Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
THE Paralympic amputee sprinters burst into action on Sunday (1) and Britain chased China's medal haul with a golden success in the pool and on the track.
There was a setback though for the organisers who were forced to delay the triathlon events by 24 hours due to concerns about the water quality of the River Seine after heavy rain.
The triathlon will now take place on Monday (2) after tests proved the water quality was at acceptable levels following a warm and sunny day in the French capital on Sunday.
China set the pace again on the fourth day of competition to amass 33 gold medals but Britain moved onto 23 golds after bagging 12 golds on Sunday, the country's best performance on a single day at a Paralympics this century.
The USA and Brazil both have eight golds.
One of the outstanding British successes came from wheelchair racer Hannah Cockcroft who made it four titles in the women's T34 100 metres in four Paralympics stretching back to London 2012.
Cockcroft said she had been boosted by the roars of the estimated 50,000 crowd at the Stade de France.
"My wheels were vibrating!" she said. "They said 'On your marks' and it didn't go quiet.
"I was afraid I wasn't going to hear the gun. But this is what we want, it's fantastic."
"I means so much to get a fourth gold," she added, and pledged to keep competing until the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics -- but her immediate priority is her wedding to fellow British Paralympian Nathan Maguire later this year.
Gold medallist's Olivia Newman-Baronius of Britain, William Ellard of Britain, Poppy Maskill of Britain and Rhys Darbey of Britain celebrate on the podium REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
In the pool, British swimmer Maisie Newton Summers won her second gold medal of these Games by taking the SB6 100m breaststroke title.
Britain also won three golds in the track cycling as well, but China's excellence across a wide range of sports kept them out in front, with eight golds so far in swimming alone. Yang Hong winning the men's SB6 breaststroke title was among their haul in the pool.
Italy's Maxcel Amo Manu set the pace when the amputee sprinters strapped on their blades and roared into action, while social media sensation Hunter Woodhall scraped into the final.
Manu, who won the world title last year, set a new Paralympic record of 10.69sec to lead all qualifiers in the men's T64 100m.
Woodhall had to run flat out to finish third from the outside lane in a time of 11.02sec and book his place in Monday's final.
The 25-year-old American is one half of an Olympic-Paralympic super couple with his wife Tara Davis-Woodhall, who was crowned Olympic women's long jump champion in the same stadium just weeks ago.
The couple's Instagram account charting their adventures at the Olympics and their life since has attracted more than half a million followers.
Woodhall, who was given a special roar from the crowd when he was introduced, said: "It's just so special that the Paralympics are getting this much excitement and hype. I'm just glad people showed up and I'm hoping to give them a good show tomorrow."
He said his wife will be in the crowd for the final: "She wouldn't miss it."
Britain's Jonnie Peacock, a two-time champion in the event, also progressed after finishing third in the first heat.
The water quality of the Seine, an issue that has dogged both Olympic and Paralympic organisers this summer, caused fresh problems.
The 11 triathlon races were to take place early Sunday but after heavy rain which can stir up pollution in the river, organisers and governing body World Triathlon decided to postpone until Monday.
Meanwhile, the blind football competition kicked off at the foot of the Eiffel Tower with the players guided by a rattle in the ball.
Brazil, who have not lost a single match since the event was introduced in 2004, breezed past Turkey 3-0 in their opening game and face host nation France next.
Users can now restrict AI-generated visuals across select categories.
Pinterest will make “AI-modified” content labels more visible.
The update aims to restore trust amid growing user backlash.
Pinterest responds to complaints over AI-generated ‘slop’
Pinterest has rolled out new controls allowing users to reduce the amount of AI-generated content in their feeds, following widespread criticism over an influx of synthetic images across the platform.
The company confirmed on Thursday that users can now personalise their experience by limiting generative imagery within specific categories such as beauty, art, fashion, and home décor. The move comes as many long-time users voiced frustration that their feeds were increasingly dominated by low-quality AI visuals, often referred to online as “AI slop.”
Pinterest, which serves as a hub for creative inspiration and shopping ideas, has faced growing scrutiny from both users and media outlets questioning whether its algorithmic changes have diluted the quality and authenticity of its content.
New personalisation settings and clearer labels
The new controls can be found under the “Refine your recommendations” section in the app’s Settings menu. Users will be able to opt for reduced exposure to AI-generated posts in certain categories, with more options expected to be added later based on feedback.
In addition, Pinterest said it will make its existing “AI-modified” labels more prominent. These labels appear on posts identified through image metadata or Pinterest’s detection systems as being partially or fully AI-generated.
The platform is also encouraging user feedback. When users encounter Pins they find less appealing due to synthetic imagery, they can use the three-dot menu to flag them and adjust their preferences accordingly.
The update has started rolling out across Pinterest’s website and Android app, with iOS support to follow in the coming weeks.
Balancing creativity with user trust
Matt Madrigal, Pinterest’s Chief Technology Officer, said the company’s focus remains on maintaining an authentic, inspiring experience for its community.
“With our new GenAI controls, we’re empowering people to personalise their Pinterest experience more than ever, striking the right balance between human creativity and innovation,” Madrigal said.
Pinterest’s move comes as research cited by the company suggests that AI-generated visuals now account for more than half of all online content. By giving users direct control over how much of that material they see, Pinterest hopes to preserve its reputation as a platform driven by genuine creativity rather than automated output.
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