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Technology News

Breaking news and analysis from the world of technology

Trump hosts biggest names in tech at White House dinner

Summary

President Trump held a dinner at the White House with major technology leaders. The meeting comes as the administration moves forward with legal actions against some companies in Silicon Valley.

Key Facts

  • President Trump hosted a dinner for technology leaders at the White House.
  • The dinner took place on a Thursday night.
  • This event happened while the U.S. government is taking legal steps against certain tech companies.
  • The companies involved are located in a region known as Silicon Valley, which is famous for technology firms.
  • The event and legal actions are part of the administration's broader dealings with the tech industry.
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Zuckerberg, Gates and Altman lavish praise on Trump at dinner

Zuckerberg, Gates and Altman lavish praise on Trump at dinner

Summary

President Trump hosted a dinner at the White House with top tech leaders, including Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Sam Altman, who praised his administration's approach. The event occurred amid discussions about government regulation of artificial intelligence and after tech CEOs invested heavily in the U.S. economy. Elon Musk was invited but did not attend the dinner.

Key Facts

  • President Trump hosted the dinner at the White House for top tech leaders.
  • Notable attendees included Mark Zuckerberg from Meta, Bill Gates from Microsoft, and Sam Altman.
  • The dinner happened during discussions about AI regulation and the role of the government.
  • Many tech CEOs previously donated to Trump's inauguration fund.
  • Zuckerberg mentioned that Meta plans to invest $600 billion in U.S. infrastructure by 2028.
  • Bill Gates also praised Trump for creating a favorable climate for investment and manufacturing.
  • Elon Musk was invited but stated he could not attend; a representative from his company was there.
  • A reporter asked Zuckerberg about freedom of speech issues, leading to an uncomfortable moment.
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Watch: UK online speech laws 'not a good thing', says Trump

Watch: UK online speech laws 'not a good thing', says Trump

Summary

Former US President Donald Trump criticized the UK’s online speech laws, stating they were problematic. He made these comments during a dinner at the White House with tech industry leaders.

Key Facts

  • Donald Trump mentioned UK online speech laws during a White House dinner.
  • He described the UK laws as "not a good thing."
  • The comments were made in the context of a discussion with tech leaders.
  • Trump believes "strange things" are happening with the UK's online regulations.
  • The conversation took place at a prominent event hosted by the US government.
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The green steel firms looking to revive US steelmaking

The green steel firms looking to revive US steelmaking

Summary

The article discusses efforts by U.S.-based companies like Boston Metal to make steel production more environmentally friendly by using electricity instead of fossil fuels. This method could reduce carbon emissions from steelmaking, which is a significant source of global pollution. The transition faces challenges, including regulatory hurdles and technical issues with new technologies like green hydrogen.

Key Facts

  • Green steel involves using electricity to make steel, which is less harmful to the environment compared to traditional methods.
  • Boston Metal's process uses electricity to heat iron ore, separating iron from impurities without fossil fuels.
  • The steel industry is a major source of global carbon emissions, contributing 11% of the total.
  • U.S. steelmaking is already somewhat greener due to the use of electric arc furnaces that recycle scrap steel.
  • Boston Metal and others aim to use electricity for creating new steel, not just recycling.
  • The U.S. government under the Trump administration was not very supportive of renewable energy projects, affecting the industry's progress.
  • There are challenges when using green hydrogen for steel production, as some projects have been delayed or canceled.
  • Electric arc furnaces depend on scrap steel, which can limit their expansion, particularly in regions like China.
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Melania Trump warns 'robots are here' in rare public outing

Melania Trump warns 'robots are here' in rare public outing

Summary

Melania Trump made a rare public appearance at the White House, emphasizing the importance of preparing children for an AI-driven future. She was speaking at a meeting about AI education, highlighting that the presence of robots is no longer science fiction.

Key Facts

  • Melania Trump appeared at a White House event focusing on AI education.
  • She stated "the robots are here" and stressed preparing children for the future.
  • The event was with a White House task force on AI education.
  • This appearance is one of her few public engagements as First Lady in the second Trump administration.
  • She has championed issues like children's well-being and fought against cyberbullying.
  • Melania co-signed the Take It Down Act, tackling online posting of private images without consent.
  • Her recent activities suggest a more active role as First Lady compared to previous terms.
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China's hacking machine wants your data and knows how to get it

China's hacking machine wants your data and knows how to get it

Summary

A recent large-scale hacking effort linked to China has targeted various figures and potentially the general public by accessing personal data. This hacking campaign, known as Salt Typhoon, reflects a shift as Chinese hackers gather extensive amounts of personal information. U.S. security services and their Western counterparts have issued warnings to alert the public and organizations about these activities.

Key Facts

  • Chinese hackers have targeted a mix of high-profile figures and ordinary people in a large-scale operation called Salt Typhoon.
  • The FBI and other security agencies have warned that the campaign affects 600 companies across 80 countries.
  • Salt Typhoon represents a change in tactics, focusing more on collecting personal data rather than solely targeting government or infrastructure.
  • Around two dozen Western security agencies have issued an advisory on these hacking activities.
  • In past operations, Chinese hackers targeted U.S. government offices and infrastructure but are now aiming at personal data.
  • The hackers' exact motivations for collecting this personal information are unclear but could involve future cyber operations or technological advancements.
  • China’s efforts involve not just government units but also private contractor firms, complicating international responses.
  • Other countries, like Russia and North Korea, also engage in cyber espionage and hacking operations.
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How Tiny Chef captured the internet’s heart

How Tiny Chef captured the internet’s heart

Summary

Tiny Chef is an animated character who has become very popular on Instagram. He has millions of fans who enjoy watching him make vegetarian meals.

Key Facts

  • Tiny Chef is an animated character.
  • He has a large following on Instagram.
  • His content focuses on making vegetarian meals.
  • Tiny Chef is popular with people of all ages.
  • The report is part of an arts and culture series called CANVAS.
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Jaguar Land Rover staff told to stay home in cyber attack fallout

Jaguar Land Rover staff told to stay home in cyber attack fallout

Summary

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has asked its factory workers to stay home after a cyber attack disrupted its computer systems. The attack stopped production at several JLR sites and affected car sales. The company is working to restore its systems while also dealing with supply chain issues.

Key Facts

  • Jaguar Land Rover told factory workers to stay at home until at least Tuesday due to a cyber attack.
  • The cyber attack forced JLR to shut down important IT systems over the weekend.
  • Car production stopped at three JLR locations in England: Halewood, Solihull, and Wolverhampton.
  • The situation affects car production and sales, with significant disruptions reported.
  • JLR is owned by Tata Motors, an Indian company.
  • A hacker group, possibly teenagers, claimed responsibility for the attack but did not confirm stealing any data.
  • JLR is investigating the cyber attack and has not found evidence that customer data was stolen.
  • In 2023, JLR partnered with Tata Consultancy Services for cybersecurity and IT services in a five-year, £800 million deal.
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Gamers frustrated as Hollow Knight: Silksong crashes stores on launch

Gamers frustrated as Hollow Knight: Silksong crashes stores on launch

Summary

The release of the video game Hollow Knight: Silksong caused major online game stores to crash due to high demand. Many gamers faced difficulties buying the game, but despite the issues, it quickly became popular with over 100,000 players within half an hour of its launch.

Key Facts

  • Hollow Knight: Silksong is a sequel to a popular game from 2017.
  • Online stores like Steam, Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox had issues handling the high demand for the game.
  • Errors and outages were reported until about 17:30, causing frustration among gamers.
  • The first Hollow Knight game sold more than 15 million copies worldwide.
  • Download error reports peaked at 3,750 on release day according to Downdetector.
  • Christopher Larkin, a composer for the game, joked about the situation on social media.
  • Despite the purchase difficulties, Steam noted over 100,000 people were playing the game shortly after launch.
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Head of UK's Turing AI Institute resigns after funding threat

Head of UK's Turing AI Institute resigns after funding threat

Summary

The head of the UK's Alan Turing Institute for artificial intelligence, Dr. Jean Innes, resigned amid staff unrest and potential funding cuts. The government wants the institute to focus more on defense, causing internal disputes and a warning the charity might collapse.

Key Facts

  • Dr. Jean Innes resigned as the head of the Alan Turing Institute after government funding threats.
  • The government demanded the institute shift its focus to defense, causing staff unrest.
  • A whistleblowing complaint was raised due to concerns about potential collapse.
  • The Turing Institute plans to appoint a new CEO to oversee changes.
  • The institute originally researched AI for environmental and health purposes.
  • Over 90 staff members last year expressed low confidence in the leadership.
  • UK Research and Innovation previously suggested governance changes at the institute.
  • Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized AI's importance to national security in his communication to the institute.
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Creator of Charli XCX Apple dance settles Roblox lawsuit

Creator of Charli XCX Apple dance settles Roblox lawsuit

Summary

Kelley Heyer, a TikTok creator of a viral dance called the Apple dance, settled a lawsuit with Roblox. She had claimed the company used her dance without permission as part of a promotion within their platform. The lawsuit was dismissed after both parties agreed to resolve the issue amicably.

Key Facts

  • Kelley Heyer created the Apple dance inspired by a Charli XCX song.
  • Heyer accused Roblox of using her dance choreography without permission.
  • Roblox reportedly earned $123,000 from the dance as an emote in their game.
  • The lawsuit has been settled and dismissed with an amicable resolution.
  • Roblox stated Heyer did not have registered copyright for the dance.
  • The dance was used in a Charli XCX-themed event in the Roblox game Dress to Impress.
  • Roblox claimed they reached an agreement to license the dance for $9,000.
  • About 80 million people play Roblox every day.
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Sophie Turner to play Lara Croft in Tomb Raider series

Sophie Turner to play Lara Croft in Tomb Raider series

Summary

Sophie Turner, known for her role in Game of Thrones, will play Lara Croft in a new Tomb Raider TV series for Prime Video. The show is based on the famous video game about the adventurer Lara Croft and is written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Production for the series will start in January next year.

Key Facts

  • Sophie Turner is cast as Lara Croft in a new Tomb Raider TV series.
  • The series will air on Prime Video, a streaming service.
  • Phoebe Waller-Bridge, known for creating Fleabag, is writing the series.
  • Lara Croft is a popular character from the Tomb Raider video games, first appearing in 1996.
  • The character was previously played in movies by Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander.
  • The show is part of Waller-Bridge's deal with Amazon announced in 2019.
  • Production for the Tomb Raider series is set to begin in January next year.
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World's largest sports piracy site shut down by police

World's largest sports piracy site shut down by police

Summary

Police and an anti-piracy group have shut down Streameast, the largest site for illegal sports streaming. Over the past year, the site received more than 1.6 billion visits from people looking to watch sports events for free.

Key Facts

  • Police in Egypt, with help from the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), closed Streameast.
  • Streameast hosted illegal streams of sports like Premier League, Formula One, and Major League Baseball.
  • The site had been visited over 1.6 billion times in the last year.
  • Two men were arrested in Egypt on suspicion of copyright infringement linked to the site.
  • Authorities seized electronic devices, cash, and identified links to a shell company used for money laundering.
  • Streameast's domains received traffic mainly from the UK, US, Canada, Philippines, and Germany.
  • The shutdown happened just before the US National Football League (NFL) season began.
  • People trying to visit Streameast are now redirected to a page suggesting legal streaming options.
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Trump will host top tech CEOs except Musk at a White House dinner

Trump will host top tech CEOs except Musk at a White House dinner

Summary

President Donald Trump will host a dinner at the White House for key technology company leaders, excluding Elon Musk. The event follows a meeting of a new task force focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) education led by First Lady Melania Trump.

Key Facts

  • President Trump is hosting a dinner for tech company leaders at the White House.
  • Notable attendees include leaders from Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and OpenAI.
  • Elon Musk is not invited, following a fallout with Trump earlier this year.
  • The dinner will be at the Rose Garden, recently renovated by Trump.
  • First Lady Melania Trump leads a new task force on AI education for American youth.
  • Some dinner guests will participate in the AI education task force meeting.
  • Trump once considered Jared Isaacman, who will attend the dinner, for a NASA position, but revoked the nomination.
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Google told to pay $425m for breaching millions of users’ privacy

Google told to pay $425m for breaching millions of users’ privacy

Summary

A US jury decided that Google must pay $425 million for breaking privacy rules. The case involved users who said Google kept collecting their data even after they turned off tracking settings. Google plans to challenge the decision, claiming their tools respect user privacy choices.

Key Facts

  • A US jury ruled that Google must pay $425 million for privacy violations.
  • Users accused Google of collecting data from apps despite turning off tracking settings.
  • The jury's verdict came from a case in San Francisco.
  • The lawsuit involves around 98 million Google users.
  • Google claims it misunderstood how its products operate and plans to appeal.
  • Plaintiffs said Google broke privacy promises in its Web & App Activity settings.
  • Google has been involved in other privacy-related legal issues, including a recent $1.375 billion settlement with Texas over similar concerns.
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Are creatine supplements all that they're pumped up to be?

Are creatine supplements all that they're pumped up to be?

Summary

Interest in creatine supplements is increasing, with claims they help add muscle and improve athletic performance. Research supports some benefits, particularly for muscle growth and exercise performance, but there's less evidence for other suggested health benefits.

Key Facts

  • Creatine is a compound made from amino acids that helps muscles get energy.
  • People can make creatine in their bodies and also get it from food like red meat, chicken, or fish.
  • Supplements are used to increase creatine levels without needing to eat large amounts of meat.
  • Studies show creatine supplements can help build muscle mass when combined with exercise.
  • There is some evidence creatine might help with bone health, but more research is needed.
  • Creatine could potentially assist with things like sugar regulation and brain function, but evidence is not strong yet.
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Skyscanner staff going back to school to teach the next generation of tech students

Skyscanner staff going back to school to teach the next generation of tech students

Summary

Skyscanner employees are taking part in a new project to become part-time teachers, while continuing their tech jobs. This initiative aims to increase the number of computing teachers in Scotland, where their numbers have fallen by 25% since 2008. Participants will maintain their tech careers while also teaching in schools.

Key Facts

  • Four Skyscanner employees are studying at Glasgow University to become computing teachers.
  • They are participating in a "braided" career project, allowing work in tech and teaching.
  • The number of computing teachers in Scotland declined by 25% between 2008 and 2023.
  • Participants will keep their Skyscanner salaries and receive additional pay for teaching.
  • Orla Sonvico, one of the employees, aims to inspire students as a computing teacher.
  • Only 16 people joined the computing teaching program in Scotland last year, against a target of 52.
  • The project aims to encourage more students to study computing and join the tech industry.
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Artificial Intelligence: An AI Boss Warns About The Risks (Dario Amodei)

Artificial Intelligence: An AI Boss Warns About The Risks (Dario Amodei)

Summary

Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, discusses the risks of artificial intelligence. He suggests that AI could lead to job loss and calls for stronger regulations to manage these risks.

Key Facts

  • Dario Amodei is the CEO of a company called Anthropic.
  • He talks about potential risks linked to artificial intelligence (AI).
  • He mentions that AI could potentially replace some jobs.
  • Amodei believes there should be more rules to control AI.
  • The discussion is part of a program with Amol Rajan titled "Radical."
  • This content is available on the BBC Sounds platform.
  • The episode was released on September 4, 2025, and will be available for over a year.
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Wikipedia editors publish new guide to help readers detect entries written by AI

Summary

Wikipedia editors have released a new guide to help readers identify if entries were written by humans or artificial intelligence (AI). This guide aims to make it easier for people to tell if AI was involved in creating Wikipedia content.

Key Facts

  • Wikipedia editors created a new guide.
  • The guide helps identify entries written by AI.
  • This initiative aims to make Wikipedia content more transparent.
  • AI stands for artificial intelligence, which is technology that enables machines to mimic human tasks.
  • The guide's purpose is to assist readers in knowing who or what created the information they are reading.
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Google must pay $425 million in privacy lawsuit, jury says

Google must pay $425 million in privacy lawsuit, jury says

Summary

Google has been ordered by a federal jury to pay $425 million for gathering data from users who had turned off a tracking feature in their account settings. Google plans to challenge this ruling in court. The case was a class-action lawsuit filed by users claiming Google violated privacy assurances through its Web & App Activity setting.

Key Facts

  • A federal jury decided Google must pay $425 million for a privacy violation.
  • The lawsuit claims Google collected data from users who switched off a tracking feature.
  • The case involved 98 million Google users and 174 million devices.
  • Users filed the lawsuit in July 2020 and initially sought $31 billion in damages.
  • Google plans to appeal the jury's decision.
  • Google says it respects user choices when they turn off personalization settings.
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