Apple’s New iPhones Get Faster Chips, Better Cameras and New Charging Ports

Apple unveiled its next generation of iPhones Tuesday — a lineup that will boast better cameras, faster processors, a new charging system and a price hike for the fanciest model. The showcase at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, comes as the company tries to reverse a mild slump that has seen its sales drop from … continue reading -> “Apple’s New iPhones Get Faster Chips, Better Cameras and New Charging Ports”

Swiss Students Break World Record for Electric Car Acceleration

From zero to 100 kph in less than a second: A racing car built by students has broken the world record for electric vehicle acceleration, a Swiss university said Tuesday.  Students from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ) and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences designed and built the “Mythen” vehicle that achieved … continue reading -> “Swiss Students Break World Record for Electric Car Acceleration”

US Cyber Teams Are on the Hunt in Lithuania 

For at least the second time this year, U.S. cyber forces have come to the aid of a Baltic ally, as concerns linger about potential cyberattacks from Russia and other Western adversaries. U.S. Cyber Command Tuesday announced the completion of a two-month-long, so-called “defensive hunt” operation in Lithuania, alongside Lithuanian cyber teams. The focus of … continue reading -> “US Cyber Teams Are on the Hunt in Lithuania “

US Federal Antitrust Trial Against Google Begins

On Tuesday, federal prosecutors will argue that Google has violated antitrust law by allegedly bribing big-name web browsers and essentially forcing software developers to make the search engine users’ default option.  The Justice Department brought its lawsuit against Google almost three years ago, when former President Donald Trump was still in office. Now, the case … continue reading -> “US Federal Antitrust Trial Against Google Begins”

‘Cybersecurity Issue’ Prompts Computer Shutdowns at MGM Resorts Across US

A “cybersecurity issue” led to the shutdown of some casino and hotel computer systems at MGM Resorts International properties across the U.S., a company official reported Monday.  The incident began Sunday and the extent of its effect on reservation systems and casino floors in Las Vegas and states including Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, … continue reading -> “‘Cybersecurity Issue’ Prompts Computer Shutdowns at MGM Resorts Across US”

Google’s Rivals Get Day in Court As Momentous US Antitrust Trial Begins

DuckDuckGo, which has long complained that Google’s tactics have made it too tough to get people to use their search engine on a mobile phone, will be one of many rivals to the online search giant eyeing a once-in-a-generation antitrust trial set to begin Tuesday. The United States will argue Google didn’t play by the … continue reading -> “Google’s Rivals Get Day in Court As Momentous US Antitrust Trial Begins”

Sweden Brings More Books, Handwriting Practice Back to Its Tech-Heavy Schools

As young children went back to school across Sweden last month, many of their teachers were putting a new emphasis on printed books, quiet reading time and handwriting practice and devoting less time to tablets, independent online research and keyboarding skills. The return to more traditional ways of learning is a response to politicians and … continue reading -> “Sweden Brings More Books, Handwriting Practice Back to Its Tech-Heavy Schools”

AI Technology Behind ChatGPT Built in Iowa Using Lots of Water

The cost of building an artificial intelligence product like ChatGPT can be hard to measure. But one thing Microsoft-backed OpenAI needed for its technology was plenty of water, pulled from the watershed of the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers in central Iowa to cool a powerful supercomputer as it helped teach its AI systems how … continue reading -> “AI Technology Behind ChatGPT Built in Iowa Using Lots of Water”

World Public Broadcasters Say Switch From Analog to Digital Radio, TV Remains Slow

Members of the International Radio and Television Union from about 50 countries, meeting this week in the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde, say a lack of infrastructure and human and financial resources remains a major obstacle to the switch from analog to digital broadcasting in public media, especially in Africa. They are asking governments and funding agencies … continue reading -> “World Public Broadcasters Say Switch From Analog to Digital Radio, TV Remains Slow”

Huawei Phone Kicks off Debate About US Chip Restrictions

It started with an image of U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on her China trip last month, reportedly taken on what the Chinese tech giant Huawei is touting as a breakthrough 5G mobile phone. Within days, fake ad campaigns on Chinese social media were depicting Raimondo as a Huawei brand ambassador promoting the phone. The … continue reading -> “Huawei Phone Kicks off Debate About US Chip Restrictions”

Ukraine, US Intelligence Suggest Russia Cyber Efforts Evolving, Growing

Russia’s cyber operations may not have managed to land the big blow that many Western officials feared following Moscow’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but Ukrainian cyber officials caution Moscow has not stopped trying. Instead, Ukraine’s top counterintelligence agency warns that Russia continues to refine its tactics as it works to further ingrain cyber operations … continue reading -> “Ukraine, US Intelligence Suggest Russia Cyber Efforts Evolving, Growing”

Report: China Using AI to Mess With US Voters

China is turning to artificial intelligence to rile up U.S. voters and stoke divisions ahead of the country’s 2024 presidential elections, according to a new report. Threat analysts at Microsoft warned in a blog post Thursday that Beijing has developed a new artificial intelligence capability that can produce “eye-catching content” more likely to go viral … continue reading -> “Report: China Using AI to Mess With US Voters”

Japan Launches Rocket Carrying Lunar Lander, X-Ray Telescope

Japan launched a rocket Thursday carrying an X-ray telescope that will explore the origins of the universe as well as a small lunar lander. The launch of the HII-A rocket from Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan was shown on live video by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, known as JAXA. “We have a liftoff,” … continue reading -> “Japan Launches Rocket Carrying Lunar Lander, X-Ray Telescope”

What Is Green Hydrogen and Why Is It Touted as a Clean Fuel?

Green hydrogen is being touted around the world as a clean energy solution to take the carbon out of high-emitting sectors like transport and industrial manufacturing. The India-led International Solar Alliance launched the Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre earlier this year, and India itself approved $2.3 billion for the production, use and export of green hydrogen. … continue reading -> “What Is Green Hydrogen and Why Is It Touted as a Clean Fuel?”

 Ukrainian Drone Operator Revolutionizes Use of Civilian Drones

Yuriy Fedorenko got his call sign Achilles for bravery and independence. Before the war, he was working full time as a Kyiv city council deputy; today, he is fighting against Russian forces in Donbas as commander of an attack drone squadron. Anna Kosstutschenko has his story. VOA footage by Pavel Suhodolskiy …

Accent Masking Software Aims to Smooth Call Center Interactions

A California tech startup is using artificial intelligence, or AI, to mask the accents of call center workers to reduce discrimination, but some say diversity is being erased. Matt Dibble has the story. …

Cambodian Ex-Leader Hun Sen Back on Facebook After Long-Running Row

Cambodia’s ex-leader Hun Sen returned to Facebook on Sunday, claiming the social media giant had “rendered justice” to him by refusing to suspend his account after he posted violent threats on the platform. In a post, Hun Sen said Facebook had rejected a recommendation from its Oversight Board to suspend his account after he had … continue reading -> “Cambodian Ex-Leader Hun Sen Back on Facebook After Long-Running Row”

Tesla Launches New Model 3 in China, Europe With Longer Driving Range

Tesla on Friday unveiled a restyled Model 3 with a longer driving range in China and other markets including Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Japan, putting pressure on rivals who are expected to announce new electric vehicles in the next few days. In China, the world’s largest auto market, the refreshed version of the … continue reading -> “Tesla Launches New Model 3 in China, Europe With Longer Driving Range”

‘Talk About Something Else’: Chinese AI Chatbot Toes Party Line

Chinese tech giant Baidu rolled out its ChatGPT-like ERNIE Bot to the public Thursday. But the app is highly censored, offering state-approved answers to taboo questions and sometimes refusing to process them altogether when AFP tested the service. Here are some of ERNIE’s answers to questions about sensitive topics in China: Taiwan Asked about the … continue reading -> “‘Talk About Something Else’: Chinese AI Chatbot Toes Party Line”

Russian Malware Targeting Ukrainian Mobile Devices

Ukrainian troops using Android mobile devices are coming under attack from Russian hackers, who are using a new kind of malware to try to steal information critical to the ongoing counteroffensive. Cyber officials from the United States, along with counterparts from Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand, issued a warning Thursday about the malware, named … continue reading -> “Russian Malware Targeting Ukrainian Mobile Devices”

Russian Scam Sites Obtain Personal Info of Thousands of Ukrainians

Russia has been using sham websites to obtain the personal information of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and their family members, U.S. defense officials say, in what they believe is an attempt to detain the family members who are living in occupied Ukraine and deport them to Russia. Two U.S. defense officials say a Russian information … continue reading -> “Russian Scam Sites Obtain Personal Info of Thousands of Ukrainians”

FBI-Led Operation Dismantles Notorious Qakbot Malware

A global operation led by the FBI has dismantled one of the most notorious cybercrime tools used to launch ransomware attacks and steal sensitive data. U.S. law enforcement officials announced on Tuesday that the FBI and its international partners had disrupted the Qakbot infrastructure and seized nearly $9 million in cryptocurrency in illicit profits. Qakbot, … continue reading -> “FBI-Led Operation Dismantles Notorious Qakbot Malware”

Meta Fights Sprawling Chinese ‘Spamouflage’ Operation

Meta on Tuesday said it purged thousands of Facebook accounts that were part of a widespread online Chinese spam operation trying to covertly boost China and criticize the West. The campaign, which became known as “Spamouflage,” was active across more than 50 platforms and forums including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and X, formerly known as … continue reading -> “Meta Fights Sprawling Chinese ‘Spamouflage’ Operation”

AI Hackathons Aim to Spur Innovation, Attract Investors

The tech industry is rushing to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence, and AI hackathons — daylong collaborations using the technology to tackle real-world problems — are increasing in popularity. From the state of Washington, Natasha Mozgovaya has more. …

Glitch Halts Toyota Factories in Japan

Toyota said Tuesday it has been hit by a technical glitch forcing it to suspend production at all 14 factories in Japan. The world’s biggest automaker gave no further details on the stoppage, which began Tuesday morning, but said it did not appear to be caused by a cyberattack. The company said the glitch prevented … continue reading -> “Glitch Halts Toyota Factories in Japan”