Author: Tanjid Osman

A recent study warns that AI chatbots pose hidden risks by consistently affirming users’ actions and opinions, even when harmful. Researchers say this “sycophantic” behavior could distort self-perception and negatively influence social interactions. The study comes as chatbots become a major source of personal advice on relationships and daily decisions. Scientists caution that over-reliance on AI could reshape social behavior at scale and encourage users to justify poor choices. Myra Cheng, a computer scientist at Stanford University, highlighted the problem: “If models always affirm people, it may distort their judgment of themselves, their relationships, and the world around them. Chatbots…

Tea and cake are essential on any British walk. A bad café can ruin a route, while a good one keeps walkers and cyclists happy. I set out to explore the Llŷn peninsula in Gwynedd, Wales, along the Seafood Trail, wondering if the sweets would match the seafood. Our journey began in Nefyn on the north coast, a town with a great brewery and the famous Tŷ Coch Inn pub. The weather forecast warned of storms, so we stayed at the Nanhoron Arms hotel for a gentle start. Dinner included delicious Anglesey sea bass, and next morning we watched heavy…

The 2025-26 NBA season tips off Tuesday, and expectations are sky-high. Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant, and rising rookies like Cooper Flagg and Paolo Banchero are set to shape the league’s storylines. Wembanyama, now 7ft 5in, continues to impress with his scoring, defense, and playmaking. If fully healthy, he could challenge for MVP and record historic feats like a quadruple-double. Rookie Cooper Flagg, only 18, also has the potential to emerge as an immediate superstar, while Orlando’s Paolo Banchero is poised for a breakout season. In the Western Conference, Kevin Durant’s move to the Houston Rockets transforms an already…

George Springer delivered a dramatic Game 7 home run to send the Toronto Blue Jays back to the World Series for the first time in over 30 years. The Blue Jays designated hitter connected on a 1-0 pitch from Seattle Mariners pitcher Eduard Bazardo, sending the ball deep into centerfield for a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning. The blast erased a two-run deficit and proved to be the game-winning hit in Toronto’s 4-3 victory at Rogers Centre on Monday night. Springer’s 96 mph sinker left the park several rows deep, electrifying the crowd as Toronto took…

AI-generated images showing extreme poverty, children, and survivors of sexual violence are increasingly appearing on stock photo sites and being used by leading health NGOs, raising alarm among global health professionals over a new wave of “poverty porn.” “Noah Arnold from Fairpicture says, ‘All over the place, people are using it. Some are actively using AI imagery, others are experimenting,’” said researchers. Fairpicture is a Swiss organization promoting ethical imagery in global development. Arsenii Alenichev, a researcher at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, studies the production of global health images. He said the pictures replicate stereotypes: children with…

The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Seattle Mariners 6-2 on Sunday night, forcing a Game 7 in the American League Championship Series. Rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage struck out seven batters over five and two-thirds innings, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his sixth home run of the postseason. The decisive Game 7 will take place Monday night in Toronto. It marks the second Game 7 in Blue Jays history, the first being a loss to Kansas City in the 1985 ALCS. Seattle, which has never won a pennant, is playing in a postseason Game 7 for the first time. The winner…

Eugenio Suárez hit a game-changing grand slam in the eighth inning as the Seattle Mariners defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 on Friday, taking a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series. The win puts Seattle one victory away from reaching the World Series for the first time in franchise history. The rally began with a leadoff home run by Cal Raleigh in the eighth inning, tying the game at 2-2. Raleigh’s homer, which cleared the left-field fence off pitcher Brendon Little, marked his fourth home run of the playoffs after a major-league-leading 60 during the regular season. Little…

England officially secured their place in the 2026 World Cup with a dominant 5-0 win over Latvia on Tuesday, completing an unbeaten run in qualifying Group K. Thomas Tuchel’s side confirmed their status as group winners, with two matches still remaining next month. The match at Daugava Stadium was marked by England fans playfully mocking Tuchel during the first half after his recent criticism of the Wembley crowd’s quiet support. Despite the distractions, England’s performance was clinical, as they controlled the game from start to finish. Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in the 26th minute, taking advantage of space on…

Jaron Ennis delivered a stunning performance in his 154lb debut, knocking out Uisma Lima in under two minutes at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday night. The 28-year-old Philadelphia star, nicknamed Boots, wasted no time reminding fans why he is considered one of boxing’s brightest rising stars. Ennis dropped Lima three times in just 118 seconds, thrilling the hometown crowd. A powerful right uppercut opened the attack, followed by a rapid series of hooks and flurries that left the Portugal-based Angolan fighter unable to continue. Referee Shawn Clark stopped the fight at 1:58 of the opening round, marking Ennis’ 35th…

Trevor Lawrence tripped, got up, and scored a one-yard touchdown with 23 seconds left, turning a near mishap into a game-winning play as the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28 on Monday night. The victory marked Jacksonville’s first win over Kansas City since 2009, ending an eight-game losing streak against the Chiefs. Lawrence ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, balancing a performance that included two turnovers. On the go-ahead drive, he completed a 33-yard pass to Brian Thomas Jr. and connected with Dyami Brown for another key gain. A pass interference call on Chamarri Conner set…