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Tag: Risks

  • iPhone feature saved skiers from deadly avalanche—how you can turn it on

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    An iPhone safety feature is drawing renewed attention after six skiers were rescued during California’s deadliest recorded avalanche, with survivors using satellite messaging to stay in contact with emergency responders when traditional cell service failed.

    The avalanche struck near Lake Tahoe, killing eight people and leaving one missing, while six others were located and rescued after hours in severe winter conditions.

    The skiers were able to communicate with authorities using Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature when they found themselves outside cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

    Remote Areas

    Apple introduced Emergency SOS via satellite with the iPhone 14 lineup. The feature is available on supported models running iOS 16.1 or later and is designed for use in remote areas where cellular signals are not accessible.

    The satellite tool, available on newer iPhone models, allows users to text emergency services directly when traditional networks are unavailable. As interest in the feature grows, Apple users have been discussing how it works—and whether it should remain free.

    In the Lake Tahoe rescue, communication between the stranded group and emergency personnel proved critical.

    Rescuers ultimately found the group roughly 11 hours after the avalanche began, according to reports from Inc.

    Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon described the strength of the slide, saying: “A two would bury a person. A three would bury a house and it’s right in the middle of those two.”

    ‘Life saving’

    Reddit contributors reacting to the story said the feature justified the cost of newer iPhones.

    “This is probably the best feature the iPhone has ever added, possibly only behind fall detection in Apple Watches,” a fan declared on Reddit.

    Another agreed that, “This is the kind of feature that justifies the premium. Most people will never need it, but for the ones who do, it’s literally life-saving.”

    Some critics, however, raised concerns about reports that the feature may not remain free indefinitely.

    “The only worry is that it’s still planned to be a paid feature… which I think is completely wrong,” one remarked.

    Apple advises users to first attempt calling 911 or local emergency services, even if their regular carrier shows no service.

    If the call fails, iPhones will display an option to use Emergency Text via Satellite. Users can tap “Report Emergency” and follow on-screen prompts while keeping the phone held naturally with a clear line of sight to the sky.

    Once connected, the iPhone shares critical information with responders, including the user’s location, elevation, Medical ID (if set up), emergency contacts, responses to an emergency questionnaire and the device’s battery level.

    Risks Posed

    Apple also recommends trying the built-in demo under Settings > Emergency SOS before traveling to remote areas. The demo does not contact emergency services, but walks users through the satellite connection process.

    Emergency SOS via satellite is not available in all countries and regions and works only on supported models.

    As extreme weather and backcountry travel continue to pose risks, the Lake Tahoe rescue has prompted renewed attention on how smartphones can function as a lifeline when traditional networks fail.

    Newsweek has reached out to Apple for comment via email.

    To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, click here.

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  • Why Leaders and Workers Think Differently About Workplace Safety Risks

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    Workplace safety is very much in the news at the moment, thanks to reports about “bad doors” and weak ergonomic design in workspaces, the threat of heat-related injuries at work, and AI’s role in boosting safety on the job. But a new study sheds a different and slightly worrying light on the topic, which may cause you to rethink your workplace safety and education programs. The report, from Colorado-based small business insurer Pie Insurance, shows that there are wide gaps between what employers think about certain key safety issues, and how their employees view those same risks.

    The insurer noted in its 2025 Small Business Employee Voice on Workplace Safety Report that both staff and leaders agree that around half of all workplace injuries can be prevented. Still, more than two-thirds of employee respondents said they remain concerned about safety at work, industry news site InsuranceBusinessMag notes. Fully 58 percent have actually witnessed workplace injuries happening in the last year, and 43 percent say they’ve sometimes felt pressured by their companies to work in conditions that were actually unsafe. This may be a “it’s an emergency get it done, we need this now,” leadership mentality, or it may be a sign of deeper disregard for safety matters — but the fact that over four in 10 of all workers surveyed feel like this is concerning.

    One main area where employees and workers disagree on workplace safety is mental health. Pie’s report says that mental health has become the leading workplace safety worry among workers: 32 percent of those surveyed identified it as the top issue. This may surprise some, since “safety” has been traditionally a word connected with physical injury risks — Pie’s survey supports this, with 20 percent of respondents calling it their top concern, while 9 percent rated environmental issues at the top and 4 percent chose equipment safety. 

    Where workers and employers disagree is shown most clearly in how each group envisions support systems for mental health issues. Fully 91 percent of employers say they’re confident about support, but just 62 percent of employees agree. The matter is of serious concern to workers, though, with 36 percent saying that work stresses carry over to impact their personal lives, affecting their motivation, anxieties and sleep.

    Pie’s study also found a disconnect between how employees feel about reporting safety issues — 17 percent of respondents said they didn’t feel comfortable doing it. Of these people, over one in three feel this way because they worry their company will retaliate, a third feel like it would make them seem like a “difficult” worker, and 31 percent simply don’t report because they feel like it would result in zero mitigation actions by their employer. 

    Another gap exists over training on workplace safety, with 63 percent of surveyed employers saying they offer properly formatted training, but just 29 percent of workers say they get regular safety training and fully 28 percent said they’ve never had any.

    What’s your big takeaway from this? You may, after all, think that you’re properly in tune with your workers when it comes to safety, and there may even be a pretty large number posted next to that “days since last accident:” sign.

    The fact is that you and your staff may not be singing from the same sheet music. Pie’s data suggests that gaps between employee and employer attitudes are much more common than you think.

    InsuranceBusinessMag points out another issue that may arise from this disconnect: data show smaller and medium-size companies are “increasingly expanding into higher-risk work to remain profitable.” As they do this, workplace safety risks and costs and, as a result, insurance issues will multiply, spotlighting workplace safety.

    It might be time to revisit your workplace safety protocols, run a training session with your staff, and promise them that if they report issues they spot there will be no reprisals. Addressing workplace mental health could also be a priority, and that’s something you can affect by checking and modifying company culture. Offering perks like flexible working or hybrid work solutions, and even getting training yourself on how to spot and help your worker’s mental health problems are good first steps.

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    Kit Eaton

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  • Central Florida doctor unveils kratom research findings, potential dangers

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    Central Florida doctor unveils kratom research findings, potential dangers

    Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center emergency medicine physician and toxicologist, Dr. Josef Thundiyil, joins WESH 2 to discuss the potential dangers of kratom.

    ALERT AND FOCUSING ON A SUBSTANCE CALLED KRATOM. ACCORDING TO THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, THE FDA HERE SAYS THIS SUPPLEMENT IS TYPICALLY MARKETED AS AN ENERGY BOOSTER, MOOD LIFTER, PAIN RELIEVER, AND OPIOID WITHDRAWAL REMEDY. IT’S FOUND AT DISPENSARIES, EVEN RESTAURANTS, SOMETIMES INFUSED WITH DRINKS. AND DESPITE ITS GROWING POPULARITY, THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO THE SUBSTANCE. SO HERE TO GIVE US ANSWERS AND SHARE RESEARCH AND FINDINGS, WE HAVE EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN AND TOXICOLOGIST AT ORLANDO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, DOCTOR JOSEPH DUNHILL. GREAT TO SEE YOU, DOCTOR. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. OKAY, SO YOU’VE DONE THE WORK HERE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE’VE HEARD A GOOD BIT ABOUT LATELY. THE KRATOM PRODUCTS. WHAT ARE YOUR FINDINGS IN TERMS OF LOOKING INTO THIS SUBSTANCE THAT IS REALLY WIDELY POPULAR AND WIDELY AVAILABLE? YEAH. AS A BACKGROUND, THERE’S A FEW CONCERNS THAT HAVE COME UP. NUMBER ONE, IT’S VERY UNREGULATED. THERE’S ABOUT 40 DIFFERENT CHEMICAL ALKALOIDS IN THIS. THE SECOND IS THAT WE KNOW IT’S ADDICTIVE. SOME OF THE REPORTS FROM PEOPLE IS THAT IT’S COMPULSIVELY ADDICTIVE. PEOPLE SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A DAY TO GET SORT OF A FIX WITH IT. THE OTHER THING WE KNOW IS THAT IT INTERACTS WITH EXISTING MEDICATIONS THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE ON. WE DON’T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THOSE INTERACTIONS ARE. AND THEN THE FINAL THING, EVEN BEFORE I GOT INTO THIS RESEARCH, IS THAT WE KNOW THAT THERE’S NO PROVEN MEDICAL BENEFITS. SO PEOPLE ARE USING THIS WITH THE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE HELPING, BUT WE DON’T KNOW THAT IT’S HELPING THEM WITH ANYTHING. AND YOU WORKED WITH A LOT OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO PUT THIS TOGETHER. MORE THAN TWO DOZEN, I BELIEVE. YEAH. WE WORKED ACTUALLY. IT WAS A GROUP OF US PHYSICIANS. WE ESSENTIALLY REACHED OUT TO 25 MEDICAL EXAMINERS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. REALLY TO TRY TO ANSWER THE QUESTION IS, ARE PEOPLE DYING FROM KRATOM? AND WE FOUND SOME VERY INTERESTING THINGS. WE ACTUALLY HAD THE MEDICAL EXAMINER SEND US ANY REPORTED DEATHS, AND WE FOUND ALMOST 40 DEATHS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT FIVE YEARS. OKAY. AND WAS THIS TIED TO ANYTHING SPECIFIC? THE SUBSTANCE AND OPIOIDS OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES? NO, THESE ARE DEATHS IN THE ABSENCE OF OPIOIDS. NOW, WE KNOW THAT THE CHEMICAL STRUCTURE RESEMBLES OPIOIDS. AND THAT’S WHAT GAVE US THIS CONCERN THAT IT COULD CAUSE DEATH. AND WE STILL ARE LEFT WITH NOT KNOWING EXACTLY WHY SOME PEOPLE DIE AND SOME PEOPLE DON’T. BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS IT STILL HAS SOME SIGNIFICANT DANGERS WITH IT. RIGHT. AND, YOU KNOW, AS A PHYSICIAN, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO SOMEONE WHO’S, YOU KNOW, THERE’S SOMETHING THAT MAY CAUSE SOMETHING AS SEVERE AS DEATH? WHAT WHAT ARE YOU ADVISING PEOPLE? I WOULD ADVISE TREMENDOUS CAUTION. IT IS UNREGULATED. MOST OF THESE PRODUCTS DON’T HAVE ANY DOSING LISTED ON IT. WE KNOW IT INTERACTS WITH MEDICATIONS. YOU KNOW, MY TYPICAL ADVICE WOULD BE TALK TO YOUR PHYSICIAN ABOUT IT. BUT WHAT I’M FINDING IN THE COMMUNITY IS THIS THERE’S ENOUGH UNKNOWNS ABOUT THE SUBSTANCE THAT EVEN YOUR PHYSICIAN MAY NOT KNOW WHAT ALL THE INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES ARE. SO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE. AND AT THE MOMENT, I PERSONALLY WOULD ADVOCATE FOR SAFETY. BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE IS HARM. WE KNOW THERE’S ADDICTION. ANYTIME THERE’S A POTENTIAL FOR ADDICTION AND ESCALATING USE, WE NOW KNOW THAT IT CAN ALSO CAUSE DEATH. YEAH. WHAT ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS YOU’RE SEEING WHEN IT COMES TO THE SUBSTANCE? YEAH. FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH STANDPOINT, WE ALWAYS THINK ABOUT VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IN TERMS OF WHO MIGHT BE AT RISK. SO PEOPLE WHO ALREADY SUFFER FROM ADDICTION BECAUSE THEY MAY BE LOOKING FOR ANYTHING TO HELP THEM GET OFF OF SUBSTANCE USE. I ALWAYS AM CONCERNED ABOUT ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS. FOR THIS REASON, PEOPLE WHO ARE ON OTHER MEDICATIONS BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL TO INTERACT. AND SO THAT INCLUDES NOT ONLY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE ON MEDICINES, BUT ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WHO ARE OLDER AND THE ELDERLY. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHEST RISK GROUPS THAT WE GET CONCERNED ABOUT. YEAH, WELL, THIS IS REALLY AMAZING FINDINGS AND GREAT RESEARCH THAT YOU AND ALL THESE OTHER PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL EXAMINERS HAVE WORKED ON COLLECTIVELY. WE’RE GOING TO POST SOME MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE SO YOU CAN FIND OUT AND HELP NAVIGATE YOUR JOURNEY. IF YOU IF YOU HAV

    Central Florida doctor unveils kratom research findings, potential dangers

    Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center emergency medicine physician and toxicologist, Dr. Josef Thundiyil, joins WESH 2 to discuss the potential dangers of kratom.

    Updated: 10:00 AM EDT Sep 15, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center emergency medicine physician and toxicologist, Dr. Josef Thundiyil, joins WESH 2 to discuss the potential dangers of kratom.Click here to learn more.

    Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center emergency medicine physician and toxicologist, Dr. Josef Thundiyil, joins WESH 2 to discuss the potential dangers of kratom.

    Click here to learn more.

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  • The Top Four Risks for Cannabis Businesses and Investors in 2024 – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

    The Top Four Risks for Cannabis Businesses and Investors in 2024 – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

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    The Top Four Risks for Cannabis Businesses and Investors in 2024 – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news






























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    AggregatedNews

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  • Alec Baldwin Just Learned Something Every Business Owner Already Knows

    Alec Baldwin Just Learned Something Every Business Owner Already Knows

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    By now you’re familiar with the ongoing saga of Alec Baldwin and the tragic shooting accident of a cinematographer on the set of his film “Rust.” Earlier this month, Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter in Arizona, the state where the incident occurred, and faces up to 18 months in prison if found guilty. This is an awful situation. But it’s also a reminder of the liabilities we all face as business owners. Because, as a producer of the film, Baldwin was a part owner of the enterprise. And with that great opportunity for profit also comes great responsibility.

    And these responsibilities extend to all areas of our businesses.

    For example, as a certified public accountant, I’ve signed tax returns for clients in the past. And, even though I do have both professional and legal requirements I must fulfill, in the end, a company’s tax return is the responsibility of the company’s owners. If, like most small businesses, your business is owned by yourself or maybe with a partner or two any problem, error or issue with your tax return is ultimately on you. Even if you were unaware of an omission (or a commission) you’re still responsible for it. You can’t just blame everything on your accountant. Your signature is on that return. You own it and you’re liable — both civilly and even criminally — if there’s a significant error. So read your return. Ask questions. Know what you’re signing before you sign it.

    Related: Does Your Business Put You at Risk of Lawsuits?

    The same goes for mistakes made by your employees while on the job. If an unsuspecting bookkeeper accidentally runs over a puppy on the way to make a bank deposit or pick up a package during company hours then this is going to be your problem. If a service technician makes an inappropriate comment to a customer out in the field you’re going to hear about it. If your delivery driver sideswipes a parked car that obligation is yours. If someone slips on your walkway, that’s going to be your responsibility too. This is why insurance exists. And the claims aren’t getting any smaller in this ever-growing litigious environment. So meet with your insurance advisor regularly and make sure your coverages are appropriate.

    Unfortunately, being associated with an unpopular influencer, a controversial event or a marketing campaign that goes south is also your fault. Pepsi didn’t expect the backlash it received when the company launched a campaign featuring Kendall Jenner, who offered its product to a police officer at a protest as a peace offering. Adidas came under fire when congratulating customers who ran in 2017’s Boston Marathon with the slogan, “Congrats, you survived the Boston Marathon.” Other brands have been accused of racism, colonialism and other transgressions as a result of their misguided marketing campaigns.

    But it’s not just the big brands — and their shareholders — who suffer the consequences of their actions. There are plenty of small businesses that make these mistakes. And for us, because of our size, the repercussions are more severe.

    A Dallas restaurant chain caused controversy when it implemented a surcharge for employee benefits. The owner of an Italian restaurant “sparked outrage” after a Facebook post. Another business owner was slammed on social media for trying to scare off a homeless person with a hose. There are countless other stories of small businesses that suffered the wrath of Twitter and Facebook for their actions or the actions of their employees — this includes taking a position on a controversial social issue and losing customers as a result or even being forced to shut down because of it.

    And there are countless other stories of business owners who, by trusting too much, had funds stolen by office managers, accountants, employees, financial executives and bookkeepers. Maybe they had insurance. Maybe they didn’t. But no insurance is going to cover the lost time and the anguish of such a loss, let alone the public humiliation of having to admit to the world that by your lack of internal controls you’ve been had. And then there is the countless number of small businesses — most of them unreported — that have suffered significant losses of data and face enormous lawsuits from angry customers thanks to their poor network security that resulted in breaches and ransomware attacks. You need insurance for all of this too.

    But the answer isn’t just insurance. It’s internal controls. It’s management participation. It’s care and attention to detail and scrutiny and involvement and all the other things that a business owner must do in order to minimize their potential exposure to liability. Alec Baldwin, unfortunately, didn’t check that the gun he was using in a make-believe scene contained make-believe bullets. Maybe that was an honest oversight. Maybe he should have been more diligent. Regardless, he’s the owner of the movie-making production so he’s on the hook.

    As business owners we take risks. Substantial risks. It’s what separates us from employees. An employee can walk away from a job anytime and just get another job. But the owner of a business can’t do that. We must meet obligations and are exposed to both financial and legal repercussions for the decisions we make. Let’s never forget that.

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    Gene Marks

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  • Hackers Aren’t The Only Unseen Enemy Behind Cyber Attacks

    Hackers Aren’t The Only Unseen Enemy Behind Cyber Attacks

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    The booming numbers of cybersecurity threats have compelled every C-suite executive and board members to pay closer attention to their cybersecurity hygiene. However, they don’t share the same lens while watching their information security posture. And here’s where a disconnect arises.

    A recent global survey of C-suite executives indicates that around 71% of board members have severe gaps in knowledge regarding cybersecurity and threats their organizations face.

    Whether we talk about data breaches compromising sensitive business information or exploiting consumer identities, executives and heads of information security (InfoSec heads) are already geared for the worst. But the senior management isn’t sure why they need to spend more on their cybersecurity budget.

    While InfoSec heads often emphasize security and risk management as a part of their job, board members often link cybersecurity as a part of their business but hardly consider it as one of the foundations of modern business success.

    Related: Learn How to Protect Your Business From Cybersecurity Risks

    As a result, their communication mismatches and challenges them to translate cybersecurity risks and potential business implications.

    In a nutshell, no matter how much they’re aware of cybersecurity risks and increasing threats, most board members can’t understand how cybersecurity and cutting-edge technologies translate into the underlying business risks.

    So, what needs to be done from an executive’s end to translate the risks? Let’s figure it out.

    Communicate risks of cybersecurity through effective storytelling

    The way you interact with your board leaders makes all difference. And effective storytelling is undoubtedly the best way to convince them.

    Though storytelling isn’t a new concept since humans have used it for centuries to convey a strong message, executives can leverage its true potential to help process crucial information.

    Stories have been a part of our lives from childhood, and various studies suggest that the human brain is wired for stories. And a compelling narrative could eventually evoke an emotional connection and change behavior and attitude.

    Now, while talking with your leadership while utilizing storytelling, you must ensure that you’ve done your homework to support your story to leave an impact. Otherwise, it would be good for nothing.

    Share some data and insights, and talk about the latest tools and technologies that can be incorporated into your processes that could make a huge impact. Moreover, depicting your competitor’s cybersecurity best practices can also help impact your board leaders.

    Also, you could use real-life examples of organizations that ignored their overall cybersecurity hygiene, which resulted in financial and reputational losses. This could be a great way to reinforce your opinion besides the story you crafted.

    Related: Harness the Power of Storytelling to Transform Your Business for the Better

    How to prepare for your conversation with board members

    As a board member, you need to be sure enough that you understand your board’s mindset to connect with them at an individual level. And it would be great if you could first know how they look at the importance of cybersecurity and threat management for the organization.

    Once you understand their perspective, it’s time to create your steps of action to convey your message and ensure they’re convinced that cybersecurity is an absolute necessity and not a luxury for your business growth.

    Here’s what you need to do before beginning a conversation with your board members:

    • Educate them about the latest compliances: Most of the time, your senior management isn’t aware of the latest data privacy and security compliances. And this could be the reason they aren’t in favor of stretching their cybersecurity budget. You must educate them regarding the latest compliances and the consequences of non-compliance. One great example is non-compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which eventually lead to hefty fines and reputational damages.
    • Board member’s background research: Researching the background of your board members could be the first step to understanding their mindset and approach toward overall business growth. Analyze their past experiences, educational background and personality to ensure you hit the right chord while convincing them about cybersecurity and underlying risks.
    • Learn their goals and priorities: Another crucial step is to learn about your leader’s priorities and goals. Do they often think about organizational growth without increasing the overall security budget? Do they keep cybersecurity as a part of their business but not a priority? Is there any way they could relate to organizational growth through cybersecurity best practices for customers and employees? Once you’ve figured out these questions, the next step is to portray your version of information security and its direct impact on your business growth. And for this, you can leverage the latest stats, competitor data and data related to the latest breaches.

    And ultimately, your C-suite executives, like everybody else, would be convinced that cybersecurity hygiene is undeniably a foundational aspect of their business. It’s your responsibility to ensure you’re on the right track and narrating the right story through which they’ll relate and act.

    Related: Cybercrime Could Cost the World $10.5 Trillion Annually by 2025

    Final thoughts

    The modern executive’s role is undoubtedly predominantly people-focused. And getting trapped between highly technical IT staff and leadership that focuses on growth while making cybersecurity-related decisions could be an uphill battle.

    However, the key to business success without compromising security lies in incorporating cutting-edge technology that fosters growth, builds customer trust and maintains compliance.

    And a modern executive must navigate business success by convincing board members regarding the need for cybersecurity best practices to jump on the digital transformation bandwagon.

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    Rakesh Soni

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