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7NEWS
2 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall baffled by Terrell May's State of Origin snub
A mystified Benji Marshall is at a loss to explain Terrell May's State of Origin omission, suggesting if the prop had a different name he would be gaining more attention as a NSW contender. As May prepares to lead a depleted pack against Penrith on Sunday, Tigers coach Marshall launched a staunch defence of the Samoan international's character. May left the Sydney Roosters for the Tigers in November in circumstances which look all the more questionable given the prop's red-hot form for Marshall's men. The 26-year-old, who averages 177m per game, leads the NRL in offloads and has regularly clocked up 80-minute performances for the Tigers this season, was left out of the Blues squad for game one. Mitch Barnett's knee injury has opened the door for May to receive a call-up to the Blues squad for game two in Perth on June 18, an option Marshall has implored NSW coach Laurie Daley to take. 'Given Terrell's form early in the season, I think he's been one of the best front-rowers in the game,' Marshall told reporters on Saturday. 'I don't pick the (NSW) team, but he's been outstanding for what he's done for us and I'm punching him out for pretty big minutes. 'I hate the stuff that gets thrown around about his personality and his character, because what we see is a guy who brings leadership to our team.' Marshall described May as a 'great performer with impact on and off the field'. 'All the (negative) things that get said about him ... it's not true,' he said. 'I feel sorry for him because he's got a bit of a bad rap, but he's a really good bloke. 'What more can he do? Maybe if his name wasn't Terrell May he would make it.' May will be tasked with carrying the Tigers' pack against the Panthers as they aim to avoid falling to a fourth-straight NRL defeat. Marshall is without Alex Twal (concussion) and Fonua Pole (knee), leaving the Tigers light on in the middle. The Tigers coach has named two utilities - Jack Bird and Latu Fainu - on his bench alongside two-game forward Kit Laulilii and NRL debutant Charlie Murray. Marshall has dropped former Cronulla prop Royce Hunt to NSW Cup. 'Royce made some great impact for us at the start of the season,' Marshall said. 'We just need to get some match fitness into him, and he's had limited minutes for us.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why AI Projects Fail: Groundbreaking Survey Uncovers Crisis of Trust in Underlying Content
SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- eGain (NASDAQ: EGAN), the leader in AI knowledge platform for service, today announced the findings of a first-of-its-kind survey on the state of AI in 2025. Conducted by Enterprise AI/KMWorld in Spring 2025, the findings were compiled from the responses of 316 executives, knowledge managers and practitioners worldwide. The survey revealed a make-or-break barrier to AI success with a whopping 61% of respondents pointing to erroneous or inconsistent answers as the top concern for broad AI adoption. In fact, Gartner warns that 100% of generative AI virtual customer assistant and virtual agent assistant projects that lack integration with modern KM systems will fail to meet their CX and operational cost-reduction goals. 'It is trusted content or bust when it comes to moving the needle with AI applications,' said Ashu Roy, eGain CEO. 'At a time when so many organizations are looking to AI to solve problems, it's important to stress that, with AI and knowledge, you need both to thrive,' said Marydee Ojala, Editor-in-Chief for KMWorld. 'The hard numbers from this study reveal how vital trusted content is to successful AI initiatives.' With the eGain AI Knowledge Hub, Fortune 500 clients across industries such as banking, insurance, healthcare, and utilities have taken this trust-centric, knowledge-powered approach to accelerate AI initiatives. 'With trusted knowledge created and curated in the eGain AI knowledge Hub, we have been able to reduce AHT (Average Handle Time) by 24% and AWT (Average Wait Time) by 57% for member calls,' said Amy Durst, Assistant VP of Internal Support at Rogue Credit Union. 'At the same time, our agent satisfaction scores went up by 22%.' More information State of AI 2025: Mid-Year Report eGain link KMWorld link eGain AI Knowledge Hub™ eGain webinar with KMWorld: 'AI Initiatives for CX: Why They Fail and How to Succeed,' June 26, 2025, 11 am – 12 noon Pacific Time Solve London 2025, the premier conference for AI-powered CX transformation About eGaineGain AI Knowledge Hub helps businesses improve customer experience and reduce cost by delivering trusted, consumable answers. CONTACT: Contact eGain Media Relations press@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cabinet outlines progress on global engagement and infrastructure investment
Cabinet reveals South Africa's strategic plans for economic growth and social development Image: Supplied/GCIS Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni outlined a robust Cabinet progress and planning agenda, emphasising South Africa's commitment to responsible global engagement, infrastructural investment, security, and social development. Speaking in Pretoria during a media briefing on Thursday, Ntshavheni indicated that the Cabinet's weekly meeting was marked by significant strides in national development, international diplomacy, and social cohesion. Elevating South Africa's Global Profile A key highlight was hosting the 25th Africa Rail Conference in Johannesburg, which drew over 5,000 delegates from across the continent. Minister Ntshavheni welcomed this, stating: 'This gathering underscores our commitment to transforming Africa's rail sector, which is vital for regional integration, economic growth, and sustainable transportation. 'Our reforms aim to make our rail system more efficient and competitive.' The successful hosting of the 15th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Authorities in Cape Town further reinforces South Africa's leadership role The country's election to chair the Association of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa for 2025-2026 was celebrated as a testament to South Africa's dedication to good governance. 'This leadership position reflects our strong stance against corruption and our responsibility to uphold integrity across the continent,' Minister Ntshavheni remarked. The Cabinet also expressed pride in hosting the Africa Rail Conference and the Commonwealth Anti-Corruption Conference, emphasising that these events demonstrate South Africa's role as a responsible global nation committed to fighting all forms of crime and promoting regional stability. Preparing for the Future: Infrastructure and Investment Another key update was the State of Readiness for the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) 2025. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Scheduled for 25 to 27 May 2025, SIDSSA aims to galvanise infrastructure investment, bringing together investors, policymakers, and financial institutions to accelerate South Africa's infrastructure development. 'This summit will showcase our progress under the National Infrastructure Plan 2050 and highlight our top 12 infrastructure projects,' Minister Ntshavheni explained. 'It's an opportunity to attract investments to drive economic growth and job creation.' Celebrating Africa and National Achievements South Africa's active participation in Africa Month was highlighted, focusing on Africa Day on 25 May 2025. The month-long celebrations promote continental unity and economic prosperity, which are aligned with the African Union's Agenda 2063. On the domestic front, Child Protection Month and International Day of the Boy Child were marked with calls for community action against violence and abuse. Minister Ntshavheni urged citizens to report all forms of child abuse and emphasized the importance of supporting boys' health and well-being through community dialogues and resource mobilisation. Recognition and Condolences The Cabinet expressed heartfelt condolences to families affected by recent tragedies, including the loss of police constables and community members. Ntshavheni also congratulated South Africa's athletes and artists on behalf of the cabinet on their outstanding achievements. 'Akani Simbine won the 100m in 9.98 seconds at the Shanghai Diamond League, maintaining his unbeaten streak. 'The South African relay teams shone at the World Relays in Guangzhou, with medals and record-breaking performances. 'The Blitzboks secured the HSBC Sevens World Championship title. 'Filmmaker Murena Emmanuel Netshitangani won the Best African Film Award at Cannes for Lubuny,' she said. She added that the country also celebrated the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV and posthumous recognition of Duma Nokwe as a Silk (Senior Counsel) for his outstanding contribution to nation-building. Strategic Policy and Legislative Progress The Cabinet approved several critical policies, including the Draft National Policing Policy, which aims to modernise police infrastructure and enhance community trust. The Comprehensive Civil Aviation Policy is designed to make South Africa's aviation sector more competitive and secure. The Critical Minerals Strategy positions South Africa as a leader in the global supply of minerals essential for green technologies such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. 'The Family Laws Amendment Bill, strengthening protections for women and children.' She stated that the Cabinet approved the Extradition Bill and International Co-operation in Criminal Matters Amendment Bill to modernise and streamline international law enforcement cooperation. The Cabinet also approved the Mineral Resources Development Bill, which aims to attract investment and curb illegal mining activities. International Engagement and Future Opportunities South Africa's global leadership was further demonstrated through preparations to host INTERPOL's African Regional Conference in August 2025, expected to draw 550 law enforcement officials from across the continent. The country was also approved to host the INTERPOL Annual General Assembly in 2028, reaffirming its regional leadership role. Minister Ntshavheni emphasised, 'Hosting these events underscores our commitment to regional and international security cooperation. It demonstrates our responsibility to fight crime and promote stability by example.' Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni concluded on an optimistic note. 'Our efforts reflect our national resolve to build a resilient, inclusive, and globally responsible South Africa. Through strategic reforms, strengthened partnerships, and active engagement, we pave the way for a brighter future for all our citizens.' IOL Politics
Scottish Sun
06-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
One in three Brits don't seek help for mental health problems over fears of looking ‘weak'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONE in three Brits have decided against seeking mental health support due to the stigma that still surrounds the issue. A study, of 1,000 adults, revealed 21 per cent believe those who seek therapy are "mentally weak" - a figure that rises to 25 per cent among Gen Z. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Over half of survey respondents said they try to handle mental health issues on their own Credit: Getty Thirty-five per cent worry about being judged if they were to get professional help for their wellbeing, while 25 per cent fear doing so could harm their job prospects. As a result, 55 per cent prefer to handle problems on their own, with 36 per cent saying there is societal pressure to do so. And nearly three in 10 would be hesitant to tell their partner if they had seen a therapist. In fact, 60 per cent of those polled believe this persistent stigma discourages people from seeking the help they need when they're struggling. Fernando Madeira, president and CEO of BetterHelp, which commissioned the research and released its global 'State of Stigma' report to mark Mental Health Awareness Month, said: "Mental health stigma is deeply rooted in societal attitudes and misconceptions. "Many people fear judgement from their peers and family, believing seeking therapy is a sign of weakness. "As a result, people often feel uncomfortable sharing their struggles or seeking the support they need. "We exist to champion the well-being of everyone in the UK - and envisage a future where everyone can get the help they need, when they need it." Despite all of this, it also emerged 85 per cent value mental health just as much as physical health, and 78 per cent believe support is vital to overall wellbeing. More than half - 56 per cent - admit to often feeling anxious, nervous or on edge, while 45 per cent say mental health struggles make it difficult to navigate daily life. Monty Don's secret to fighting depression Even among those who haven't accessed therapy, 14 per cent say they've avoided it due to fear of what family or friends might think. And over a third - 35 per cent - cite a lack of social support as a key barrier to seeking care. Practical challenges are also getting in the way - with 49 per cent saying support is hard to find and 41 per cent finding it too expensive. One in five - 21 per cent - reported poor access to providers, while 19 per cent are unsure how to even begin the process. Depression... the signs to look for and what to do Depression can manifest in many ways. We all feel a bit low from time to time. But depression is persistent and can make a person feel helpless and unable to see a way through. They may also struggle to about daily life. Mind says these are some common signs of depression that you may experience: How you might feel Down, upset or tearful Restless, agitated or irritable Guilty, worthless and down on yourself Empty and numb Isolated and unable to relate to other people Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy Angry or frustrated over minor things A sense of unreality No self-confidence or self-esteem Hopeless and despairing Feeling tired all the time How you might act Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy Self-harming or suicidal behaviour Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions Losing interest in sex Difficulty remembering or concentrating on things Using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much No appetite and losing weight, or eating more than usual and gaining weight Physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause Moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated If you feel this way, visit your GP who can help you. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support. The following are free to contact and confidential: Samaritans, 116 123, jo@ CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858 Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41 Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@ or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary). YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too. Rethink Mental Illness, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate). The study also revealed the stigma is especially stark for Gen Z - who, despite demonstrating the most signs of poor mental health, are still more likely than any other age group to view therapy as a sign of weakness. They are also almost twice as likely as Baby Boomers to experience mild to moderate anxiety (47 per cent vs 25 per cent), and more than four times as likely to suffer from severe anxiety (24 per cent vs 7 per cent). Only 39 per cent report feeling happy - compared to 54 per cent of Millennials and 61 per cent of Boomers - while nearly a third (31 per cent) show signs of moderate to severe depression. BetterHelp therapist Richard Whitenstall added: "Gen Z face pressure from social media to project a perfect life, which can lead to unrealistic expectations, fear of judgement and many hiding their struggles, which fosters stigma. "Growing up in environments where discussing mental health is taboo further reinforces this stigma, making it harder to seek help."
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Akamai Research: Web Attacks Up 33%, APIs Emerge as Primary Targets
Surge correlates with accelerated adoption of AI-powered applications CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online, today released a new State of the Internet (SOTI) report that finds there were 311 billion web attacks in 2024, representing a 33% year-over-year increase. State of Apps and API Security 2025: How AI Is Shifting the Digital Terrain notes the surge in these attacks correlates to the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) applications, which expand attack surfaces and introduce new security challenges. The report also finds that APIs have emerged as primary targets, with Akamai documenting 150 billion API attacks from January 2023 through December 2024. The AI API market is growing rapidly and the integration of AI-driven tools with core platforms via APIs has substantially expanded this attack surface. The majority of AI-powered APIs are externally accessible and many rely on inadequate authentication mechanisms, a vulnerability compounded by the growing array of AI-driven attacks targeting them. Akamai notes that AI-powered APIs are even more vulnerable than their counterparts as AI fuels technical advancements for threat actors. In addition, Akamai documents a dramatic rise in Layer 7 (application-layer) distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against web applications and APIs. Quarterly attack volumes increased 94% year-over-year between Q1 2023 and Q4 2024. In early 2023, Akamai observed monthly numbers of 500 billion, which rose to 1.1 trillion in one month by December 2024. This growth is due to the growing sophistication of bot-driven attacks, the persistence of HTTPS flooding as a primary attack vector, and the prevalence of Layer 7 DDoS attacks targeting the high technology industry. Other key findings of the report include: There were more than 230 billion web attacks targeting commerce organizations, making it the most impacted industry. This is nearly triple the number of attacks experienced by high technology (the second most attacked sector). There were 7 trillion Layer 7 DDoS attacks targeting the high technology sector from January 2023 through December 2024, making it the most affected industry. OWASP API Security Top 10–related incidents increased 32%, revealing authentication and authorization flaws that expose sensitive data and functionality. Growth in security alerts related to the MITRE security framework are up 30% as attackers are using advanced techniques such as automation and AI to exploit APIs. Shadow and zombie APIs present particularly vulnerable attack vectors within increasingly complex API ecosystems. State of Apps and API Security 2025: How AI Is Shifting the Digital Terrain also contains a security spotlight on an API attack against an ecommerce company, an explanation of the differences between web and API attacks, regional and industry attack data, and recommended mitigation strategies. The report provides unique insights on risk scoring and technical methods that are designed to assist frontline defenders. "AI is transforming web and API security, enhancing threat detection but also creating new challenges," said Rupesh Chokshi, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Akamai's Application Security Portfolio. "This report is a must read to understand what's driving the shift and how defenders can stay ahead with the right mitigation strategies." This is the 11th year of Akamai's SOTI reports. The SOTI series provides expert insights on cybersecurity and web performance and is based on data gathered from our network infrastructure, which processes more than one-third of global web traffic. About Akamai Akamai is the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. Our market-leading security solutions, superior threat intelligence, and global operations team provide defense in depth to safeguard enterprise data and applications everywhere. Akamai's full-stack cloud computing solutions deliver performance and affordability on the world's most distributed platform. Global enterprises trust Akamai to provide the industry-leading reliability, scale, and expertise they need to grow their business with confidence. Learn more at and or follow Akamai Technologies on X and LinkedIn. Contact:Akamai PRakamaiPR@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Akamai Technologies, Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
