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Trump administration weighs major changes to Biden-era AI chip export rule The Trump administration is considering sweeping changes to a Biden-era regulation that limits global access to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips, sources familiar with the discussions said. The rule, called the Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion, was issued by the US Department of Commerce in January, shortly before President Biden left office. It divides the world into three tiers to control which countries can access cutting-edge AI chips, such as Nvidia’s H100. Countries in Tier 1, including 17 US allies and Taiwan, face no restrictions. Tier 2 countries are subject to volume caps, while countries of concern—like China, Russia, and Iran—are banned entirely. Trump officials are now discussing scrapping the tiered system in favor of a global licensing regime based on government-to-government agreements. Such a move would align with President Trump’s broader strategy of negotiating bila...

Meta launches new Llama API to attract AI developers Meta Platforms has launched a new application programming interface (API) for its Llama AI models, aiming to attract developers and businesses seeking customizable artificial intelligence tools. The announcement came during the company’s first AI developer conference, marking a strategic move to compete with OpenAI, Google, and emerging players like China’s DeepSeek. “You can now start using Llama with one line of code,” said Meta Chief Product Officer Chris Cox. The Llama API, currently in limited preview, will roll out more broadly over the coming months. While Meta did not disclose pricing, the move reinforces its strategy of offering the Llama models mostly free of charge to promote innovation and deeper integration into its platforms. Meta also introduced a standalone AI assistant app and confirmed plans to test a paid AI chatbot subscription in Q2, signaling broader commercial ambitions. Company executives emphasized the flex...

Two Pakistani girls win Global Techathon with AI solution for menopause support Two Pakistani teens, Mahroosh Umer and Maryam Farhan, have claimed top honours at the International Women’s Day Global Techathon 2025 (IWD2025), emerging as winners for their innovative AI solution addressing menopause-related challenges. Competing under the banner of Team Futuristan in the "Teens in AI" category, the duo designed Menova, an AI-powered platform tailored to support women going through menopause. The project stood out for its culturally inclusive design and personalised approach, tackling the often-overlooked stigma surrounding menopause in many communities. "Menova bridges the knowledge gap and provides personalised AI-driven support for women experiencing symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances — all while respecting cultural sensitivities," the teens said during their pitch. The platform was created in response to alarming global data showing th...

Scientists discover massive hidden molecular cloud near Earth A massive, previously undetected molecular cloud has been discovered surprisingly close to Earth, offering new insights into how stars and planets form. Named "Eos" after the Greek goddess of dawn, the cloud spans an area roughly 40 times the width of the full moon and carries a mass about 3,400 times greater than the sun, according to a study published Monday in Nature Astronomy. Located just 300 light-years away, Eos is now recognized as the nearest known molecular cloud to our solar system. Its discovery was a surprise to astronomers, who believed they had mapped all nearby molecular clouds. Eos had remained hidden because it contains very little carbon monoxide, the chemical signature typically used to detect such clouds. Researchers instead spotted Eos by analyzing far-ultraviolet emissions from hydrogen molecules — a method not previously used to find molecular clouds. The data was gathered by FIMS-SPEAR, a...

Alibaba launches Qwen3 'hybrid' AI model to challenge OpenAI, Google Alibaba Group unveiled Qwen3, a new family of large language models designed to compete with leading AI systems from OpenAI and Google. The release includes eight models, ranging from 0.6 billion to 235 billion parameters, and features a combination of dense and mixture-of-experts (MoE) architectures. The Chinese tech giant claims Qwen3 matches or outperforms the capabilities of OpenAI’s o3-mini and Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro in several key benchmarks, including coding, math reasoning, and complex problem-solving. Qwen3 models support 119 languages and were trained on 36 trillion tokens sourced from textbooks, code, question-answer datasets, and AI-generated material. Unlike some competitors, Alibaba has made several Qwen3 models open-weight, available for download via Hugging Face and GitHub. The flagship Qwen-3-235B-A22B model, which achieved the highest scores in tests, remains restricted for now. Qwen3 intr...

OpenAI turns ChatGPT into shopping assistant with new commerce features OpenAI has launched new shopping capabilities in its ChatGPT chatbot, enabling users to more easily find, compare, and purchase products directly through the platform. The features, announced Monday (April 28) in posts on X, include enhanced product results, visual details such as pricing and reviews, and direct links to purchase items. OpenAI said the product listings are selected independently and are not advertisements. The rollout began Monday and is expected to complete within days. The update is available to Plus, Pro, Free, and logged-out users. The company also reported improvements to ChatGPT’s search functionality, citing over one billion web searches conducted in the past week. Updates include the ability to send WhatsApp messages to ChatGPT for real-time answers and live sports scores, as well as trending search suggestions and autocomplete features to speed up queries. Responses now provide multiple ...

Amazon launches first Kuiper satellites, challenges SpaceX’s Starlink Amazon on Monday launched its first 27 Project Kuiper satellites into low Earth orbit, marking the tech giant’s official entry into the satellite internet market dominated by SpaceX’s Starlink. The satellites lifted off aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida just after 7 pm ET. The successful mission follows a weather delay and represents a key milestone in Amazon’s $10 billion plan to deploy more than 3,200 satellites aimed at delivering global internet coverage. The Kuiper network, first announced six years ago, is Amazon’s most ambitious space initiative to date. The satellites, designed to orbit at approximately 280 miles above Earth, will eventually beam internet service to underserved areas across the globe. Amazon aims to begin commercial operations by the end of 2025. Amazon has secured more than 80 rocket launches with various providers—i...

WhatsApp beta rolls out simplified voice note recording feature WhatsApp is set to make voice message recording easier with a new single-tap feature introduced in its latest iOS beta update. According to WABetaInfo, users who have installed version 25.13.10.70 of WhatsApp beta for iOS via the TestFlight app can now record voice messages with just one tap, without the need to hold or swipe the microphone button. Previously, WhatsApp users had two options: either press and hold the microphone button to send a quick voice note, or swipe up to lock the recording for longer messages. The new update unifies both methods, automatically activating the recording lock as soon as the microphone button is tapped. This tweak aims to streamline the recording process, making it faster, more intuitive, and reducing the steps involved in sending a voice message. While the change may initially feel unfamiliar to users accustomed to the older method, it is expected to become second nature after a few u...

Scientists create artificial leaf to convert CO2 into chemicals using sunlight Researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and international collaborators have developed an artificial leaf capable of converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable chemicals using sunlight. This breakthrough, published in Nature Catalysis, is part of the Liquid Sunlight Alliance (LiSA), a multi-institutional initiative aimed at creating liquid fuels from solar energy. The innovative device, combining copper and perovskite, mimics natural photosynthesis. It harnesses sunlight to produce C2 molecules, essential precursors for products such as plastic polymers and jet fuel. The research is a significant advancement in solar fuel technology, following decades of efforts to replicate photosynthesis in artificial systems. The device, about the size of a postage stamp, uses a copper-based electrocatalyst to facilitate the conversion of CO2, a process inspired by natural enzymes in...

Google Photos enhances face recognition with new thumbnail feature In a move set to transform how users interact with their photo collections, Google Photos is introducing a new feature aimed at improving the speed and efficiency of facial recognition. This update, still in the testing phase, will streamline the process of identifying individuals in photos, making it faster to spot faces in your images without extra taps or swipes. The feature, currently being trialed in version 7.26 of the Google Photos Android app, adds a new row of face thumbnails beneath each photo. These thumbnails, which represent individuals recognized in the photo, offer users an immediate glance at the faces Google Photos has detected, allowing them to quickly identify people in their images. Although the thumbnails currently lack name labels, users will likely be able to tap on each one to get more detailed information. This new row is designed to simplify the process of searching for specific individuals i...

Huawei develops new AI chip to challenge Nvidia dominance China’s Huawei Technologies is preparing to test its latest and most powerful artificial intelligence (AI) processor, the Ascend 910D, aiming to challenge high-end products from US chipmaker Nvidia, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The new chip, still in early development, is expected to undergo a series of technical tests before being approved for customer use. Huawei has reportedly approached several Chinese tech firms to help test the chip’s performance. The company hopes the Ascend 910D will outperform Nvidia’s flagship H100 chip, with the first batch of samples expected by late May. Earlier iterations of the series include the Ascend 910B and 910C. According to Reuters, Huawei also plans to begin mass shipments of its advanced Ascend 910C chip to Chinese customers as early as next month. For years, Huawei and other Chinese firms have struggled to compete with Nvidia in developing AI chips capable of train...

Uber CEO highlights UAE's ambitious driverless vehicle plans Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi praised the company’s growing partnerships in the UAE for self-driving car services, speaking at the Semafor World Economy Summit 2025 in Washington on Friday. Khosrowshahi highlighted Uber’s collaboration with China’s WeRide, which has already introduced autonomous vehicle services in Abu Dhabi and plans to expand into Dubai. "It’s a terrific team, and we offer WeRides now in Abu Dhabi, and recently announced that expansion into Dubai as well," he said. The partnership, launched in 2024, saw self-driving WeRide cars operating on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island and Yas Island, with future growth expected. The vehicles, operated by UAE transport company Tawasul, run on the Uber platform and include a human safety operator behind the wheel. Earlier this year, Uber and WeRide also partnered with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to introduce driverless taxis to Dubai, further strengthen...

TikTok to debut e-commerce platform in Japan TikTok is set to enter the Japanese e-commerce market within the next few months, according to a report by Nikkei. The social media giant is preparing to recruit sellers for its e-commerce arm, TikTok Shop, in Japan, marking a significant step in its international expansion strategy. TikTok Shop allows users to host live-streams to sell products such as sneakers, cosmetics, and more, with sellers earning commissions on sales. The platform has become known for offering discounted products, and its e-commerce model is part of the company's broader plan to diversify its revenue sources beyond advertising. The decision to launch in Japan follows TikTok's recent expansion into European markets, with TikTok Shop becoming available in France, Germany, and Italy earlier this year. The move signals TikTok's ambition to strengthen its position in the global e-commerce space, especially as it faces uncertainty in the United States due to ...

WhatsApp introduces new Advanced Chat Privacy feature WhatsApp has officially introduced a new feature, Advanced Chat Privacy, aimed at giving users greater control over how their messages and media are handled in both private and group chats. Initially leaked earlier this month, the feature has now been made available to all users. When enabled, Advanced Chat Privacy prevents others in a conversation from exporting chats, disables the automatic downloading of media to their devices, and restricts the use of messages in AI-powered features within WhatsApp. However, the tool does not currently block screenshots, a limitation WhatsApp has yet to address. According to WhatsApp, this feature is particularly valuable for group chats where participants may not know each other personally, such as health support groups or community organisation chats. Advanced Chat Privacy provides users with a higher degree of security over their messages after they are sent. To activate the feature, users ...

Researchers develop wireless, light-activated pacemaker the size of a grain of rice Researchers at Northwestern University have unveiled the world’s smallest pacemaker — a wireless, dissolvable device no larger than a grain of rice, designed to provide temporary cardiac pacing, especially for newborns with congenital heart defects. Measuring just 1.8 mm wide, 3.5 mm long, and 1 mm thick, the device can be injected using a syringe, eliminating the need for invasive surgery. It operates without batteries or wires, using a galvanic cell that activates when in contact with body fluids, generating enough electrical current to pace the heart. A wearable patch on the chest continuously monitors heart rhythms and triggers the pacemaker using pulses of infrared light whenever it detects irregularities. This optical activation replaces conventional radiofrequency systems, enabling a smaller, antenna-free design and reducing risk and discomfort for patients. “Temporary pacemakers are essential ...

YouTube marks 20 years with big numbers and bigger ambitions YouTube turned 20 this April, marking two decades since co-founder Jawed Karim uploaded the platform’s first-ever video, Me at the Zoo, back in 2005. Now owned by Google, YouTube has evolved beyond a simple video-sharing site into a dominant force across entertainment, music, and technology. Earlier this week, YouTube shared a series of impressive statistics to commemorate the milestone. The company revealed that over 20 million videos are uploaded daily, and in 2024 alone, users posted an average of 100 million comments per day. Creators engaged actively as well, giving hearts to comments from around 10 million users every day. YouTube also highlighted that videos on the platform received over 3.5 billion likes daily last year. More than 300 music videos have now crossed the billion-views mark — a reflection of the platform’s global reach and influence. The anniversary celebrations also extended to YouTube Music and YouTub...

iPhone 16 series hit by new import valuations in Pakistan The Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi, has issued revised customs values for the import of 187 models of Apple iPhones, including the newly launched iPhone 16 series. The changes, formalized in Valuation Ruling No. 1909 of 2025, were announced on Friday following stakeholder consultations and a comprehensive review of market trends. The updated customs valuation includes 16 variants of the iPhone 16, in addition to earlier models such as the iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, and 11. The ruling also incorporates depreciation allowances for older models that have reached the end of their product life cycles. The decision follows formal requests from the Collectorate of Customs (Airport), Islamabad, and several importers, who highlighted that the existing valuation framework, now over a year old, no longer reflected current international pricing. Customs authorities cited outdated values and the need to accommodate new model...

PayPal, Coinbase expand stablecoin crypto partnership to boost innovation PayPal Holdings Inc. and Coinbase Global Inc. have expanded their partnership to promote the adoption and utility of PayPal USD (PYUSD), a US dollar-backed stablecoin. The announcement, made on Thursday, marks a strategic effort to integrate stablecoins into global payments and decentralized finance (DeFi) systems. Under the renewed collaboration, Coinbase will support fee-free purchases of PYUSD and provide seamless 1:1 conversions to US dollars across its custody and trading platforms. The companies also plan to explore new on-chain and DeFi use cases, reinforcing PYUSD’s position as a key tool for digital commerce and institutional crypto adoption. "For years, we've worked with Coinbase to enable a best-in-class integration," said PayPal CEO Alex Chriss. "We are excited to drive innovative use cases together, putting PYUSD at the center of future commerce experiences." Coinbase CEO Br...

Slate Auto unveils $25K customisable EV pickup backed by Jeff Bezos Michigan-based EV startup Slate Auto, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has revealed its first vehicle: a $25,000 electric pickup designed for affordability and deep customization. Unveiled Thursday night at a launch event in Long Beach, California, the no-frills Slate Truck features a 52.7 kWh battery with an estimated range of 150 miles and a 201-horsepower motor driving the rear wheels. Buyers can upgrade to an 84.3 kWh battery offering up to 240 miles of range. Deliveries are expected to begin in late 2026. Targeted at cost-conscious and DIY-savvy consumers, the base model comes with steel wheels, crank windows, and no radio or power features. Customers can add upgrades from a catalog of over 100 accessories, including vinyl wraps, power windows, and a $5,000 SUV conversion kit. “All trucks come in one slate-gray color and base form,” said Slate CEO Chris Barman, a former Fiat-Chrysler executive. “This allows ...

Bluesky suffers temporary outage despite decentralised design Decentralised social network Bluesky experienced a significant outage, leaving users unable to access the service via web or mobile for nearly an hour. The platform attributed the disruption to “major PDS networking problems”, referencing its personal data server infrastructure. According to updates posted on Bluesky’s status page, the outage began at 6:55 p.m. ET. A fix was in progress by 7:38 p.m. ET, and service was soon restored. The incident sparked questions about how a decentralised platform could suffer such a disruption. Although Bluesky operates on the AT Protocol—a decentralised networking framework—the bulk of its user base still relies on infrastructure maintained by Bluesky itself, including its core PDS components. Users who independently run components of the AT Protocol were reportedly unaffected, highlighting that the platform’s decentralisation is still in early implementation stages. In the long term, B...

Meta's new AI chatbot on Whatsapp sparks privacy fears WhatsApp’s newly launched AI feature has sparked frustration among users after it emerged the tool cannot be removed from the app, despite the company describing it as “entirely optional.” The Meta AI chatbot, represented by a multi-coloured blue icon on the Chats screen, provides users with AI-driven responses to queries. However, its permanent presence in the interface has drawn comparisons to other controversial tech rollouts, such as Microsoft’s now-revised Recall feature. A WhatsApp spokesperson told that the company sees the tool as similar to non-removable options like ‘channels’ or ‘status,’ and added: “We think giving people these options is a good thing and we're always listening to feedback from our users.” The backlash echoes wider concerns about user control and digital privacy as tech firms integrate AI deeper into everyday services. The introduction of WhatsApp's AI assistant coincides with Meta’s annou...

Trump’s crypto coin surges after dinner invite for top holders Donald Trump’s meme cryptocurrency, $TRUMP, has seen a sharp rise in value after an attention-grabbing offer promised a private dinner with the US President for its wealthiest holders. The official website for the coin unveiled a new campaign stating that the top 220 holders of the digital asset will be invited to a black-tie dinner at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C., on May 22. A special reception with the president is also planned exclusively for the top 25 holders, giving participants unprecedented access to Trump in what is being described as one of the most exclusive events of the year. The announcement sent the token’s value soaring by more than 70% in just a few hours, reversing part of a steep decline the coin had faced in recent months. Despite the jump, the current price remains well below the all-time high of over $75 reached shortly after its January launch. Originally released just days before Tr...

Intel to cut over 21,000 jobs in major restructuring under new CEO: report Intel is reportedly planning to cut more than 21,000 jobs — about 20% of its global workforce — as part of a sweeping restructuring initiative under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan. The announcement is expected ahead of the company’s first-quarter earnings call this week, according to Bloomberg News. The layoffs come amid Intel’s efforts to streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies. The move is the first major decision by Tan, who succeeded Pat Gelsinger as CEO in late 2024. Aimed at reviving the struggling chipmaker, the cuts are intended to help shift Intel’s focus back to its engineering roots and improve overall agility. Intel had around 108,900 employees at the end of 2024, following a previous workforce reduction of 15,000 jobs in August as part of a $10 billion cost-cutting plan. At that time, the company cited declining margins in its core PC and data center businesses, as well as rising investme...

China's BYD to reboot European operations due to strategy mishaps: sources China’s top electric vehicle maker BYD is overhauling its European strategy after a series of early missteps, including slow dealer expansion and failing to offer hybrids in key markets, according to six company insiders. BYD’s initial European expansion, launched in 2023, fell short of expectations as the firm struggled to adapt its China-born strategy to Europe’s fragmented auto market. The company ended 2024 with just 2.8% market share and 57,000 vehicles sold in the region, despite lofty goals to become Europe’s top EV seller by 2030. Internal sources say BYD was slow to recruit executives with local knowledge, build a robust dealer network, and realise the demand for hybrid vehicles in countries resistant to full electrification. To course-correct, BYD has moved quickly. In December, it declared plug-in hybrids would be central to its European plan. This shift followed advice from Alfredo Altavilla, a...

Tesla’s Optimus robots hit by China’s rare earth export curbs Tesla’s plans to mass-produce its Optimus humanoid robots have been disrupted by China’s recent export restrictions on rare earth magnets, CEO Elon Musk confirmed during the company’s Q1 2025 earnings call on Tuesday. Musk said the production of Tesla’s advanced robots is being delayed as the company awaits export licenses from Beijing, which has tightened rules over concerns its rare earths may be used for military purposes. “They’re just going into a humanoid robot,” Musk said, denying any military application. China, which controls over 90% of global rare earth refining, imposed export curbs this month on heavy rare earths like terbium and dysprosium—key components in high-performance magnets used in robotics, electric vehicles, and defense systems. Exporters must now apply for licenses from China’s Ministry of Commerce, with approvals taking six to eight weeks or more. The development casts uncertainty over Tesla’s goa...