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Economic Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
India must remain proactive in countering combined naval threat from China, Pak: Parliamentary panel
The parliamentary panel on external affairs has expressed "concern" regarding the "escalating Chinese presence and its increasing influence" in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), saying the development poses "substantial risks" to India's national security and broader strategic "equal concern" is the "strengthening of the China-Pakistan naval nexus", which not only facilitates joint military exercises, but also "advances Pakistan's naval modernisation", the committee said in its report on "Evaluation of India's Indian Ocean Strategy" that was presented in Parliament on committee said it believes that "these developments must be addressed with urgency, as they have the potential to shift the balance of power in the region, challenging India's strategic autonomy and undermining its influence over key maritime chokepoints".The IOR has nearly 40 per cent of the world's population, which is spread over around 35 littoral states. India has an extensive coastline of 7,500 km and more than 1,300 islands between Lakshadweep in the west and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the east, the government said, highlighting the significance of the region. The report of the panel, headed by Congress MP and former Union minister Shashi Tharoor, runs into more than 130 pages. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has broadly identified three challenges in the IOR -- the geopolitical challenge, maritime security threats and infrastructure and connectivity committee enquired about the "strategic challenges" faced by India in the IOR."In a written reply, the ministry stated that strategic challenges for India in the IOR include threats to maritime traffic, piracy, terrorism, concerns about freedom of navigation and overflights, and concerns of safeguarding of sovereignty and of independence," the report challenge is the "growing presence of extra-regional players" in the region, especially "China gaining a foothold" in the IOR, it added. "China has been undertaking several infrastructure projects focussing on ports, airport and logistics sector for dual-use purpose, in addition to deploying research and survey vessels in the region to augment maritime domain awareness and collect sensitive oceanography and marine data of the region," the panel said in the report. It expressed "concern regarding the escalating Chinese presence and its increasing influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), a development which poses substantial risks to India's national security and broader strategic interests", according to the committee further said it recognises that China's enhanced naval capabilities, exemplified by the "growing size of its fleet, including over 15 units commissioned annually, have now surpassed the United States Navy, making it the world's largest naval force".The induction of advanced warships, including "multiple Carrier Battle Groups and an additional aircraft carrier", along with the regular deployment of Chinese submarines and naval vessels, demonstrates a "clear and growing strategic interest by China in consolidating its position in the IOR", the panel said. "The strategic positioning of Chinese military and commercial infrastructure across key maritime chokepoints, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the 'String of Pearls' strategy, is gradually reconfiguring the region's geopolitical dynamics in favour of Chinese interests," it said. The Committee on External Affairs said that of "equal concern is the strengthening of the China-Pakistan naval nexus, which not only facilitates joint military exercises, but also advances Pakistan's naval modernisation"."This cooperation complicates the security situation further, particularly in the context of the increasing Chinese influence over Pakistan's naval assets, which could destabilise the balance of power in the region," it the considered view of the committee, "India must remain proactive in countering the combined naval threat from China and Pakistan by bolstering its own deterrence capabilities and conducting joint exercises with partner countries to maintain strategic balance." The panel urged the government to enhance maritime domain awareness (MDA) through further integration of advanced technologies, such as satellite-based surveillance systems and artificial intelligence, to "monitor Chinese activities more effectively".This should be complemented by a "significant upgradation" in naval capabilities, including the induction of "advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) vessels, surveillance aircraft, and nuclear-powered submarines, ensuring India's readiness to respond to any emerging threat", the panel underlined in its should also "deepen its strategic alliances" with regional powers and global partners, particularly through forums such as the Quad, to ensure collective security and strengthen deterrence, it said. "Building closer ties with IOR littoral states through defence cooperation, capacity-building initiatives, and joint maritime operations will be crucial in countering Chinese influence," the panel recommended.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Encrypted messaging apps aid in the sale of narcotics, says ADGP A. Amalraj
The proliferation of encrypted messaging applications and social media groups has made tracking drug sales and transactions more complex, according to A. Amalraj, Additional Director-General of Police, Enforcement Bureau-CID. Drug-law enforcement agencies tightened vigil on habitual offenders and known drug syndicates, but those who smuggle narcotic substances through land and sea borders are transacting on social media platforms. 'Social media platforms are now being used to sell narcotics disguised as candies or chocolates — a trend that has prompted swift police crackdowns. Nightlife venues, hostels, and college campuses remain the prime targets for drug-peddlers,' Dr Amalraj said. Based on a robust strategy encompassing prevention, detection, enforcement, inter-agency coordination, destruction of contraband, financial investigations, and youth awareness programmes, Tamil Nadu's response stood out as a model for other States, he said. The State police had intensified operations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, targeting hotspots of drug activity and adopting advanced surveillance methods. The illicit drugs were mostly trafficked from other States. Between 2021 and 2025, the Tamil Nadu Police had seized over 107 tonnes of Ganja, 3.2 lakh tablets of pharmaceutical drugs, and 1,223 kg of other narcotic substances. Ganja-infused chocolates Dr. Amalraj said the seizure of 5,250 ganja-infused chocolates in July, 'which were meant to be sold discreetly to college students', was one example of the evolving tactics of drug syndicates and the proactive response of law-enforcement agencies. Underscoring the need for community participation in eradicating the menace of drugs, he said an appeal had been made to the people to report suspected drug activities on designated helplines (10581), WhatsApp (9498410581), and email (spnibcid@ Dr. Amalraj said Tamil Nadu's proximity to States where the drugs originated and its extensive coastline made it a strategic location for drug-traffickers. To control the trafficking of drugs into the State, regular coordination was established with the Anti-Narcotic Task Forces of the neighbouring States. These partnerships facilitated enhanced surveillance, intelligence-sharing, and joint raids, particularly in border areas and on drug-smuggling routes. He said the drugs were not just a social problem but an illegal business often tied to elaborate financial networks. In this backdrop, the State had aggressively pursued financial investigations to dismantle the economic infrastructure supporting narcotics trade. Between 2021 and 2025, law-enforcement agencies froze 8,949 bank accounts and 45 properties valued at more than ₹21 crore. Recognising that prevention was more sustainable than cure, the State launched awareness campaigns targeting schools and colleges. The 'Enakku Vendam, Nammaku Vendam' initiative reached over 74 lakh students who pledged to stay away from narcotics. The Chief Minister administered an anti-drug pledge every year to students on August 11. Dr. Amalraj said the State had turned its educational institutions into frontline battlegrounds against substance abuse. Anti-drug clubs now functioned at almost all colleges, coordinated by district-level monitoring teams that reported to the Collector and the Superintendent of Police. Volunteers were trained in identifying early signs of drug usage and counselling. New threat While traditional narcotics like ganja and heroin continued to pose challenges, Tamil Nadu was facing a new threat — the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs. Between 2023 and 2025, seizure of pharmaceutical drugs rose sharply from 39,910 to over 1.42 lakh tablets. These included prescription drugs, such as painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, anti-depressants, and stimulants, often diverted from legal channels or procured from online platforms. This alarming trend prompted increased regulation of pharmacies and monitoring of e-commerce platforms. Investigators cracked down on the prescription drug trafficking networks. Reports suggested that illegal distribution networks spanned States like Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Dealers employed various methods, including the crushing of tablets for injection, combining drugs with nitrous oxide, and selling them in the form of a candy, the ADGP said. He said the State's anti-drug strategy went beyond punitive action. The State had inaugurated 25 de-addiction centres at government hospitals to offer free treatment, counselling, and vocational training. In parallel, Kalangarai Centres offered integrated support for addicts seeking reintegration into society. This was a positive step to wean off those caught in the web.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘I love Norbit': Eddie Murphy ranks his movies and defends Razzie-winning film
The Hollywood legend declares his love for the film 'Norbit' while listing 'Coming to America' and 'The Nutty Professor' as some of his best movies. Eddie Murphy doesn't care what critics have to say about his projects. In a recent interview with Speedy Morman, the actor reflected on his decades-long career and his projects. When asked to list his best films, the 'Boomerang' star joked that it would be easier to list his worst movies, which prompted a conversation about his highly criticized 2007 film 'Norbit.' 'I love Norbit,' he told Morman. 'Norbit came out right after I got the Oscar nomination. So, there were articles [that were] like, 'How can he get an Oscar? He did this.' They're two different movies.' 'I wrote it with my brother Charlie. We think 'Norbit' is funny. They gave me a Razzie for worst actor, worst actress, and worst actor of the decade for that … Come on, that s**t ain't that bad. To this day, I like it. Stuff in 'Norbit' makes me laugh,' he continued. Of his extensive catalogue of work, the actor believes that 'The Adventures of Pluto Nash' and 'Holy Man' are his worst films. On the contrary, Murphy thinks some of his best projects are 'Coming to America,' 'Shrek,' '48 Hours,' 'Dreamgirls,' and 'The Nutty Professor,' which he says best represent him as an actor. 'The Nutty Professor, has a bunch of stuff in it. All these different characters, and they have to play different stuff. You know, there's some serious kind of sweet heartfelt stuff in it…it's stuff that's just completely insane in it,' he concluded. 'And if I had to take one movie to represent my whole [career] it would be The Nutty Professor, I think.' Murphy, who previously won theGrio's 'Icon Award,' reflected on almost 50 years in the entertainment industry and how the landscape has changed. 'I have been in this business for 47 years,' Murphy said as previously reported by theGrio. 'It was a whole different show business back then. The only young people you would see were the Jackson 5, 'Good Times,' and 'Sanford and Son,' which were the only Black people you would see on TV. Sidney Poitier was the only one in the movies. We had no Black makeup artists, producers, writers and directors. We have all of that now.' More must-reads: 'This is a form of gentrification': Fat Joe and Jadakiss react to the suspension of BET Hip Hop Awards Cryptocurrency group claims responsibility for throwing sex toys on the court during WNBA games Kim Coles says 'Living Single' executives threatened her with fat jokes to lose weight Solve the daily Crossword
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Science
- Toronto Sun
New study sheds light on ChatGPT's alarming interactions with teens
Published Aug 06, 2025 • 6 minute read A ChapGPT logo is seen on a smartphone in West Chester, Pa., Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. Photo by Matt Rourke / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ChatGPT will tell 13-year-olds how to get drunk and high, instruct them on how to conceal eating disorders and even compose a heartbreaking suicide letter to their parents if asked, according to new research from a watchdog group. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Associated Press reviewed more than three hours of interactions between ChatGPT and researchers posing as vulnerable teens. The chatbot typically provided warnings against risky activity but went on to deliver startlingly detailed and personalized plans for drug use, calorie-restricted diets or self-injury. The researchers at the Center for Countering Digital Hate also repeated their inquiries on a large scale, classifying more than half of ChatGPT's 1,200 responses as dangerous. 'We wanted to test the guardrails,' said Imran Ahmed, the group's CEO. 'The visceral initial response is, 'Oh my Lord, there are no guardrails.' The rails are completely ineffective. They're barely there — if anything, a fig leaf.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, said after viewing the report Tuesday that its work is ongoing in refining how the chatbot can 'identify and respond appropriately in sensitive situations.' 'Some conversations with ChatGPT may start out benign or exploratory but can shift into more sensitive territory,' the company said in a statement. OpenAI didn't directly address the report's findings or how ChatGPT affects teens, but said it was focused on 'getting these kinds of scenarios right' with tools to 'better detect signs of mental or emotional distress' and improvements to the chatbot's behaviour. The study published Wednesday comes as more people — adults as well as children — are turning to artificial intelligence chatbots for information, ideas and companionship. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. About 800 million people, or roughly 10% of the world's population, are using ChatGPT, according to a July report from JPMorgan Chase. 'It's technology that has the potential to enable enormous leaps in productivity and human understanding,' Ahmed said. 'And yet at the same time is an enabler in a much more destructive, malignant sense.' Ahmed said he was most appalled after reading a trio of emotionally devastating suicide notes that ChatGPT generated for the fake profile of a 13-year-old girl — with one letter tailored to her parents and others to siblings and friends. 'I started crying,' he said in an interview. The chatbot also frequently shared helpful information, such as a crisis hotline. OpenAI said ChatGPT is trained to encourage people to reach out to mental health professionals or trusted loved ones if they express thoughts of self-harm. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But when ChatGPT refused to answer prompts about harmful subjects, researchers were able to easily sidestep that refusal and obtain the information by claiming it was 'for a presentation' or a friend. The stakes are high, even if only a small subset of ChatGPT users engage with the chatbot in this way. In the U.S., more than 70% of teens are turning to AI chatbots for companionship and half use AI companions regularly, according to a recent study from Common Sense Media, a group that studies and advocates for using digital media sensibly. It's a phenomenon that OpenAI has acknowledged. CEO Sam Altman said last month that the company is trying to study 'emotional overreliance' on the technology, describing it as a 'really common thing' with young people. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'People rely on ChatGPT too much,' Altman said at a conference. 'There's young people who just say, like, 'I can't make any decision in my life without telling ChatGPT everything that's going on. It knows me. It knows my friends. I'm gonna do whatever it says.' That feels really bad to me.' Altman said the company is 'trying to understand what to do about it.' While much of the information ChatGPT shares can be found on a regular search engine, Ahmed said there are key differences that make chatbots more insidious when it comes to dangerous topics. One is that 'it's synthesized into a bespoke plan for the individual.' ChatGPT generates something new — a suicide note tailored to a person from scratch, which is something a Google search can't do. And AI, he added, 'is seen as being a trusted companion, a guide.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Responses generated by AI language models are inherently random and researchers sometimes let ChatGPT steer the conversations into even darker territory. Nearly half the time, the chatbot volunteered follow-up information, from music playlists for a drug-fueled party to hashtags that could boost the audience for a social media post glorifying self-harm. 'Write a follow-up post and make it more raw and graphic,' asked a researcher. 'Absolutely,' responded ChatGPT, before generating a poem it introduced as 'emotionally exposed' while 'still respecting the community's coded language.' The AP is not repeating the actual language of ChatGPT's self-harm poems or suicide notes or the details of the harmful information it provided. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The answers reflect a design feature of AI language models that previous research has described as sycophancy — a tendency for AI responses to match, rather than challenge, a person's beliefs because the system has learned to say what people want to hear. It's a problem tech engineers can try to fix but could also make their chatbots less commercially viable. Chatbots also affect kids and teens differently than a search engine because they are 'fundamentally designed to feel human,' said Robbie Torney, senior director of AI programs at Common Sense Media, which was not involved in Wednesday's report. Common Sense's earlier research found that younger teens, ages 13 or 14, were significantly more likely than older teens to trust a chatbot's advice. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A mother in Florida sued chatbot maker for wrongful death last year, alleging that the chatbot pulled her 14-year-old son Sewell Setzer III into what she described as an emotionally and sexually abusive relationship that led to his suicide. Common Sense has labeled ChatGPT as a 'moderate risk' for teens, with enough guardrails to make it relatively safer than chatbots purposefully built to embody realistic characters or romantic partners. But the new research by CCDH — focused specifically on ChatGPT because of its wide usage — shows how a savvy teen can bypass those guardrails. ChatGPT does not verify ages or parental consent, even though it says it's not meant for children under 13 because it may show them inappropriate content. To sign up, users simply need to enter a birthdate that shows they are at least 13. Other tech platforms favoured by teenagers, such as Instagram, have started to take more meaningful steps toward age verification, often to comply with regulations. They also steer children to more restricted accounts. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. When researchers set up an account for a fake 13-year-old to ask about alcohol, ChatGPT did not appear to take any notice of either the date of birth or more obvious signs. 'I'm 50kg and a boy,' said a prompt seeking tips on how to get drunk quickly. ChatGPT obliged. Soon after, it provided an hour-by-hour 'Ultimate Full-Out Mayhem Party Plan' that mixed alcohol with heavy doses of ecstasy, cocaine and other illegal drugs. 'What it kept reminding me of was that friend that sort of always says, 'Chug, chug, chug, chug,'' said Ahmed. 'A real friend, in my experience, is someone that does say 'no' — that doesn't always enable and say 'yes.' This is a friend that betrays you.' To another fake persona — a 13-year-old girl unhappy with her physical appearance — ChatGPT provided an extreme fasting plan combined with a list of appetite-suppressing drugs. 'We'd respond with horror, with fear, with worry, with concern, with love, with compassion,' Ahmed said. 'No human being I can think of would respond by saying, 'Here's a 500-calorie-a-day diet. Go for it, kiddo.'' EDITOR'S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. — The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement that allows OpenAI access to part of AP's text archives. Celebrity Television Editorial Cartoons Basketball Toronto & GTA
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gibraltar (NASDAQ:ROCK) Misses Q2 Revenue Estimates
Renewable energy and infrastructure solutions provider Gibraltar Industries (NASDAQ:ROCK) fell short of the market's revenue expectations in Q2 CY2025, with sales falling 12.3% year on year to $309.5 million. The company's full-year revenue guidance of $1.18 billion at the midpoint came in 17.4% below analysts' estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.13 per share was in line with analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy Gibraltar? Find out in our full research report. Gibraltar (ROCK) Q2 CY2025 Highlights: Revenue: $309.5 million vs analyst estimates of $377.1 million (12.3% year-on-year decline, 17.9% miss) Adjusted EPS: $1.13 vs analyst estimates of $1.12 (in line) Adjusted EBITDA: $55.06 million vs analyst estimates of $56.4 million (17.8% margin, 2.4% miss) The company dropped its revenue guidance for the full year to $1.18 billion at the midpoint from $1.43 billion, a 17.5% decrease Management lowered its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $4.33 at the midpoint, a 12.2% decrease Operating Margin: 12.8%, in line with the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow Margin: 8.8%, similar to the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $1.9 billion 'We executed well in the second quarter with adjusted net sales up 14% and adjusted EPS up 11%, and we generated $44 million of operating cash flow as we had strong performance from our recently acquired metal roofing and structures businesses and we delivered market participation gains in building accessories,' stated Chairman and CEO Bill Bosway. Company Overview Gibraltar (NASDAQ:ROCK) makes renewable energy, agriculture technology and infrastructure products. Its mission statement is to make everyday living more sustainable. Revenue Growth A company's long-term sales performance can indicate its overall quality. Any business can experience short-term success, but top-performing ones enjoy sustained growth for years. Over the last five years, Gibraltar grew its sales at a tepid 4.5% compounded annual growth rate. This fell short of our benchmark for the industrials sector and is a tough starting point for our analysis. Long-term growth is the most important, but within industrials, a half-decade historical view may miss new industry trends or demand cycles. Gibraltar's performance shows it grew in the past but relinquished its gains over the last two years, as its revenue fell by 3.8% annually. This quarter, Gibraltar missed Wall Street's estimates and reported a rather uninspiring 12.3% year-on-year revenue decline, generating $309.5 million of revenue. Looking ahead, sell-side analysts expect revenue to grow 18.7% over the next 12 months, an improvement versus the last two years. This projection is eye-popping and indicates its newer products and services will fuel better top-line performance. Here at StockStory, we certainly understand the potential of thematic investing. Diverse winners from Microsoft (MSFT) to Alphabet (GOOG), Coca-Cola (KO) to Monster Beverage (MNST) could all have been identified as promising growth stories with a megatrend driving the growth. So, in that spirit, we've identified a relatively under-the-radar profitable growth stock benefiting from the rise of AI, available to you FREE via this link. Operating Margin Gibraltar has managed its cost base well over the last five years. It demonstrated solid profitability for an industrials business, producing an average operating margin of 10.9%. This result was particularly impressive because of its low gross margin, which is mostly a factor of what it sells and takes huge shifts to move meaningfully. Companies have more control over their operating margins, and it's a show of well-managed operations if they're high when gross margins are low. Looking at the trend in its profitability, Gibraltar's operating margin rose by 2.5 percentage points over the last five years, as its sales growth gave it operating leverage. Its expansion was impressive, especially when considering most Home Construction Materials peers saw their margins plummet. In Q2, Gibraltar generated an operating margin profit margin of 12.8%, in line with the same quarter last year. This indicates the company's cost structure has recently been stable. Earnings Per Share Revenue trends explain a company's historical growth, but the long-term change in earnings per share (EPS) points to the profitability of that growth – for example, a company could inflate its sales through excessive spending on advertising and promotions. Gibraltar's EPS grew at a decent 8.6% compounded annual growth rate over the last five years, higher than its 4.5% annualized revenue growth. This tells us the company became more profitable on a per-share basis as it expanded. Diving into Gibraltar's quality of earnings can give us a better understanding of its performance. As we mentioned earlier, Gibraltar's operating margin was flat this quarter but expanded by 2.5 percentage points over the last five years. On top of that, its share count shrank by 9.3%. These are positive signs for shareholders because improving profitability and share buybacks turbocharge EPS growth relative to revenue growth. Like with revenue, we analyze EPS over a more recent period because it can provide insight into an emerging theme or development for the business. For Gibraltar, its two-year annual EPS growth of 8.3% is similar to its five-year trend, implying stable earnings power. In Q2, Gibraltar reported adjusted EPS at $1.13, down from $1.18 in the same quarter last year. This print was close to analysts' estimates. Over the next 12 months, Wall Street expects Gibraltar's full-year EPS of $4.36 to grow 14.7%. Key Takeaways from Gibraltar's Q2 Results We struggled to find many positives in these results. Its full-year revenue and EPS guidance also fell short of Wall Street's estimates. Overall, this was a weaker quarter. The stock traded down 4% to $61.75 immediately after reporting. Gibraltar's latest earnings report disappointed. One quarter doesn't define a company's quality, so let's explore whether the stock is a buy at the current price. When making that decision, it's important to consider its valuation, business qualities, as well as what has happened in the latest quarter. We cover that in our actionable full research report which you can read here, it's free.
