The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) recently disabled its AI-powered chatbot, Tessa, after two users reported the program gave them dieting advice that promoted disordered eating behaviors. Sharon Maxwell and Alexis Conason shared their experiences with the chatbot on Instagram, and NEDA has since apologized and is looking into the issue. NEDA is committed to providing the best possible care to its users and is currently looking into ways to improve their services.
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Health Canada is introducing warning labels on individual cigarettes in an effort to reduce smoking rates in Canada. The labels, which will be in English and French, will include messages such as "poison in every puff," "tobacco smoke harms children" and "cigarettes cause impotence." King-size cigarettes will be the first to feature the warnings, with regular-size cigarettes and little cigars with tipping paper and tubes following by the end of April 2025. This makes Canada the first country in the world to have warning labels on individual cigarettes.
The CDC reported that the number of babies born in the U.S. in 2022 was lower than in 2021, indicating that the rebound from the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. The teen birthrate also reached a record low, with a 3% decrease from the previous year. This is a smaller decrease than in previous years, suggesting that the nation is reaching a plateau due to years of progress.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that two state laws banning abortion are unconstitutional, but the procedure remains illegal in most cases. The ruling found that the Oklahoma Constitution provides an "inherent right of a pregnant woman to terminate a pregnancy when necessary to preserve her life." The ruling is likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and provides a measure of clarity on the legality of abortion in the state.
A federal appeals court has approved a deal granting immunity to the Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, from civil claims related to the opioid crisis. The plan will see Purdue Pharma become a new company, Knoa, with profits going to a fund to prevent and treat addiction. The family will contribute $5.5-$6 billion in cash over time, or around half of their collective fortune. This settlement is the latest development in the opioid crisis, and is hoped to help fund much-needed addiction programs.
Queensland Man Escapes Close Encounter with Saltwater Crocodile While Snorkeling Off Cape York Coast
Queensland Man Escapes Close Encounter with Saltwater Crocodile While Snorkeling Off Cape York Coast
On Saturday, Marcus McGowan had a close encounter with a saltwater crocodile while snorkeling off the Cape York Coast in Australia. He was able to pry the reptile's jaws off his head and fend it off with his right hand, which was subsequently bitten. McGowan was taken to hospital and treated for lacerations to his head and right hand, with the Queensland Government's hospital service saying he was "very lucky" to have escaped the attack.
Elizabeth Holmes, founder of the now-defunct Theranos, has begun her 11-year sentence for defrauding investors of millions of dollars. Holmes was able to raise more than $700 million in venture capital funding for the company, but its technology was never able to live up to its promise and was eventually exposed as a fraud. Her conviction serves as a reminder of the consequences of fraud and the importance of due diligence when investing.
The Carter family has announced that Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady and wife of Jimmy Carter, has been diagnosed with dementia. The Carter Center emphasized Rosalynn's advocacy for mental health and noted that she is still living happily at home with her husband. As Jimmy Carter is receiving hospice care, the nation is sending its best wishes to the Carters.