Latest news with #chatting
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
One-third of teens reportedly use AI for friendship or romantic chat, in place of real interaction
A new report from Common Sense Media indicates that one-third of teenagers use AI companions for friendship or romantic conversations, with many finding them as satisfying as talking to real people. The study surveyed over 1,000 teenagers in April and May. It found that more than 70 per cent have used AI companions such as or Replika, with 50 per cent using them regularly. General-purpose tools like ChatGPT and Claude are also being employed for companionship, emotional support and role-play. One teen, 18‑year‑old Ganesh Nair, told the Associated Press, 'AI is always available. It never gets bored with you. It's never judgmental,' adding, 'When you're talking to AI, you are always right. You're always interesting. You are always emotionally justified.' About 33 per cent of teens report using AI for social interaction and relationship-related uses, and 31 per cent say AI conversations are as or more satisfying than real-life interactions. Meanwhile, 39 per cent believe that chatting with AI has helped them develop real-world social skills. Despite these figures, the majority still prefer talking to humans. The report notes that 67 per cent of teens find real-life conversation more satisfying overall. Experts have raised concerns about over-reliance on AI. Michael Robb, lead researcher on the study, warned that teens who develop social skills via AI 'are constantly being validated, not being challenged, not learning to read social cues… they are not going to be adequately prepared in the real world.'
North Wales Live
16-07-2025
- North Wales Live
Wife demands answers after husband's body lay in council toilet for six days
The devastated wife of a man whose body lay undiscovered in a council toilet for six days is demanding answers. Julie Stephen says she cannot cannot understand how her husband Sean's presence went unnoticed after he entered a cubicle at Edinburgh's City Chambers on July 1 and never re-emerged. Julie, aged 47, was chatting with Sean on the phone when he felt unwell and used the facilities. After failing to reach him subsequently, she reported him missing, yet it took nearly a week before his body was found. She is now pressing for answers from the council and police as to why her husband was left in such a state without detection. Speaking to the Daily Record, Julie recounted: "There's CCTV footage of him on the phone to me walking up the Royal Mile and into the council building. He was healthy but said he was feeling dizzy and sick. He said he was going to get a taxi." She continued: "I came off the phone when he was going to do the toilet. That was the last time I spoke to him. How's no one been in that toilet for six days, it baffles me. "There are security guards, cleaners and someone who sits at reception. The CID are still digging. Could he have been saved? These are questions which will be in my head for rest of my life." Julie posted a picture of Sean, 38, online with the caption: "Shame on Edinburgh Council. Left you inside their building for a week. You could've been saved." The couple had been married since 2019. Julie revealed she knew something was wrong when Sean wasn't answering his phone prompting her to call 999 that evening. She said: "I spoke to police on the phone but the first response I got was he's 38-years-old. He couldn't be a missing person (yet) because of his age. We spent a week looking for him and put flyers in shops. "We went searching everywhere. We were two minutes away from him, we didn't expect him to be in a locked building. When they found him his body was so decomposed. I couldn't even see his body. I had to give his toothbrush for DNA. This could happen to anybody. It's horrible, it's torture." Julie said: "I'm emotionally drained. I'm just asking for help. I just want to bring his body home and lay him to rest. I will get the answers but right now I just need to lay him to rest." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "At 9.20pm on Tuesday, 1 July, 2025 we received a report of concern for a 38-year-old man in the Edinburgh area who failed to make an pre-arranged appointment. Enquiries were carried out to trace him and he was traced deceased on Monday, 7 July in the High Street area of Edinburgh." Edinburgh City Council were also asked for comment. A Council spokesperson said: "We're continuing to assist Police Scotland with their inquiries and can't comment any further at this stage." A GoFundMe page has been set up by pals to help raise funds to cover the funeral costs for the "loving gentle giant". Sean's pal Adele Ford, who set up the GoFundMe page, said: "I'm looking to raise some funds towards Sean's funeral costs. It's to lift a bit pressure off his wife Julie and family. Sean went missing on 1st July 2025 and unfortunately was found dead on 7th July 2025. "This was very unexpected. He's only 38 years old he had his full life ahead of him he was the most loving gentle giant you'd ever meet. He was born and bred in the Southside area of Edinburgh and was well known by a lot of people "I was like a sister to Sean. We are absolutely devastated that he was found dead, unexplained. Any help would be appreciated to give him the best send off he deserves. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." To donate to the fundraiser towards Sean's funeral, you can do so here.
Glasgow Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
King and French president Macron display entente cordiale as state visit begins
The two heads of state gave public displays of warmth and affection, with Mr Macron air kissing the hands of the Queen and Princess of Wales, while he put a comforting hand on the King's back during his ceremonial welcome. Charles kissed the hand of the president's wife Brigitte Macron, affectionately pulling it up to his lips, and was seen in deep conversation with the French leader during a carriage ride through Windsor, part of the pomp and pageantry afforded the president. Windsor Castle is the setting for the start of Mr Macron's three-day state visit that has an important political backdrop, with the president and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer leading a Franco-British summit later this week that is likely to have action on Channel migrants top of the agenda. Mr Macron arrived in the UK promising 'concrete, effective and lasting' co-operation on migration and is under pressure to do more to stop small boats crossing the English Channel. The last French president to make a state visit to the UK was the now-disgraced Nicolas Sarkozy in March 2008 and Windsor has not hosted a visiting head since 2014, when Irish President Michael D Higgins travelled to the UK. The King kisses the hand of Brigitte Macron, wife of Emmanuel Macron, at the start of the French president's three-day state visit (Chris Jackson/PA) State visits capitalise on the royals' soft power to strengthen diplomatic ties with allies and Charles and Camilla warmly greeted the French leader and the first lady on a specially constructed Royal Dais near the town's Windsor and Eton Riverside train station, as a 41-gun salute thundered across the town. Mr Macron rolled out the Gallic charm by taking Camilla's hand and leaning forward to air kiss it, having earlier greeted Kate at RAF Northolt in north-west London with the same gesture, after the Prince and Princess of Wales had the duty of meeting them when their plane arrived. There were la bise kisses between Mrs Macron and the Queen, and as Mr Macron stood chatting to the King with ease, the president placed his hand on the monarch's back and gave it a few affectionate rubs. The Queen, the King, President of France Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at the ceremonial welcome for his state visit to the UK at Windsor Castle (Jonathan Brady/PA) The King was sporting a burst blood vessel in his right eye, which is said to have developed overnight and be unrelated to any other health conditions. A carriage procession was staged through the streets of Windsor, with Charles and the president riding past Windsor Guildhall, where the King married his consort in 2005, followed by their wives and behind them William and Kate in another carriage. The pomp and pageantry saw more than 950 servicemen and women from all three armed services, and 70 horses, taking part in the ceremonial welcome, from troops lining the carriage procession route to a guard of honour featuring guardsmen from two of the British Army's oldest regiments the Grenadier Guards and Scots Guards. The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to view the Royal Collection exhibition of French-related artefacts with President Macron and his wife (Benjamin Cremel/PA) Mr Macron inspected the troops with Major Jake Sayers of the Grenadier Guards, captain of the guard of honour, accompanied by the King who followed tradition and walked a few paces behind. When the royal party left for a private lunch the King, Queen and President Macron and his wife walked four abreast in step with each other as Kate and William followed. The Entente Cordiale was signed between UK and France in 1904 and ushered in improved relations between the two nations, who had fought against each other during the Napoleonic Wars. After his coronation the King, accompanied by the Queen, carried out a state visit to France in September 2023.
South Wales Argus
08-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
King and French president Macron display entente cordiale as state visit begins
The two heads of state gave public displays of warmth and affection, with Mr Macron air kissing the hands of the Queen and Princess of Wales, while he put a comforting hand on the King's back during his ceremonial welcome. Charles kissed the hand of the president's wife Brigitte Macron, affectionately pulling it up to his lips, and was seen in deep conversation with the French leader during a carriage ride through Windsor, part of the pomp and pageantry afforded the president. Windsor Castle is the setting for the start of Mr Macron's three-day state visit that has an important political backdrop, with the president and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer leading a Franco-British summit later this week that is likely to have action on Channel migrants top of the agenda. Mr Macron arrived in the UK promising 'concrete, effective and lasting' co-operation on migration and is under pressure to do more to stop small boats crossing the English Channel. The last French president to make a state visit to the UK was the now-disgraced Nicolas Sarkozy in March 2008 and Windsor has not hosted a visiting head since 2014, when Irish President Michael D Higgins travelled to the UK. The King kisses the hand of Brigitte Macron, wife of Emmanuel Macron, at the start of the French president's three-day state visit (Chris Jackson/PA) State visits capitalise on the royals' soft power to strengthen diplomatic ties with allies and Charles and Camilla warmly greeted the French leader and the first lady on a specially constructed Royal Dais near the town's Windsor and Eton Riverside train station, as a 41-gun salute thundered across the town. Mr Macron rolled out the Gallic charm by taking Camilla's hand and leaning forward to air kiss it, having earlier greeted Kate at RAF Northolt in north-west London with the same gesture, after the Prince and Princess of Wales had the duty of meeting them when their plane arrived. There were la bise kisses between Mrs Macron and the Queen, and as Mr Macron stood chatting to the King with ease, the president placed his hand on the monarch's back and gave it a few affectionate rubs. The Queen, the King, President of France Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at the ceremonial welcome for his state visit to the UK at Windsor Castle (Jonathan Brady/PA) The King was sporting a burst blood vessel in his right eye, which is said to have developed overnight and be unrelated to any other health conditions. A carriage procession was staged through the streets of Windsor, with Charles and the president riding past Windsor Guildhall, where the King married his consort in 2005, followed by their wives and behind them William and Kate in another carriage. The pomp and pageantry saw more than 950 servicemen and women from all three armed services, and 70 horses, taking part in the ceremonial welcome, from troops lining the carriage procession route to a guard of honour featuring guardsmen from two of the British Army's oldest regiments the Grenadier Guards and Scots Guards. The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to view the Royal Collection exhibition of French-related artefacts with President Macron and his wife (Benjamin Cremel/PA) Mr Macron inspected the troops with Major Jake Sayers of the Grenadier Guards, captain of the guard of honour, accompanied by the King who followed tradition and walked a few paces behind. When the royal party left for a private lunch the King, Queen and President Macron and his wife walked four abreast in step with each other as Kate and William followed. The Entente Cordiale was signed between UK and France in 1904 and ushered in improved relations between the two nations, who had fought against each other during the Napoleonic Wars. After his coronation the King, accompanied by the Queen, carried out a state visit to France in September 2023.
Western Telegraph
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
King and French president Macron display entente cordiale as state visit begins
The two heads of state gave public displays of warmth and affection, with Mr Macron air kissing the hands of the Queen and Princess of Wales, while he put a comforting hand on the King's back during his ceremonial welcome. Charles kissed the hand of the president's wife Brigitte Macron, affectionately pulling it up to his lips, and was seen in deep conversation with the French leader during a carriage ride through Windsor, part of the pomp and pageantry afforded the president. Windsor Castle is the setting for the start of Mr Macron's three-day state visit that has an important political backdrop, with the president and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer leading a Franco-British summit later this week that is likely to have action on Channel migrants top of the agenda. Mr Macron arrived in the UK promising 'concrete, effective and lasting' co-operation on migration and is under pressure to do more to stop small boats crossing the English Channel. The last French president to make a state visit to the UK was the now-disgraced Nicolas Sarkozy in March 2008 and Windsor has not hosted a visiting head since 2014, when Irish President Michael D Higgins travelled to the UK. The King kisses the hand of Brigitte Macron, wife of Emmanuel Macron, at the start of the French president's three-day state visit (Chris Jackson/PA) State visits capitalise on the royals' soft power to strengthen diplomatic ties with allies and Charles and Camilla warmly greeted the French leader and the first lady on a specially constructed Royal Dais near the town's Windsor and Eton Riverside train station, as a 41-gun salute thundered across the town. Mr Macron rolled out the Gallic charm by taking Camilla's hand and leaning forward to air kiss it, having earlier greeted Kate at RAF Northolt in north-west London with the same gesture, after the Prince and Princess of Wales had the duty of meeting them when their plane arrived. There were la bise kisses between Mrs Macron and the Queen, and as Mr Macron stood chatting to the King with ease, the president placed his hand on the monarch's back and gave it a few affectionate rubs. The Queen, the King, President of France Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at the ceremonial welcome for his state visit to the UK at Windsor Castle (Jonathan Brady/PA) The King was sporting a burst blood vessel in his right eye, which is said to have developed overnight and be unrelated to any other health conditions. A carriage procession was staged through the streets of Windsor, with Charles and the president riding past Windsor Guildhall, where the King married his consort in 2005, followed by their wives and behind them William and Kate in another carriage. The pomp and pageantry saw more than 950 servicemen and women from all three armed services, and 70 horses, taking part in the ceremonial welcome, from troops lining the carriage procession route to a guard of honour featuring guardsmen from two of the British Army's oldest regiments the Grenadier Guards and Scots Guards. The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to view the Royal Collection exhibition of French-related artefacts with President Macron and his wife (Benjamin Cremel/PA) Mr Macron inspected the troops with Major Jake Sayers of the Grenadier Guards, captain of the guard of honour, accompanied by the King who followed tradition and walked a few paces behind. When the royal party left for a private lunch the King, Queen and President Macron and his wife walked four abreast in step with each other as Kate and William followed. The Entente Cordiale was signed between UK and France in 1904 and ushered in improved relations between the two nations, who had fought against each other during the Napoleonic Wars. After his coronation the King, accompanied by the Queen, carried out a state visit to France in September 2023.
