A long-awaited agreement over TikTok is drawing closer. US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to discuss terms on Friday. Officials from both sides recently reached a “framework” deal. Reports suggest TikTok’s US operations could be sold to a group of American investors. If sealed, one analyst called it a “rare breakthrough” in strained US-China relations. It could also resolve a conflict that has dragged on for years. Experts now assess what the deal means for TikTok’s 170 million US users, and what China gains in return. The battle over TikTok’s algorithm Chinese state media described…
Author: Grace Johnson
Meta has launched a new generation of smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence. The company hopes they will become everyday essentials worldwide. New devices unveiled at Meta Connect At the Meta Connect developer conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg presented several products developed with Ray-Ban and Oakley. A neural wristband was among the highlights. It pairs with the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and allows users to send messages with subtle hand gestures. The reveal comes as Meta faces ongoing criticism over the impact of its platforms. Campaigners warn particularly about risks to children. Zuckerberg called the technology a “huge scientific breakthrough” while…
Food prices climbed again in August, marking the fifth consecutive monthly rise. Official figures show the fastest increase since early last year. The cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks rose 5.1% over the year. Beef, butter, milk and chocolate recorded the largest increases. Other areas, including air fares, grew more slowly, keeping overall inflation steady at 3.8%, the same as July. Economists said supermarkets are passing higher minimum wage and National Insurance costs directly onto shoppers. Bank of England likely to pause Inflation remains above the Bank of England’s 2% target. Analysts expect interest rates to remain unchanged at this…
US President Donald Trump announced he will file a 15 billion dollar lawsuit against the New York Times, citing defamation and libel. Trump posted on his platform Truth Social that the newspaper has lied and smeared him for too long and that this must end immediately. Criticism of Kamala Harris endorsement The president attacked the Times for endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. He accused the paper of serving as a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party. Trump said he will file the lawsuit in Florida, a Republican stronghold. The New York Times has not yet commented on the claim.…
Lawyer Henry Clack has extensive experience with Nigerian criminal gangs. Clack, a solicitor at London-based law firm HFW, represents shipping firms targeted by cyber attacks. He says Nigerian groups are the most frequent adversaries. They have carried out several high-value “man-in-the-middle” frauds in recent years. How hackers infiltrate shipping This type of fraud allows hackers to intercept communication between two parties. They impersonate both sides to steal login credentials, financial data, or full system control. Criminals then demand ransom to return stolen data or give up access. HFW data shows attacks on ships and ports are rising sharply. Between 2022…
Trump links action to energy policy US President Donald Trump said he is ready to impose stronger sanctions on Russia. But he demanded that Nato members first stop importing Russian oil. On his Truth Social platform, he wrote he was “ready for major sanctions on Russia” once Nato states had “agreed and started to do the same.” Trump has repeatedly threatened tougher measures against Moscow. Yet he has not acted when the Kremlin ignored his deadlines. He called the purchase of Russian oil “shocking.” He also urged Nato to apply tariffs of 50 to 100 percent on China. He argued…
Seven firms under scrutiny Seven technology firms face a US investigation into how their artificial intelligence chatbots interact with children. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) demands details about safety measures and how the companies make money from these tools. The debate on children and AI grows louder. Many experts warn that young people remain highly vulnerable. Chatbots can mimic emotions and act like friends, blurring the line between real and artificial companionship. The inquiry targets Alphabet, OpenAI, Character.ai, Snap, XAI, Meta and Instagram. Each company has been asked to respond. FTC wants answers FTC chairman Andrew Ferguson said the probe…
A massive immigration raid at a Hyundai facility in Georgia will postpone its opening by at least two months. The company confirmed the delay after hundreds of foreign workers were detained. raid fuels diplomatic tension The raid has increased strains between Washington and Seoul. Many of the detained workers were South Korean nationals. President Yoon warned the crackdown could discourage foreign investment in the United States. South Korean officials said the workers were sent temporarily to assist in launching the new plant. Hyundai chief executive José Muñoz told American media the raid will delay the opening by two to three…
US pharmaceutical giant Merck has cancelled its planned £1bn UK expansion. The company said the government is not providing enough support for the life sciences sector. The multinational, known in Europe as MSD, will move research to the US and cut jobs in Britain. Executives accused successive governments of undervaluing vaccines and innovative medicines. Industry experts warned the decision could deter other major companies from investing in the UK. Government highlights initiatives but admits challenges A government spokesperson defended current science and research spending but acknowledged more needs to be done. Officials pointed to new programmes but recognised growing international…
Donald Trump is pressing the European Union to implement tariffs of up to 100 percent on China and India. He aims to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and push toward ending the war in Ukraine. Trump calls for stronger action against Moscow The US president made his demand during a meeting with EU officials on Tuesday. Both sides explored new ways to weaken Russia’s economy. According to a source, Trump pushed for the highest possible tariffs targeting China and India. He had promised to end the conflict on the “first day” of his presidency. Peace talks between Moscow…