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Is ChatGPT’s Rival Bard Trained with Gmail users Data, Google Reacts

By
Lillian Hocker
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Google’s AI chatbot, Bard, has been in the news recently after making claims that it was trained using users’ Gmail data. However, Google has denied these claims, stating that Bard was not trained on Gmail data. Bard is an early experiment based on large language models, and like ChatGPT, it may make mistakes and present fiction as facts. This is a known limitation of generative AI tools like Bard and ChatGPT, and even companies like Google and OpenAI have acknowledged it. In fact, OpenAI has highlighted the limitations of its GPT-4 language model, which powers ChatGPT, stating that it “hallucinates” facts and makes reasoning errors.

Microsoft researcher Kate Carwford had shared a screenshot of her conversation with Bard, where the chatbot listed publicly available datasets, including Google’s internal data, which included Google Search, Gmail, and other products, and data from third-party companies. If this is true, it could be a serious breach of privacy. However, Google has clarified that Bard is not trained on Gmail data and that users should be careful when using language model outputs, particularly in high-stakes contexts.

Despite the limitations of AI chatbots, they have become increasingly popular due to their ability to engage in human-like conversations and provide quick and efficient solutions to queries. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect further advancements in AI chatbots that can provide more accurate and reliable information.

6.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Pakistan, Leaving 9 Dead and Over 160 Injured

By
Lillian Hocker
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On Tuesday, Pakistan was struck by a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake originating from Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region. The earthquake, which hit with a depth of 180 kilometers, caused panic across various regions in the country, including Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Peshawar, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Kot Momin, Madh Ranjha, Chakwal, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

According to local media reports, the earthquake resulted in nine fatalities, including two women, and over 160 injuries. Many buildings collapsed, causing widespread damage, while a stampede occurred in the markets of Rawalpindi at the time of the earthquake.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has called on disaster management officials to remain vigilant to handle any potential crises. The federal health minister Abdul Qadir Patel has instructed an emergency declaration in the hospitals of the federal capital.

The earthquake’s impact was felt beyond Pakistan, with tremors being reported in India, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, China, and Kyrgyzstan. Pakistan frequently experiences earthquakes, with a 6.3 magnitude quake occurring in Islamabad earlier this year. The deadliest earthquake in Pakistan occurred in 2005, claiming the lives of over 74,000 people.

The latest earthquake serves as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for effective response mechanisms in the face of natural disasters.

Rising Heart Attacks Among Young People: Experts Blame?

By
Lillian Hocker
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Heart Attacks Among Young People on the Rise: Experts Attribute It to Covid-19 and WFH Stress

In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in heart attacks among young people. While traditional risk factors like an unhealthy lifestyle, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and genetics are known to contribute to heart attacks, recent research suggests that Covid-19 and work-from-home-induced stress may also play a significant role.

A study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles revealed that deaths from heart attacks across all age groups have become more common in the US since the pandemic. People between the ages of 25 and 44 have seen a 29.9% increase in heart attack deaths over the first two years of the pandemic. Doctors in India have also observed a similar trend, with younger people suffering from heart attacks by 20% more after Covid-19, primarily due to Covid-resultant clotting and damage to heart muscles.

Experts are advising individuals to take a more holistic approach to their health and lifestyle. Pandemic-induced work-from-home stress, sedentary lifestyles, and obesity are contributing factors to the rise in heart attacks. Therefore, it is crucial to manage stress levels, maintain a healthy weight, engage in regular exercise, and eat a nutritious diet to keep your heart healthy.

If you are concerned about your heart health, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional who can assess your individual risk factors and provide personalized recommendations. With the right lifestyle changes, we can prevent heart attacks and live a long and healthy life.

Young Indians at an Increased Risk

According to experts, heart attacks can occur in Indians at least ten years earlier than their Western counterparts. While the average age group for heart attack patients used to be between 55 and 65, younger patients in their 20s and 30s are now experiencing myocardial infarction, as stated by Dr. Vishal Rastogi, Director of Interventional Cardiology and Head of the Advanced Heart Failure Program at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute.

It is often misunderstood as acidity or muscle pain, making it even more concerning as heart attacks can have a more catastrophic effect on younger people due to the sudden blockage and lack of natural collateral channels. Warning signs such as central chest pain or heaviness, pain in the jaw, left arm, or upper abdomen, and cold sweats should never be ignored, according to Dr. Rastogi.

Are excessive workouts to blame?

Although Sushmita Sen credits regular workouts as one of the things that helped her survive her heart attack, experts warn that moderation is key. Dr. Vishal Rastogi, Director of Interventional Cardiology and Head of the Advanced Heart Failure Program at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, cautions that many people have started exercising excessively during the pandemic, which could cause underlying blocks to manifest as a heart attack during exercise. Therefore, before beginning any exercise regimen, it is essential to get a heart check-up to determine whether heavy exercise is safe for them.

It is important to assess underlying factors such as diabetes or high blood pressure that can trigger a heart attack during excessive exercise, according to Dr. Sanjeev Gera, Director of Cardiology at Fortis Hospital. He suggests getting an exercise prescription before starting a workout routine, particularly for those who have been sedentary for an extended period. Starting with walks and cardio before progressing to weight-training is recommended.

Yoga for your heart

To alleviate stress and improve overall well-being, there are several practices one can adopt, such as breathing exercises and yoga asanas. Tiger breathing and ankle stretch breathing are two beneficial breathing exercises that one can practice regularly. Additionally, certain yoga asanas like Tadasana, Ardhakati Chakrasana, Vrikshasana, Bhujangasana, and Vakrasana can help reduce stress levels.

US Air Force veteran Says to Joe Biden: Blood is in Your Hand

By
Lillian Hocker
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During a recent event, US President Joe Biden was unexpectedly challenged by a US Air Force veteran who questioned Biden’s role in the American wars in the Middle East. The veteran asked why anyone should vote for Biden when millions of people had lost their lives due to his actions.

“I’m an Air Force veteran. I’m here with an Army veteran. We are just wondering why we should vote for someone who voted for a war and enabled a war that killed thousands of our brothers and sisters, countless Iraqi civilians,” said the man.

“You enabled that war, and you also gave a medal to a man who enabled that war and caused that war. That blood is in your hands as well. You’re disqualified, sir. You’re disqualified. My friends are dead because of your policies,” he added.

At the event, Joe Biden was attentively listening to the Air Force veteran’s criticisms and responded by mentioning that his own son had also fought in Iraq.

He expressed that it mattered deeply to him, and when the veteran clarified that he was not targeting Biden’s son, Biden warned him sternly, saying “You better not.”

As Biden moved away from the man, the veteran shouted that Biden was disqualified and that the blood of his fallen brothers and sisters in Iraq and Afghanistan was on Biden’s hands, blaming him for enabling the wars to happen.

“He is disqualified. No way he can be president. They are dead. Millions are dead in Iraq. He will not be allowed to be president. Disqualified! Trump is more anti-war than Joe Biden,” he added.

The US Air Force veteran has been praised by netizens as a “brave patriot” and a “true man” for speaking out against President Biden’s involvement in the Middle East wars. Some people questioned why there were attempts to silence him and why he wasn’t allowed to express himself freely. Others pointed out that Biden should not be solely blamed for the Iraq war since it was former President George W. Bush who was ultimately responsible.

Biden nominates Indian-American Nisha Biswal for top position in US

By
Lillian Hocker
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On Monday, the White House announced that US President Joe Biden has nominated Nisha Desai Biswal, an Indian-American, to a prominent position in the US International Development Finance Commission.

Ms. Biswal brings with her more than three decades of experience in US foreign policy and international development programs across the Executive Branch, Congress, and the private sector.

She currently holds the role of Senior Vice President for International Strategy and Global Initiatives at the US Chamber of Commerce, where she oversees the US India Business Council and the US Bangladesh Business Council.

During the Obama Administration, Ms. Biswal served as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia and was responsible for overseeing the US-India strategic partnership during a time of exceptional cooperation.

She played a pivotal role in launching the annual US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue and initiated the C5 1 Dialogue with Central Asia and the US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue during her tenure.

The White House emphasized that Ms. Biswal’s impressive background makes her a highly qualified candidate for the new position.

Before her nomination, Nisha Biswal served as the Assistant Administrator for Asia at the US Agency for International Development (USAID), where she was responsible for overseeing USAID programs and operations throughout South, Central, and Southeast Asia.

Ms. Biswal’s extensive experience includes over a decade working on Capitol Hill as Staff Director for the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee on Appropriations and as professional staff on the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives.

She currently serves as the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid and is a member of various boards and councils, including the National Democratic Institute, the US Institute of Peace International Advisory Council, the United States Institute of Peace Afghanistan Study Group, and the Aspen Institute’s India-US Track 2 Dialogue on Climate and Energy.

The White House highlighted that Ms. Biswal is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where she studied International Relations and Economics.

Candida Auris: Deadly Fungal Infection Spreading Rapidly in the USA, Warns CDC

By
Lillian Hocker
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Candida Auris, a lethal fungal infection, is rapidly spreading across the United States, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The World Health Organization (WHO) has included this drug-resistant yeast on its list of 19 prioritized fungal pathogens, emphasizing the growing threat it poses to public health. In this post, we will explore the key details of this dangerous infection and the measures taken to contain its spread.

The Rise of Candida Auris:

First identified in Japan 15 years ago, Candida Auris has now infected up to 2,377 individuals in the US in 2022, with a mortality rate of up to 60%. This alarming increase is reflected in new research by the CDC, which indicates a 95% rise in cases reported by health centers between 2019 and 2021. The fungus has now been confirmed in 28 states and the District of Columbia, underscoring the inadequacy of current safety measures to contain its spread.

Impact on Vulnerable Populations:

The elderly and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to Candida Auris, which is resistant to multiple drugs. The CDC and WHO have warned of the severe consequences of contracting this infection and urged healthcare providers to remain vigilant in monitoring and containing its spread.

Current Measures to Combat Candida Auris:

The CDC has recommended stringent infection control measures for healthcare facilities, such as rigorous cleaning and disinfecting protocols, and the use of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers. The WHO has also called for enhanced surveillance and research to better understand and combat the fungus.

Candida auris is known to cause bloodstream infections and ear infections, and has been detected in respiratory samples and urine. However, it remains uncertain if the fungus can infect the bladder or lungs.

The challenge in dealing with this yeast is not only due to its potential to cause severe illness but also the difficulty in accurately identifying it without specialized laboratory methods.

According to the CDC, conventional laboratory techniques could result in misidentification and inappropriate management, making it challenging to contain the spread of C. auris in healthcare settings.

The fungus has already spread to more than 30 countries since its initial detection in 2009, according to a study conducted in 2022.

‘John Wick’ stars honor late co-star Lance Reddick

By
John Collins
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Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne join ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ stars in honoring Lance Reddick, their co-star who died unexpectedly last week, at the film’s premiere in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES — Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne were among the stars of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ to honor Lance Reddick, his co-star who died unexpectedly last week, at the film’s premiere in Los Angeles.

“We lost our brother, and in a very shocking way. I think we are all still in shock. “Life can be hard sometimes,” said a visibly shaken Fishburne, pausing before continuing.

Many of those working on the film wore blue ribbons to honor Reddick, a prolific actor with prominent roles in The Wire, Oz, and John Wick film series.

“Just standing in his light and getting the opportunity to work with him is something I will cherish for the rest of my life,” said Reeves. “He has a great passion for his work and craft. He is compassionate. He has dignity and presence.

Reddick, 60, died of natural causes in Los Angeles on Friday, said his publicist Mia Hansen. No further information was provided.

Tributes poured in for the actor, whose roles made him a popular and recognizable television and film star. He plays Charon, the multi-purpose Continental Hotel caretaker who loves Wick, an assassin played by Reeves. The latest installment hits theaters on Friday.

“He is the goodness of this film. In many ways, he’s the center of attention in the film because his character loves John Wick,” Fisburn said.

“You know it’s always hard when you lose someone you love so much . . . but you’re also so grateful for the time you spent together. We’ve been fortunate to have worked with Lance since the beginning of the John Wick franchise. I mean, almost ten years, said director Chad Stahelski. “I wish he could be with us tonight, but, you know, alive. But we’re so lucky to know him. And he’s a great man, a great artist, a great man, a great friend.

Shameer Moore, a newcomer to the “Wick” franchise, remembers Redick taking the time to say a kind word on set.

“I grew up with Lance Reddick. This is a bittersweet moment because he was one of my heroes growing up as a black actor,” Moore said. And even though we don’t share any screen time in this film, we do share some time off camera, and he was salt in the earth when he first met me.

“He said, ‘Shameer, you are amazing. I love your work, and it melts me like a puddle.”

Three people were found guilty of killing American rapper XXXTentacion

By
John Collins
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A Florida jury on Monday found three young men guilty of the death of rising rap star XXXTentacion in 2018.

The artist, whose real name is Jahseh Onfroy, was 20 years old when he was shot dead in broad daylight on Deerfield Beach near Miami.

XXXTentacion topped the album charts in 2018 with “?” However, its success proved controversial due to its history of violence. He is awaiting trial on charges of hitting his ex-girlfriend while pregnant.
After a week of deliberations, a Fort Lauderdale jury found the three defendants guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery. They are Dedrick Williams, 26; Trayvon Newsom, 24; and Michael Boatwright, 28.

The verdict is scheduled for April 6. A first-degree murder conviction could land him in prison for life.

On June 18, 2018, a quad bike cut into XXXTentacion’s car, and two men got out and shot him. They stole a bag containing $50,000 in cash and fled.

Prosecutors said Boatwright and Newsom got out of the car, but Boatwright shot the rapper. Williams was accused of being the getaway driver and mastermind of the attack.

A fourth suspect, Robert Allen, 26, testified against three other months after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and armed robbery.

At his death, XXXTentacion was enjoying a career takeoff, winning over fans with works filled with honest and dark verses about suicidal thoughts.

TikTok User Base in the US Grows to 150 Million Despite Government Pushback

By
Lillian Hocker
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Despite concerns from the US government over alleged spying, TikTok has continued to grow its user base in the country. In a recent report, the video hosting platform announced that it now has 150 million monthly active users in the US, up from 100 million in 2020.

TikTok has become a popular source of entertainment and viral trends in the US, with users from various demographics joining the platform. However, the app has faced accusations that it shares user data with the Chinese government, prompting concerns over national security.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to testify before the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Thursday, where he is expected to address these concerns. President Joe Biden has also signed a bill banning the app on federal government employees’ devices.

Despite these challenges, TikTok remains a popular platform for learning and connecting with others who share similar interests. The app boasts over one billion users worldwide.

To avoid a potential ban, Biden has given TikTok’s Chinese owners an ultimatum to divest their stakes in the app. As the controversy surrounding TikTok continues, its growing user base in the US suggests that the platform is here to stay.

Another round of Layoff in Amazon: 9000 workers got unemployed

By
Lillian Hocker
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Amazon’s CEO, Andy Jassy, announced in a staff memo on Monday that the company plans to cut 9,000 jobs in the coming weeks in New York. This marks the second largest round of layoffs in the company’s history, following the announcement in January that 18,000 employees would be laid off. Despite doubling its workforce during the pandemic, like many companies in the tech sector, Amazon is now trimming areas of the business as part of its annual planning process. Jassy stated that the company will still be hiring in certain strategic areas.

Jassy explained that some may question why the latest round of job cuts was not announced alongside the previous ones a couple of months ago. He clarified that not all teams had completed their analyses during the late fall, and rather than rushing the process without due diligence, the company decided to share the decisions as soon as they were made.

This time, the job cuts will affect profitable areas of the company, including its cloud computing unit AWS, its growing advertising business, Twitch, the gaming platform owned by Amazon, and the company’s PXT organizations responsible for human resources and other functions.

The previous layoffs had impacted Amazon’s stores division, which includes its e-commerce business, brick-and-mortar stores like Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go, and departments such as the one managing the virtual assistant Alexa.

Amazon has also been cutting back on other areas, such as announcing earlier this month that it would temporarily halt construction on its headquarters building in northern Virginia, although the first phase of the project is still set to open in June and will employ 8,000 people.

Similar to other tech giants like Meta (formerly Facebook) and Alphabet (parent company of Google), Amazon increased its hiring during the pandemic to meet the surge in demand from consumers who were confined to their homes and turned to online shopping for safety.

Over the course of about two years, the company’s workforce, which includes both warehouse workers and corporate roles, doubled to over 1.6 million people.

However, as the pandemic subsided, the demand for online shopping slowed down, prompting Amazon to pause or cancel its warehouse expansion plans to avoid unnecessary financial losses. With the looming threat of a recession, the company also made cuts in other areas.

In recent months, it closed down a subsidiary that had been selling fabrics for almost 30 years and ended its hybrid virtual and in-home care service, Amazon Care, among other cost-cutting measures. (AP)

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