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YouTube job scam text: How to spot it fast

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YouTube job scam text: How to spot it fast


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Most of us have received a random text that makes us pause for a second. Maybe it promises a prize. Maybe it claims to be from a delivery company. Lately, another type of message is spreading quickly: the remote job scam.

That is exactly what happened to Peter from New York. He wrote in after receiving a suspicious message about a high-paying YouTube job.

Here is what he sent:

“I received this text today, and I think it’s a scam. How can I tell for sure, and what do I do next?”

Below is the message Peter received. At first glance, it looks like a job opportunity. However, when you break it down line by line, several warning signs appear. Let’s walk through them.

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A suspicious text message promises up to $10,000 a month for boosting YouTube video views. Offers like this are a common sign of a job scam.  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Red flag 1: A random job offer from a stranger

The text comes from an unknown international phone number starting with +63, which is the country code for the Philippines. Legitimate companies rarely recruit through random text messages from unknown numbers. Real employers usually contact candidates through job platforms, email or professional networks like LinkedIn. When a job appears out of nowhere and promises high pay, it should immediately raise suspicion.

Red flag 2: The pay is wildly unrealistic

The message claims:

  • $200 to $600 per day
  • $10,000 or more per month

Those numbers are a major warning sign. Entry-level remote work, such as “boosting video views” or “YouTube optimization,” does not pay anywhere near that range. Scammers often use unusually high pay to trigger excitement and urgency. When money sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Red flag 3: No experience required but huge income

The text says “no experience required, free paid training provided.” Scammers often combine high income with zero qualifications. That combination is designed to attract as many people as possible.

Real digital marketing jobs usually require:

  • SEO or marketing experience
  • Analytics knowledge
  • Platform expertise

A company offering $10K per month with no requirements is not realistic.

BE AWARE OF EXTORTION SCAM EMAILS CLAIMING YOUR DATA IS STOLEN

A person on their phone with a coffee

Scammers often claim no experience is required and that training is provided. The goal is to lure you in quickly before you start asking questions.  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Red flag 4: The job description is vague

The text claims the job is to “increase video exposure and view count.”

That description is extremely vague. It does not explain:

  • What tools you would use
  • What company you would work for
  • How the work is measured

Scam job offers often stay vague so they can adapt the story later.

Red flag 5: Pressure to respond immediately

The message says: “5 urgent openings available, first come first served.” This is a classic scam tactic. Urgency pushes people to respond quickly before they have time to research the offer. Real companies rarely hire qualified candidates on a first-come basis through text messages.

Red flag 6: The strange reply instructions

The message tells recipients to reply “OK” and then send a numeric code. This step is often used to move the conversation to another messaging platform, such as Telegram or WhatsApp, where scammers continue the scheme. Once the conversation moves there, victims may be asked to:

  • Complete fake tasks
  • Send cryptocurrency
  • Pay deposits for “training”

These scams are often called task scams, where victims complete simple online tasks and may even receive small payments at first before scammers demand larger deposits for payouts that never come. They have exploded worldwide over the past few years.

Red flag 7: No company information

The message never names a real company. It mentions a “manager” named Goldie but provides:

  • No company website
  • No corporate email
  • No office address

Legitimate employers want applicants to know who they are. Scammers avoid details that can be verified.

How these YouTube job scams usually work

Many of these scams follow the same pattern. First, scammers promise easy money for simple tasks lsuch as liking videos or boosting views. At the beginning, they may even send a small payment to build trust. Then things change. Victims are asked to deposit money to unlock larger payouts or complete “premium tasks.” Once payments are sent, the scammers disappear. The Federal Trade Commission says Americans lost hundreds of millions of dollars to job scams in recent years, and text message recruitment scams are rising fast.

 Google warns about growing job scams and how to verify recruiters

We reached out to Google, and a spokesperson provided the following statement to CyberGuy:

“Google is aware of these job scams happening across the industry and believes they’re growing around the world. We strongly encourage any candidate, or individual receiving them, to exercise caution and report it to the platform you received it on as a phishing attempt and/or spam. Our recruiting team focuses on contacting candidates in official capacities and are very clear about who we are, why we’re reaching out, and do so from legitimate emails or profiles on job sites. Jobseekers should verify anyone contacting them by email addresses, looking up the person online, such as on LinkedIn, and if something does seem suspicious, flag it to the outlet where it was received. Folks can also vet and report these scams to Google at support.google.com. Our Google careers page reflects all of our current job postings, so candidates should check offers against those. Generally speaking, Google also continues to offer a range of tools and insights that help people automatically spot and avoid scams like these whether they receive them via email, search results, text messages, etc.”

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Person scrolling on a phone

Messages that push you to reply immediately or move the conversation to apps like Telegram or WhatsApp are a major red flag.  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Ways to stay safe from job text scams

If you receive a message like Peter’s, here are some smart steps to take.

1) Never respond to unknown job texts

Replying confirms your number is active. That can lead to more scam messages.

2) Do not click links or download attachments

Scam texts sometimes include links that lead to phishing pages designed to steal login credentials or financial information. Install strong antivirus software on your devices, which can help detect malicious links, block dangerous websites and warn you before you open something risky. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

3) Reduce how easily scammers can find your information

Scammers often harvest phone numbers and personal details from data broker sites and public profiles. Using a data removal service to remove your information from these sites can make it harder for criminals to target you with job scams and other fraud. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

4) Research the company independently

Search for the company name online. Look for an official website, verified social media or job listings.

5) Avoid jobs that ask for money

Legitimate employers never require deposits for training, equipment or task access.

6) Block and report the number

You can report scam texts directly from your phone.

On iPhone:

Open the message, tap the phone number at the top of the screen, scroll down and select Block Contact. You can also tap Report Spam under the message. If the option appears, then click Delete and Report Spam, which sends the report to Apple and deletes the message.

On Samsung Galaxy phones:

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

Open the Messages app and select the conversation. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, then tap Block and report spam, then confirm by tapping Yes. This blocks the number and helps Samsung identify and filter future scam messages.

7) Report it to the FTC

In the United States, you can report scams at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Reports help investigators track large scam networks.

So what should Peter do next?

The safest move is simple. Peter should not reply to the message. Instead, he should block the number and report it as spam. If he has already responded, he should stop communicating immediately and avoid clicking any links or sending money. If he shared personal information such as his phone number, email address or financial details, it may also be wise to monitor his accounts closely and consider signing up for an identity theft protection service. The good news is that spotting the red flags early can prevent a much bigger problem later. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways 

Scammers constantly adapt their tactics. Today, it might be a fake delivery notice. Tomorrow, it might be a high-paying remote job. The message Peter received hits many of the classic warning signs: unrealistic pay, vague job duties, urgent language and a request to reply quickly. When a stranger promises easy money through a random text message, pause for a moment. That short pause can save you a lot of trouble.

Now I am curious. If a text suddenly promised you $10,000 a month for simple online tasks, would you recognize the warning signs before replying? 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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How to fill a good self appraisal and get the best rating

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How to fill a good self appraisal and get the best rating



Nobody is a perfect robot, and trying to sound like one in an appraisal actually makes you look less trustworthy. A strong review owns the hurdles. If a project took longer than expected or you fumbled a new software roll-out, mention it—but quickly pivot to the lesson learned.

Try this: “I struggled with prioritizing multiple deadlines in Q1, so I implemented a new project-tracking system that helped me meet 100% of my Q2 targets.” This shows your maturity and growth mindset.



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Analysts say Gaza ‘civilian’ deaths include Hamas, other terror members working as medics, media workers

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Analysts say Gaza ‘civilian’ deaths include Hamas, other terror members working as medics, media workers


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As Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) publicly claim their dead, new research shows that many previously counted as civilians were in fact members of the terrorist organizations, undermining accusations that Israeli forces deliberately targeted civilians in Gaza.

Researchers monitoring the Hamas-run health ministry’s death reports told Fox News Digital that a growing number of ‘martyrs’ were exposed as terrorists by their own groups such as Hamas, despite maintaining public identities as healthcare or media workers.

Gabriel Epstein, senior policy associate at Israel Policy Forum, told Fox News Digital that he has tracked multiple individuals named by Hamas and PIJ as martyrs killed in battle in Gaza who held positions in the health industry, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs.)

US-BACKED GAZA AID GROUP SLAMS DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS, ACCUSES IT OF SPREADING ‘FALSE’ CLAIMS

Smoke rises and ball of fire over a buildings in Gaza City on October 9, 2023 during an Israeli air strike. (Photo by Sameh Rahmi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Epstein found several individuals labeled as medical staff who are also members of terrorist groups. The most serious revelation from the martyr list is Fadi al-Wadiyya, a physiotherapist for Médecins sans frontières, who was killed by Israel Defense Forces in June 2024. MSF responded to the death, saying they were “outraged” and “strongly condemn[ed] the killing of our colleague.”

When the IDF claimed that al-Wadiyya was a member of PIJ, MSF said they had “no prior knowledge” of his “alleged involvement in military activities” and said they had “not received any formal explanation” of “the circumstances of his killing.”

In a Telegram account claiming to be the media reserve for the Al-Quds Brigades, a post mourning al-Wadiyya’s martyrdom on Feb. 24 lists the physiotherapist as an assistant to the military manufacturing unit of PIJ’s Al-Quds Brigades.

Fox News Digital asked MSF whether they were aware of al-Wadiyya’s PIJ connections prior to the martyr announcement. A spokesperson said, “We would not knowingly employ people engaging in military activity” as it “would pose a danger to our staff and patients by compromising our neutrality.”

HAMAS TERRORISTS USE AMBULANCES, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS IN VIOLATION OF US-BROKERED CEASEFIRE, IDF OFFICIAL SAYS

Hamas terrorists in Gaza

Hamas terrorists marching in Gaza during a parade.  (Getty Images)

The spokesperson said that “MSF had no indication that Fadi Al Wadiya might have been involved in military activity of any kind prior to the Israeli authorities’ online posts in June 2024. In the immediate aftermath of Al-Wadiya’s killing, we asked for explanations from the Israeli authorities, but never received an official response. If the Israeli authorities were aware of Al-Wadiya’s links with militant activities, they never shared this info with us until after he was killed. To this day, the only information they shared and that we are aware of is what was shared through public social media posts.”

The IDF banned MSF operations in Gaza from the beginning of March because the organization refused to provide a list of its Palestinian employees. In response to Fox News Digital’s questions about whether they would consider providing this list to the IDF presently, MSF’s spokesperson said, “We did not share our staff lists with Israel because we did not receive concrete assurances to ensure the safety of our staff or the independent management of our operations. This is a place where humanitarian workers have frequently been detained, attacked, and killed. We have a responsibility to protect our colleagues from harm.”

Epstein shared several other cases of healthcare workers who played prominent roles in terror groups.

MEDICAL NGO THAT SLAMMED ISRAEL’S ANTI-TERROR RAID NOW QUITS GAZA HOSPITAL OVER ARMED OPERATIVES

Kamal Adwan hospital

Ambulances carrying patients from Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahya, Gaza City. Oct. 12, 2024.  (Hamza Z. H. Qraiqea/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Mohammed Akram Abdullah al-Kafarna was mourned by the Palestinian Nursing and Midwifery Association’s Facebook page as the nursing supervisor at Kamal Adwan Hospital and by the Institute for Palestine Studies as head of the Gaza nursing system.[v] A Telegram account that lists members of Hamas’ best-outfitted Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, al-Kafarna is described as one of Beit Hanoun’s “Qassam Martyrs.”

Ayman Suleiman Aliyan Abu Tayr was listed as martyred in Khan Younis in June 2025. The Institute for Palestine Studies labels him as a nurse and head of the clinical nutrition department at Nasser Hospital. According to a Telegram account linked to PIJ’s Al-Quds Brigades, Abu Tayr was a Commander in the Central Operations Unit of the Al-Quds Brigades.

Jaber Abdulhamid Diab Mohammedin was mourned on the Palestinian Ministry of Health General Directorate of Nursing’s Facebook page as an Intensive Care Unit nurse at the Al-Rantisi Specialized Children’s Hospital. A Telegram account linked to the Islamic Jihad Movement lists Mohammedin as a commander in the military manufacturing unit of the PIJ’s Al-Quds Brigade.

Nidal Jaber Abdulfattah al-Najjar is labeled as an administrator at the Palestinian Ministry of Health, according to the Institute for Palestine Studies, while a mourner on Facebook noted that he worked in the Al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital. He is labeled on a Telegram account emblazoned with Hamas’ distinctive red triangle as a martyr commander of Hamas’ Al-Radwan Battalion.

IDF troops operate against Hamas in Gaza

IDF forces are seen operating in Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip. (IDF Spokesman’s Unit)

Salo Aizenberg, director of media watchdog group HonestReporting, told Fox News Digital that he is tracking at least ten “virtually indisputable” examples of journalists who are actually combatants, working with Hamas and other terrorist groups.

David Adesnik, vice president of research for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that he has also been tracking the disclosures. “With PIJ, the number of commanders who operated with civilian cover is striking,” Adesnik said. “We’re at a point where the evidence indicates that this duplicity was a routine part of a strategy to infiltrate civilian organization, especially humanitarian ones. This provides access and protection while ensuring outrage when these supposed humanitarians are killed.”

Adesnik said he believes it “likely that Hamas also employed this strategy in a systematic way, but right now we mainly have the PIJ disclosures. Given that Hamas is many times larger, if it were to disclose this kind of information, the effects could easily ripple across the humanitarian sector in Gaza.”

Among the cases Aizenberg is tracking are media workers. He said that his list is “based solely on admissions by those groups and other Gazan sources,” and “does not include the many additional examples identified through Israeli evidence.”

Sinwar waving at a group of supporters at a rally.

Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas terro leader who was killed by the IDF, waves to a crowd in Gaza. (Photo by Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Though the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) cites Yacoup Al-Borsch as a journalist and the executive director of Namaa Radio, Aizenberg has found “numerous social media posts and martyr notices identifying him as a fighter and ‘mujahid.’” This includes a Facebook post from an account affiliated with the Al-Omari Mosque in Jabalia.

Ahmed Abu Sharia was a freelancer who worked for outlets like Iranian Tasnim News Agency, the CPJ says. According to the “official” Telegram site of the Mujahideen Brigades, the Palestinian Mujahideen movement’s military wing, he was also a member of the Mujahideen Brigades.

Rizq Abu Shakian was a “media worker and administrator for the pro-Hamas Palestine Now Agency,” according to CPJ. Shakian also appears in Hamas uniform on a Telegram site that shares images of Palestinian martyrs. According to Aizenberg’s research, he was a member of the Al-Qassam Brigades.

In response to questions about whether CPJ would update listings of journalists who have been claimed as terror affiliates, the group directed Fox News Digital to its policy for updating listings, which states, “CPJ has a long-standing policy of updating its data and the accompanying narrative accounts without issuing formal corrections as new information becomes available over time. In certain cases, a record may be removed from public view when new information leads CPJ to determine that a case falls outside its mandate or for security concerns, such as the safety of the journalist and their family.  CPJ will publicly record when it has removed a journalist from the database for a reason outside of security concerns. “

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As the shaky ceasefire in Gaza continues, analysts say they continue to place value in closely examining the war’s casualties. Epstein said that “reviewing cases of militants who held dual civilian roles in key sectors like media, healthcare and education is important for the historical record and underscores the information limitations press, government, and analysts face in real time during conflict.” He said that “over time, militant identification can give a sense of just how deep Hamas, PIJ and other militant groups’ hold over key sectors in Gaza was.”

Beth Bailey is a reporter covering Afghanistan, the Middle East, Asia, the United Nations, Central America and antisemitism. She was formerly a civilian intelligence analyst with the Department of the Army. You can follow Beth on X @BWBailey85



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What is seat-divorce and why are couples embracing it for better travel? | – The Times of India

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What is seat-divorce and why are couples embracing it for better travel? | – The Times of India


Air travel can be exhausting, especially when you’re juggling work, childcare, and the chaos of getting everyone to the airport on time. One parent described a recent late‑night flight after a draining day of packing meals, managing a toddler’s bedtime, and coping with jet lag—only to have their partner suddenly want to have a “deep talk” at 35,000 feet. In that moment, the need for quiet and space felt overwhelming. Their solution? A “seat divorce”—choosing separate seats mid‑flight so each person could recharge in their own way.Far from a sign of relationship trouble, “seat divorce” is becoming a quiet travel trend among couples who realise that a little physical distance can actually save their emotional connection. Instead of forcing themselves to sit side by side, some partners deliberately sit apart—aisle, window, even on separate rows—so they can sleep, watch movies, read, or simply zone out without guilt. Many report that the trip, and the time they spend together once they land, feels far more enjoyable when they’ve had this breathing room.Growing Popularity of “Seat Divorce”On the surface, sitting apart on a plane may seem odd, especially in a culture that equates togetherness with closeness. But couples are increasingly seeing it as a practical and even romantic choice. After all, how many of us have seen “together at all costs” couples move seats, rearrange, negotiate, and then spend the entire flight tuned out or scrolling on their phones? The whole effort often feels like a performance of intimacy, not real connection.Seat divorce turns that script on its head. It allows partners to enjoy their own preferred seats and space—window or aisle, no one forced into the dreaded middle seat—without enduring the awkwardness of being sandwiched or crammed. For taller or broader passengers, middle seats can be genuinely painful, so choosing a seat divorce means both partners can sit comfortably rather than one suffering in silence. And, just like the “sleep divorce” (sleeping in separate rooms to improve rest), couples say that separating physically on the plane often improves the quality of their time together once they land.How “Seat Divorce” Improves RelationshipsTherapists are starting to back what couples are discovering on their own. Family therapist Tawanna Marie Woolfolk told HuffPost that our culture is “culturally conditioned to equate visible proximity with relational health.” So when couples sit apart, strangers often rush in, offering to switch seats because “they should be together.” But, as Woolfolk notes, this says more about our collective discomfort with intimacy that doesn’t perform itself on demand than it does about the health of the relationship.Another therapist, Dan Auerbach, explained to HuffPost that continuous side‑by‑side proximity can actually dull connection. When you sit next to someone for hours, you may slip into background noise—half‑watching the same movie, half‑listening to each other, but not truly present. In contrast, couples who sit separately say they actually feel more intentional when they reconnect. They swap movie recommendations, laugh over shared snacks, or simply check in briefly. These small moments of deliberate connection can feel more meaningful than hours of forced co‑presence.Why Some Couples Prefer to Sit ApartThere are plenty of practical reasons behind the move to “seat divorce.” For starters, air travel is just plain unpleasant these days—tight seats, delays, noise, kids, and long queues. In that context, every bit of comfort counts. When couples sit together, someone usually ends up in the middle seat, which is rarely anyone’s ideal option. Giving both partners a seat they prefer—window or aisle, no one crowding—makes a big difference, especially on long‑haul flights where every inch of legroom matters.Others appreciate the emotional benefit: being able to unplug, decompress, and recharge without the pressure of “performing” as a couple. The parent who’s been up all night with a toddler, or the partner who’s just finished a stressful workday, can finally nap, read, or meditate in peace. The space doesn’t mean distance in the relationship—it means they’re choosing to protect their energy so they can be present, patient, and kinder once the plane lands.Communication, Boundaries, and Equal PartnershipLike all relationships, seat divorce works best when both partners in a relationship are on the same page. It’s not about avoiding each other. Instead, it’s about respecting each other’s individual needs. Couples who choose this approach often talk about preferences beforehand—who needs more space, who’s a nervous flyer, who hates the middle seat. This clear communication actually strengthens trust, because decisions are made collaboratively rather than through resentment or one‑sided sacrifice.At its core, “seat divorce” is also a lesson in balance. If one partner is always giving up their comfort, putting their needs last, or enduring conditions they genuinely dislike—during travel or in daily life—it can create a quiet but steady sense of imbalance. Seat divorce gives them the chance to reclaim their space.The Bigger Picture: Personal Space as a Relationship StrengthSo is “seat divorce” a sign that a couple’s relationship is in trouble? Quite the opposite. Many couples say that allowing personal space during travel makes them like each other more, not less. When they’re not crammed against each other, competing for the armrest, or arguing over whose earbuds keep falling out, they arrive at their destination feeling calmer, lighter, and more generous with one another. That changes the whole tone of the trip.In that sense, “seat divorce” is part of a broader shift in how couples are thinking about intimacy. It’s not just about being physically close; it’s about being emotionally attuned, communicating clearly, and respecting each other’s boundaries.Would you try seat divorce when you travel next with your partner? Tell us in the comments below.



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Cuba begins to restore power after nationwide grid collapse

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Cuba begins to restore power after nationwide grid collapse


HAVANA — Cuba began restoring its energy system on Sunday, a day after a nationwide collapse of the entire grid left millions of people in the dark for the third time this month.

Some 72,000 customers in the capital, among them five hospitals, had electricity again early Sunday, according to a report from the state-run Electric Union and the Ministry of Energy and Mines, but it’s only a fraction of Havana’s total population of approximately 2 million.

In Havana and provinces such as western Matanzas and eastern Holguin, local power microsystems were set up to supply the most vital centers. Residents in some areas of the capital told The Associated Press that power returned during the early morning hours.

Cuba is currently facing an unprecedented energy crisis. Its aging grid has drastically eroded in recent years, but the government has also blamed the outages on a U.S. energy blockade, after President Donald Trump in January warned of tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba. His administration is demanding that Cuba release political prisoners and move toward political and economic liberalization in return for a lifting of sanctions. Trump also has raised the possibility of a “friendly takeover of Cuba.”

Another reason Cuba has been struggling with dwindling oil is the removal by the U.S. of Venezuela’s former President Nicolás Maduro, which halted critical petroleum shipments from the nation that had been a steadfast ally to Havana.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel has said the island has not received oil from foreign suppliers for three months. Cuba produces barely 40% of the fuel it needs to power its economy.

Daily blackouts have a significant impact on the population, whose lives are disrupted by reduced work hours, lack of electricity for cooking and damage to household appliances, among many other consequences.

“With the blackout and low voltage, my refrigerator broke — that was today. The day before yesterday, the voltage also dropped around 10 at night,” Suleydi Crespo, a 33-year-old woman with two small children, told AP on Saturday. “If there’s no electricity tomorrow, we won’t be able to get water.”

Residents also expressed exhaustion from the constant outages, whether nationwide or partial.

The Cuban Electric Union, which reports to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, reported that the total disconnection of the national energy system was caused by an unexpected shutdown of a generation unit at the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant in Camaguey province, without providing details on the specific cause of the failure.

The last nationwide blackout occurred on Monday. It took several days to restore power.

Saturday’s outage was the second in the past week and the third in March.

“We have to get used to continuing our usual routine. What else can we do? We have to try to survive. Get used to events, with or without electricity,” said Dagnay Alarcón, a 35-year-old vendor.

Authorities and Díaz-Canel himself have acknowledged the seriousness of the current energy situation. The Vice Minister of Energy and Mines Argelio Abad Vigo explained this week that the country has gone three months without receiving supplies of diesel, fuel oil, gasoline, aviation fuel or liquefied petroleum gas — all vital for the economy and power generation.

Fuel sales for vehicles are rationed, airlines have suspended flights or reduced frequencies many workplaces have reduced hours.

Trump has for months suggested Cuba’s government is on the verge of collapse. After a previous time Cuba’s electric grid collapsed, Trump told reporters he believed he’d soon have “the honor of taking Cuba.”

María Regla Cardoso, a housewife in Havana, said she isn’t interested in politics and that Cubans have to keep living.

“I leave everything in God’s hands. Whatever form the situation takes, we just have to face it.”

___

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america



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‘The Whole Nine Yards’ star Amanda Peet reveals breast cancer diagnosis

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‘The Whole Nine Yards’ star Amanda Peet reveals breast cancer diagnosis


Amanda Peet has revealed the heartbreaking events that unfolded in the weeks after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The 54-year-old actor, known for roles in The Whole Nine Yards and Your Friends & Neighbors, wrote about being diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in August 2025 when both of her parents were receiving end-of-life hospice care, in a vulnerable essay published in The New Yorker.

In the article, titled “My Season of Ativan,” Peet explained that she attended a bi-annual check-up to monitor her breasts when her doctor discovered a tumor.

“For many years, I’ve been told that I have ‘dense’ and ‘busy’ breasts — not as a compliment but as a warning that they require extra monitoring,” she wrote.

“I had been seeing a breast surgeon every six months for checkups. Dr. K. usually chatted me up while she examined me, but this time she went silent.”

Amanda Peet was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in August 2025 (Getty Images for AFI)

Peet said that shortly after news of her own diagnosis, she found out that her father’s health was declining rapidly.

“My sister called: our father was about to die. Our parents, long divorced, were both in hospice, on opposite coasts. Our mothers had started in June, but our father’s was only a week in, so we hadn’t expected him to go first,” she wrote.

The Fatal Attraction actress noted that while “my mind should’ve been flooded with memories” of her father after his death, her mind was consumed with thoughts about her own health.

“As soon as my dad’s corpse was out of sight, I was free to panic about my cancer again,” she wrote.

Peet learned shortly after that her cancer was treatable, and that a separate growth found in her other breast was benign.

She decided against sharing news of her diagnosis with her mother, who was in the final stage of Parkinson’s disease, because it may have confused her further.

Amanda Peet lost both of her parents in the months after receiving her breast cancer diagnosis
Amanda Peet lost both of her parents in the months after receiving her breast cancer diagnosis (Getty Images)

“She still recognized me, and sometimes answered ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to my questions, but always reverted to an empty stare,” Peet explained.

Peet then recalled that in the weeks after her first clear MRI scan, the hospice nurse informed her that her mother was about to pass away.

“I wasn’t sure whether my mom knew that she was looking at me or whether I was just a constellation of interesting, disembodied shapes. I said ‘howdy doodle’ — that’s how she often greeted me. But then I realized that she was communing without words, and I followed suit. Time was running out, and, besides, I had already told her everything.”

The 2012 actor also discussed revealing her breast cancer diagnosis to her three children, who she shares with her screenwriter husband David Benioff, including daughters Frances, 19, and Molly, 15, and son Henry, 11.

“Molly cried, and Frankie — FaceTiming from her college quad — clapped her hand over her mouth and kept it there until she was able to process the excellent portion of the news: that it appeared I was Stage 1 and wasn’t going to need chemo,” she said.

“Both of them were afraid that we were still withholding information or sugarcoating my prognosis,” she added. “My daughters were on the cusp of adulthood. If we were going to remain close, to know each other deeply over the course of a lifetime, we would have to learn how to have difficult conversations.”



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Amazon Health AI brings a doctor to your pocket

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Amazon Health AI brings a doctor to your pocket


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Most people have had this moment. You feel a strange symptom, open your phone and start searching online. Within minutes, you are deep in medical forums reading worst-case scenarios. By the end, you are either terrified or more confused than when you started.

Health care should feel clearer than that. Yet for many of us, it rarely does. Appointments take weeks. Medical records are hard to understand. You often have to repeat the same health history at every visit. Insurance rules feel like a maze.

According to the American Academy of Physician Associates, many Americans say navigating the healthcare system feels overwhelming and they wish doctors had more time to listen. Now, a new tool from Amazon hopes to change that experience. It is called Amazon Health AI.

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$163K IN FAKE MEDICAL BILL CHARGES, AI UNCOVERS IT FOR YOU

Amazon Health AI lets you ask health questions, review records and connect with care directly through the Amazon app. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What Amazon Health AI actually does

Amazon Health AI, available at amazon.com/health-ai, acts as a digital health assistant that can answer medical questions and help guide you through your care. The tool lives inside the Amazon app and website.

You start by typing a health question into a chat box. From there, the system can:

  • Explain lab results in plain language
  • Review symptoms and suggest next steps
  • Help schedule care with a provider
  • Assist with prescription renewals
  • Recommend relevant health products if asked

Health AI connects directly with clinicians from Amazon One Medical when professional care is needed. You can message a provider, start a video visit or schedule an in-person appointment. The goal is to make getting care simpler. Instead of spending time searching for appointments or jumping between different apps, you can move from a question to a provider more quickly. If symptoms suggest a possible emergency, the system may advise you to contact emergency services, such as calling 911.

Amazon is gradually rolling the Health AI tool out to U.S. customers, and availability varies by location.

CyberGuy reached out to Amazon for comment about the new service. Andrew Diamond, Ph.D., M.D., chief medical officer at Amazon One Medical, said the goal is to reduce some of the everyday frustrations people face when navigating healthcare.

“Nearly two-thirds of Americans feel overwhelmed by the healthcare system and wish their doctors had more time to understand their concerns,” Diamond said. “Health AI is designed to handle the logistical and informational work that creates friction in healthcare, so patients and providers can spend more time on what matters most: the human relationship at the heart of healing.”

How Amazon Health AI uses your medical history

Health AI becomes more useful when it understands your medical history.

With permission, the system can access information such as:

  • Past diagnoses
  • Medications
  • Lab results
  • Doctor’s notes

This data flows through a secure national network called the Health Information Exchange. Health AI can access records from hundreds of thousands of providers nationwide once permission is granted.

For example, imagine someone with asthma develops a cough during flu season. A generic search might treat that symptom like any other cough. Health AI can look at your history and ask follow-up questions based on your specific risk factors.

Health AI can provide general information about someone else’s health question, but personalized answers are limited to the medical history of the account holder.

That context helps the system provide more relevant guidance. Still, the assistant does not replace doctors. When the situation requires medical judgment, it connects you with a real clinician.

CHATGPT COULD MISS YOUR SERIOUS MEDICAL EMERGENCY, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS

An Amazon Health AI promotional image

Health AI can help explain lab results, check symptoms and connect you with care through your phone. (Amazon)

How Amazon connects AI with real medical care

The service works closely with Amazon One Medical providers. Prescription renewals can also move through the system, with requests sent to a One Medical provider who reviews the request before approval. You can fill prescriptions through Amazon Pharmacy or another pharmacy you prefer. This approach helps reduce the steps people often face when trying to get care. Instead of spending time searching for appointments or jumping between different apps, you can move from a question to a provider more quickly.

Special access for Prime members

Amazon is also adding a limited introductory benefit. Eligible members of Amazon Prime can receive up to five free message-based consultations with a One Medical provider.

Neil Lindsay, senior vice president of Amazon Health Services, said the goal is to make care easier to access through the tools people already use. “Eligible Prime member accounts get up to five free direct message care consultations with a One Medical provider for any of the 30 common conditions,” Lindsay said.

These visits cover common conditions, including:

  • Colds and flu
  • Allergies and acid reflux
  • Pink eye and UTIs
  • Hair loss and skin care

Outside the promotion, message or telehealth visits typically cost about $29. A full One Medical membership provides broader virtual care and costs less for Prime members than for non-members.

How Amazon says it protects health data

Health information raises serious privacy questions. Amazon says Health AI runs inside a HIPAA-compliant environment with strong encryption and strict access controls. According to the company, personal health data is not used to sell ads. Amazon also says protected health information from One Medical and Amazon Pharmacy is not used for advertising or sold to third parties.

The system also includes safety guardrails. If the AI cannot confidently answer a question, it directs you to a human provider. Behind the scenes, the technology runs on Amazon’s AI platform called Amazon Bedrock.

Amazon also emphasized that Health AI was designed alongside medical professionals rather than built purely as a technology product.

“This isn’t a chatbot with a healthcare skin,” said Prakash Bulusu, chief technology officer at Amazon Health Services. “It’s a system designed from the ground up to be personalized, trustworthy and useful.”

Bulusu said he personally tested the system with his own health data, and it surfaced lab work he had forgotten to complete after a physical exam.

CHATGPT HEALTH PROMISES PRIVACY FOR HEALTH CONVERSATIONS

An Amazon Health AI promotional image

You can ask Health AI about symptoms and receive guidance before deciding whether to seek medical care.  (Amazon)

Why Amazon believes AI belongs in healthcare

Millions of people already search Amazon for vitamins, blood pressure monitors and health products. The company believes AI can help guide those searches and connect them with medical advice. Amazon also partnered with major health systems, including the Cleveland Clinic and Rush University System for Health, to create smoother referrals between primary care and specialists. The idea is continuity. You should not feel like you are starting from scratch every time you see a new provider.

What this means for you

Tools like Health AI show how quickly artificial intelligence is moving into everyday health decisions. For patients, the potential benefits are clear. Faster answers. Simpler records. Easier access to doctors.

Yet it also raises big questions about privacy, data control and how much we rely on automated systems for health advice. AI can help people understand their health. But the human doctor still plays the absolute most important role. The challenge will be finding the right balance.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Healthcare can be frustrating. Long waits, confusing records and disconnected systems often leave you feeling lost. Amazon believes AI can help guide you through that process. If the technology works as promised, it could help millions of us understand our health faster and reach care sooner. Still, any system that handles sensitive medical information must earn trust over time. That trust will depend on transparency, security and how responsibly companies use personal health data.

Would you feel comfortable letting an AI assistant review your medical history and guide your health decisions? 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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Vibration plates are suddenly everywhere. What I learned after one (very shaky) month

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Vibration plates are suddenly everywhere. What I learned after one (very shaky) month


Could the key to losing weight, building muscle and bone density and improving circulation be as simple as shaking for five minutes a day?

That’s what I set out to discover over the last month by using a vibration plate for 5-10 minutes daily.

The machine – a 2-3-foot wide plastic and rubber pedestal that vibrates at the command of a remote – has been around for more than 20 years. But it has found new fans across social media, featuring in more than 130,000 TikTok videos and Instagram Reels.

A recent social media challenge asked users to film themselves trying to drink a cup of water on the plates.

“I’ve seen the girlies who use this and they have abs, like actual abs,” says beauty influencer Maiya Sagoo, one of many toned women in workout gear posting videos while standing or sitting on the plates.

The Independent’s science correspondent Julia Musto tried using a vibration plate for a month. But did it work? (Julia Musto/The Independent)

Some influencers and fitness gurus have claimed that using a vibration plate for fewer than 20 minutes a day will boost your digestive health, help induce labor and even stop their child’s tantrums.

I bought a plate online that I had seen in several influencer videos for a little over $100. The plate is a 24-inch wide platform raised about six inches off the ground. There are suction cups on the bottom to ensure it doesn’t migrate across the room while you’re shaking on it.

My typical workout would be a two-hour full-body workout at the gym or an hour-long run outdoors. Most fitness influencers said they supplemented their existing workouts with a vibration plate session, so I added five to ten minutes of shaking after exercising.

Getting on the plate is fairly jarring – your whole body shakes like you’ve had 15 cups of coffee. Bending my knees slightly helped to alleviate the feeling that I would vibrate right off the plate and into a wall.

With bended knees, I felt I had to tense the muscles in my abs, legs and glutes, similar to the intensity of yoga.

I imagine this might be what surfing feels like? The vibration plate involves balancing and flexing simultaneously while trying to stay on your board.

I imagine this might be what surfing feels like? The vibration plate involves balancing and flexing simultaneously while trying to stay on your board
I imagine this might be what surfing feels like? The vibration plate involves balancing and flexing simultaneously while trying to stay on your board (Getty/iStock)

After a couple of minutes, you get used to the intensity. A five-minute session is over before you’ve even managed to list to a few songs on a Spotify playlist. Getting off the board, I still felt like I was shaking for a few minutes afterwards.

The sensation suggested that some muscle toning could be happening, but I decided to consult the experts.

The limited science on vibration plates, following related research on occupational vibration therapy, has provided varied results since they first emerged in the early 2000s.

“The biggest misconception is that standing on a vibration plate alone will lead to dramatic fat loss or [more] muscle tone,” Hana Ivandic, a certified personal trainer and lymphatic therapy expert, told Good Housekeeping last month. “That’s not how the body works.”

Everyone wants a quick and easy way to burn fat, and there is some research that vibration therapy could help with weight loss when you also cut calories. One 2017 study on mice from Georgia’s Augusta University showed that 20 minutes on a vibrating platform reduced body fat and insulin resistance in the diabetic and overweight rodents.

The limited science on vibration plates, following related research on occupational vibration therapy, has provided varied results since they first emerged in the early 2000s.
The limited science on vibration plates, following related research on occupational vibration therapy, has provided varied results since they first emerged in the early 2000s. (Getty/iStock)

University Hospitals Healthcare says the plates can help boost metabolism when combined with cardiovascular exercise and a healthy diet.

“The rapid muscle contractions require energy and can contribute to weight loss when paired with a balanced diet and cardiovascular exercises,” the healthcare system wrote in a blog post.

A 2019 review of seven controlled trials showed that whole body vibration could reduce bodyweight from fat, but didn’t have much of an effect on whether a person was a healthy weight for their height.

Tiffany Angulo Ragozzino, a certified group fitness instructor, also told Good Housekeeping that vibration plates don’t raise the heart rate enough to burn a significant amount of fat.

“Fat loss requires a calorie deficit, which this machine alone cannot create,” she said.

The other supposed benefit of a vibration plate is improved lymphatic drainage – a treatment for a swelling condition known as lymphedema, common in cancer patients and in people living with chronic venous insufficiency – like President Donald Trump. Lymphatic drainage is usually done by a massage that helps to remove excess fluid accumulating between your cells.

Vibration plates can help to stimulate blood flow and send oxygen to muscle and tissues, according to University Hospitals. Still, it’s largely unclear whether fluid being removed from the legs is from the lymphatic system or the veins, experts told NBC News.

There’s “no convincing evidence that vibration plates alleviate lymphedema or lipedema,” Dr. Håkan Brorson, a professor of plastic surgery at Lund University Cancer Centre in Sweden, told the network.

Claims have also been made by health care systems and social media users that vibration plates can tone muscle and increase muscle strength.

The Independent's Julia Musto stands on a vibration plate in her New York City apartment
The Independent’s Julia Musto stands on a vibration plate in her New York City apartment (Julia Musto/The Independent)

The Augusta University study on mice found that the daily vibration improved muscle and bone strength. Separate research shows that whole-body vibration may help improve muscle strength, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“Maybe there’s a health effect by getting your muscles to move around with these massage devices [compared to] not having any sort of movement at all,” Dr. Peter Johnson, professor emeritus at the University of Washington Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, told The Independent.

Vibration plates are inferior to weight lifting, fitness expert Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple told New York Magazine. as you need increased resistance to build muscle. “Part of that is because effective strength training means using a challenging resistance,” she said.

Lastly, experts said that the vibration plate may help to strengthen your bones – assuming you’re vibrating at the right frequency. Many vibration plates are shaking above 30 hertz – a level higher than forms of occupational vibration like jackhammers and concrete drills, Johnson noted.

“The vibration plates, you’re usually standing on them and it’s a higher frequency than occupational vibration and I think your legs can act like a shock absorber before the vibration reaches your back,” he said.

A new MD Anderson Cancer Center study showed using plates vibrating at between 20-100 hertz for up to 20 minutes a day provided “significant benefit to bone health in models of certain cancers, such as ovarian cancer and multiple myeloma.”

It would really take spending 20 minutes a day on a plate to see a benefit for your bone health, Duke orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein said
It would really take spending 20 minutes a day on a plate to see a benefit for your bone health, Duke orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein said (Getty/iStock)

Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein, an associate professor at Duke Orthopedic Surgery, told The Independent that there is reasonable data showing the plates can improve lumbar spine bone density.

She pointed out that how the plates worked seemed to be dependent on a person’s health and how long and frequently they used vibration plates. It would take 20 minutes a day – or around 7,000 minutes a year – to have a positive effect on bone density, according to Wittstein.

That might be a smart use of time for someone with limited mobility, osteoporosis or knee arthritis. But as a woman in my thirties, I’d be better off in the gym or at a pilates class, the surgeon said.

“I think a lot of these decision-makings about buying something like a vibration plate or how to spend your time also should take into account, like, ‘What are your own abilities? How much time do you have? How much cash do you have to invest?’” Wittstein said.

“But it shouldn’t, in general, be a substitution for strength training.”





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Transportation Secretary Duffy says ICE agents are trained and can assist TSA at airports

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Transportation Secretary Duffy says ICE agents are trained and can assist TSA at airports


Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are trained and can assist with airport security, following President Donald Trump’s announcement that ICE would be sent to airports starting Monday.

Duffy added that sending in ICE takes away possible leverage for Democrats.

“Democrats want to see long lines at airports as leverage,” Duffy told ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl. “President Trump’s trying to take that leverage away and not make the American people suffer.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy appears on ABC News’ “This Week” on March 22, 2026.

ABC News

Democrats blocked funding for DHS to push for policy reforms to ICE, including requiring agents to not wear face masks, wear body cameras and have warrants signed by a judge before entering a home or business. Republicans have so far rejected those proposals.

But ICE has remained funded through appropriations from the Trump’s tax and spending bill passed last summer, while key DHS agencies like TSA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Coast Guard are left unfunded.

Duffy blamed Democrats for the hours-long security line waits at airports, saying Trump has already made policy concessions.

Some TSA officers have begun calling in sick or quitting as they missed their first paycheck since the shutdown began. DHS said that more than 400 TSA officers have quit so far.

Karl pressed Duffy on the logistics of Trump’s plan for ICE agents.

“Is there a plan in place? I mean, how many ICE agents are we talking about? Do they have any practical experience in manning airport security lines?,” Karl asked.

“Sure. Well, you — they run those same type of security machines at the southern border, right? Packages come through or people come through. They run similar assets,” Duffy said. “To manage the through flow of people and even administratively they’ll be helpful. But again, we have ICE agents who are trained and can provide assistance to agents.”

PHOTO: Travel Delays

People wait in a TSA line at the John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday, March 22, 2026, in New York.

Yuki Iwamura/AP

It is unclear how many ICE agents would be sent to airports or which airports they will be sent to.

Duffy said that ICE does have proper security training, but could also help by just managing lines. It is unclear how many ICE agents would be sent to airports or which airports they will be sent to.

The president’s announcement comes as Duffy has said repeatedly that he expects the chaos and delays at U.S. airports to worsen amid the busy spring break travel season because of the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

“I think you’re going to see more TSA (Transportation Security Administration) agents as we come to Thursday, Friday, Saturday of next week, they’re going to quit, or they’re not going to show up,” Duffy said. “I do think it’s going to get much worse, and as it gets worse, I think that puts pressure on the Congress to come to a resolution.”

Air travel is facing challenges from multiple fronts this month as the U.S. war with Iran has led to a near-total closure of the critical Strait of Hormuz, sending the price of oil surging worldwide. Higher oil costs has led to a higher cost of jet fuel, and major U.S. airlines are already warning of higher costs.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told employees the airline was planning for oil to reach $175 per barrel. Oil is currently nearing $100 per barrel. Duffy said despite the rising cost, major airline carriers told him they have enough jet fuel supply.

“I think airlines do well when they plan for the worst and hope for the best. That’s what I think is happening there,” Duffy said.

As for a timeline, Duffy maintained the administration’s statements that the war would last four to six weeks and that the Pentagon has “anticipated all that’s happening.”

“I think you’re going to see this is short-lived,” Duffy said. “When the strait opens up, you’re going to see a little bit of a lag as those carriers get to their destinations, but I think you’re going to see a very quick rebound in energy prices when this conflict is resolved.”



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Villanova head coach doubles down on ‘joke’ he needs to fire staff after NCAA Tournament loss

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Villanova head coach doubles down on ‘joke’ he needs to fire staff after NCAA Tournament loss


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Villanova men’s basketball head coach Kevin Willard’s in-game joke did not land the way he may have hoped, but he didn’t apologize for it after the Wildcats’ loss to Utah State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Willard was interviewed by CBS Sports’ Lauren Shehadi during a timeout, and he ripped into his coaching staff as the Wildcats were struggling against the Aggies. 

“I’m going to fire my staff,” Willard said in a now-viral moment. “Because we’ve given up eight points on underneath, out-of-bounds defense. The only thing I’m going do is fire them and get a new staff.”

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Head coach Kevin Willard of the Villanova Wildcats during the Big East Men’s Tournament quarterfinal against the Georgetown Hoyas at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2026, in New York City. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Willard may have been joking, but his deadpan delivery had others thinking he was serious about it at the moment. 

After the 86-76 loss to end the season, Willard sat for a post-game interview where he was asked about his in-game comments regarding his staff. 

Again, he may have been joking, but he doubled down. 

VILLANOVA COACH TURNS HEADS AFTER ‘JOKE’ THAT HE WOULD ‘FIRE MY STAFF’ DURING MARCH MADNESS LOSS

“We gave up a big three-pointer late,” Willard told the pool of reporters, per CBS Sports. “I’m probably going to have to make some changes to my staff because of how bad we were.”

As he was getting another question about his staff, Willard stepped back in. 

“It’s a joke,” he said. “God bless it.… I don’t care. Welcome to my life. It’s a joke.”

Kevin Willard motions on court

Head coach Kevin Willard of the Villanova Wildcats gestures during the NCAA Tournament game against the Utah State Aggies at San Diego State University on March 20, 2026, in California. (Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Willard wasn’t pleased with his team’s performance either way. While the in-bound plays were an issue, the Wildcats also blew a 10-point lead in the second half, which he credited to the Aggies’ relentless pressure. 

“You know, we got up by 10, and then we gave up three offensive rebounds. Give them credit. They’re a veteran team, older guards. They did a great job of getting in late, but we had our opportunities,” he said. “Then, we were up 73-71, and we missed two layups that kind of really hurt us. Give them credit. They capitalized on it.”

Utah State head coach Jerrod Calhoun noted, “We did not like our seed,” after his No. 10 squad took down No. 7 Villanova. But they will have to prove it with another upset against top-seeded Arizona on Sunday at 7:50 p.m. ET. 

“We won 28 games. We won the regular season title, we won the tournament title,” Calhoun said, per CBS Sports. “So when this team has an edge, and they play with a little bit of swagger and a little bit of toughness and resilience, we can cause a lot of problems.”

Kevin Willard press conference

Villanova Wildcats head coach Kevin Willard at a press conference ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

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Willard was head coach of the Maryland Terrapins last season, where he was able to take his squad to the second round of the NCAA Tournament thanks to a clutch game-winning bucket by Derik Queen to beat Colorado State. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.





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