In the ever-expanding world of social media wellness content, influencers promote a variety of treatments and products, claiming to aid weight loss, boost energy, or improve overall health. While some of these recommendations may have merit, many are based on trends with little scientific backing, experts warn. Some influencers urge their followers to avoid certain foods, such as seed oils, while others promote restrictive diets, like the meat-heavy carnivore diet. Social media is flooded with endorsements for berberine—dubbed “nature’s Ozempic”—and non-medical IV vitamin therapy, marketed as a cure for hangovers or fatigue. The Rise of Dubious Health ClaimsAlternative health remedies have existed long before the internet, but the sheer volume of online advice today has raised concerns about misinformation, even as some ideas gain mainstream traction. For instance, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had his Instagram account suspended in 2021 for spreading misinformation about vaccine safety and COVID-19. Yet, his views still have a significant following. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former talk show host criticized for making misleading health claims, is now former President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. U.S. regulators recall nearly all Tesla Cybertrucks over safety issue Netflix recently released a documentary on Belle Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer who falsely claimed to have cured her terminal brain cancer with diet and alternative medicine. In 2015, she admitted to fabricating her illness, and an Australian court later fined her for failing to donate money she had pledged from her cookbook and app sales. With personal wellness remaining a trending topic, experts suggest the following strategies to evaluate online health advice: 1. Be Wary of Product PromotionsMost influencers have financial ties to companies, earning money by promoting products through sponsored posts or affiliate links. While this doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t believe in what they’re selling, it does create a conflict of interest. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association last month analyzed around 980 Instagram and TikTok posts about five popular medical tests. Researchers found that many posts were misleading and failed to mention risks, such as overdiagnosis from full-body MRIs or early cancer screenings. Moreover, most of these posts came from users with financial incentives to promote the tests. Timothy Caulfield, a health policy and law professor at the University of Alberta, said supplement promotion is a major source of misinformation, fueling a multibillion-dollar industry. “If someone is selling a supplement, it’s a red flag,” he warned. 2. Check for ExpertiseNot all health influencers have medical credentials. Some may use bold claims to boost engagement, even if their advice lacks scientific backing. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” said Cedric Bryant, CEO of the American Council on Exercise. Before following health advice, check the influencer’s qualifications. In fitness, for example, accredited certification can be verified through the U.S. Registry of Exercise Professionals. The American Medical Association and the American Board of Medical Specialties also offer searchable databases for verifying doctors’ credentials. Even if a qualified expert is promoting a product, consider whether financial ties may influence their recommendations. While Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines require influencers to disclose sponsorships, many fail to do so. In 2023, the FTC warned several influencers, including registered dietitians, for not properly disclosing paid promotions of sugar-containing products and the artificial sweetener aspartame. 3. Compare Claims to Medical ConsensusIf an influencer cites scientific studies, verify whether their claims align with the broader medical consensus. Chinese LiDAR maker Hesai denies U.S. military links amid legal battle “Just because someone has an ‘M.D.’ after their name doesn’t make them entirely trustworthy,” said Stanford psychiatrist Elias Aboujaoude, who studies psychology and technology. He recommends cross-checking claims with reputable sources like major academic institutions or government health agencies. Also, examine whether cited studies are published in peer-reviewed journals. Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietitian at the Mayo Clinic, cautioned that some health trends emerge from preliminary studies that have not yet been replicated. “One study might show a benefit, but that doesn’t mean it’s been proven effective,” she said. Final ThoughtWith so much health advice circulating online, skepticism is key. While some wellness trends may hold promise, many lack scientific validation. Before making health decisions based on social media posts, verify claims with credible sources and watch for hidden financial motives. Source: With input from agency 

The Trevi Fountain, one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, has captivated audiences in films from Fellini’s La Dolce Vita to Netflix’s Emily in Paris. Every year, millions of tourists navigate Rome’s narrow streets to marvel at the grand Titan god Oceanus, surrounded by cascading waterfalls that flow into the fountain’s striking turquoise basin. Yet, few ever get a glimpse behind the magnificent baroque structure to see the intricate system that keeps the water flowing. Tucked away behind wooden doors on a nearby street lies the control chamber managing the fountain’s water supply, fed by the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct, which stretches 16 kilometers (10 miles) to reach the city. Two electric pumps recycle 126 liters (33 gallons) of water per second, with Rome’s water management company, ACEA, overseeing the flow 24/7 to ensure its precision. The delicate balance of water movement is crucial for the fountain’s visual effect, explained Davide D’Alonzo, ACEA’s regional manager. Even the slightest deviation in water levels could disrupt the display. Inside the modern control chamber, metal tanks and illuminated panels manage the system, while the original arched chamber houses a rushing water pipe and an 18th-century hydrometer still used to measure water levels. A large, weathered spreadsheet on the wall lists the names of affluent Roman families who once received water from this chamber—along with records of when their supply was cut off due to unpaid dues. From the grated windows of the chamber, one can peer out at the bustling crowd gathered around the fountain, unaware of the hidden mechanics that sustain its beauty. Visitors eagerly toss coins over their shoulders into the water, following the legend that doing so will ensure their return to the Eternal City.

U.S. safety regulators on Thursday issued a recall affecting nearly all Tesla Cybertrucks on the road, marking the eighth recall since deliveries began in late 2023. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalled 46,096 Cybertrucks from the 2024 and 2025 model years due to concerns that an exterior panel along the windshield could detach while driving, posing a road hazard and increasing the risk of crashes. Tesla will replace the panel free of charge, and owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by May 19, 2025. The issue involves a stainless steel cant rail assembly that was initially attached using structural adhesive, which regulators found could become brittle under environmental stress. The fix includes stronger adhesive and additional reinforcements. Videos of Cybertruck panels being pulled off by hand have gone viral on social media, drawing further scrutiny to Tesla’s futuristic electric pickup. Trump announces plans to buy a Tesla as sales decline A Troubled Launch for CybertruckThe recall adds to Tesla’s growing list of safety issues, including past recalls for: Faulty electric inverters causing drive wheels to lose power.Stuck acceleration pedals due to interior trim interference.Windshield wiper failures and display screen malfunctions. Tesla, owned by Elon Musk, has faced increasing challenges in 2025, including heightened competition from Chinese EV makers and declining sales. The company’s stock has dropped 42% this year amid growing investor skepticism. Attacks on Tesla Vehicles and Facilities Beyond its business struggles, Tesla has also been the target of attacks on showrooms, charging stations, and private vehicles in recent weeks: In Colorado, a woman was charged for vandalizing Tesla dealerships, throwing Molotov cocktails and spray-painting “Nazi cars” on a building. In South Carolina, federal agents arrested a man accused of setting fire to Tesla charging stations near Charleston. Investigators found anti-government writings in his belongings.Recall Contact Information Musk's embrace of right-wing politics risks turning off car buyers and sinking Tesla's stock Cybertruck owners can contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236, or visit nhtsa.gov for more details. Source: With input from agency 

China’s leading LiDAR manufacturer, Hesai Technology, has denied allegations of links to the Chinese military following a report from short-seller Blue Orca Capital. The company is currently challenging the U.S. Defense Department’s decision to list it as a supplier to China’s military. Hesai, the global leader in LiDAR technology, supplies laser sensors to major Chinese automakers, including BYD. Its Nasdaq-listed shares dropped about 10% on Tuesday after Blue Orca Capital released a report claiming the company misled investors about its military connections. “We strongly disagree with the allegations in the Blue Orca report and are of the view that they are without merit,” Hesai said in a statement. The company insists it has no ties to China’s military and is committed to ethical business practices. Hesai sued the U.S. government last year after being placed on the Pentagon’s list of companies with alleged military connections. A hearing for its case was scheduled for Thursday in the District Court of the District of Columbia. Google agrees to pay $28m in racial bias lawsuit The Blue Orca report includes images of Chinese military tanks appearing to use Hesai’s LiDAR technology, citing footage from state-run media and defense industry exhibitions. It also referenced concerns from former U.S. President Donald Trump about Chinese tech firms with military ties posing national security risks. Hesai CEO David Li rejected the accusations, saying the Defense Department “falsely accuses us of associating with the Chinese military.” He added that the Pentagon had not claimed Hesai was owned or controlled by the military or directly sold products to military bodies but cited concerns over China’s “military-civil fusion” strategy. Hesai supplies LiDAR to Amazon’s Zoox robotaxi service and previously worked with General Motors' Cruise unit before GM scaled back its autonomous vehicle ambitions last year. Google Cloud to Acquire Wiz for Enhanced Cybersecurity Despite the controversy, Hesai recently reported a 14 million yuan ($1.9 million) profit for 2024, reversing a 241 million yuan loss in 2023. Source: With input from agency 

Amazon is discontinuing a little-used privacy feature that allowed some Echo users to keep their voice recordings from being sent to the company’s cloud. Starting March 28, the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” option will no longer be available, Amazon informed affected users via email. The feature, which allowed voice commands to be processed locally on devices instead of Amazon's servers, was only available on three Echo models—the 4th generation Echo Dot, Echo Show 10, and Echo Show 15—limited to U.S. users with English settings. Less than 0.03% of customers used it, Amazon said. FTC withdraws request to delay Amazon trial, says it has sufficient resources The company cited the expansion of Alexa’s generative AI capabilities, which require cloud processing, as the reason for discontinuing the feature. However, users can still prevent Alexa from saving their voice recordings. Those who had opted into the “Do Not Send” setting will be automatically switched to the “Don’t save recordings” option. Amazon emphasized its commitment to privacy, stating: “The Alexa experience is designed to protect our customers’ privacy and keep their data secure. We’re focusing on the privacy tools and controls that our customers use most and work well with generative AI experiences.” Source: With input from agency 

Google has agreed to pay $28m (£21.5m) to settle a lawsuit that claimed white and Asian employees were given better pay and career opportunities than workers from other ethnic backgrounds, a law firm representing claimants says. The technology giant confirmed it had "reached a resolution" but rejected the allegations made against it, reports BBC. The case filed in 2021 by former Google employee, Ana Cantu, said workers from Hispanic, Latino, Native American and other backgrounds started on lower salaries and job levels than their white and Asian counterparts. The settlement has been given preliminary approval by Judge Charles Adams of the Santa Clara County Superior Court in California. The case brought by Ms Cantu against Google relied on a leaked internal document, which allegedly showed that employees from some ethnic backgrounds reported lower compensation for similar work. The practice of basing starting pay and job level on prior salaries reinforced historical race and ethnicity-based disparities, according to Ms Cantu's lawyers. The class action lawsuit was filed for at least 6,632 people who were employed by Google between 15 February 2018 and 31 December 2024, according to Reuters news agency. Google Cloud to Acquire Wiz for Enhanced Cybersecurity Cathy Coble, one of the lawyers representing them, praised the "bravery of both the diverse and ally Googlers who self-reported their pay and leaked that data to the media". "Suspected pay inequity is too easily concealed without this kind of collective action from employees," Ms Coble added. The technology giant denied that it had discriminated against any of its employees. "We reached a resolution, but continue to disagree with the allegations that we treated anyone differently, and remain committed to paying, hiring, and levelling all employees fairly," a Google spokesperson told the BBC. Earlier this year, Google joined a growing list of US firms that are abandoning commitments to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their recruitment policies. Meta, Amazon, Pepsi, McDonald's, Walmart and others have also rolled back their DEI programmes. It comes as US President Donald Trump and his allies have regularly attacked DEI policies. Since his return to the White House, Trump has ordered government agencies and their contractors to eliminate such initiatives.

Google Cloud has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Wiz, a leading cloud security platform, to offer businesses and governments enhanced protection. This move addresses the growing cybersecurity risks and the complexity of managing multi-cloud and hybrid environments. Why Google Cloud Is Acquiring Wiz Now Cyber threats are escalating, and traditional security approaches struggle to keep pace. Modern organizations require comprehensive cybersecurity solutions that span multiple cloud platforms, protect against AI-related threats, and integrate seamlessly with software development and operations. Current Security Solutions Offered by Google Cloud  Google Cloud provides the following services: Google Threat Intelligence – Actionable insights into security threats.Google Security Operations – Automated threat detection and response.Mandiant Consulting – Expert response to cyber incidents and breaches. Read more: Google acquires cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion in its largest-ever deal What Are the Services of Wiz Wiz delivers a seamless cloud security platform that integrates across all major clouds, enabling businesses to detect and mitigate risks before deployment. It maps IT environments to identify attack paths and allows security teams to collaborate with developers to enhance security. Can Google Cloud and Wiz Offer Stronger Together Google promises that the acquisition will create a unified security platform combining Wiz’s expertise with Google’s AI-driven security innovation. This includes: End-to-end cloud security: Covering applications, infrastructure, and code.Advanced threat intelligence: Offering insight from an attacker’s perspective.New AI-driven protection: Addressing emerging threats.Cybersecurity professionals & AI agents: Enhancing security operations with automation and expert support. According to Google, Wiz’s solutions will remain compatible with AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud, while Google Cloud will continue supporting an open ecosystem with partner integration opportunities. Bottom Line As Google Cloud acquires Wiz, it is expected that customers will benefit from improved enterprise security and reduced costs across multi-cloud and on-premises environments. Read more: Google to spend $32 bln for cybersecurity startup Wiz

Google has agreed to purchase cybersecurity startup Wiz for $32 billion, marking its most significant acquisition to date as the company faces mounting regulatory scrutiny and the threat of antitrust actions. Announced Tuesday, the all-cash deal is part of Google's push into cloud computing amid the ongoing artificial intelligence boom. As demand for AI-driven data centers increases, competition has intensified among Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. If approved by regulators, Wiz will become part of Google Cloud, a division that has gained prominence despite the company’s reliance on search and advertising, which generate most of its $350 billion in annual revenue. The cloud segment has seen rapid growth, with revenue surging from $26.3 billion in 2022 to $43.2 billion in 2023. Founded in 2020 by four Israeli army veterans, Wiz has grown into a major cybersecurity player with operations headquartered in New York. The company, which specializes in cloud security, is expected to generate $1 billion in revenue this year. “Wiz and Google Cloud share a vision of making cloud security more accessible, intelligent, and user-friendly,” said Wiz CEO Assaf Rappaport in a blog post. Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized that Wiz’s integration would enhance security while reducing costs. His remarks appeared aimed at regulators likely to scrutinize the deal’s impact on competition and pricing. Reports suggest Google had been in talks with Wiz for some time, with an earlier $23 billion bid rejected in July 2023. At the time, Wiz was considering an initial public offering but ultimately opted for the Google acquisition amid stock market volatility. BYD unveils ultra-fast EV charging system comparable to fuel refueling Analysts at Wedbush Securities described the acquisition as a bold move against Microsoft and Amazon, both of which have made significant investments in cybersecurity to strengthen their cloud services. They noted that Google has lagged in the cloud market but suggested the Wiz deal could shift the competitive landscape. The $32 billion purchase far surpasses Google’s previous record acquisition—the $12.5 billion Motorola Mobility deal in 2012. It also ranks as the largest cybersecurity acquisition in history and among the 20 costliest software deals ever, according to financial intelligence firm Mergermarket. While some of Google’s past acquisitions, such as YouTube and DoubleClick, have been highly successful, others, like Motorola, did not meet expectations. The $5.4 billion acquisition of Mandiant in 2022, however, has contributed to Google Cloud’s growing profitability, which reached $6.1 billion last year. Regulatory Hurdles Loom The acquisition comes as Google faces intense regulatory scrutiny. The U.S. Justice Department has filed multiple antitrust cases against the company, including one targeting its dominance in digital advertising. Another case concluded that Google unlawfully monopolized internet search, with potential penalties under discussion. The Wiz deal is expected to face close examination from antitrust regulators, especially amid growing concerns over tech industry consolidation. While the Trump administration has signaled support for corporate mergers, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has expressed skepticism about allowing Big Tech to expand further. Telegram CEO Durov in Dubai amid France's criminal probe Last year, antitrust concerns reportedly led Wiz to abandon discussions with Google. However, analysts at Mergermarket suggest that Google and Wiz are now more confident in regulatory approval under the new administration. Despite this, the watchdog group Demand Progress Education Fund has urged regulators to block the acquisition, warning of further market concentration. “This is a test of whether regulators will stand up to Big Tech,” said Emily Peterson-Cassin, the group’s corporate power director. If approved, Google and Wiz expect to finalize the deal by 2026, pending regulatory clearance and other conditions outlined in the agreement. Source: With input from agency

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has agreed to acquire cybersecurity startup Wiz for $32 billion in an all-cash transaction. This acquisition will enhance Alphabet's position in the cloud computing sector, currently dominated by Amazon and Microsoft. Once the deal is completed, Wiz will become part of Google Cloud. “Today, businesses and governments that run in the cloud are looking for even stronger security solutions, and greater choice in cloud computing providers,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated on Tuesday. He added that the combination of Google Cloud and Wiz will “turbocharge improved cloud security and the ability to use multiple clouds” together. Google leans further into AI-generated overviews for its search engine Wiz, a cybersecurity company founded four years ago and based in New York, creates security tools designed to protect data stored in remote data centers from cyber threats. Google has been interested in Wiz for a while. The purchase price announced on Tuesday exceeds a previously rejected offer of $23 billion made by Google last July.

Chinese tech giant Baidu has introduced two new artificial intelligence (AI) models, positioning them as superior to those of DeepSeek and OpenAI based on certain benchmarks, amid the intensifying competition in large language models (LLMs). On Sunday, Baidu released its multimodal foundational model, Ernie 4.5, and its first multimodal reasoning model, Ernie X1, making them freely available on its website. According to Baidu, Ernie 4.5 outperformed OpenAI’s GPT-4o in several benchmark tests, including CCBench and OCRBench, with its multimodal capabilities covering images, audio, and video. The text performance of Ernie 4.5 also surpassed DeepSeek V3 on multiple benchmarks, while being comparable to OpenAI’s GPT-4.5. Can technology help more sexual assault survivors in South Sudan? Baidu, which launched China’s first LLM in March 2023 following the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has faced growing competition from other Chinese tech giants in the AI sector. The latest move aims to maintain its foothold in China’s AI market, especially as competitors like DeepSeek, Alibaba, Tencent, and Bytedance have been rapidly gaining business and consumer users. While Baidu did not provide benchmark results for Ernie X1, the company claimed it performs similarly to DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model but at half the price. The pricing for business access to Ernie X1’s API is set at 2 yuan (US$0.28) per million token inputs and 8 yuan per million token outputs. In comparison, DeepSeek charges US$0.55 per million token inputs and US$2.19 per million token outputs for its reasoning model, R1. The Hangzhou-based startup recently raised its API prices in response to growing demand. Baidu’s founder, chairman, and CEO, Robin Li Yanhong, revealed last month that Ernie 4.5 would become open source by June 30, marking a shift from his previous stance on closed-source AI development. “One thing we learned from DeepSeek is that open sourcing the best models can greatly help adoption,” Li said during an earnings call with analysts in February. “When the model is open source, people naturally want to try it out of curiosity, which helps drive broader adoption.” Despite these advancements in AI, Baidu’s business is still being impacted by weak ad revenue. The company reported a 2% year-on-year decline in total revenue for the fourth quarter, with its full-year revenue down by 1%. Source: South China Morning Post