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Trump claims 'very wealthy' group to buy TikTok amid US ban threat President Donald Trump said Sunday a group of buyers had been found for TikTok, which faces a looming ban in the United States due to its China ties, adding he could name the purchasers in two weeks. "We have a buyer for TikTok, by the way," Trump said in an interview on Fox's Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. "Very wealthy people. It's a group of wealthy people," the president said, without revealing more except to say he would make their identities known "in about two weeks." The president also said he would likely need "China approval" for the sale, "and I think President Xi (Jinping) will probably do it." TikTok is owned by China-based internet company ByteDance. A federal law requiring TikTok's sale or ban on national security grounds was due to take effect the day before Trump's inauguration on January 20. But the Republican, wh...

USF approves Rs7.49b for high-speed internet, 4G expansion The Universal Service Fund (USF) Board of Directors has approved seven major telecommunications projects worth Rs7.49 billion to improve high-speed internet and mobile connectivity for nearly 960,000 people across 347 locations in 10 districts of Pakistan. The announcement was made during the USF Board’s 98th meeting, chaired by Zarar Hasham Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, held at USF headquarters on Sunday, Radio Pakistan reported. Among the approved initiatives are two large-scale Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) projects aimed at providing high-speed fixed broadband to approximately 2.8 million people in the Sanghar and Jhang districts. These projects will involve the deployment of 940 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure, linking 113 towns and union councils. “The Fund is not only launching new projects but also closely monitoring the timely completion of existing initiatives,” said Zarar Hasham ...

AI breakthrough helps detect hidden apps on smartphones Researchers in Australia have developed a powerful new technique to uncover hidden "vault" apps on smartphones — a discovery that could aid law enforcement in digital investigations. The study, conducted by Edith Cowan University and the University of Southern Queensland, found that machine learning (ML) can identify vault apps with up to 98% accuracy on Android devices. Vault apps allow users to store files, messages, or even other apps behind layers of encryption. While often used for privacy, they have increasingly been linked to illicit activities, including espionage and unauthorised surveillance. “These apps can mimic normal ones, making them very difficult to detect,” said Associate Professor Mike Johnstone from ECU. “Current detection tools rely on prior knowledge of suspicious apps, which limits their usefulness.” By contrast, the new machine learning approach can identify vault apps without needing a pre-exis...

AI and cloud boom spark ‘climate strategy crisis’ for tech giants The fast-rising energy demands of Big Tech are undermining the ambitious climate pledges that Apple, Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft have all made in recent years, according to a report from the nonprofit NewClimate Institute. The research says the tech sector faces a "climate strategy crisis" as its data centers demand ever more electricity and water to power growing fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing. "These companies seem to have lost their way with regard to climate strategies," report co-author Thomas Day told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. "The narrative has changed from 'we're fixed on the target' to 'we're really not sure, but we'll get there somehow.'" The picture is further complicated, he said, by ongoing negotiations over how to count and report future emissions. Big Tech has pledged to fight climate change ...

Fortnite players to get $126 million in refunds after FTC settlement Fortnite players who were wrongly charged for unwanted in-game purchases are set to receive a share of a $126 million refund this week, following a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The refunds stem from a $245 million agreement reached between the FTC and Fortnite’s developer, Epic Games, over allegations of deceptive online practices that led to players, including minors, being tricked into making unauthorised purchases. FTC initially announced the settlement in December 2022, marking it as the largest refund the agency had ever issued in a gaming industry case. The settlement follows accusations that Epic Games misled consumers into making in-game transactions they otherwise wouldn’t have made. FTC also announced it will issue nearly 970,000 checks and PayPal payments to those who submitted valid claims, following an earlier round of payments in December 2022 totalling over $22 million. For Fort...

MindsEye developer announce layoffs after game was critically panned Build A Rocket Boy, the developer behind MindsEye, has confirmed reports of layoffs less than a month after the troubled release of its debut title. The company, which has yet to comment further, acknowledged the staffing reductions in a statement to IGN, calling the decision a difficult one. The studio has not disclosed the exact number of employees affected by the layoffs, but reports suggest that around 100 of the company’s 500 employees could be impacted. MindsEye, a futuristic, single-player narrative action game, was designed as the first entry in an expansive interconnected universe, with high expectations surrounding its release. The title was developed by Leslie Benzies, the former Rockstar Games producer known for his work on the Grand Theft Auto series. MindsEye developers Break a Rocket Boy have reportedly already began laying off over a hundred staff after a disastrous launch. This game has really been ...

FICO to include 'Buy Now, Pay Later' data in US consumer credit scores Starting later this year, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) loans will be included in Americans' credit scores, giving lenders a clearer view of repayment behaviour. FICO has announced that its new models, FICO Score 10 and FICO Score 10 T, will incorporate BNPL data, marking the first time major credit scores reflect this growing payment method. BNPL loans let consumers split purchases into smaller payments, often for items like clothes, flights, or groceries. Until now, BNPL activity has been excluded from credit reports, leaving a gap in how lenders assess creditworthiness. FICO's decision aims to offer a more complete picture of an individual's financial behaviour. For younger consumers or those with limited credit histories, BNPL could help build credit. New York Times reported that BNPL could serve as a "credit-builder" if used responsibly. “FICO plans to launch a suite of credit scores...

Sony faces lawsuit over alleged 'Sony Tax' on digital PlayStation games Sony is facing a class action lawsuit in the Netherlands over allegations of monopolistic practices related to its pricing of digital games and downloadable content (DLC). The claim, led by the 'Fair PlayStation' campaign, accuses the company of imposing what consumers have dubbed the "Sony tax," alleging that digital versions of PlayStation games are sold at an average of 47% higher prices compared to their physical counterparts. The legal action, filed against Sony on June 23, stems from research by the Dutch consumer group, which claims that Sony has exploited its dominant position in the console market for over a decade. The lawsuit contends that this price disparity has cost Dutch consumers an estimated $505 million since 2013. The complaint also highlights Sony’s control over its digital marketplace, particularly its restrictions on other app stores, which the plaintiffs argue has ...

Versailles statues now talk to visitors in AI-powered experience Visitors to France's famed Palace of Versailles can now strike up a conversation with talking statues instead of listening to a traditional audio guide, as part of a new collaboration with artificial intelligence companies, the palace has said. Versailles late Monday announced a partnership with US-based OpenAI and French start-up Ask Mona to bring a modern AI touch to the iconic 17th-century palace. Curious visitors can delve into Versailles' rich history by scanning a QR code next to one of some 20 garden statues -- triggering interactive conversations in French, English, or Spanish. "The Palace of Versailles is now testing artificial intelligence, whose tremendous capabilities will greatly enrich the visitor experience," said the museum's president, Christophe Leribault. The heritage site welcomes some eight million visitors annually, with OpenAI and Ask Mona saying it was a golden opportunity t...

Samsung announces 'Galaxy Unpacked' event, expected to launch Galaxy Fold 7 Samsung has announced its next Galaxy Unpacked event will take place on 9 July 2025, where the tech giant is expected to unveil its latest foldable smartphones and wearable devices. The teaser for the event closes with the phrase “Ultra Unfolds,” signalling that significant upgrades — possibly even new naming conventions — could be on the horizon. The event will begin at 3pm BST and be livestreamed globally. It marks a return to New York for Samsung’s mid-year showcase, which in recent years has focused on foldable devices and smartwatches. 💙 Like this post and be the first to witness what’s next on #GalaxyUnpacked Something new is unfolding—and yes, it’s worth the wait 😉 This is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for. #GalaxyAI pic.twitter.com/gtsJBv9Kox — Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) June 23, 2025 Based on promotional materials and industry leaks, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 are likely...

Hytale cancelled by Riot Games after 7 years of development Riot Games has officially cancelled development of the long-delayed sandbox RPG Hytale and will begin the process of closing Hypixel Studios, the team behind the project. The decision was confirmed by Hypixel co-founder Aaron "Noxy" Donaghey, who described it as a difficult outcome for both the studio and its parent company. “This isn’t the conclusion we had hoped for,” Donaghey said in a public statement. “Despite years of iteration, technical overhauls and strategic reviews, we ultimately couldn’t find a version of Hytale that delivered on its original promise.” Originally unveiled in 2018, Hytale had been in development for several years before being acquired by Riot in 2020. The game had attracted attention for its blocky aesthetic and sandbox structure reminiscent of Minecraft, but never reached a playable release. Target launch windows in 2021 and later 2023 were repeatedly delayed as the studio reworked its ...

E. coli can turn plastic into painkillers, chemists discover Scientists have found a way to use the bacteria E.Coli to convert plastic waste into a popular painkiller, a study said Monday, though outside experts doubted the technique would make a dent in the fight against plastic pollution. Paracetamol, which is one of the most commonly used drugs worldwide, is made from the derivatives of fossil fuels, often by Asia-based subcontractors using cheap, polluting methods that contribute to climate change. The world is also facing an escalating crisis of plastic pollution, with countries set for another bruising round of negotiations in August in the hope of sealing an international treaty to reduce plastic waste. The British team of researchers behind the new study sought to find a solution to the two problems by roping in a third -- E.coli, which is normally known for making people sick when they eat contaminated food. First the chemists used a molecule derived from PET plastic, which ...

Apple mulls bid for AI startup Perplexity in search shake-up: Bloomberg report Apple executives have held internal talks about potentially bidding for artificial intelligence startup Perplexity, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people with knowledge of the matter. The discussions are at an early stage and may not lead to an offer, the report said, adding that the tech behemoth's executives have not discussed a bid with Perplexity's management. "We have no knowledge of any current or future M&A discussions involving Perplexity," Perplexity said in response to a Reuters' request for comment. Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. Big tech companies are doubling down on investments to enhance AI capabilities and support growing demand for AI-powered services to maintain competitive leadership in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Bloomberg News also reported on Friday that Meta Platforms tried to buy Perplexity earli...

24M unveils breakthrough EV battery with 1000-mile range, ultra-fast charging 24M Technologies, a US-based battery firm, says it has developed a next-generation electrolyte that could dramatically improve the range and charging speed of electric vehicles (EVs), while performing reliably even in extreme temperatures. 24M Technologies has unveiled “Eternalyte,” an advanced electrolyte it claims delivers a step change in ionic conductivity — the key factor in how quickly a battery charges and discharges. The company says the breakthrough could power future lithium metal batteries capable of over 1,000 miles of driving range and add 190 miles of charge in under four minutes. Unlike some cutting-edge battery technologies that require overhauls to charging infrastructure, 24M claims its solution does not rely on high-cost MegaWatt charging stations. Instead, Eternalyte enables ultra-fast charging using today’s setups. 24M Technologies has announced a breakthrough in battery innovation ...

Centurylink internet outages affect thousands in US A widespread internet outage disrupted telecommunications across the United States on June 19, with more than 45,000 users losing access to broadband services. The disruption was particularly severe in Colorado, where local users of Quantum Fiber and other providers experienced major connectivity issues. The outage affected several major providers, including CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber and Brightspeed, and lasted for over two and a half hours, making it one of the most significant broadband failures in recent months. Outage tracking data from platforms such as Down Detector indicated that over 35,000 CenturyLink customers were impacted nationwide. @CenturyLink hey not sure if you're aware but this is literally a nationwide problem and this isn't something that a DM can fix pic.twitter.com/8cCsRMPAgm — blissfully bella (@Bliss1536977) June 19, 2025 Quantum Fiber, a fibre-based broadband service widely used in Colorado, saw mor...

US tech workers prefer YouTube over formal courses, survey finds A growing number of tech workers in the United States are turning to YouTube as their preferred method of learning on the job, favouring short, targeted videos over traditional online courses, a new report from Adobe Acrobat has found. The survey, which polled 1,000 full-time employees, revealed that 71% of tech workers rely on YouTube as a primary learning resource—making them 35% more likely to use the video platform than structured e-learning platforms. This trend is part of a broader shift towards just-in-time learning, where immediacy and accessibility often trump formal instruction. In an industry where new tools and jargon emerge rapidly, short-form instructional content appears better suited to the pace of day-to-day demands. The report also highlighted the growing pressures professionals face in fast-paced environments. More than half of respondents admitted staying late to learn skills they pretended to alread...

Google launches voice-powered 'Search Live' as part of AI expansion Google has launched a new voice-activated feature, Search Live, for its Google app on iOS and Android, giving users in the United States a more natural, conversational way to search the web. The rollout is part of the company’s AI Mode initiative, currently being trialled in Google Labs. Search Live allows users to speak directly to Google Search, pose follow-up questions, and receive responses — all without needing to type. The feature is aimed at people searching while multitasking or on the move, offering a hands-free experience similar to Google’s existing Gemini Live tool. By tapping the newly introduced Live icon in the app, users can initiate voice conversations with the search engine. The assistant responds with spoken answers and links to relevant webpages. Users can continue chatting with the AI even while switching between apps, making multitasking smoother. A Transcript feature enables mid-convers...

US Senate passes landmark crypto bill for USD-pegged stablecoins The US Senate on June 17 passed a bill to create a regulatory framework for US-dollar-pegged cryptocurrency tokens known as stablecoins, in a watershed moment for the digital asset industry. The bill, dubbed the GENIUS Act, received bipartisan support, with several Democrats joining most Republicans to back the proposed federal rules. It passed 68-30. The House of Representatives, which is controlled by Republicans, needs to pass its version of the bill before it heads to President Donald Trump's desk for approval. "It is a major milestone," said Andrew Olmem, a managing partner at law firm Mayer Brown and the former deputy director of the National Economic Council during Trump's first term. "It establishes, for the first time, a regulatory regime for stablecoins, a rapidly developing financial product and industry." Stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a constant value,...

Meta offered $100 million bonuses to OpenAI employees: Sam Altman OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that Meta has offered his employees bonuses of $100 million to recruit them, as the tech giant seeks to ramp up its artificial intelligence strategy. Speaking on the 'Uncapped' podcast hosted by his brother, Sam Altman said that while Meta had tried to recruit "a lot of people" from OpenAI, "none of our top talent has chosen to leave for them so far" as reported by CNBC. Reuters reports that the alleged attempts by Meta to hire OpenAI staffers are the latest signs of a frenzy to hire top engineers to develop AI models, and they come at a time when the Facebook owner is working on building its superintelligence unit to catch up with competitors. Competition for AI talent has reached a feverish pitch as superstar researchers are being courted like professional athletes on the belief that individual contributors can make or break companies. "They (Meta) started m...

Instagram users face sudden suspensions, AI under scrutiny Instagram users say they are being wrongly banned or suspended from the platform, with complaints growing across Reddit, X, and petition sites as Meta has yet to publicly acknowledge the issue. Photo: Screenshot from Reddit post https://ift.tt/HoCF6yb Many users claim they have not breached any of Instagram’s rules, yet find themselves locked out of their accounts without warning. In several cases, users said that when they appealed the decision or submitted identity documents, they received no response. “I’ve already submitted multiple appeals, uploaded my ID, and tried reaching out to Meta through all the official channels, but I’ve been completely ignored,” one Reddit user wrote. “It feels like I’m shouting into a void.” Critics suspect the bans may be the result of automated moderation errors, possibly involving artificial intelligence systems. However, no concrete evidence has been provided and Meta has not confirmed or ...

Meta teams up with Oakley to tease AR smart glasses launch Meta has announced a new partnership with Oakley to develop smart glasses, with a reveal scheduled for June 20. This collaboration is expected to expand upon the success of Meta’s popular Ray-Ban smart glasses, with Oakley set to enter the smart eyewear market. In a teaser shared by Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, a promotional video featuring both brands' logos hinted at a major upcoming release. 🤘🏼 pic.twitter.com/dvJ0y6afDQ — Boz (@boztank) June 16, 2025 This marks the culmination of a partnership that began in January when reports first suggested that Meta was working with Oakley to create a new version of its smart glasses. Unlike the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which feature a camera but no display, the Oakley smart glasses are expected to have a similar design but with a few key modifications. Leaks by Android Central indicate that the camera will be relocated to the centre of the frame and will feature specific enh...

WhatsApp ads are coming: Meta announces plans for ads in 'Updates' section Meta has officially introduced ads to WhatsApp, marking a major shift for the messaging app. The move, announced on June 17, comes 11 years after Facebook's $19 billion acquisition of the platform. WhatsApp's original founders, who had long opposed advertising, had maintained the app's ad-free experience. However, Meta’s latest decision introduces "status ads" that will appear exclusively in the app’s “Updates” tab, ensuring they remain separate from users' personal conversations. we're making some additions to the Updates tab, home to Status and Channels and a separate space from your personal chats. here's what's coming 👇 Channel Subscriptions 🤩 get access to exclusive updates from your favorite channels on WhatsApp, all while supporting the creators… — WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) June 16, 2025 These new ads will allow businesses to engage with users directly through ...

Penn State builds world’s first 2D computer using atom-thin materials Engineers at Pennsylvania State University have constructed the world’s first computer entirely made from atomically thin two-dimensional materials, bypassing silicon entirely in a step researchers say could pave the way for more compact, efficient electronics. The development process was published in Nature. The new device is a functioning complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) computer built using two 2D materials—molybdenum disulfide for n-type transistors and tungsten diselenide for p-type transistors. These transistors are fundamental to regulating current in CMOS circuits, which underpin nearly all modern computing. “This marks the first time a computer has been built entirely from 2D semiconductors,” said Dr. Saptarshi Das, a professor of engineering at Penn State and the project’s lead. He added that while traditional silicon loses performance at atomic scales, “two-dimensional materials maintai...

Tesla Model Y fails test in school-bus simulation, hits mannequins At a recent demonstration in Texas, a Tesla Model Y operating in Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode was shown failing to stop for a stationary school bus and striking child-sized dummies. The tests, organised by advocacy groups The Dawn Project, Tesla Takedown, and ResistAustin, replicated the scenario eight times, each time with the Tesla Model Y ignoring the bus’s flashing lights and stop signs. Video footage from the demonstration showed the vehicle driving past the bus and colliding with the mannequins intended to represent children. The demonstration has raised fresh concerns about the readiness of autonomous vehicle technology. Tesla’s system—officially named Full Self-Driving (Supervised)—requires active driver supervision and issues escalating warnings if the driver does not respond. The company has repeatedly cautioned users that failure to comply could lead to serious injury or death. While Tesla was not invol...

New Google feature offers podcast-style answers to search queriesf Google is rolling out a test that puts its AI-powered Audio Overviews on the first page of search results on mobile. The experiment, which you can enable in Labs, will let you generate an AI podcast-style discussion for certain queries. If you search for something like, “How do noise cancellation headphones work?”, Google will display a button beneath the “People also ask” module that says, “Generate Audio Overview.” Once you click the button, it will take up to 40 seconds to generate an Audio Overview, according to Google. The completed Audio Overview will appear in a small player embedded within your search results, where you can play, pause, mute, and adjust the playback speed of the clip. Similar to Audio Overviews on NotebookLM and Gemini, this one also features two AI-generated “hosts” who enthusiastically discuss the topic you want to learn more about. You’ll also find links to some of the sources used by Audio...