Latest news with #ChildProtection
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Orban says police will not disperse Budapest Pride march
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said police will not "break up" Saturday's Budapest Pride march despite issuing a ban, but warned attendees and organisers about the legal consequences. Orban's ruling coalition amended laws and the constitution earlier this year to prohibit the annual celebration, advancing his widely condemned, years-long clampdown on LGBTQ rights in the name of "child protection". Last week, police banned the Pride march from taking place in Budapest, citing recent legal changes forbidding the promotion or display of homosexuality to under-18s. But organisers, including the Budapest city hall, disputed the legality of the decision and pledged the parade would go ahead. The ban has drawn international condemnation. "Of course, the police could break up such events, because they have the authority to do so, but Hungary is a civilised country, a civic society. We don't hurt each other," Orban told state radio during his weekly interview on Friday. "There will be legal consequences, but it cannot reach the level of physical abuse." Attendees risk a fine of up to 500 euros ($580) with police empowered to use facial recognition technology to identify them. Organisers could face a one-year prison sentence. - 'Wider push' - However, opposition Budapest mayor Gergely Karacsony insisted during a briefing with visiting EU equalities commissioner Hadja Lahbib that no attendee can face any reprisals as the march is a municipal event and does not require police approval. "The police have only one task tomorrow, and it is a serious one: to ensure the safety of Hungarian and European citizens attending the event," Karacsony told journalists, warning that far-right actors could be emboldened by the government to disrupt the Pride march. Far-right groups have announced multiple counterprotests along the planned route of the procession. Dozens of EU lawmakers are expected to attend the Pride parade, as well as ministers and mayors from multiple European Union countries, according to the organisers. Lahbib said she is still assessing whether to participate given her role as commissioner, but assured the Hungarian LGBTQ community of the EU's support. "These attacks are part of a wider push to roll back progress and undo the rights that generations before us fought for," the Belgian commissioner told journalists. "The right to gather peacefully is one of those rights. It must be protected and upheld across the European Union," she added. Organisers hope Saturday's Pride march will see a record turnout of more than 35,000 to signal a strong rebuke of Orban's anti-LGBTQ policies. Hungary's nationalist premier on Friday rejected calls from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to reverse the ban, comparing her to late Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. "She considers Hungary a subordinate country and she thinks she can dictate to Hungarians from Brussels how they should live, what they should like, what they should dislike, what their legal system should be like, what should be banned and what should not be. Exactly like Brezhnev," Orban said. ros/jza/gv
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Highlights Global Leadership in Protecting Children in Cyberspace
As part of the global initiative 'Child Protection in Cyberspace' (CPC) launched by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the permanent mission of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations in Geneva organized a side event focused on enhancing capacity building to protect children in cyberspace as a shared global responsibility. The event was held on the sidelines of the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council in partnership with the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) and the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. The CPC initiative aims to provide a safe and empowering environment for children worldwide. The session, attended by the permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdulmohsen Majed bin Khothaila, featured participation from the GCF, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the WeProtect Global Alliance. The session highlighted Saudi Arabia's pioneering efforts in protecting children in cyberspace through a comprehensive and proactive approach that includes implementing national frameworks, developing educational programs, and enhancing international cooperation in the field. These efforts align with the objectives of Vision 2030, which places investment in human capital at the core of social and economic development. Meanwhile, the GCF launched a joint project with UNICEF aimed at training and preparing over 5 million parents and caregivers worldwide on best practices to protect children from cyber risks, along with providing specialized technical support to child helpline service providers in 30 countries. The session concluded with participants emphasizing the importance of building effective partnerships between countries, international organizations, and the private sector to implement comprehensive capacity-building programs and ensure the protection of children in cyberspace.
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
The winners and losers of NSW Budget 2025
Foster carers and children are among the winners in this year's NSW state budget, as the government allocates historic funding to the child protection system. The state has reported a $3.4 billion budget deficit in the 2025-26 financial year, down from a $10.7 billion deficit inherited in 2023-24. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey says the government is on track to record a $1.1 billion budget surplus by 2027-28. Here are the winners and losers. WINNERS Children and Foster Carers A $1.2 billion Child Protection Package has been unveiled to support more than 17,000 children in the foster care system. The package includes: $797.6 million to support children and young people in out-of-home care. $143.9 million in increased Foster Care Allowance from January 1. $49.2 million for 44 government owned residential care homes. $10 million to support the Office of the Children's Guardian. $191.5 million for 200 new caseworkers and retain 2,126 caseworkers. Treasurer Mookhey says it is the largest investment in child protection in NSW history. Developers and Homebuyers The government will introduce a $1 billion Pre-Sale Finance Guarantee to accelerate the delivery of residential developments. The five year plan will remove financial barriers for developers and will be invested in residential development project packages for medium to high density houses. Treasurer Mookhey says the "nation leading" reform would put more supply in the system, in the hope of getting more people into homes and driving down costs. Emergency Services The Budget will be delivering $4.2 billion for disaster relief and emergency services. It will include: $42.2 million for 52 staff at a new 24-hour Badgerys Creek Fire Station. $34.4 million for Rural Fire Service. $17 million to renew Fire and Rescue fire-fighting fleet. $50 million to upgrade police ICT systems. $46.3 million for a new offshore patrol vessel. $87.7 million to strengthen Cyber Security NSW. $154.5 million to help communities recover from Cyclone Alfred. Western Sydney The state government will continue its infrastructure push in Western Sydney, with funding allocated to boost transport and health. Aerotropolis The state government is investing $835 million in infrastructure around the new Western Sydney airport and the Aerotropolis. The state and federal government will jointly commit $1 billion to upgrade the first stage of Fifteenth Avenue. Hospitals A further $700 million will be invested for the Bankstown Hospital (bringing total investment to $2 billion). $492 million for a new Pathology Hub at Westmead. $836.4 million for health services and hospital expansions. Public sector workers More than 90,000 public sector workers are set to receive pay increases which will cost the government more than $2 billion. This includes corrections officers, transport workers, school assistants and other essential workers. Public school and TAFE teachers will also benefit from a multi-year pay increase and increased job security, with over 3,000 casual staff to be offered permanent roles. Renewable Energy $2.1 billion injected into the state's five Renewable Energy Zones. Justice system A $49.4 million will be invested for a new hub to support victim-survivors of family and domestic violence and $34.5 million will be spent to upgrade major courts in NSW, facilitating 15 new courtrooms for victims and their families. $100 million will be spent on increasing the capacity of the prison system and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will receive $48.3 million in funding. Creative Industries The arts and tourism sector will receive a $586 million funding to support culture and night-time entertainment. The $586 million package includes: $280.6 million for Screen NSW. $100 million in funding to locate a new screen production space. $135 million for Destination NSW marketing and tourism initiatives. LOSERS Drivers The government has not yet committed to extending the $60 a week toll cap, which is due to expire in January 2026. The toll relief scheme has so far saved motorists $139 million in claims since January 2024. The state has set aside $15.4 million to spearhead toll reform, which hopes to deliver relief in the long run. Average Households There are no new major cost-of-living measures for average households in this budget. However, the National Energy Bill Relief Fund will be extended, offering $150 in energy bill relief to households and eligible small businesses from July to December 2025. Tax Dodgers The state government has extended funding for Revenue NSW's tax integrity program to crack down on tax dodgers. The program will continue beyond the 2025-26 financial year. Public sector workers A pay deal has been reached for some public workers including doctors, nurses and psychiatrists. Golfers The NSW government plans to reclaim part of Moore Park Golf Course to create a 20-hectare public park. $50 million will be spent on transforming part of Moore Park South into a public area, which will include facilities for public sport and recreational use.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Get involved: Send in your questions about staying safe online
Do you have questions about how to stay safe online? Companies have until 25 July to apply new safety measures laid out by Ofcom - the regulator that oversees TV, radio and the internet in the UK. It comes after the Online Safety Act was introduced, making online and social media companies legally responsible for keeping children and young people safe will be speaking to the government about the new regulations and we want to ask them YOUR questions. What do you want to know about online safety? Is there anything you want to know or ask the government about the new safety measure? Let us know in the comments below. What is the Online Safety Act 2023? The Online Safety Act is a new set of laws which aims to protect children and adults from illegal and harmful content online. The new guidelines mean tech companies will have to make changes to the technology they use that recommends content to young people, and introduce better age checks by 25 July 2025 or they could face big says its new rules include more than 40 guidelines that tech firms must follow, including:Algorithms - tech which offers content users may like - must be changed to filter out harmful content from children's age checks for people accessing age-restricted quick action when harmful content is terms of service easy for children to children the option to decline group chats invitations which may include harmful content, and to block and mute accounts and to disable comments on their own support to children who come across harmful a "named person accountable for children's safety" at the organisation.A yearly review of possible risks to children.
Fox News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Attorney Arrested After Opposing Trans Treatments for Kids Speaks Out
The Supreme Court's decision to affirm Tennessee's ban on so called 'Gender Affirming Care' was a victory for people like activist/attorney Lois McLatchie Miller. On June 6, police in Brussels, Belgium arrested her and child protection advocate Chris Elston (aka 'Billboard Chris') for peacefully displaying signs promoting the protection of children against transgender medical treatments. Their signs read 'Children are never born in the wrong body' and 'Children cannot consent to puberty blockers.' The pair went to the EU capital to engage members of the European Parliament about the dangers of puberty blockers for children. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Miller, an attorney for Alliance Defending Freedom International, reacts to the Justices' decision, and also talks about her experiences being arrested for standing up for her deeply held beliefs that 'children are made in the image of God, and they are made as beings that should be loved and cherished.' Miller shares how instead of addressing the mob threatening them, the police arrested the two holding signs. She says it's a blatant example of how deep Western culture has aligned itself with the transgender movement and pushes back aggressively against any who challenge its orthodoxy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
