A California bill requiring autonomous heavy-duty robo-trucks to have human drivers was vetoed late Friday

If you’re filled with terror at the prospect of being without your phone, you’re not alone. A new poll has found that 42% of British adults identify with ‘nomophobia’ – the fear of being stuck without mobile phone connectivity. According to psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos, nomophobia is firstly about “dependency”, and secondly about “slight catastrophising”. She said: “The key to having a healthier relationship with your phone is implementing values, boundaries and being self-aware when it comes to how we use our phones.” Of the 2,000 people surveyed by Sky Mobile, 23% said they would rather hold a tarantula, 14% said they would prefer to go swimming with sharks, and 15% said sleeping in a haunted house would be better than being without 5G for an entire week. According to the research, on average British people use their phone for 14 hours per week. Here’s what you need to know about phone addiction – and how it might be impacting our wellbeing… How can we spot the signs of nomophobia or phone addiction? According to Papadopoulos, it’s quite simple. “If you’re engaging and constantly checking to see where your phone is or if you’ve missed a call, [and are] worried, anxious about the possibility of missing out” – whether this is a social event or something work-related – you could have nomophobia, Papadopoulos suggested. “We’re at our most peaceful when we feel like we have control over something.” She encourages you to think about the first thing you look for when you wake up or walk out the door – if it’s your phone, it could be a sign of nomophobia. “There’s also this thing where we think our phone is vibrating, and it’s not. That’s another sign too.” Has social media made it worse? It’s important to understand what our phones are to us. “They’re no longer just phones, right? They are these digital prostheses, which we use to do everything from learn to work to connect,” said Papadopoulos. “In the case of things like social media, we know that a big part of our desire to be on those apps is around that sense of not just belonging – which obviously they were originally intended for – but also that sense of missing out. “So I think anything that you do, which relates to who you are, your expectations around your work, your personal life, are all going to feed into this.” How might it be impacting our wellbeing? “It all depends on what we are doing with our phones. If I’m sitting down doom scrolling, of course it will affect how I’m feeling. That’s not great,” she suggested. “You want to own your technology instead of your technology owning you. Don’t catastrophise your mobile phones, because there are other things you can do to remain connected and it can lead to technology separation anxiety – the disproportionate sense of fear of being without your technology. “When you are talking about any sort of addiction, if it gets in the way of your day-to-day life, you start having disproportionate reactions, struggle to engage with people in real life, your sleeping pattern is non-existent or not eating your dinner, those are the sorts of things you should look out for when it comes to nomophobia. “For example, if a 12-year-old girl is posting a bunch of things on social media and sitting at her phone waiting for likes, that would be a sign of her phone affecting her mental health.” But there are also positives to mobile phones, Papadopoulos adds. “I live really far away from my family. Sometimes I even cook with my mum, even though she lives in Cyprus,” she said. How can we start to address it if we think we have a problem? “Do basic things like keeping your phone in the same place to avoid using brain power constantly looking for where it is,” Papadopoulos advised. “And don’t vilify or deify your mobile phone. It’s neither the best thing in your life or the worst. This will help you start to get a sense of control over those anxious thoughts.” If you’re concerned that your behaviour might be addictive, see your GP for help. For more information on how to switch to Sky Mobile visit https://www.sky.com/shop/mobile. Read More Nursery places and wraparound childcare plans announced Is scalp exfoliation the key to healthier hair? Why do some people love horror movies? TikTok influencers warn about ‘potent’ steroid cream risks among black women – dermatologist explains the risks House of the Year 2023 shortlist revealed by Royal Institute of British Architects Fatima Whitbread supporting new fostering campaign, as research finds ‘misconceptions put people off’

Turns out bears have been just as vain as the rest of us, all along.

A grandfather is addicted to Lucozade despite having three heart attacks, and said it's harder to give up than class-A drugs. Garry Johnson, 65, began drinking coffee aged 12 and loved the caffeine buzz. The now-retired painter and decorator took cocaine and amphetamines in his teens, and after 15 years of on-off drug use went “cold turkey” when his son Sam was born in 1992. Keen to stay energised, he took up drinking 380ml bottle bottles of Lucozade Original, and now gets through eight a day. He's had the habit for 29 YEARS and it currently costs him around £150 a month. And at today's prices, his nearly three decade habit would have cost him more than £42,800. He had three heart attacks between 2012 and 2014 because of a hereditary heart condition, and doctors encouraged him to ditch caffeinated drinks. He gave up dairy and every other form of caffeine - but he still necks more than three litres of Lucozade a day. He said Lucozade is proving harder to give up than class-A drugs - because of the "after effect - like that lovely feeling in your mouth after you eat an expensive bit of chocolate." Garry, from Basildon, Essex, said: "I took cocaine every day but it was a piece of cake to give up - but I'd find it really hard to ever give up Lucozade. "I love it - not just the taste but the affect on my body makes me feel great. If I do go two or three hours without one, I fancy one... God knows how I'd be after two days.” He stopped using cocaine aged 30, when his son Sam, now 31, was born and went cold turkey because being a new dad was "stimulant enough". He started drinking Red Bull but found himself with migraines, and eventually moved onto Lucozade. He initially drank six a day, but has had eight a day for the last seven years. Now he goes to Tesco every day and buys one or two four-packs - depending how many bottles he already has stacked up in the fridge ready to drink. "I've always needed some kind of stimulant and eventually I realised Lucozade is perfect for me," he said. "After my heart attacks they told me to quit the energy drinks but I recently had new heart tests and my results are better than they've ever been. "I guess I've just found one that suits my body." But Garry said he doesn't even want to give up because it's a "part of his identity" - like a person's favourite shirt or their daily breakfast. He justifies the cost because he doesn't drink alcohol or smoke. He said: "£5 a day - that's less than a pint of beer today in some places." If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol addiction, you can confidentially call the national alcohol helpline Drinkline on 0300 123 1110 or visit the NHS website here for information about the programmes available to you. If you or someone you know is suffering from drug addiction, you can seek confidential help and support 24-7 from Frank, by calling 0300 123 6600, texting 82111, sending an email or visiting their website here. SWNS Read More What I gained (and lost) by walking 10,000 steps each day for 5 months Husband ‘ruins’ dinner because of his wife’s typo: ‘The worst kind of control freak’ John Whaite says he ‘spent time apart’ from fiancé after ‘falling in love’ with Strictly pro

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 5, 2023--

Britons have been flying into airports including Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham and Bristol.

Harrison Ford has spoken candidly about how his successful Hollywood career has impacted his role as a father. The Indiana Jones star, 80, revealed some of his parenting regrets in a new cover story with Esquire published on 31 May. Speaking about his family, Ford admitted that he would “probably be a better parent” if he had a “less successful” career. “I can tell you this. If I’d been less successful, I’d probably be a better parent,” the Star Wars alum shared. He went on to reference a viral quote from his February interview with the Hollywood Reporter, in which he stated: “I know who the f*** I am.” “I accept my flaws and my failures – I don’t accept them, I own them,” he continued. “And certainly the more constant gardener is the better parent, and I’ve been out of town, up my own ass, for most of my life.” Harrison Ford is a father to five children. He shares sons Benjamin, 56, and Willard, 54, with his first wife, Mary Marquardt. He also has son Malcolm, 35, and daughter Georgia, 31, from his second marriage to Melissa Mathison; and his 22-year-old son Liam, whom he adopted after he married his current wife, Calista Flockhart. The couple have been married for 13 years ever since they first met at the Golden Globe Awards in 2002 when Ford was 60 years old, 22 years older than Flockhart at the time. He proposed to the Ally McBeal star in 2009 and they were married one year later. Ford and Flockhart recently celebrated Liam’s graduation from Amherst College in Massachusetts over the weekend. Ford was seen dressed in a black suit with a pale blue shirt and no tie, while the Supergirl star wore a white lace dress and a cream cardigan. Although Harrison Ford has kept most of his family life private, the action star previously spoke about being a father to his then nine-year-old son in an interview with The Independent. “I’ve got five kids in total, so it’s not my first rodeo,” he said in 2010. “Yeah, obviously I’m getting older but I don’t relate to it very much. It doesn’t interest me as something to dwell on.” “I have a nine-year-old kid at home. I feel like the father of a nine-year-old kid. My older children have taught me a lot about parenting. My first child was born when I was 25. I reckon I’m a little better at it now.” Read More Al Pacino, 83, ‘expecting his fourth child’ with 29-year-old girlfriend Harrison Ford and wife Calista Flockhart attend son Liam’s graduation Harrison Ford lovingly admires wife Calista Flockhart in ‘adorable’ viral photo: ‘Couple goals’

By Katherine Masters NEW YORK Retailers such as Macy's and Columbia Sportswear are expanding their use of "breathable"

When you look up at the stars, what do you think about? That we may

The state of Florida is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block lower court rulings that prohibit the enforcement of a new law targeting drag shows

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Under the scorching sun, Thai archaeologist Tanachaya Tiandee clambers through ruined pagodas in the ancient town of Si Thep, trying to unlock their mysteries -- a task made harder because parts of the puzzle...