away and his family." Like Umaga, Savea said it was a complex situation. "It's a tough one, you can see the other side and understand why they're doing it." The Moana skipper said similar games were a big part of his childhood. "It's hard, because it kind of made me the rugby player I am. I used to do 'run it straights' in the backyard with 'bus' (older brother Julian Savea), so you kind of see both sides." However, he said people needed to be smart around precautions. "Obviously we don't want anyone getting hurt and obviously losing life. So I just encourage everyone to be safe, and condolences to the brother and his family." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

News.com.au
2 hours ago
- General
- News.com.au
‘Sickening abuse': Darwin man allegedly paid to watch children raped live
Six children in the Philippines are now safe after authorities uncovered a disturbing case of online child abuse allegedly orchestrated by a Darwin man from a yacht and vehicle in the Northern Territory. The man faced Darwin Local Court on Tuesday charged with five serious offences, including allegedly instructing the abuse of children as young as six via live video from a remote location. The investigation began after Australian Border Force officers allegedly discovered child abuse material on the man's mobile phone during a baggage search when he arrived at Darwin Airport on New Year's Day. The matter was referred to the Northern Territory Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (NT JACET) who later executed a search warrant at Dinah Beach on January 3. The man was arrested after being found living between a vehicle and a yacht. Police allege forensic examination of his mobile device uncovered sexually explicit images and videos of children, along with video calls showing the man instructing facilitators in the Philippines to carry out child abuse while he watched live. NT JACET investigators passed information to Australian Federal Police officers in Manila, prompting a Philippines National Police operation in April. That led to the arrest of two suspects and the removal of six children from abusive environments. The Darwin man has been charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with a child outside Australia (maximum 20 years' imprisonment if convicted), two counts of sexual activity with a child outside Australia (maximum 20 years), and one count of possessing child abuse material (maximum 15 years). AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said protecting children was one of the AFP's highest priorities. 'All victims of child sexual exploitation experience lifelong harm because of the selfish actions of their abusers,' Superintendent Davis said. 'The AFP will continue to work closely with local, Commonwealth and international partners to protect children from sickening abuse and together identify offenders and bring them before the courts.' Philippines National Police Brigadier General Portia Manalad praised the co-operation between agencies. 'The PNP Women and Children Protection Centre will continue to locate alleged offenders and rescue victims with the assistance of our foreign partners,' she said. NT Police Senior Sergeant Toby Wilson said the community could be confident police were committed to pursuing offenders and protecting vulnerable children. ABF Commander Tracie Griffin said the case highlighted the critical role of frontline officers. 'Six children are safe because of their diligence and the work of our domestic and international law enforcement partners,' she said.


Fox News
3 hours ago
- General
- Fox News
Transportation Department deploying artificial intelligence to spot air traffic dangers, Duffy says
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently announced that artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to detect and address air traffic risks, following a slew of near-misses and fatal plane crashes across the country. Duffy told FOX 5 DC that officials are implementing AI to "identify and address potential air traffic risks nationwide," potentially aiding in preventing tragedies like the fatal Jan. 29 midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that claimed the lives of 67 people. Following the Potomac River crash, which involved a commercial plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, Duffy announced a plan to build a new "state-of-the-art" traffic control system that will equip locations with better technology to reduce outages, improve efficiency and reinforce safety. Duffy told FOX 5 that when investigators were looking into how to prevent collisions, they asked themselves, "Are there any other DCAs out there?" The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) previously said it identified 15,214 instances of planes getting alerts about helicopters in close proximity near DCA between October 2021 and December 2024. Duffy said the Department of Transportation is now using AI to "help us analyze different hot spots in the country" and take action "before you have the tragedy of what we saw on the 29th of January." It is unclear how hot spots are being identified, and which safety concerns AI is being used to search for. It is also uncertain if the new technology could be used to address recent staffing concerns and outages at Newark Liberty Internal Airport, which Duffy attributed to the previous administration's transfer of airspace control from New York to Philadelphia. "We have an antiquated and old air traffic control system, anywhere from 25 to 35 [years old], 40 years old in some places. It is in desperate need of a brand new build," Duffy said during a news conference on Wednesday. "The last administration signed a 15-year contract to upgrade the telecom [wiring with fiber lines]," he continued. "It shows how there was not a focus on the true issues that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was facing… We are not going to pass the buck. We're actually going to fix it. We're going to do the work, to make sure that we do have a state-of-the-art air traffic control system." The Department of Transportation did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.


CBS News
4 hours ago
- Health
- CBS News
Video shows close call between e-bike and car in Massachusetts
E-bike sales are on the rise across Massachusetts, but so are accidents involving the electric two-wheelers, prompting concern from law enforcement and fellow riders. As more cyclists take to the roads, some say they are doing their best to stay safe. Haruki Takano said he tries to stick to bike lanes and obey traffic laws, but it is the cars he is worried about. "People in Boston, or people in America in general, I feel like they're rougher if they're driving. They're more aggressive," said Takano. "So, for example, I'll be careful not to get into anyone's blind spots or make turns too quickly." Close call in Medway Law enforcement officials are echoing the concerns. In Medway, police recently released video footage showing a near-collision when an e-bike rider sped through a red light. Police released video of a close call between an e-bike and a car in Medway, Massachusetts. Police said the e-bike rider went through a red light. Medway Police Department E-bike rider Lee Steinmetz said scenes like that are all far too familiar. "I feel like as a bicyclist who's trying to be taken seriously, that we've got to follow the rules, stop at the red lights," Steinmetz said. "I've seen a lot of people ride on the wrong side of the street, which is not good." Same rules of the road for bikes Lt. Jeffrey Watson of the Medway Police Department said e-bikes are subject to the same rules of the road as traditional bicycles under Massachusetts law. "A bicycle in Massachusetts has to follow all the rules of the road," Watson said. He added that e-bikes must be equipped with front-facing lights, are not permitted on sidewalks, and should stay as far to the right side of the road as possible. Watson said his department is receiving more complaints as the number of e-bikes grows. "We get a lot of calls on exactly that," he said. "'Oh, this young kid just weaved out into the road, they cut in front of me.'" Despite the growing tensions, some riders believe a solution is possible. "We all have to learn to co-exist together, cars, bikes, pedestrians," rider Noreen Steinmetz said. "I know we can do it. It's just not that hard."


Fox News
6 hours ago
- General
- Fox News
Missing military flares prompt urgent warning for Lake Michigan beachgoers
The U.S. Coast Guard is warning beachgoers to "remain clear" if they come across a silver-shaped cylinder along the shoreline, as it could be an armed flare. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan said in a statement three phosphorus pyrotechnic flares were unaccounted for after a joint military exercise with the Coast Guard and Air Force earlier this month offshore Milwaukee. During the exercise, four phosphorus pyrotechnics that were deployed did not activate when entering the water, according to officials. One phosphorous pyrotechnic was located on Montrose Beach, Illinois, by a lifeguard on May 26. However, three phosphorus pyrotechnics are still unaccounted for. The missing pyrotechnics are still considered armed when they do not activate. Phosphorus pyrotechnics produce a red smoke and flame that can reach temperatures of 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit, according to military officials.