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At the Google I/O conference, the company introduced Project Aura, a new line of smart glasses developed in partnership with Xreal. These glasses will feature augmented reality capabilities and are expected to launch later in 2025. Google also revealed collaborations with Warby Parker and Samsung for future eyewear products.
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A California jury has ordered NSO Group to pay $168 million to WhatsApp for cyberespionage, marking a significant legal victory for the messaging platform. The case revealed NSO's use of its Pegasus spyware to target journalists and activists, raising concerns about privacy and security in the digital age.
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On May 20, 2025, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) submitted a construction permit application for a small modular nuclear reactor at its Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This initiative aims to lead the development of next-generation nuclear power amid rising electricity demand and a shift towards carbon-free energy sources.
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The Federal Trade Commission's antitrust trial against Meta Platforms is ongoing, focusing on whether the company illegally stifled competition through its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. Meta argues it faces significant competition from platforms like TikTok and YouTube, while the FTC claims Meta's market dominance harms consumers. The trial is expected to conclude in June 2025.
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Microsoft is laying off approximately 6,000 employees, representing nearly 3% of its workforce. The cuts, which affect all levels and locations, focus on reducing management layers. This follows a strong quarterly earnings report, raising questions about the necessity of such layoffs amid profitability.
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Google has agreed to pay $1.375 billion to settle two lawsuits filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, alleging violations of data privacy laws. The settlement addresses claims related to user tracking and biometric data collection, although Google denies any wrongdoing. This marks a significant legal outcome for privacy enforcement in Texas.
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The suicide of 17-year-old Ryan Last in February 2022, following a sextortion scheme, led to the arrest of four individuals in Côte d'Ivoire. They are accused of targeting minors and demanding payments to prevent the release of explicit images. The case highlights the dangers of online scams and the need for awareness.
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Governments across the Asia-Pacific are implementing new laws to protect children from online harms, challenging major social media platforms. Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, and others are enacting age verification and access restrictions, raising compliance concerns for tech giants in a region with a significant youth user base.
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On May 15, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Eric Schmitt are set to reintroduce the Protecting AI and Cloud Competition in Defense Act. This comes amid ongoing debates in Congress about federal regulations on artificial intelligence, particularly concerning state-level restrictions.
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The UK Labour government faces criticism for its close relationship with major tech firms like Google and Amazon. Meetings between tech secretary Peter Kyle and these companies have surged, raising concerns about the influence of big tech on policy, particularly regarding copyright laws affecting the creative sector.
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Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok faced backlash for making unsolicited references to 'white genocide' in South Africa while responding to unrelated queries. This incident, attributed to an unauthorized modification, has raised concerns about the chatbot's programming and reliability. The situation escalated as the Trump administration welcomed white South African refugees, further fueling the debate.
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Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is under fire for its role in facilitating scams via Zelle transactions, accounting for nearly half of all complaints reported by JPMorgan Chase. The rise in fraudulent activities has been linked to lax advertising controls and a surge in cryptocurrency schemes.
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A recent study reveals that AI, specifically Chat GPT-4, can persuade individuals as effectively as humans in debates, raising alarms about potential misuse in political contexts. Researchers warn that tailored AI narratives could manipulate undecided voters, complicating efforts to regulate misinformation.
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President Trump has implemented sweeping tariffs on U.S. trading partners, causing significant market fluctuations. The S&P 500 initially dropped 12% but has since rallied 5.3%. Economists warn of potential recession as consumer confidence declines and corporate forecasts remain uncertain.
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Meta is restructuring its AI teams to enhance competitiveness in the generative AI space. The company is facing talent retention issues and delays in its flagship AI model, Behemoth, while launching initiatives like Llama for Startups to support emerging companies. These developments come amid increasing competition from rivals.
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OpenAI has introduced Codex, an AI coding assistant integrated into ChatGPT, aimed at enhancing software development efficiency. Available in preview for select users, Codex can write code, fix bugs, and run tests, marking a significant advancement in AI-assisted programming tools.
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CoreWeave's stock has more than doubled in May following a significant deal with OpenAI worth up to $4 billion. This surge is attributed to strong revenue growth and continued investment in AI technology, despite some critical views from analysts. Meanwhile, other tech stocks are struggling amid a shift towards AI capabilities.
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The UAE has unveiled Falcon Arabic, a new AI model claimed to be the best-performing in the region. Developed by the Technology Innovation Institute, it matches the performance of larger models. This launch follows the country's push to lead in AI technology, building on previous advancements like the Falcon model introduced in 2023.
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WhatsApp has released a dedicated app for iPad, enabling video and audio calls with up to 32 participants, screen sharing, and multitasking features. This app syncs with users' other devices while maintaining end-to-end encryption. The app is now available for download on the App Store as of May 27, 2025.
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Following a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after intense fighting over Kashmir, tensions remain high. Indian officials accuse Pakistan of supporting terrorism, while Pakistan claims India is backing insurgents. Recent military operations and diplomatic visits highlight ongoing security concerns and counter-terrorism discussions.
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On May 27, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a law requiring parental consent for minors to download apps or make in-app purchases, effective January 1, 2026. This legislation follows similar measures in Utah and reflects growing concerns over children's online safety amid rising mental health issues linked to social media use.
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On May 23, 2025, President Trump signed executive orders aimed at revitalizing the U.S. nuclear energy sector. The orders seek to expedite reactor licensing and reduce regulations, responding to rising electricity demands driven by artificial intelligence and data centers. This initiative marks a significant shift in U.S. energy policy.
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The seven-week trial against Meta concluded on May 27, 2025, with the FTC arguing for a breakup due to alleged monopolistic practices. Judge James Boasberg will now decide if Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp violated antitrust laws, with a ruling expected later this year.
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Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, warns that AI advancements could eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within five years, potentially raising unemployment to 20%. This follows a trend of companies prioritizing experienced hires over entry-level positions, as AI takes over tasks traditionally performed by junior workers.
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Nvidia's stock rose 3% to $141.40, giving it a market cap of $3.444 trillion, surpassing Microsoft's $3.441 trillion. This follows a strong earnings report showing $44.06 billion in revenue, despite anticipated losses from U.S. export restrictions on its H20 chips to China, which could cost $8 billion in Q2.
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Baker Tilly and Moss Adams have merged, creating the sixth-largest accounting firm in the U.S. with over $3 billion in revenue. The merger aims to enhance their competitive edge in the mid-market sector and reflects the growing influence of private equity in the accounting industry.
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Meta is reportedly planning to expand its retail presence beyond its single store in California. The initiative aims to boost sales of its hardware products, including smart glasses and VR headsets, by allowing customers to experience them in person. Details on the number and locations of new stores remain unclear.
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Anduril Industries and Meta have announced a partnership to develop advanced extended reality (XR) products for the U.S. military. This collaboration aims to enhance battlefield capabilities through AI-driven technology, including a new headset called 'Eagle Eye.' The partnership marks a significant reunion between Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Anduril's Palmer Luckey.
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YouTube is rolling out a new feature allowing creators to upload different thumbnails for videos dubbed in various languages. This aims to help influencers better localize their content for global audiences. The feature is currently available to select creators using YouTube's dubbing technology.
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Bollywood cinematographer Pratik Shah faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct following accusations from anonymous women on social media. Dharma Productions has distanced itself from Shah, emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy. The allegations have reignited discussions on accountability in the film industry, with calls for a thorough investigation into the claims.
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Meta is set to launch AI tools that will allow advertisers to create and target campaigns directly on its platforms by the end of 2026. This move threatens traditional advertising agencies and could reshape the $160 billion ad market. Investors reacted negatively, impacting shares of major marketing firms.
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On June 11, 2025, global markets showed positive movement as Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.5% amid slowing wholesale inflation, reducing pressure on the Bank of Japan. U.S. stocks also gained, buoyed by ongoing trade talks between the U.S. and China, despite lingering uncertainties over tariffs and economic forecasts.
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Meta has announced a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy to support the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois, expanding its output and preserving local jobs. This partnership reflects a growing trend among tech companies to secure nuclear energy for their operations amid rising power demands driven by AI and data centers.
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A recent court ruling mandates Apple to allow developers to link to external payment methods, ending its controversial commission fees. This decision follows a lengthy legal battle initiated by Epic Games, significantly impacting Apple's revenue model and altering the competitive landscape of app payments.
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Meta is reportedly set to invest $15 billion in Scale AI, acquiring a 49% stake in the data annotation startup. This move aims to enhance Meta's AI capabilities and solidify its competitive position against rivals like OpenAI and Google. Alexandr Wang, Scale AI's CEO, is expected to lead a new AI lab at Meta.
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Meta's Threads app is testing a direct messaging feature in Hong Kong, Thailand, and Argentina. This update allows users to send messages within Threads, addressing long-standing user requests for a native DM experience. The feature is expected to roll out to more markets soon.
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Lily Clifford, CEO of Rime Labs, argues that generative AI chatbots may represent the peak of user experience, reminiscent of early search engines. She highlights the simplicity and effectiveness of AI in daily tasks, contrasting it with the cluttered nature of modern search engines. Clifford's insights reflect a growing trend in AI adoption for information retrieval.
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Meta has filed a lawsuit against Joy Timeline HK Limited in Hong Kong, seeking to prevent the advertising of its CrushAI app, which generates non-consensual nude images. This legal action highlights Meta's commitment to combating the rise of 'nudify' apps that exploit individuals' images without consent.
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Instagram and Snapchat are rolling out new features aimed at enhancing user creativity and privacy. Instagram will allow users to post quietly and rearrange their grids, while Snapchat introduces a Timeline Editor for video creation. These updates reflect a shift towards more personalized and less public sharing on social media.