Key changes in the agreement

Microsoft will continue to remain OpenAI’s primary cloud partner, and new products will still debut first on Microsoft Azure. However, OpenAI has now been permitted to use any cloud provider.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said on X (formerly Twitter), “We will now be able to make our products and services available across all clouds.”

Another significant change is that Microsoft will retain licensing rights for OpenAI’s models and products until 2032, but these rights will no longer be exclusive. OpenAI and Microsoft have also terminated their profit-sharing agreement. Until 2030, OpenAI will make certain payments to Microsoft, but a maximum cap has been set on those payments.

How the partnership evolved

In 2019, the two companies signed a long-term partnership agreement. Since then, Microsoft has been the primary infrastructure provider for running ChatGPT and other OpenAI technologies. In return, OpenAI shared a portion of its revenue with Microsoft.

In early 2023, Microsoft further increased its investment in OpenAI and acquired nearly half of the company’s ownership, strengthening their relationship. However, by mid-2025, OpenAI indicated for the first time that it wanted the option to use cloud services beyond Microsoft Azure, citing the massive computing power required to run its AI models—capacity that Microsoft alone could not fully provide.

In October 2025, OpenAI began using Oracle’s cloud services. The two companies then formalized this strategic shift.

New competition opportunities

OpenAI’s models will now be able to run directly on Google Cloud or Amazon Web Services as well. This will allow various companies to build their own applications using OpenAI’s technology.

The agreement also opens up commercial opportunities in the broader AI market, enabling competitors to develop products directly against OpenAI’s models.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement, “This agreement will mark a new phase in our joint investment in computing power and AI development. We want to ensure that artificial intelligence has a positive and inclusive impact on humanity.”

Globally, attention will now be on how this agreement reshapes the competitive positioning of Microsoft and OpenAI, as well as their rivals in the AI industry.

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This information was reported on Monday (27 April) by Engadget.

What features are included?

Through Spotify’s new fitness feature, users will gain access to several benefits:

• Extensive Class Library: Spotify Premium subscribers will be able to access a library of more than 1,400 workout classes from Peloton directly within the app.
• Curated Playlists: Special playlists organized under the fitness category will be available to both Premium and free users.
• Multi-Device Flexibility: Users can start a workout by watching video on a TV and seamlessly switch mid-session to an audio-only version on their phone or smart speaker.
• Offline Downloads: Classes can be downloaded for use without an internet connection.

Why this initiative?

According to Spotify’s internal data, nearly 70 percent of its Premium subscribers engage in regular exercise each month. Additionally, there is significant demand among users for fitness and workout-related content. As part of its broader ambition to evolve into an “all-in-one” app, Spotify is expanding beyond music to include features such as book purchasing, group chat, and now fitness services.

Currently, these classes are primarily available in English, with a limited number offered in Spanish and German.

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Citing its global research, the company said on Tuesday, 27 April, that a lack of transparency has become a major barrier to effective security-related decision-making.

The study, titled “Cyber Security Trust Reality 2026,” is based on feedback from 5,000 organizations across 17 countries. The report highlights levels of trust in cybersecurity, risk management practices, and their impact on top-level decision-making.

The findings show that 95 percent of organizations do not fully trust their cybersecurity providers. Meanwhile, 79 percent of organizations face difficulties in assessing the credibility of new cybersecurity partners. A similar challenge is reported by 62 percent of organizations when evaluating their existing providers.

In addition, 51 percent of organizations said that due to a lack of trust, they are more concerned about the risk of major cyberattacks.

According to the report, certification, security validation, transparency, and technological capability play key roles in building trust. Cybersecurity professionals place greater emphasis on transparency and technical performance, while top management prioritizes security validation and certification.

Sophos noted that with the increasing use of artificial intelligence, transparency, accountability, and reliability in the cybersecurity sector have become more critical than ever.

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According to the leaked information, Samsung’s first smart glasses will be comparable to Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. The key features are expected to include:

• Camera: A 12-megapixel camera
• Processor: Snapdragon AR1 chipset
• Audio: Directional speakers with bone-conduction technology
• AI Integration: Deep integration of the Google Gemini chatbot
• Software: It will run on the Android XR platform

Price and Availability
The ‘Jinju’ glasses are expected to be priced between $380 and $500 (approximately BDT 44,000 to BDT 58,000). A teaser of the device may be showcased at Samsung’s ‘Unpacked’ event in July, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Watch 9. However, commercial release is likely by the end of this year.

Future Plans: Display-Equipped Glasses on the Horizon
The report further notes that the ‘Jinju’ model will not feature a visual display. However, Samsung is planning a more advanced version, codenamed ‘Haean,’ expected to launch in 2027. This future model will include a micro-LED display and is anticipated to be priced between $600 and $900.

It is worth noting that due to rising global prices of RAM and storage, along with economic uncertainties, the final retail price may increase slightly at the time of official launch.

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The announcement was made on Monday, 27 April, at a time when football excitement is building worldwide around the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Commenting on the collaboration, Raphinha said, “I am extremely excited to join realme at such a special time for football. We share the same strength—connecting with the new generation, who live this game with passion and boundless enthusiasm. There is much more inspiring content coming for fans. I am proud to be part of this journey.”

As part of this partnership, Raphinha will lead a campaign titled “Make It Raphinha, Make It realme,” inspired by the concept of “The R Prophecy.” The campaign will highlight how talent and determination can pave the way for extraordinary success for the new generation, following in the footsteps of legendary football stars such as Ronaldo, Romário, and Pelé.

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Starlink Profit vs AI Loss

A review of documents related to SpaceX’s upcoming IPO shows that Starlink’s operating income doubled last year to reach $4.42 billion. While this substantial profit from Starlink is sufficient to cover the company’s space research and rocket manufacturing costs, it is struggling to keep up with the expenses of the AI division.

In 2025, 61 percent of SpaceX’s total capital expenditure was allocated to the AI division, amounting to approximately $20.74 billion. Against this massive spending, the AI division recorded a loss of $6.4 billion.

Uneven Battle with Big Tech

While tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Meta are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in AI, they benefit from strong revenue streams like cloud computing and digital advertising. In contrast, SpaceX primarily relies on rocket launches and Starlink subscriptions for its income. As a result, analysts are increasingly describing SpaceX as a “super-sized startup” in terms of financial strength.

Plan for Space-Based Data Centers

Elon Musk’s vision extends beyond Earth; he is planning to build satellite-based data centers in space, potentially numbering 1 million units. This highly ambitious plan could require several trillion dollars to implement. According to analysts, if AI-generated revenue does not begin flowing quickly, the funds raised from the IPO may sustain SpaceX for only a few years.

IPO and Cursor Deal

SpaceX is currently preparing for a $75 billion IPO at a valuation of $1.75 trillion. Meanwhile, a potential deal has emerged with the AI code-generation startup “Cursor.” SpaceX now faces two options:

• Acquiring Cursor for $60 billion: This would place significant pressure on its cash reserves.
• Entering a $10 billion partnership agreement: This would reduce risk but could mean missing out on Cursor’s extensive customer base.

SpaceX’s future now largely depends on how quickly its AI projects can become profitable. If Starlink’s subscriber growth slows and AI-related spending continues to rise, Elon Musk’s ambitious vision could face significant financial challenges.

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What happened behind the incident?

Canadian police have identified 18-year-old Jess Van Rootselaer as the suspect in the killing of eight people. According to a report by the U.S. media outlet The Wall Street Journal, OpenAI had banned Jess’s ChatGPT account in June 2025 after the teenager used ChatGPT to describe fictional violent scenarios involving gun-based violence. At that time, OpenAI employees reportedly discussed notifying law enforcement, but ultimately decided not to take any action. The matter came to light following last week’s tragic killings.

Altman’s apology

In a letter published in the local newspaper Tumbler Ridgelines in Tumbler Ridge, Sam Altman said:
“I deeply apologize for not alerting law enforcement agencies when the account was banned in June. I understand that words alone cannot repair this irreparable loss, yet I believe it is important to acknowledge the devastation that has affected your community and to apologize for it.”

Altman further said that he had spoken with the Mayor of Tumbler Ridge and British Columbia Premier David Eby, and they agreed that a public apology was necessary.

Reaction and future steps

British Columbia Premier David Eby said in a statement:
“Altman’s apology was necessary, but it is extremely insignificant compared to the irreparable loss suffered by the families of Tumbler Ridge.”

Following the incident, OpenAI has announced a major overhaul of its safety systems. The company will now implement faster and more flexible mechanisms to directly notify authorities when any user account shows suspicious or dangerous activity. It has also established direct communication channels with Canadian law enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, the Government of Canada is considering introducing stricter new policies to prevent the misuse of AI technology.

Branding and Logo Changes
Replacing the traditional black-and-white logo used since 2019, Xbox will now adopt a bright green “glossy” logo. Asha Sharma stated that while the “Microsoft Gaming” name reflected the company’s structural identity, its gaming ambitions are best represented by the name “Xbox.” Since assuming her role in February this year, she has pledged to restore Xbox’s former prominence.

Rethinking Game Exclusivity
Under former head Phil Spencer, Xbox began releasing its first-party titles on competing platforms such as PlayStation 5 and Nintendo. Notably, on 7 April, Bethesda’s popular title Starfield was launched on PlayStation. However, Asha Sharma has indicated a renewed focus on exclusivity, suggesting that top-tier titles may once again be reserved solely for Xbox.

Four Strategic Priorities
The new strategy places “daily active players” at its core, with four key priorities identified:

1. Hardware: Maintain stability of current Xbox Series S/X consoles while accelerating development of the next-generation high-performance console, “Project Helix.”
2. Content: Develop new franchises and expand gaming services in emerging markets, particularly in China.
3. Experience: Enhance the console’s user interface, search capabilities, and social features to make them more user-friendly.
4. Services: Make Xbox Game Pass more affordable and flexible. The company has already announced a reduction in Game Pass pricing.

Future Plans
Asha Sharma acknowledged that Xbox faces challenges in both PC and console markets. As part of efforts to make gaming more accessible and open, potential collaboration with messaging platform Discord has been discussed. Additionally, Xbox aims to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver more personalized gaming experiences.

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According to Kaspersky, the vulnerability exists in the BootROM firmware embedded in device hardware. It affects Qualcomm chipsets including MDM9x07, MDM9x45, MDM9x65, MSM8909, MSM8916, MSM8952, and the SDX50 series. There are also concerns that additional Qualcomm-based chips may be at risk. The vulnerability has been catalogued as CVE-2026-25262.

The findings were presented at the Black Hat Asia 2026 conference. Kaspersky disclosed the issue to Qualcomm in March 2025, and the company acknowledged the flaw in April of the same year.

The vulnerability is linked to the “Sahara protocol,” which is used for communication when a device enters Emergency Download Mode (EDL). This mode is typically used for device repair or software recovery. Researchers warn that if an attacker gains even brief physical access to a device, they may bypass security protections, break secure boot mechanisms, install backdoors or malicious applications, and extract critical data.

Experts caution that the flaw could enable unauthorized access to passwords, files, contacts, location data, and even device components such as cameras and microphones on smartphones or tablets. It may also introduce risks at the supply chain level.

Sergey Anufrienko, a security expert at Kaspersky ICS CERT, stated that such vulnerabilities can be exploited to install malware that is difficult to detect and remove. This could allow attackers to maintain long-term covert access to data or control over devices. He warned that simply restarting a device may not resolve the issue in all cases, as compromised devices could simulate a fake reboot. Fully disconnecting the power supply or restarting the device after complete battery depletion may be more effective.

Kaspersky has advised both individual users and organizations to strengthen the physical security of their devices. Particular emphasis has been placed on ensuring proper security measures during supply, maintenance, and disposal stages. The company also recommends fully disconnecting device power before restarting as a precautionary step to mitigate potential risks.

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According to public records cited by U.S. media outlet CNN, Allen was working part-time as a teacher at a coaching and test preparation institution called “C2 Education.” In December 2024, the institution recognized him as “Teacher of the Month.”

In terms of educational background, Allen completed his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2017. He later obtained a master’s degree in Computer Science from California State University–Dominguez Hills.

During his academic years, he gained local media attention by developing a prototype emergency braking system for a wheelchair.

Allen also identified himself as a video game developer. He created an indie game titled “Boredom,” which is available on the Steam platform. Additionally, he was reportedly working on another game titled “First Law.”

According to data from the Federal Election Commission, he donated $25 to the election campaign of U.S. politician Kamala Harris in 2024.

Authorities have stated that the investigation into the incident is ongoing. President Donald Trump confirmed that one police officer was injured in the incident. Speaking at a press briefing following the event, Trump said he was concerned but not overly alarmed, noting that the role of the president inherently carries risk.

“Look, I’m here to do a job. The presidency is dangerous. It’s part of the job. I don’t think there’s any job more dangerous than being president. But I love the country. I’m very proud. We’re proud of what we’ve done for the country,” he said.

In a lighter remark, he added, “If I had known the presidency was this risky, I might not have run.”

Television footage from the event showed Trump seated at a dining table when a loud noise was heard inside the hotel’s banquet hall. Shortly afterward, his security personnel quickly surrounded him. The dinner event was taking place inside the banquet hall at the time.

Following the incident, both the President and Vice President, along with First Lady Melania Trump, were escorted away from the stage at the venue. A source confirmed that they are all safe.

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is held annually for journalists covering the U.S. presidency at the White House. In addition to journalists, media personalities were also in attendance. The shooting incident caused panic among attendees.

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Nature and Results of the Experiment
Anthropic created this experimental marketplace involving 69 of its employees. Each participant was given a budget equivalent to 100 dollars (via gift cards) to purchase products from their colleagues. Throughout the process, both buyers and sellers were represented entirely by AI agents.

• Transaction volume: A total of 186 successful deals were completed during the experiment.
• Total value: The combined market value of the traded goods exceeded 4,000 dollars.
• Model impact: The company conducted the experiment across four different marketplaces using different AI models. It was observed that when one party used a more advanced AI model, they were able to secure comparatively better and more profitable deals.

Key Observations
According to Anthropic, the experiment highlighted the concept of an “agent quality gap,” referring to differences in AI capability. It was found that participants using relatively weaker AI models suffered business losses but were often unaware of those losses themselves. Additionally, the initial instructions given to the agents had little influence on product pricing or sales outcomes.

Anthropic believes this experiment opens a new pathway toward future automated commercial systems, where AI agents will be capable of conducting complex business negotiations and transactions with one another without human intervention.

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Core Allegation: “AI Distillation”
According to the United States, Chinese firms such as DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, and MiniMax are allegedly using a technique known as “distillation” to steal American technology. Through this method, outputs from expensive and powerful US models such as those developed by OpenAI are used to build highly capable AI models at significantly lower cost.

The US State Department warned in its communication that although models developed through this process may appear similar to the original systems, their performance is not fully equivalent. The biggest concern, it added, is that such models lack proper security protocols and often remove mechanisms that ensure truthfulness and neutrality.

OpenAI’s Earlier Warning
In February this year, OpenAI had warned US lawmakers that DeepSeek was attempting to create replicas of its ChatGPT model. DeepSeek, however, rejected these allegations, stating earlier that its models were developed using publicly available internet data and that it did not intentionally use any OpenAI data.

China’s Response and New Model
The Chinese Embassy in Washington described the allegations as “baseless,” stating that they are an intentional attempt to hinder the progress of China’s AI industry. Amid this tense backdrop, DeepSeek on Friday unveiled a preview of its new and highly anticipated “V-4” model. Notably, the model is optimized to run on Huawei chips, demonstrating China’s push for self-reliance in the AI sector.

It is worth noting that US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Beijing in the coming weeks. Observers believe that these major allegations, emerging just ahead of the visit, could further escalate the ongoing technological rivalry between the two superpowers.

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How the Platform Works:

• Simple Connectivity: Users send a text via iMessage to a designated number (Series AI), then they express intention to connect with and why.
• AI Carousel: The AI then sends a “carousel” or list of 10 images, featuring profiles of other users with similar interests.
• Privacy Protection: If users like a profile, they can start chatting directly without sharing personal phone numbers.
• Conversation-Based Interface: Instead of traditional search engines, the platform uses AI-driven conversations to quickly find suitable connections.

Backed by Prominent Investors:

Several well-known figures from the tech world have invested in the startup, including:

• Steve Huffman: CEO of Reddit
• Iqram Magdon-Ismail: Co-founder of Venmo
• Edward Tian: Founder of GPTZero

Growth and Current Status:

Currently, ‘Series’ is being used across more than 750 university campuses. CEO Nathaneo Johnson stated that the platform has achieved a retention rate of 82 percent, which is higher than Facebook’s early-stage performance.

Interestingly, the two young entrepreneurs are operating their office in Chelsea, New York, without dropping out of university. They believe that utilizing time outside academic commitments effectively can lead to significant achievements.

Primarily targeting Gen-Z and young professionals, the platform is gaining popularity not only for professional networking but also for friendships and dating.

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Investment Scale and Objectives
Anthropic stated that Google is currently making a direct investment of $10 billion based on a valuation of $350 billion. The remaining $30 billion will be invested if Anthropic meets certain predefined business and technological performance targets in the future. Driven by strong investor interest, many analysts believe the company’s actual valuation could exceed $800 billion.

New Model ‘Mythos’ and Security Concerns
The investment announcement comes as Anthropic unveils its most powerful new AI model, “Mythos.” The company claims the model demonstrates exceptional capabilities in cybersecurity and solving complex coding challenges. However, due to concerns over potential misuse, the model has not yet been made publicly available. Anthropic is currently conducting risk assessments of the model in collaboration with selected organizations.

The Battle for Compute Power
In the AI race, computing power—or “compute”—has become more valuable than capital itself. Just as OpenAI has entered into major agreements with Microsoft and chip manufacturers, Anthropic is also accelerating its efforts. In addition to Google’s backing, Amazon has recently invested $5 billion in Anthropic and secured a $100 billion infrastructure deal.

Google is supporting Anthropic by providing access to its advanced in-house chips, known as TPUs, which are considered one of the strongest alternatives to Nvidia chips. Under the new agreement with Google, Anthropic is guaranteed access to 5 gigabytes of compute capacity over the next five years.

Future Plans and IPO Prospects
Anthropic is not only focused on developing AI models but is also aggressively strengthening its own infrastructure. If all proceeds as planned and the investment yields positive outcomes, the company may go public as early as October this year. Industry observers believe that this partnership between Google and Anthropic could pose a significant challenge to the OpenAI–Microsoft alliance in the ongoing AI war.

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Speaking in an interview with Reuters ahead of the Beijing Auto Show on Thursday (23 April), Xpeng President Brian Gu outlined this ambitious roadmap.

Strong demand for flying cars

Brian Gu said that more than 7,000 orders have already been placed for their flying car model, most of them from customers in China. However, the company is still awaiting necessary approvals from the country’s aviation authorities to allow these vehicles to fly. He expressed hope that large-scale production will begin next year, with deliveries to customers possible in 2027.

Robotaxi rollout and global ambitions

To revolutionize autonomous mobility, Xpeng plans to begin robotaxi trials this year in the Chinese city of Guangzhou. Brian Gu stated that 2027 will be a “critical year” for robotaxi testing globally, involving international partners. Within the next 12 to 18 months, the company aims to produce hundreds to thousands of robotaxis.

Humanoid robots as human substitutes

Beyond automobiles, Xpeng is also aiming to expand into robotics. By the final quarter of 2026, the company plans to begin production of humanoid robots. Initially, these robots will be used as receptionists or for interacting with customers in showrooms. According to Brian Gu, within the next 10 to 20 years, the scale of Xpeng’s robotics business could surpass its car business.

Partnership with Volkswagen

The company has already begun joint electric vehicle production with German automaker Volkswagen since last month. Brian Gu said there is significant potential to further expand this partnership, adding that the company is open to collaborating with different firms across various regions of the world.

Currently operating in around 60 countries, Xpeng aims to generate a large portion of its revenue from international markets. Last year, 15 percent of its revenue came from overseas markets, and the company has set a target to increase this to 50 percent within the next 5 to 10 years.

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The report states that in 2023, 80 countries had the capability to use spyware, a figure that has risen to 100 within just three years. This indicates that such highly confidential hacking technology has become significantly more accessible than before. Spyware such as Pegasus, developed by NSO Group, and Graphite by Paragon typically exploit security vulnerabilities in smartphones to infiltrate devices without the user’s knowledge.

Intelligence officials have warned that although such technologies were previously claimed to be used only to combat serious criminals or terrorists, their targets have now expanded significantly. At present, journalists, political opponents, human rights activists, as well as bank officials and wealthy businesspersons, are also being monitored using these spyware tools.

Speaking at a conference in Glasgow, Richard Horne, head of the NCSC, said British companies are failing to fully grasp the severity of the current global cyber threat landscape. He noted that most nationally significant cyberattacks in the United Kingdom are being carried out by hackers backed by foreign states. In particular, China-linked hackers are continuing efforts to steal sensitive information and infiltrate critical infrastructure.

The report further states that the threat is not limited to state actors alone. As hacking tools are leaked online, they are increasingly falling into the hands of ordinary cybercriminals. Recently, a hacking tool named DarkSword has been leaked online, which can be used to hack devices such as the iPhone and iPad.

Experts believe that this situation has placed the digital security of hundreds of millions of ordinary people worldwide at serious risk.

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According to Threads authorities, the feature has initially been launched on a trial basis for the NBA community during playoff games. Popular personalities such as Malika Andrews and Rachel Nichols will host these live chats. At present, only selected content creators can initiate chats, while general users are not yet able to host them. However, Meta plans to roll out the feature globally for all users soon.

Reports state that a maximum of 150 participants will be able to actively engage in a single live chat. Participants will be able to send text messages, images, videos, links, and emoji reactions.

If the number of participants exceeds 150, additional users will be able to join in “spectator” mode, where they can watch discussions and take part in polls. Users can join these chats through the community section at the top of their feed or by noticing a red live ring around the host’s profile picture.

Although Threads initially lagged behind in real-time news updates, it recently introduced search and hashtag features. Now, with the addition of the Live Chat feature, it aims to challenge X more directly. In the future, the platform is expected to include features such as co-hosting, lock-screen widgets, and live score updates.

To prevent inappropriate messages, moderation powers will be available both through artificial intelligence and directly in the hands of chat hosts. Experts believe the feature could gain significant popularity during major global events such as the FIFA World Cup or the Academy Awards.

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Google stated that the two new chips are designed for different purposes. The TPU 8t is specifically engineered for large-scale AI model development, or “training.”

On the other hand, the TPU 8i is built for “inference,” enabling faster generation of responses or outputs from AI models. Compared to the previous generation, these new versions are expected to deliver AI training speeds up to three times faster while reducing customer costs by nearly 80 percent.

According to market analysts, despite launching its own chips, Google is not immediately seeking to displace Nvidia from the market. Rather, like Microsoft and Amazon, Google aims to reduce its dependence on Nvidia within its cloud ecosystem and strengthen alternative solutions. The company also announced that Nvidia’s latest Vera Rubin chip will be made available to Google Cloud users later this year.

Currently valued at close to $5 trillion, Nvidia remains unrivaled in the AI chip market. However, the growing competition from tech giants such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft in developing their own chips could reshape the market landscape in the long term. For now, Nvidia and Google have also announced plans to collaborate on advancing networking technologies as partners.

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According to a report published on Tuesday in the scientific journal Nature, these compounds were found in a 3.5-billion-year-old sandstone sample collected from the “Glen Torridon” region of Gale Crater on Mars. Using its onboard laboratory SAM, the Curiosity rover conducted a complex chemical analysis outside Earth for the first time, identifying more than 20 organic molecules.

The most striking aspect of the discovery is the potential presence of molecules known as “N-heterocycles.” Scientists say these chemicals form the fundamental basis of DNA and RNA. Previously, such compounds had never been detected on the Martian surface or in meteorites originating from Mars.

Lead author Amy Williams said, “This detection is highly significant, as these structures could be precursors to nitrogen-containing complex molecules, which are indicators of life.”

The research also indicates that these organic substances may have been preserved for billions of years despite Mars’ harsh environment. Although this does not constitute definitive proof of past life, it confirms that ancient Mars possessed all the necessary raw materials required for the development of life.

Following this achievement, similar experiments are planned for the European Space Agency’s Rosalind Franklin rover mission to Mars in 2028, as well as NASA’s Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s moon Titan.

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The phone’s standout feature is its camera setup. The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is equipped with a massive 200-megapixel primary sensor measuring 1/1.12 inches. It also includes another 200-megapixel 3x telephoto lens and a 50-megapixel 10x optical zoom lens. The camera system has been co-developed with renowned camera manufacturer Hasselblad. Additionally, the device supports the attachment of a “teleconverter lens” for professional photographers, enabling optical zoom of up to 13x.

For performance, the smartphone is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. To ensure extended usage, it features a large 7,050mAh silicon-carbon battery with support for 100W SuperVOOC charging. The 6.82-inch display offers a 144Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3,600 nits.

In terms of video capabilities, the device is equally powerful, becoming Oppo’s first phone to support 8K video recording at 30 fps. The handset will be available in two attractive color options: “Canyon Orange” and “Tundra Amber.”

Sales of the phone will begin in the United Kingdom on 8 May, with a price set at £1,449, or approximately Tk 2,30,000. The device will soon be available in other markets across Asia and Europe.

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According to a report by TechCrunch, earlier AI-generated visuals—such as restaurant menus or posters—often contained distorted or nonsensical spellings. However, “Image 2.0” can now render text with a high degree of accuracy. The model incorporates advanced “thinking capabilities,” enabling it to review and refine its own generated images. As a result, creating multi-panel comic strips, marketing assets, or complex UI designs is now easier and more reliable.

For users in Bangladesh, a key highlight is that the new model can accurately render not only Latin scripts but also Bengali, Hindi, Japanese, and Korean scripts with significantly improved clarity. The 2K-resolution model can precisely follow detailed user instructions.

OpenAI stated that both free and premium users of ChatGPT will have access to this feature, although paid users will benefit from more advanced and complex output capabilities. In addition to image generation, a new API has also been released for developers. Although the model’s knowledge base is limited up to December 2025, it is already being regarded as a new milestone in the field of AI image generation.

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According to a Reuters report, Meta has begun collecting this information through an internal tool called the “Model Capability Initiative.” The objective is to enable AI agents to learn how to perform various computer-based tasks with human-like precision, such as using dropdown menus, clicking buttons, or applying keyboard shortcuts. Meta believes that such real-world user interaction data are highly valuable for providing AI systems with practical experience.

However, the initiative has triggered significant internal dissatisfaction within Meta. Many employees view it as a violation of personal privacy. Meta’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Andrew Bosworth, stated that there is no option to opt out of this tracking on office laptops.

Meanwhile, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone claimed that necessary safeguards have been implemented to protect sensitive information and that the collected data will be used solely for AI training purposes.

Analysts note that, amid a growing shortage of high-quality data on the internet, technology companies are increasingly turning to their own employees’ personal and professional activities as data sources. Just last week, reports emerged of data being collected from internal messaging platforms of various startups, such as Slack and Jira. Meta’s new approach has sparked a broader debate over privacy and surveillance in the workplace.

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According to a report by the WhatsApp information website WABetaInfo, Meta has currently launched this paid version on a trial basis. The “WhatsApp Plus” version mainly focuses on the app’s visual appeal and cosmetic enhancements. Under this service, users will be able to use premium stickers with special effects. In addition, they will have the option to customize the app’s theme and icon according to their preferences.

Alongside aesthetic upgrades, the version will also include some functional benefits. While regular users can pin a limited number of chats, “Plus” users will be able to pin up to 20 chats. Furthermore, features such as setting custom ringtones for specific contacts and customizing the chat list are also being introduced.

However, Meta has clarified that WhatsApp’s core services will remain free for all users as before. Sending messages, making voice or video calls, and features such as end-to-end encryption will not require any payment.

Although the price of the Plus version has not yet been officially announced, it is expected to range between $1 and $3 per month (approximately 120 to 350 taka). Earlier, Meta had also tested a similar “Plus” subscription model on Instagram.

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Investment Terms

The Seattle-based Amazon is immediately investing $5 billion. This is in addition to the previous $8 billion investment. A further $20 billion will be invested in the future, subject to the achievement of specific commercial milestones.

As a result of this agreement, Anthropic’s capacity will significantly expand. For training and operating its Claude models, the company will gain access to up to 5 gigawatts of capacity using Amazon’s Trainium chips. By the end of this year, approximately 1 gigawatt of additional capacity will be added through Trainium2 and Trainium3 chips.

Battle for AI Infrastructure

Although Amazon’s own AI model Nova has not generated significant traction, the company continues to maintain its position as a global leader in AI infrastructure supply. This year, Amazon has planned approximately $200 billion in capital expenditure, a large portion of which will be spent on AI development.

Amazon Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy said, “Anthropic’s commitment reflects the progress of our Trainium chips.”

Rise of Anthropic

Anthropic was founded in 2021 by former employees of OpenAI. Its current valuation stands at $380 billion. As an alternative to ChatGPT, the Claude chatbot is rapidly gaining popularity. Through Amazon Bedrock, more than 100,000 customers are using Claude models.

Anthropic Chief Executive Officer Dario Amodei said, “Claude is increasingly becoming indispensable in users’ daily tasks. Our collaboration with Amazon will help advance AI research and deliver Claude to customers.”

Anthropic is expected to pursue an IPO this year. Recently, it launched the Claude Code tool to compete directly with OpenAI. Amazon has also announced a $50 billion investment in OpenAI.

This agreement further deepens the relationship between Amazon and Anthropic. Amazon gains a major customer for its custom silicon chips, while Anthropic secures the infrastructure needed to meet its rapidly growing demand.

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Similar to the previously discussed “SparkKitty” technique, these apps redirect users to a fraudulent App Store page upon launch and prompt them to install the app via a developer profile. The main objective is to install a Trojan-infected wallet application to collect the user’s “seed phrase” or recovery data. In the case of hot wallets, attackers intercept recovery data to gain access, while cold wallet users are deceived into manually providing their seed phrases. Notably, no legitimate wallet application ever requests such sensitive information. Although these fake apps are currently operating within a specific region, such tactics pose a potential global threat.

Commenting on the issue, Kaspersky mobile malware expert Sergey Puzan said, “Although the apps used at the initial stage of the attack are not directly harmful, they eventually trick users into installing a Trojan. Once a user falls into the phishing trap, attackers can easily target any iOS device using developer accounts. Therefore, even users of devices considered secure, such as the iPhone, should remain cautious. We anticipate that more Trojanized crypto apps may spread using similar techniques.”

In response, Kaspersky has advised users to avoid suspicious in-app links, especially when unexpectedly redirected to new pages. Users should not install any developer profiles from untrusted sources, as this may lead to the installation of malicious apps. Recovery or seed phrases should only be used within official wallet devices. Additionally, even when downloading apps from the App Store, users are encouraged to verify the publisher and developer. To ensure security, Kaspersky recommends cross-checking download links with the official website of the respective developer before installation.

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Who is Ternus?
Ternus is Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering. Having joined the company in 2001, he has been a key architect behind the iPad, AirPods, and, more recently, the resurgence of the Mac. The 50-year-old executive possesses deep technical expertise and is widely regarded as a symbol of Apple’s culture.

Key Challenge: Leading in the AI Era
Ternus’s biggest challenge will be integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into Apple’s products. The company currently lags behind Nvidia and OpenAI in the AI race. Notably, the Siri virtual assistant has yet to reach the level of an advanced AI “agent.” In January, Apple signed an agreement to use Gemini from Google to enhance Siri. Bob O’Donnell, head of Technalysis Research, said, “His biggest challenge will be to build a strong AI narrative that relies less on third parties.”

Bringing New Devices to Market
Gil Luria, Managing Director at D.A. Davidson, believes Ternus’s promotion signals Apple’s renewed focus on developing new hardware devices such as foldable phones, smart glasses, VR devices, and AI pins. Recently, he unveiled the iPhone Air, representing the most significant redesign of the iPhone in nearly a decade.

Cook’s Legacy
After taking over from Steve Jobs in 2011, Tim Cook increased Apple’s market value by $3.6 trillion. He elevated the company to unprecedented heights by building a complex supply chain in China. In 2014, he became the first CEO of a Fortune 500 company to publicly come out as gay. Cook has also taken strong positions on workplace diversity and sustainability.

Although Apple’s shares fell by nearly one percent on Wednesday, the stock has risen 20-fold since Cook assumed leadership. Despite efforts to reduce dependence on China, most iPhone components are still sourced from there. Cook has not been able to fulfill the promise of a “Made in USA” iPhone. Even after stepping down, he will maintain relationships with policymakers in his role as Executive Chairman.

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Current State of China’s Space Industry

According to the report, commercial launches now account for more than 60 percent of China’s total space launches. Several companies in this sector have already begun the process of public listing. Gao Yibin, Head of Strategic Research at Future Aerospace, said that faster approval processes for launches, the development of local component manufacturing, and continuous investment in industry funds are helping China’s trillion-yuan commercial space market become more standardized and large-scale.

Objectives and Significance of Satellite Town

Gao Yibin further stated that areas such as low-Earth orbit constellations, satellite internet, space-based computing power, and 6G air-ground integration are being rapidly implemented. This indicates sustainable growth in China’s space sector by 2026.

The Beijing Satellite Town will provide the necessary infrastructure for the development of the space industry. The main objective of the project is to create an industrial cluster and ensure the efficient flow of talent, capital, and technology.

China is planning to provide global internet services through its low-Earth orbit satellite network, which will compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. The Beijing Satellite Town is expected to become one of the key centers of that initiative.

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According to reports by state news agency Xinhua and the South China Morning Post, the project will be the world’s first parabolic trough solar thermal plant built at such a high altitude. The power facility will combine a 50-megawatt concentrated solar power (CSP) plant with a massive 400-megawatt photovoltaic system. With the integration of these advanced technologies, the project is expected to become fully operational by 2027.

From a technological excellence standpoint, the plant is considered a marvel of engineering. Spanning প্রায় 242,000 square meters, the project will install 68 collector loops. Among them, 8 loops will use 8.6-meter-wide troughs developed with China’s own technology, currently the largest of their kind used in commercial projects worldwide. Specially designed heat-conducting oil will be used to collect solar thermal energy.

One of the most notable features of the power plant is its molten salt storage technology. Through this method, excess heat from the sun during the day will be stored and later used to ensure uninterrupted power supply even after sunset or during cloudy conditions. This advanced technology has been chosen specifically to maintain energy security in harsh high-altitude environments.

Analysts say that amid global geopolitical instability affecting energy supplies, China is prioritizing renewable energy as a key long-term strategy. This ambitious project in Tibet will not only help meet the country’s energy demand but also strengthen its global leadership in the renewable energy sector.

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The film adaptation of the globally popular first-person shooter franchise was first announced last year. Shortly afterward, it was revealed that acclaimed creators Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg—known for hit series like Yellowstone and Friday Night Lights—have joined the project as producers. The movie will be directed by Peter Berg, who will also co-write the screenplay alongside Sheridan.

However, no details have yet been disclosed about the film’s storyline, characters, or cast. It also remains unclear which era of the Call of Duty series the movie will be based on. With the release still more than two years away, further details are expected to emerge gradually.

Game developer Activision has confirmed that the film will draw inspiration from the series’ story-driven campaign modes and its iconic characters. Both audiences and critics are hopeful that the project could set a new benchmark for video game adaptations—though fans will need to wait a bit longer to see it unfold.

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Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is undergoing a significant transformation in its business structure. The company is reorganizing itself around Artificial Intelligence, aiming to boost productivity and reduce management layers through AI-driven systems. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the decision is part of a broader effort to streamline operations.

This round of layoffs could eventually surpass the scale of the company’s “Year of Efficiency” initiatives in 2022 and 2023, during which around 21,000 employees were let go. Earlier this year, Meta had already reduced about 5 percent of its workforce. As of December 2025, the company employed approximately 79,000 people.

The trend of AI-driven job cuts is not limited to Meta. Amazon has recently laid off around 30,000 office workers, also citing AI adoption as a key factor. Meanwhile, financial technology firm Block, Inc. has reportedly cut half of its workforce.

Job losses across the global tech industry continue to rise. According to data from Layoffs.fyi, more than 73,000 tech workers have lost their jobs so far in 2026. In comparison, the total number for all of 2024 stood at 153,000.

Internally, Meta is also implementing several structural reforms. Its Reality Labs division has been reorganized, and engineers have been shifted into a new “Applied AI” division. This unit is focused on developing AI agents capable of automatically writing code and handling complex tasks. Additionally, the company has recently launched a new unit called “Meta Small Business.”

Analysts say Meta’s move goes beyond simple cost-cutting. Instead, it reflects a broader strategic effort to realign the company’s workforce structure in response to the rapidly evolving AI era.

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Terms of the Agreement
Under the agreement, Roblox will provide $10 million over the next three years to child support agencies in Nevada. The remaining $2.5 million will be spent on coordination roles for law enforcement agencies and awareness campaigns on online safety. The funds will be disbursed under the supervision of the Attorney General.

Strengthening Safety Measures
As part of the settlement, Roblox will further strengthen its safety systems. An age verification process will be introduced for all users on the platform. Users under the age of 16 will only be able to communicate with adults identified as “trusted friends.”

Parental control features will now be extended to users up to the age of 16, whereas previously they were limited to those under 13. Separate content and chat restrictions have been defined for “Roblox Kids” (ages 5–8) and “Roblox Select” (ages 9–15) accounts.

Background of the Case
More than 100 lawsuits against Roblox are currently pending across various states. Several states, including Kentucky, Iowa, Louisiana, and Texas, have accused the platform of knowingly enabling child sexual abuse. Last year, Nevada also filed a lawsuit against X, owned by Elon Musk, alleging violations of child safety laws. That case remains pending.

Roblox spokesperson Stephen Spurb stated that the platform has approximately 90 million daily active users, a large proportion of whom are children. He described the agreement as just one part of the company’s broader efforts to enhance child safety. However, resolving lawsuits in other states may require the company to incur additional costs.

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In an announcement video, Playdate lead Greg Maletic stated that Season Three will be released during the “holiday season” (October–December). However, Panic has not yet disclosed how many games will be included or the pricing. Season One featured 24 games (two per week over 12 weeks) and was offered at no cost. Although Season Two had half the number of games (plus Blippo Plus), it maintained strong quality. Season Two was priced at $39.

Playdate is a portable gaming device developed by Panic, known for its distinctive yellow body and crank wheel. Each season introduces a new set of games. While the first season’s games were free, subsequent seasons require payment. The device is available in limited quantities in the market, and due to high demand, it remains difficult to obtain.

Additionally, Panic has announced that the long-awaited game Office Chair Curling is now available for purchase on Playdate and Steam with online cross-play support. Until the arrival of Season Three, players now have the opportunity to spend time with this newly released game.

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YouTube first introduced this timer feature in October last year. However, at that time, the minimum limit was 15 minutes, after which a pop-up reminder would appear, notifying users that they had been scrolling for a long time. Now, in addition to parental controls, general users can also access this feature.

How to disable YouTube Shorts?
In the YouTube mobile app, go to the Settings page and click on the “Time Management” option. Under “Daily Limits,” you will find the “Shorts Feed Limit.” From there, you can set any time limit ranging from zero minutes to two hours.

Caution
After selecting zero minutes, a message will appear: “Scrolling paused, but you can still view individual Shorts.” This means that the Shorts may not completely disappear from the feed immediately and the app may need to be refreshed. To ensure full effect, it is better to restart the app.

This move by YouTube will be particularly helpful for users who have become addicted to Shorts videos. It offers an effective solution to reduce doomscrolling and regain control over screen time.

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Fast-Tracked Supplier Engagement
Musk’s representatives have already requested proposals for a wide range of chipmaking essentials, including photomasks, substrates, etching and deposition tools, as well as cleaning devices and testing equipment. The project is being pushed at an aggressive pace—described as moving “at the speed of light”—with suppliers asked to submit pricing within extremely tight deadlines, sometimes even over weekends.

Timeline and Investment Scale
The Terafab project aims to begin silicon production by 2029. The first phase involves setting up a pilot line at Tesla’s Austin campus, with a capacity of 3,000 wafers per month. However, analysts estimate the total investment required could range between $5 trillion and $13 trillion, highlighting the project’s unprecedented scale.

The scope extends beyond Earth, with plans to manufacture chips not only on the ground but also in orbit. These chips are expected to power a range of Musk-led ventures, including space-based data centers for SpaceX, AI services by xAI, Tesla’s robotaxi platform, and the Optimus humanoid robot.

Partnerships and Competitive Dynamics
Tech giant Intel has reportedly joined the initiative, targeting an annual output equivalent to one terawatt of computing power. Meanwhile, existing chip partner Samsung Electronics has been approached for support. Sources suggest Samsung may instead allocate additional production capacity to Tesla at its Taylor, Texas facility rather than directly participating in Terafab.

Through this project, Musk is effectively positioning himself against TSMC, the global leader in chip manufacturing. However, industry analysts caution that despite Musk’s track record of achieving ambitious goals with SpaceX and Tesla, the extreme complexity and capital intensity of semiconductor manufacturing could pose significant challenges for Terafab.

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Last month, Netflix lost the bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Partnering with Oracle and SoftBank, David Ellison acquired Warner Bros. for $110 billion. As a result, popular franchises such as Game of Thrones and Friends went to Paramount Skydance instead of Netflix. Despite this setback, Netflix’s shares rose by 13 percent, as investors welcomed the company’s plans to expand its advertising business.

During the release of its first-quarter earnings on Thursday, Netflix Chief Executive Officers Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters are expected to outline the new strategy. According to data from LSEG, Netflix is projected to generate $12.18 billion in revenue in the first quarter of this year, including $634 million from advertising.

The company increased subscription prices in the United States in March, which could further boost its annual revenue outlook. The price hike may also drive more users toward ad-supported subscription plans.

John Belton, portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, said, “Netflix is entering a new phase in the advertising business, where it is becoming one of the world’s largest global advertising platforms.”

Netflix is also placing greater emphasis on live-streamed content. Recently, it attracted 18.4 million viewers by live-streaming a concert by South Korean music group BPS from Seoul. Additionally, the 2026 World Baseball Classic has become the most-watched baseball event.

Michael Ng, an analyst at Goldman Sachs, believes that Netflix’s advertising-based subscription revenue could reach approximately $10 billion by 2027. Despite missing out on a major deal like Warner Bros., Netflix is poised to reach new heights through its own strengths.

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Just a few weeks ago, Irenic Capital Management urged Snapchat’s parent company to optimize its portfolio and improve performance. The firm holds an economic stake of approximately 2.5 percent in Snap.

Snap Chief Executive Officer Evan Spiegel said that through AI adoption and workforce reductions, the company expects to cut more than $500 million in annual costs by the second half of this year. Snap’s shares rose by 5.8 percent, although the company’s stock has declined by around 31 percent so far this year.

Snap noted that AI technology is helping streamline its operations and enabling it to function with smaller teams. Artificial intelligence is now responsible for generating more than 65 percent of the company’s new code. According to financial disclosures, the cost of the layoffs is expected to range between $95 million and $130 million, primarily to be incurred in the second quarter.

Irenic Capital is also pressuring Snap to shut down or sell its augmented reality glasses unit, ‘Spectacles’ (Specs). Snap has invested more than $3.5 billion in the Specs unit. Recently, The Wall Street Journal reported that Snap is in discussions with Elon Musk’s X regarding a potential sale of the unit.

According to Layoffs.fyi, AI-driven automation has led around 80 technology companies to lay off approximately 71,440 employees so far. Last month, Meta announced plans to cut about 20 percent of its workforce, while Amazon decided to reduce its management layers.

Snap has said it will release its first-quarter earnings report on Monday. A company spokesperson also noted that employees in the United States and Canada were instructed to work from home on Wednesday.

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According to a report by the Financial Times, Uber is moving away from its light-asset “gig economy” model and has decided on this investment strategy shift. The company believes that this strategic transformation will help it avoid potential disruption in the robotaxi industry.

The report indicates that Uber is positioning itself as a marketplace for multiple robotaxi operators. It has already signed partnership agreements with China’s Baidu and US-based Rivian and Lucid Motors. The company plans to launch robotaxi services in at least 28 cities by 2028.

Based on Financial Times analysis and related sources, the agreements include more than $2.5 billion in equity investments over the coming years and $7.5 billion in spending on building a robotaxi fleet. However, these deals are dependent on whether Uber’s partners achieve specific infrastructure milestones.

This investment marks a reversal of Uber’s earlier strategy. In 2020, the company sold its autonomous vehicle division for $4 billion. At that time, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi repeatedly emphasized that Uber was an asset-light marketplace rather than an asset-heavy operator. However, the company is now shifting toward building its own robotaxi fleet.

Analysts say that after years of unmet expectations, interest in robotaxis has recently surged due to advances in artificial intelligence and technology partnerships. The technology is seen as a potential solution for complex traffic conditions and cost reduction. Experts view Uber’s move as a significant strategic shift in response to competition from players such as Starlink and Tesla.

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Aptoide claims that due to Google’s “anticompetitive chokehold,” it has been unable to exert pressure on Google regarding pricing and policy decisions. The company describes itself as the world’s third-largest Android app store, with approximately 436,000 apps and 200 million users as of 2024.

According to lawyers, Aptoide alleges that Google restricts competitors’ access to exclusive content from top developers and steers developers toward Google Play and other “essential” services. This, it claims, has caused irreparable damage to Aptoide’s business.

This is not the first time Aptoide has taken legal action against Google. In 2014, it filed a complaint with the European Union antitrust authorities. The current case has been filed in a federal court in San Francisco, seeking unspecified triple damages.

Notably, in November last year, Google agreed to make changes to its Android and app store policies to settle a five-year lawsuit brought by Epic Games, the creator of the popular game Fortnite. In 2023, a jury found Google guilty of illegally suppressing competition, and the following year a judge ordered sweeping reforms.

Additionally, in August 2024, a judge ruled that Google’s search engine also constituted an illegal monopoly, requiring the company to share search data with competitors. Google has appealed that ruling.

Aptoide’s lawsuit represents another example of the growing legal pressure surrounding Google’s app store policies.

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Starlink’s Vast Network
Starlink has already established a network of 10,000 satellites and has gained more than 9 million subscribers. Reaching this massive scale will be a significant challenge for Amazon. However, the acquisition of Globalstar is expected to narrow the gap to some extent.

Globalstar’s two dozen satellites will be integrated into Amazon’s network of more than 200 satellites. In addition, Amazon has set a target to deploy a total of 3,200 satellites into orbit by 2029.

Technology and Services
Globalstar’s satellite network is designed to provide reliable low-data connectivity directly to mobile devices. This means that, in the future, phones will be able to connect directly to satellites without the need for towers. Amazon plans to use this technology to launch services starting in 2028. Starlink, meanwhile, is already working on similar services through partnerships with companies such as T-Mobile.

Ties with Apple Remain Intact
Globalstar currently powers Apple’s Emergency SOS and Find My features. Even after the acquisition by Amazon, this service agreement with Apple will remain in place. Previously, in 2024, Apple invested $1.5 billion in Globalstar. However, it remains unclear how Apple’s stake will be affected following the acquisition.

Market and Regulatory Oversight
Following the acquisition announcement, Globalstar’s shares rose by 10 percent. Amazon stated that completion of the deal will require regulatory approval and the achievement of specific launch targets. The United States telecommunications regulator has indicated a “positive outlook” regarding the acquisition.

Through this acquisition, Amazon’s position in the satellite internet market is expected to strengthen, although challenging Starlink’s dominance will not be easy.

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X’s Head of Product, Nikita Bier, said on Saturday that under the platform’s policy, earnings for all news aggregator accounts have been reduced to 60 percent in the current payment cycle. This will be further reduced by an additional 20 percent in the next cycle. In particular, accounts that repeatedly use the term “breaking” in every post to mislead readers will face significant cuts in revenue.

Nikita Bier stated, “Hundreds of copied posts and widespread use of clickbait every day are pushing genuine content creators into the background. X will not interfere with anyone’s freedom of speech, but those who manipulate the system or mislead users will no longer be able to earn as they did before.”

Several large accounts have already complained about declining earnings. Dominic McGee (Dom Lucre), who has 1.6 million followers, said his account has been demonetized. However, he has been accused of using the term “breaking” inappropriately nearly 100 times over the past week.

According to analysts, X has recently faced widespread criticism over declining content quality and its reduced ability to drive traffic to external websites. To address these concerns and encourage original content creators, the platform has introduced these stringent measures.

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Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman stated that Apple’s project has been internally codenamed “N50.” It has been learned that Apple is developing the glasses in four distinct designs, keeping user preferences and style in mind. These include a large rectangular frame similar to Ray-Ban Wayfarer, a slim frame like the one used by Apple CEO Tim Cook, a large round design, and a smaller round version. The glasses are expected to be available in three colors: black, ocean blue, and light brown.

Like Meta’s smart glasses, Apple’s device will feature capabilities for capturing photos and recording videos. However, Apple is placing particular emphasis on its proprietary ecosystem.

The device will be easily synchronized or connected with the iPhone, allowing users to access calls, notifications, music, and the voice assistant Siri directly through the glasses. The company may also introduce design variations by incorporating special lighting elements around the lenses.

According to the report, the official announcement of the smart glasses could come by the end of 2026 or early 2027. It is expected that the device will be unveiled alongside the advanced Siri features of iOS 27.

Currently, Meta maintains its market position by offering prescription lenses and custom fitting options in its smart glasses. However, experts believe that Apple’s new initiative could bring significant changes to the wearable technology market.

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Apple makes history

For the first time in smartphone history, Apple has secured the top position in a first quarter. During this period, the iPhone manufacturer led the market with a 21 percent share.

The key drivers behind this success include strong demand for the iPhone 17 series, aggressive trade-in offers, and a 23 percent sales increase in China.

Samsung and Xiaomi under pressure

Traditionally a first-quarter giant, Samsung has fallen behind this time with a 20 percent market share. Its shipments declined by 6 percent, mainly due to the delayed launch of the Galaxy S26 series and weak entry-level demand.

Xiaomi, ranked third with a 12–14 percent share, suffered the biggest setback. The company’s shipments dropped by 12 to 19 percent, as the price-sensitive entry-level smartphone segment was hit hardest.

Surprise performers

Outside the top five, Google and Nothing delivered strong performances. Google achieved 14 percent growth driven by its Pixel series. The most talked-about name was Nothing, which recorded a 25 percent increase in shipments.

Challenging outlook ahead

According to Counterpoint forecasts, the shortage may persist until at least the end of 2027, as memory manufacturers prioritize production for AI data centers. As a result, software and services are expected to become increasingly important for companies compared to hardware in the coming years.

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How the Hack Occurred
According to reports, ShinyHunters infiltrated Rockstar’s cloud servers. In a post on their website, the group delivered a final message—“pay or leak.” They have not disclosed the exact nature of the data they accessed but claimed that its release could create several “digital problems” for the company.

Rockstar’s Response
Confirming the incident to Kotaku, Rockstar Games stated, “Due to a third-party data breach, some non-critical information of the company has been accessed. This incident will not have any impact on our organization or players.” The company added that sensitive materials such as game development tools or core source code have not been compromised.

A Repeat of History?
This is not the first such incident for Rockstar. In 2022, the Lapsus$ group leaked more than 90 videos and source code related to the upcoming game Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6). In that case, an 18-year-old hacker was sentenced by a UK court to indefinite hospitalization.

The ShinyHunters group is not new to such activities, having previously been linked to data breaches involving major companies like Microsoft, Google, and Ticketmaster.

The incident may also raise concerns about Rockstar’s financial posture and cybersecurity preparedness. It remains to be seen what decision the company takes by April 14 and whether the hackers will follow through on their threat.

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This marks the first resolution under the “Civil Rights Fraud Initiative” established in May 2025. The Department of Justice alleged that federal contractor IBM engaged in discrimination in hiring based on race and gender. According to the complaint lodged, the company identified “diverse” candidates, set demographic targets for business units, and used these diversity criteria in awarding bonuses.

However, IBM has denied all such allegations. In a statement, a company spokesperson said, “Our workforce strategy is guided by a single principle: hiring the right people with the right skills.” The company added that it is satisfied to have resolved the matter.

Notably, after the Trump administration assumed office, federal agencies were instructed to eliminate DEI programs. T-Mobile and Meta also discontinued their DEI initiatives last year.

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XChat is an end-to-end encrypted messaging application. It will allow direct messaging and voice calls between X users. The app will also offer options to edit and delete sent messages, including the ability to remove messages for the receiver as well.

With privacy in mind, users will be able to enable “disappearing messages,” allowing sensitive information to vanish within five minutes. Additionally, the app will include a screenshot-blocking feature. A single group can accommodate up to 481 members.

Most notably, XChat will be completely ad-free and will not allow any form of user tracking. X has committed to this in Apple’s privacy label disclosures.

Pre-orders for the app have already opened for iPhone and iPad users. After 17 April, it will be automatically downloaded to their devices. However, there is no information yet on when the Android version will be released.

It remains unclear whether XChat will fully replace X’s existing direct messaging system or operate alongside it. The app is expected to compete directly with platforms like WhatsApp and Signal.

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The incident occurred last week, when Anthropic announced that subscriptions to “Claude” would no longer be valid in third-party “harnesses” such as “OpenClaude.” OpenClaude users are now required to pay via a “pay-per-use” model through the Claude API.

Steinberger alleges that although he was using the API, his account was suspended due to what Anthropic described as “suspicious activity.”

The decision to introduce a separate “Claude tax” for OpenClaude users has been described by netizens as “the biggest shameless act in the industry.” Steinberger was so frustrated that he publicly questioned whether the decision coincidentally came after Anthropic launched a new feature in “Claude” called “Claude Dispatch,” which functions similarly to OpenClaude. He implied that Anthropic may first copy open-source features and then attempt to lock out competitors.

An Anthropic engineer claimed that no one has been banned for using OpenClaude. Within hours of this comment, Steinberger’s account was reinstated. However, he has already decided to step away.

He announced that in the future he will ensure that new versions of OpenClaude “do not break” with Anthropic’s models, but he will no longer use Claude for building OpenClaude. Instead, he will prioritize models from his own company OpenAI for testing and hinted that OpenClaude users will see continued development “where applicable.”

When Steinberger stated, “One side welcomed me, the other sent legal threats,” it became clear that OpenAI is strategically seeking to leverage his position.

Anthropic has, however, moved forward with its decision to restrict subscriptions for OpenClaude users. But the timing—just weeks after launching “Claude Dispatch”—has led to perceptions that the company is deliberately attempting to suppress open-source competition. For now, the “Claude war” is not over; rather, it appears to have just begun.

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This service, which was launched in 2018 under the name YouTube Red, last saw a price increase in March 2023, when the price was raised from 11.99 dollars to 13.99 dollars.

Price changes for other plans:

YouTube Lite: The price of this lower-cost plan, previously 6.99 dollars, has been increased to 8.99 dollars. This plan does not include YouTube Music Premium benefits, and ads are shown in Shorts and music content.

Standalone YouTube Music Premium: Its price has increased by 1 dollar to 11.99 dollars.

Reason for the price increase

The decision to raise prices aligns with competing streaming platforms such as Spotify, Netflix, and Disney+. A YouTube spokesperson said, “This change will help us sustain our most valued features for members, such as ad-free viewing, background play, and access to YouTube Music’s extensive library of over 300 million tracks.”

Last year, YouTube stated that its YouTube Music and Premium services had reached 125 million subscribers worldwide, up from 100 million in 2024. The company believes rising demand for streaming services makes this the right time for a price adjustment, though it has not ruled out further increases in the future.

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Swider was the Chief Executive Officer of the “blank-check” acquisition company through which Trump Media went public in 2024. He led Digital World Acquisition Corp. (DWAC). However, in 2023, DWAC reached a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over allegations of fraud.

The allegations stated that the company misled investors and concealed its plan to acquire Trump Media prior to the IPO. At that time, Swider was serving as CEO of DWAC. However, Trump Media has stated that his current resignation is not due to any disagreement with the company’s management or board.

Trump Media is currently facing multiple challenges. Its Truth Social platform is struggling to remain competitive. User growth has been uneven and unpredictable, and the platform is finding it difficult to compete with major social media platforms.

In this context, analysts believe that the resignation of a key board member could impact the company’s future plans.

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Michael Hicks (59) worked at California’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory from 1998 to 2022. Although he died in July 2023, neither the cause of death nor the autopsy report has been made public to date. He was involved in several major missions, including DART, Near-Earth asteroid tracking, Dawn, and Deep Space-1.

While no direct evidence of sabotage has been found in connection with Hicks’ death, his obituary included a request for donations to Alcoholics Anonymous. Additionally, his colleague Frank Maiwald died in July 2024 without any explanation.

According to a report by the New York Post, at least eight more scientists and officials linked to NASA and nuclear research have recently gone missing or been killed.

Among them, Monica Reza went missing during a hiking trip in June 2025. William Neil McCausland left home in February and never returned. Karl Grillmeyer was murdered on the balcony of his own residence.

Additionally, Anthony Chavez and Melissa Cassias, employees of Los Alamos National Laboratory, went missing under mysterious circumstances in 2025. Nuno Loureiro was killed at his residence, while Jason Thomas was found dead after being missing for several months.

Discussions are ongoing regarding whether there is any connection among these incidents. The fact that multiple scientists from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory have died or gone missing within a short period has further deepened the mystery.

It is also reported that the matter is being discussed within US intelligence agencies. In an interview with the Daily Mail, former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker stated that the incidents should be viewed as suspicious.

He noted that these scientists were working on sensitive and complex technologies, and that foreign intelligence agencies have long been monitoring US technological advancements. According to him, countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea have a strong interest in such technologies.

However, no clear cause or evidence behind these incidents has yet been established, further intensifying the mystery within the scientific community.

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According to feature tracker WABetaInfo, the rules for creating and managing usernames are as follows:

Length and Restrictions: Usernames must be between 3 and 35 characters. They cannot start with a quotation mark (") or end with domains such as .com, .in, .edu, or .net, to avoid confusion with website addresses.

Character Types: Each username must include at least one letter; usernames cannot consist solely of numbers or special characters. Underscores, lowercase letters, and periods are allowed.

Phone Number Privacy: Using a username ensures that other users cannot see your phone number, eliminating the need to share it when communicating with unknown contacts.

A significant aspect is that WhatsApp usernames can be linked across Meta platforms. This means users can use the same username on WhatsApp as they do on Instagram or Facebook. To enable this, users must link their accounts via the Accounts Center to verify ownership of the username.

Currently, the rollout is gradual and limited to a select number of Android and iOS users. Meta has not yet officially confirmed the rollout, though a broader release is expected later this year.

The ability to use usernames instead of phone numbers on WhatsApp represents a major step forward for users, providing enhanced privacy, protection from spam and unknown calls, and an additional layer of confidentiality.

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Last year, the FCC had already prohibited laboratories owned or controlled by the Chinese government. However, the agency believes that most private Chinese labs are still continuing such activities.

According to FCC data, approximately 75 percent of the world’s electronic products are tested in various laboratories in China. This heavy reliance has raised concerns over whether these labs can ensure adequate security standards.

If the new regulation is implemented, products tested in Chinese laboratories will no longer be considered valid for use in the United States. However, the FCC is considering alternative pathways for manufacturers. The agency is also planning a separate vote to simplify approval processes for devices tested within the United States or in laboratories located in “low-risk” countries.

Beyond electronic devices, the FCC has recently proposed restrictions on the import of equipment from Chinese companies. Earlier, regulations had already been imposed on the import of Chinese-made drones and consumer routers. The agency stated that these restrictions will also apply to previously approved older models.

The move is being viewed as part of Washington’s broader strategy to reduce China’s influence in the technology sector.

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Reasons and Context Behind the Layoffs

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, citing a source, the plan had been formulated even before Josh D’Amaro assumed leadership. Disney is currently facing several challenges:

• Business Pressure: Declining profitability from its streaming service Disney+, reduced box office revenue, and increasing competition from technology companies such as Amazon and YouTube have contributed to this decision.
• Shift to Streaming: Disney is gradually shifting the core of its business toward digital platforms, where investment requirements are highest.
• ‘Project Imagine’: The company has undertaken a plan titled “Project Imagine” to consolidate its marketing operations and reduce costs. The initiative is being led by its new Chief Marketing Officer, Asad Ayaz.

Financial Context and Future Outlook

By the end of the 2025 fiscal year, Disney’s total workforce stood at approximately 231,000. Although the upcoming layoffs account for less than 1 percent of the total workforce, they reflect ongoing cost-cutting efforts to remain competitive in the entertainment industry. Earlier, during the tenure of former CEO Bob Iger, Disney had laid off more than 8,000 employees in 2022.

The primary challenge for CEO D’Amaro will be to revive the company’s stagnant share price. Disney’s stock has fallen to nearly half of its 2021 peak and is currently trading close to levels seen a decade ago.

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‘Bitcoin Toll’: Method and Rate

Iran implemented this decision amid a temporary ceasefire with the United States. Hamid Hosseini, spokesperson for the Iran Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union, told the media that each vessel must pay a fee of $1 per barrel of oil for using the Strait of Hormuz. This fee does not apply to empty vessels.

Payment Process

• Ships must submit their information to Iranian authorities.
• After assessment by Iran, ship owners must pay the fee in Bitcoin within seconds.
• The choice of Bitcoin is strategic. Such transactions can bypass international sanctions and remain fast and confidential, making them nearly impossible to trace or seize.

Implications: Petrodollar Pressure and Market Concerns

Although the fee is only $1, it carries significant political implications beyond revenue generation. Experts say this move poses a major challenge to the decades-long dominance of the US dollar in global oil trade.

Iran Undermining the Petrodollar

Due to tensions with the United States, Iran has been seeking alternatives to dollar-based trade. It has already been using the Chinese yuan for oil sales to China. By introducing cryptocurrency-based tolls, Iran is further advancing alternatives to the dollar.

Market Impact

While the ceasefire has brought some relief, the toll system is introducing new uncertainty in global markets. Approximately 15 million barrels of oil pass through the Strait daily—about 20 percent of global demand. The additional $1 per barrel could disrupt the entire supply chain.

This initiative is also being viewed as a form of “digital sanctions” and an economic weapon. It poses a significant challenge, particularly for countries allied with the United States. Global trade observers are now closely watching how sustainable this toll system proves to be and how the United States responds.

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The hacker group known as “Fancy Bear” or “APT28” specifically exploited vulnerabilities in MikroTik and TP-Link routers. They targeted older router models that had not received security updates, gaining control over them. Once compromised, the hackers altered DNS settings to route all internet traffic through their servers, enabling them to capture banking credentials, email passwords, and authentication tokens without users’ knowledge. Even two-factor authentication (2FA) protections were bypassed.

The U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI stated that, in a joint operation, they disabled over 100 servers controlled by the hackers. Settings of affected routers within the United States were also restored to normal.

Paul Chichester, head of the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), said the operation demonstrates how router vulnerabilities can be exploited on a massive scale for espionage purposes.

User Recommendations

Security experts have urged all router users to take the following immediate actions:

1. Update firmware: Go to the router settings and install the latest firmware. If older models are no longer supported, replace the router.
2. Change passwords: Immediately change the router’s default password.
3. Factory reset: Perform a factory reset to ensure the router is clean, then reconfigure it.
4. Disable remote access: Turn off the remote access option in the router control panel.

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To use this new feature in the browser, users need to right-click on any tab and select the ‘Show Tabs Vertically’ option.

Google has been relatively late in introducing this feature in the browser ecosystem. Almost all other popular browsers had already offered this capability. Mozilla Firefox has been providing this feature since its version 136 update released in March last year. Apple’s Safari also allows vertical tab organization through a different approach.

Alongside this update, Chrome has added another feature—Enhanced Reading Mode. This introduces a new interface across the full page. Users can activate it by right-clicking on any page and selecting ‘Open in Reading Mode.’ The feature essentially simplifies cluttered web pages into a more readable format, helping users maintain focus without distractions.

Google has stated that it may take a few days for the updated features to reach all users. Therefore, users are advised to wait if the feature is not immediately available.

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The exchange meeting took place at Ponchkhana Hall in East London on Monday, April 6, at 7:00 pm local time, presided over by the organization’s President Dr. Md. Zainul Abedeen Rose and moderated by General Secretary Dr. Azizul Ambia. The Editor of the Bangladesh-based daily Dainik Tritiyo Matra, Robeen Siddiqui, attended as the chief guest. Special guests included former President of the UK-Bangla Reporters Unity, journalist and researcher Matiar Chowdhury; Senior Vice President of the London-Bangla Press Club Ahad Chowdhury Babu; President of the Bangladesh Press Club UK Sakir Hossain; and General Secretary Touhidul Karim Mujahid.

Joining via teleconference, Labour Party mayoral candidate of Tower Hamlets Council Councillor Sirajul Islam delivered remarks, along with former Speaker of Tower Hamlets Council Khales Uddin, former Speaker Ahabab Hossain, and former Deputy Mayor Shahid Ali.

Other speakers included Chief Coordinator of the United Kingdom Online Press Club and Chairman of UK BD TV Mohammad Mokis Monsur; former Councillor of Tower Hamlets Council, poet and journalist Shah Sohel Amin; former Councillor Tariq Khan; Chairman of 26 Television Abdul Ahad Chowdhury; journalist Rezaul Karim Mridha; poet and journalist Imdadun Khan; ATN Bangla Television reporter MD Suhej Mia; President of Bangabandhu Memorial Society UK Abdul Helal Chowdhury Selim; General Secretary Matabbir Hossain Chunu; Vice President Aruk Chowdhury; poet Shamsuddin Chowdhury; poet Babul Talukdar; Abdul Sattar; journalist Nazrul Islam; Mishba Masum; Monir Hossain; Md. Jilani; Shah Sharif Uddin; Shakhawat Farayezi; Sohel Ahmed Sami; Jubel Belal; Shaheen Tafadar; Joya Zainab; Rahim Uddin; Mohammad Badrul Monsur; Abdur Rob; Roman Ahmed; Lovely Begum; Sajib Ahmed; and Shafiqul Rahman Chowdhury Ruhel, among others.

While speaking, chief guest Robeen Siddiqui emphasized the professional responsibility, unity, and positive role of journalists working abroad, stating that online media is currently playing a particularly significant role. He also advised exercising caution in the use of AI. Additionally, Tower Hamlets Council Labour Party-nominated mayoral candidate Councillor Sirajul Islam highlighted the important role of the media in community development.

Speakers expressed hope that the event would play a significant role in sharing the joy of Eid and further strengthening camaraderie and unity among journalists.

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In April 2025, TikTok announced plans to construct its first data center in Finland. At that time, politicians and intelligence agencies in the country expressed security concerns.

Finland’s then Minister for Economic Affairs, Wille Rydman, had called for a reconsideration of the project. Currently, the first data center is under construction in the city of Kouvola, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2026.

The second data center will be built in the city of Lahti, with an initial capacity of 50 megawatts and the potential to expand to 128 megawatts. It is scheduled to become operational by 2027. This investment is part of TikTok’s 12 billion euro “European Data Sovereignty” initiative. At present, data of TikTok’s European users is stored in three data centers located in Norway, Ireland, and the United States.

Finland has become an attractive destination for data centers due to its cold climate, low-cost carbon-free electricity, and stable business-friendly environment. Companies such as Google and Microsoft have also invested there. Lahti Mayor Niko Kyyronen, in a statement, described the investment as “significant.”

TikTok’s initiative is part of its strategy to comply with European Union data protection laws. Recently, various complications have arisen regarding TikTok’s operations in the United States. Analysts believe that this investment is aimed at strengthening its position in Europe.

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In the state-released video, the camera zooms over a world map to show the ‘Stargate’ data center in the United Arab Emirates, with the message displayed: “No matter how much Google tries to hide, nothing is hidden from our sight.”

‘Stargate’ is a $500 billion joint initiative announced in January 2025 by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle to create an AI-focused data center. While the project initially faced financial and tariff-related challenges, it is now planning international expansion.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday (April 7), warning that failure to comply could lead to attacks on Iran’s civilian installations, including power plants and water treatment facilities. Since the strait has been closed following the outbreak of war in February, global supply chains have faced severe disruptions.

Several data centers in the Middle East have already been targeted due to the ongoing conflict. Iranian missiles struck Amazon Web Services (AWS) facilities in Bahrain and Oracle’s data center in Dubai. Last week, Iran specifically threatened attacks on multiple technology companies, including Nvidia and Apple.

In this tense environment, IT experts warn that any attack on AI data centers would not only escalate regional conflict but could also have catastrophic implications for global digital services and the information technology industry.

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Production and Launch Timeline
The start of trial production indicates that the device’s design is nearing finalization and Apple is preparing for the final phase of manufacturing. Latest reports suggest that the “iPhone Fold” is expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series in September. However, due to the complexity of the technology, there has been some uncertainty regarding its availability.

The new report suggests that Apple aims to begin mass production around July, aligning with the main series rollout. Previously, Barclays analyst Tim Long had predicted that the device could be delayed until December, but current information indicates that Apple is striving to launch it concurrently with the flagship series.

Expected Design and Features
Available information indicates that the “iPhone Fold” will feature a “book-style” foldable design, offering an approximately 5.5-inch display when folded and a 7.8-inch screen when fully opened.

Design and Display:
The device will be just 4.5 mm thick when unfolded. Apple has reportedly succeeded in making the fold crease nearly invisible by using specialized metal plates and a liquid metal hinge.

Biometrics:
Due to the ultra-thin screen structure, it is not possible to install the necessary “TrueDepth” sensor for Face ID. Therefore, for security, the device will use Touch ID integrated into the side button, similar to the iPad.

Pricing:
The “iPhone Fold” is expected to become Apple’s most expensive iPhone, with initial reports suggesting a starting price of around $2,000 (approximately BDT 230,000).

Although trial production has begun and the timeline seems set, Apple may delay production if needed to ensure final quality standards. The exact future of the “iPhone Fold” will become clearer over the coming months.

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Core of the Dispute
Apple currently charges developers a 27 percent commission on purchases made outside the App Store. Under a 2021 order, Apple was required to allow developers to offer alternative payment options. However, Epic Games alleges that by imposing a 27 percent commission, Apple has violated the court’s ruling and is effectively discouraging developers from using alternative payment systems.

In December 2025, an appellate court ruled that Apple’s 27 percent fee effectively undermines the intent of the court’s directive. Apple’s request for a full review of that ruling has also been rejected. The company has now turned to the Supreme Court.

Arguments from Both Sides
Apple’s Position: In its filing, Apple stated that reducing commissions on external transactions would have a “significant impact” on its business model. The company argued that these commissions serve as a form of “compensation” for its substantial investments in the App Store, iOS, and iPhone.

Epic Games’ Response: Epic Games has described Apple’s move as “another delay tactic.” Epic spokesperson Natalie Munoz said that courts have repeatedly declared Apple’s approach “unlawful.” According to Epic, Apple’s strategy has limited the ability of only a few large developers to exercise their legal rights to use external payment links.

Google Takes a Different Path
While Apple continues its legal fight, its competitor Google has recently settled its dispute with Epic Games. Google has reduced its Play Store commission from 30 percent to 20 percent and has opened the door for developers to use alternative billing systems. As a result of this agreement, Fortnite has returned to the Google Play Store.

It remains uncertain whether the Supreme Court will agree to hear the appeal. In 2024, the court rejected a similar appeal. The outcome of this latest petition will determine how much control Apple can retain over external payment systems.

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At 3:58 PM Greenwich Mean Time on Monday, when the four Artemis II astronauts reached the farthest point behind the Moon, their distance from Earth was approximately 406,788 kilometers, or about 252,760 miles. No human had ever traveled this far from Earth before, marking a new record for the Artemis II mission.

The previous record dates back nearly 56 years. According to Al Jazeera, astronauts on NASA’s Apollo 13 mission in April 1970 had traveled the farthest distance from Earth at that time. They reached approximately 400,171 kilometers, or about 248,655 miles from Earth.

On 1 April, four astronauts began this historic journey aboard the ‘Orion’ capsule, launching from the Kennedy Space Center under the Artemis II mission. The last time astronauts traveled to the Moon was in 1972. Since the Apollo 17 mission, this marks the first time humans have set out toward the Moon again.

The four astronauts are NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency.

After re-establishing communication with NASA’s control room upon returning from the far side of the Moon, Christina Koch said, “It’s really joyful to hear voices from Earth again.”

The astronauts also observed a total solar eclipse during the mission. Victor Glover, pilot of the Orion spacecraft on Artemis II, said, “It felt like we had entered the world of science fiction. It was truly surreal.”

The Artemis II astronauts have expressed hope that this new record will be surpassed by humans in the future.

The astronauts on the Artemis II mission will not land on the Moon. During the 10-day mission, they will orbit the Moon and then return to Earth. This marks the first time since 1972 that humans have traveled beyond Earth’s orbit.

The primary objective of this crewed test mission is to initiate regular human travel to the Moon. NASA has set a target to land astronauts again on the Moon’s remote south pole by 2028.

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The most significant advantage of the app is that it functions without an internet connection. As a result, children will be able to play uninterrupted even during long বিমান (airplane) journeys or while staying outdoors. This gaming experience is also expected to be easily acceptable to parents.

Initially, the app includes games from several popular franchises. These include:

• Playtime with Peppa Pig (mini-games featuring Peppa Pig and friends)
• Sesame Street games, featuring mini-games, memory card games, and connect-the-dots games with Elmo, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster
• Games based on Dr. Seuss stories
• Bad Dinosaurs racing game
• Sticker book collection and jigsaw puzzles

Netflix has stated that the game library on this platform will be expanded further in the future. Currently, the app is available in the United States and several other countries worldwide. A global rollout is scheduled for 28 April.

The decision to introduce a dedicated gaming app reflects Netflix’s growing interest in children’s gaming. However, the company has recently faced setbacks in its interactive gaming division.

In 2024, it shut down its AAA gaming studio and removed several games from its services. Through this new children-focused app, Netflix appears to be aiming to create a safer and more enjoyable gaming environment.

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Price-cut strategy proving effective
Tesla recently reduced the prices of China-made Model Y and Model 3 vehicles in Korea by a notable margin. Toward the end of last year, prices of some models were lowered by up to 940 million won (approximately Tk 640,000). Analysts believe this pricing strategy is the primary driver behind the surge in sales.

Tesla’s rise in a highly competitive market
South Korea’s electric vehicle (EV) market is currently highly competitive. Chinese manufacturers have already entered the market with models such as BYD Atto 3 and Dolphin. At the same time, local companies like Hyundai and Kia maintain a strong presence. In this context, Tesla’s price reduction is widely viewed as a strategic move.

However, experts believe it will be difficult for Tesla to manage the competition alone. Other companies are also offering various incentives to remain competitive. Recently, Volvo reduced the price of its EX30 by up to 760 million won. Local manufacturer Renault Korea is offering discounts of up to 150 crore won on its Scenic EV.

Economists and market analysts say that South Korea’s EV market will become even more competitive in the coming days. As a result, consumers will benefit from lower prices and a wider range of choices. Tesla’s price cuts are expected to further energize the market.

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The report comes at a time of global market volatility surrounding “Liberation Day” in early April. Although Foxconn operates factories in countries such as China, India, and Vietnam, analysts believe its production capacity and supply chain could be affected.

Foxconn has warned that the biggest external challenge this year is the global economic and political situation, particularly the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The company emphasized the need to closely monitor what it described as an “unstable global political and economic environment.”

Foxconn Chairman Young Liu stated that geopolitical tensions could place additional pressure on the company for the remainder of the year. He specifically pointed to a recent announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a 10 percent tariff on imported goods from all countries, a move that could increase electronics prices and reduce demand.

Foxconn’s shares have declined by 16 percent this year, while Taiwan’s broader market has risen by 12 percent. The company is scheduled to release its full first-quarter earnings report on 14 May.

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In fact, this decision is not sudden. Starting from the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 models, Samsung had already begun pre-installing Google Messages on its devices. In the latest Galaxy S26 series, the Samsung Messages app has been completely removed.

Why this change?
Two main reasons are reported to have driven Samsung’s shift to Google Messages. First, Google Messages offers modern features such as RCS, enabling high-resolution image and video sharing, group chats, and typing indicators. Second, it integrates Gemini AI, which supports functions like image editing and smart replies.

Who will be affected?

• Affected devices: Galaxy devices running Android 12 or later will no longer support the Samsung Messages app after July. However, older devices running Android 11 or earlier will continue to support it as before.
• Old Galaxy Watch: For models running Tizen OS, specifically those released before Galaxy Watch 4, there are limitations. Full message history will not be visible on the watch, although basic functions such as reading and sending messages will remain available.

How to switch to Google Messages?
The transition process is straightforward. Users can follow these steps:

• Install Google Messages: Download or update the “Google Messages” app from the Google Play Store.
• Set as default app: Upon opening the app, a prompt will appear. Tap “Set default SMS app” to select it as the default messaging application.
• Add to home screen: For convenience, drag the app icon to the home screen dock (bottom bar).

Samsung has stated that users may also receive notifications or prompts within the Samsung Messages app guiding them to switch to Google Messages. Following those instructions will make the transition easier.

Important information:

• Emergency numbers: Even after the Samsung app is discontinued, users will still be able to send messages to saved emergency contacts and numbers.
• Data safety: No existing messages or contacts will be lost during this transition. All previous data will remain accessible after switching apps.

From now on, the messaging experience on Samsung devices will be entirely powered by Google Messages.

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The astronauts have now entered the most critical phase of the mission. The four astronauts aboard Orion—Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen—are currently orbiting the Moon. They have already surpassed the record set by the Apollo 13 astronauts. Apollo 13 had traveled a maximum distance of 248,655 miles from Earth, while Artemis-2 is set to exceed that, reaching 252,757 miles.

As Orion travels around the Moon tomorrow, the astronauts will conduct approximately six hours of observation. During this period, when the spacecraft moves behind the Moon, communication with Earth will be temporarily lost.

NASA has stated that Orion’s closest approach to the Moon will be at a distance of 4,066 miles, occurring at 7:02 PM local time (5:02 AM Bangladesh time). From that position, the astronauts will be able to observe the entire lunar disk, including both the northern and southern polar regions. Prior to that, they are expected to witness a solar eclipse lasting nearly one hour.

The four astronauts are now en route around the Moon, and the world is closely watching the most critical moments of their journey.

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The most significant change in the new version is the addition of the ‘Suggested Places’ feature in Apple Maps. Based on a user’s location or search history, it will recommend nearby popular restaurants and other places.

The iOS 26.5 beta also introduces advertisements in Apple Maps. Back in March, Apple had confirmed plans to expand advertising beyond the App Store and Apple News app. Ads will be displayed based on the user’s location, search terms, and map queries. These will appear above search results and within the ‘Suggested Places’ list.

Apple stated that advertisements will be clearly labeled and will not compromise user privacy. Current location data and ad interactions will not be linked to Apple accounts, and personal data will remain on the iPhone.

Additionally, Apple is again testing ‘end-to-end encryption’ for RCS messages in the iOS 26.5 beta. However, the company has not confirmed whether this feature will be included in the stable release.

To access Apple’s public beta, users need to sign up on the Apple Beta Software Program website using their Apple account.

It is worth noting that the stable version of iOS 26.5 is expected to be released by the end of next month or early June.

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On paper, the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro appears to exceed typical midrange expectations. According to a review by Engadget, the $499 device could compete with devices like the Pixel 10a.

Design and Display: A ‘Pro’ Touch

The biggest highlight of the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is its metal unibody design. For the first time in Nothing’s history, the device uses an aluminum frame instead of plastic, reducing its thickness to just 7.95 mm.

The display is another standout feature. The 6.83-inch flexible AMOLED screen offers a 1.5K resolution (2800×1260 pixels). With a 144Hz refresh rate and 5000 nits peak brightness, it ranks among the best midrange displays currently available.

Glyph Matrix: Master of Light

Nothing’s signature lighting system remains central to its identity. The (4a) Pro features the Glyph Matrix—a customizable array of LED lights that allows users to define notification patterns. It can also display charging status, timers, a digital clock, and even mini animations.

Camera: 140x Zoom!

In terms of camera capabilities, the Nothing (4a) Pro takes a step forward. It features a 50-megapixel triple camera setup, including a Sony LYT-700C main sensor and a 50-megapixel 3.5x periscope telephoto lens. With software processing, the digital zoom can reach up to 140x. While the 140x zoom is not particularly practical, the 3.5x optical zoom delivers excellent image quality in daylight. Low-light performance is also strong, although video recording remains somewhat underwhelming.

Performance and Battery

Powering the device is Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor. As a 2026 midrange chipset, it offers efficient performance for daily use while maintaining low battery consumption. Reviews indicate that the phone can deliver relatively stable performance at 60 FPS in heavy gaming titles such as Diablo Immortal and Red Dead Redemption.

Battery and Charging

The most notable “legendary” feature is its battery life. In battery rundown tests, the Nothing (4a) Pro lasted a full 24 hours—5 hours more than last year’s model. It supports 50W fast charging (approximately 50% in 22 minutes), but notably lacks wireless charging support.

Clean Software

Nothing OS 4.1 (based on Android 16) maintains its signature clean, bloatware-free experience. Features like ‘Essential Space’ and the ‘AI Dashboard’ add a new dimension to the software experience.

Why Buy:

• Excellent aluminum unibody design
• Class-leading 24-hour battery backup
• 50 MP periscope telephoto camera
• Premium-feel 144Hz display

Why Not Buy:

• Reduced practicality of the Glyph Matrix
• Average video recording quality
• No wireless charging support
• Limited update support (3 years of Android updates)

The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro proves that achieving great design and strong performance does not require chasing flagship devices. It stands out as an excellent option for Nothing enthusiasts and those seeking something different.

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According to reports, there were also issues with the ‘Optimus’ software. Mission commander Reid Wiseman requested Mission Control to take remote access and fix both Outlook and Optimus. Shortly afterward, Mission Control confirmed that the problem had been resolved. However, Outlook would continue to display ‘offline,’ which was considered normal.

Earlier, the spacecraft had also experienced a malfunction in its toilet system, where a fan became jammed. NASA spokesperson Gary Jordan stated that repair instructions were provided from the control room on Earth. A backup system is in place, ensuring there is no risk of floating waste.

As part of this decade-long mission, the astronauts will orbit the Moon for 10 days before returning to Earth.

Microsoft and NASA have not made any comments regarding the issue.

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It has been learned that several banks have already committed to spending tens of millions of dollars annually on Grok subscriptions and have begun integrating it into their IT systems. From this IPO, Wall Street could receive more than $500 million in advisory fees.

Analysts say that since SpaceX has remained privately held for decades and has now become one of the most powerful entities in the technology and defense sectors, banks are effectively compelled to accept such special conditions.

SpaceX has successfully built its Starlink satellite internet business, which serves as the company’s primary source of revenue.

It is noteworthy that SpaceX recently completed a merger with Musk’s other company xAI, as a result of which SpaceX now owns the Grok chatbot.

According to Bloomberg, SpaceX is targeting a valuation of more than $2 trillion in this IPO and plans to raise $75 billion, surpassing the $29 billion IPO record set by Saudi Aramco in 2019.

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According to a report by Bloomberg News, Google’s health tracker will come with a subscription service and feature an AI-based personal health coach. Similar to Whoop, the device seen on Curry’s wrist appears to have a braided fabric band and a metal clasp design.

However, while Whoop requires a mandatory subscription for its device, Google will charge separately for the band itself. Although some health tracking features will be available for free, users will need to subscribe to access advanced metrics.

The device is expected to be named ‘Fitbit Life’ or ‘Fitbit Elite’. It may be launched later this year. Through this product, Google is entering into competition with popular fitness devices such as Apple’s Apple Watch series and Whoop.

Recently, under the Fitbit brand, Google has introduced several fitness trackers, but this marks its first initiative with a screenless device.

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According to the report, the Nothing AI glasses will feature a camera, microphone, and speaker. However, there will be no major display. The device will connect to a smartphone and rely on cloud-based processing, allowing the glasses to remain lightweight and wearable. The AI is expected to automate user tasks and deliver a personalized experience.

Nothing’s signature design language—featuring a transparent body and LED lighting, as seen in its smartphones and earbuds—may also be incorporated into the AI glasses. Through these glasses, users will be able to capture photos and videos, while AI will recognize real-world objects and provide relevant information.

Before launching the AI glasses, Nothing may introduce new AI-powered earbuds later this year. Although the company’s chief Carl Pei had previously expressed hesitation about smart glasses, he has now decided to move forward as part of a multi-device strategy.

By 2027, brands such as Apple, Google, and Samsung are also expected to bring AI glasses to the market.

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Turkey is an important market for Google. Last year, the country’s digital advertising market was valued at approximately $1.5 billion, with Google holding more than 40 percent market share.

Previously, Turkey had also brought anti-competitive allegations against Google. In 2022, the country’s Competition Board imposed a fine on the company.

Meanwhile, regulatory authorities in Europe have intensified scrutiny over Google’s business practices.

The European Union has recently initiated an investigation against Google over alleged violations of the Digital Markets Act.

Analysts say that the outcome of Turkey’s investigation could impact Google’s local operations.

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According to the report, as part of preparations to launch the V4 model, major Chinese technology giants have placed large-scale orders for Huawei’s new chip. Alibaba Group, ByteDance, and Tencent Holdings have collectively ordered several hundred thousand units. The V4 model could be launched within the next few weeks.

Due to US export restrictions, access to advanced chips from companies like Nvidia has become increasingly difficult, prompting Chinese firms to strengthen their reliance on domestic technologies.

Over the past few months, DeepSeek has worked directly with Huawei and another Chinese chipmaker, Cambricon Technologies, to rewrite and test the code for the V4 model. Two additional variants of the model are also being developed, optimized specifically for Chinese chips.

DeepSeek’s previous models, V3 and R1, created a significant impact in the global market last year by delivering strong performance at relatively low cost. The V4 model will be the successor to those versions.

It is worth noting that a lightweight version, ‘V4 Lite,’ has recently been released with 2 trillion parameters and a 1 million token context window, which is being considered a preparatory version for the full V4 model.

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Diverse Applications of AI in Daily Life
The report highlights that older adults are no longer lagging behind in technology use. Instead, they are leveraging AI in various practical ways:

Medical Information Analysis: Many are using AI chatbots to understand complex medical reports and learn about medication side effects.

Employment and Creativity: Numerous elderly individuals are maintaining their professional skills through freelancing and workplace engagement using AI. They are even using AI-generated insights to tell stories to their grandchildren or assist in caregiving.

Combating Loneliness: The use of AI-based ‘companions’ or virtual assistants is increasing, helping users engage in conversations throughout the day while also supporting mental well-being.

A Technological Safety Net: Sensors and Robotics
Younger family members are increasingly relying on advanced technologies to ensure the safety of their elderly relatives. AI-powered cameras and motion sensors are being installed in homes to instantly detect emergencies such as falls and send alerts to family members. Additionally, the use of virtual reality (VR) technology in nursing homes is gaining popularity for enhancing the mental comfort of elderly residents.

‘Vibe Coding’: When Users Become Developers
One of the most striking aspects of the report is the emergence of ‘vibe coding.’ With the help of AI tools, elderly users or their caregivers are creating small, customized systems tailored to their needs. These include:

Caregiving Schedulers: Automated systems that manage medication and therapy schedules.

Voice Typing Systems: Particularly useful for individuals affected by stroke or physical disabilities, enabling easier communication.

Investment and Future Prospects
According to data from American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the rising adoption of technology among older adults has triggered a surge in investment in this sector. Startups are increasingly developing innovative devices to ensure longevity and healthier living for the elderly.

Experts believe that by 2026, Age-Tech will emerge as one of the largest markets in the technology sector. This convergence of technology and human-centered design is set to make the lives of older adults not only longer but also more dignified and independent.

DBTech/BI/MUMI/OR

Sources indicate that SpaceX aims for a public listing by June. The company is seeking a market valuation of approximately $1.75 trillion, a significant increase from its current post-merger valuation of $1.25 trillion.

SpaceX intends to raise up to $75 billion, which would surpass Saudi Aramco’s $29 billion IPO in 2019, setting a record as the largest public offering in history.

The IPO is expected to fund SpaceX’s ambitious plans, including accelerating the Starship rocket project, deploying AI data centers in orbit, and establishing a base on the Moon.

The valuation is primarily driven by Starlink. The satellite internet business exceeded nearly 10 million customers in 2025 and is projected to generate close to $20 billion in revenue in 2026. Reports suggest that a consortium of approximately 21 banks is managing this IPO.

DBTech/BMT/OR

Earlier last month, an Iranian drone attack also caused a fire at an Amazon data center in the United Arab Emirates. Last week, the company confirmed that its AWS region in Bahrain had been “disrupted” amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This marks the second time within a month that Amazon’s operations have been impacted by the conflict.

A day before the attack, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued threats targeting US technology companies operating in the Middle East. The warning specifically mentioned companies including Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Tesla, instructing their employees to “immediately leave their workplaces.”

Amazon’s cloud unit AWS is essential for running many popular websites and government operations and serves as a major source of the company’s profits. The AWS region in Bahrain provides services across the entire Middle East.

Recently, Amazon announced plans to invest an additional $5 billion in the United Arab Emirates between 2026 and 2030. However, analysts fear that this plan may be disrupted due to the attack.

DBTech/BMT/OR

From the outset, the astronauts encountered a challenge. A malfunction has been detected in the waste management system (toilet) onboard the Orion spacecraft. This is the first fully developed toilet designed for deep-space missions. The astronauts are currently relying on waste collection bags used by Apollo astronauts, which were previously discarded on the Moon’s surface.

Following the spacecraft’s separation, astronaut Victor Glover manually piloted Orion for more than an hour. He tested Orion’s maneuvering and docking procedures, which will be essential for future connections with lunar landers being developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin.

During the 10-day mission, the astronauts will orbit the Moon four times before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on 10 April.

The success of the Artemis-2 mission will determine the progress of the Artemis-3 mission, in which astronauts are expected to land on the Moon’s surface. Astronaut Christina Koch is preparing to participate in that mission, which would mark the first time a woman sets foot on the Moon, 55 years after the first human lunar landing.

DBTech/BMT/OR

As of last May, Oracle had a workforce of 162,000 employees. For the current fiscal year, restructuring costs have been estimated at $2.1 billion, the majority of which is attributed to layoffs.

The company aims to intensify competition with Alphabet and Amazon by increasing investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. Recently, Oracle announced an investment of $80 billion, a significant portion of which will be allocated to AI servers and data centers.

The news of layoffs has created uncertainty among Oracle employees on social media. Some employees have indicated that US-based remote workers are at higher risk. Oracle has stated that the layoffs will be carried out in phases over the coming months.

Meanwhile, data from Layoffs.fyi indicates that more than 70 companies in the technology sector have laid off approximately 40,480 employees this year. Last week, Meta laid off several hundred employees and is reportedly planning an additional 20 percent reduction. The impact of AI-driven automation is contributing to a growing trend of layoffs.

DBTech/BMT/OR

On Wednesday, 1 April, Kaspersky stated that the Top-3 metric is a key indicator for evaluating performance in the cybersecurity sector, considering both participation and the rate of securing positions among the top three.

In 2025, Kaspersky EDR Expert, for the first time, successfully completed all stages of AV-Comparatives certification and earned the “Certified EDR Detection 2025” recognition. Previously, it had also received the “Approved Advanced EDR 2024” recognition. Similarly, Kaspersky Endpoint Security won AV-TEST’s “Best Protection 2024” award and has consistently been recognized for advanced protection and usability, while also delivering strong results in the “Anti-Tampering 2025” test. Additionally, the company secured SE Labs’ “Winner Enterprise Endpoint 2025” award.

For small businesses, “Kaspersky Small Office Security” received AV-TEST’s “Best Advanced Protection” and usability awards in both 2024 and 2025. It also achieved SE Labs’ “Winner Small Business Endpoint 2025” recognition.

For individual users, after “Kaspersky Standard” was named Product of the Year, “Kaspersky Premium” was recognized as a top-rated product. It also earned the “Approved Fake Shops Detection” certification for identifying fraudulent online shops. Furthermore, “Kaspersky Safe Kids” received special recognition for ensuring effective online safety for children.

Alexander Liskin, Head of Threat Research at Kaspersky, said that regular participation in cybersecurity evaluations helps maintain and enhance product quality, ensuring reliable protection aligned with the evolving needs of users and organizations.

Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at Kaspersky, said that achieving top positions in 90 percent of independent evaluations in 2025 demonstrates the company’s consistent excellence. As cyber risks continue to rise alongside rapid digital transformation, this recognition reinforces the reliability of Kaspersky’s technology for customers and partners.

DBTech/SSA/MUM/OR

According to the document, the second factory in Japan will have a monthly production capacity of 15,000 12-inch wafers using the advanced 3-nanometer process.

In 2024, TSMC stated that total investment in its first and second factories in Japan would exceed $20 billion, with a combined monthly production capacity of 100,000 12-inch wafers. However, those facilities were planned to operate on comparatively less advanced technologies such as 40, 22/28, 12/16, and 6/7-nanometer processes.

Japanese media outlet Yomiuri reported in February that the investment in the second factory could reach approximately $17 billion, although TSMC has not yet confirmed this figure.

In 2021, TSMC established its subsidiary JASM in Japan with the support of Sony Semiconductor Solutions. Later, Japan’s Denso Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation joined as minor stakeholders.

During a meeting in February with Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, TSMC Chief Executive Officer C.C. Wei confirmed plans for mass production of 3-nanometer chips at the second Japanese factory. Production at TSMC’s first factory in Japan began at the end of 2024.

It is worth noting that the Japanese government is offering various incentives to boost investment in the semiconductor industry. Recently, Prime Minister Takaichi announced that Japan’s semiconductor strategy will be updated next year to encourage investment in areas ranging from chip design to AI chip manufacturing.

DBTech/BMT/OR

According to the website, just before 5:00 pm local time, more than 21,000 users reported experiencing issues. Within two hours, that number dropped to 562.

The data provided by Downdetector is based on user-submitted reports, meaning the actual number of affected users may differ. X authorities did not immediately comment on the incident.

DBTech/BMT/OR

The launch is scheduled for today at 6:24 PM local time (4:24 AM Bangladesh time) from Florida. The mission crew includes US astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen. For the first time, a woman, a Black astronaut, and a non-American astronaut will be part of a lunar mission.

During the approximately 10-day mission, the spacecraft will orbit the Moon without landing and then return to Earth. Officials expect that this mission will pave the way for a lunar landing by 2028. The launch will be conducted using NASA’s new SLS rocket.

The Artemis program aims to establish a permanent base on the Moon and support future missions to Mars. After several delays, the mission is now moving forward, overcoming technical challenges.

DBTech/BMT/OR

In the statement, the IRGC said, “US information technology and AI companies are key components in the design and tracking of terrorist targets. In response to this terrorist operation, the core institutions playing an effective role in such operations are now our legitimate targets.” According to the warning, the attacks could begin from Wednesday evening.

The use of AI technology has sparked controversy since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran at the end of last February. The IRGC cited several factors behind its warning, including OpenAI’s agreement with the Pentagon, attempts to use Anthropic’s technology, and Israel’s own AI platforms. On 8 March, Iranian drones reportedly attacked Amazon data centers in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

US officials have stated that they are on “heightened alert” but are not panicked. However, analysts have warned that if the attacks are carried out, they could have widespread impacts on global digital infrastructure. Among the potential targets, 10 operate some of the world’s largest data centers. Iran has demonstrated capabilities in cyber and drone attacks in recent months. Reports indicate that on Monday night, an Iranian hacker group hacked the official website of Iran International and attempted to steal data from a UAE-based energy company.

This warning comes amid fears of an expansion of regional conflict in the Middle East. Iran’s Supreme Leader said last week, “The enemy’s advance must be stopped at any cost.”

DBTech/BMT/OR

Meanwhile, the original ‘Dhurrandhar’ has remained in the top rankings since it began streaming on Netflix. However, a major shift has occurred regarding the streaming rights of its sequel, ‘Dhurrandhar: The Revenge’, also directed by Aditya Dhar. The first poster of ‘Dhurrandhar 2’, released on Tuesday, clearly indicates that the film’s streaming partner will be JioHotstar. According to a report by India Today, streaming rights are often determined through competitive bidding. While Netflix had acquired the rights to the first film, JioHotstar secured the rights to the second installment at a higher price.

As per convention, films are typically released on OTT platforms 8 weeks after their theatrical debut. Accordingly, the sequel to ‘Dhurrandhar’ may begin streaming on JioHotstar around 14 May. At the same time, the film’s music rights have also changed. The soundtrack of the first installment was released by Saregama, whereas the music rights for ‘Dhurrandhar: The Revenge’ have been acquired by T-Series. Sources indicate that fans are eagerly awaiting ‘Dhurrandhar 2’, and trade analysts have already declared it a blockbuster. The film, one of the most anticipated releases of the year, hit theatres on 19 March.

According to data from Indian tracking platform ‘Sacnilk’, the film’s worldwide earnings reached 1,392.23 crore rupees by its 12th day of release.

Of this, 1,042.23 crore rupees came from India and 350 crore rupees from overseas markets. In the domestic market alone, earnings stood at 872.17 crore rupees by the second Monday.

Overall, the film is now very close to entering the 1,500 crore club, just a few crore rupees short. It has already surpassed the earnings of blockbusters like Jawan, K.G.F: Chapter 2, and RRR. Its next target on the list is Pushpa 2: The Rule, which has earned over 1,742 crore rupees.

However, the biggest challenge remains Dangal’s global record of 2,070 crore rupees, which still stands unbeaten. Analysts are now asking whether ‘Dhurrandhar 2’ can reach that milestone as well.

Released in December 2025, the film stars Ranveer Singh alongside Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and Madhavan, among others. With equal popularity in both domestic and international markets, ‘Dhurrandhar 2’ has emerged as one of the biggest box office contenders of the year.

DBTech/MAR/EK/OR

This will be the first major event under the leadership of Sharma Asha, who has recently taken on the role of Chief Executive of Microsoft Gaming. The showcase is expected to feature updates on upcoming titles such as Fable, Halo: Campaign Evolved, and Minecraft Dungeons 2.

Marking Xbox’s 25th anniversary, the fan-focused event “FanFest” will also return. It will be hosted in Los Angeles, United States, the same city that hosts the Summer Game Fest.

Notably, Gears of War: E-Day is a prequel to the series, first announced in 2024. There is also a possibility that Microsoft may provide hints about its next-generation console, currently codenamed “Project Helix.”

DBTech/BMT/OR

Subscribers will gain access to several Story-related features. These include the ability to keep Stories active for more than 24 hours, view a list of users who have rewatched Stories, search within the viewer list, watch someone’s Stories “anonymously” (without appearing in the viewer list), and create “Spotlight” Stories. Additionally, users will be able to use special “Super Hearts” in Story reactions.

A Meta spokesperson told Engadget that the service is currently being tested in select countries. In the Philippines, the monthly fee is set at 65 pesos (approximately $1.07), while in Mexico it is priced at 39 Mexican pesos (approximately $2.15). Users will also have the option to try the service free for one month.

Instagram Plus is modeled after Snapchat Plus, which, since its launch in 2022, has attracted a large subscriber base and become a significant source of revenue beyond advertising for its parent company.

Meta stated that through this test, it aims to understand which premium feature sets are most valuable to users.

Recently, the company has also strengthened its Meta Verified subscription and hinted at plans to limit certain features exclusively to subscribers.

DBTech/BMT/OR

In reality, the disruption lasted even longer. The problem was first detected at 9:35 pm on Sunday, and after repeated repair attempts, services were fully restored around 10:00 am the following day. This marks the longest service outage since the platform went viral in January last year.

In line with company policy, the cause of the disruption was not disclosed. Previously, DeepSeek’s webpage for general users had never remained inoperative for more than two hours. However, in late January 2025, the API services for developers had experienced disruptions for several consecutive days.

Notably, DeepSeek has approximately 150 million regular users. During the outage, a massive number of users attempted to access the app simultaneously, further exacerbating the issue.

The global AI industry is now awaiting DeepSeek’s next-generation model. However, the company has not provided any indication regarding its release timeline.

DBTech/BMT/OR

As part of the investment, emphasis will be placed on enhancing the digital skills of the local workforce. This announcement marks another step by the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia toward accelerating the implementation of projects related to data centers, electronics, and power generation.

In recent months, major technology companies such as Amazon and Google have also announced increased investments in AI infrastructure across various Asian countries. Amazon has recently revealed plans for substantial investments in building data centers in India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Meanwhile, Google has announced the expansion of its cloud services in Singapore and Vietnam.

An official from Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society told Reuters that the investment would strengthen the country’s AI ecosystem and create new employment opportunities in the high-tech sector. However, Microsoft has not yet disclosed detailed information regarding the investment.

DBTech/BMT/OR

Marking Apple’s 50th anniversary, CEO Tim Cook said, “Fifty years ago, a big idea was born in a small garage. Apple was founded on the simple belief that technology should be personal—a belief that was revolutionary at the time.”

The Beginning of Three

We all know the names Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. But there was another figure in Apple’s origin story—Ronald Wayne. He drafted the original partnership agreement, wrote Apple’s first operations manual, and even designed its first logo. However, just forty days after the company’s founding, he sold his 10 percent stake for only $800.

Why? At the time, Apple was merely a garage business—two engineers, no capital. Wayne feared that if the business failed, he would have to share the burden of debt. That 10 percent stake would be worth more than $370 billion today. It remains one of the most expensive decisions in history.

The Arrival of the Adult

The most underrated figure of Apple’s first decade was Mike Markkula. A 33-year-old engineer recently retired from Intel, he invested $250,000 in Apple in 1977 and joined as its third employee.

He authored the “Apple Marketing Philosophy”—a three-word doctrine: focus, impute, empathy. Even after fifty years, this philosophy is evident in every Apple product decision. He recognized that neither Jobs nor Wozniak was suited to run a business. So he brought in Michael Scott—Apple’s first professional CEO.

Under Scott, the Apple II achieved commercial success, and in 1980 the company went public—then the largest IPO since Ford.

Wozniak’s Solo Masterpiece

The Apple II was entirely Wozniak’s creation. He designed it single-handedly. Color graphics, open expansion slots, an integrated BASIC interpreter—features competitors had considered impossible. The Apple II became the world’s first truly usable personal computer.

Then came the Macintosh in 1984. Graphical interface, icons, mouse—bringing computing out of command-line complexity into the hands of ordinary people. Yet the originator of this philosophy was not Jobs.

The Name Erased from History

In 1979, Apple’s 26-year-old employee Jef Raskin wrote a memo proposing a new kind of computer—the Macintosh. His vision was a machine so simple that people could use it without reading a manual.

He assembled the core team and authored “The Book of Macintosh,” a 172-page document defining the product’s design principles. By the end of 1980, Jobs became interested in the project. By February 1981, he had taken control. Raskin was forced to take leave and later left Apple.

The Macintosh that launched in 1984 carried Raskin’s name and philosophy, but the credit went to Jobs. It remains a striking case of institutional erasure.

The Unsung Builders of Hardware and Software

Burrell Smith made the Macintosh hardware possible. Rising from a repair technician’s role, he designed a board that delivered double the expected speed while using half the number of chips.

Andy Hertzfeld wrote the Mac’s system software. Susan Kare designed the visual language of computing—trash can, Happy Mac, command symbol, hand cursor, as well as the Chicago and Geneva typefaces.

Bill Atkinson created QuickDraw—the graphics engine that powered the Mac display. He also developed MacPaint and HyperCard—the latter a direct precursor to the World Wide Web.

Yet Raskin, Smith, Kare, Hertzfeld, and Atkinson rarely share the spotlight in mainstream Apple history alongside Jobs—despite having built the foundation.

The Return and the Famous ‘Think Different’

Jobs left Apple in 1985. The company struggled in the following years. By the mid-1990s, analysts were questioning whether Apple would survive.

The path to his return began in December 1996, when CEO Gil Amelio acquired NeXT for $429 million. Six months later, Amelio was removed. Jobs returned.

His first move—slash the product line. Dozens of products were eliminated, and focus was narrowed to a few.

In 1998 came the iMac. With its translucent plastic body and candy-like colors, it stood in stark contrast to the beige PCs dominating offices—a symbol of rebellion.

In 2001 came the iPod. While many MP3 players existed, the iPod-iTunes integration transformed the music experience. In 2003, the iTunes Store became the first major marketplace for digital music downloads.

January 2007. Jobs announced on stage: “Today, Apple is going to reinvent the phone.” The iPhone. No physical keyboard. A large touchscreen. An interface so simple that anyone could use it.

The following year, the App Store arrived. From that point on, smartphones became more than phones—camera, gaming device, navigation tool, payment system. According to Counterpoint Research, more than 3.1 billion iPhones have been sold since 2007, generating approximately $2.3 trillion in revenue.

In 2010 came the iPad—a “third category of device” between phone and laptop.

The Tim Cook Era

After Jobs’ death in 2011, questions arose—could Apple remain innovative? CEO Tim Cook offered a different answer. Where Jobs excelled in dramatic product reinvention, Cook focused on scale, operational efficiency, and ecosystem expansion.

Under his leadership came the Apple Watch and AirPods. The services business expanded—Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud. And the most significant shift—Macs transitioned to Apple’s own silicon chips, moving away from Intel.

Critics argue that under Cook, Apple has become more cautious, focused on refinement, and less inclined to take risks. Yet the data suggests otherwise. In October 2025, Apple’s market value touched $4 trillion.

Failures and the Road Ahead

Apple’s history is not only about success. The Newton MessagePad—an early device that failed in handwriting recognition. The Apple Car—abandoned after years of research. Controversies over MacBook keyboards. Regulatory pressure surrounding the App Store.

The next challenge is generative AI. Upgrades to Siri are delayed. Promised features of Apple Intelligence have yet to fully materialize. Apple is now collaborating with Google for AI models.

China—once central to Apple’s rise—has become complex. On one hand, pressure to diversify production; on the other, aggressive competition from local rival Huawei.

Yet fifty years of history suggest a pattern: Apple enters a category, reimagines it, and scales it through design and integration—just as the Macintosh did with graphical interfaces, the iPod with music players, and the iPhone with smartphones.

In the words of Tim Cook, “If we’ve learned anything, it’s that the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do. So here’s to the crazy ones. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes.”

Over fifty years, Apple has proven that technology is not just about machines—it is about walking hand in hand with people. The question now is: where will that hand lead in the next fifty years?

DBTech/BMT/OR

Atti is built on the open-source framework “AT Protocol.” Through this, users will be able to generate feeds by typing in simple language. For example: “Show me electronic music and experimental sounds from people in my network,” or “Show me builders working on agent infrastructure and open protocol design.”

In a blog post, Graber said, “It feels more like a conversation than configuring software. Just tell it what kind of posts you want to see, and the coding agent will generate the feed accordingly.”

Atti is a separate app from Bluesky. Users will have the freedom not to use it. However, since both apps are built on the same framework, cross-app implementation may be introduced between them in the future. For now, Atti has been launched in an invite-only closed beta. Interested users can register on the website’s waiting list.

DBTech/BMT/OR

The Mac Pro was first launched in 2006 as the successor to the Power Mac G5. Its modular design was the main attraction—users could replace the CPU, memory, optical drive, and PCI expansion cards. This format remained unchanged until 2012.

In 2013, Apple introduced a controversial redesign of the Mac Pro, which later became known as the “Trashcan Mac.” Unlike the previous tower design, this model was compact but featured largely integrated components, limiting modularity. Only memory and storage could be upgraded. It was later revealed that the design could not be sustained due to cooling limitations.

In 2019, the third and final major redesign marked a return to the traditional modular approach. All components except the CPU could be replaced. This was the last Mac Pro to use Intel CPUs, as Apple subsequently began transitioning to its own M-series chips. In 2023, the model was updated with the M2 Ultra chip, which became the final version of the lineup. With the shift to M-series chips, limitations emerged in connectivity through PCI slots, reducing the product’s appeal among enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, the Mac Studio has taken over as Apple’s most powerful desktop. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple had long been planning to discontinue the Mac Pro. Analysts say there was little left to incorporate into the Mac Pro’s large, open chassis, and modularity no longer aligned with the concept of modern Macs. Therefore, they consider Apple’s decision to be a natural one. However, the Mac Pro will remain memorable in the world of computing for its timeless design and professional performance.

DBTech/BMT/OR

According to the report, extending the moratorium on e-commerce duties—renewed every two years since 1998—has emerged as the central issue. India has supported a two-year extension, while the United States is seeking a permanent solution. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that Washington is not interested in temporary extensions.

A Western diplomat indicated that the United States might agree to a 10-year extension as a “path to permanence.” Another source noted that a five- to ten-year extension is under discussion. However, most member countries are unlikely to agree to a term exceeding two years.

U.S. ambassador to the WTO, Joseph Barloon, said that a permanent extension of the moratorium would encourage the United States to remain “fully engaged” in the WTO. A senior diplomat warned that failure to extend the moratorium could provide the United States with grounds to exert pressure on the organization.

Divisions also emerged over reform issues at the conference. The United States and the European Union have alleged that China is exploiting current rules to their disadvantage. Detailed reform proposals have faced opposition. Additionally, India is blocking the inclusion of an agreement aimed at increasing investment in developing countries within WTO rules, arguing that such plurilateral agreements undermine the organization’s foundational principles.

DBTech/BMT/EK/OR

This beta version is available for download on Pixel 6 and later devices, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel Fold handsets. Users enrolled in the beta program will receive the update over-the-air.

In a blog post, Google detailed the new features and improvements introduced in Beta 3, which also includes the March Android security patch. Notable features include:

• Support for RAW14 image format, enabling high-quality image capture and editing
• Option to hide app labels from the home screen
• More refined audio routing for hearing assistance devices
• Redesigned screen recording toolbar
• Development of widget scaling for larger displays

The stable version of Android 17 is expected to be released in June.

DBTech/BMT/OR

This information was provided by Kaspersky Bangladesh on Sunday, 29 March.

According to the company, Kaspersky’s Digital Footprint Intelligence team identified more than 2.1 million leaked login credentials associated with users in Morocco. During the same period, hacktivist activities also increased toward the end of 2025, including notable incidents of Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks and website defacement. In addition, multiple fraudulent websites were detected that attempted to lure users with fake ticket sales and prize offers, aiming to steal personal and financial information.

Yulia Shlychkova, Vice President of Global Public Affairs at Kaspersky, said, “Large international events are attractive targets for cybercriminals. They target millions of spectators with various fraudulent activities. In such situations, coordinated efforts between public and private institutions are crucial to prevent cybercrime and ensure a safe environment for audiences. Kaspersky is working alongside Interpol in this initiative to help ensure global cybersecurity.”

Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at Kaspersky, added, “International sporting events remain one of the primary targets for cybercriminals. Risks such as credential leaks, hacktivist activities, and event-related fraud are increasing. Cooperation with Interpol and local authorities is essential to address these threats. Kaspersky will continue to work toward ensuring the security of spectators, participants, and host countries through global threat intelligence sharing and awareness initiatives.”

Such initiatives, led by Interpol, play a significant role in ensuring the security of major international events. Kaspersky has already participated in various cybersecurity activities jointly with Interpol. Recently, the company was also involved in similar collaborative efforts during major global events such as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix 2025.

DBTech/RI/EK/OR

By clicking the ‘Import Memory in Gemini’ button, a prompt will be generated, which users need to paste into their previous chatbot. After copying the response from that chatbot and pasting it into the text box of Gemini’s import tool, the information will be added to Gemini. As a result, Gemini will gain insights into the user’s preferences, interests, and past conversations, enabling it to provide more relevant and personalized responses.

Chat history can also be uploaded in ZIP file format. Gemini supports ZIP files of up to five gigabytes. However, it will not be able to import project files or any other attachments.

Analysts view this move by Google as a new strategy in the competition to retain AI chatbot users. Typically, switching from one AI service to another requires users to re-establish their past conversations and preference data. This feature of Gemini is expected to make service switching easier for users.

The feature, launched in early March, is currently available on the desktop version. Google plans to roll it out to the mobile app soon.

DBTech/BMT/OR

D’Amaro said, “I believe we will continue to remain a top tourist destination. We will increase employment opportunities. We are adding 1,000 new positions to build this new area.” Since its launch in 1992, Disneyland Paris has become one of Europe’s leading tourist attractions.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro visited Disneyland Paris ahead of the उद्घाटन (inauguration) of the new ‘World of Frozen’ themed park. As part of the expansion, this new theme park based on the Frozen series is being introduced.

D’Amaro assumed the role of Disney’s Chief Executive Officer on 2 March. Last year, 57 percent of Disney’s $17.5 billion profit came from its theme park business.

DBTech/BMT/OR

Although Wanderstop, developed with funding from Annapurna Interactive, received critical acclaim, it failed to sustain the studio. The company was unable to secure investment and publishing support for its new game Engine Angel. Earlier in January this year, Ivy Road had already laid off five employees.

The studio stated that, before closing, it would offer a final surprise to bring Wanderstop to new players. However, details of the surprise were not disclosed immediately. Annapurna Interactive is expected to provide further information later.

Wanderstop tells the story of Alta, a former warrior who runs a tea shop in a magical forest. Players can gather ingredients to brew tea, organize the shop, interact with customers and listen to their stories, or simply sit on a bench and spend time reflecting. The game’s calm, emotional, and serene theme earned widespread praise following its release.

Despite the closure of Ivy Road, the game will remain available for purchase and play.

DBTech/BMT/OR

Reuters reported the development on Saturday, 28 March, citing the WTO.

Efforts to incorporate an e-commerce agreement into WTO rules had previously failed twice in recent years due to objections from India. India maintains that such agreements are only valid if adopted by consensus. However, the participating countries—representing nearly 70 percent of global trade—have now decided to bypass the deadlock and proceed with implementing the agreement among themselves.

Japan’s State Minister for Economy and Industry, Kenji Yamada, described the move as a “historic step.” UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, also stated that it would make global trade faster, more affordable, and more secure for businesses worldwide.

The United States has not yet joined the agreement, as it remains under review within its administration. Meanwhile, India has also blocked another proposed multilateral agreement aimed at increasing investment in developing countries.

According to a European diplomat, the agreement sends a clear message to India that if any country uses consensus rules to stall reform or progress, others will move ahead independently.

At the ongoing meeting in Cameroon, India has also held up another multilateral initiative known as the International Facilitation for Development Agreement, which aims to boost investment in developing nations. India fears that such an agreement could weaken its bargaining power, placing its stance on both digital trade and investment at the center of global discussions.

The agreement has effectively evolved from a separate e-commerce moratorium, which prohibits the imposition of tariffs on digital downloads and streaming. That issue, too, remains in a stalemate between the United States and India.

The development is significant for Bangladesh’s technology and business sectors, as the implementation of global digital trade rules would make online transactions more transparent, secure, and competitive.

To this end, a delegation led by Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktaadir is representing Bangladesh at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC-14) in Cameroon. The country has called for reforms while preserving the core principles of developed nations.

DBTech/SMEH/MUM/OR

Under the revised pricing in the United States, the standard version of the PlayStation 5 will rise by $100 to $649.99. The digital edition will be priced at $599.99, while the high-end PS5 Pro will cost $899.99.

Similarly, the price of the PlayStation Portal remote player will increase from $199.99 to $249.99.

Comparable price hikes will also be implemented in Europe and Japan.

Sony stated that the decision to raise prices was driven by increased cost pressures in the global supply chain and a shortage of memory chips. The surge in competition to build AI infrastructure has led memory manufacturers to prioritize more profitable chips for data centers, resulting in reduced supply for consumer devices.

Analysts believe that this price increase may slow the growth of the video game market. Epic Games has already laid off around 1,000 employees, citing declining console sales. During the October–December holiday season last year, Sony’s PS5 sales fell by 16 percent year-on-year to 8 million units.

It is worth noting that Sony had also increased PS5 prices in the United States by nearly $50 in August last year. Around the same time, Microsoft raised the prices of its Xbox consoles as well.

DBTech/MMU/EK/OR

NetBlocks reported that Iranians have been cut off from the outside world for the past four weeks. However, this is not the first instance of internet disruption in the country this year. The month-long blackout or internet outage has severely violated Iranian citizens’ fundamental rights to access information and communication.

Earlier, in January, the country’s authorities also shut down internet services nationwide for several weeks during anti-government protests.

The report further noted that Iran is currently operating a two-tier internet system. In the first tier, only high-ranking government officials and individuals associated with the ruling establishment have uninterrupted access to the global internet.

In the second tier, the main internet network available to ordinary citizens has been significantly restricted. Most of them are compelled to rely on the country’s own “National Information Network,” which is essentially a domestic and tightly controlled internal network.

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Released on 17 March, the trailer reached the milestone of 1 billion views within just four days. According to WaveMetrix, this historic record was officially registered on 24 March.

Previously, the record for the most views within 24 hours was held by Deadpool & Wolverine, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. After its release during the Super Bowl event in February 2024, it garnered 365 million views on its first day. Before that, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man: No Way Home had recorded 355 million views within 24 hours.

Breaking all previous records, Brand New Day set a new benchmark by achieving 718.6 million views within the first 24 hours.

The trailer also highlights the chemistry between Peter Parker and MJ (Zendaya). However, a new twist reveals that while MJ has moved forward in her life, she no longer remembers Peter. On the other hand, although Peter still holds deep affection for her, he maintains distance to keep her out of danger. The trailer overall suggests a solitary struggle and hints at a transformation in Spider-Man’s character.

According to British newspaper The Guardian, Robert conducted extensive online research on murder methods and weapons prior to the killing and expressed his frustration and desire for revenge on Discord. He reportedly held misogynistic views and was fascinated by the film American Psycho. A few days before the murder, he purchased a knife, hammer, and axe and began planning the crime.

The Guardian further reported that on the night of the murder, Robert initially attacked his mother at home and later took her outside under the pretense of seeking medical help. He led her to a bench in a nature reserve, where he took out a sledgehammer from his bag and fatally struck her on the head. He recorded the entire act on a dictaphone; however, the recording was so horrible that it was not presented in court due to its severity of nature.

Prosecutor Andrew Thomas stated, “DeepSeek suggested that a hammer could be suitable for an inexperienced killer and outlined its advantages and disadvantages.” The report noted that Robert pleaded guilty to the murder. On Wednesday, the court sentenced him to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 22 years and 6 months to be served.

During the hearing, it was revealed that the attack began around 11:00 pm and continued until approximately 3:30 am. The following morning, a group of passersby discovered Shellice with severe head injuries near a nature reserve. The recorded audio was deemed too disturbing to be played in court. The prosecution stated that Robert recorded approximately four and a half hours of audio, capturing events from the initial attack to the final fatal blow.

In the recording, Robert was heard saying, “This is the moment. We will hit her with the sledgehammer.” In the days leading up to the murder, he wrote on Discord that he felt abandoned, betrayed, and oppressed, and that he was killing his mother for revenge and justice.

The prosecution stated that he had been researching murder methods and weapons online for an extended period and had begun planning at least three weeks in advance. On 18 October, he purchased several hammers, an axe sharpening stone, plastic sheets, and gloves online.

On the night of the incident, he first attacked his mother at home, then persuaded her to go outside under the pretense of seeking medical care. He made her wear a mask, took her across a railway line to a nature reserve, and struck her multiple times on the head with a sledgehammer near a bench.

The court was told that Shellice began screaming upon seeing the weapon, after which he attacked her. At least four severe sound of attacks were heard in the audio. After the killing, Robert reportedly said, “I have killed her… the job is done.”

Shellice died from severe brain injuries. Robert then dragged his mother’s body approximately 100 meters and left it in a bush. Passersby later discovered the body and informed the police. North Wales Police arrested him from his home and charged him with murder after four days of interrogation.

The court also heard that Shellice had been seeking help for her son’s mental health issues. A few days before the murder, she told friends that her son had purchased knives and hammers, and she wrote on her phone: “Why? Why has he bought these? Does he want to harm me or himself?”

During the hearing, the victim’s elder son, Ethan Robert, broke down in tears, saying, “My mother always loved Tristan.” The victim’s sister, Sara Gunther, said, “It is difficult to express how we feel about you. There is anger, confusion, and heartbreak—but personally, I still feel compassion for you.”

This case is not only a family tragedy but has also sparked renewed international discussion on the risks associated with AI misuse, mental health issues, and online research into violence.

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The engineers vowed to spread the spirit of independence among the new generation, even in their expatriate lives, at the meeting held on 26 March, local time, in the evening. Aziz Chowdhury, Fayaz Zaman, Mir Anwar, Shahin Saeed, Zisan Khan, Fayaz Noor, Imran, Jalal Mahmud, and many others participated in the discussion.

Following intense criticism and concern from users, Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), has suspended the proposed new revenue-sharing policy. He stated that implementation of the policy has been paused for now, and hinted that various aspects of the plan may be reconsidered after reviewing user feedback.

Tech portal TechCrunch reported that X quickly backtracked after announcing the new creator monetization rules. The proposed policy would have based payouts primarily on engagement from a creator’s local audience.

Earlier, on Tuesday night, March 24, X’s Head of Product Nikita Bier announced that starting Thursday, March 26, the platform would change its payout rules to give more weight to impressions from a poster’s home region. His rationale was to discourage creators from posting about the U.S. or Japan simply to attract larger audiences.

Bier wrote on X: “We will give more weight to impressions from your home region—to encourage content that resonates with people in your country, neighboring countries, and those who speak your language.”

He added: “While we respect everyone’s opinions on American politics, we hope this change will reduce attempts to capture attention from U.S. or Japanese accounts and instead foster diverse conversations. We invite creators to build audiences locally. X will be a richer community when relevant posts exist for people everywhere.”

However, the announcement drew global criticism. Many users argued that since X usage in their home countries is relatively small, they post in multiple languages—especially English—to reach broader audiences.

Just hours later, in response to a user, Elon Musk said the company would “pause moving forward with this until further consideration,” effectively halting the changes.

Over time, X has modified how account information is displayed to curb misinformation. Last November, the company added a new field in profile information showing the country or region an account is based in, to help identify whether it is authentic or a bad actor spreading political misinformation.

The new creator payout feature seemed to stem from similar concerns. However, in its current form, it would have affected not only political accounts but also those posting globally about sports, fashion, movies, or technology.

Earlier this year, X introduced a rule barring accounts from creator payouts for 90 days if they post misleading AI-generated war content without disclosure. The company said it would use its own AI tools and community notes to identify such accounts.

Last month, Wired reported that X had become fertile ground for misinformation after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, with AI-generated videos and video game clips being circulated as real war footage.

DBTech/IH/MUM

The planets lie within the habitable zones of their respective stars, meaning they are neither excessively hot nor too far away to be frozen. This favorable positioning raises the possibility of liquid water existing on their surfaces, a key ingredient for the development of life. According to NASA, it would take approximately 800,000 years to reach these planets using current technology. However, scientists remain optimistic that future advancements, including nuclear pulse propulsion, could reduce travel time to a few centuries.

Researchers also suggest that the possibility of life may not be limited to distant parts of the universe but could exist within our own solar system. David Armstrong, a space expert from the University of Warwick, noted that subsurface oceans beneath the icy layers of some moons of Saturn and Jupiter may harbor life.

This discovery has sparked renewed optimism about the existence of life in the universe.

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In a press note issued on 18 March, Meta announced that selected creators would receive guaranteed earnings for three months by sharing eligible Reels on Facebook. According to the announcement, creators with at least 100,000 followers on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube can earn up to $1,000 per month, while those with more than 1 million followers can earn up to $3,000 monthly. Participants will be able to use Facebook’s content monetization tools from the outset and may continue earning from eligible posts even after the three-month period.

Currently, the program is invitation-only. However, interested creators can apply through the Professional Dashboard on the Facebook mobile app.

Meta also revealed that it distributed approximately $3 billion among Facebook creators in 2025, marking a 35% increase compared to the previous year and representing its highest annual payout to date. Data indicates that earnings are not limited to video content; creators can also generate income from Reels, Stories, photos, and text posts. However, short-form videos have proven to be the most profitable, accounting for nearly 60% of total payouts in 2025, with the remainder coming from Stories and static posts.

To help creators better understand their income sources, Facebook is introducing new metrics within its monetization system, including qualified views, earning rate, and non-qualified views. These tools will enable creators to identify which views generate revenue and which do not qualify for monetization.

Many analysts view Meta’s initiative as a strategic move to strengthen Facebook’s creator ecosystem and compete more effectively with platforms like TikTok and YouTube. According to Forbes, despite Facebook’s vast user base, many popular creators have prioritized TikTok and YouTube. The Creator Fast Track program seeks to address this by offering direct financial incentives, with guaranteed earnings expected to encourage more creators to share content on Facebook.

Meanwhile, The Next Web notes that Facebook’s relationship with creators has historically been complex. Some experts question whether earnings will remain sustainable after the initial incentives expire, especially as TikTok and YouTube already offer robust monetization frameworks. Although income is possible from Stories, photos, and text posts, the primary focus remains on video content. Therefore, to remain competitive in the long term, Facebook will need to continuously enhance its incentives and tools.

Many observers describe Meta’s initiative as a “cash for content” strategy. While it may attract creators in the short term, analysts believe that Facebook must demonstrate the long-term sustainability of audience growth and monetization on its platform. Ultimately, beyond financial incentives, building lasting trust with creators will be the key challenge for success.

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Meta announced this timeline for withdrawing the VR version of Horizon Worlds in a new post on the company's community forum. This means that after March 31st, VR headset users will no longer be able to visit popular virtual worlds like 'Horizon Central, Events Arena, Kaiju, and Bober Bay.' Following that, after mid-June, the only easy way to access Horizon Worlds will be through the 'Meta Horizon' app for iOS and Android. In addition, the new beta feature 'Hyperspace Capture' is also being removed from Horizon Worlds. As a result, the ability for Quest headset users to create, share, and visit each other's scanned locations of real-life places in 3D will also be discontinued.

Meta stated that users will still be able to create and view Hyperspaces as before. However, the option to share them with others, invite someone, or experience them together will no longer be available.

Technology news site Engadget reported this information about Meta's virtual reality headset. The report revealed that Meta's main blog had hinted at a possibility in its 2026 VR strategy, where dedicated Quest users might be able to use parts of Meta's original VR metaverse. However, the company's plans were not actually like that at all. Seeing users' interest in the mobile version of Horizon Worlds in 2025, Meta decided that it would be logical to completely shut down the VR version in 2026. Although this decision is somewhat contradictory to Meta's reputation as a 'Metaverse company,' the move actually highlights Meta's priorities. As a result, Meta is achieving relatively more success with artificial intelligence (AI) and smart glasses.

DBTech/NA/EK

The developments began earlier in March. On March 17, Iranian military forces launched a series of drone strikes targeting Israel’s key cyber center, defense industry facilities, and notably Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Later, on March 21, reports emerged of a drone attack near Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, allegedly damaging a fuel depot and military aviation infrastructure. Israeli authorities, however, stated that most drones were intercepted, though they acknowledged that debris caused damage to several private aircraft.

The United States has stated that none of its F-35 aircraft were damaged. While one aircraft was targeted, no harm occurred. Israel has also denied that any of its F-16 jets were downed. On March 21, the IRGC further claimed that an Israeli F-16 was shot down in central Iran, describing it as the third Israeli warplane downed in the past three weeks. The IRGC also claimed to have destroyed more than 200 enemy aerial assets, including drones, cruise missiles, and fighter jets. It added that its air defense system had destroyed Israeli drones worth approximately $10 million.

However, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported on March 19 that a US F-35 had been shot down using a domestically developed air defense system. In contrast, international media outlets such as Al Jazeera and The National Interest noted that Iran often exaggerates military achievements for propaganda purposes, and no independent evidence has confirmed the downing of an F-35. Nonetheless, Iran’s low-cost domestic drone technology continues to draw attention. An advanced Israeli Hermes 900 unmanned drone was reportedly shot down in Iran’s Isfahan region.

Analysts suggest that despite Israel’s advanced Iron Dome and other defense systems, Iran’s inexpensive and large-scale kamikaze drones—such as the Shahed-136—have been able to evade defenses and strike targets.

It is noteworthy that tensions among Iran, the United States, and Israel have escalated significantly during the ongoing conflict this year. Multiple sources have confirmed the destruction of several Israeli drones, including the Hermes 900. However, claims of an F-35 being shot down remain controversial and unverified. Security analysts believe such claims may serve to showcase Iran’s technological capabilities. Military experts note that if an F-35 were indeed downed, it would mark the first instance in history of a stealth fighter being destroyed by an adversary’s defense system.

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The AirPods Max 2 is priced at $549 and features Apple’s audio-specific H2 chip, which makes its Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) 1.5 times more effective than the previous version. The Adaptive Audio feature will automatically adjust ANC and Transparency mode based on the user’s surroundings to enhance the listening experience.

Apple claims that the Transparency mode has become more natural. With new digital signal processing algorithms optimized for the H2 chip and an upgraded AirPods Max microphone array, users will remain more aware of their surroundings.

The Live Translation feature will help users overcome language barriers during face-to-face conversations. Meanwhile, the Voice Isolation feature uses advanced computational audio to reduce background noise and prioritize the user’s voice during calls.

Additionally, a new high-dynamic-range amplifier ensures clearer audio output. Apple also claims improvements in Spatial Audio, with better instrument positioning, enhanced bass response, and more natural mid and high frequencies.

The headphones also include a camera remote feature, allowing users to trigger the camera shutter of an iPhone or iPad remotely. By pressing the Digital Crown, users can take photos or start and stop video recordings.

The Loud Sound Reduction feature protects users from high environmental noise while preserving the sound signature of the content being played. Microphone quality has also been improved, ensuring high-quality audio capture for interviewers, podcasters, and singers.

Using a USB-C cable connection, the AirPods Max 2 supports 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio. The headphones will be available in Midnight, Starlight, Orange, Purple, and Blue color options.

Pre-orders will begin on 25 March, with the product expected to hit the market in early April.

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Founded in 2009, the Warsaw-based company primarily creates professional-grade plugins, transition effects, and 3D modeling tools for Apple’s Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Compressor. Its popular tools, such as mFilmLook, mO2, and Design Studio, are widely used by video editors and YouTubers worldwide. Its client list includes prominent media and production organizations such as BBC, ITV, and NBC.

In its statement, MotionVFX said, “We are thrilled to announce that MotionVFX is joining the Apple team, so we can further empower creators and editors to do their best work. Over the past 15 years, we have focused on quality, ease of use, and exceptional design—values we admire most in Apple products.”

Analysts view this acquisition as part of Apple’s strategy to strengthen its recently announced ‘Creator Studio’ subscription bundle. Launched in January this year, the bundle includes apps such as Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Pixelmator Pro, priced at $12.99 per month or $129 annually.

MotionVFX’s tools may be incorporated into this bundle in the future, enabling Creator Studio users to access these professional tools directly without additional cost. This is expected to strengthen Apple’s competitive position against Adobe Premiere Pro.

Notably, Apple’s services segment has become the company’s primary growth driver. In the 2025 fiscal year, the segment contributed more than 26 percent of total revenue, compared to just 8.5 percent in 2015.

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According to the company’s annual report, Dell’s workforce stood at approximately 97,000 as of 31 January, down from about 108,000 the previous year. During this period, the company spent $569 million on severance payments, compared to $693 million in the previous year.

In recent months, concerns have grown among Silicon Valley employees about job losses driven by AI. Data from the Layoffs.fyi website shows that more than 38,000 employees have been laid off by 60 technology companies so far this year. Last week, reports also emerged that Meta is planning to cut more than 20 percent of its workforce.

Dell’s shares have risen by more than 24 percent this year. Last month, the company stated that it expects revenue from its AI-optimized server business to double by the 2027 fiscal year. In February, Dell also announced a 20 percent increase in its cash dividend and unveiled an additional $10 billion share repurchase program.

This trend in the technology sector indicates that companies are reducing workforce numbers to cut costs while simultaneously boosting efficiency through AI-driven systems and automation.

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According to the complaint, OpenAI used nearly 100,000 Britannica articles, encyclopedia entries, and dictionary definitions without permission to train its AI models. It is alleged that this content was used to enable ChatGPT to answer human queries, while also generating AI-produced summaries of Britannica’s website content that have effectively “cannibalized” its web traffic.

In its 44-page filing, Britannica claims that ChatGPT’s responses often reproduce its copyrighted articles “verbatim or nearly verbatim.” As a result, users obtain information directly through ChatGPT instead of visiting Britannica’s website, posing a threat to its business model.

The complaint further states that although Britannica initiated licensing discussions with OpenAI in November 2024, the company “rejected” the proposal. While entering into agreements with other publishers, OpenAI allegedly continued to use Britannica’s content without authorization.

On the issue of trademark infringement, the lawsuit alleges that OpenAI has harmed Britannica’s brand by implying authorization to reproduce its content and by associating its name with AI-generated inaccuracies or “hallucinations.”

In a statement on Monday (16 March), an OpenAI spokesperson said, “Our models empower innovation and are trained on publicly available data, based on principles of fair use.”

It is noted that in September last year, Britannica also filed a similar copyright infringement lawsuit against AI startup Perplexity AI, which remains pending. This marks the latest legal action by authors, media organizations, and other copyright holders against AI companies.

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The report states that the sweeping layoffs were carried out under the leadership of Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and owner of The Washington Post. According to Bezos’ decision, executive editor Matt Murray had been informed since at least November that the layoffs would take place in February. Murray is expected to remain in his role even after the departure of Chief Executive Officer Will Lewis.

Bezos’ plan aimed to cut the newsroom budget in half while doubling the productivity of the remaining staff, while preserving key areas such as investigative journalism. Murray reportedly indicated his willingness to take on this challenge.

In a statement issued after the layoffs on 7 February, Bezos said that The Washington Post continues to have an essential journalistic mission and extraordinary opportunities ahead. However, he did not mention Will Lewis in that statement. Jeff D’Onofrio was appointed interim Chief Executive Officer and publisher.

The report added that Bezos’ decision sparked resentment within the organization, while the newspaper continued to experience a steady decline in subscribers. Although a spokesperson for The Washington Post denied the claim that 60,000 subscribers had been lost, they declined to provide an alternative figure.

The situation at The Washington Post reflects the broader crisis facing the U.S. news media this year. While public trust in the media increased during the administration of Joe Biden, it is reportedly declining again during the second term of Donald Trump. Growing pressure on news organizations and the dominance of online platforms are reducing traffic, placing the commercial model of journalism under increasing strain.

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As Bungie’s first new intellectual property (IP) in the past decade, Marathon has been one of the most discussed games in recent years. Announced in 2023, the game was released in September 2025. On Steam, the number of concurrent players once peaked at around 67,000, though it has now declined to approximately 20,000. Despite the drop, the game’s performance is far from that of Concord, which had roughly 700 players. Nevertheless, on social media Marathon is being labeled “Concord 2.”

Game analyst and Forbes journalist Paul Tassi has identified several reasons behind what he describes as a “culture of hate.” First, he points to ongoing cultural conflicts within gaming communities. After the failure of games such as Concord and Hyenas, some players now seem inclined to anticipate the failure of any new title. Second, there is widespread frustration with hero shooters and live-service games. Third, long-time fans of the Destiny series harbor lingering resentment toward Bungie.

According to many critics, the development of Marathon disrupted progress on Destiny 2, while the future of Destiny 3 now appears uncertain. Fourth, there has emerged a growing trend of “betting” on a game’s failure by monitoring its position on Steam charts—an activity that has effectively turned into a form of online sport.

Experts, however, say the real situation differs significantly from the uproar on social media. Although Marathon has been widely branded “Concord 2” online, its actual performance tells a different story. As a paid title priced at $40, the game once climbed to third place on Steam’s list of top-selling games. At present, it maintains an average of around 18,000 daily players, a figure analysts consider sufficient for sustainability. Since the game was not built on the engine used for Destiny 2, it remains difficult to predict its long-term future. Nonetheless, analysts believe there is no immediate risk of the game shutting down within just a few weeks of its release.

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Currently, when installing Windows 11, the operating system automatically creates the user folder based on the email address of the user’s Microsoft account or the profile name. Since many users have unusual or lengthy email addresses, the name often gets truncated during the setup process, creating difficulties for those who use command-line applications.

To address this issue, Microsoft is introducing the long-awaited feature. During the initial setup, users will be able to assign a preferred name by clicking the “Show User Folder Name” option on the device naming page. However, certain naming rules will apply—only letters, numbers, dashes, or underscores will be allowed.

Microsoft said the feature is currently being tested in the preview builds of Windows 11’s Dev and Beta channels. According to the company, users will have the opportunity to change the name during the setup process. If this step is skipped, Windows will automatically create the folder using the default name.

A few months ago, Windows 11 introduced a feature to change the user folder name, but it required the use of the Command Prompt. With the new update, the process has been made much easier and more user-friendly.

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Dr. Hamilton Morrin, a psychiatrist and researcher at King's College London and author of the study, said AI chatbots may reinforce users’ “false beliefs and grandiose delusions.” He noted that the GPT-4 model developed by OpenAI sometimes uses spiritual-style language that may make users feel special or uniquely important. In several documented cases, chatbots reportedly suggested that users were “special entities of the universe.”

Morrin said analyses of media reports and research papers showed that individuals already at risk of mental health conditions were more likely to be influenced by AI chatbots. However, there is still no evidence that chatbots can directly cause someone to develop a mental illness.

Dr. Dominic Oliver, a researcher at University of Oxford, said that in the past people might reinforce their false beliefs through videos or books. Now, chatbots can do so more quickly and more strongly, while also exerting influence through conversational interaction.

Professor Dr. Ragy Girgis of Columbia University said that although newer versions of chatbots perform somewhat better than earlier versions, they still perform “poorly” in some areas. He believes AI companies could make their chatbots safer if they chose to do so.

OpenAI said its chatbots are not a substitute for professional mental health services. The company also noted that it worked with 170 mental health specialists to make GPT-5 safer, although challenges still remain. Meanwhile, Anthropic declined to comment on the issue.

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According to the report, Honda has recently suspended the development of the electric Acura RDX as well as the sedan and SUV models of the Honda 0 Series. The company is also reportedly planning to discontinue production of the Honda Prologue model, which was primarily developed based on technology from General Motors in the United States.

Analysts say two major shifts are rapidly shaping the era of electric vehicles: electric powertrain systems and software-driven automotive technologies. Manufacturers such as Tesla, Rivian, and BYD have already taken the lead in the market with regular software updates, advanced infotainment systems, and sophisticated driver-assistance technologies.

Honda has also acknowledged that it is lagging behind in competition in China. The company stated that its competitiveness has declined because it has been unable to offer more valuable products at comparable prices compared with emerging electric vehicle manufacturers.

According to analysts, reducing investment in electric technology could make it even more difficult for Honda to sustain its position in the global market in the future.

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The move is reportedly aimed at covering the massive costs of investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and improving efficiency through AI-assisted employees.

Sources said the exact date of the layoffs and the final number of affected employees have not yet been determined. However, Meta’s top executives have recently informed other senior leaders about the plan and asked them to develop strategies for downsizing.

Responding to the Reuters report, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said, “This is speculative reporting about theoretical approaches.”

According to the company’s latest financial report, Meta had 78,865 employees as of 31 December 2025. The company reported nearly $60 billion in revenue in the fourth quarter and more than $200 billion for the entire year.

Following the news of the potential layoffs, Meta’s share price fell by nearly 4 percent on Friday, reducing the company’s market value by $619 billion to $1.55 trillion.

Over the past year, Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg has been pushing Meta to compete more aggressively in the generative AI sector. The company is offering compensation packages worth tens of millions of dollars to attract leading AI researchers and has announced plans to invest $600 billion in building data centers by 2028. Recently, it acquired the social media platform Multbook, designed for AI agents, and is spending at least $2 billion to acquire the Chinese AI startup Manus.

Meta’s plans also reflect a broader trend among major U.S. companies this year. Executives have increasingly cited advances in AI systems as a driving factor behind organizational changes. In January, Amazon confirmed layoffs of nearly 16,000 employees. Last month, fintech company Block laid off nearly half of its workforce, with CEO Jack Dorsey explicitly pointing to the growing capabilities of AI tools as a contributing factor.

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The Seedance 2.0 model, unveiled in China last month, gained widespread attention after several videos created using the technology went viral. One of the most notable clips featured a fictional fight between Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.

Following the incident, The Walt Disney Company issued a “cease and desist” legal notice to ByteDance, accusing the company of copyright infringement. Disney alleged that characters from its proprietary Marvel and Star Wars franchises had been used without permission to train and operate the Seedance 2.0 model.

In addition to Disney, companies such as Paramount Skydance and the Motion Picture Association have also warned of potential legal action against ByteDance. They allege that the company has engaged in “large-scale” copyright infringement by disregarding their intellectual property rights.

According to The Information’s report, ByteDance’s legal department is currently identifying potential issues and working on solutions to address these legal challenges. At the same time, engineers are incorporating new safety measures into the model to prevent further copyright violations in the future.

Although the company has not yet officially confirmed the matter, it had previously stated that necessary steps would be taken to protect intellectual property rights. Analysts believe the development reflects the growing conflict between advancements in AI technology and existing copyright laws.

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The report said that under the terms of the agreement, investment firms involved in the TikTok US joint venture will pay the fee. When the deal was finalized in January, approximately $2.5 billion was paid to the United States Department of the Treasury. The remaining amount will be paid in phases.

Under US law, the Chinese-owned company ByteDance was required to sell TikTok’s US operations in the interest of national security. In this context, a new entity named TikTok USDS Joint Venture was formed, in which US and international investors hold 80.1 percent ownership, while ByteDance retains 19.9 percent. Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX each hold a 15 percent stake.

Officials from the administration have described the fee as “fair.” According to them, Trump safeguarded TikTok’s US operations by addressing national security concerns raised by Congress and conducting complex negotiations with China.

Recently, JD Vance valued TikTok’s US business at $14 billion. Based on that valuation, the $10 billion fee represents more than 70 percent of the company’s assessed value—an amount described by The Wall Street Journal as “unprecedented” compared with fees in major financial transactions.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, retail investors associated with two social media platforms competing with TikTok filed a lawsuit against Trump and Pam Bondi. They alleged that the approval of the deal violated the law.

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In a lawsuit filed in June 2024 by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, Adobe was accused of concealing large fees associated with its “annual paid monthly” subscription plan and making the subscription cancellation process complicated. These fees sometimes reached hundreds of dollars and were allegedly hidden in fine print or behind text boxes.

Adobe was also accused of violating the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act enacted in 2010 to safeguard the interests of online consumers. Under this law, companies are prohibited from charging customers through automatic subscription renewals without clear information and customer consent.

Under the settlement, Adobe will pay $7.5 million in penalties and provide an additional $7.5 million worth of free services to customers. The cases against two executives associated with the allegations against the company have also been resolved.

In a statement, Brett Shumate, head of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice, said, “American consumers have the right to make informed decisions when deciding where to spend their hard-earned money.”

Adobe, however, has denied the government’s allegations. In a statement posted on its website, the company said it has made the sign-up and cancellation processes simpler and more transparent in recent years. Adobe added, “We disagree with the government’s claims and deny any wrongdoing, but we are pleased to have resolved the matter.”

Meanwhile, Adobe’s Chief Executive Officer Shantanu Narayen has announced that he will step down after serving in the role for more than 18 years. The company’s share price has declined this year, reflecting investor concerns about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) may affect Adobe’s business prospects.

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Earlier this year, Google introduced several Gemini-powered features in Google Chrome, including Nano Banana image generation. Initially, these features were made available to users in the United States. The same features are now being extended to users in Canada, India and New Zealand. Among the newly supported languages are French, Gujarati, Hindi and Spanish.

To use Gemini in Chrome, users need to click the sparkle icon located at the top-right corner of the browser. This opens a sidebar interface, allowing users to interact with the Gemini chatbot without switching tabs. The sidebar will also provide access to Google’s image generator. In addition, Gemini will integrate with several Google applications, including Gmail, Google Maps, Google Calendar, YouTube and other Google apps.

Google said that Gemini in Chrome will be launched in more countries and languages throughout the remainder of 2026. However, users who prefer not to use Gemini can simply right-click on the sparkle icon and unpin it, after which it will no longer appear in the browser interface.

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Under the agreement, a pilot project will be launched in Tokyo by the end of 2026. Wayve’s autonomous driving technology will be installed in Nissan’s Nissan Leaf electric vehicles. These cars will be made available to customers through Uber’s platform. During the initial phase, a trained safety driver will remain inside the vehicles.

This marks Uber’s first autonomous vehicle partnership in Japan. Wayve Chief Executive Alex Kendall said the company has been testing its technology in Japan since early 2025.

Nissan Chief Executive Ivan Espinosa told reporters that discussions are underway regarding the potential expansion of this collaboration to markets outside Japan.

Backed by funding from SoftBank and NVIDIA, Wayve signed a partnership agreement with Uber in August 2024. The two companies aim to launch their services in more than 10 cities worldwide, including London.

In September 2025, Nissan said it was testing driver-assistance systems using Wayve’s technology with the goal of launching autonomous driving services in Japan by the 2027 fiscal year.

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According to the report, the feature will allow users to link their TikTok accounts with Apple Music and listen to any song in full without leaving the TikTok app. By tapping a button on the Sound Details page or the For You page, the song will begin playing instantly.

Apple Music subscribers will also be able to listen to a special in-app version of the track within TikTok, save it for later listening, or add it to their playlists.

In 2023, TikTok introduced the “Add to Music App” feature, which allows users to save songs they discover on TikTok to their streaming libraries. The new feature represents a further step forward, as it uses Apple’s MusicKit API. As a result, songs streamed through the “Play Full Song” option will count as regular streams for Apple Music, ensuring that artists do not lose any revenue.

In addition, TikTok and Apple Music are jointly launching a feature called “Listening Party.” This will be an audio-only livestream environment where fans can listen to music together with their favorite artists and interact with them in real time.

TikTok said that both the “Play Full Song” and “Listening Party” features will be rolled out globally over the next few weeks.

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The information was disclosed in a press release issued on Thursday, 12 March. The company currently operates in more than 200 countries worldwide.

According to the statement, Kaspersky currently provides more than 40 cybersecurity solutions for individuals, businesses, and government organizations. Having established a strong presence in the APAC region over the past two decades, the company is now focusing on expanding in markets such as Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Greater China through regional partnerships and advanced security solutions.

Inna Nazarova, Vice President of International Corporate Sales at Kaspersky, said: “Serving international enterprise customers—especially in the APAC region—is a strategic priority for us. Through our extensive experience, global threat intelligence, and flexible solutions, we help organizations focus on their core business operations. At the same time, by working with our partners we aim to ensure stronger and more integrated cybersecurity protection. Our goal is also to further enhance and strengthen our partner ecosystem in this region. This will provide organizations with more reliable protection while enabling our partners to create new opportunities to expand their businesses.”

Experts believe cybersecurity risks may rise further in 2026. With increasing cyberattacks, rapid digital transformation, and geopolitical divisions, issues of security and trust are becoming increasingly significant.

According to Kaspersky data, nearly 500,000 malicious files were detected on average each day in 2025, representing a 7 percent increase compared to the previous year. During the same period, password-stealing malware rose by 59 percent, spyware by 51 percent, and backdoors by 6 percent. In the APAC region, incidents involving password stealers increased by 132 percent, while spyware incidents rose by 32 percent.

Adrian Hia, Managing Director for the Asia–Pacific region at Kaspersky, said: “Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT department issue; it is directly linked to business continuity and competitive capability. Organizations now need protection against large-scale attacks, fraud, and even highly sophisticated advanced persistent threat (APT) attacks. Our global visibility and intelligence-driven approach help customers anticipate complex cyber threats in advance.”

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Although WhatsApp carries a 13+ rating on both the App Store and Google Play Store, many pre-teen children use the app to communicate with their parents. The company said the new feature is being introduced in response to requests from parents.

To set up a pre-teen account, both the parent’s device and the child’s device will be required. The account must be verified by scanning a QR code. During the setup process, parents will be able to configure alerts regarding activities on the managed account. By default, parents will receive notifications when a child adds, blocks, or reports a contact.

Parents can also enable additional activity alerts. These include notifications when the child changes their name or profile photo, receives new chat requests, joins, creates, or leaves groups, enables disappearing messages in a group, or deletes a chat or contact. All these settings will be secured with a six-digit PIN, which parents can set and modify from their own device.

These managed accounts will not have access to features such as Meta AI, channels, or status updates. Additionally, users will not be able to enable disappearing messages in one-to-one chats. However, all chats and calls will remain private and protected with end-to-end encryption.

When children receive a message from someone not in their contacts, they will see a context card indicating whether they share any common groups with the unknown contact and which country the sender is from. Children will also be able to silence calls from unknown numbers, and images received from unknown contacts will be blurred by default.

All chat requests on managed accounts will be placed in a separate folder secured by the parent’s PIN. Group invitation links will also remain locked behind the PIN. Parents will be able to review details such as the number of group members and the group administrator before approving the request.

When children reach the designated age, they will receive a notification that their account can be converted into a standard account. Parents may delay this transition by up to 12 months if they choose.

Meta said the rollout will initially begin in selected regions and will gradually expand over the coming months.

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According to the report, YouTube’s advertising revenue stood at $36.1 billion in 2024, which was lower than the combined $41.8 billion earned by the four Hollywood studios. However, the situation has completely changed within a year.

For decades, these Hollywood studios dominated the entertainment industry through big-budget films and hit television shows. But traditional television viewership is now declining while production costs are rising. Meanwhile, YouTube has been advancing rapidly. Although the studios have invested millions of dollars in their own streaming platforms, keeping pace with YouTube’s growth has become increasingly difficult.

Last month, YouTube’s parent company Alphabet Inc. announced that the platform’s total revenue exceeded $60 billion in 2025. A significant portion of this came from subscriptions, including YouTube TV, YouTube Premium, YouTube Music, and NFL Sunday Ticket. By comparison, the annual revenue of Netflix stood at $45.2 billion.

However, YouTube’s advertising revenue remains far lower than the $196.2 billion generated by Meta Platforms. Nevertheless, advertisers are increasingly turning to YouTube as audiences—particularly younger generations—are spending more of their time on the platform. In the fourth quarter of the current year alone, YouTube generated $11.4 billion in advertising revenue.

YouTube is also increasing its investment in artificial intelligence technologies. Recently, the company announced the expansion of its likeness detection technology to a pilot group consisting of government officials, politicians, and journalists. The technology identifies AI-generated deepfakes and allows users to request their removal if they violate YouTube’s policies.

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Moltbook is essentially a Reddit-like platform where only AI-powered bots interact with one another, share code, and discuss their human owners. Launched as an experimental project in late January, the platform quickly drew widespread attention and sparked debate over how far computers have progressed toward achieving human-like intelligence.

According to the report, as part of the deal, Moltbook co-founders Matt Schlicht and Ben Parr will join Meta Superintelligence Labs. The unit, led by Alexander Wang, is expected to see them begin work from 16 March. However, Meta has not disclosed the financial terms of the agreement.

A Meta spokesperson told TechCrunch that the Moltbook team’s addition to MSL will open new avenues for AI agents to work for individuals and businesses. “Their method of connecting agents through an always-on directory represents a novel step in this rapidly evolving field,” the spokesperson said.

Meta’s Andrew Bosworth commented on Moltbook, saying that the agents’ ability to “speak like humans” did not particularly impress him, as the models are trained on human data. Rather, he considers the agents’ intrusion into human networks “not a feature, but a major flaw.”

Moltbook is built on the OpenCL project, which connects models such as Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok. The founder of OpenCL, Peter Steinberger, was hired by OpenAI last month. While OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman described Moltbook as a potential “short-lived fad,” he noted that the underlying technology may signal future developments.

Alongside Moltbook’s rapid rise, risks have also emerged. Cybersecurity firm Wiz reported that the platform contained a major vulnerability that exposed private messages, more than 6,000 email addresses, and over 1 million credentials. The issue was later resolved after the relevant authorities were notified.

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The assistant, named Health AI, will be able to interpret diagnostic results, connect patients with physicians, and answer questions related to medications and symptoms. The model, first announced in January, was previously available only to members of Amazon’s clinical service provider One Medical.

Andrew Diamond, Chief Medical Officer of Amazon One Medical, said, “Health AI is designed to handle the logistical and informational tasks that often create barriers in healthcare. This will allow patients and physicians to focus more on matters that are truly important.”

The AI assistant will be capable of providing symptom management, virtual assessments, and treatment guidance for both common and complex conditions—from acne and head lice to diabetes and sleep apnea. However, Amazon noted that the tool does not create medical treatment plans.

Patients may choose to grant the AI assistant access to their laboratory results, medical records, and clinical notes. Additionally, the tool will be able to analyse information related to healthcare products purchased on Amazon’s platform—such as vitamins or blood pressure monitors—and ask relevant follow-up questions.

Users will not need to subscribe to Amazon’s premium prescription service Prime or be members of One Medical to use the AI assistant. It will be available free of charge. However, in cases involving complex medical conditions or when professional care is required, patients will be connected with physicians. For those who are not members of One Medical or are not using Prime’s standard offers, consulting a physician will cost $29 per visit.

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The strategic move is aimed at further increasing the usage of ChatGPT. At present, ChatGPT has approximately 920 million weekly active users, which is slightly below the company’s target of 1 billion users. Rival Google’s Gemini already offers video creation capabilities through its VEO model.

Last September, OpenAI launched a standalone mobile application called Sora, which allowed users to create and share short AI-generated videos similar to those on TikTok. However, at the beginning of 2026, downloads and user spending on the app declined significantly. In January, Sora’s downloads dropped by 45 percent compared to the previous month, and the app fell out of the top 100 list on Apple’s US App Store.

In this context, OpenAI has decided to bring Sora into the core ChatGPT platform. As a result, users will be able to generate AI videos directly within ChatGPT. However, there are concerns that this integration could significantly increase the operational costs of ChatGPT.

The company is also expected to continue operating the standalone Sora app as before. OpenAI has recently cancelled its six-month-old plan to introduce direct shopping features within ChatGPT. The company has not yet issued any official statement regarding the integration of Sora into ChatGPT.

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Currently, around 60 games are available on the platform. Newly announced titles include Cronos: The New Dawn and Hell Is Us—both third-person action games that were released last year.

Samsung’s Odyssey 3D Hub platform already features popular titles such as Stellar Blade, Lies of P and Psychonauts 2. With the addition of new games, the company expressed optimism about the future of 3D display technology.

Last year, journalists from Engadget who experienced the technology firsthand were reportedly impressed. According to them, if 3D technology had been this advanced from the beginning, it would likely have gained wider acceptance among users. These monitors incorporate head-tracking technology, allowing users to play without needing to remain seated in a fixed position.

Samsung has already introduced several models of glasses-free 3D displays to the market, including monitors with screen sizes of up to 32 inches. At GDC, the company also announced a new partnership with CD Projekt Red. Under this collaboration, Samsung’s HDR10+ Gaming standard will be integrated into Cyberpunk 2077.

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Graber will be succeeded by Tony Schneider, who will serve as interim Chief Executive Officer. Schneider is the former CEO of Automattic and a partner at True Ventures. Both Automattic and True Ventures are investors in Bluesky.

In a blog post explaining her decision, Graber said Bluesky has now matured into a more established company that requires an “experienced operator” who can focus on expansion and execution. She added that she considers herself better suited to building technology.

Under Graber’s leadership, Bluesky achieved notable growth, with the platform currently hosting 43 million users. She also played a key role in developing the platform’s underlying AT Protocol.

The company’s board has said it will begin searching for a permanent CEO. Analysts believe Schneider’s experience at Automattic—particularly in commercialising the open-source technology behind WordPress—makes him well suited for Bluesky. He is expected to manage the challenge of balancing open-source technology with profitability.

Bluesky has recently faced several challenges, including the need to comply with an increasing number of social media age-verification laws. Due to legislation in Mississippi, the platform decided to block access across the entire state. Laws in Ohio, South Dakota and Wyoming have also required the platform to implement age verification measures.

In his own blog post, Schneider highlighted the company’s ecosystem of 40 million users and more than 500 active apps, stating that the next focus will be enabling third-party developers to grow. During this transition period, Schneider will also remain active in his role at True Ventures.

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Analysts view this move as a major step toward greater independence from the Dutch parent company. The rift between the parent and the Chinese subsidiary began after the Dutch government intervened in October 2025 to block Nexperia’s efforts to relocate operations to China.

Previously, the company’s business model involved producing wafers in Europe and shipping them to China for chip fabrication. Following the Dutch government’s intervention, the Chinese unit declared itself “independent,” and the parent company ceased wafer supply.

According to the Chinese unit, it is now producing products such as bipolar discrete devices, Schottky rectifiers, and electrostatic discharge devices using 12-inch wafers. These are relatively simple chips that Nexperia had produced previously.

The company has not confirmed the source of the 12-inch wafers. It is speculated that the wafers may be supplied by the Shanghai-based wafer factory (WingSkySemi), which collaborated with Nexperia before the dispute began. The factory is controlled by WingTech founder Zhang Ruizheng.

Last week, prior to this announcement, Nexperia’s European headquarters deactivated all office accounts of its China-based staff, disrupting the Chinese unit’s production processes. In response, China’s Ministry of Commerce warned that the move could create a new global semiconductor supply chain crisis, for which the Netherlands would bear full responsibility.

Market analysts suggest that if Nexperia China successfully establishes its own supply chain, the conflict with the Dutch parent company could intensify. The situation is seen as an example of the broader realignment of the global semiconductor supply chain amid geopolitical pressures and regulatory oversight.

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In November 2024, Ottawa had ordered the shutdown of TikTok’s Canadian operations citing national security risks. However, in January this year, the Federal Court overturned the government directive and instructed authorities to reconsider the matter. The latest decision follows that directive.

Under the new conditions, TikTok will be required to maintain a physical office in Canada and invest in the country’s cultural sector. The platform must also implement enhanced security measures to protect the personal data of Canadian users. These measures include the introduction of new security gateways and privacy-enhancing technologies designed to prevent unauthorized access to the data of Canadian users. TikTok will also need to take additional steps to ensure the safety of underage users.

An independent third party will be appointed to monitor whether these conditions are properly implemented. TikTok has confirmed that it has accepted the conditions set by the Canadian government.

It is noteworthy that TikTok, owned by the China-controlled company ByteDance, has been facing security concerns in several countries around the world. The Canadian government said that this decision will help protect Canadian jobs while ensuring that TikTok fulfills its commitment to invest in Canada’s cultural sector.

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The report states that workers at Sama, a contractor company operating in Nairobi, Kenya, review footage recorded by Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses. According to the investigation, the footage has included highly personal moments such as people going to the bathroom, changing clothes, and engaging in sexual activity. One employee claimed that sensitive information, such as bank cards, sometimes appears in the footage. Workers also alleged that the technology designed to blur faces frequently fails, allowing such moments to be seen clearly.

After the report was published, a class-action lawsuit was filed in California, United States, against Meta and its partner company Luxottica. The complaint alleges that the glasses—marketed as being “designed to protect privacy”—actually allow strangers on the other side of the world to view users’ most personal moments. The United Kingdom’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has also launched an investigation into the matter.

Meta, however, has defended its position, stating that it takes appropriate measures to protect privacy. A company spokesperson said, “Ray-Ban Meta glasses help users access AI hands-free. If users do not want to share photos or videos they capture with Meta or others, the content remains on their device.

When users choose to share content with Meta AI, we—like other companies—occasionally employ contractors to review data to improve user experience. We filter data and take measures to protect user privacy.”

It is worth noting that sales of Meta’s smart glasses surpassed 7 million units last year, more than three times the combined sales of the previous two years. Meta has also recently updated its privacy policy so that the AI camera feature remains active until the “Hey Meta” voice command is disabled, while voice recordings are stored in the cloud—raising further concerns.

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The restriction will come into effect from 28 March. The minister stated that the ban will be implemented gradually in phases.

In the first phase, high-risk platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (formerly Twitter), Bigo Live, and Roblox will be brought under the regulation. These platforms will be required to close the accounts of users under the age of 16 in Indonesia.

Explaining the reason behind the decision, Minister Hafid said, “Our children are facing increasing threats. Pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and most importantly addiction—this decision has been taken to protect children from these risks.” She further added, “The government has stepped forward so that parents do not have to fight the monster of algorithms alone.”

Indonesia has become the first country in Southeast Asia to impose such restrictions on social media for children. Prior to this decision, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs conducted a surprise inspection at Meta Platforms’ office in Jakarta.

During the inspection, concerns were raised regarding shortcomings in the management of harmful content on Meta’s platforms, and strict warnings were issued to comply with national regulations.

It is worth noting that since last December, a ban on social media use for children under 16 has already been in effect in Australia. There, social media companies have identified and closed approximately 4.7 million accounts belonging to children. Similar policies are also being considered or implemented in several countries, including Spain, France, and the United Kingdom.

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Apple has already used 3D printing to produce the titanium body of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11, where 100 percent recycled titanium was utilized. The technology was also recently applied in manufacturing the titanium USB-C port of the iPhone Air, making it thinner, stronger, and more environmentally friendly.

Technology analysts say that if the same technology can be applied to aluminum components, production costs could be significantly reduced. In Apple’s new MacBook Neo, the use of aluminum was reduced by 50 percent, enabling the company to lower manufacturing costs and bring the laptop to market at a price of $599. Analysts believe that if a similar approach is applied to future iPhones, it could help reduce the device’s price.

Gurman also noted that Apple is planning to introduce a new color palette for the iMac later this year. This would mark the first major color change since the current iMac design was launched in 2021. Although the shades of the iMac colors were slightly adjusted in 2024, the upcoming update may feature an entirely new range of colors.

Analysts believe the new version of the iMac could arrive after the next update to the Mac Studio.

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Cybersecurity firm Sophos disclosed this information on Monday, March 9, in its Active Adversary Report 2026.

The report notes that although the detection time for cyberattacks—known as dwell time—has dropped to three days, attackers are now spreading through networks extremely quickly and reaching Active Directory within just a few hours. Most attacks, including ransomware incidents and data theft, occur outside regular office hours, when security monitoring tends to be comparatively weaker.

Sophos’ investigation identified 51 ransomware groups, of which 24 are new. Among them, the Akira and Killin groups were found to be the most active. The report also states that although generative AI has not yet been directly used to create major new cyberattack strategies, it is being utilized to enhance the effectiveness of phishing and social engineering campaigns.

To address these growing risks, Sophos has issued several key recommendations. The company emphasized the importance of ensuring proper configuration of MFA to prevent phishing attacks, securing identity frameworks and internet-based services, and promptly patching vulnerabilities in edge devices. It also highlighted the need for organizations to adopt Managed Detection and Response (MDR) or equivalent services to enable continuous 24-hour network monitoring.

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On Sunday (March 8), Kaspersky Bangladesh stated that the technology will automatically provide contextual explanations of identified security vulnerabilities and potential risks. This will help accelerate the investigation process while enabling security teams to make faster decisions. Designed for modern DevOps and hybrid cloud environments, the solution ensures centralized monitoring across multiple workloads, Kubernetes clusters, and cloud platforms.

According to Anton Rusakov-Rudenko, Senior Product Marketing Manager for Cloud and Network Security at Kaspersky, the new update will enrich container image scanning results with automated explanations and risk analysis generated using third-party Large Language Models (LLMs).

He said, “As the pace of AI adoption increases across industries, organizations are becoming increasingly dependent on container-based environments. This also creates additional pressure on security teams. To ease this burden, we have integrated AI into Kaspersky Cloud Workload Security. Through this, cybersecurity professionals—especially those new to container security—will gain clearer insights into potential risks and vulnerabilities, enabling them to make quicker decisions. Combined with performance improvements and expanded integration capabilities, this solution will help organizations secure their cloud environments more effectively while maintaining operational stability.”

Kaspersky added that the latest update also introduces Single Sign-On (SSO) integration and multi-domain Active Directory support, which will simplify system management at scale. To improve performance, the image scanning process has been further optimized, and necessary updates have been made to the UX/UI. In addition, updates to the Light Agent component have enhanced overall security capabilities across Windows and Linux platforms.

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Last week, OpenAI agreed to deploy its AI models within the classified cloud network of the U.S. Department of Defense. Kalinowski alleged that the deal was pushed forward rapidly without first defining the necessary safeguards (guardrails).

In a post on the social media platform X, she wrote, “AI has an important role in national security. But surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorization—these boundaries deserve deeper discussion. They did not receive that.” She also emphasized that the issue was one of principle rather than individuals, adding that she holds deep respect for OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman and the team.

Kalinowski’s resignation comes amid an intense debate over how far AI companies should go in supporting the U.S. military. Earlier, negotiations between the Pentagon and Anthropic collapsed because the company sought strict restrictions on the use of its technology for domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons systems. Shortly after those talks failed, OpenAI finalized its agreement with the Pentagon.

However, OpenAI maintains that its agreement clearly specifies “red lines” that prohibit the use of its technology for domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons. In a statement, a company spokesperson said, “We believe our agreement with the Pentagon creates an effective pathway for the responsible use of AI in national security. We recognize that people hold strong opinions on these issues, and we will continue discussions with employees, government, and civil society.”

Kalinowski joined OpenAI in November 2024. Prior to that, she spent about two and a half years at Meta Platforms, where she led the development of the augmented reality (AR) glasses ‘Orion.’ Earlier in her career, she worked on virtual reality headsets at Meta’s subsidiary Oculus and contributed to the design of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models at Apple.

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In a post stating that Starlink’s satellite service is working well in Portugal, a recommendation labeled “Get Starlink” appeared below the content. Clicking the link redirects users to the Starlink website.

X’s Head of Product, Nikita Bier, confirmed the test and commented, “We are trying to create an advertising product that does not feel like an advertisement.”

A spokesperson for X said that the new format is currently available to a limited number of users. The company will decide whether to expand it in the future after evaluating user feedback and the effectiveness of the advertisements.

Recently, X also introduced a “Paid Partnership” label for creators, which helps them comply with advertising rules on social media. Instead of using hashtags such as “#ad” or “#paidpartnership,” creators can now apply this label directly to their posts.

It is expected that if the new advertising format works alongside the Paid Partnership label, X could attract more marketers and creators. This may strengthen the platform’s competitive position against platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

X has also recently relaunched its creator subscription feature and announced that its chatbot Grok is now capable of reading long-form content (Articles) on the platform.

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TerraPower’s “Natrium” reactor has been designed in partnership with GE Vernova Hitachi. The reactor is capable of generating 345 megawatts of electricity, making it about two-thirds smaller than modern full-scale reactors. However, it remains several times larger than the small modular reactors developed by other startups.

The Natrium reactor differs from most reactors built over the past 50 years. While conventional reactors are cooled using water, the Natrium reactor will be cooled using molten sodium.

According to TerraPower, this represents a safer technology. The NRC has approved a commercial reactor cooled by a medium other than water for the first time in more than 40 years.

The reactor will operate by storing excess molten sodium. When electricity demand is low, nuclear fission will continue, and the heated sodium will store the generated energy. This stored energy can later be used to compensate for shortfalls in solar and wind power.

The NRC’s approval is significant because TerraPower followed a lengthy permitting process that allows construction on privately owned land. Although the U.S. Department of Energy recently relaxed certain safety regulations, those changes apply only to land owned by the agency.

Due to the rapidly growing electricity demand from data centers, the Trump administration has been encouraging the construction of new nuclear reactors. Technology companies and their founders are investing in more than five dozen nuclear startups. Investors have also become increasingly active, injecting more than $1 billion into nuclear startups in recent months. TerraPower alone has raised $1.7 billion, including a $650 million funding round that concluded in June 2024.

However, nuclear power remains one of the most expensive forms of new electricity generation. The declining costs of solar, wind, and battery technologies have made competition even tougher. Although nuclear startups hope to reduce costs through large-scale production, this theory has yet to be proven.

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Beginning in February 2025, the Trump administration started imposing tariffs on goods imported from various countries under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Nintendo argued that the tariffs caused the company “substantial harm due to unlawful executive orders.” In the lawsuit, the company has requested a “prompt refund with interest.”

The tariff policy directly affected Nintendo’s business operations. The company was forced to suspend pre-order sales of its new console, the “Nintendo Switch 2,” in the United States. The decision was taken to better assess the potential impact of the tariffs. Although the company later kept the console’s price unchanged, it had to increase the prices of several accessories.

On February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6–3 ruling, determined that the president does not have the authority to impose tariffs under the IEEPA. In the ruling, Chief Justice John Roberts stated that under Article I of the Constitution, the power to impose taxes rests with Congress, not the executive branch.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that the collection of tariffs under the IEEPA would be halted starting February 24. Judge Richard Eaton of the Court of International Trade also issued a directive supporting the inclusion of all importers under the refund framework for unlawful tariffs. A CBP official informed the court that legitimate refunds would include interest in accordance with the law.

The Trump administration’s tariff policy was initially announced in April 2025 under the initiative titled “Liberation Day,” which imposed a minimum tariff of 10 percent on goods imported from nearly all countries. As a result, hundreds of companies, including Nintendo, were required to pay substantial amounts in tariffs.

It is estimated that through this lawsuit, Nintendo may recover a portion of the more than $200 billion in tariffs collected.

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Pokopia is essentially a blend of the Pokémon universe with gameplay elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Dragon Quest Builders. In the game, players take on the role of Ditto, whose mission is to bring back the missing Pokémon. To achieve this, players must build homes for them, meet their various needs, and form friendships, while also working to restore nature and the surrounding environment.

One of the game’s key attractions is the opportunity to build genuine friendships with Pokémon. Pokémon run up to thank the player, give gifts, play among themselves, and even sleep together. According to the review, this creates an experience unlike anything seen in previous Pokémon games.

Each Pokémon arrives with its own preferences, needs, and abilities. For example, Water-type Pokémon prefer humid homes, while Fighting-type Pokémon require exercise equipment. Fire-type Pokémon help melt metal, and Grass-type Pokémon assist in growing crops. Players can cut natural blocks to build bridges, carve paths through mountains, and decorate their own town, in a style reminiscent of Minecraft.

The game also emphasizes emotional connection, not just mechanics. Seeing Pikachu and Snorlax playing together, the review notes, creates the feeling that a truly caring little world has come to life.

According to the review, Pokopia is a dream game for Pokémon fans. At the same time, it stands out as a unique addition for players who enjoy relaxing, joyful, and creative building games. The game will be available on Nintendo Switch and PC.

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The company’s compensation committee approved the new variable compensation plan on March 2. Under the plan, executives’ cash bonuses will depend on achieving specific revenue targets for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2027.

According to a regulatory filing published last May, Huang’s total compensation in 2025 was $49.9 million. Most of this amount came from stock awards valued at $38.8 million.

Recently, Nvidia reported better-than-expected results for the January quarter and projected current-quarter revenue above Wall Street estimates. The forecast reflects expectations that major technology companies will continue heavy spending on AI processors.

The world’s most valuable company, Nvidia has forecast $78 billion in sales for the first quarter of the current fiscal year, nearly double compared with the same period a year earlier. The company’s share price has risen more than 600 percent over the past two years. Since the beginning of 2026, the stock has climbed nearly 25 percent, reaching a record high on Monday.

A company spokesperson said, “Under Jensen’s leadership, Nvidia has ushered in the AI era and created unprecedented value for shareholders. Our executive compensation program is linked to performance and aligned with the interests of investors.”

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Citing a report by Bloomberg News, the news further states that the project was part of the $500 billion Stargate initiative announced in January 2025 by then U.S. President Donald Trump. Under the initiative—developed in partnership between SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle—a company named Crusoe is building a 1.2-gigawatt capacity data center campus in Abilene.

Since September last year, Oracle, Crusoe, and OpenAI had been discussing plans to double the facility’s capacity to nearly 2.0 gigawatts. However, the talks eventually failed due to funding challenges and frequent changes in OpenAI’s demand projections. Tensions in the Oracle–Crusoe relationship also played a role, particularly following incidents such as cooling system failures during recent winter weather, which caused service disruptions for several days.

However, the entire project has not been cancelled. Sachin Katti, Head of Infrastructure at OpenAI, said on social media that the Stargate main site remains one of the largest AI data center campuses in the United States. While expansion had been considered, the company ultimately decided to shift the additional capacity to other locations.

In this situation, Meta has shown interest in leasing the vacated expansion portion. The potential agreement is reportedly being facilitated by Nvidia, the world’s leading AI chip manufacturer.

According to the report, Nvidia has already provided Crusoe with a $150 million deposit and is assisting efforts to attract Meta. Nvidia’s strategy behind the move is to ensure that its chips are used in the expanded data center, rather than those of its rival AMD.

Meanwhile, Oracle’s agreement to build 4.5 gigawatts of data center capacity for OpenAI remains in effect. The two companies said the capacity will be developed at other locations, including another project near Detroit.

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The decision follows Google’s agreement with Epic Games in November 2025. However, the company is implementing these changes on its own initiative without waiting for final court approval.

Google also said that using alternative billing systems will now be easier. Developers will be able to offer alternative billing options alongside Google’s own billing system or redirect users to their own websites for purchases. Analysts believe these rules are considerably more flexible than Apple’s policies.

Google has also created a pathway for third-party app stores. Through a program called “Registered App Stores,” secure and high-quality third-party app marketplaces will be allowed on Android.

If an app store does not participate in this program, users will need to install it through sideloading, a process Google has indicated may face stricter controls later this year.

The new fee structure will take effect in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, and the United States by June 30.

It will be introduced in Australia by September 30, in South Korea and Japan by December 31, and in the rest of the world by September 30, 2027.

Google also announced that the Google Play Games Level Up program and the App Experience program will launch in the EEA, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia on September 30.

Meanwhile, the Registered App Stores program will be introduced later this year alongside a major Android release, according to the company.

In 2021, Google first introduced a 15 percent fee structure, applicable to developers’ first $1 million in revenue.

Analysts believe that pressure from regulators following Epic Games’ lawsuit has been the main driver behind these major changes.

As part of the settlement, Google has also entered into an $800 million partnership agreement with Epic Games for product development and technology collaboration.

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Technology Research and Development

A report by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) states that “China now holds a leading global position in the research, development and application of AI, biomedicine, robotics and quantum technology. New progress has also been made in the independent research and development of chips.”

The government’s commitment to the technology sector was highlighted at the very beginning of the key government work report presented by Premier Li Qiang. Compared to last year’s report, the technology sector has received significantly greater emphasis this year.

According to the report, a majority of projects under the 2026–30 Five-Year Plan will fall under the sector of “new quality productive forces.”

Tech Rivalry with the United States

China is currently engaged in intense competition with the United States for technological dominance. As a result, both countries have imposed export controls on certain products and resources.

Washington has placed the strictest restrictions on advanced semiconductor chips, while Beijing has created barriers to the export of rare earth elements and mineral resources.

Strategic Focus on Emerging Industries

Reducing reliance on Western technologies such as chips and aircraft, while advancing in emerging industries like AI, has become a major strategic objective for Beijing.

In his report, Premier Li Qiang said, “We must intensify efforts to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and build a modern industrial system.” He also pledged to nurture future industries such as humanoid robots and 6G technology.

Open-Source AI Models Gain Momentum

To counter U.S. sanctions, China is increasingly focusing on open-source AI models. The open-source model developed by the Shanghai-based startup DeepSeek has attracted global attention.

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Speaking at the Technology, Media and Telecom conference hosted by Morgan Stanley on Wednesday (March 4), Huang made the remarks, according to a report by Reuters.

Huang said Nvidia recently invested $30 billion in OpenAI, adding that this could be the company’s final investment as OpenAI’s initial public offering (IPO) is approaching. He also noted that the $100 billion agreement announced in September 2025 is no longer being implemented.

Similarly, Huang indicated that Nvidia’s $10 billion investment in Anthropic could also mark the end of its funding in the company. Reports suggest that the rival AI firm is also planning an IPO later this year.

Analysts have offered varying interpretations of Huang’s comments at the conference. A report by TechCrunch noted that Nvidia’s heavy reliance on AI chip demand, along with Anthropic’s recent dispute with the United States Department of Defense (Pentagon), could also influence a shift in the company’s investment strategy.

In February, OpenAI completed $110 billion in funding at a valuation of $730 billion, with Nvidia, SoftBank, and Amazon among the major investors. Reports also indicate that OpenAI is preparing for an IPO later this year.

Nvidia’s move is expected to pave the way for the IPOs of both OpenAI and Anthropic. Neither company has provided any immediate comment on the matter.

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Broadcom Chief Executive Officer Hock Tan said during a conference call, “Our visibility for 2027 has improved dramatically. We can now clearly see that generating more than $100 billion in AI revenue from chips alone is achievable.”

The company said its AI chip revenue in the current quarter (second quarter) is expected to reach $10.7 billion. Broadcom has set its overall revenue target for the second quarter at $22 billion, which exceeds analysts’ forecasts.

In the first quarter (ending in February), Broadcom’s revenue increased by 29 percent, reaching $19.31 billion. Revenue from its AI business rose 106 percent, reaching $8.4 billion.

Major technology companies such as Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are expected to spend at least $630 billion this year to build AI infrastructure.

Rather than designing complete AI chips independently, Broadcom assists clients in developing custom chips tailored to their needs. The company is currently working on Google’s Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) and on developing a proprietary processor for OpenAI. Broadcom engineers convert initial design concepts into the physical structure of chips, which are later manufactured by companies such as TSMC.

Hock Tan also said that 1 gigawatt of TPU capacity will be supplied for the AI startup Anthropic in 2026, and demand is expected to rise to 3 gigawatts in 2027. Broadcom has also set a target to ship OpenAI’s first AI chip in 2027.

Broadcom is also working with Meta Platforms. Although recent reports suggested that Meta is planning to develop its own custom silicon, Hock Tan said the company’s relationship with Broadcom remains “active and strong.”

Following the strong forecast, Broadcom’s share price rose by nearly 5 percent. The company also announced a $10 billion share buyback program to be completed by the end of this year.

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The deal, set for at least three years, will allow Meta to use News Corp’s content in the United States and the United Kingdom. The agreement covers content from brands including The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Barron’s, London’s The Times, The Sun, and publishing house HarperCollins.

Meta has recently been restructuring its AI team and working toward developing its next-generation models. In recent months, the company has signed licensing agreements with several media outlets, including USA Today, People, CNN, and Fox News.

News Corp CEO Robert Thomson hinted at the agreement during Morgan Stanley’s annual Technology, Media and Telecom (TMT) conference. He described news media as a valuable “input” for AI. Thomson characterized the company’s strategy toward AI firms as “attract or sue”—partnering with those willing to license content, while pursuing legal action against those that use content without permission.

Previously, in 2024, News Corp signed a five-year deal worth approximately $250 million with OpenAI. In contrast, The New York Times has taken a different approach, filing a copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft.

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The deal was finalized on Tuesday, 3 March. Ziff Davis had acquired Ookla in 2014 for just $15 million. Driven by 5G expansion and increased internet demand during the pandemic, the connectivity division generated $231 million in revenue in 2025, accounting for 16 percent of Ziff Davis’ total earnings.

The proceeds from the sale will allow Ziff Davis to focus on its core brands—IGN, Mashable, and Everyday Health.

Accenture CEO Julie Sweet stated that the acquisition of Ookla will enable the company to provide customers with the “end-to-end network intelligence services” required for AI-driven transformation.

For now, Downdetector and Speedtest will continue operating as before. Both parties said the transaction is expected to be fully completed within the next few months.

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Yeary, who has been a member of Intel’s board since 2009 and served as chairman since 2023, cited the company’s clear strategic direction and financial stability as the reasons for his resignation.

His departure comes just days after CEO Lip-Bu Tan completed one year at the helm. Tan, tasked with Intel’s turnaround, initiated significant reforms last year, including reducing the workforce by nearly 20 percent, reviving production operations, and restructuring the company’s strategy toward artificial intelligence (AI).

Analysts and former Intel executives have welcomed Barrett’s appointment, noting his deep experience in the semiconductor sector. J. Goldberg, an analyst at C-PORT Securities, observed that Yeary’s exit had long been anticipated, as Intel made several “poor decisions” during his tenure on the board.

Notably, Intel has consistently lagged since 2010, when it failed to enter the mobile phone chip market and struggled to keep pace with rival TSMC, resulting in a decline of the once-dominant chipmaker.

Regarding Barrett’s new role, CEO Tan stated, “Craig brings deep semiconductor expertise. As we enter a stage of rigorous operational effort, product leadership, and progress in the foundry business, his experience will provide crucial support to the management team.”

Barrett joined Intel’s board in November 2025. Prior to this, he held positions at companies such as Qualcomm and Google and served as CEO of Atheros Communications.

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Sources involved with the project have indicated that frequent service disruptions on GitHub have recently hindered the work of OpenAI engineers. This issue has prompted the decision to create an independent code hosting platform.

The project is currently in its early stages and may take several more months to complete, The Information reported. OpenAI staff are also considering the possibility of offering this code repository to OpenAI’s customers commercially.

If launched, this product would mark a bold move for OpenAI, placing the company in direct competition with one of its largest investors, Microsoft.

It is noteworthy that Microsoft acquired GitHub in 2018 for $7.5 billion. Currently, the platform has approximately 10 million developer users.

A few days prior to this report, OpenAI secured a massive $110 billion funding round led by Amazon, Nvidia, and SoftBank, bringing the company’s valuation to $840 billion.

Reuters has not independently verified the authenticity of this report. No immediate comments were available from OpenAI, GitHub, or Microsoft.

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Paramount Chief Executive Officer David Ellison disclosed the historic plan during a meeting with investors. He noted that the two platforms currently have a combined direct subscriber base of more than 20 million. According to Ellison, the fusion of premium content and advanced technology will position the new platform to compete strongly with market leaders such as Netflix and Disney+.

The unified platform will offer viewers a vast collection of globally popular films and series under one roof. From HBO, epic series such as Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, Succession, and the Harry Potter franchise will be available. From Paramount, blockbuster franchises including Mission: Impossible, Top Gun, Yellowstone, and Star Trek will be included. In addition, superhero films from the DC Universe and the popular children’s show SpongeBob SquarePants will also form part of the combined library.

Despite the scale of the merger, Ellison made it clear that there would be no compromise on HBO’s distinct identity. He emphasized that HBO will continue to operate as a premium brand, maintaining its unique prestige. Under the leadership of Casey Bloys, HBO’s current content division will retain its creative independence. In Ellison’s words, “HBO must remain HBO. We want them to move forward while preserving their standards of excellence.”

Paramount is also preparing for significant technological upgrades. By mid-year, the company plans to bring its various services under a unified technological framework, referred to as a Unified Tech Stack. This transition is expected to deliver a smoother user interface and an enhanced streaming experience for viewers. Live sports coverage, including the UEFA Champions League, along with live news channels such as CNN and CBS, are set to become major attractions of the new platform.

Market speculation regarding the merger has been circulating since early 2026. Initially, streaming giant Netflix had also expressed interest in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery. However, the board of directors of Warner Bros. ultimately accepted Paramount’s proposal. According to market analysts, if successfully executed, this merger could usher in a new era in the global streaming business, offering subscribers access to an extensive content library through a single subscription.

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“Black Ops Royale” has been developed as a tribute to “Blackout,” the first battle royale mode introduced in 2018 under Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. In this new mode, 100 players will compete in 25 teams of four members each.

The match will take place on a massive map named “Avalon.” Unlike Warzone, the mode will not feature familiar elements such as loadouts, the Gulag, or Buy Stations. Players will need to collect weapons scattered across the ground to strengthen themselves. The mode will emphasize acquiring and upgrading weapons from Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

In addition to weapons, players will be able to customize their playstyle through an open-ended perks system. Features such as weapon handling and bullet drop have been reworked in a manner reminiscent of the original Blackout experience, while also taking into account the expectations of modern Warzone players.

The game’s development teams, Treyarch and Raven Software, stated that “Black Ops Royale” will offer players a distinct and more tactical battle royale experience, entirely dependent on weapons and equipment collected from the ground.

The new game mode will be available to play free of charge starting 13 March.

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Michael Nicolls, Senior Vice President of Starlink Engineering, stated, “The goal of Starlink Mobile is to provide connectivity through a satellite system that feels like a terrestrial network. Under the right conditions, it will feel like a high-performance 5G terrestrial network.”

Nicolls said the V2 satellite constellation will be capable of delivering download speeds of up to 150 Mbps under ideal conditions. The next-generation satellites will provide 100 times greater data density than the previous generation, ensuring faster streaming and browsing as well as more reliable voice calls for users. He added that the new satellites will significantly enhance coverage, particularly in the Earth’s polar regions where conventional network coverage remains uncertain.

From mid-2027, SpaceX plans to deploy more than 50 V2 satellites per launch. The company aims to complete the full constellation within six months.

At MWC, Starlink also announced a partnership with German telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom. Beginning in 2028, the partnership will utilize Starlink’s satellite constellation to bridge internet coverage gaps across Europe.

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The collective action has been filed on behalf of an estimated 12.2 million gamers, led by consumer rights advocate Alex Neill. The hearing is scheduled to begin on 10 March at the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in London.

According to the claim, Sony has created a “monopolistic position” in the distribution of digital games and in-game content through the PlayStation Store. The lawsuit alleges that the company established this dominance by prohibiting rival download systems and by charging developers and publishers a 30 percent commission. It further claims that these costs are ultimately passed on to consumers.

The case covers all PlayStation console owners in the United Kingdom who purchased digital games or made in-game purchases through the PlayStation Store between 19 August 2016 and 12 February 2026. It has been filed as an “opt-out” action, meaning eligible individuals do not need to apply separately and will automatically be included. If the case succeeds, each claimant could receive approximately £162 ($217).

Sony has denied the allegations. The company argues that allowing downloads from third-party stores could pose security and privacy risks. It also states that it invests heavily in hardware and often sells consoles at very low profit margins or even at a loss. According to Sony, the commission earned from digital sales helps offset those costs.

Notably, in a similar case last October, Apple was found liable for charging excessive fees through its App Store. A British tribunal imposed a £1.5 billion fine on Apple, and the company filed an appeal in December.

The hearing in Sony’s case is expected to begin on 10 March and continue for approximately 10 weeks.

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The iPhone 17e is powered by Apple’s A19 chip, which is also used in the base iPhone 17 model. As a result, it will support the Apple Intelligence AI tool suite. The most significant addition is MagSafe charging, which supports 15W wireless charging—an upgrade from the 7.5W available in the previous model.

The phone features Apple’s new C1X cellular modem, which the company claims is twice as fast as the C1 modem used in the iPhone 16e. It comes with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display protected by Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says offers three times better scratch resistance and reduced glare compared to the previous generation.

The 48-megapixel Fusion camera provides two camera pipelines using a single hardware sensor, enabling optical-quality 2x telephoto capability. The device carries an IP68 rating, making it resistant to dust and water.

In emergency situations, users will have access to Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My services via satellite connectivity. Apple stated that the C1X modem and the advanced power management features of iOS 26 will deliver all-day battery life.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 17e will begin on 4 March, and the device will be available in stores from 11 March. In addition, Apple has unveiled the new iPad Air M4 and is expected to announce a new MacBook at an event in New York on 4 March this week.

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The Robot Phone highlights how intelligent devices can enhance everyday life, making technology more intuitive, adaptive, and responsive to real human needs. It brings AI to life, combining robot-grade movement, cinematic imaging, and smart sensing for natural interactions – from 360° video calls to fun gestures and dancing.
Alongside this futuristic innovation, HONOR introduced the Magic V6, combining breakthrough silicon-carbon battery technology, advanced display engineering, and AI-enhanced productivity in its most refined foldable design to date.

HONOR MagicPad 4 and MagicBook Pro 14 – the announcement of these new ecosystem devices reinforces the company’s roadmap to integrate intelligent hardware and software around real human needs.

Speaking at the event, James Li, CEO, HONOR, said, “Last year at MWC, we launched HONOR ALPHA PLAN, marking our transformation into a global leading AI device ecosystem company. Human-centric innovation is our guiding principle. We believe the next phase of AI must combine capability with empathy, bringing together IQ and EQ, and uniting personal, universal, and edge intelligence through Augmented Human Intelligence.”

He added, “Through ALPHA PLAN, we are exploring a new paradigm for AI devices with Alpha Phone, building a new AI device ecosystem with Alpha Store, and turning cutting-edge research into real-world user experience with Alpha Lab. Augmented Human Intelligence is embedded into every part of this journey.”

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Claude’s popularity has risen rapidly since the latter part of last week. On Saturday night, it claimed the number one position and maintained it on Sunday morning. At the end of January, Claude was ranked outside the top 100. By mid-February, it had entered the top 20 and recently climbed from sixth to fourth before ultimately reaching first place.

The surge is linked to a policy disagreement between Anthropic and the Pentagon. Anthropic’s Chief Executive Officer, Dario Amodei, sought to attach two conditions to the use of Claude by the U.S. Department of Defense: preventing the use of the company’s AI models for mass surveillance of U.S. citizens and prohibiting their deployment in fully autonomous weapons systems. However, the Pentagon reportedly favored the removal of all such restrictions.

In response to this stance, the Trump administration became displeased and, last Friday, directed all federal agencies to cease using Anthropic’s technology. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled Anthropic a “national security supply risk.”

Just hours later, OpenAI announced a contract with the Pentagon. Its Chief Executive Officer, Sam Altman, claimed that their agreement includes similar security guardrails.

Speaking during a session on X on Saturday, Altman described the Anthropic incident as an “extremely frightening precedent” and expressed hope for a better resolution. Anthropic, for its part, stated that it has recently been receiving a record number of new daily registrations. Since January, free users have increased by 60 percent, and paid subscribers have more than doubled.

Parallel to Claude’s ascent, calls have emerged online urging users to boycott ChatGPT. Many users have advocated deleting the app “as quickly as possible” and have called for the cancellation of Apple’s partnership with OpenAI.

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The company claims that the robot has its own “personality.” It can nod to engage in conversation with users and dance in rhythm with music. Users will be able to interact with this assistant via text and voice commands. In a demonstration video, a person asks for fashion advice, and the robot indicates approval or disapproval by nodding.

The phone features a 200-megapixel camera mounted on a three-axis gimbal system. Honor stated that the camera can rotate smoothly to capture videos and photos, and it includes a “Super Steady Mode” for video recording. With the “SpinShot” feature, the camera can rotate 90 or 180 degrees to capture cinematic shots.

During video calls, the robot camera can track the user using AI-driven object tracking. If it functions correctly, the company claims it will outperform Apple’s Center Stage feature.

Honor has developed its own micro-motor to control the movement of the robot camera. By utilizing some technologies from foldable phones, the four-degree-of-freedom gimbal system has been integrated into the phone body. The robot arm uses material with 2,800 MPa tensile strength, similar to the hinge used in Honor’s Magic V6 foldable phone.

At the MWC event, Honor also unveiled its new foldable phone Magic V6 with a 6,600 mAh battery, the MagicPad 4 tablet, and the MagicBook 14 laptop.

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Hackers breached Iran’s religious calendar application “Bade-Saba,” which has more than five million users, and displayed anti-government messages. Users saw messages on their screens stating, “The time for reckoning has come,” along with calls urging security forces to lay down their arms and join the people. Several news websites were also hacked to display different messages.

During the attacks, Iran’s internet connectivity was severely disrupted. According to data from network analysis firm Kentik, internet connections were cut off in two phases in the morning local time, and significantly fewer connections than usual remained active.

Cybersecurity analysts said the cyberattacks were intended to limit Iran’s coordinated response capabilities. A report by The Jerusalem Post stated that various Iranian government services and military installations were also targeted by cyberattacks.

Experts have warned that Iran-backed hacker groups have also increased their activities in response. Rafe Pilling, Director of Threat Intelligence at Sophos, said that Iran is now considering its response options. During this time, Iran-backed groups and hacktivists may carry out attacks on military, commercial, and civilian installations in Israel and the United States.

Adam Meyers, Senior Vice President of Counter Adversary Operations at CrowdStrike, said that Iran-affiliated hacker groups and hacktivists are already conducting surveillance and have launched distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Another cybersecurity firm, Anomali, reported that even before the latest strikes, Iran-backed hacker groups had carried out “data wiper” attacks on Israeli targets, which completely erase data.

Last June, after the United States launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Iran’s cyber response was comparatively limited. However, experts fear that under the current circumstances, the scale of cyberattacks could increase further.

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Cypriot government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said that the authorities there are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the United Kingdom.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had initially stated that he would not allow his country’s bases to be used for an attack on Iran. However, yesterday he said that although the United Kingdom would not be directly involved in any strike, it had agreed, at the request of the United States, to allow the base to be used. The drone attack occurred shortly thereafter.

Citing Cyprus Mail and the British Defence Secretary, media reports said that Iran was behind the attack and that its ballistic missile or drone struck the area. Although it was initially believed that the projectile had not been launched directly at Cyprus, the incident has created intense tension in the region.

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Amazon stated that in the early hours of the morning local time, one of its data centers in the ‘me-central-1’ region was struck by an “unknown object.” The impact caused a fire, and the fire service arrived at the scene and brought the blaze under control. Due to the power outage, some services were disrupted. However, other data centers in the Emirates remain operational.

The incident at the data center occurred against the backdrop of Iranian drone and missile attacks in the Emirates. On Saturday, after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, Iran responded by carrying out retaliatory attacks on American and Israeli installations located in the Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar.

The Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates stated that its air defense forces were able to intercept most of the 165 ballistic missiles and 541 drones launched by Iran. However, debris fell in various areas, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to at least 58 others.

An AWS spokesperson said that it would take several hours to restore power to the affected data center. As other data centers in the Emirates remain fully operational, customers have been advised to use those facilities.

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The Supreme National Security Council of Iran confirmed the death of Khamenei, stating that he was killed early Saturday morning while “performing his official duties” at his office.

Iran’s state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reported on Sunday morning, 1 March, that “Iran’s Supreme Leader has attained martyrdom.”

The semi-official Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated in a report: “It is announced to the Iranian people that on the morning of 28 February (Saturday), in a joint attack carried out by America and the Zionist regime, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Grand Ayatollah Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei, was martyred.”

State media further reported that Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, and grandson were also killed in the attack.

Earlier, Iran’s Fars News Agency confirmed his death, stating that he died while carrying out his “specified responsibilities.” The report added that his death occurred early Sunday at dawn. The outlet also announced a 40-day period of state mourning.

Prior to the Iranian confirmation, President Trump had formally declared Khamenei’s death in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. In his statement, Trump described Khamenei as one of the “worst individuals” in history and said the development represented justice not only for the Iranian people but for the entire world.

In his post, President Trump wrote, “Khamenei, one of the worst individuals in history, is dead. Today justice has been served for the countless Americans and global citizens who were killed or maimed by Khamenei and his bloodthirsty forces.”

He further stated that Khamenei had been unable to evade US intelligence agencies and advanced tracking systems. According to Trump, the operation—conducted in coordination between the United States and Israel—left Khamenei and other top leaders with no opportunity to escape. He added that the Iranian people now have a chance to reclaim their country.

Trump also claimed that many members of the IRGC, the Iranian army, and police forces no longer wished to continue fighting and were seeking immunity from the United States. He stated, “I said last night—they can have immunity now if they want it, but if they delay, death awaits them.”

The US President confirmed that alongside Khamenei’s death, the Iranian state had been largely destroyed or “erased” within a single day of operations. However, he indicated that the campaign would not stop there. According to Trump, the bombing would continue throughout the week until peace is achieved in the Middle East and across the entire world.

DBTech/SA/MUM/OR

Global internet monitoring organization NetBlocks said in a post on social media that network data indicate Iran is now experiencing a “near-total internet blackout.” According to the organization, internet connectivity in the country has fallen to just 4 percent.

NetBlocks further stated that the disruption occurred amid ongoing military operations by the United States and Israel.

A similar measure had been taken during last year’s Israel–Iran war.

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Isaacman said the decision was made in light of technical complexities and criticism that the agency had been attempting to “achieve too much, too quickly.” He emphasized that NASA intends to proceed step by step without taking excessive risks.

The revised plan has also delayed the Artemis II mission. Originally scheduled for 6 March this year to orbit the Moon, the mission has now been rescheduled to 1 April. Recently, an obstruction in helium flow in the upper stage of the rocket was detected at Kennedy Space Center, prompting its return to the hangar. Earlier in February, the mission had already been postponed due to a hydrogen leak.

During Artemis II, four astronauts will travel around the Moon on a 10-day mission. The mission is expected to surpass the distance record set by Apollo 13 in 1970, sending humans deeper into space than ever before.

Under the previous plan, the Artemis III mission was intended to land humans on the Moon for the first time since 1972. However, under the new decision, the mission will instead remain in low-Earth orbit in mid-2027 to test complex technologies and spacecraft capabilities, without attempting a lunar landing.

Isaacman told CBS, “We need to return to the fundamentals. Before Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon in 1969, three separate missions had been completed. We also want to reduce risk and move forward step by step in a similar manner.”

According to NASA’s updated schedule, if all goes as planned, astronauts will land near the Moon’s south pole in 2028 under the Artemis IV mission. There are also plans to conduct Artemis V within the same year. NASA has subsequently set a goal of carrying out one lunar mission annually.

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Snapchat said that “Snappys” will be presented in various categories, including Spotlight MVP, Best Storyteller, and Breakout Creator of the Year. Awards will also be given for collaboration, cultural impact, and achievements in specific subject areas.

Recently, Snapchat introduced a separate subscription facility for creators. Analysts say that the awards initiative is part of that broader strategy, under which popular personalities from different fields will be recognized.

This is not the first initiative to honor creators on social media platforms. Last year, TikTok organized its first awards ceremony in the United States.

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TECNO’s newly developed interconnection technology incorporates magnets and pin connectors. The magnets enable users to attach various components seamlessly, while the pin connectors ensure power delivery. Data transmission between the phone and modules will occur wirelessly, with the device capable of switching between Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mmWave technologies depending on positioning.

The company has developed 10 different modules for the device. These include various types of camera lenses and a dedicated gaming controller. When a power bank module is attached, the phone’s thickness becomes comparable to that of current smartphones.

TECNO stated that the phone has been designed “to grow with the user through hardware expansion.” Two colorways have been introduced for the phone and its accessories—Silver Aluminum and Gray versions.

However, the device remains a concept design. While its chances of commercial release appear limited, analysts believe that TECNO’s magnetic attachment technology could feature in future real-world products.

TECNO has previously introduced innovative designs, including affordable foldable phones, pop-out portrait lenses, and external circular displays. Although modular smartphone concepts such as Project Ara were introduced nearly a decade ago, modular smartphones have yet to achieve commercial success. In 2016, LG G5 and certain semi-modular phones from Motorola entered the market but failed to generate widespread response.

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Users of Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X, and Xbox One will now be able to play their games at 1440p resolution, provided that both the game and the display support the resolution. Previously, this feature was limited to selected Fire TV devices, LG televisions, Samsung televisions, web browsers, and the Xbox PC app.

Game streaming is a key benefit of the Game Pass subscription service. Since 2025, subscribers have also been able to stream and play games they own outside the Game Pass library.

The Xbox PC app has also received new updates. A “navigation sound” feature has been added when using a controller to operate the app, making controller input more responsive and intuitive.

Additionally, formatting removable storage such as microSD cards has been simplified on Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handheld devices. Driver updates have also been introduced to improve compatibility with certain games.

It is noteworthy that significant changes have recently taken place in Microsoft’s gaming division. Following the retirement of long-time executive Phil Spencer, Asha Sharma, head of the CoreAI division, has been appointed as his successor. While opinions differ on whether Sharma’s appointment will prove positive or negative for Xbox, further changes are anticipated.

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Samsung Electronics announced that in the United States market, the base model of the Galaxy S26 has been priced at $899, which is 4.7 percent higher than the previous model. The S26 Plus is priced at $1,099, representing a 10 percent increase. However, the price of the Ultra model remains unchanged. In South Korea, the price of the base model has been increased by 8.6 percent.

The new smartphone series incorporates Perplexity’s artificial intelligence features, Google’s Gemini, and an upgraded version of Bixby. After losing the top position in the global smartphone market to Apple Inc. last year, Samsung has taken this step in an effort to regain market share.

Samsung stated that some models of the Galaxy S26 are powered by its in-house developed Exynos processors, whereas previous models used Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips. Analysts believe this move could boost Samsung’s chip design business and improve mobile margins.

The company also announced that the S26 Ultra model features a built-in mobile privacy display for the first time, limiting side viewing angles. The Galaxy S26 series will go on sale in various global markets starting March 11.

According to data from U.S.-based market research firm TrendForce, contract prices for conventional DRAM chips in the first quarter of this year have increased by 90 to 95 percent compared to the final quarter of 2025. Companies such as Meta Platforms, Google, and Microsoft are purchasing large volumes of memory chips to build artificial intelligence infrastructure, creating supply shortages.

Last month, Samsung warned that the chip shortage would intensify due to the artificial intelligence boom. While higher memory chip prices have benefited Samsung’s core chip business, they have placed pressure on margins in its smartphone and display units.

In January, Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said in an earnings report that memory chip prices were expected to rise sharply. However, he declined to comment on whether Apple would increase its product prices in response.

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The stolen data includes customers’ names, email addresses, phone numbers, and physical addresses. Have I Been Pwned also reported that user account ID mappings, finance prequalification application data, and information related to dealer accounts and subscriptions were exposed.

The notorious hacker group ShinyHunters is being blamed for the attack. The group is known for using social engineering tactics, such as calling help desks while impersonating employees. Previously, ShinyHunters reportedly stole more than one billion records from several universities and customers of Salesforce, including Google and Workday. The group has also recently claimed responsibility for hacking Pornhub and fintech lending giant Figure.

Founded in 2006, CarGurus operates as an online marketplace where customers can buy, sell, and finance vehicles. The company has not provided an immediate comment regarding the breach.

It is worth noting that this marks the second automotive-related data leak this year. Last month, Have I Been Pwned reported that another automotive marketplace, CarMax, experienced a data exposure involving approximately 431,000 email addresses, names, phone numbers, and physical addresses.

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According to the source, Hyundai plans to invest approximately 10 trillion won (about $7 billion) in the Saemangeum area over the next five years. Another source stated that the investment will cover the establishment of robotics facilities, artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, and hydrogen fuel infrastructure.

Following the investment news, shares of Hyundai Motor Company rose by 10.5 percent on the Seoul market on Wednesday, while shares of its affiliate Kia Corporation increased by 15 percent.

Previously, in November, Hyundai announced plans to invest a total of 125.2 trillion won in South Korea between 2026 and 2030. At that time, Hyundai Executive Chair Chung Euisun pledged to develop the renewable energy-rich coastal region into a “Hydrogen and AI City.”

The latest investment plan comes after Hyundai recently signed a deal to purchase 50,000 AI chips from Nvidia. Under the agreement announced in October, Hyundai intends to establish an “AI Factory” to accelerate advancements in vehicle AI, autonomous driving, smart factories, and robotics.

Hyundai Motor Group, which owns humanoid robot manufacturer Boston Dynamics, has stated that it aims to achieve an annual production capacity of 30,000 robot units by 2028.

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Trump explained that the decision aims to prevent increased electricity costs for ordinary consumers due to rising power demand. He described the initiative as a “Rate Payer Protection Pledge.”

“We rely on an old grid that is not capable of meeting such vast electricity demand. Therefore, I am telling them that they can build their own power centers and generate the electricity they require themselves. This will ensure that companies receive sufficient power while also lowering electricity prices for you,” Trump said.

He did not provide details on which companies have been instructed to implement this plan or how it will be executed. However, two White House sources indicated that meetings with the companies will be arranged in early March to formalize the initiative.

Concerns have emerged among local residents in various U.S. regions regarding the establishment of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. The primary worry is that constructing these centers could increase local electricity demand and drive up costs. The United States’ largest power grid operator, PG&E Interconnection, has already announced a plan allowing large electricity consumers to provide their own generation capacity or limit usage during periods of grid stress.

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Citing sources familiar with the matter who requested anonymity, the report said that Stripe, the world’s most valuable private payment company, is in the preliminary stages of evaluating the feasibility of acquiring PayPal. However, discussions remain at an early stage, and there is no certainty that a deal will ultimately be finalized.

Following the publication of the report, PayPal’s shares rose 6.7 percent on Tuesday, closing at 47.01 US dollars on the New York Stock Exchange. The surge brought the company’s market valuation to 43.3 billion US dollars. Neither Stripe nor PayPal provided immediate comments regarding the report.

In a separate development on the same day, Stripe’s valuation reached 159 billion US dollars through a tender offer allowing employees to sell shares.

Founded in the late 1990s, PayPal has recently faced intense competition from technology giants such as Apple and Google.

The company recently removed its Chief Executive Officer, Alex Chriss, and appointed Board Chair Enrique Lores as the new President and Chief Executive Officer. Lores is scheduled to assume office on March 1.

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Paramount’s initial proposal was valued at 108.4 billion US dollars, or 30 dollars per share in cash. According to sources cited by Reuters, the revised offer places emphasis on securing financing arrangements. However, detailed terms of the updated proposal have not yet been disclosed.

In January, Netflix made an offer to acquire Warner Bros. at 27.75 dollars per share in cash, amounting to a total of 82.7 billion US dollars. The proposal includes popular franchises such as Harry Potter and Game of Thrones.

Warner’s shareholders are scheduled to vote on March 20 regarding Netflix’s offer. However, Paramount’s new bid could potentially influence shareholders to reconsider their position.

If implemented, Paramount’s proposal would create a studio larger than The Walt Disney Company. Nevertheless, the deal would face strict approval processes from competition commissions in the United States and Europe. Activist investment firms such as Ancora Capital are already pressuring Warner Bros. to enter discussions with Paramount.

Warner Bros. stated that Paramount’s February 10 proposal was not sufficient for its board to consider it a “superior offer.” As a result, Paramount was asked to submit a revised proposal by February 23. No immediate comments were available from either Warner or Paramount regarding the new bid.

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Across the European Union, Britain, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, a total of 961,382 new cars were sold in January, representing a 3.5 percent decrease compared to January of the previous year. The decline was most pronounced in major markets such as Germany, France, Belgium and Poland.

The sharpest drop occurred in Norway, where new car registrations fell by 76 percent in January. Although the country has shown strong interest in electric vehicles, demand for petrol cars has nearly disappeared.

Sales of petrol-powered cars fell by 49 percent in France and 30 percent in Germany. Overall, the market share of petrol cars, which was nearly one-third a year ago, declined to just over one-fifth in January.

In contrast, sales of battery electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids, and hybrid vehicles increased significantly. EV sales rose by 14 percent, plug-in hybrids by 32 percent, and hybrids by 6 percent. Combined, these three categories accounted for 69 percent of total registrations, up from 59 percent in January 2025.

Among major car manufacturers, sales at Volkswagen Group declined by 3.8 percent, BMW by 5.7 percent, Renault by 15 percent, and Toyota by 13.4 percent. Chinese carmaker BYD, however, recorded major success, with sales surging by 165 percent. Sales at Stellantis and Mercedes-Benz Group increased by 6.7 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively.

US electric car manufacturer Tesla continued to face a downturn. ACEA data showed that Tesla’s sales fell by 17 percent in January, marking the thirteenth consecutive month of declining sales.

Analysts attribute the decline to competition from affordable Chinese vehicles, delays in carbon emission reduction targets, and an uncertain trade environment.

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From San Francisco, Amazon stated that the data center will be constructed in the northwestern region of the state. The project is expected to create 540 full-time jobs. In addition, it will generate further supporting employment opportunities for electricians, air conditioning technicians, and other related roles.

Earlier this month, in its fourth-quarter earnings report, Amazon said its capital expenditure will reach $200 billion in 2026, a significant increase from $131 billion in 2025. Following the announcement, the company’s share price declined slightly. So far this year, its stock price has fallen by 9.4 percent.

Spending by technology companies has surged significantly to meet growing demand for AI software, computer chips, and other infrastructure. This year, companies have pledged to spend at least $630 billion, raising concerns among some investors about a potential AI-driven economic “bubble.”

However, there are concerns among some communities regarding the establishment of data centers, as they can put pressure on local power grids and require substantial water usage. Amazon said it will form a $400 million fund to address the impact of its data centers in Louisiana. The company also stated that water will be used solely for cooling and other necessary purposes.

Amazon further said it will bear “100 percent of the costs” of the Louisiana data centers and is working with Southwestern Electric Power Company to provide the required electrical infrastructure.

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The documents were made public last Friday (February 20) as part of an ongoing case in a federal court in California, United States. They include excerpts from the March 2025 deposition of Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said the statistic was taken from a 2021 survey conducted among Instagram users, not from a review of posts.

The court filings further revealed that in the same survey, about 8 percent of users aged 13 to 15 said they had seen “someone commit suicide or threaten to do so” on Instagram.

Another document dated January 20, 2021, disclosed in the same case shows that a Meta researcher recommended focusing on teenage users. According to the researcher, teenagers act as a “catalyst” for their families, influencing how their younger siblings and parents use apps, which could help attract and retain new users.

In his deposition, Mosseri stated that most sexual images are exchanged between users through private messages. He noted that reviewing such content requires careful consideration of user privacy. “Many people do not want us to read their messages,” he said.

It is noteworthy that Meta recently announced new policies aimed at enhancing safety for teenage users, set to take effect by the end of 2025. The company said it will remove images and videos containing nudity and explicit sexual activity, with exceptions for medical and educational content.

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Samsung stated that the new AI assistant will activate when users say “Hey Plex.” It will work in coordination with Samsung apps such as Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder, and Calendar. Some third-party apps will also support it, although Samsung has not yet disclosed which ones.

On-Jun Choi, head of Samsung’s Mobile Experience Business and R&D Office, said the Galaxy AI expansion provides users with more options to complete tasks efficiently. He added, “Galaxy AI acts like an orchestrator, bringing together different types of AI to create a natural and integrated experience.”

Last year, Samsung had partnered with Perplexity to integrate its AI search engine into Samsung TVs. However, Perplexity recently faced criticism over copyright infringement and content scraping allegations. In September, Merriam-Webster and Encyclopædia Britannica filed lawsuits against the company.

Samsung’s “Galaxy Unpacked” event will be held in a few days, where detailed information on this AI integration and the updated Bixby is expected to be unveiled.

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In a post shared Saturday (February 21) on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Netflix should immediately fire racist and Trump-deranged Susan Rice, or else suffer the consequences. She has no talent or skill—just a pure political hack. Her power is gone and not coming back. How much is she being paid and for what?”

The backdrop to Trump’s remarks stems from a recent statement by Rice. Having served in diplomatic and advisory roles under former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Rice said in the “Stay Tuned with Preet Bharara” podcast that corporations which have “bowed down” to the current administration would be “held accountable” if Democrats return to power.

Rice stated, “If these corporations think that Democrats will return to power and play by the old rules and forgive everything, they should think again.” In response, Trump criticized her remarks and also shared a post by right-wing activist Laura Loomer. Loomer claimed that a Netflix–Warner Bros. Discovery merger would create a “streaming monopoly” in which the Obamas would hold a significant stake.

Trump’s warning comes as Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery awaits approval from the US Department of Justice. The Justice Department has already launched an in-depth investigation into the $72 billion deal, particularly examining its potential impact on competition and Netflix’s market power. It has been reported that Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos met with Trump last November before the deal was announced.

However, in an interview earlier this month, Trump said he would not be personally involved in the approval process and that the Justice Department would handle the matter.

Although Trump did not specify what “consequences” he was referring to, analysts note that large transactions such as the Warner Bros. acquisition require approval from federal regulators. Netflix has not yet issued any official statement regarding Trump’s warning.

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According to Gurman’s report, Apple became more interested in introducing bolder colors following the success of the “Cosmic Orange” variant launched with the iPhone 17 Pro in 2025. The orange shade gained significant popularity in the Chinese market, where users referred to it as “Hermès Orange.” As red symbolizes good fortune in Chinese culture, analysts believe the potential introduction of a deep red option could carry particular cultural significance.

Previously, Apple introduced a (Product) Red iPhone with the iPhone 14 series. However, that version was released in the standard model rather than the Pro lineup. As a result, the upcoming release could mark the first time a red finish appears in a Pro model. Although there were earlier rumors of purple and brown color options, Gurman suggests those may actually be different variations of the proposed deep red shade.

Meanwhile, Apple’s first foldable iPhone, tentatively referred to as the iPhone Fold, is expected to adopt a more conservative color strategy. The device may avoid “fun colors” in favor of primary tones such as dark gray or black and white or silver. Experts view this approach as a strategy to simplify and reduce risks in the production process of the new form factor.

The iPhone 18 Pro series and the potential iPhone Fold are expected to be unveiled in September this year.

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The long-awaited remake of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Remake is currently under development at the Toronto studio. Despite the layoffs, Ubisoft has confirmed that work on the game will continue. However, the company did not disclose how many employees were originally assigned to the project or how many of them were affected by the cuts.

In a statement, Ubisoft said the decision was not taken lightly, describing the talent and dedication of the affected employees as exceptional. The company added that it is providing financial support packages and career placement assistance to those impacted. The Toronto studio is one of Ubisoft’s largest and previously developed major titles such as Watch Dogs: Legion and Far Cry 6.

The layoffs are part of Ubisoft’s broader restructuring efforts. Recently, staff reductions were also reported at its Sweden studio, and plans have emerged to cut around 200 positions at its Paris headquarters. Last week, the company announced the cancellation of an ambitious remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake. In response to these developments, approximately 1,200 Ubisoft employees went on strike.

Since its initial announcement in 2021, development of the Splinter Cell remake has progressed slowly. Ubisoft has reiterated that, despite the latest workforce reductions, work on the project remains ongoing.

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According to Google, the number of blocked harmful apps stood at 2.36 million in 2024. The company attributed the decline in 2025 to its “AI-powered multilayered security system,” which it says is deterring malicious actors from attempting to publish harmful applications in the first place.

Google stated that more than 10,000 security checks are now conducted before any app is published on the Play Store, with continued testing even after release. By leveraging the latest generation of generative AI models, human reviewers are reportedly able to detect malicious patterns more quickly and effectively.

In addition, Google blocked 160 million spam ratings in 2025. This helped protect apps targeted by “review bombing”—a coordinated surge of negative reviews—from experiencing an average rating drop of 0.5 stars. During the same year, 255,000 apps attempting to gain excessive access to sensitive user data were blocked, compared to 1.3 million in 2024.

Android’s built-in security system, Google Play Protect, identified more than 27 million new malicious apps and either warned users or prevented those apps from running. The company added that Play Protect’s enhanced fraud protection is now active across 2.8 billion Android devices in 185 markets and has blocked 266 million risky “side-loading” attempts—instances where users try to install apps from third-party sources.

In a blog post, Google said that initiatives such as developer verification, mandatory pre-review processes, and stricter testing requirements have improved the overall quality of the Google Play ecosystem and significantly reduced entry points for bad actors. The company emphasized that it will continue investing in AI-driven defenses to counter emerging threats while equipping Android developers with tools to build safer applications.

It is worth noting that Google often cites its investment in app security to justify comparatively higher fees on app purchases and subscriptions. However, European regulators have repeatedly accused Google Play of operating under a monopolistic business structure. Although the company introduced alternative payment channels for developers last year, European Union regulators recently alleged that Google is not fully complying with the regulations set under the Digital Markets Act.

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In his message to staff, Nadella said he remains optimistic about gaming and its role in Microsoft’s broader consumer ambitions. He confirmed that Asha Sharma will assume the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Executive of Microsoft Gaming.

Sharma previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Instacart and as a Vice President at Meta. Nadella noted that her leadership experience and operational background would help drive the gaming business to new heights.

Spencer expressed support for Sharma in a social media post, saying he was thrilled for her and confident that the Xbox community would continue to be well served in the years ahead.

As part of the restructuring, Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, has been promoted to Chief Content Officer and will report directly to Sharma.

Meanwhile, Sarah Bond—widely seen as a potential successor to Spencer—will leave Microsoft to begin what the company described as a “new chapter.” Bond has not yet issued an official public statement regarding her departure.

Spencer joined Microsoft in 1988 and has been involved with Xbox since 2001. He took charge of the gaming brand in 2013, became Executive Vice President of Gaming in 2017, and was appointed Chief Executive of Microsoft Gaming in 2022. Among his most notable achievements were the launch of Xbox Game Pass and a series of major studio acquisitions between 2018 and 2022, including Double Fine and the $68.7 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard.

However, during the current console generation, Microsoft has struggled to keep pace with competitors such as Sony and Nintendo. The gaming division has undergone significant layoffs, reported declining revenues throughout 2025, and increased prices for consoles and Game Pass subscriptions.

Although Sharma’s email, referenced in Nadella’s announcement, did not detail a comprehensive roadmap, she pledged to continue delivering “great games,” prioritize core Xbox fans, and explore innovative business models for the future.

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However, from the inauguration onward, the summit was marred by mismanagement and a major controversy over a Chinese robot claimed to be developed by an Indian university. Microsoft founder Bill Gates canceled his planned visit after his name surfaced in the “Epstein Files,” with the Gates Foundation also withdrawing participation.

After the summit’s inauguration by Narendra Modi, a quadruped robot dog was displayed at a stall, reportedly created by students of an Indian university. The achievement was promoted as a symbol of India’s AI progress, with the country’s technology minister sharing a social media post.

Within hours, fact-checkers revealed that the robot was actually manufactured by a Chinese robotics company and not in India. The minister deleted the post, but by then, social media was flooded with memes and trolling. The incident turned the summit in Delhi into a laughingstock over innovation claims, and the alleged student-made robot by Galgotias University sparked nationwide debate about the misrepresentation and summit mismanagement.

The controversy also coincided with anti-Modi protests. On 20 February, Friday, the Indian police reported that four individuals were arrested during a demonstration.

According to police, several Indian Youth Congress (IYC) members staged a “shirt-opening protest” inside the venue, raising slogans against the government and India–United States agreements. Their T-shirts bore images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump.

The arrested individuals are Krishna Hari (National Secretary of the Youth Congress from Bihar), Kundan Yadav (Bihar State Secretary), Ajay Kumar (Uttar Pradesh State President), and Narsima Yadav (Telangana). They are scheduled to be presented at Patiala House Court. An FIR has been filed, with multiple serious charges being investigated.

Police stated that the protesters clashed with security personnel and officers, and authorities are examining whether there was a larger conspiracy. Earlier, about 15 people were detained at Tilak Marg Police Station. A senior officer remarked that strict measures would be taken against attempts to disrupt law and order.

Following the incident, the BJP sharply criticized the Congress party, alleging that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi instigated the “commotion” to tarnish India’s global image.

Through social media, the Indian Youth Congress stated that their protest was not against the AI summit but against agreements perceived to be against national interests. They claimed that media and online platforms were suppressing dissent, prompting them to stage the protest inside the summit.

The post further declared, “We will not remain silent if the interests of the country’s farmers and youth are sacrificed.”

Police confirmed that protesters had registered online and collected QR codes. They entered the venue wearing jackets over T-shirts with objectionable messages, removing the jackets near Hall No. 5 lobby to begin their demonstration.

After the incident, security at the summit venue was tightened by Delhi Police.

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On Tuesday, 17 February, Nvidia confirmed the agreement, stating that it will supply current Blackwell and upcoming Rubin AI chips, along with Grace and Vera central processing units (CPUs). While the financial details of the deal were not disclosed, analysts estimate the value could exceed $50 billion.

Analysts view Nvidia’s move as a strategy not only to reinforce its position in the graphics processing unit (GPU) market but also to strengthen its standing in CPUs designed for data centers. These chips will primarily be used to run AI agents and manage large-scale databases.

Ian Buck, General Manager of Nvidia’s Hyperscale and High-Performance Computing division, explained that the Grace CPU can handle routine tasks, such as database management, using half the energy, while the next-generation Vera CPU is expected to deliver even higher performance. He noted that Meta has already tested the Vera platform, with highly promising results.

Meta is reportedly developing its own AI chips and is in discussions to utilize Google’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). However, this major agreement with Nvidia underscores the continued importance of Nvidia chips within Meta’s AI infrastructure.

Nvidia has never publicly disclosed the exact volume of direct sales to Meta, but it is estimated that in the last fiscal quarter, 61 percent of Nvidia’s total revenue came from just four customers, including Meta.

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The tool, named WordPress AI Assistant, operates within the website itself, understanding the layout and content to execute user commands in real time. Complex instructions are not required. For instance, users can instruct, “Make this section more modern or spacious,” “Brighten the colors of my site,” or “Provide cleaner and more professional font options,” and the AI will implement the changes immediately.

Users can also add new pages using AI, such as “Create a contact page” or “Add a testimonial section below this part.” However, this functionality is only available for block themes and does not support classic themes.

AI assistance extends to content editing as well. Users can enhance their bios, translate sections into other languages, receive headline suggestions, verify facts, and correct grammar. These tasks can be executed through the Block Notes Editor introduced in WordPress 6.9, which also allows collaborative editing among team members. By typing @ai, the AI responds with relevant content, including links and references.

For images, AI support is integrated via Google Gemini’s Nano Banana model, enabling users to generate new images or edit existing ones. In the Media Library, the “Generate Image” button allows users to select image dimensions and styles before creation.

The AI assistant can be activated by any user by navigating to the site list, clicking the site name, entering Settings, scrolling to AI Tools, and toggling Enable AI Assistant. For users who purchase sites with the AI website builder, the assistant will be automatically enabled.

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A report by Bloomberg News states that in January this year, the Pentagon announced this $100 million challenge. Musk’s companies are among the few selected to participate, according to the report.

Over a six-month competition, the participating teams must develop technology capable of converting voice commands into digital instructions to control multiple drones simultaneously. The challenge is jointly managed by the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG).

Musk’s participation has sparked renewed debate. In 2015, Musk signed an open letter with AI and robotics researchers advocating a global ban on “offensive autonomous weapons” and warning against developing new human-killing tools. However, he recently integrated xAI with SpaceX, completing the merger ahead of SpaceX’s planned initial public offering (IPO) this year. xAI’s website recently posted job ads for engineers with “secret” or “top secret” security clearances, signaling their involvement in defense projects.

The competition will proceed in five phases—from software development to real-world testing. A Pentagon official stated that these drones are expected to be used in offensive operations, and human-machine interaction will enhance the system’s effectiveness and lethality.

Last year, OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI secured $200 million contracts with the Pentagon to enhance AI capabilities. Analysts note that Musk’s direct move into weapon technology marks a significant shift in his strategic positioning.

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Through this initiative, the Government of India aims to attract greater investment in the artificial intelligence sector and to amplify the voice of developing nations in global AI policymaking.

Among the keynote speakers at the conference are Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, and Mukesh Ambani. The event is also being attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

While the growing adoption of artificial intelligence has raised concerns about its potential impact on employment, India is positioning large-scale technological implementation as a strategic pathway to progress. Despite fears of job displacement, the country appears committed to leveraging AI to accelerate development and strengthen its role in shaping the future of global technology governance.

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Through an AI tool named ‘Lara’, live translation will be available in 60 languages. The service has been launched in collaboration with Translated, a Spanish language service provider.

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the chief priest of St. Peter’s Basilica, stated, “For centuries, St. Peter’s Basilica has been open to pilgrims from all countries and languages. By employing advanced technology to help understand the messages of worship, we aim to maintain the universality of the Catholic Church.”

Visitors to the Vatican can access this service by scanning a QR code on their mobile devices. No app download is necessary; translations will be available directly via the website in both audio and text formats.

Translated officials explained that their AI tool ‘Lara’ was developed using the expertise of over 500,000 professional translators, ensuring accurate and seamless translation.

The use of technology in this religious context has already sparked mixed reactions. Some see it as a modern touch to traditional worship, while others question the extensive application of technology in such sacred practices.

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However, Apple has not yet officially confirmed whether the event will be livestreamed for a global audience.

Industry speculation suggests that the company may unveil its next-generation tablets and laptops during the event. A new MacBook Air and upgraded versions of the MacBook Pro in multiple sizes are expected to be introduced.

There are also reports that Apple could announce a more affordable new MacBook model, potentially available in several light color options.

In addition, updated versions of the iPad and iPad Air are likely to be showcased. The company is reportedly preparing to introduce upgraded versions of additional desktop devices later this year.

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On Tuesday, 17 February, the fast-paced action shooter Aerial Knights DropShot will be launched. Following this, on Wednesday, 18 February, Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unnon will arrive—a story-driven strategic survival game where players must manage starship resources and crew members.

Thursday, 19 February, will see the release of Styx: Blades of Grid. In this game, players take on the role of Styx, a cunning goblin tasked with theft and infiltration to retrieve a valuable and dangerous resource called Quartz.

Several other unique games are also slated for release on the same day, including Backrooms Level X, Harvest Café, Shoganers, and Kletka.

Xbox Game Pass subscribers also have reasons to celebrate. On 17 February, the platform will add Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and Avowed to the Game Pass lineup.

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Greene currently hosts the Left, Right & Center show on KCRW. He claims that friends, family, and colleagues emailed him noting that the NotebookLM podcast voice sounded strikingly similar to his own. Upon listening himself, Greene confirmed that the AI voice mirrored his tone, intonation, and even his use of filler words like “ahh.”

“My voice is one of the most important aspects of my identity,” Greene stated. His attorney expressed confidence in the courts and encouraged the public to compare the two voices themselves.

Google, however, has completely denied the allegation. A company spokesperson told the Washington Post, “This claim is unfounded. The male voice used in NotebookLM’s audio overview belongs to a professional voice actor hired by Google and has no connection to David Greene.”

Notably, this is not the first time such controversy has arisen. Earlier, OpenAI faced a dispute when a voice in ChatGPT was alleged to imitate Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson. OpenAI later removed the voice after the claim.

Greene’s lawsuit adds to ongoing legal complexities regarding AI technology and individual intellectual property rights.

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In addition to these three colors, the design has also been tested in the traditional silver and dark gray shades. However, it remains uncertain which colors will appear in the final release.

The report indicates that the new MacBook will also come at a relatively lower price, expected to range between $699 and $799. To reduce costs, Apple may use smartphone-grade processors and scale back on some technical features.

Despite these cost-saving measures, the structural quality will be maintained by using a body made of advanced aluminum rather than plastic. Indications suggest that the formal announcement of the new MacBook could take place in March.

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The report said OpenClaw will remain an open-source project under an independent foundation, which will continue to receive support from OpenAI.

Known for assisting users with everyday tasks such as email management, airline check-ins, and handling insurance-related processes, the assistant quickly gained popularity after its public release last November. Within a short period, it attracted significant support on software repositories and amassed a large user base.

However, alongside its rapid rise in popularity, concerns have emerged regarding potential security risks. China’s Ministry of Industry has warned that improper configuration of the system could expose users to cyberattacks and data breaches.

Steinberger stated that he intends to further expand his initiative while preserving the independence and principles of open-source development.

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The summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi, is expected to bring together leaders from the global technology industry as well as prominent political figures.

The event is set to be inaugurated by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Although Huang had been scheduled to speak to the media on Wednesday, Nvidia’s media agency in India, MSL, said in an email that he would not be traveling due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

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Speaking during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call, Chesky said Airbnb aims to build what he described as an “AI-native experience” to simplify travel bookings, assist hosts in managing their listings, and improve overall customer service efficiency.

In a letter addressed to shareholders, the company noted that the new search feature will allow guests to describe their needs in more natural language and ask questions about listings and locations. Airbnb expects the search system to gradually become integrated across the entire travel experience. However, no specific timeline has been provided regarding when the feature will be made available to all users.

Airbnb had previously introduced an AI-powered chatbot for customer service, which is currently being used on a limited scale in North America.

According to a report by technology news outlet TechCrunch, the chatbot has been able to handle a significant number of customer requests without human assistance. The company’s long-term goal is to further expand the system and roll it out globally.

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Co-founder and CEO Carl Pei said the initiative aims to offer customers an immersive brand experience, showcasing product displays, manufacturing stages, and testing processes. In addition to purchasing products, customers will also have access to customization options for selected items at the store.

Alongside Nothing-branded products, devices from its budget-focused sub-brand CMF by Nothing will also be available at the outlet. CMF operates in collaboration with India-based design and manufacturing partner Optimus.

According to market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC), Nothing currently holds more than a 2 percent market share in India. The company’s shipments grew by 85 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of last year.

Meanwhile, Apple has also been expanding its experiential retail presence in India. Nothing has further revealed plans to open additional retail outlets in Tokyo and New York in the future.

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Targeting Generation Z with financial services, Step has raised nearly $500 million in funding to date and has more than seven million users. The app is known for helping young users build credit, save money, and invest. High-profile investors in Step include Charli D’Amelio, Will Smith, The Chainsmokers, and Stephen Curry. Institutional backers include General Catalyst, Coatue, and Stripe.

MrBeast said that no one taught him about investing or money management during his childhood, which motivated him to join the initiative to help young people build a strong financial foundation. Analysts say the partnership with MrBeast is strategically important for Step in reaching Gen Z users.

Beast Industries has diversified its business beyond YouTube revenue, with its chocolate brand Feastables emerging as its most profitable venture. Step Chief Executive Officer CJ MacDonald said the acquisition will create opportunities to introduce new and innovative services for customers.

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The report said the eliminated roles include positions in marketing, product management, data analytics, and functions related to the Agentforce AI product. The details were based on posts shared on LinkedIn and conversations with two employees.

However, Reuters said it could not independently verify the report, and Salesforce did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Large-scale layoffs have been observed across various U.S. companies since the beginning of this year, with the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence–based technologies emerging as a major contributing factor.

Earlier, Salesforce Chief Executive Officer Marc Benioff had said that the use of AI had led to a significant reduction in roles within the company’s customer support division.

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In the complaint, Autodesk claims that Google has violated its trademark by marketing a competing software product under the same name, “Flow,” which Autodesk has been using commercially. Autodesk alleges that Google’s actions have caused confusion among customers and harmed its business.

Court documents state that Autodesk has been using the “Flow” trademark since September 2022 across various products, including visual effects and production management tools widely used in the film and television industry. The company says it was surprised when Google launched an AI software product named “Flow” in May 2025, targeting the same customer base.

Autodesk further alleges that Google had previously assured the company it would not use the “Flow” name commercially. Despite this, Google later applied to register the trademark in the South Pacific island nation of Tonga and subsequently sought trademark protection in the United States and other countries based on that application.

According to Autodesk, these actions have led to consumer confusion and resulted in business losses. The company is seeking compensatory damages as well as punitive damages in the lawsuit.

Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter.

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Two elements are essential to track sleep in Apple Health. First, the ‘Sleep’ feature must be activated in the iPhone’s Health app. Second, a night-wearable Apple Watch is required to access detailed information including sleep stages—simply setting the schedule on the iPhone is not enough.

The initial setup begins via the ‘Browse’ section of the Health app, under ‘Sleep’. Users can set sleep goals, choose bedtimes and wake-up times, and create separate schedules for weekdays and weekends. The ‘Wind Down’ option can also be enabled before sleep, which activates focus mode and reduces notifications.

Once setup is complete, the information automatically syncs to the Apple Watch. To track sleep overnight, the watch must have sufficient battery and ‘Sleep Focus’ must be activated. Users do not need to start or stop the tracking manually; the app automatically records sleep based on scheduled times or actual movement and heart rate patterns.

The next morning, the Health app’s ‘Sleep’ section displays total sleep duration from the previous night. By tapping, users can see detailed breakdowns of REM, core, and deep sleep stages (on supported models). In addition to daily tracking, trends can be analyzed weekly, monthly, and over six months.

Apple Health prioritizes long-term sleep habits over individual nights. Irregular bedtimes or insufficient sleep patterns become evident over time. Users can also manually add or edit sleep data if needed.

Overall, with a regular schedule and a charged Apple Watch, Apple Health quietly provides a complete and secure picture of your sleep—everything consolidated on a single platform.

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Organizations expect AI to enhance threat detection (60 percent), enable automated responses (55 percent), and reduce unnecessary alerts or false positives. The primary objectives include improving detection efficiency, automating routine and repetitive tasks, and increasing overall SOC effectiveness—aligning with global trends.

Adrian Hia, Managing Director of Kaspersky Asia-Pacific, said, “Companies in the APAC region are taking a pragmatic approach to AI adoption in SOCs. They prioritize use cases that deliver quick, effective results. Particularly, they expect significant benefits from automated anomaly analysis for threat detection and predefined automation for rapid response. These measures help reduce alert fatigue and relieve security teams from routine operational burdens. While large global companies pursue broader AI objectives, APAC firms focus more on strengthening daily security operations.”

However, despite high interest and strategic planning, significant gaps remain in implementation. The study identified obstacles including a lack of high-quality training data (44 percent), shortage of skilled personnel (37 percent), AI-related security risks and system integration complexity (34 percent), and high costs (33 percent), which hinder successful AI deployment in SOCs.

Anton Ivanov, Chief Technology Officer at Kaspersky, noted, “Organizations understand AI can play a major role in SOCs, but moving from pilot use to measurable impact remains challenging. There is a scarcity of both cybersecurity experts and AI specialists, making it difficult for many to build AI capabilities independently. This is why cybersecurity firms are integrating AI-powered features into their products. Over the past year, we have added AI-supported tools throughout our business portfolio to enable faster threat detection and provide more effective, user-friendly solutions.”

To establish reliable and efficient SOCs, Kaspersky has recommended that organizations adopt their SOC consulting services, enhance performance through Kaspersky SIEM, strengthen protection with Kaspersky Next, and gain comprehensive threat insights via Kaspersky Threat Intelligence. These solutions are further reinforced through AI-driven analysis and capabilities.

In an interview with Taiwan’s CTS television channel on Sunday night, Cheng said she had made it clear to the United States that there are no plans to relocate Taiwan’s science parks or industrial clusters. According to her, semiconductor capacity will continue to expand within Taiwan, although investment in the United States may increase as part of international expansion.

Recently, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said it was not reasonable for the United States to rely on such a large volume of chip production close to China, and mentioned a target of securing 40 percent of the market. However, Cheng stressed that Taiwan’s overall capacity—combining advanced manufacturing, packaging, and supply chains—would remain far greater than investments made in the United States or any other country.

It is noteworthy that TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, is investing heavily in building factories in Arizona. Nevertheless, Taiwan believes the core foundation of its semiconductor industry will remain firmly rooted in the island nation.

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The 30-second commercial uses suggestive imagery to highlight how advertisements could eventually infiltrate AI-powered services. The ad concludes with a clear and pointed message: “Ads are coming to AI — but not to Claude.” Claude is Anthropic’s proprietary chatbot.

The advertisement has drawn criticism from OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman. In a post on social media platform X, Altman described the commercial as “misleading” and stated that OpenAI would never do anything that undermines user trust.

Analysts say that while such high-profile advertising campaigns may not be immediately profitable, this open rivalry between the two AI companies could help strengthen their brand identities amid intense competition for market dominance. At the same time, the campaign is being viewed as an attempt to reduce public skepticism about artificial intelligence by capitalizing on the Super Bowl’s vast audience reach.

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According to NASA, the launch is targeted for no earlier than 6:01 a.m. Eastern Time. If all goes according to plan, the capsule is expected to dock with the ISS at around 10:30 a.m. on February 12.

Earlier, due to health-related concerns, the Crew-11 mission was concluded nearly a month ahead of schedule, and the four astronauts aboard were returned to Earth on January 15. As a result, only three crew members were present on the International Space Station at that time.

The new arrivals to the ISS will include NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian space agency cosmonaut Andrei Fedyayev.

NASA will broadcast the launch and docking activities of the mission live.

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Last year, Google had rolled out a version of Quick Share for Pixel users that was compatible with AirDrop. However, the feature was limited to the Pixel 10 series at the time. Google has now stated that following successful testing, the capability will be gradually expanded to other Android devices.

Analysts believe that Google’s decision to separate the Quick Share extension from the system app and release it as a standalone app on the Google Play Store was a clear indication of this broader rollout. At present, Google is working with various partners to ensure that the feature can be smoothly enabled across all supported handsets.

It is worth noting that Oppo and Xiaomi have already introduced AirDrop-like cross-platform sharing features in their respective operating systems, ColorOS and HyperOS.

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Developed in collaboration with Samsung, the Amigo Junior Phone is a custom version of the Galaxy A17 (5G). It comes pre-installed with the Amigo app, which allows parents to remotely monitor and manage their child’s phone usage. The app is compatible with both Android and iOS platforms.

Through the app, parents can track the child’s real-time location and receive instant notifications if the child moves beyond a predefined ‘safe zone’. Additional features include step counting, battery status monitoring, and the ability to set limits on screen time and app usage. A dedicated ‘School Mode’ is also available to restrict usage during school hours.

For parents who prefer not to provide a smartphone to their children, AT&T is offering the Amigo Junior Watch 2 as an alternative. While the smartwatch has limited features, it supports location tracking and allows calling and messaging to up to 30 pre-approved contacts.

Both devices will be available on a monthly installment plan of three dollars. AT&T has set the full price of the Amigo Junior Phone at $210, while the Amigo Junior Watch 2 is priced at $170. The company is marketing these new products with a strong focus on child safety and parental control.

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This week, with the release of Anthropic’s new model Opas 4.6, a significant leap has been observed in AI performance scores. In a single evaluation, the model scored nearly 30 percent, while the average score across multiple attempts rose to 45 percent.

Analysts attribute this jump to the ‘agentic’ features introduced in the new version—particularly the ‘agent swarm’—which aids in solving complex, multi-step problems.

Brendon Foody, CEO of Merrkor, described the progress as “incredible”, noting that moving the score from 18.4 percent to nearly 30 percent in just a few months is astonishing.

While the road to 100 percent capability remains distant, this advancement demonstrates that the pace of improvement in foundational AI models is far from slowing down. The implication is clear: while lawyers are not immediately at risk of losing their jobs, the previous sense of security in the profession is no longer guaranteed.

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Bithumb said it had originally planned to give each user a minimum cash reward of 2,000 South Korean won (approximately USD 1.37). However, due to a technical error, selected customers each received at least 2,000 Bitcoins instead. At current market prices, the total value of the mistakenly distributed Bitcoin amounted to nearly USD 44 billion.

The company stated that within 35 minutes of the incident, transactions and withdrawals of 695 affected customers were temporarily suspended. It added that 99.7 percent of the distributed Bitcoin has already been successfully recovered.

Bithumb has apologized for the incident and clarified that it was not related to hacking or any security breach.

Following the incident, the price of Bitcoin on Bithumb fell by as much as 17 percent for a short period, although prices later partially recovered. In South Korea’s crypto market, Bithumb is currently the second-largest platform after Upbit.

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In a post on social media platform X, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman explained that astronauts will be able to use their personal smartphones to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring photos and videos with the global audience. He emphasized that space travel is now incorporating more modern and user-friendly technology.

Although images from space captured via smartphones have existed previously, they were primarily taken through small satellites. The Artemis-2 mission, however, offers the possibility of obtaining the first smartphone images from lunar orbit. Scheduled for launch in March, this mission will mark NASA’s first crewed lunar expedition since Apollo 17 in 1972.

NASA officials note that smartphones are far easier to operate than the bulky professional cameras used in earlier missions. This will allow astronauts to take spontaneous photos and videos during their work, which can be quickly shared with family and loved ones back on Earth.

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Until now, CarPlay has supported only Apple’s own voice assistant, Siri. Under the new move, users will be able to interact with AI chatbots developed by other companies directly through their car’s display. Analysts say this signals a significant strategic shift from Apple’s long-standing policy of maintaining a tightly controlled platform.

According to the report, AI applications from companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google will be able to introduce CarPlay-specific versions of their apps with built-in voice control features. However, Apple is not removing Siri entirely. The Siri button and wake word in CarPlay will remain unchanged, meaning users will need to manually open a third-party AI app to activate its voice functionality.

Apple may begin rolling out support for these apps in CarPlay within the next month. This would allow developers to design apps that automatically switch to voice mode as soon as they are opened. Apple, however, has declined to comment officially on the matter.

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State media cited Senator Walaa Harmas Radwandid, who proposed the regulation to protect children’s “moral and educational values.” Concerns highlighted include the possibility of direct contact with strangers and the potential psychological and behavioral impact on young users.

In response, Roblox issued a statement emphasizing that its platform has stricter safety measures compared to many other services.

With this decision, Egypt joins Iraq, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, where Roblox is either banned or heavily restricted. Turkey and Russia have also recently blocked the platform entirely.

Roblox has a significant presence in the Middle East and North Africa. According to the company, between 2021 and 2024, Roblox contributed approximately $15 million to domestic production in Egypt and several other countries in the region.

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Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai stated that the primary focus of this spending is to enhance servers, data centers, and networking capabilities. He emphasized that investments in artificial intelligence are directly contributing to revenue growth, even though capacity limitations may persist throughout the year.

A major driver behind this surge in expenditure is the rapid expansion of Google Cloud. In the last quarter of the previous year, the cloud division reported a 48% increase in revenue, exceeding analyst expectations and marking the highest growth in several years.

At the same time, the launch of Gemini 3 has boosted the adoption of Google’s AI services, with monthly active users now exceeding 750 million.

Analysts suggest that these advancements are positioning Alphabet alongside Amazon and Microsoft as a fully-fledged hyperscaler, capable of competing at the highest levels in cloud and AI infrastructure.

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A report by Nikkei Asia noted that the ongoing shortage is delaying product launches across the technology sector and significantly increasing production costs.

According to the report, the scarcity of memory chips—used in everything from smartphones to data centers—has put intense pressure on the global supply chain. In response, HP has begun trial evaluations of products from Chinese memory chip manufacturer ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT).

After monitoring market conditions through mid-2026, HP may decide to source DRAM chips from Chinese suppliers for certain markets outside the United States.

Similarly, Dell has started assessing Chinese DRAM options amid concerns that prices may rise further.

Acer has expressed interest in using such chips through its Chinese contractors, while Asus has reportedly asked its Chinese manufacturing partners to assist in sourcing memory chips for selected notebook projects.

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In the previous quarter, Gemini’s monthly active users stood at around 650 million, indicating substantial growth within a short span of time. By comparison, Meta AI currently has approximately 500 million monthly users, while Gemini still trails behind its leading rival, ChatGPT.

Industry estimates suggest that by the end of 2025, ChatGPT’s monthly user base stood at roughly 810 million.

Gemini’s growth has accelerated further following the recent launch of Gemini 3. Google claims this latest version is its most advanced model to date, capable of delivering far deeper, more nuanced, and refined responses than earlier iterations.

Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai stated that the rollout of Gemini 3 in AI Mode has played a positive role in the company’s overall growth trajectory.

Meanwhile, Google has introduced an affordable subscription plan called Google AI Plus, priced at $7.99 per month. Although the service is still relatively new and has not yet influenced the current quarter’s financial results, the company expects it to support further user growth in the coming months.

Gemini’s success comes at a time when Alphabet has, for the first time, surpassed $400 billion in annual revenue. According to Google, increased investment in artificial intelligence and growing demand for new technologies have been the key drivers behind this achievement.

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In his report, Gurman did not provide any specific timeline or technical details regarding the potential “iPhone Flip.” He also made it clear that there is no guarantee the project will ever reach the market. Instead, Apple is expected to first introduce a book-style foldable device, often referred to as the “iPhone Fold,” in order to gauge consumer response.

Rumours surrounding a flip-style foldable iPhone have been circulating for several years. Multiple reports previously suggested that Apple has at least two prototypes of such a device. At one point, speculation even indicated that Apple might release a flip-style iPhone before a book-style foldable model.

Technology analysts believe that growing competition in the foldable smartphone market is prompting Apple to prepare early by experimenting with new designs and form factors.

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The dismissed employee, David Michot-Cromp, was a Level Design Team Lead at Ubisoft Montreal. Last week, he stated that he had been placed on an unpaid suspension for three days after opposing the RTO policy.

On Monday, in a post shared on LinkedIn, Michot-Cromp said his employment had been terminated with immediate effect, adding that the decision was not his own.

Responding to the issue, a Ubisoft spokesperson told Kotaku that respectfully expressing opinions is never grounds for dismissal. However, the spokesperson added that disciplinary action may be taken if the company’s code of conduct is violated, depending on the nature, severity, and repetition of the incident.

In recent months, Ubisoft has faced repeated criticism over its labour-related decisions. The company drew backlash for shutting down its Halifax studio after employees there formed a union, carrying out successive rounds of layoffs in the name of cost-cutting, and facing union calls for strikes over deteriorating working conditions. Together, these developments have raised growing questions about Ubisoft’s labour practices.

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Sophos said the approach eliminates the need to route data through a central infrastructure, thereby reducing both costs and operational complexity. It enables employees to work from anywhere while keeping applications, internet usage, and data access integrated under the Workspace Protection service. As nearly 85 percent of work activities now take place in web browsers, the solution helps organisations maintain effective oversight of work processes. It allows protection of sensitive data and control over application usage without disrupting productivity, and policies can be enforced seamlessly across both office-based and remote work settings.

Research shows that more than half of employees worldwide are currently using AI tools at work without any formal policy in place. As a result, the risks associated with shadow IT and unauthorised AI use (shadow AI) are increasing. Sophos Workspace Protection enables organisations to easily monitor and control how technology is being used in the work environment, reducing risk and ensuring safer operations for hybrid workers. At the core of the service is the Sophos Protected Browser, a Chromium-based secure enterprise browser that manages application usage, local data handling, and web access. It also supports Sophos ZTNA, SSH, and RDP services for secure remote access.

Sophos also offers a Zero Trust Access framework through its ZTNA service, ensuring that only authorised users and policy-compliant devices can access private applications. In addition, Sophos DNS Protection blocks malicious domains on Windows endpoints and provides cloud-based protection against web-based and phishing threats. Its email monitoring system integrates with Google and Microsoft email services to detect and prevent phishing attempts and malicious messages.

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Adobe issued a notice regarding the decision on Monday through its support website and also informed customers via email, according to a report by TechCrunch.

According to Adobe, corporate or enterprise customers will continue to receive technical support until 1 March 2029, while support for other users will remain available until March 2027.

The announcement has sparked frustration and disappointment among users, many of whom argue that there are very few comprehensive alternatives to a tool like Animate currently available in the market.

In an explanation, Adobe said that evolving technologies have introduced new platforms and workflows that better meet the needs of today’s users. Analysts believe the move clearly signals that AI-based products now sit at the core of Adobe’s future strategy.

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According to the report, SpaceX has been valued at $1 trillion in the deal, while xAI’s valuation stands at $250 billion.

Under the terms of the acquisition, xAI investors will receive 0.1433 shares of SpaceX for each xAI share they hold. Some executives will also have the option to receive cash instead of shares.

As a result of the transaction, the AI capabilities of xAI—best known as the developer of the Grok chatbot—will be integrated with SpaceX’s rocket and satellite infrastructure. Analysts believe this integration could open up new possibilities in data centers and space-based communications.

Market observers say the merger further consolidates Musk’s business empire ahead of a potential initial public offering (IPO). However, they also caution that Musk’s leadership roles across multiple companies, along with his firms’ extensive government contracts, could invite increased regulatory scrutiny.

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She said that services sold to Indian customers must be provided through locally registered resellers and will remain subject to domestic taxes. The budget also proposes a 15 percent “cost-plus” safe harbour for Indian data centre operators working with foreign companies.

US technology giants such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are expanding data centre capacity worldwide to meet the growing demands of artificial intelligence workloads. India’s latest initiative is aimed at positioning the country as a new and attractive destination for such large-scale investments.

However, analysts caution that challenges such as power supply constraints, high electricity costs, and water shortages could pose significant hurdles to the expansion of AI-driven data centres in the country.

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Oracle Chairman and billionaire Larry Ellison said the funds would primarily be used to meet contract-based demand from major clients. These include AMD, Meta, Nvidia, OpenAI, TikTok, xAI, and several other large technology companies.

The company said that nearly half of the total amount would be raised through equity-linked securities and common stock issuance. This includes mandatory convertible preferred shares and a new “at-the-market” equity programme of up to $20 billion.

The remaining funds will be raised through the issuance of senior unsecured bonds in early 2026.

In recent months, investor concerns have grown over Oracle’s push to build artificial intelligence–focused infrastructure, particularly regarding rising debt levels and business dependence on OpenAI. Meanwhile, several bondholders have already filed lawsuits against the company.

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The information was disclosed in a press release issued on Monday, February 2. According to the release, at G2 Winter 2026, D&B Hoovers was named a category leader for Sales Intelligence and Lead Identification capabilities, D&B Connects received leadership recognition in the Data Governance and Account Intelligence features category, and D&B Risk Analytics was recognized as a category leader in Third-Party and Supplier Risk Management.

Sources said D&B’s solutions are actively being used to help organizations identify new clients and uncover new business opportunities across several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Pakistan.

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Oracle Chairman and billionaire Larry Ellison said the funds would primarily be used to meet contract-based demand from major customers. These customers include AMD, Meta, Nvidia, OpenAI, TikTok, xAI, and several other large technology companies. Oracle said that nearly half of the total funds would be raised through equity-linked securities and common stock issuance, including mandatory convertible preferred shares and a new “at-the-market” equity programme of up to $20 billion.

The remaining funds will be raised through the issuance of senior unsecured bonds in early 2026. In recent months, Oracle’s aggressive push to build artificial intelligence-driven infrastructure has raised concerns among investors, particularly regarding rising debt levels and the company’s business dependence on OpenAI. Several bondholders have already filed lawsuits against the company.

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Analysts say the downturn is primarily driven by uncertainty surrounding the future policy stance of the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, along with growing concerns over tightening liquidity in the financial system.

Market anxiety has intensified following speculation over Kevin Warsh emerging as a potential new Federal Reserve chair. Warsh is known to support shrinking the central bank’s balance sheet, a move widely interpreted as a signal of liquidity contraction.

Cryptocurrencies are generally viewed as assets that benefit from high liquidity. However, the recent price slump has once again reminded investors of the inherent risks associated with the market.

At the same time, Ether also recorded a steep decline, falling by nearly 12 percent. Market experts believe selling pressure may continue over the coming days.

The survey included responses from 2,300 game developers worldwide. Among them, 36 percent said they had used generative AI in some form. However, this usage has largely been limited to research and ideation stages, with management-level employees adopting the technology more frequently than general developers. As an external tool, ChatGPT emerged as the most commonly used platform.

According to the report, 52 percent of developers said generative AI is negatively affecting the game industry—up sharply from 30 percent last year. Only 7 percent reported a positive impact. One developer even commented that they would rather leave the industry altogether than work with generative AI.

Experts note that while the use of generative AI is increasing behind the scenes, resistance is intensifying when it comes to AI-generated content that is directly presented to players.

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Google officially rolled out Android 16 for Pixel devices in June last year. Following that, other manufacturers gradually began pushing the update to their respective devices. Despite this, the latest version has yet to reach the top position in terms of adoption.

At present, Android 15 is the most widely used version, accounting for 19.3 percent of active devices. It is followed by Android 14 with a 17.2 percent share and Android 13 at 13.9 percent. In terms of overall usage, Android 16 currently ranks seventh, trailing behind Android 11, Android 12, and Android 10 as well.

According to Google, Android’s open-platform nature allows a large number of manufacturers and an enormous variety of devices to operate within its ecosystem. As a result, delivering new version updates to all users quickly is comparatively challenging. However, it is expected that the adoption rate of Android 16 will increase significantly in the coming months.

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Priced at $2,899, the Galaxy Z Trifold costs nearly $900 more than the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Samsung has not disclosed the total number of units made available for sale, leaving the true demand unclear.

Previously, the device was offered in South Korea through limited flash sales, where supply was extremely restricted from the start. In the U.S., the Galaxy Z Trifold is currently available only in the “Crafted Black” color and a single 512GB storage version.

Samsung has described the Galaxy Z Trifold primarily as a technology showcase device. It is targeted at foldable phone enthusiasts and tech aficionados. Despite its high price, the company noted that the device is being sold at a loss to demonstrate the capabilities of future foldable technology.

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The company said the P4 Power 5G is available in two distinctive colors—Flash Orange and Power Silver—and comes with a unique “Visible Power” design, where transparent elements reveal parts of the phone’s internal circuitry. Built with IP69-grade protection combined with ArmorShell durability, the device is designed to withstand real-life challenges.

In a press release issued to the media on 1 February, Realme stated that the 10,001mAh Titan Battery has been developed using next-generation silicon–carbon anode technology. As a result, the battery has been housed within a slim 9.08mm body weighing just 219 grams, ensuring an impressive balance between power capacity and comfortable ergonomics. Designed for long-term reliability, the battery has earned the world’s first TÜV five-star battery safety certification, enabling it to operate effectively in extreme temperatures ranging from –30°C to 56°C.

The release further noted that the phone’s intelligent charging management system ensures battery health remains above 80 percent even after eight years of continuous use.

To match its massive battery capacity, the P4 Power 5G is equipped with 80W fast charging along with the world’s fastest 27W reverse charging, allowing it to power other accessories as well. In addition, the device features a flagship-level Dimensity 7400 Ultra 5G chipset, a 144Hz HyperGlow 4D Curve+ AMOLED display, and a record-breaking 6,500 nits peak brightness, ensuring clear visuals even under intense sunlight.

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Two sources familiar with the company’s financial results disclosed the information to Reuters. The data offers fresh insight into SpaceX’s financial strength at a time when the company is reportedly preparing to go public later this year.

Based on SpaceX’s latest financial position, some investment banks believe the company could raise more than USD 50 billion through an initial public offering (IPO), valuing the firm at over USD 1.5 trillion. These financial details of SpaceX had not been made public previously.

The report noted that the profit figures were calculated on an earnings-before-interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) basis. SpaceX’s satellite-based internet service, Starlink, is the company’s primary revenue driver, contributing an estimated 50 to 80 percent of total income. Since 2019, SpaceX has launched approximately 9,500 Starlink satellites, making it the world’s largest satellite operator. The service now has more than nine million subscribers worldwide.

Revenue from Starlink, along with income from related government and defence contracts, is being used to fund the development of SpaceX’s next-generation rocket, Starship. As part of its expansion into the direct-to-mobile satellite connectivity market, the company has already acquired wireless spectrum rights worth around USD 19 billion from EchoStar.

Sources further revealed that SpaceX is planning one of the world’s largest IPOs around June 28, close to Elon Musk’s 55th birthday. At the same time, discussions are reportedly underway regarding a potential merger with Musk’s other company, xAI, according to Reuters.

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L S K Devarayalu, a Member of Parliament from the Telugu Desam Party, told Reuters that Indian children are becoming increasingly addicted to social media. At the same time, he said, India is generating massive amounts of data for foreign platforms, while the strategic and economic benefits of that data are being reaped by other countries. According to him, major technology companies are using this data to build advanced artificial intelligence systems.

The proposed 15-page bill states that individuals under the age of 16 would not be allowed to open accounts on or use any social media platforms. The proposal also places full responsibility for age verification on the respective platforms.

It may be noted that Australia has already imposed a ban on social media use for those under 16. Several European countries, including France, the United Kingdom, and Denmark, are also considering similar policies.

Although the bill in India has been introduced as a private member’s initiative, analysts believe that it could influence future legislation through parliamentary debate.

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According to the report, existing OpenAI investor Nvidia alone is considering an investment of up to USD 30 billion. Nvidia supplies the chips used to run OpenAI’s AI models and has been a key technology partner for the company.

Longtime collaborator Microsoft, meanwhile, is reportedly in discussions to invest less than USD 10 billion. Microsoft has already invested heavily in OpenAI in previous funding rounds and remains one of its most significant strategic partners.

On the other hand, Amazon—currently in talks as a potential new investor—may invest more than USD 10 billion, with the amount possibly exceeding USD 20 billion, the report said.

Sources indicated that OpenAI could soon receive investment commitments or term sheets from these companies. However, none of the firms involved provided immediate comments on the matter. Earlier reports also suggested that SoftBank Group is in discussions to make an additional USD 30 billion investment in OpenAI.

Industry analysts say the cost of training and operating advanced AI models is rising rapidly. At the same time, growing competition from rivals such as Google is intensifying pressure, making fresh investment increasingly critical for OpenAI’s continued growth and competitiveness.

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The figures include sales of Toyota and Lexus brands, as well as those of its subsidiaries Daihatsu and truck maker Hino Motors. Sales of Toyota and Lexus alone rose by 3.7 percent in 2025, reaching 10.5 million vehicles—an all-time high for the brands.

Strong demand in the United States and Japan served as the primary drivers of Toyota’s growth. Together, these two markets accounted for more than two-fifths of the parent company’s total global sales. In particular, rising demand for hybrid vehicles in the United States played a significant role in boosting overall sales performance.

In contrast, Germany’s Volkswagen Group, which ranked second globally, saw its sales decline in 2025 to around 9 million vehicles, further widening the gap between the two auto giants.

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In a statement, the video game workers’ union Syndicat des Travailleurs du Jeu Vidéo said that management’s austerity-driven approach and the steady deterioration of working conditions are no longer acceptable. According to the unions, employees are being subjected to growing pressure through authoritarian management policies.

Recently, Ubisoft shut down its Halifax studio in Canada, closed its Stockholm studio in Sweden, and announced a global restructuring plan. At the same time, the company canceled six game projects and delayed the release of seven others. Additionally, a proposal has been put forward to lay off 200 employees at the company’s Paris headquarters.

Employee frustration has also been fueled by a new directive requiring staff to be physically present in the office five days a week. Union representatives emphasized that employees are Ubisoft’s core strength, warning that the company cannot move forward by ignoring their demands.

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Google said that a newly introduced sidebar in Chrome will allow users to interact with Gemini from any open tab. Users will also be able to continue the same conversation across multiple tabs, enabling more seamless multitasking.

According to the company, this feature will be particularly useful for users who handle several tasks at once—such as comparing product reviews across different websites or finding suitable time slots for events amid busy schedules.

The Nano Banana image generator will also be accessible directly from the sidebar. This means users will no longer need to switch to the Gemini app separately to create or edit images using AI. There will be no need to download and re-upload images either, as all related tasks can be carried out directly from any open tab.

Over the coming months, Google plans to introduce another feature to Chrome called Personal Intelligence. With this feature, the browser will be able to remember a user’s previous conversations with Gemini. Google claims this will allow Chrome to provide more personalised and contextually relevant assistance based on individual user habits.

Gemini in Chrome already supports Google’s Connected Apps feature, enabling it to pull relevant information from services such as Gmail and Google Calendar. In one demonstration, Gemini was shown automatically identifying vacation dates directly from a user’s inbox.

In addition, Google has launched an Auto Browse feature on a trial basis. Through this feature, Gemini can search the web—and even shop online—on behalf of the user. However, Google emphasised that user permission will be required at every critical step, such as before using login credentials or payment card information. For now, the feature is available only to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the United States.

Google said these new features are designed to help users who regularly perform similar online tasks by saving time and streamlining workflows.

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A source familiar with the matter said the proposed investment would be part of a potential fundraising round through which OpenAI could raise around $100 billion in total. If completed, the fundraising could value the AI company at approximately $830 billion.

SoftBank had earlier completed a $41 billion investment in OpenAI in December, which raised its ownership stake in the company to around 11 percent.

Analysts believe SoftBank founder and Chief Executive Masayoshi Son views artificial intelligence as the core technology of the future and has adopted an “all-in” strategy centred on OpenAI.

Meanwhile, OpenAI is facing mounting financial pressure as costs continue to rise for training and operating advanced AI models. At the same time, competition with rivals such as Google is intensifying.

Both SoftBank and OpenAI are investors in the “Stargate” initiative, a large-scale AI data centre project in the United States. The initiative is seen as strategically important for keeping the US ahead in the global AI race.

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The report states that once the mode is enabled, images and files sent by unknown senders will be automatically blocked, link previews will be disabled, and calls from unfamiliar numbers will be silenced. These features have been identified as potential entry points for advanced surveillance and hacking attempts.

WhatsApp noted that while all user conversations are protected by end-to-end encryption by default, journalists, human rights activists, and public figures may require additional layers of protection due to the nature of their work and exposure.

Previously, Apple introduced “Lockdown Mode” for iPhone and Mac users in 2022, followed by the launch of “Advanced Protection Mode” on Android last year, both designed to provide heightened security against sophisticated cyber threats.

Cybersecurity researchers believe that WhatsApp’s latest initiative will play a significant role in protecting dissenters and activists, while also encouraging other technology companies to adopt stronger security safeguards for users.

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The lawsuit alleged that Google Assistant recorded private conversations without user consent and shared the collected data with third parties, including for the purpose of serving targeted advertisements.

A central issue in the case was the so-called “false accept” problem, in which the assistant was allegedly activated and began recording even when the designated wake word was not spoken.

Concerns over unwarranted surveillance through user devices have existed in the United States for many years. In a similar case in 2021, Apple agreed to pay USD 95 million to settle a lawsuit involving its voice assistant Siri over comparable allegations.

In recent years, Google has faced multiple lawsuits related to data privacy violations. Last year, the company paid USD 1.4 billion to resolve two such cases with the US state of Texas.

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Over the coming months, Meta plans to introduce distinct premium experiences across the three platforms. The company said the subscription features will vary from app to app, with multiple features and package options being tested. As part of the subscription strategy, Meta also intends to expand the use of its recently acquired AI agent, “Manus.”

According to Meta, the premium version of Instagram may allow users to create unlimited audience lists, see who is not following them back, and view stories without notifying the content creator. In addition, the company is considering a freemium model for its AI-powered video creation feature, “Vibes.”

Meta said the new subscriptions will be separate from “Meta Verified” and will be rolled out gradually, taking into account the needs of general users, content creators and businesses.

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Tether’s investment has gained added significance amid a sustained rally in global gold prices. So far this year, gold prices have risen by 18 percent, while the total increase during 2025 stood at 64 percent. Driven by strong investor demand, central bank purchases and rising global geopolitical tensions, gold prices have repeatedly crossed key psychological thresholds in the international market.

The company has emerged as a major buyer of gold largely due to its reserve-backed stablecoin USDT and its gold-backed token XAUT. Currently, around USD 187 billion worth of USDT is in circulation worldwide, while XAUT has a market value of approximately USD 2.7 billion.

Tether Chief Executive Officer Paolo Ardoino said the scale of the company’s investments has now reached a level comparable to that of several sovereign gold-holding institutions, creating a significant level of responsibility.

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The new AirTag is equipped with an advanced ultra-wideband (UWB) chip that significantly enhances the Precision Finding feature. As a result, users can now locate lost items from nearly 50 percent greater distances compared to the previous generation.

In addition, the updated AirTag includes an improved Bluetooth chip, which not only extends its operational range but also makes its built-in speaker considerably louder. Apple claims the alert sound is approximately 50 percent louder than before, making it easier to track misplaced items.

Once iOS 26.2.1 or iPadOS 26.2.1 is installed, users will be able to control and manage the new AirTag directly from their devices. Apple has also stated that the update includes several undisclosed bug fixes aimed at improving overall system stability and performance.

Eligible iPhone and iPad users can download the update by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update, where the installation process will begin automatically.

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The update will allow Siri to access users’ personal information and on-screen content to perform a variety of tasks. This release is being seen as the first real-world implementation of capabilities Apple promised in June 2024.

However, this is not the end. Gurman notes that a larger upgrade may be announced in June at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference. That version is expected to make Siri more conversational, akin to ChatGPT, and could run directly on Google’s cloud infrastructure.

Earlier concerns about Apple’s AI strategy and internal issues have surfaced, but the partnership with Google and the departure of AI chief John Giannandrea indicate that the company is moving forward on a new path.

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Grokipedia was launched by XAI in October 2025, reportedly in response to claims that Wikipedia is biased against conservatives. However, the platform faced criticism soon after its launch.

Reports indicate that while many articles on Grokipedia were directly copied from Wikipedia, some included controversial claims and even derogatory language about certain social groups.

The Guardian observed that ChatGPT generally uses Grokipedia for relatively obscure topics. For instance, certain claims about historian Sir Richard Evans, previously refuted by The Guardian, were cited. In contrast, widely discussed topics like the January 6 Capitol attack or HIV–AIDS were not referenced from Grokipedia. Similar citations have been seen in Anthropic’s Claude, the report added.

An OpenAI spokesperson stated that their aim is to source information from a variety of publicly available references and perspectives. Critics, however, argue that relying on such sources increases the risk of misinformation and bias.

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As part of a recent restructuring, Ubisoft has cancelled six games that were under development, including the much-anticipated Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake. The company is now focusing primarily on well-known franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six.

According to industry experts, this approach is aimed at reducing risk in an increasingly uncertain market. However, it also brings added pressure: if a single high-budget game fails, the financial loss can be far greater than before.

Sony’s Concord serves as a cautionary example, demonstrating how years of investment can collapse within just two weeks of release.

Joost van Dreunen, a games professor at New York University, observes that while this strategy may buy companies time to survive, it does not guarantee a sustainable long-term future.

Safe, big-budget titles may generate profits, but they also risk sidelining new ideas and the courage to take creative risks. As a result, even if the future of gaming is filled with familiar faces, a critical question remains—how far can this path truly carry the industry?

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In a statement issued on Saturday, Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information said the primary objective of the investment would be the development of responsible and resource-efficient AI technologies. Alongside this, the government will place strong emphasis on building AI-skilled human resources, ranging from the pre-university level to university faculty members.

A portion of the investment will also be allocated to enhancing industry capabilities for the adoption and application of AI technologies. Earlier, in 2024, the Singapore government earmarked 500 million Singapore dollars for high-performance computing infrastructure aimed at supporting AI innovation.

In addition, another 500 million Singapore dollars has been invested in research and development through the national initiative AI Singapore. In 2023, researchers under this programme unveiled ‘SEA-LION’, an open-source large language model based on Southeast Asian languages, which is already being used by various institutions.

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In this phase, the impact of the layoffs may extend to Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s cloud computing arm, as well as its retail business, Prime Video division, and human resources unit.

Earlier, in October, Amazon laid off nearly 14,000 white-collar employees, accounting for almost half of a previously planned total of 30,000 job cuts. Sources familiar with the matter have indicated that the number of employees affected in the upcoming round of layoffs could be similar in scale. However, Amazon authorities have not made any official comment on the matter so far.

Amazon’s Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy has stated that the primary reason behind these layoffs is not financial pressure or artificial intelligence, but rather excessive bureaucracy and a complex corporate culture. According to him, the number of organizational layers and personnel within the company has grown unnecessarily.

If the planned 30,000 layoffs are fully implemented, they would amount to around 10 percent of Amazon’s corporate workforce. This would mark the largest job cut in Amazon’s three-decade-long history.

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The speculation has now been echoed in a research note by GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu. According to his forecast, Intel could begin manufacturing Apple chips using its future 14A process, which is expected to be ready for mass production by 2028. As a result, some chips from Apple’s A21 and A22 series could be produced at Intel’s fabrication facilities.

However, analysts believe that TSMC will continue to remain Apple’s primary chip supplier, as it has been so far. Like TSMC, Intel is expected to act solely as a manufacturing partner, without any involvement in chip design.

Beyond iPhone chips, Intel may also manufacture chips for certain Mac and iPad models, according to noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He suggested that from mid-2027, some lower-power variants of Apple’s M-series chips could be produced at Intel’s factories.

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According to details published on Apple’s Chinese website, while several popular devices are included in the discount campaign, the latest iPhone 17 model has been excluded. This indicates that the primary objective of the promotion is to drive sales of products outside the newest flagship lineup.

Analysts believe that Apple has been facing growing pressure on sales amid intense competition from domestic smartphone brands in China. Against this backdrop, the company has adopted a price-discount strategy ahead of the festive and peak shopping season to maintain its competitiveness.

China remains a strategically vital market for Apple. As a result, the Cupertino-based technology company is seeking to sustain consumer interest through timely discounts and promotional initiatives.

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In November 2024, Canada’s Ministry of Industry had ordered TikTok to wind up its business operations in the country, citing concerns over national security risks. At the time, however, users were not restricted from accessing the app or creating content. TikTok, which has more than 14 million monthly users in Canada, challenged the decision by filing an appeal with the court.

In a brief ruling, Judge Russell Zinn struck down the directive and sent the matter back to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly for reconsideration, although no detailed reasoning was provided in support of the decision. The Ministry of Industry has since stated that a fresh national security review will be initiated.

TikTok welcomed the ruling and expressed its willingness to work with the Canadian government.

It is worth noting that the app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been under scrutiny in Canada and several other countries over concerns related to data security and user privacy.

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For those familiar with games like Words With Friends or Scrabble, the mechanics of Crossplay will feel intuitive. The game begins with each player receiving seven letters on a shared board. The objective is to form words—or connect with existing ones on the board—to score as many points as possible. Points are calculated based on the rarity of letters and their placement on the board.

One of the game’s defining features is its limited tile bag. With each letter placed on the board, a tile is permanently removed from the bag. Once all tiles are exhausted, the game enters a final phase, giving both players one last opportunity to secure victory.

Jonathan Knight of The New York Times Games division explained that traditional word games often tend to drag on without a clear end. To address this monotony, Crossplay introduces a new rule called the “Last Turn,” which gives the game a distinct identity and ensures a decisive conclusion.

To promote the game, The New York Times has partnered with musicians Leslie Odom Jr., BRELAND, and Amy Allen. They will compete directly with players both online and at select in-person locations in New York and Nashville.

All in all, Crossplay marks the beginning of a new chapter in The New York Times’ expanding games portfolio.

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Recently, some users noticed a message on their Xbox Cloud Gaming interface indicating “one hour of ad-supported gameplay per session.” While the package has not been officially launched, industry observers see this as a clear signal of Microsoft’s preparation for a free-tier plan.

Sources familiar with the matter suggest that by the end of 2026, Microsoft could roll out this ad-supported free package. Under this plan, new users would be able to play games for a limited time without any subscription, though advertisements would be displayed during gameplay. Similar initiatives are not new to the gaming industry; Nvidia’s GeForce Now platform already offers an hour of free ad-supported gameplay daily.

Experts note that this move could provide easier access to major game titles for users without high-end graphics cards or powerful computers. By relying solely on an internet connection, players can enjoy modern gaming experiences, potentially boosting the popularity of cloud gaming.

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In a statement issued on Wednesday, L’Oréal said the hub will function as a global centre for artificial intelligence–driven beauty innovation. The company aims to create nearly 2,000 technology-related jobs at the facility by 2030. The hub is also expected to play a key role in accelerating the development and market rollout of advanced AI-powered beauty solutions.

The investment partnership was finalised on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, following discussions between L’Oréal Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Hieronimus and the government of India’s Telangana state. In recent years, Telangana has emerged as one of southern India’s most important hubs for investment and technology-driven growth.

It is noteworthy that in 2024, bilateral trade between India and France stood at approximately USD 15 billion. The leaders of both countries—Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron—have recently been actively working to further strengthen bilateral relations. Alongside this, the two nations have been engaged in discussions since 2024 on modernising their tax treaty in line with global standards on tax transparency.

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According to OpenAI, if the model determines that a user is under the age of 18, additional safety measures will be automatically activated to restrict access to sensitive content.

The company said that users who are mistakenly identified as minors will be able to regain full access by verifying their identity through the verification service “Persona,” which requires submitting a selfie. The feature is expected to be rolled out gradually in the European Union over the coming weeks.

The move comes at a time when OpenAI is preparing to introduce an “adult mode” for verified adult users in the future. OpenAI’s Head of Applications, Fidji Simo, has indicated that the feature could be launched as early as the first quarter of 2026.

Currently, ChatGPT has around 800 million weekly active users. With the platform expanding rapidly, OpenAI views the introduction of age detection as a key step toward ensuring user safety at scale.

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It remains unclear whether he will meet with China’s top government officials during this visit. Reports indicate that the itinerary could change depending on the confirmation of any such meetings. Reuters was unable to verify this information immediately, and Nvidia has not issued any official comment.

This initiative comes at a time when the Trump administration in the United States recently approved the sale of Nvidia’s second-most powerful AI chip, the H200, to China. The approval raised hopes that the long-restricted supply of chips to China could begin to open.

However, the very next day, Chinese customs authorities stated that the H200 chip had not been granted entry into the country. As a result, Nvidia’s path to re-entering the Chinese market remains uncertain.

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According to the report, the familiar four-dot waveform interface has now been replaced by a gradient-colored “G” logo positioned at the center of the screen. Alongside it appear a back button and a three-dot menu. From this menu, users can select language preferences, enable or disable spoken results, and choose from four voice options—Cosmo, Neso, Terra, and Cassini. Subtle refinements have also been introduced to the dark theme.

During voice input, the screen displays the text “Listening…,” accompanied by a four-color arc at the bottom that aligns visually with AI Mode and Search Live. Additionally, a larger “Search a song” button has been added, allowing users to identify music by playing it, humming, or singing.

The redesign is currently visible in Google app version 17.1 (stable) and 17.2 (beta), though it has not yet been rolled out to all users.

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Speaking at a special gala event held at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Shih announced that ASUS has no plans to launch any new smartphones in the future.

According to him, the company will now concentrate its investment and research efforts on commercial PCs and “physical AI,” a category that includes technologies such as robotics and smart glasses.

However, ASUS assured that existing smartphone users will continue to receive maintenance support, software updates, and warranty services for devices already in the market.

ASUS’s presence in the smartphone segment has been steadily declining in recent years. The Zenfone lineup was scaled back, while the ROG Phone series was no longer released regularly. In 2025, the company introduced only two smartphone models, both of which failed to meet sales expectations.

Meanwhile, ASUS recorded total revenue of TWD 738.91 billion in 2025, marking a 26 percent increase compared to the previous year. Notably, 100 percent growth in the AI server segment has further highlighted the company’s strategic shift.

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In addition to the shutdown issues, some users experienced problems logging in via Remote Desktop. To address the situation, Microsoft was forced to release an emergency “out-of-band” patch just four days later, on 17 January.

According to Microsoft, the issue is limited in scope but serious, affecting only Windows 11 version 23H2, specifically the Enterprise and IoT editions. Devices with Secure Launch enabled were particularly impacted, failing to shut down or hibernate correctly.

Meanwhile, remote connection and authentication errors were observed in the latest version of Windows 11, certain versions of Windows 10, and even Windows Server 2025.

Though such incidents were once rare, Microsoft has increasingly needed to issue urgent patches, raising fresh concerns among tech analysts about the quality and reliability of software updates.

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The report states that as of January 7 this year, Threads recorded around 141.5 million daily active users on iOS and Android combined. During the same period, X had approximately 125 million daily mobile users.

Analysts say this shift is not a short-term reaction to recent controversies, but rather the result of a long-term trend. Although X has recently faced scrutiny over its AI tool Grok, including investigations into allegations involving the creation of fake explicit images of minors, the rise of Threads appears to be driven by broader strategic factors.

Threads’ growth has been supported by Meta’s integrated promotion across its other major platforms—Facebook and Instagram—along with a strong focus on creators and the rapid rollout of new features. Over the past year, Threads has introduced interest-based communities, advanced filtering tools, direct messaging, long-form posts, and temporary content, enhancing user engagement.

However, X still maintains a clear lead in web usage. According to Similarweb data, X receives about 145.4 million daily web visits, while Threads attracts only around 8.5 million. Even so, Threads’ continued momentum in mobile usage is positioning it as a strong and growing contender in the social media landscape.

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In the venture capital world, it is generally customary to avoid simultaneous investments in competing companies within the same sector. Against this backdrop, Sequoia’s decision is being viewed as particularly significant. Last year, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, while testifying in court, stated that investors with access to OpenAI’s confidential information could have such access revoked if they actively invest in rival firms—describing this practice as an industry “standard safeguard.”

According to the report, the current funding round is being led by Singapore’s GIC and US-based Coatue, each committing $1.5 billion.

Anthropic aims to raise at least $25 billion, with the company’s valuation estimated at around $350 billion—more than double its valuation just four months ago. Other major investors, including Microsoft and Nvidia, have also pledged substantial funding.

Sequoia’s relationship with Sam Altman dates back many years. The firm supported him early on when he dropped out of Stanford to launch Loopt. Even during Altman’s brief departure from OpenAI, Sequoia’s new leadership publicly expressed interest in backing his future ventures.

Analysts believe Sequoia’s investment in Anthropic goes beyond a purely financial decision, signaling a broader shift in power dynamics and investment philosophy within the AI sector. There is also speculation that Anthropic may begin preparations for an IPO later this year.

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Scheduled for January 19–23 in Davos, Switzerland, this year’s event is set to be the largest meeting in the organization's history. With over 450 high-impact sessions and thousands of specialized interactions, the gap between available insight and the speed and ability to take action can be wide. By reasoning within the context of more than a decade of the World Economic Forum’s trusted institutional data, EVA acts as a force multiplier for attendees. It moves beyond chatbots and traditional FAQs, serving as a unified interface to help leaders navigate the physical event space, manage personal agendas, and facilitate networking. 

Using Agentforce 360, the new app brings together AI agents, data, and people on one trusted platform to help elevate every attendee’s experience. EVA reduces manual tasks by recommending high-impact sessions, scheduling bilaterals, and generating comprehensive briefing documents in seconds. This turns what once required extensive preparation into instant, actionable intelligence.

"As we power the largest Davos ever, we're excited for every attendee to experience what it means to have an AI agent working alongside them — and how Agentforce elevates what people and organizations can achieve,” said Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce. “EVA, powered by Agentforce 360, is far more than a chatbot. It’s an agentic concierge, grounded in trusted data, that helps leaders move faster, prepare better, and take action. This is the Agentic Enterprise coming to life."

“We are deploying AI agents to support our staff in the event preparation, and to augment the experience for our participants,” said Børge Brende, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. “We aren’t just optimising agendas; we are unlocking the full depth of the World Economic Forum’s institutional knowledge and putting it directly into the hands of every single attendee.”

Precision Planning: The Agent-Powered Concierge

For the 56th Annual Meeting, members can now use EVA to:

●        Personalize Schedules: Recommend, book, reschedule, or cancel bilaterals and sessions on behalf of attendees.