"Ketamine Queen" Charged in Matthew Perry's Death

"Ketamine Queen" Charged in Matthew Perry's Death

Remember when Matthew Perry, aka Chandler from "Friends," was open about his addiction struggles? Well, sadly, it seems those demons caught up with him.

Perry died last year from a ketamine overdose, and now five people are facing charges, including his assistant and two doctors.

Here's the tea:

• Perry got hooked on ketamine after a clinic refused to up his dosage. He then spent a fortune buying it from a dealer nicknamed the "ketamine queen."

• This "queen," Jasveen Sangha, allegedly sold him 50 vials for $50,000. She's facing life in prison.

• Two doctors, one of whom called Perry a "moron" in texts, helped get him the ketamine. They're looking at serious jail time too.

• Perry's assistant was also charged for injecting him with the drug.

The takeaway? This tragic story highlights the dangers of ketamine abuse and the lengths people will go to for profit. It's a reminder that addiction is a serious disease, and we need to support those struggling with it.

Schmidt Backtracks on Google's WFH "Fail"

Ponder Road readers, remember Eric Schmidt, the former Google big cheese? Well, he recently threw some shade at his old stomping grounds, claiming Google's remote work policies were holding them back in the AI race.

He basically said Google was prioritizing work-life balance over "winning," which, according to him, is a recipe for disaster in the cutthroat world of startups.

But hold up! Schmidt's now doing a 180, admitting he "misspoke" and regrets his comments. He even got the video of his Stanford talk taken down.

So, what's the real deal?

• Google and OpenAI both have similar hybrid work models, requiring employees to be in the office three days a week.

• Schmidt's comments echo the sentiments of other CEOs like Jamie Dimon and Elon Musk, who are also skeptical of remote work.

• But the Alphabet Workers Union argues that factors like understaffing and shifting priorities are the real culprits behind any slowdown, not flexible work arrangements.

The takeaway? The debate over remote work rages on, with strong opinions on both sides. While Schmidt has backtracked, his initial comments highlight the ongoing tension between work-life balance and the demands of a competitive tech landscape.

Heads Up: Your Data Might Be Out There (Again) 

Another day, another massive data breach. This time, it's background check company National Public Data potentially spilling the beans on 2.9 billion records, including Social Security numbers.

Should you freak out? Maybe not completely. While the details are still fuzzy, remember that data breaches are basically a weekly occurrence these days.

But don't just sit there and take it. Here's what you can do to protect yourself:

• Freeze your credit: This makes it harder for thieves to open new accounts in your name. It's a bit of a hassle, but worth it.

• Two-factor authentication is your BFF: Enable it on all your accounts. It adds an extra layer of security.

• Set up account alerts: Get notified about suspicious activity on your accounts.

• Don't click links in suspicious emails or texts: Go directly to the company's website to log in.

And hey, if you're eligible for a class-action settlement, cash that check! It's a small victory in the ongoing battle against data insecurity.

Czech Republic Bets Big on Chips: Sleepy Town Becomes Tech Hub

Hold onto your kolaches, folks, because the Czech Republic is about to get a serious tech upgrade.

A sleepy town called Roznov pod Radhostem, known mostly for its sweet pies, is about to become a major player in the global chip game. US chipmaker Onsemi is dropping a cool $2 billion on a new manufacturing hub there, the biggest foreign investment in the Czech Republic in 30 years.

Why the big deal?

• Chips are king: Semiconductors are the backbone of the modern economy, and Europe is scrambling to secure its own supply amid a global shortage. This investment helps the EU become less reliant on Asia for these crucial components.

• Czech economy reboot: The Czech Republic has been struggling with stagnant growth and high inflation. This investment could be a much-needed boost, moving the country away from traditional manufacturing and towards higher-tech industries.

• Jobs, jobs, jobs: While the new facility will only create 800 new jobs, it's expected to quadruple Onsemi's revenue in Roznov, bringing in much-needed economic activity.

But there are challenges:

• Growing pains: The town of 16,000 people needs to make sure it can handle the influx of new workers and families. Think schools, housing, and infrastructure upgrades.

• Competition: The Czech Republic is playing catch-up with its neighbors when it comes to attracting tech investment. Poland and Hungary have already snagged some big wins.

The bottom line:

This is a big bet for the Czech Republic, but it could pay off handsomely. If they can navigate the challenges, Roznov pod Radhostem could become a shining example of how a small town can become a global tech hub.

Google's Pixel Problem: Hidden App Could Let Hackers Spy on You

Hold up, Android users. Google just got into a bit of a soup (metaphorically of course).

Turns out, some Android phones, including Google's own Pixel devices, come pre-loaded with a hidden app called "Showcase.apk." This app, designed to help salespeople demo phones, has a major security flaw: it can be remotely activated to give hackers control of your device.

Think of it like a backdoor key left unlocked.

Security researchers at iVerify discovered the issue and alerted Google over 90 days ago. Palantir, a data analysis company, was so alarmed they banned Android phones for their employees.

Here's the kicker:

• The app downloads instructions from an unsecured website, making it vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks.

• Hackers could potentially inject malicious code and spyware onto your phone.

• Google claims the app is only for Verizon demo devices and isn't being used anymore, but they haven't removed it from existing phones.

Google finally promised to remove the app in an upcoming update, but the damage is done.

This raises serious questions about Google's security practices and the potential for hidden vulnerabilities in our devices.

Bottom line:

Keep your eyes peeled for that update, and maybe think twice before handing your phone to a salesperson. You never know what might be lurking beneath the surface.