Author: Grace Johnson

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 sweeping immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia will delay its opening by at least two months. The company confirmed the postponement after hundreds of foreign workers were detained. raid sparks diplomatic strain The raid has heightened tensions between the United States and South Korea. Many of those detained came from South Korea. President Yoon warned the crackdown could discourage future foreign investment in the United States. South Korean officials said many workers were sent on a temporary basis to help launch the new plant. Hyundai chief executive José Muñoz told American media the raid will cause a…

US pharmaceutical giant Merck has dropped plans for a £1bn expansion in the UK. The company said the government is failing to invest enough in the life sciences sector. The multinational, known as MSD in Europe, will shift research to the US and cut jobs in Britain. Company leaders accused successive governments of undervaluing vaccines and innovative medicines. Industry figures warned that Merck’s move could trigger a wider pullback of pharmaceutical investment from the UK. Government highlights efforts but accepts challenges A government spokesperson defended current spending on research but admitted more action is needed. Officials pointed to new initiatives…

Asian markets rose on Thursday as investors extended this week’s rally. The gains came after fresh data from the United States strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve may begin a new cycle of interest rate cuts. In recent months, markets worldwide have surged to record or near-record levels. Optimism has grown that the Fed could return to monetary easing to support the economy, which shows signs of slowing. Investors now expect more rate cuts, building confidence across equities. Last week, US job creation figures came in far below forecasts. A separate report revealed that more than 900,000 fewer new jobs…

The death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has shaken the United States, sparking a political firestorm and a nationwide conversation on violence in public life. Kirk, co-founder of the youth group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during a campus event in Utah on Wednesday. He was answering a student’s question about gun violence when a single shot rang out from the crowd, ending his life instantly. Authorities say the attacker managed to escape in the chaos that followed, prompting a massive search. Police officers and federal agents have been going door-to-door in nearby neighborhoods, using helicopters and drones…

Donald Trump urges the European Union to introduce tariffs of up to 100 percent on China and India. He hopes to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin and force an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump calls for tougher stance on Russia The US president made his appeal during a meeting with EU officials on Tuesday. Both sides discussed new ways to weaken Russia’s economy further. According to a source, Trump pressed for the highest possible tariffs on China and India. He had pledged to end the conflict on the “first day” of his presidency. Yet peace talks between Moscow…

Shutdown extended in UK and abroad Jaguar Land Rover will keep its UK factories closed until at least Wednesday. The company is still grappling with the aftermath of a cyber attack that struck more than a week ago. Production at Halewood, Solihull and Wolverhampton remains suspended. Sites in Slovakia, China and India also remain offline. Staff on the production lines have been told to stay home. The company shut down its IT systems on 31 August to protect them from damage. The move caused heavy disruption. Efforts to restart systems Jaguar Land Rover says it is working continuously to restore…

Microsoft announced that its Azure cloud platform faced disruptions after several undersea cables in the Red Sea were cut. The company said users noticed delays as internet traffic through the Middle East slowed. Microsoft secures alternative connections Microsoft did not disclose the cause of the cable damage but confirmed that it redirected traffic via other routes. It underlined that regions outside the Middle East were not affected. Reports over the weekend suggested that the disruption also hit the United Arab Emirates and parts of Asia. Ocean cables remain crucial for global internet Cables placed on the ocean floor carry most…

Ludrick Cooper, an eighth-grade teacher in South Carolina, once resisted artificial intelligence in class. He later changed his mind. “This is the new encyclopedia,” Cooper said, recalling his childhood love of reading reference books. He now joins many teachers who weave AI into lesson plans. This shows how rapidly AI tools gain ground in schools, even as benefits and risks remain uncertain. A study by the Walton Family Foundation and Gallup found six in ten teachers used AI tools during the 2024-2025 school year. On Tuesday, First Lady Melania Trump unveiled the Presidential AI Challenge. The program encourages students from…

Elon Musk, the richest person alive, may soon achieve a milestone no one has reached. Tesla’s board unveiled a historic pay deal for its chief executive. The move seeks to secure his focus on the company while it battles serious challenges. The package offers Musk a massive stock reward if Tesla’s valuation climbs far above current levels. His last deal drew skepticism but Tesla achieved the bold targets it required. A trillion within reach The new plan could hand Musk 423.7 million Tesla shares. At today’s stock price, they equal $143.5 billion. He would receive them only if Tesla’s stock…