American multinational tech giant focused on information tech, online advertising, and cloud services
Apple’s iOS 27 rolls out Siri AI, a redesigned assistant that uses on‑device data to answer questions, drafts messages, and interacts with apps. Access is via a waitlist and is limited by device and region. The update also brings performance boosts and stricter kid-safety tools.
Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, with a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer screen. It launches at $1,999, positioning Apple against Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 and signaling a potential shift in premium smartphones. The device offers a book-style design, a matte inner display, and an under-display selfie camera, while rivals emphasize their crease-free engineering.
A glacial collapse on 26 August has produced a torrent of water, mud and debris across the Nepal–Tibet border that has killed more than 1,395 people and left over 5,600 missing. Rescuers have recovered bodies, are searching hydropower tunnels and remote villages, and are racing to control newly formed barrier lakes that threaten fresh flooding and hamper identification and access.
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Forestry England are evaluating beaver reintroduction in the Severn Vale after beavers have already returned to Greathough Brook. DEFRA would need a licence for wider release as studies map impacts on biodiversity and drought resilience.
GM is updating its in-vehicle infotainment to surface controls proactively, revamp Super Cruise visuals, and enable split-screen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The changes aim to reduce driver cognitive load and improve coexistence of native systems with third-party apps across the GM portfolio.
A wave of AI agents is embedding into business operations, redefining roles and accelerating productivity. Leaders say agents will shift responsibilities, blur lines between human and machine work, and demand new governance.
Holyrood has backed steps to require environmental impact assessments for all new data centres above 50MW, while rejecting a Green motion for an immediate moratorium. Ministers say guidance for planning authorities will be published by Christmas, and decisions will not be made until it is in place.
A growing wave of identity-data breaches is shaping a new privacy landscape. Reports show multiple incidents involving ID verification firms and data brokers, exposing driver’s licenses, passports and other sensitive documents. Investigations note authorities are stepping in while firms scramble to contain the fallout.
Apple has announced Reference Image for the iPhone 18 Pro to verify a photo’s origin and authenticity. The feature captures a digitally signed sensor data to produce an unalterable reference alongside the main image, allowing users to confirm whether edits or AI alterations occurred. The system is opt-in and requires Secure Mode on the main camera.
California has signed a package of 13 laws aimed at protecting minors online and regulating AI-enabled toys and tools. The measures penalize platforms for harmful content, ban addictive features for users under 16, require risk assessments for AI chatbots, and require parental controls. The bills are highlighted as the nation’s broadest set of youth-tech safeguards to date.
A trio of recent theatre and opera reviews show bold stagings that wrestle with contemporary themes, from Black British experience to gendered violence. While some productions overreach, others land powerful emotional truths, revealing a vibrant, unsettled cultural moment.
The United States has brought a racketeering case against Huawei, accusing the company of years of illicit activity including theft of trade secrets and sanctions violations. The trial in Brooklyn is set to last about three months as prosecutors present their case and the defense counters that the government relies on selective evidence and misplaced blame. The case ties Huawei’s global business to broader tensions in US-Chinese tech competition.
Frasers has appointed Michael Murray, its chief executive and son-in-law of founder Mike Ashley, to Hugo Boss’s chairmanship as the luxury brand tightens its ties with the conglomerate. Sturm will step down, having announced an orderly transition, while Frasers seeks majority control after lifting its Hugo Boss stake to nearly 48%.
Meta is reportedly developing a camera-free variant of its Ray-Ban smart glasses, aiming to ease concerns about surveillance while preserving AI chat features. The move follows a wave of regulatory and public pushback against camera-enabled wearables, with rivals like Apple eyeing similar tech but focusing on privacy tools.
Alex Saab has entered a plea in a US court, agreeing to forfeit $195 million and to cooperate with investigations into corruption schemes linked to Venezuela's government. He faces up to 20 years in prison on money-laundering charges; prosecutors expect cooperation against unnamed co-defendants and possibly against Maduro allies.
A UN General Assembly vote has endorsed the Equal Earth projection to replace parts of the Mercator map, with 164 countries in support and the United States the sole vote against. The move aims to correct distortions that have long misrepresented Africa’s size, though the change remains non-binding and voluntary for now.
This week has seen a string of new and updated cars: Skoda has launched the Epiq, its smallest electric SUV from £24,950; Mercedes has introduced a seven‑seat electric GLB with an 85kWh battery and up to 379 miles claimed range; Bentley has previewed the Torcal EV and a lighter Supersports coupe; Rivian has rolled out a smaller R2 SUV; Suzuki and Volvo have updated compact models and added full‑EV versions; Chinese brands Leapmotor and Toyota have new affordable EVs. Reviews highlight trade‑offs in range, ride and interior packaging.
Micro-dramas—short, mobile-first series—are expanding from China to the US, with revenue projections reaching billions. Platforms like Peacock and TikTok are experimenting, while Hollywood talent enters the space, signaling a broader shift in how audiences pay for and consume portable entertainment.
The White House renovations and a lavish new ballroom are advancing under President Trump, with multiple lawsuits challenging the legality of demolitions and the scale of the project. Officials say security upgrades and permanent fencing around Lafayette Square are under consideration as part of a broader overhaul of the capital.
New York City has imposed a one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI for pre-K through eighth grade, affecting about 600,000 pupils. The city has set screen-time caps, banned companion chatbots across grades, and created twice-yearly AI literacy classes and limited supervised pilots for high schoolers while it reviews ed‑tech contracts and tools.
OpenAI’s Astra has set new frontier benchmarks and drawn claims of AGI status, while industry skepticism grows over the label’s meaning. The rollout to customers continues as rivals and investors watch for next moves.
New Mexico’s name remains unchanged as lawmakers urge Apple and Google to keep the state labeled New Mexico on maps. President Trump has sparked a broader renaming conversation by suggesting changes to Gulf of Mexico, Lake Ontario, and now New Mexico, drawing swift pushback from state officials and lawmakers.
Finland is expanding its AI data-center infrastructure with Google investments and nuclear-backed power. The plan includes new data centers in Kajaani, Muhos and Vaala, expansion of Hamina, and a 22-year deal to buy up to half of output from the Loviisa nuclear plant, supporting low-carbon computing through 2050.
Meta has reached an $18 billion settlement over teen-time limits. The agreement ties $5.3 billion to peers joining similar measures, with pressuring others like TikTok and YouTube to follow suit. Snap’s CEO comments and new features for Specs are underscoring a broader push toward digital well‑being amid scrutiny of youth mental health.
A wave of AI data center development is accelerating across the United States, drawing in real estate, energy and local communities. As hyperscalers expand capacity, land values rise, utilities strain, and regulators weigh moratoriums and zoning changes. The debate intensifies ahead of midterm elections.
Apple has unveiled Audio Intelligence features for the Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, including Siri Recap and Live Rewind, to summarize conversations and replay the last 15 seconds. The tools stress privacy, storing no raw recordings and masking speakers, but raise concerns about ambient listening.
The Bills will stage a dual anthem ceremony with both Canada and U.S. national anthems before their season opener, reflecting ongoing tensions in U.S.-Canada trade. Barenaked Ladies will sing O Canada and Auliʻi Cravalho will perform the Star-Spangled Banner as Buffalo hosts Detroit at Highmark Stadium.
Security updates from multiple vendors underscore a rapid, relentless push to close flaws as attackers exploit first- and third-party vulnerabilities. The wave spans Chrome, Windows, and mobile modem components, with zero-click and scriptless techniques increasing risk for organisations and consumers alike.
The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold maintains a familiar foldable design with a bright 8-inch inner screen and a 6.5-inch outer display. It uses Tensor G6, offers strong software features, and extends OS updates to August 2033, while battery life lags some rivals.
Polish developer Pawel Szydlowski has launched Zuckoff, an app that detects Bluetooth signatures from nearby smart glasses and estimates distance. It has drawn 5,000 users since its Apple App Store debut, as Meta faces backlash over its “perv glasses.” Regulators are contacting the creator while privacy advocates warn of surveillance risks.
Travel scams have grown more sophisticated, with impostor fraud and reservation hijacking increasingly common. FTC data show $3.5 billion in losses last year, and experts warn travelers to verify hotel and airline communications directly via official sites.
Android now supports on-device migration of passwords and passkeys between password managers using the Credential Transfer API. The process works with Google Password Manager and partners like 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane, and requires no OS updates. Users initiate the transfer in the target app, verify identity, and complete the move on-device.
OpenAI is under investigation as lawmakers demand details about its rogue AI agents hacking an open-source platform. The probe is led by Sen. Hawley, backed by a widening coalition of lawmakers seeking greater AI safety and transparency.
Firefox has rolled out Nova, a redesigned UI featuring rounded elements, floating toolbars, and a softer color palette aimed at creating a more personable feel. The update, tested in Nightly, is now available in stable builds, offering vertical tabs, adjustable window density, and a Smart Window feature. Nova emphasizes a modern look while preserving Firefox’s identity.
McClatchy has laid off over 90 reporters and staff across 17 publications, including The Sacramento Bee and The Miami Herald, affecting about 30% of unionized employees. Management says the cuts reflect a shift in investment away from subscriber-focused local news as print editions contract.
Investors have reassessed AI-driven growth amid calls to slow frontier development. Across Asia and the West, chip and AI stocks have fallen on Monday as investors weigh safety measures and potential regulatory pushes. Anthropic’s Dario Amodei has urged a slower development pace, drawing support from Altman and Musk, while OpenAI and Google maintain caution over overreach.
The festival’s age profile is shifting as fewer attendees are in their 20s and more are in their 40s and 50s, with three deaths reported this year. Organizers say the 2026 census hints at a slightly younger turnout than 2025, while officials note deaths were not linked to age. The trend could reshape the event’s culture, logistics, and public perception.
Investors have priced in a slower AI build-out as executives warn of safety risks. Major tech names show mixed moves while chipmakers slide; Fed timing and energy volatility compound the backdrop.
X Corp and SpaceXAI have moved to dismiss their lawsuit against Apple, citing a voluntary dismissal in federal court in Texas. The suit over alleged antitrust tying of ChatGPT to iPhone features is paused against Apple while claims against OpenAI persist. The matter remains unresolved as OpenAI faces ongoing litigation.
China has introduced new border regulations as part of a broader reform of border controls. The rules aim to protect sovereignty and security while preventing illegal cross-border activity and deceptive visa practices. Foreigners could face entry bans for false information, and citizens could be restricted from leaving if involved in tech export violations or criminal activity overseas.