Google Under Fire: Novices Allegedly Used to Fact-Check Gemini AI’s AnswersLOS ANGELES (AP) — Blake Snell and the Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized a $182 million, five-year contract. The reigning World Series champions announced the deal with the two-time Cy Young Award winner on Saturday. Snell, who turns 32 on Wednesday, went 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 20 starts for San Francisco this year, throwing a no-hitter at Cincinnati on Aug. 2 for one of only 16 individual shutouts in the major leagues this season. The left-hander struck out 145 and walked 44 in 104 innings. He was sidelined between April 19 and May 22 by a strained left adductor and between June 2 and July 9 by a strained left groin. Snell gets a $52 million signing bonus , payable on Jan. 20, and annual salaries of $26 million, of which $13 million each year will be deferred. Because Snell is a Washington state resident, the signing bonus will not be subject to California income tax. Snell joins Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto atop Los Angeles’ rotation. Ohtani didn’t pitch this year while recovering from right elbow surgery but the two-way star is expected back on the mound in 2025. Snell won Cy Young Awards in 2018 with Tampa Bay and 2023 with San Diego. He is 76-58 with a 3.19 ERA in nine seasons with the Rays (2016-20), Padres (2021-23) and Giants. Because he turned down a qualifying offer from San Diego last November, the Giants were not eligible to give Snell another one and won’t receive draft-pick compensation. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
UVALDE, Texas (AP) — A Texas judge on Thursday refused to throw out criminal charges accusing the former Uvalde schools police chief of putting children at risk during the slow response to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting, while a lawyer for his co-defendant said they want to move the upcoming trial out of the small town where the massacre occurred. At a court hearing in Uvalde, Judge Sid Harle rejected Pete Arredondo's claim that was he improperly charged and that only the shooter was responsible for putting the victims in danger. Nineteen children and two teachers were killed in the shooting on May 24, 2022. Harle also set an Oct. 20, 2025, trial date. An attorney for Arredondo's co-defendant, former Uvalde schools police officer Adrian Gonzales, said he will ask for the trial to be moved out of Uvalde because his client cannot get a fair trial there. Uvalde County is mostly rural with fewer than 25,000 residents about 85 miles (140 kilometers) west of San Antonio. “Everybody knows everybody,” in Uvalde, Gonzales attorney Nico LaHood said. Both former officers attended the hearing. Nearly 400 law enforcement agents rushed to the school but waited more than 70 minutes to confront and kill the gunman in a fourth-grade classroom. Arredondo and Gonzales are the only two officers facing charges — a fact that has raised complaints from some victims' families. Both men have pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of abandoning or endangering a child, each of which carry punishment of up to two years in jail. Gonzales has not asked the judge to dismiss his charges. A federal investigation of the shooting identified Arredondo as the incident commander in charge, although he has argued that state police should have set up a command post outside the school and taken control. Gonzales was among the first officers to arrive on the scene. He was accused of abandoning his training and not confronting the shooter, even after hearing gunshots as he stood in a hallway. Arredondo has said he was scapegoated for the halting police response. The indictment alleges he did not follow his active shooter training and made critical decisions that slowed the police response while the gunman was “hunting” his victims. It alleges that instead of confronting the gunman immediately, Arredondo caused delays by telling officers to evacuate a hallway to wait for a SWAT team, evacuating students from other areas of the building first, and trying to negotiate with the shooter while victims inside the classroom were wounded and dying. Arredondo’s attorneys say the danger that day was not caused by him, but by the shooter. They argued Arredondo was blamed for trying to save the lives of the other children in the building, and have warned that prosecuting him would open many future law enforcement actions to similar charges. “Arredondo did nothing to put those children in the path of a gunman,” said Arredondo attorney Matthew Hefti. Uvalde County prosecutors told the judge Arredondo acted recklessly. “The state has alleged he is absolutely aware of the danger of the children,” said assistant district attorney Bill Turner. Jesse Rizo, the uncle of 9-year-old Jacklyn Cazares who was killed in the shooting, was one of several family members of victims at the hearing. “To me, it’s hurtful and painful to hear Arredondo’s attorneys try to persuade the judge to get the charges dismissed,” Rizo said. He called the wait for a trial exhausting and questioned whether moving the trial would help the defense. “The longer it takes, the longer the agony,” Rizo said. “I think what’s happened in Uvalde ... you’ll probably get a better chance at conviction if it’s moved. To hold their own accountable is going to be very difficult.” The massacre at Robb Elementary was one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history, and the law enforcement response has been widely condemned as a massive failure. Nearly 150 U.S. Border Patrol agents, 91 state police officers, as well and school and city police rushed to the campus. While terrified students and teachers called 911 from inside classrooms, dozens of officers stood in the hallway trying to figure out what to do. More than an hour later, a team of officers breached the classroom and killed the gunman. Within days of the shooting, the focus of the slow response turned on Arredondo, who was described by other responding agencies as the incident commander in charge. Multiple federal and state investigations have laid bare cascading problems in law enforcement training, communication, leadership and technology, and questioned whether officers prioritized their own lives over those of children and teachers. Several victims or their families have filed multiple state and federal lawsuits. Associated Press reporter Jim Vertuno in Austin, Texas, contributed. Lathan is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
NATO head and Trump meet in Florida for talks on global securityAfter 22 years, LeBron's still performing at the highest level. That said, in today's media environment, no amount of success will block out criticism. It's just the reality of our digit age. When everyone has a voice, you're going to hear a lot of negative voices. Screen Capture After LeBron James's recent comments about toxic behavior on social media and what he sees as unfair media coverage, Stephen A. Smith offered a nuanced take on the situation . While acknowledging some of James's points about the cruelty of social media, the ESPN personality pushed back on LeBron's broad characterization of media criticism. "I believe he's right, there's a lot of weak people on social media. There's a lot of people who hide behind social media to spew, and to spread, and disseminate their venom. Point taken." However, Smith then quickly pivoted to address what he saw as oversimplification of the issue. "[He's] not wrong, it's just not complete... Last time I checked there's former players that are in the media, there are former players that have their own podcast... so when people talk about the national media, that annoys me." Smith took issue with James's blanket criticism of media coverage: "You listen to LeBron and there's this impression that it's 'the media, the media, the media.' There's several layers to all of this that's not being told. No.1, what's your definition of negativity? If you shoot 2-20 and somebody said 'you played like hot garbage last night,' was that negative? Was that factual?" It's understandable for James to be upset. Whether it's people claiming that he lied about his enthusiasm for Dalton Knecht, or the ceaseless ridicule of his son Bronny , LeBron's immense fame comes with a cost. Smith understands this, but still thinks it's important to draw a clear line between criticism and coverage: "If I'm celebrating you when you play well, but I'm pointing out when you play bad, that's just me covering the game." The veteran analyst also reminded viewers that media scrutiny isn't new, saying, "There was a time long before social media arrived where you saw people nationally and locally getting into peoples' personal business... When you just label the national media in that regard without being specific about who you're talking about, that's a negative stigma that I think should be challenged." It's nice to see Smith, who's often written about for his blunt takes on current events, providing a nuanced perspective. Ultimately, LeBron's decision to leave social media is his alone and bears little importance to our lives. However, his decision is sparking some interesting examinations of the age we live in. Related: Skip Bayless Levels Harsh Criticism of LeBron James
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CAMBRIDGE, UK , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Darktrace, a global leader in AI for cybersecurity, today announces that Darktrace / EMAILTM, has been recognized in the first ever Gartner Magic QuadrantTM for Email Security Platforms (ESP) as a Challenger. Chris Kozup, Chief Marketing Officer, Darktrace, said of the recognition: "We are extremely proud to have been recognized in the first Magic Quadrant for ESP. Since launching Darktrace / EMAIL in 2019, we have grown quickly to support email security for nearly 5,000 organizations around the world, helping to keep them safe from even the most sophisticated and novel email compromises. We believe this wide-scale adoption is a result of our unique, AI-native approach to developing products. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and innovations that safeguard our customers against the email challenges of today— and tomorrow." Darktrace customers consistently acknowledge its exceptional customer support, delivered by an award-winning 1 service team. Darktrace has the highest percentage of 5-star ratings with a 4.8 rating on Gartner® Peer InsightsTM out of 249 reviews as of 19 th December . We feel this unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in strong renewal rates and accelerated growth in Darktrace / EMAIL over the past few years, gaining almost 5,000 customers since its launch in 2019. Darktrace / EMAIL, one of the fastest-growing email security products on the market, is built on Darktrace's unique Self-Learning AI, a multi-layered AI engine that leverages different types of AI including NLP and behavioral analysis to detect threats, instead of traditional security measures such as signatures and sandboxing. This approach enables Darktrace to detect and stop threats like business email compromise attacks and novel techniques, including some 56% of which passed through customers' other email security layers. This pioneering approach has enabled Darktrace to introduce industry-leading capabilities such as QR code analysis and automated incident investigations, alongside differentiated functionality to help teams add new depth to their email security, including: Marco Cavallo , IT Manager at Darktrace / EMAIL customer Arpa Industries comments: "During the POV, Darktrace / EMAIL showed how specific attacks were surgically blocked. We realized that other tools wouldn't have detected these threats." Darktrace / EMAIL is part of Darktrace's ActiveAI Security PlatformTM, offering network, cloud, endpoint, identity and operational technology protection from a single shared architecture, all built on Darktrace's unique AI engine – providing a strong, integrated approach to threat prevention, detection and response across an organization's entire digital footprint. Darktrace's global presence supports a diverse and varied customer base, and adapts proactively to customer pain points of all kinds. Darktrace's adaptability across all market segments, from SMBs to large enterprises, supports both first time email security buyers and mature email security stacks. It is able to meet varied security needs with lower setup requirements, includes capability for advanced depth in configuration and, particularly for mature organizations, can augment existing security providers with additional protections. Download the full Magic Quadrant for Email Security Platforms here Resources: Gartner disclaimers Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Email Security Platforms, Max Taggett , Nikul Patel , Franz Hinner , Deepak Mishra , 16 December 2024 GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner and Magic Quadrant and Peer Insights are a registered trademark, of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner Peer Insights content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences with the vendors listed on the platform, should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. About Darktrace Darktrace is a global leader in AI for cybersecurity that keeps organizations ahead of the changing threat landscape every day. Founded in 2013, Darktrace provides the essential cybersecurity platform protecting organizations from unknown threats using its proprietary AI that learns from the unique patterns of life for each customer in real-time. The Darktrace ActiveAI Security PlatformTM delivers a proactive approach to cyber resilience with pre-emptive visibility into security posture, real-time threat detection, and autonomous response – securing the business across cloud, email, identities, operational technology, endpoints, and network. Breakthrough innovations from our R&D teams in Cambridge, UK , and The Hague, Netherlands have resulted in over 200 patent applications filed. Darktrace's platform and services are supported by over 2,400 employees around the world who protect nearly 10,000 customers across all major industries globally. To learn more, visit http://www.darktrace.com . 1 Darktrace wins two Globee awards for excellent customer service [ Press Release ] View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/darktrace--email-recognized-in-first-ever-gartner-magic-quadrant-for-email-security-platforms-302336602.html SOURCE DarktraceDodgers announce 5-year contract with LHP Blake Snell
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AUM of USD 635 Billion at ADFW Caps Stellar Q4 as Trillion-Dollar Club Flock to ADGMNatixis Advisors LLC Buys 13,898 Shares of FMC Co. (NYSE:FMC)President calls for unity in Parliament to usher in era of transformation
The OraQuick In-Home HIV Test (Orasure Technologies Inc) received approval from the FDA for a premarket approval application 180-say supplement requesting a labeling change to lower the approved age to individuals who are 14 to 17 years of age and older. The decision increases access to adolescents, allowing them to test for HIV in the comfort and privacy of their own homes. HIV test strip | Image Credit: © Mulin - stock.adobe.com According to the CDC, approximately 1.2 million individuals in the United States had HIV in 2022, of which 13% were unaware they were HIV-positive. This underscores the crucial need for increased awareness of the infection, as well as expanded opportunities for testing. The FDA originally approved the in-home HIV test on July 3, 2012 for individuals over the age of 17, making it the first rapid OTC HIV test in the United States, as well as the first rapid diagnostic test for any infectious disease. “Approval of the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test represents a major breakthrough in HIV testing," Douglas A. Michels, president and CEOof OraSure Technologies, said in a news release. "For the first time ever, individuals will have access to an in-home oral test that will empower them to learn their HIV status in the comfort of their home and obtain referral to care if needed. This new in-home rapid test—the same test doctors have used for years—will help individuals at risk for HIV who otherwise may not test in a professional or clinical setting." The test is capable of detecting both HIV-1 and HIV-2, the viruses that cause AIDS, with an oral swab, providing results in as little as 20 minutes. According to clinical studies, the HIV test has an expected performance of 99.98% for test specificity, meaning 1 false positive result would be expected out of every 5000 test results in uninfected individuals. Additionally, it has an expected performance of approximately 92% for test sensitivity. However, the test’s ability to detect HIV depends on the immune system producing enough antibodies, which can take time and varies between individuals. This period, known as the "window period," occurs when someone is infected with HIV, but the antibodies are not yet detectable. According to the CDC, while it can take up to 6 months for antibodies to develop, the majority (97%) of individuals will have detectable antibodies within the first 3 months after. By extending the test’s availability to adolescents aged 14 to 17, the decision addresses a critical need to reach individuals who might otherwise face barriers to testing in clinical or professional settings and contributes to efforts to reduce the spread of HIV.Packham resigns as RSPCA president after animal cruelty claims at approved farms
Share Tweet Share Share Email Mastercard has collaborated with Boost to accelerate cash digitization in FMCG. Takeaway Points Mastercard has collaborated with Boost to accelerate cash digitization in FMCG. The partnership will benefit FMCG distributors and retailers that use Boost’s digital commerce platform to digitize payments. Boost powers manufacturers and their last-mile distribution networks with radically easy technology, data, and growth services. Why did Mastercard collaborate with Boost? Mastercard said on Thursday that it has partnered with Boost, the business-to-business (B2B) commerce platform, to drive the growth of small businesses operating in last-mile fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) distribution networks—the final stage of supply chains in which products are delivered to end users. This partnership will provide digital payment options, planted credit, and integrated supply chain finance solutions to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, Market Development, EEMEA, Mastercard, while commenting about the partnership said, “Small businesses are the backbone of thriving economies, yet they often face significant barriers to growth. Through our partnership with Boost, we are strengthening the support ecosystem for MSMEs in emerging markets by providing essential digital tools and financing solutions to help them succeed in today’s digital economy.” Mike Quinn, co-founder and CEO, Boost, said, “We are thrilled to enter this commercial partnership with Mastercard in the pursuit of our mission to enable small businesses in last-mile global distribution networks to thrive in the digital economy. We have already proven that our highly scalable platform, coupled with our WhatsApp ordering solution, can power cost-effective growth across multiple channels in urban, peri-urban and rural settings by providing end-to-end visibility, increased coverage and direct-to-retailer digital promotions. Mastercard will help us take our model to the next level to create transformative value for our customers and partners while fueling our global ambitions.” How will this benefit FMCG distributors and retailers? According to the report, the partnership will benefit FMCG distributors and retailers that use Boost’s digital commerce platform to digitize payments, connecting them to essential working capital and Mastercard’s acceptance solutions. About Boost Boost powers manufacturers and their last-mile distribution networks with radically easy technology, data and growth services. The company’s innovative platform digitizes end-to-end distribution in primarily offline channels and drives growth by providing a space for direct-to-retailer digital engagement and embedded financing to distributors and retailers. Data by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) shows that MSMEs make up over 90% of all companies and account on average for 60-70% of total employment and 50% of the GDP worldwide. Still, according to the SME Finance Forum, they are currently encountering a roughly $5.7 trillion financing gap, which is equivalent to 1.4 times the current level of the global MSME lending, Mastercard said. About Mastercard Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. Related Items: Boost , Digital Payments , MasterCard Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Mobile Money Services: How FinTech Is Empowering Developing Economies How to Implement Fraud Prevention Strategies for Digital Payments Jira Planning Poker: How to Use It for Free to Boost Agile Teams Comments
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 21, 2024-- In today's fast-paced society, more and more singles with entrepreneurial spirit are looking for innovation, adventure, and independence. These individuals are often self-driven, eager to push boundaries in both their careers and personal lives. Unfortunately, traditional dating platforms often fall short in helping these individuals find like-minded matches who can share the similar worldviews, values, and passions. Founded in 2001, MillionaireMatch invented millionaire dating and has becoming the leading platform for ambitious individuals with entrepreneurial spirit. Voted as “Best of the Web” by Forbes and highlighted by the WSJ, MillionaireMatch is more than just a dating platform – it has also been a business networking community. Many singles with entrepreneurial spirit have joined to look for serious relationships, share career stories, discuss industry trends, and collaborate on business ventures. To better serve the community, MillionaireMatch has already introduced some business-focused features designed to help users share their entrepreneurial spirit, business stories, startup projects, and career aspirations. Such as: To further enhance privacy and security, MillionaireMatch introduces Confidentiality Guard TM, a feature designed to provide a secure and reliable dating experience for those looking for authentic, high-quality connections. It safeguards both online and offline interactions, proving comprehensive protection for all activities. For individuals with entrepreneurial spirit, they usually discuss career goals, startup ideas, or business plans with potential partners. Under this agreement, users are prohibited from sharing other users' profile details, private conversations, or any confidential information with third-party platforms. “MillionaireMatch goes beyond matchmaking; it’s a place where members expand their networks, explore business opportunities, and form deep, meaningful connections. Whether you’re looking for love or collaboration, we will help you build relationships that matter. While our subscription fees may be higher than those of typical dating platforms, the users of entrepreneurial spirit are more likely to purchase the premium membership than others. We connect you with like-minded, high-quality individuals who share your entrepreneurial spirit – helping you save valuable time, energy, and money. All these make the cost of a subscription a worthwhile investment,” stated Dani Johnson, spokesperson for MillionaireMatch. Navigating the dating world for ambitious individuals with entrepreneurial spirit can present unique challenges. Choosing the right platform and prioritizing emotional needs lay a strong foundation. Ready to meet individuals whose entrepreneurial spirit matches yours? Join MillionaireMatch today. About MillionaireMatch Founded in 2001, MillionaireMatch has grown to serve nearly 6 million of high-quality members such as executives, entrepreneurs, lawyers, and investors, alongside high-net-worth individuals including celebrities, influencers, millionaires, and billionaires. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241221333594/en/ CONTACT: Dani Johnson press@MillionaireMatch.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY WOMEN MEN COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE LIFESTYLE SOCIAL MEDIA CONSUMER DATA MANAGEMENT SOURCE: MillionaireMatch Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/21/2024 09:15 AM/DISC: 12/21/2024 09:15 AM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241221333594/en
Rajnandgaon, A constable suspected to be involved in irregularities in an ongoing police recruitment drive was found hanging from a tree on Saturday in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district, an official said. Constable Anil Ratnakar was found dead in Rampur village under Lalbag police station limits this morning, Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg said. Ratnakar, a resident of Mahasamund district, was posted in Jalbandha police post in Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district and had been deputed on duty recently for the the constable recruitment drive in Rajnandgaon. "A note written with pen was found on the left palm of Ratnakar, which stated employees are being targeted in alleged irregularities in recruitment and officers are being protected. Prima facie, it seems to be a case of suicide and further investigation is underway," Garg said. The constable recruitment drive for Rajnandgaon Range, covering Rajanandgaon, KCG, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki and Kabirdham districts, began on the premises of 8th battalion of Chhattisgarh Armed Force on November 16 and is being held with technical support of Hyderabad-based Timing Technology Company, the SP informed. Technical equipment used in the recruitment process, storage of data etc are the lookout of this company, he added. "Recently, an FIR was lodged when fraud was noticed in entries of marks obtained by candidates in physical efficiency tests. After this, some personnel, including Ratnakar, were removed from recruitment duty. Policemen and staffers of the company are being questioned," he said. The FIR was lodged on the December 17 on the complaint of Deputy Superintendent of Police Tanupriya Thakur, who was in-charge of shot put event under Physical Efficiency Test during the recruitment drive, after she detected forgery in marks obtained by a candidate. Meanwhile, the deceased's elder brother Sunil Ratnakar claimed the former had spoken to him over phone on Friday. During the conversation, the deceased had claimed he and other lower rung personnel were being implicated while senior officials were being protected. The opposition Congress attacked the BJP government in the state and sought a high level inquiry. "Rajnandgaon police recruitment scam seems to be a serious matter. What constable Anil Ratnakar wrote on his hand before committing suicide shows its seriousness. The meaning of 'employees are being framed, officers are being saved' is clear @vishnudsai ji. Corruption has happened. Officers are also involved. Now a high level investigation is necessary," former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said in a post on X. The senior Congress leader also posted a picture of Ratnakar's note. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.Sitting down for most of the day is obviously bad for us, known to raise our risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer and even an early death. However, it’s largely unavoidable for those of us with desk-based jobs. Too much sitting is also detrimental for our mental health, a study from sportswear company Asics has found. Survey results from more than 7000 desk-based workers found that mood drops after just two hours and stress spikes four hours in. However, taking a 15-minute exercise break reverses these effects. Taking a midday stroll or jog can vastly improve your health at work. Credit: Joe Armao Professor Brendon Stubbs, a researcher in movement and mental wellbeing at King’s College London, who led the study, says incorporating movement into our working day – among other healthy habits – could be game-changing. “Each habit can contribute to positive mental health, and the more people do, especially over time, the greater the physical and mental health benefits,” he says. Here, he shares his top tips. 8am: Read a book on your commute instead of scrolling social media. Most of us are spending up to nine hours of our day sitting down. If you’re seated for your commute, at least make sure you’re engaging your brain, Stubbs says. “It is passive sedentary behaviour (such as sitting down to watch Netflix or scroll social media) and not active sedentary behaviour (sitting down to read a book or play a game, for example) that is particularly not good for our mental health,” he explains. Swap your afternoon biscuit for a bar of dark chocolate, a healthier option that can lift your mood. A study from Stubbs and colleagues which looked at the self-reported health habits and medical notes of around 40,000 people found that those engaging in more than three hours of active sedentary behaviour per day had a 26 per cent lower risk of depression compared to those who did less than this. “Additionally, our research has shown that excessive social media is literally rewiring our brain and altering our reward-processing systems, making it harder to become motivated for everyday tasks,” Stubbs adds. 11am: Breathing exercises to reduce stress spike. The Asics research found that it is after just two hours into desk-based work that stress levels start to rise – so around 11am if your working day starts at 9am. “To combat this, do some deep nasal breathing in the morning,” Stubbs recommends. Research from Stanford University found that just five minutes of breathing exercises can reduce anxiety, improve mood and slow breathing, which is a sign that the body is calm. To try it, sit up in your seat and relax your shoulders. Inhale slowly through your nose, letting your belly rise and fill with air. Once your lungs are comfortably full, take another inhale of air to expand your lungs as much as possible. Then, exhale slowly through your mouth, making sure that it lasts longer than your inhale. Repeat for five to 10 minutes. “This can help calm the nervous system and set our body and minds on a good foundation to be clear of mind and calm for the day,” Stubbs adds. 12pm: Eat a homemade lunch. More than half of the calories we eat each day comes from ultra-processed foods (those containing ingredients you wouldn’t find in your kitchen cupboard, such as preservatives, emulsifiers and artificial flavourings). A diet high in these foods is linked to a 30 per cent higher risk of depression in the future, and there are also links to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart problems and even some cancers. A homemade lunch is a better option than processed store-bought food. Credit: iStock A homemade lunch that avoids ultra-processed ingredients and instead incorporates elements of the Mediterranean diet (vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, fish and olive oil) can help protect against these risks and improve mood, Stubbs says. “Make something that includes a good amount of whole grains, such as wholewheat bread and brown rice, fish – especially those rich in omega-3 fatty acids – or lentils and pulses, which are a good source of protein,” he says. For example, this could be a tuna sandwich made with wholemeal bread, a chickpea curry with brown rice, or a lentil and vegetable soup. 2pm: Move for 15 minutes. It’s around halfway through our working day that stress levels spike – sitting around a fifth higher than they were at the start of the day – the Asics study found. However, taking a 15-minute exercise break reversed this effect. Loading “Our recent research has shown that moving for 15 minutes, especially after sitting for a prolonged period of time, can reduce stress by 14.7 per cent and improve your state of mind,” Stubbs says. This could be a walk, which would add around 1500 steps to your daily count, weightlifting or a short HIIT (high-intensity interval training) class. The positive effect of movement is thought to be down to it triggering the brain to release mood-boosting neurotransmitters, including endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, Stubbs explains. 3pm: Eat a piece of dark chocolate. Swap your afternoon biscuit for a bar of dark chocolate, a healthier option that can lift your mood, Stubbs suggests. Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants and fibre and has been linked to lower blood pressure, healthier cholesterol levels and brain function. The afternoon is the ideal time for this snack, as it contains caffeine, which may disrupt sleep for some people if it is eaten in the evening, he notes. Research from Stubbs and colleagues, which examined the daily chocolate consumption and mood of around 13,000 people, found that those who ate dark chocolate – around 100g per day – were around 57 per cent less likely to develop depression symptoms than those who didn’t eat chocolate. However, bear in mind that 100g of dark chocolate will contain around 600 calories and 14g of sugar, so a smaller portion may be best. A single 10g square has still been linked to health benefits. 6pm: Avoid alcohol and go for a soft drink after work. Despite its initial relaxing effects, alcohol isn’t good for us. It harms our heart and brain and raises the likelihood that we will suffer from high blood pressure, stroke and cancer. In Britain we’re told to not exceed 14 units per week (around six 175ml glasses of wine, six pints of 4 per cent beer or 14 single shots of spirit). However, “the research suggests that no level of alcohol consumption is associated with better health,” Stubbs notes. So when it comes to after-work drinking, try to avoid it, he recommends. “Swap to a hydrating drink,” he suggests. “Try kombucha [a fizzy drink made from fermented black tea] or an alcohol-free option of your favourite drink.” - Telegraph The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Work/life balance Opinion Wellbeing Health Nutrition Health and nutrition Most Viewed in Business Loading
A US judge ruled on Friday in favor of Meta Platforms' WhatsApp in a lawsuit accusing Israel's NSO Group of exploiting a bug in the messaging app to install spy software allowing unauthorized surveillance. US District Judge Phyllis Hamilton in Oakland, California, granted a motion by WhatsApp and found NSO liable for hacking and breach of contract. The case will now proceed to a trial only on the issue of damages, Hamilton said. NSO Group did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment, according to Reuters. Will Cathcart, the head of WhatsApp, said the ruling is a win for privacy. "We spent five years presenting our case because we firmly believe that spyware companies could not hide behind immunity or avoid accountability for their unlawful actions," Cathcart said in a social media post. "Surveillance companies should be on notice that illegal spying will not be tolerated." Cybersecurity experts welcomed the judgment. John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher with Canadian internet watchdog Citizen Lab — which first brought to light NSO’s Pegasus spyware in 2016 — called the judgment a landmark ruling with “huge implications for the spyware industry.” “The entire industry has hidden behind the claim that whatever their customers do with their hacking tools, it's not their responsibility,” he said in an instant message. “Today's ruling makes it clear that NSO Group is in fact responsible for breaking numerous laws.” WhatsApp in 2019 sued NSO seeking an injunction and damages, accusing it of accessing WhatsApp servers without permission six months earlier to install the Pegasus software on victims' mobile devices. The lawsuit alleged the intrusion allowed the surveillance of 1,400 people, including journalists, human rights activists and dissidents. NSO had argued that Pegasus helps law enforcement and intelligence agencies fight crime and protect national security and that its technology is intended to help catch terrorists, pedophiles and hardened criminals. NSO appealed a trial judge's 2020 refusal to award it "conduct-based immunity," a common law doctrine protecting foreign officials acting in their official capacity. Upholding that ruling in 2021, the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals called it an "easy case" because NSO's mere licensing of Pegasus and offering technical support did not shield it from liability under a federal law called the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, which took precedence over common law. The US Supreme Court last year turned away NSO's appeal of the lower court's decision, allowing the lawsuit to proceed.The return of the old rivalry between New Democracy and PASOK could be seen as the natural post-crisis evolution of political associations in Greece, after the noisy shrinking of leftist SYRIZA. But the return to the traditional two-party system does not restore the predictability of a quiet routine with the self-evident rotation in power of the two largest parties, not least because their percentages are low and would not achieve a governing majority, which means political stability will be fragile after the next election. After the shock of the country’s bankruptcy and what followed came the Covid-19 pandemic and then the war in Ukraine with a dramatic impact on inflation and, at the same time, the successive natural disasters that proved, in addition to the intensity of climate change, the fragility of the Greek state. In other words, in the last 15 years there has not been a period of calm and this has been a catalyst for social behavior and mentality, and therefore for the political system as well. In the bigger picture, in the geopolitical and international environment, there are no longer guarantees or even stable references. East, south and north of Greece there is turmoil and bloodshed, while European leadership is weaker than ever, the EU’s economic dynamic is in retreat, its responses to the great challenges of demographics, immigration and environmental destruction are insufficient. In the United States, the new Donald Trump era has begun with unpredictable upcoming changes at a world level, perhaps through the adulteration of Western democracy with authoritarianism, which will in fact have an impact on this side of the Atlantic as well. At such a historical juncture, with the irreversible absence of major narratives, it is expected that the parties of a small, economically and institutionally weak country will follow international trends, at some delay and some national particularities. Thus, the far-right is strengthened here as well, and if it were not fragmented it would already have reached 20%, the parties of “neither right nor left” (such as the new one created by former SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis and Zoi Konstantopoulou’s Course of Freedom) are growing, there are no charismatic leaders with a widely respected reputation, while voters are moving away from the traditional parties by voting with anger. Social media competes for influence with conventional media, the risk of voter abstention, especially among younger people, is growing, and last-minute voting is increasingly affecting the election result. This new two-party system is strange. Who is more centrist? Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis or former PASOK MP Anna Diamantopoulou? And why do so many former PASOK ministers fit so comfortably in a New Democracy government? Is PASOK now more convincing or is it just SYRIZA shrinking? Can PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis appear prime-ministerial or will he only be able to enter the Maximos Mansion – the prime minister’s office – if the government’s wear and tear becomes irreversible? Is there a chance that the ruling conservatives will look further to the right after the next elections to find a coalition partner? Could it change its leader before the 2027 elections? Is it possible for PASOK to form a progressive front with what remains of SYRIZA, and its offshoot, the New Left? Will Kasselakis’ new party be able to cooperate with the winning party, whoever that is? And what about former premier and SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras? Indeed, is he preparing to lead a new political formation with SYRIZA as a component? And if so, isn’t it too soon? And will it have any chance of success or does he belong to the old political world? Do we still not know how many parties will take part in the next elections with the possibility of being represented in Parliament? And what will happen if Mitsotakis recommends for president an emblematic figure of the center-left like former finance minister and PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos? What is certain is that, while neither of the two largest parties seems likely to govern alone in the foreseeable future, nor are they building alliances with a potential coalition partner, the new two-party system traffics in the collective fantasy of the good old years of linear prosperity. Meanwhile, the nightmare of bankruptcy creates contradictory associations in people’s minds and the feeling of a second time round may perhaps not appeal even to the determined voters of both parties.
