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From suicidal thoughts to IPL 2026 comeback: LSG’s Mohammad Shami’s powerful story of survival – The Times of India

April 6, 2026

Cricket’s green fields often hide brutal battles off them. Mohammad Shami, Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) strike bowler this IPL season, knows this raw truth. Amid career highs, he’s stared down knee injuries, domestic turmoil, and depression’s dark grip— including the dreaded thoughts of suicide. In a candid 2020 chat with the Hindustan Times, Shami opened about his battle with depression and how his family played a huge role in helping him overcome it. “My family ensured I was never alone during the time I felt suicidal,” Shami had shared. As IPL buzz builds, his story highlights ental health’s quiet toll on stars. Resilience, family, faith— Shami’s comeback fuels hope. Let’s revisit his words and wisdom.

The dark lows: Injuries, allegations, and suicidal shadows

Shami’s rollercoaster? Career-threatening knees sidelined him repeatedly; 2018 domestic violence claims from ex-wife Hasin Jahan exploded headlines, and suffocating scrutiny. “Depression is a problem that needs attention,” he told HT, linking to late actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s tragic 2020 loss. “I wish I could talk to him had I known.” That phase crushed—personal life havoc mirrored on-pitch wobbles. Suicidal thoughts crept in, isolation loomed. Yet Shami scripted comebacks in 2023 ODI World Cup purple cap (24 wickets), and IPL returns. And, IPL 2026 with LSG is a fresh chapter. His candor normalizes: Even pacers bleed emotionally.

Watch

Shami reveals what makes this LSG team special after big win

Family’s support: “They ensured I was never alone”

Shami’s anchor was his unwavering family. “My family pulled me out of that low phase. They took care of me and made me realise that I needed to fight back… There were times I felt suicidal but my family ensured I was never alone. Someone or the other would always be around, talking to me,” he said. No lectures—just presence. Brother, parents, close ones rotated vigil, chats piercing darkness. Spirituality sealed it: “Spirituality also helps you seek answers.” The lesson: Love’s constant company combats despair. In cricket’s lonely spotlight, family spotlights recovery. Shami credits them for his roar-back.

Team as family: When Kohli, support staff urged him to “Vent on the field”

Mental demons mess physical game— and, Shami nailed it: “Mental pressure definitely interferes in your physical wellbeing.” But it was Team India’s embrace that helped him heal: Virat Kohli, support staff, and teammates. “I was lucky to have the team’s support staff along with Virat Kohli and other players backing me. We are like a family… My teammates always insisted I vent my anger and frustration out on the field,” he added.

Why Shami’s story matters for IPL 2026 and beyond

As LSG eyes playoffs, Shami brings fire— and fragility’s wisdom. IPL’s glitz masks grind: Injuries, scrutiny, pandemics test all. His story screams: Mental health isn’t weakness—it’s warrior work. Sushant’s shadow? Stark reminder that stars too sometimes fall silent. Shami survived via his inner circle of care.Shami’s vulnerability is a victory lap. From suicidal solitude to IPL 2026 LSG player, his family ensured he was “never alone.” Depression lurks— stalk, lean, rise. Who’s your lifeline? Share below—break the silence.

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Inside Iran’s ruling ideology: How a ‘holy mission’ and messianic doctrine fuel regime extremism

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April 6, 2026
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For Mehdi Ghadimi, the ideology behind Iran’s ruling system is not theoretical. It was something he was taught from childhood.

“You were told you are a part a small group chosen by God… to revive God’s religion and fight to defend it,” the Iranian journalist told Fox News Digital, describing the message repeated in schools, mosques and state media.

That early indoctrination, he said, framed the world in stark terms: a divine struggle between good and evil, with Iran’s leadership positioned at the center of a religious mission.

Iran’s ruling system is often described in political terms, but critics and former insiders say its core is far more radical — a belief structure rooted in religious absolutism, messianic expectation and a worldview that leaves little room for compromise.

IRAN’S SUPREME LEADER MOJTABA KHAMENEI ‘MISFUNCTIONING,’ NOT CONTROLLING REGIME: SOURCES

A banner featuring Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is displayed in Tehran, March 14, 2026. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)

As a new generation of commanders rises within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps following recent military blows under Operation Epic Fury, analysts warn that this ideology may become even more entrenched.

Figures such as Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Ahmad Vahidi are often cited as part of a cohort shaped by years of conflict in Iraq and across the region — one that sees religion, security and survival as inseparable.

A belief system, not just a government

At the center of that worldview is the belief in the Mahdi — a messianic figure in Shiite Islam whose return is expected to usher in a final era of justice after chaos.

Twelver Shiism is the dominant belief for Shias, the Mahdi, identified as the 12th Imam, is alive but hidden and will one day return. Iran’s political system positions the supreme leader as his caretaker.

Critics say that framework gives political authority a religious dimension that can make it difficult to challenge.

Primary school girls in traditional headscarves sit in a classroom, Tehran, Iran, Oct. 1, 1997. (Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images)

“For the mullahs in Iran, the Mahdi idea is less about personal faith and more about power,” said Lisa Daftari, foreign policy analyst and editor-in-chief at The Foreign Desk. “They use it to suggest that the supreme leader’s views are not just political opinions, but carry a kind of divine weight.”

“The system is set up so that disagreeing with the leader can be portrayed as questioning the Hidden Imam himself,” she said.

“That turns ordinary policy debates into something almost untouchable… you’re no longer arguing with a politician, you’re seen as pushing back against a sacred figure.”

IRAN’S CEASEFIRE PUSH MAY BE A ‘CYCLE OF DECEPTION,’ ANALYSTS WARN AS SHADOWY FIGURE GAINS POWER

Commanders and members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps meet with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Aug. 17, 2023. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA/Reuters)

No real moderates

Ghadimi argues that this structure leaves little room for genuine political diversity.

“Groups labeled as ‘moderate,’ ‘reformist,’ or ‘pro-Western’ are created so that the West can negotiate with them,” he said.

“No one within the structure of the Islamic Republic thinks about anything other than defeating the Western world and establishing Islamic dominance globally.”

From belief to action

For Iran expert Daftari, the Mahdi doctrine also provides a flexible justification for policy.

“A lot of insiders know perfectly well that this language is being used strategically,” she said. “The Mahdi story gives the leadership a way to claim moral and religious cover for decisions that are often about preserving the regime or expanding its reach.”

“When they talk about ‘preparing the ground’ for the Mahdi, that phrase can be stretched to cover almost anything — crushing protests, backing militias abroad or asking people to accept more economic pain.”

“This religious framing makes compromise much harder,” she added. “If you convince your base that you are carrying out a holy mission… backing down can be painted as a betrayal of God’s plan.”

MEET IRAN’S HARDLINE SPEAKER WHO THREATENED TO BURN US FORCES — REPORTEDLY TEHRAN’S POINT MAN FOR TALKS

A billboard depicting Iran’s supreme leaders since 1979 is displayed above a highway in Tehran on March 10, 2026. (AFP/Via Getty Images)

A worldview shaped early

Ghadimi said that message is reinforced from childhood, shaping how generations understand their role in society.

In schools, media and mosques, he said, ideology was embedded into everyday life, leaving little space for alternative narratives.

That framing, analysts say, helps explain how the system sustains itself even under pressure.

It also contributes to a worldview in which conflict is not temporary, but part of a larger, ongoing struggle.

“The Islamic government, based on its own interpretation of the Quran, considers itself obligated to enforce Islamic law across the entire world,” Ghadimi told Fox News Digital, adding that the regime “sees itself as the leader of this belief globally.”

“They harbor hatred toward Iranians and Jews, whom they regard as enemies of Islam since its very beginning, and they consider killing them—such as on Oct. 7 and in the recent killings in Iran — to be divinely rewarded acts, much like the beliefs once held by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi,” he said.

“No one within the structure of the Islamic Republic thinks about anything other than defeating the Western world and establishing Islamic dominance globally,” Ghadimi said.

In that framework, critics say, Iran is not simply pursuing national interests but acting within what it sees as a broader religious mandate.

INSIDE IRAN’S MILITARY: MISSILES, MILITIAS AND A FORCE BUILT FOR SURVIVAL

In this picture released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stands as air force commanders salute during their meeting in Tehran, Feb. 7, 2017. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP)

Violence and belief

Some critics argue that within this framework, violence can take on religious meaning.

“They consider killing them… to be divinely rewarded acts,” Ghadimi said.

Still, analysts say the combination of messianic belief and absolutist ideology creates a system in which confrontation is not only expected, but justified.

A cycle with no easy exit

An Iranian official rejected those characterizations and warned that economic collapse and destruction caused by war could drive long-term resentment.

“If a country is turned into ruins, poverty spreads. Out of such poverty comes hatred, resentment and a desire for revenge, and this cycle of hostility can continue for years. It is not correct to think that everything will simply end the day after a ceasefire. Even if there were no hostile government left in place, people within society who have lost everything may still be driven to seek retribution.”

For Ghadimi, the issue is not just how Iran behaves, but how it understands itself.

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People gather in Revolution Square to mourn Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed Feb. 28 in a joint Israel-U.S. operation, in Tehran, Iran, on March 1, 2026. (Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images)

If the system is rooted in a belief that blends religion, power and mission, critics say, then policies like repression at home and confrontation abroad may not be temporary tactics but structural features.

And if moderation within that system is limited, as some argue, then the challenge for policymakers is not simply negotiation, but understanding the ideology that drives it.

Efrat Lachter is a foreign correspondent for Fox News Digital covering international affairs and the United Nations. Follow her on X @efratlachter. Stories can be sent to [email protected].

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Andrew accused of ‘physical altercation’ with senior aide of Elizabeth II

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April 5, 2026
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From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had a “physical altercation” with one of Elizabeth II’s most senior aides, it is claimed.

The former Duke of York is said to have lashed out at Vice-Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, master of the Royal household, after he was told that he could not accommodate a Pitch@Palace event at Buckingham Palace.

The altercation was described by one member of staff as a “kinetic” blow that caused astonishment within the royal household, a senior member of staff told royal author Robert Hardman.

“It was a routine household matter. The duke wanted to have a reception and there wasn’t any room. It was as simple as that,” a senior member of staff told Mr Hardman in an excerpt from his book Elizabeth II, which has been serialised in the Daily Mail.

“Tony said he’d have to wait his turn like anybody else and the duke went for him.”

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)

Sir Tony, who has been master of the household since 2013 and remains in the position working for the King, is said to have reported the altercation with the former duke to the Lord Chamberlain, Lord Peel, who raised it with the then Prince Charles. He then allegedly spoke to his brother about the incident.

It has been reported that Lord Chamberlain then received a call from Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who allegedly said: “I gather you’ve been calling people and causing problems.”

In another alleged incident in Windsor, grooms from the Royal Mews had been riding some of the late Queen’s horses on the estate when an approaching car was seen to be revving the engine “aggressively”.

Mr Hardman wrote that the car pulled alongside Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who “bellowed” at the driver: “Who the f*** do you think you are?”.

He added that the former duke demanded her name before taking it up with the late Queen in person.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor rides a horse in Windsor Great Park (Reuters)

The book also describes the anger within the royal household when Mr Mountbatten-Windsor went against advice and recorded the infamous 2019 Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in the palace about his relationship with Epstein.

Lord Peel said he “had an overriding belief that he was better than the rest of us.”

He was stripped of his military roles and use of the HRH title in January 2022, a month before he settled a legal dispute with one of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre. She has alleged that she was assaulted by Andrew.

On 22 March, Andrew was pictured for the first time since his arrest. The 66-year-old former prince was seen walking his dogs in the grounds around his new home, Marsh Farm, on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

Buckingham Palace and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have both been contacted by The Independent for a comment.

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Publix recalls popular bakery product due to serious labelling error in US stores

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April 5, 2026
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Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

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Publix has issued an urgent recall of its garlic knot rolls as they may pose a health risk to customers with certain allergies.

In an official notice posted on the grocer’s website, certain 12 packs of garlic knot rolls that don’t list egg in the allergen statement have been recalled. The rolls pose a health risk to customers who have an egg allergy but don’t see the ingredient listed in the allergen statement.

Recalled packs can be identified with the GTIN 29682800000.

Customers who purchased the garlic knot rolls before March 31 can either throw them away or return them to a Publix store for a refund. No other Publix products have ben affected, and no illnesses have been reported.

“As part of our commitment to food safety, potentially impacted product has been removed from all store shelves,” said Maria Brous, Publix director of communications.

Publix recalled its garlic knot rolls over an undeclared allergen (Getty Images)

Shoppers with who have additional questions or concerns can contact Publix Customer Care at (800) 242-1227.

Egg is identified as one of the nine major food allergies in the U.S., along with wheat, soy, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, milk, peanuts and sesame. Allergic reactions to these nine foods vary but can range from hives and lip swelling to severe, life-threatening symptoms, often called anaphylaxis, that may involve fatal respiratory problems and shock.

The Publix recall is just the latest in a slew of recent issues to hit consumers.

Schreiber Foods, Inc., based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is recalling 144 cups of its Honey Almond Cream Cheese Spread for Einstein Bros. Bagels, the FDA announced in March.

The six-ounce spreads were incorrectly labeled as “Plain,” meaning that anyone who has an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds runs the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the product.

The affected spreads — which can be identified by the Best If Used By date of Jul 21, 2026 — were distributed to Einstein Bros. Bagel locations in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming.

Meanwhile, pizza and bread sold in 10 states have been recalled over concerns that metal shards may be found in the products.

Bakkavor, a North Carolina-based company that is recalling the products, found metal fragments in “various bread products,” according to the FDA.

The company determined the cause to be “roasted tomatoes provided by one of their ingredient suppliers,” the agency said.

Recalled products were distributed to Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia.

Trader Joe’s Focaccia Bread with Roasted Tomato & Parmesan and meal-kit company Hello Fresh’s Basil Pesto and Mozzarella Pizza are just two of the affected products.

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How to be successful in life, as per psychology

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April 5, 2026
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Grit is the mix of passion and perseverance, and according to Angela Duckworth, it’s the ultimate predictor of who becomes successful.
It’s not a 100-meter sprint; it’s a 10-year marathon. It’s the ability to handle the problems of the daily grind because you’re focused on a long-term goal.

The 5-Minute Rule: If you’re dreading a task, commit to just five minutes. Usually, the “snowball effect” takes over once you start.

Track Your Streaks: Use an app to gamify your discipline. When you see a 30-day streak, you’re much less likely to quit when things get boring.

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OPEC nations agree to adjust oil production: What to know

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April 5, 2026
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With gas prices climbing across much of the world and the Iran war continuing to disrupt global energy flows, the eight countries who are a part of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) met on Sunday to implement a new round of voluntary oil‑production adjustments, reaffirming their commitment to stabilizing global energy markets.

Why It Matters

On February 28, the United States and Israel targeted key military targets in Iran and killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other government leaders. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones targeting Israel and several Gulf Arab states that host U.S. armed forces as well as effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to global shipping lanes, is one of the world’s most critical chokepoints for energy supplies. Roughly one‑fifth of global oil shipments pass through the strait, and any prolonged disruption could have major consequences for global markets.

The blockade has already driven up oil prices and domestic pump costs, raising fears that alongside disruption to other shipments—this could soon give way to an economy-wide inflation surge.

Even modest shifts in OPEC output can influence global prices, supply expectations and economic planning for both producers and consumers.

What to Know

In a statement issued Sunday, OPEC announced the eight member countries, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman, met virtually to review market conditions and outlooks.

They agreed to adjust production by 206,000 barrels per day (bpd), drawing from the 1.65 million bpd voluntary cuts first announced in April 2023.

The adjustment will start in May, with the option to restore the 1.65 million bpd “in part or in full” depending on market conditions.

The group emphasized maintaining flexibility—including the ability to increase, pause or reverse previous voluntary cuts, including the 2.2 million bpd announced in November 2023.

While the move won’t likely decrease gas prices, it should serve as a buffer from ongoing gas price increases, some experts said following a similar move announced by OPEC last month.

Countries reiterated their commitment to full conformity with the Declaration of Cooperation and pledged to compensate for any overproduction since January 2024.

The group also highlighted the importance of protecting international maritime routes to ensure uninterrupted energy flows and expressed concern about attacks on energy infrastructure, warning that damage is costly, slow to repair, and destabilizing to global supply.

What People Are Saying

White House spokesperson Kush Desai previously told Newsweek: “President Trump has always been clear about temporary disruptions as a result of Operation Epic Fury. While the U.S. Military continues making astonishing progress neutralizing the Iranian terror regime, the Trump administration remains focused here on the homefront implementing President Trump’s proven economic agenda of deregulation, tax cuts, and energy abundance.

“This agenda created historic prosperity in President Trump’s first term, and it’s again raising real wages and securing trillions in investments. After Operation Epic Fury’s objectives have been realized and the world is a safer place, America is set to achieve new highs.”

AAA said in a press release last week: “Crude oil prices have been surging, surpassing $100/barrel, as the conflict in the Middle East continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. In 2022, gas prices remained elevated from March through August, peaking in June when the national average reached a record of $5/gallon for one week.”

What Happens Next

OPEC will hold monthly meetings to reassess market conditions, monitor conformity and review compensation progress. Its next meeting is scheduled for May 3 where it will evaluate whether further adjustments—or reversals—are needed as global demand, geopolitical risks and supply disruptions evolve.

The Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) will continue overseeing compliance, according to the statement from OPEC.

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Android flaw lets hackers unlock phones in under a minute

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April 5, 2026
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Your phone lock screen is supposed to be your last line of defense. If your device gets lost or stolen, that PIN or passcode should keep strangers out of your photos, messages and financial apps. But researchers have found a serious flaw that can break through those protections on certain Android phones in less than a minute.

Once exploited, attackers can recover your phone’s PIN, unlock encrypted storage and even extract sensitive data such as cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases. Security researchers estimate that roughly one in four Android phones could be affected, particularly budget phones.

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ANDROID FIXES 129 SECURITY FLAWS IN MAJOR PHONE UPDATE

Google’s March Android security update fixes 129 vulnerabilities, including a zero-day flaw already exploited in targeted attacks. (Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto)

All about the Android hacking flaw

A newly disclosed vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-20435 in the National Vulnerability Database, affects some Android phones powered by MediaTek, a major smartphone chip maker based in Taiwan that competes with companies like Qualcomm. These phones use a security component called Trustonic’s Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), which is designed to keep sensitive data, such as encryption keys, protected from the rest of the system.

It stores cryptographic keys that help keep your device encrypted and secure, even if someone tries to tamper with it. However, security analyses of the vulnerability indicate that these protections may be bypassed on affected devices.

By connecting a phone to a computer using a USB cable, an attacker with physical access may be able to exploit the flaw during the early boot process, potentially exposing sensitive data before full security protections are enforced. Think of it like accessing the master key before the safe door even closes. Once attackers gain access to these low-level components, they may be able to access encrypted storage without needing your PIN.

In a worst-case scenario, this type of access could allow attackers to extract highly sensitive information, including personal photos, stored passwords, private messages, financial data, and crypto wallet credentials. If seed phrases for crypto wallets are exposed, attackers could drain funds permanently.

What are Android makers doing about this

There’s limited action manufacturers can take on their own since the issue originates at the processor level, which is manufactured by MediaTek. The company says it has released a firmware patch addressing the vulnerability. However, the update must still be distributed by individual phone manufacturers through security updates. Depending on the device and whether it is still supported, that update could arrive quickly or not at all.

The good thing is that this attack requires physical access to the phone and a USB connection to a computer. That means it cannot be done remotely over the internet. However, if your phone is stolen, briefly confiscated, or even taken during a repair, the attacker could potentially extract sensitive information.

If you’re not sure whether this vulnerability affects your mobile device, you can look up your phone on a platform like GSMArena or your vendor’s website to see which SoC it uses, then cross-check it with MediaTek’s March security bulletin under CVE-2026-20435. You can log onto corp.mediatek.com/product-security-bulletin/March-2026 to review the list of affected chipsets and confirm whether your device may be at risk.

CyberGuy reached out to MediaTek for comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.

NEW ANDROID ATTACK TRICKS YOU INTO GIVING DANGEROUS PERMISSIONS

A new Android banking trojan called Sturnus can take over your screen, steal your banking credentials and even read encrypted chats from apps you trust. (Delmaine Donson/Getty Images)

How to tell if your phone is affected

So how do you know if your phone is actually at risk? Not every Android phone is vulnerable. The issue primarily affects devices that use certain MediaTek processors. Here’s how to check your phone:

1) Find your phone model

Go to Settings > About phone and look for your exact model name.

2) Look up your processor (chip)

Search your phone model on a site like GSMArena or your manufacturer’s website to find the processor (also called the SoC).

3) Check if it uses MediaTek

If your phone uses a MediaTek chip, it may be affected. Devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon or Google Tensor chips are not part of this specific issue.

4) Install the latest security updates immediately

Check your phone’s system update settings and install any available updates from your manufacturer. Go to Settings > Software update and install any available updates. MediaTek has already released a fix, but phone makers must distribute it. Installing updates quickly ensures you receive the firmware patch if your device manufacturer has released it.

7 ways you can protect your phone from getting hacked

If your phone uses one of the affected chips, a few simple precautions can help reduce the chances of someone accessing your data if the device ever falls into the wrong hands.

1) Install strong antivirus protection

A security app cannot fix this processor-level flaw. However, it can still help protect your phone from other threats that often follow stolen or compromised devices. It will not stop this specific exploit, but it can detect malicious apps, spyware, and suspicious activity that attackers may install after gaining access. That extra layer of monitoring can help stop additional data theft if your device ever falls into the wrong hands. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

2) Avoid keeping sensitive information on your phone

If you store things like cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases, recovery codes, or sensitive documents in notes apps or screenshots, consider moving them to a secure offline location. If someone extracts your phone’s data through this vulnerability, that information could be exposed.

3) Keep physical control of your phone

This exploit requires someone to physically connect your phone to a computer. Do not leave your device unattended in public places, and be cautious when handing it to repair shops or unknown technicians. Physical access dramatically increases the risk.

4) Use strong screen locks and auto-lock settings

While the vulnerability bypasses encryption on affected devices, strong lock settings still protect against many other threats. Use a longer PIN or passcode instead of simple patterns, and enable automatic locking after short periods of inactivity.

5) Protect accounts with two-factor authentication

Even if attackers gain access to data on your phone, two-factor authentication (2FA) can stop them from logging into your online accounts. Enable it for email, banking apps, cloud storage, and social media wherever possible.

6) Use a password manager

A password manager stores your login credentials in a secure, encrypted vault instead of leaving them scattered across apps and notes. If someone compromises your device, the password manager still protects your accounts with strong encryption, forcing attackers to break through another security layer before they can access your logins. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com

7) Enable USB restricted mode (if available)

Some Android devices limit USB data access when locked. Turning on this setting can reduce the risk of unauthorized data extraction through a wired connection, especially in situations where someone briefly gains physical access to your phone. On Samsung phones running the latest software:

Settings may vary slightly depending on your Samsung model and software version.

Go to Settings

Tap Lock screen

Then, tap Secure lock settings

Enter your current PIN, then tap Continue

Enable “Lock network and security” (or a similarly named option) to help block USB data access while your device is locked.

ZeroDayRAT spyware can secretly access messages, camera feeds and banking apps on infected iPhone and Android devices. (Stefan Sauer/picture alliance)

Kurt’s key takeaway

This vulnerability exposes a deeper issue with the Android ecosystem. Even when chipmakers release a fix, millions of phones depend on manufacturers to deliver updates that may never arrive, especially for cheaper devices that lose support quickly. We often assume our lock screen and encryption will protect our data if a phone is lost or stolen. However, incidents like this show that protection is only as strong as the update policies behind it. When devices stop receiving security patches, those protections quietly weaken over time.

Should phone manufacturers be required to guarantee security updates for several years if their devices contain critical encryption vulnerabilities? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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RFK Jr, EPA chief ‘declare war’ on microplastics amid growing evidence of health risks

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April 5, 2026
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Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin are declaring a war on microplastics.

These tiny bits of plastic, which are less than 5 mm in size, can persist in our environment for hundreds or thousands of years. They may also build up in our bodies, our hearts and our brains, causing untold damage.

For the first time, the EPA is adding microplastics and pharmaceuticals to its Contaminant Candidate List for drinking water, which will help to prioritize funding and pave the way for potential future regulation involving Congress.

RFK JR LAUNCHES $134M+ NATIONAL PROGRAM TO STUDY MICROPLASTICS IN THE HUMAN BODY, DRINKING WATER

HHS is also launching the Systematic Targeting of Microplastics — or STOMP — to study how microplastics accumulate in the body.

Kennedy spoke with Fox News in an exclusive interview accompanying the EPA/HHS announcement.

“Microplastics, which are less than 5 mm in size, can persist in the environment for hundreds or thousands of years,” said Dr. Marc Siegel. “They may also build up in our bodies, our hearts and our brains, causing untold damage.                     (iStock)

“We do not have the science that distinguishes between the impacts of these different types of plastics, and maybe if we identify those impacts, the damaging ones can be immediately eliminated, because you can replace them with something else,” he said.

“Our job — and we are really at the limit of our power right now — is to try to answer those questions before we take another action.”

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Kennedy pointed to emerging science suggesting microplastics’ direct impacts on public health.

“Some of them may be benign – others are very, very harmful,” he warned. “The science shows if they cause inflammation, they cause oxidative stress.”

“As a body, they are endocrine disruptors, so they interfere with fertility,” he added.

For the first time, the EPA is adding microplastics and pharmaceuticals to its Contaminant Candidate List for drinking water, which will help to prioritize funding and pave the way for potential future regulation involving Congress. (iStock)

As emerging research suggests a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and neurodegenerative disease when microplastics are present at the cellular level, “the time to act is now,” according to Dr. Leonardo Trasande, a professor of pediatrics and population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

During a panel accompanying the announcement, Trasande compared the issue to efforts to reduce lead exposure in the 1970s, when the government took action as soon as the danger was identified, even before all research was complete.

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Kennedy, who has a long history of fighting chemicals in the environment, blames big businesses for causing the problem and wants them to clean it up. “That’s a lesson we are all supposed to have learned at kindergarten – that you clean up after yourself, you don’t force the public to do it.”

The same approach applies to pharmaceuticals that make their way into the environment, he noted.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin holds a microplastic sample during an announcement at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 2026. (Ken Cedeno/Reuters)

“Particularly for our children, it’s very alarming. They are swimming around now in a toxic soup. It’s coming from everywhere,” Kennedy warned. “It’s coming from their food. It’s coming from agriculture. It’s coming from the air and water, and it’s coming from pharmaceutical drugs.

“Lee has directed his agency under President Trump to do this study so we can start regulating the discharge of these chemicals,” he went on. “A lot of them you can remove through carbon technology and other technologies.”

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Administrator Zeldin said he believes the fight against microplastics is a bipartisan issue. He is calling for more education and transparency when it comes to microplastics and public health, cautioning against the federal government proposing a one-size-fits-all solution.

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“You want to be able to get the answers, you want to see the gold-standard science,” he said. “You demand radical transparency. You’re looking through the website, and it’s ignoring what you came to that web page to look for. I feel like there’s a communication gap – and when there’s a communication gap, there’s a trust gap.”

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin speaks alongside HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during the microplastics announcement at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 2026. (Ken Cedeno/Reuters)

Zeldin and Kennedy have been working closely under President Trump’s Make America Healthy Again agenda and say they enjoy working together.

“There’s no American in this country who can’t get heard somehow by Secretary Kennedy, and it’s just an honor to serve alongside him,” Zeldin said.

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Kennedy added, “I like everybody in that Cabinet, but Lee and I work with particular closeness, and I’ve really enjoyed the relationship.”

It is clear they would like this relationship to continue, even if their roles change. “You never know what’s going to happen,” Kennedy said.

Marc Siegel, M.D. is a professor of medicine and medical director of Doctor Radio at NYU Langone Medical Center. He is Fox News Channel’s senior medical analyst. His forthcoming book is “The Miracles Among Us: How God’s Grace Plays a Role in Healing” (Fox Books, November 18, 2025) and author of “COVID: The Politics of Fear and the Power of Science.” Follow him on X @drmarcsiegel.

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