A “world-first tool” aimed at reducing the kinds of harmful engagement with explicit artificial intelligence (AI) generated images seen in the Grok controversy has been unveiled by researchers at University College Cork (UCC). The free 10-minute intervention dubbed ‘Deepfakes/Real Harms’ has been designed to reduce the willingness of users to engage with harmful uses of deepfake technology, like creating non-consensual explicit content. They found people’s engagement with non-consensual deepfake imagery was associated with the belief in several myths about deepfakes. Their 10-minute intervention focused on what they called the encouragement of “reflection and empathy with victims of AI imagery abuse”, and said it significantly reduced the belief in common deepfake myths. It also lowered the intention of users to engage with such harmful users of deepfake technology, according to the researchers.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan has been urged to temporarily extend pub licensing hours for the World Cup if the Republic of Ireland qualifies. Heimir Hallgrímsson’s team are two match wins away from qualifying for this summer’s World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Mr Heneghan said although Ireland has yet to qualify for the championship, consideration should be given to extending opening hours now rather than closer to the tournament. A spokesman for the Vintners Federation of Ireland said major sporting events are important for pubs and communities and bring a “much-needed boost to trade”. “Allowing flexibility around opening hours for World Cup matches would recognise that reality and help make the most of what would be a significant national occasion,” they said.

IDA Ireland has made public its concerns about the lack of grid connections for large projects. “In recent end-of-year statements, we have emphasised the critical need to address competitiveness challenges to maintain Ireland’s FDI momentum,” it says. “The challenges to Ireland’s energy system have significant implications for Ireland’s manufacturing sector, and for the attraction of new name business, particularly for energy intensive businesses,” the paper for IDA directors says. That’s how serious it is.”The Government has implicitly acknowledged the problem, handing down approval in December for an €18.9 billion master plan for energy infrastructure. Moreover, the lack of housing supply is itself a concern for IDA Ireland.

Today I want to tell a different story, a positive one about the Breast Check Clinic. I thought nothing of it, even when the nurse said I might be called back to attend the Breast Check Clinic in Vincent’s. The Breast Check unit is administered under the private wing of the hospital, and I was to attend on Tuesday, December 2. The Breast Check health system picked up the cancer randomly and then pushed me through a system that left my head spinning. Not every HSE story is a bad one.

Scientists have confirmed what many pet owners already know to be true – the death of a pet can hurt just as much as losing a family member. The results revealed that more than one in five Brits think the death of a pet is more distressing than the death of a human. Based on the findings, the experts believe that a pet's death can lead to 'prolonged grief disorder', or PGD. 'People can experience clinically significant levels of PGD following the death of a pet,' the researchers explained in their study. Only the death of a parent (11.2 per cent) and the death of a child (21.3 per cent) were markedly higher.

Tyrone great Peter Canavan has said he doesn't expect Kerry to hold onto the Sam Maguire Cup, predicting that an Ulster team will win this year's All-Ireland. The former All-Ireland winning captain highlighted Derry as one to watch, tipping a rejuvenated Oak Leaf county under Ciaran Meenagh to win Ulster and to 'have a big say in the All-Ireland'. On the All-Ireland issue, Canavan claimed that Tyrone aren't among the top four contenders but said he expects the winners to come from the north, questioning whether Kerry will have the required 'hunger' in 2026. "When you look at the age profile of Kerry, they're in a very good position," said Canavan. I'm expecting them to win Ulster and they will have a big say in the All-Ireland."

David and Victoria Beckham have reportedly won their war against neighbours over plans to build a new access road to their £12million Cotswolds home - so they no longer have to share with the crowds that flock to nearby trendy Soho Farmhouse. 'The house already has gone perfectly serviceable access road so why is another stretch of tarmac laid through the woods deemed a good idea. David and Victoria have previously been accused of 'drip-feeding' development at their Cotswolds home. It's not the first time the Beckhams have ruffled feathers among their Cotswolds neighbours with work on their country home. As soon as I get into the countryside, I normally get into my country get-up which I'm not in now.

Yet the problems now appear to have reached the point that Ireland is losing out on foreign direct investment over electricity concerns. In his column, Eoin Burke-Kennedy unpacks the issues at play as Trump heads for Davos next week. The row between airport manager DAA and its chief executive Kenny Jacobs hit a new low with the authority moving to suspend him. In the Interview of the Week, Microsoft Ireland boss James O’Connor tells Ciara O’Brien of the company’s plans for its operations here. After a year in which IDA Ireland secured a record number of investments here, Michael Lohan is The Irish Times business person of the month.

“So, if everything’s quite lubricated and moving smoothly, then you’re less likely to get constipated.”How much water should you drink every day? “However, this water intake requirement will increase with things like exercises, if you’re in a hot environment or if you’re ill, for example.”Drinking a full glass of water is a good way to start the day. “Water is essential for human life and is involved in every biochemical reaction in the body,” highlights Zemenides. However, if you’re experiencing those later, and more serious, symptoms, like palpitations, that sensation where you’re feeling unsteady on your feet, headaches or you’re just feeling unwell, then you should be seeking advice from your GP,” advises Zemenides. Tips on how to increase your water intake this winter “Drinking a full glass of water is a good way to start the day,” says Zemenides.

“That’s the trigger for them to go, ‘Oh, my gosh, maybe I need to get myself checked out?’“I would say that about 70% of men firmly believe there’s nothing wrong with them until something happens.”Instead, as Kelly has often found, many men ignore or find excuses for key health warning signs which can appear in midlife. “Lots of people get chest pains from indigestion, or perhaps if you’ve played sport or done some heavy lifting,” says Kelly. “Some 15% of men with erectile dysfunction will have a heart attack seven years later,” says Byrne. “Getting your eyesight checked in midlife can actually help identify something like high blood pressure,” he says. Cancer warning signsIn Ireland, Byrne says 90% of all cancers in middle-aged men are either prostate, lung, bowel, or melanoma.

The boat was operated by skipper Bruce Fitzpatrick and a small crew when it reached the stunning yet crocodile-infested waterfall. Despite warnings about the dangerous creatures inhabiting the water, Ginger and Jane chose to take a risk and go for a quick swim. Because the crocodile was in front of us maybe she thought she could swim to the shoreline and get away," she said. The boat's crew feared another attack by the crocodile after it disappeared under the water, but nothing more happened. And before we went Ginger was told to not so much as dangle a foot in the water," he said.

We have Lorcan Williams with us as well, so he’ll ride plenty. But we’re not going to do anything in a hurry, we don’t need to, Harry’s going to ride for us for the rest of the season, I’ve got plenty of jockeys. “When Harry was a bit sore at Kempton I rode one for Paul and it was around when all the news was starting to filter out. Win, lose, or draw – whatever happens – we both want to win and hopefully together that is a dangerous combination. The last time I went down there was to school Clan Des Obeaux before the King George – I’ll have to download his postcode again!

The Foreign Office has issued an urgent alert to UK travellers heading to 16 countries amid 'serious concerns' over rising regional tensions. In an alert issued on Thursday (January 15), the Foreign Office said: 'There is a heightened risk of regional tension. It comes after the UK Foreign Office warned travellers heading to Dubai of potential 'terrorist attacks' that could target British nationals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Foreign Office warns that terrorists may try to carry out attacks in the UAE, including Dubai - which welcomes up to 16 million international visitors every year. The government department writes: 'There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets.

Pierce Brosnan and his son Dylan were spotted enjoying a relaxing stroll in Valldemossa, Majorca, on Thursday. The Irish actor, 72, looked in good spirits and wrapped up in a brown coat and a baseball cap for the sunny outing. He was joined by Dylan, 29, who is also an actor like his famous father, as Pierce is currently in Spain to film the second part of the Paramount+ series MobLand. The actor revealed he spent hours in the make-up chair having prosthetics applied and he still kept the iconic leopard print tracksuit. Pierce appeared on The One Show earlier this month to promote the film alongside Amir El-Masry, 35, who plays Prince Naseem.

‌While assessments showed that low and moderate gamers had 'similar health outcomes', results significantly differed for the 'high gamers'. Scientists found that diet quality notably worsened when gaming hours exceeded 10 per week, and this group also had a higher prevalence of obesity. "What stood out was students gaming up to 10 hours a week all looked very similar in terms of diet, sleep and body weight," Professor Siervo said. View 3 Images Body mass index (BMI) is the most commonly used measure of a 'healthy' body weight (stock image) (Image: Getty Images)‌What is body mass index (BMI)? "For example, if you have a lot of muscle, you may be classed as overweight or obese despite having low body fat.