Latest news with #publicAwareness
Arab News
4 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Greening initiative sees 31m trees planted in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province
RIYADH: More than 31 million trees have been planted in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province as part of a nationwide afforestation project, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. The trees were planted by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, working with 51 other entities, under a program launched in November. The authorities aim to plant 1.5 billion trees in the province by 2100, rehabilitating more than 7.9 million hectares of land. The scheme is part of the nationwide Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees — 600 million by 2030 — and rehabilitate more than 40 million hectares of land. As well as planting trees, the center has been engaged in a program of environmental monitoring, combating illegal logging and raising public awareness across the Eastern Province. It also works to prevent sand encroachment in farming areas that are at risk of soil degradation and uses native plant species to populate its afforestation areas in order to maintain the ecological balance of local habitats. The center also organizes the National Afforestation Season in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
Khaleej Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE authority finds multiple gas use violations, launches awareness campaign
Poor installation, substandard equipment, and lack of regular maintenance are among the most common risks associated with gas use in Abu Dhabi, according to field surveys and inspections conducted by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE). The department observed frequent violations among residents using LPG systems, including domestic workers and labourers who use gas appliances, as well as employers in restaurants and cafeterias who are responsible for ensuring their workers are adequately trained. Violators also included recruitment companies involved in hiring workers for such roles. Among the most common violations were the use of substandard hoses and gas equipment, reliance on unlicensed gas suppliers, and the storage of gas cylinders without a permit from the Department of Energy — all of which pose significant safety risks. However, these risks can be mitigated through stricter enforcement, certified installations, and increased public awareness. Thousands of inspections To safeguard lives and property, the DoE launched the second phase of its public awareness campaign promoting the safe and responsible use of LPG systems. Held under the slogan 'your safety is our priority', the campaign continues efforts initiated in 2024 and 2025 to reinforce regulatory compliance and embed a culture of safety. Ahmed Alsheebani, Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs for the Petroleum Products Sector, told Khaleej Times, 'We inspected more than 11,000 facilities as part of broader efforts to enhance compliance, encourage the safe use of gas, and instill a culture of safety and accountability across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.' Precautions As part of the gas systems improvement initiative, the Department replaced 450 central gas tanks and control panels, installed over 10,000 gas leak detectors in buildings. It decommissioned outdated or duplicate systems in several properties to reduce risk. Alsheebani added 'This vital project significantly enhanced the safety of central gas systems across the emirate, through thorough assessments and necessary upgrades.' To ensure compliance, the DoE enforces a series of gas safety regulations. These include prohibiting the use of gas cylinders in buildings equipped with compliant central gas systems, ensuring proper ventilation and emergency exits in commercial kitchens, and mandating periodic maintenance by authorised service providers. Leaks must be reported immediately via emergency numbers 997. Requirements Commercial establishments, such as restaurants, must also maintain updated documentation, including: a Certificate of Conformity, a No-Objection Certificate, a Project Completion Certificate, an Annual Maintenance Contract, and a Civil Defense Safety and Prevention Compliance Certificate. Failure to comply could result in legal consequences, including potential closure. Adopting preventive practices The department advises families and food establishments to adopt preventive practices, like installing gas leak detectors, working only with authorised gas companies, and conducting regular safety checks. For instance, homeowners are encouraged to test for leaks by applying soapy water to gas connections — bubbles may indicate a leak — and to promptly replace any damaged hoses. Alsheebani stressed, 'If you smell gas, turn off the main valve immediately, ventilate the area, avoid turning on electrical switches or flames, and call emergency services or your gas provider.' Through its ongoing awareness campaign, the DoE is promoting safe gas use through a comprehensive outreach strategy. This includes digital campaigns in eight languages across social media platforms, SMS notifications in partnership with government entities, and the distribution of multilingual leaflets to food businesses. Additionally, the department is organising Gas Safety Majlis sessions and interactive workshops aimed at vulnerable groups, including labourers and kitchen workers, utilising educational tools like virtual reality to reinforce best safety practices and alter behaviour.
CNET
19-05-2025
- CNET
Ever Wonder What Happens After You Report a Scam? I Did, Too
When we write about fraud or identity theft at CNET, we normally advise victims to contact the Federal Trade Commission or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center to share their experience. Even if you didn't lose money or give up any personal identifiable information -- like your Social Security number -- in a conversation with a cybercriminal, you should still report the scam. Only 38% of fraud reports received by the FTC in 2024 involved monetary losses. Fraud reports help the FTC and FBI inform and educate the public about popular scams and aid local and federal authorities in catching criminals. If you do fall victim to a scam, there are other steps you can take, including signing up for identity theft protection, freezing your credit reports or reaching out to your bank or credit card company to recover stolen funds. But don't forget to let the FTC and FBI know. Here's why. Why should you report fraud? When you report fraud, you're being a good samaritan -- and you may help reduce the chances of a scam hurting someone else. Both the FTC and the FBI's IC3 division study trends and update the public about popular swindles orchestrated by cybercriminals using information provided by everyday Americans. Some popular scams the agencies have warned about in recent months include toll road scams, fake USPS texts and criminals impersonating government agencies. "The more information the FTC and IC3 receive, the better statistics they can get and use to alert consumers," said Chelsea Binns, a certified fraud examiner and associate professor at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The FTC and IC3 also release annual reports detailing trends from the previous year using submitted complaints. Data is broken down by age, state, the frequency of specific crimes and dollars lost to each fraud type. Both agencies allow consumers to receive email alerts about popular scams year-round. To sign up for FTC alerts, click here. You can sign up for IC3 alerts here. The FTC and IC3 also work with law enforcement to help catch cybercriminals. When you file a report with the FTC, it's added to its Consumer Sentinel database, which 2,800 federal, state, and local law enforcement partners across the country can access. Trained IC3 analysts similarly review and research complaints and pass along information to authorities. "This is how they can potentially build cases against fraudsters," Binns said. How do I report fraud to the FTC and FBI? You can report fraud-related scams to the FTC at Cyber-related crimes should also be reported to IC3 at Combined, these agencies received over 3.4 million complaints last year. Keep in mind that it's unlikely that you'll hear from the FTC or IC3 after you file a report -- despite your complaint being used to corroborate information or inform trends. If someone posing as a government official reaches out to you and demands money, offers you a prize or threatens to arrest you, it's a scam. If you're a victim of identity theft, a specific category of fraud, you can report your case to the FTC at or by calling 1-877-438-4338. The FTC will lay out steps to recover your identity based on the information you provide. Each of these steps, such as calling bill collectors and contacting bank fraud departments, can be time-consuming and may cost you money, especially if you have a lawyer handle it for you. If you have an identity theft protection service with white glove restoration services, this checklist can be completed for you. Can I get my money back after falling for a scam? Typically, unauthorized debit and credit card purchases are easier to reverse. If you send money to scammers yourself (like in a gold bar scam), getting your money back is more difficult. You should contact your bank as soon as possible so they can hopefully cancel a transaction. In cases where cryptocurrency is involved, payments are pretty much irreversible. Depending on the type of fraud you endured, you'll want to take basic steps like changing your password, enrolling in two-factor authentication and turning on alerts for purchases made on your credit and debit cards. You should also consider deleting saved payment info from websites, Binns said. In the weeks and months after falling victim to fraud, it's essential to be on guard against any stranger who contacts you promising to get your money back. "What will happen is the original fraudster will come to you posing as an organization or service that is going to help you recover the funds you've lost," she said. "And, in turn, it'll just be another scam."
Jordan Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Panel urges national strategy to counter rumours, hate speech
Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Momani speaks during a panel discussion on Saturday titled, 'Enhancing Public Awareness in the Face of Rumours and Hate Speech.' (Photo provided) AMMAN — A panel discussion aimed at addressing the rise of rumours and hate speech in Jordanian society was held on Saturday under the theme, 'Enhancing Public Awareness in the Face of Rumours and Hate Speech.' Organised by the Young Women's Foundation for Political Empowerment, the session featured Minister of Government Communication and official spokesperson Mohammad Momani, alongside representatives from civil society organisations and media institutions. Momani described the growing spread of misinformation and hate speech as a 'global challenge' that requires a comprehensive national response. While reaffirming the government's commitment to freedom of expression as a pillar of national security, he stressed the need for a responsible and balanced exercise of this right. 'Constructive and objective criticism is essential for improving public policy,' he said. 'However, unsubstantiated scepticism and misinformation are unacceptable.' The minister noted that in the digital age, where information circulates rapidly and widely, governments must remain open to critique but vigilant against deliberate disinformation. He warned of organised campaigns aimed at eroding public trust and undermining state institutions. To confront these challenges, Momani called for legislative measures to criminalise the intentional spread of rumours and hate speech—while carefully safeguarding freedom of expression and protecting against discrimination based on origin or national affiliation. He also emphasised the importance of strengthening political and media literacy among youth to help them critically evaluate information. In this context, he highlighted the role of social media influencers and the use of cybersecurity tools in disseminating accurate information and combating online disinformation. 'Spreading rumours is often a calculated attempt to distort political discourse and damage public confidence in state institutions,' Momani said, underscoring the need for collaboration between traditional and digital media. He reaffirmed that mainstream media remains the most reliable source of verified information. The minister also called for enhanced cooperation between the government and civil society to promote responsible media practices, combat hate speech, and ensure the credibility of public communication. Participants in the session echoed the need to rebuild trust between citizens and official media. They urged journalists to prioritise accuracy over speed and encouraged public figures and analysts to support the national narrative. The discussion further underscored the importance of empowering youth to verify information, expanding media literacy programmes in local communities, and working with English-language journalists to effectively communicate national perspectives abroad. Recommendations included integrating media education into school curricula, creating rapid-response mechanisms to address misinformation, and supporting youth-led initiatives and positive influencers to foster public trust in official media.
