16 April 2023
PRIME GOSFORD PROJECT TRANSFORMS CBD
Project finally underway as confidence returns
DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
A KEY development on the corner of Mann and Donnison Streets in downtown Gosford is finally underway after five years of ‘stops’ and ‘starts’ including a change of ownership.
06 April 2023
TIK TOK BANNED AS PREMIER DELETES HIS ACCOUNT
THE NSW Government has moved to prevent the installation of the TikTok application and remove existing instances of it on government-issued devices, following advice from the Commonwealth Government.
As part of this, the NSW Premier will discontinue the use of TikTok and delete the account.
On April 4, 2023, the Commonwealth Attorney-General announced amendments to the Commonwealth Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) that allow the Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department to issue mandatory directions to government entities that require them to address security risks to the Commonwealth.
As part of this change to the PSPF, a direction has been issued to prevent Federal Government entities from accessing and installing the TikTok application on government-issued devices.
Cyber Security NSW will work across the NSW public sector to lead a strategic implementation of the ban on government-issued devices in line with advice from the Commonwealth.
This ban will prevent NSW Government clusters and agencies from accessing and installing the TikTok application on government-issued devices.
In particular cases where there is a need for TikTok for 'legitimate business reasons’ – such as for public health and safety messaging – agencies must first complete a risk assessment in consultation with the respective Chief Information Security Officer and the Chief Cyber Security Officer.
Cyber Security NSW will provide more detailed advice on related security risk mitigations to NSW Government clusters and agencies.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said: “I have asked for Cyber Security NSW to issue advice to NSW Government employees, to implement this change as soon as possible. “I will no longer be using TikTok.
“There will be cases where apps such as TikTok are needed for communication to the community – for example public health and safety messaging. The NSW Government will be implementing mitigations to ensure that the security risk of this use is managed appropriately.”
05 April 2023
YOUR FAVOURITE SONG MAY BE AN EARWORM
DO you ever find yourself with a song stuck in your head, even if you don't particularly like it or know where it came from? You may have an earworm, a catchy piece of music that plays involuntarily in your mind.
Earworms are quite common, with some studies suggesting that up to 98% of people experience them.
New research published in the journal Music & Science suggests that repetition is the key factor that causes earworms.
The study's author, Professor Emery Schubert, explains that the chorus of a song is usually the most repeated section, which is why it often becomes an earworm.
However, repetition alone is not enough; familiarity and recency of the music, as well as being in a relaxed and low-attentional state, are also necessary preconditions.
While some people may find earworms enjoyable, they can be a problem if the music is not liked. To get rid of an earworm, one can try finishing the music, consciously thinking of another song, or avoiding triggers like lyrics or memories associated with the music.
Earworms provide insights into how we organize and recall material, and further research is needed to understand their nature and their implications for cognition and memory.
