“URGENT action” to prevent children “being exposed to pornography, violence and other harmful content” is needed ahead of new laws coming into effect, a TD has said.
Fine Gael Deputy Keira Keogh is urging Coimisiun na Mean to ensure that video-sharing platforms and websites adhere to new explicit content rules.
The legislation, which is set to come into effect on July 21, will require platforms to verify user ages when accessing adult content.
Speaking on the issue, Deputy Keogh said: “As a newly elected TD and as Chair of the Children & Equality Committee, pushing for initiatives that protect children’s mental health from harmful online content is a top priority.
“Access to pornography nowadays is a free for all and is completely unregulated.”
She added: “If a parent discovered that their teenager had been exposed to pornography while watching television at a friend’s house, it’s likely they would be permanently banned from visiting, and the friend’s parent could be reported to Tusla.
“Yet we give teenagers smartphones with open access to the internet, where they regularly encounter misogynist and toxic content online, especially on well-known pornographic websites.”
Online Safety commissioner Niamh Hodnett has said that video-sharing platforms will be supervised by Coimisiun na Mean to ensure verifications are in place by July.
For explicit websites based outside of Ireland, the commission will work with the European Commission and regulators across the EU.
It follows calls by Tanaiste Simon Harris in recent weeks to give “serious consideration” to a social media ban for all children under 16.
Harris warned that such use represented a “ticking time bomb” and that while the current age of digital consent in Ireland is 16, there are a lot of “workarounds” to it.
Deputy Keogh has said: “It is welcome that the commission is working with European and UK counterparts to align age verification standards, as we can learn from other countries in models that they have adopted, what has been successful and what we could do differently.
“I support recent comments by Tánaiste Simon Harris, who said users here should be at least 16 before they can have a social media account, in line with Ireland’s Digital Age of Consent.
“I truly believe urgent action needs to be taken across the board to prevent children being exposed to pornography, violence and other harmful content online.”.
Keogh added that she looks forward to engaging with the commission and social media platforms through the Oireachtas Children’s Committee.
However, she noted: “The Online Safety Commissioner must ensure these new measures are robustly enforced and that non-compliant websites are named and subject to the appropriate sanctions.”
A WOMAN has left people stunned after sharing how she has changed since becoming a mum.
Olivia Hendrix recently became a mum for the first time, and while she’s thrilled to have a child, she was shocked to see how much she had changed.
Like most mums, Olivia was excited to meet her baby boy while pregnant.
But she didn’t consider just how much her appearance would change when he arrived.
In the clip, she said: “ME before having my son.”
She showed a clip of herself getting ready for an event dressed to the nines.
The mum had thick bleached blonde hairstyle in old Hollywood waves.
Her make-up was glamorous, with a fierce smoky, winged eye, chiselled cheeks and a nude lip.
But now, the mum has ditched the blonde hair and make-up.
The next clip saw the mum with her brown hair shoved into a messy bun, with no make-up on.
She wore an oversized grey T-shirt as she changed her son’s nappy and wrote ‘Me now.’
The clip has since gone viral on her TikTok account @obviouslyy_olivia with over 18 million views and 1.9 million likes.
“Just a tired mum laughing through the newborn trenches,” she wrote in response to the viral video.
People were quick to take to the comments, swearing to never have kids after seeing the mum’s difference.
One person wrote: “Sue someone. I don’t know who, but sue someone.”
Another commented: “Motherhood is a trap.”
“My birth control for the day,” penned a third.
There are a lot of strange myths around pregnancy - and some of them may surprise you...
Meanwhile a fourth said: “motherhood is the worst.”
“I’m never having kids,” claimed a fifth
Someone else added: “Motherhood destroys lives.”
Later, Olivia revealed she posted the clip as a joke and a reminder that priorities change after giving birth.
Many thanked her for her real look at navigating first time motherhood.
One penned: “People don’t realise what the price is of bringing a literal life on this earth.”
“That’s motherhood, your focus and love goes to your baby,” added another.
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MARIN Cilic made a big name for himself in the world of tennis.
During his impressive career, the Croatian star has been cheered along by his wife Kristina Milkovic.
Kristina is married to tennis star Marin Cilic.
She graduated with two Master’s Degrees from the University of Zagreb in 2014 – one in political science and the other in psychology.
Kristina can speak Croatian, English, Italian and Spanish fluently.
Following her degree, she was hired by Zagrebacka Banka – the largest bank in Croatia.
She then went on to become head of HR at Q Agency up until 2021.
She now works as the leadership board member of the Marin Cilic Foundation and is the founder of KMC consulting in Monaco.
The pair were reported to have first met in 2008 at the Davis Cup and started dating two years later.
In July 2017, the couple got engaged and within a year, on April 28, 2018, Cilic and Kristina got married in Croatia.
Kristina wore a stunning bespoke basketweave silk gazar designer wedding gown by Caroline Castigliano.
Guests from all over the world attended the intimate and romantic ceremony at the Church of St. Nicholas, with Roger Federer and Andy Roddick both attending the evening reception.
After Cilic won his first ATP 500 level title in Basel, the tennis star labelled his partner as his good luck charm.
The Wag can regularly be seen in the tennis crowds supporting her partner.
In the past, Milkovic has refused to give interviews and will not put her private life in the public eye.
She has an Instagram account, but she has kept this private.
However, you can follow Cilic on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with the tennis star..
You can find his account under the username @marincilic.
Marin and Kristina have two children.
Their first child is called Baldo Clic and was born on January 31, 2020, at Zagreb’s Sisters of Charity Hospital.
Their second son was born in September 2021.
Writing on social media at the time, Marin said: “Our small family has grown by another member.
“Grateful to share that Baldo’s best friend has arrived. And just like that we are officially a team of 4.
“Baby boy is doing great and Kristine Milković is an absolute rock star.
“We can’t wait to bring this guy home to his brother.”
09 January – 18
20 March – 22
12 June – 65
11 September – 242
30 October – 606
06 November – 662
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A BRITISH tourist and her friend from New Zealand have been killed by an elephant while on a walking safari in Zambia today, cops said.
The victims were tragically attacked by a female elephant that was a calf at South Luangwa National Park.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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PLANS have been dropped for the new Universal theme park coming to Bedfordshire.
The attraction will be divided into four main land areas known as the Core Zone, Lake Zone, West Gateway Zone and the East Gateway Zone.
Within these zones will be the theme park; retail and entertainment destinations; visitor accommodation including hotels, camping and caravanning; sport, recreation, leisure and spa facilities and conference and convention spaces.
The plans state: “[Guests will ]experience blockbuster attractions, adrenaline-pumping coasters, and mind-blowing spectaculars.
“They’ll come face-to-face with incredible creatures, heroes, and villains.
“They’ll discover great food, new laughs, new ways to play, and step into immersive worlds they’ve only ever dreamed of.”
The application also expresses that in the first year, 8.5million visitors are expected to the Core Zone.
Then, in future years, 12.5million visitors are expected annually.
The split between domestic and international visitors is expected to be 70 per cent and 30 per cent respectively in the first year.
Then 52 per cent and 48 per cent respectively in future years.
The attraction is also due to be open each day between 9am and 9pm, with visitors starting to arrive at 7am and depart up until 10pm.
Hotel arrivals would take place later, at 3pm, to coincide with check-in times.
The Universal UK theme park is expected to open in 2031.
Many parts of the application reference what will be included in the theme park.
This includes indoor and outdoor rides, attractions, games and pools.
There is also set to be events spaces for parades, shows and displays.
Entertainment venues are set to include theatres and cinemas and sport, recreation, leisure and spa facilities are also planned.
Other entertainment venues suggested are music and dance venues, nightclubs and even tattoo parlours.
Planned indoor and outdoor cultural spaces include exhibition spaces, art galleries and museums.
Under the accessibility section, the proposal also includes ride examples such as a Men in Black experience, One Fish Two Fish fairground ride and a Jurassic Park water-based ride.
Interestingly, the document also reveals that the site could have media and film production facilities, stating: “For instance a building may be used as a sound stage, film studio, event space or hosting a Universal Destinations & Experiences show or even a mixture of these uses.”
The application goes on to explain how the use of some buildings at the site may vary seasonally, “for instance during events such as Halloween Horror Nights”.
There will also be a maximum height of anything in the theme park of 115metres.
The Core Zone will be the central part of the attraction and is set “to contain the theme park, amusement park and/or water park”.
The plans also show that it could have an entry plaza, car and coach parking, a 500-room hotel, valet parking service and a transport hub.
The Lake Zone will be the northernmost part of the attraction.
In this zone, the proposed plans include business hotels with 2000 rooms, further hotels and accommodation with 3370 bedrooms and entertainment complex support.
This zone is also set to include the Convention Centre, which will span across 55,000square-metres.
Any shops in this zone will have a maximum size of 1,100square-metres.
In addition, this zone would have a new wetland habitat.
The East Gateway Zone will be located in the eastern area of the Bedfordshire site, located near the village of Wixams.
The East Gateway Zone would also adjoin the planned site of the new Wixams Rail Station.
The westernmost area of the site will feature the West Gateway Zone.
This zone is set to include a petrol station with 16 pumps, restaurants up to 5,866square-metres, a 200-bedroom hotel and entertainment resort complex support.
Any shops in this zone will have a maximum size of 1,100square-metres.
Universal is also committed to “creating a theme park experience that’s inclusive and accessible to everyone, ensuring that all our guests can embark on unforgettable journeys regardless of their abilities”.
For the UK park this means that there will be wide and smooth pathways for wheelchairs, ramps and lifts, accessible toilets in each toilet block and accessible hotel accommodation.
Rides would each have one row or seat that can accommodate wheelchair users or visitors with walking impairments.
Assistive technology would also be available throughout the park such as captioning, audio description, tactile maps and a phone app.
The overall site also plans to include a new junction on the A421, an expanded railway station on the Thameslink/Midland Main Line at Wixams, improvements to roads and potential land for a new railway station on the proposed EWR Bletchley to Bedford line (if this were to happen in the future).
The vision includes a four-platform, four-track station at Wixams with a new station building.
The application also reveals that the Core Zone could have a transport hub, where a “rail-related development may be provided”.
Pedestrian and cycle routes are set to be added to the park too.
In the mean time The Sun’s Sophie Swietochowski spent three days at Universal’s huge new £7bn theme park and has shared all the things worth doing… and the bits to skip.
DARTFORD Crossing is closed after a lorry crash as drivers face two-hour delays.
Fuel from the lorry’s tanker has spilled across all lanes of the bridge and it is completely blocked.
There are considerable delays tailing back from the bridge on the M25.
It is thought it will take considerable time for the fuel to be cleaned with delays expected into the evening.
The crash took place this morning at around 11am and involved a car and a lorry.
Traffic is set to be diverted through the right-hand tunnel of the crossing.
This means that northbound traffic will only have one tunnel to pass through at the crossing which connects Essex to Kent.
It’s not yet known whether there are any serious injuries.
SWAYING from side to side while clutching a pair of high heels, a drunken reveller stops outside a solicitor’s office, hikes up her dress and brazenly relieves herself in its doorway.
Nearby a group of sunburnt blokes dressed in stripey blazers polish off an enormous bottle of champagne before mindlessly discarding it, sending shards of shattered glass flying across the pavement.
This is Henley Regatta, the most prestigious event on the rowing calendar, held on the river banks of the upmarket Oxfordshire town for a week every year in July.
But such is the carnage that often ensues, largely thanks to an event schedule which kicks off around 9am and goes on into the night, fed up locals now dub the event ‘Ayia Rower’, after the notorious party resort Ayia Napa in Cyprus.
Terrified pub landlords and shop owners hire their own security guards to protect their premises from the rampaging hordes and their rowdy drunken antics – which have been known to include brawling, vandalism and shoplifting.
While the smartly dressed visitors in their designer outfits and Panama hats certainly look like they should know better, locals say it’s not unusual to see men urinating into the river and inebriated revellers passed out on the grass at the end of each day.
In years gone by police have even set up a mobile prisons to hold drunk and disorderly guests, those caught taking drugs or disturbing the peace, until they sober up.
Henley resident Gary Waite has lived in the town for 25 years and says he’s seen it all.
He told The Sun: “There is no recession when it comes to the Regatta.
“The trains disgorge hundreds of people in stripy blazers. I’ve seen them swigging from massive jeroboams of champagne – the equivalent of four bottles.
“The car parks are full of Rolls Royces.
“Another issue is broken glass everywhere. People are so drunk they smash beer and champagne bottles on the ground as soon as they get off the train, and our dogs walk in the broken glass.”
Others living near the town centre told us they have endured revellers brazenly taking drugs and brawling on the street.
And locals have previously told of over-amorous, boozy couples having sex.
When we visited on the first morning of the event, retired resident Jackie Fullalove said she’d already witnessed an ugly brawl.
“I just saw a ruckus between two young ladies with empty glasses over lunch – they’re hot and bothered and fighting already so it’s going to be very messy by the end of the day. The whole event is barking mad,” she said.
“We’ve heard about people using doorways as toilets. It’s gruesome.”
A road sweeper, who did not wish to be named, added: “The girls are far worse than the fellas.
“They’ve been to all the best schools but nobody has taught them how to use a dustbin, never mind a toilet.”
Of course the veneer of the Royal Regatta is highly respectable glossy and glamorous.
It is known as the most prestigious rowing event in the world, but in reality extra police officers are needed to patrol the narrow streets.
Every half an hour during Regatta Week around 1,500 people spill off trains from London to the famous festival.
The usual population of Henley is less than 12,200, but over the six days of racing the sedate town is overwhelmed by a staggering 300,000 visitors.
We watched as noisy crowds poured into the rows of swanky marquees lining the riverbanks, where plush hospitality enclosures serve up 25,000 pints of Pimm’s and more than 5,500 bottles of champagne.
They’ve been to all the best schools but nobody has taught them how to use a dustbin, never mind a toilet
Henley local
The formal dress code is so strict that men must wear jackets and ties, and smart summer dresses must fall below the knee – it was only three years ago that women were permitted to wear trousers.
Lavish floral displays, Union Jack flags and colourful bunting line the pretty streets, which are usually so immaculately kept that boutique owners have even been spotted vacuuming the pavement outside their shops.
One local businesswoman said she had become infuriated by mindless acts of vandalism she’ s noticed become more prevalent in recent years.
Jan Smith, from The Henley Florist, said: “Not only do our deliveries take much longer because of the much greater volume of traffic but expensive floral shop displays get pulled down and stolen.
“They have to be replaced. It’s a shame.”
The increased traffic flow also causes a headache for British Airways cabin crew worker Elizabeth Johnson, 70, who has lived in Henley for more than two decades but still gets frustrated during the annual Regatta.
She said: “Town gets busier and busier as the week goes on.
“Because of all the hoorays coming from London they change the frequency of the traffic lights to control the queues which makes it incredibly difficult to get in and out of town.
“When I finish a shift I might have been awake for 24 hours and my journey home from Heathrow Airport which usually takes 45 minutes can take over two hours.
“I’m so exhausted by then it’s dangerous to be driving.”
Visitors from as far as America, Australia and New Zealand had splashed out on high price tickets to feast on lavishly catered picnics, while scores of spectators in high spirits took to dinghies, old fashioned paddle boats and launches laden with beer, wine and champagne to cheer on their favourite crews.
Many looked worse for wear by lunchtime, and by mid afternoon all pretence of watching the rowing had vanished.
Come the evening the remains of high end picnics were packed away into wicker hampers, the marquees emptied and crowds of well spoken partygoers staggered across the narrow bridge into the centre of town.
Crowds squeezed up Hart Street to The Catherine Wheel – a Weatherspoon’s boozer and Henley’s largest pub.
The closest pub to the race course is The Angel on the Bridge, an historic institution that dates back to 1728.
Disgusted neighbours have endured more unsavoury shenanigans there after dark – including women going to extreme lengths to dodge lengthy toilet queues by nipping out of the boozer and urinating in the doorway of the solicitor’s office opposite instead.
In years gone by scenes have turned really ugly.
In 2017 locals were aghast when three men were arrested at the Regatta on suspicion of gang raping a woman in her twenties.
Cops released CCTV images as part of their investigation after a woman claimed she was attacked as she left the exclusive Chinawhite enclosure.
The previous year cops were caught on camera kneeing a punter in the face seven times before knocking him out and arresting him on drunk and disorderly charges.
Horrified witnesses watched as Gil Morgan was restrained in front of a crowd, although the charges were later dropped after he lodged a complaint.
This year the event, which was established in 1839, will host more than 4,000 athletes competing from 19 nations in 400 races across six days of elite competition.
Some locals welcome the festival, attended by royalty and celebrities, and the cheerful atmosphere it brings and dismiss the drunken behaviour as part of the fun.
Henley’s branch of Coppa Club is among the businesses which enjoy a huge boost from customers coming from all over the world.
The cocktail bar on Bell Street, where a bottle of champagne is £80 and cocktails are £11.50 each, was doing a roaring trade at lunchtime.
It is fully booked for champagne brunches, afternoon teas and dinner all week.
Manager Livia Viveirous, 52, revealed they rake in more than £5,000 a night during the wild week, more than at any other time of the year.
She told us: “Every single business is full, full, full. The amount we make this week will see us through the summer, we make at least two and a half times what we make on a usual week.
The amount we make this week will see us through the summer, we make at least two and a half times what we make on a usual week
Livia Viveirous, bar manager
“Everyone is in a good mood, getting merry.”
Pals Martin Saxon, 48, and Liam Johnson, 42, were among those spectating who cheerfully admitted they have little interest in the sport itself.
“People who haven’t been to Henley before think of it as very genteel, but the reality is completely different,” said Martin, a tree surgeon from Poole in Dorset.
“I come with my mates and we park up in our campervan for a party.
“The racing is finished by late afternoon and everyone heads into the town centre” added Martin. “It’s all going on.
“The pubs are where the real party is, not by the river,” Liam agreed. “When the weather is this good, why wouldn’t you?”
