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Microsoft has blocked access to some of its artificial intelligence and cloud services for a unit of the Israeli military after finding evidence that its technology was being used in widescale surveillance of Palestinians. The move follows reports by The Associated Press and The Guardian earlier this year detailing how Israel’s Defense Ministry had deployed Microsoft’s Azure platform to support its military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president, said in a blog post Thursday that the company was acting to enforce its terms of service. An AP investigation in February revealed a surge in Israel’s use of Microsoft products after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, including large-scale AI translation and data storage services. Tesla shares jump as Musk buys $1B stake ahead of shareholder vote on record pay package The Guardian, in partnership with +972 Magazine and Local Call, later reported that Israel’s Unit 8200 developed an AI-driven mass surveillance system with Microsoft tools, analyzing millions of Palestinian phone calls daily. Microsoft has not confirmed which military unit is losing access but acknowledged the violations. Israeli officials downplayed the impact, while activists urged the company to cut broader ties with the military. Source: Agency 

Did you buy a new pink dress to watch the Barbie movie, only to never wear it again? An Oura ring because your favorite TikTok influencer had it? A new pair of baggy jeans because '90s fashion is making a comeback? Niche trends fueled by social media can influence your shopping decisions. Participating often brings some happiness and a sense of community, but the problem comes when you do it so often that you’re not using your money to achieve your financial goals, or worse, you get into debt, said Erika Rasure, chief financial wellness advisor for Beyond Finance, a financial services company. Whether it’s coastal grandma or clean girl aesthetic, microtrends can take a significant toll on already-strained budgets as prices rise and Gen Z struggles to pay off debt. If you find yourself overspending to participate in microtrends, here are some expert recommendations: Pause before purchasing Before you click “buy” on TikTok Shop, it’s best if you take some time to reflect, said Jennifer Seitz, head of education for Greenlight, a financial literacy app for families. Pausing before a purchase can help you discern if the item is something you really want or a fleeting craving. “Think if you want to put it in a schedule pause, whether it’s 24 hours or even a couple of days if it’s a larger expense,″ Seitz said. Participating in personal challenges can be a good way to get in the habit of making purchases more deliberate. Back in 2022, Alyssa Barber participated in the no-buy year challenge, where she pledged to stop buying non-essential items for a year. Barber shares sustainable practices with over 370,000 followers on TikTok, where one of her recurrent themes is how to stop impulse buying. Barber said the challenge gave her perspective on how much she was spending on things she didn’t need. Since then, she has changed her spending habits, focusing mainly on experiences. Know your spending values Taking a value-based spending approach can help you decide if you should participate in a trend you see online, Rasure said. If, for example, you want to build an emergency fund, having this goal in mind while shopping can help avoid unnecessary spending. Quynh Van, a 27-year-old UX designer from Minneapolis, was surprised by the number of ads on TikTok when she created an account after a four-year break from social media. And while being influenced by the ads is inevitable, she believes overspending comes in part from users not having defined goals. “When you don’t know who you are or what you like, you’re so driven by over-consumerism and lifestyle creep because you don’t have your values in order,″ Van said. Rasure recommends using your financial values as a guiding principle for your spending decisions. If you’re not sure of your values, allocate some time to map them out according to your life goals. Create barriers to spending If a purchase is one click away, it can make it easier to spend large amounts of money. If you consciously make it a little harder to pay for an item, you can spend more mindfully, Seitz said. “Just that action of needing to input your payment information rather than just that simple click can help you give to really stop and think about purchases before moving ahead with them," she added. To add barriers, you can remove your credit card details from your computer browser or social media and disable Apple Pay on your phone. Think of it as an act of self-care Finances are closely tied to emotions, and often, they evoke negative feelings such as shame or guilt. However, reframing them as an act of self-care can help you spend mindfully, Rasure said. “It can help you create boundaries around what you value spending money on, helps you choose intentionally and it feels more like freedom instead of restriction,″ she said. Your spending habits in the present can help your future financial situation. This mindset can inspire you when you’re tempted to overspend on the newest trending electronic or fashion item. Engage with trends with moderation It can be OK to engage with trends if they bring you positive feelings, Rasure said. Van decided to participate in the matcha trend, but with moderation. For Barber, physical media, such as old records, DVDs, and cassettes, is on her list of non-negotiable expenses, as she loves collecting these items. “Trends and engaging them, engaging in them really should spark that happiness or contentment, not the debt that can go with them,” Rasure said.

YouTube will allow creators who were banned for violating its now-defunct COVID-19 and election misinformation policies to return to the platform, parent company Alphabet said Tuesday. In a letter to the House Judiciary Committee, Alphabet attorneys said the decision reflects YouTube’s commitment to free speech, noting that the company values conservative voices and their role in civic debate. “No matter the political atmosphere, YouTube will continue to enable free expression on its platform, particularly on issues subject to political debate,” the letter stated. The move comes as major tech companies continue rolling back content moderation rules initially imposed during the pandemic and after the 2020 U.S. election. These restrictions, once aimed at curbing misinformation, have since drawn criticism from President Donald Trump and other conservatives who argue such measures unfairly silenced right-leaning voices. YouTube ended its policy against claims of widespread fraud in past U.S. presidential elections in 2023, and in 2024 retired its standalone COVID-19 misinformation rules, folding them into its broader medical misinformation policy. Prominent conservative influencers — among them Dan Bongino, now deputy director of the FBI — were previously banned under those rules. For creators, reinstatement also means regaining access to YouTube monetization, a major source of income through advertising. Alphabet’s lawyers alleged that senior officials in the Biden administration pressured the company to remove pandemic-related videos, even when they did not breach YouTube’s policies. “It is unacceptable and wrong when any government, including the Biden Administration, attempts to dictate how the Company moderates content,” the letter said, adding that YouTube consistently defended its practices on First Amendment grounds. Other tech leaders have echoed similar concerns. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg accused the Biden administration of exerting pressure on his company during the pandemic, while Elon Musk claimed Twitter was coerced by the FBI before his ownership to suppress reporting on Hunter Biden. The U.S. Supreme Court last year sided with the Biden administration in a case challenging the government’s authority to counter misinformation on social media, particularly concerning COVID-19 and election security. YouTube has not yet provided details on how the reinstatement process will work.  

Artificial intelligence has joined the list of pressing global challenges world leaders and diplomats will address this week at the United Nations’ annual high-level meeting. Since the launch of ChatGPT about three years ago, AI’s rapid progress has stunned the world. Tech firms continue to race ahead with more advanced systems, even as experts warn of dangers ranging from engineered pandemics to mass disinformation and urge stronger safeguards. The U.N.’s recent adoption of a new governance structure marks its most significant attempt yet to rein in AI. Earlier international efforts — including three summits hosted by Britain, South Korea, and France — produced only non-binding pledges. Last month, the General Assembly approved the creation of two bodies: a global forum and an independent scientific expert panel. The move is seen as a milestone in shaping international AI governance. On Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council will hold an open debate on the responsible use of AI, including compliance with international law and its role in peace processes and conflict prevention. The following day, Secretary-General António Guterres will launch the Global Dialogue on AI Governance during the annual meeting. The forum will serve as a platform for governments and stakeholders to share ideas and strengthen cooperation. It is scheduled to convene formally in Geneva in 2026 and in New York in 2027. Trump reveals Murdochs and Dell could be part of TikTok deal Meanwhile, recruitment will begin for 40 experts — including two co-chairs from developed and developing nations — to join the new scientific panel. The body is being compared to the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which oversees the annual COP climate conferences. Chatham House researcher Isabella Wilkinson called the creation of the new bodies “a symbolic triumph” and “the world’s most globally inclusive approach to governing AI.” But she cautioned that the mechanisms might remain “mostly powerless,” pointing to the U.N.’s slow bureaucracy compared with the speed of AI’s development. Ahead of the gathering, a group of prominent AI specialists urged governments to establish “red lines” for the technology by the end of next year, setting minimum global safeguards against the most serious risks. The group includes senior staff from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic. They are pushing for a binding international agreement, noting past treaties banning nuclear tests and biological weapons. “The idea is simple,” said Stuart Russell, an AI professor at the University of California, Berkeley. “As with medicines and nuclear plants, developers should be required to prove safety before gaining market access.” Russell suggested U.N. oversight could mirror the International Civil Aviation Organization, which coordinates global safety standards among national regulators. Rather than fixed rules, he argued for a flexible “framework convention” that can adapt to rapid advances in AI. Source: Agency 

Under a deal backed by the Trump administration, Oracle will take the lead in overseeing TikTok’s algorithm and security in the U.S., as part of a newly formed American joint venture. Final terms are still being finalized between several partners, including Oracle, investment firm Silver Lake, and possibly billionaires Rupert Murdoch and Michael Dell. The U.S. government will not have ownership or a board seat in the new venture, according to a senior White House official. President Trump is expected to sign an executive order confirming that the agreement addresses national security concerns. China must also approve the framework, and regulatory review is still required. This proposal is part of a long-standing push to separate TikTok’s U.S. operations from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, due to fears of data misuse and manipulation. The issue has been a key point in ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China. According to the Trump administration’s timeline, a group led by Oracle and Silver Lake will take over U.S. operations of TikTok — a process that may extend into early next year. This means the divestiture could occur nearly a year after the app was originally slated to be banned under bipartisan legislation that Trump repeatedly postponed. The new U.S.-based entity will be granted a licensed version of TikTok’s core recommendation algorithm, which keeps users engaged by curating personalized video feeds. Oracle will be tasked with overseeing and securing the data of U.S. users. U.S. officials have raised concerns that the original algorithm, developed by ByteDance, could be influenced by the Chinese government to manipulate content in subtle, hard-to-detect ways. A House Select Committee on China spokesperson emphasized that any shared algorithm with ByteDance would violate U.S. regulations. The bipartisan law requires TikTok to sever algorithmic ties with its Chinese parent to be compliant. A U.S. official noted that the licensed algorithm will be retrained using American data to ensure it operates safely and ethically — though it’s unclear how different the U.S. version will be from TikTok elsewhere. Significant changes could risk alienating users, said Jasmine Enberg, an analyst with eMarketer, who noted that cultural dynamics are just as critical as technology in social media. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt assured that users will still be able to access global content. “TikTok users in the U.S. will be able to view videos from international users and vice versa,” she stated. The situation is reminiscent of Elon Musk’s controversial $44 billion acquisition of Twitter, which led to major changes, including its rebranding to “X.” Any changes to TikTok under the new arrangement, however, are expected to be more gradual and less visible. What’s clear is that Oracle and Silver Lake are poised to play a major role in TikTok’s U.S. operations. Oracle, known for its database and enterprise software, has since expanded into AI and cloud infrastructure. Larry Ellison, Oracle’s co-founder and now chairman, remains a key figure, with a net worth estimated at $390 billion. He also played a financial role in Skydance’s $8 billion merger with Paramount, a deal orchestrated by his son, David. Silver Lake has a history of major tech investments, including Dell and Skype. Michael Dell, the founder of Dell Technologies, may become one of the investors in the new TikTok venture, as suggested by Trump in a recent interview with Fox News. Trump also mentioned Rupert Murdoch as a potential investor. There are also reports that venture capitalist Marc Andreessen is seeking to join the investor group. Andreessen was involved in Silver Lake’s 2009 acquisition of Skype. ByteDance is expected to retain a minority stake of no more than 20% in the U.S. entity, which will be governed by a board dominated by American investors. ByteDance will be allowed one board member, though that individual will not be involved in security matters.

Japanese automaker Nissan is developing vehicles with self-driving technology as it works to turn around its struggling auto business. In a recent demonstration of the technology developed by British company Wayve, a Nissan Ariya sedan outfitted with 11 cameras, five radars and a next-generation sensor called LiDAR maneuvered its way through downtown Tokyo, braking for red lights as well as pedestrians and other cars at intersections. It's set to be available in 2027, although Nissan did not give the models or other details. It's an already-crowded field. The self-driving car market is estimated to reach $2 trillion by 2030, according to market researcher IndustryARC, riding on the back of advances in AI, sensor technologies and data processing capabilities. Japan’s top automaker, Toyota Motor Corp., has a partnership deal with Waymo, another self-driving technology developed by Google. Waymo has also arrived in Japan, in partnership with a cab company, but it’s still in the testing stage. Other automakers are also working on autonomous driving technology, including Honda Motor Co., General Motors and Mercedes-Benz, as well as companies outside the auto industry like Amazon and its subsidiary Zoox. Nissan's push comes at a time when the overall Japanese auto market is facing serious challenges because of President Donald Trump's tariffs. Nissan especially is struggling. It has slashed jobs and appointed a new chief executive, Ivan Espinosa, to attempt a turnaround. The maker of the March subcompact, Leaf electric cars and Infiniti luxury brand posted losses for the April-June period, following a fiscal year of red ink.

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that several prominent billionaires, including media mogul Rupert Murdoch and tech founder Michael Dell, could be involved in a potential deal that would place TikTok’s U.S. operations under American control. In an interview recorded Friday and aired on Fox News, Trump named Rupert Murdoch, 94, and his son Lachlan Murdoch, head of Fox News and News Corp, as likely participants. “I think they’re going to be in the group. A couple of others. Really great people, very prominent people,” Trump said. “And they’re also American patriots, you know, they love this country. I think they’re going to do a really good job.” Trump also confirmed that Oracle founder and CEO Larry Ellison is part of the group, something previously disclosed. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday that Oracle would oversee TikTok’s U.S. data and security, with Americans controlling six of the seven seats on a new governing board. The president’s remarks mark the latest development in fast-moving negotiations to keep TikTok running in the U.S. while addressing national security concerns. Trump said he discussed the deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a lengthy phone call on Friday. Officials from both countries have until December 16 to finalize terms, following a recent deadline extension by the Trump administration. Trump, Xi to hold call on TikTok deal and US-China ties TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, has become one of the world’s most popular apps. U.S. officials warn that its algorithm could be exploited by Beijing to influence content in ways that are hard to detect. While Congress has already passed legislation mandating a TikTok ban starting in January, Trump has repeatedly signed orders allowing the app to operate as negotiations continue over a potential sale of its American operations. Trump acknowledged he has a personal bias in favor of TikTok, crediting it with helping him reach younger voters. He said late conservative activist Charlie Kirk encouraged him to embrace the platform. Representatives for Ellison, Dell, and the Murdochs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Notably, Trump filed a lawsuit in July against Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal after it published a story about his connections to late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Source: Agency 

The White House on Saturday said that an emerging agreement with China over TikTok will ensure U.S. oversight of the app’s operations, with Americans holding a majority on a new governing board and U.S. companies taking control of its closely guarded algorithm. The development comes amid long-running tensions between Washington and Beijing over whether TikTok, owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance, would retain control of the algorithm that determines what users see on the platform. Although Congress passed legislation mandating a TikTok ban set to take effect in January, President Donald Trump has repeatedly issued extensions, allowing the app to continue operating while negotiations proceed over a potential sale of its U.S. operations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that Oracle would handle TikTok’s data and security, while six of the seven board seats overseeing U.S. operations would be held by Americans. “The algorithm will also be controlled by America,” she added. Oracle did not comment on the matter. Speaking to reporters after a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, Trump said: “We have great American patriots that are buying it — very, very substantial people, people that love our country. And they’re very smart technologically, and they will not let anything bad happen to TikTok.” The algorithm, which drives TikTok’s content feed, has been at the center of U.S. concerns. Officials have warned it could be manipulated by Chinese authorities to shape narratives in subtle ways that are difficult to trace. Leavitt said the administration is “100% confident that a deal is done,” with only the signing remaining. “The president’s team is working with their Chinese counterparts to do just that,” she said. While Trump praised Xi as “a gentleman” in the talks, he remained vague on the critical issue of China’s role in the algorithm. “It’s all being worked out,” he said. “We’re going to have very good control.” A statement from Beijing following the call did not clarify whether China had agreed to ByteDance selling a controlling stake. Leavitt said Trump recognized the need to “protect Americans’ privacy and data while also keeping this app open,” noting that “TikTok is a vital part of our democratic process.” Public opinion on TikTok remains divided. A Pew Research Center survey found that one-third of Americans currently support a ban, down from 50 percent in March 2023. Another one-third oppose it, while the rest remain undecided. Among those favoring a ban, 8 in 10 cited concerns over user data security as their primary reason. Leavitt expressed optimism that the deal would soon be finalized. “Now we just need this deal to be signed,” she said. “And that will be happening, I anticipate, in the coming days.”  

On Friday, former President Donald Trump signed a proclamation introducing major changes to U.S. immigration policy. The new rules include a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visa applications for skilled foreign workers and a new $1 million “gold card” visa program that offers a path to citizenship for wealthy individuals. These changes are expected to face strong legal opposition and widespread criticism for bypassing Congress. If upheld, the policy would dramatically raise costs for visa applicants. The H-1B application fee would increase from $215 to $100,000 annually. Fees for investor visas, popular in Europe, would also rise to between $10,000 and $20,000 per year. The H-1B program is meant for high-skilled jobs requiring at least a bachelor’s degree and is commonly used by tech companies. Critics argue it allows companies to hire foreign workers at much lower wages — sometimes around $60,000 annually — compared to over $100,000 typically paid to U.S. tech workers. Despite the criticism, Trump insisted the tech industry supports the plan. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed this, claiming that “all big companies” are in favor. However, major tech firms like Amazon, Google, Apple, and Meta did not respond to requests for comment. Microsoft declined to comment. Lutnick noted that due to the high costs, fewer H-1B visas will likely be issued in the future, stating, “It’s just not economic anymore.” He added, “If you want to hire a top engineer from abroad, you can pay $100,000 for the visa — otherwise, train Americans.” Trump also introduced a $1 million “gold card” visa, offering a pathway to U.S. citizenship after vetting. For companies sponsoring employees, the cost will be $2 million. An even more exclusive “Trump Platinum Card” will cost $5 million and allow holders to stay in the U.S. for up to 270 days without paying U.S. taxes on income earned abroad. These new programs would replace many employment-based visas, including those used by academics, artists, scientists, and athletes. Groups that oppose the H-1B program welcomed the changes. U.S. Tech Workers, an advocacy group, praised the move as “the next best thing” to eliminating the visa program altogether. Doug Rand, a former official at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the Biden administration, criticized the move, calling it “blatantly unlawful.” “This isn’t real policymaking — it’s a political stunt meant to appeal to anti-immigration supporters,” he said. “Trump gets the headlines, creates fear, and doesn’t care if this stands up in court.” Lutnick noted that the president can implement the H-1B fee and gold card, but congressional approval would be needed for the platinum card. H-1B visas are typically distributed through a lottery system. In 2024, Amazon received over 10,000 visas, more than any other company, followed by firms like Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple, and Google. California remains the top destination for H-1B workers. Critics argue the program is often used to fill entry-level positions rather than specialized roles, and companies save money by classifying jobs at the lowest allowable skill levels, even if the employee is more experienced. This system has allowed many U.S. companies to outsource basic tasks like IT support and programming to consulting firms. These firms — such as Wipro, Infosys, HCL, and Tata in India, and IBM and Cognizant in the U.S. — often hire foreign workers and then contract them out to U.S. employers. Interestingly, First Lady Melania Trump once held an H-1B visa in 1996 to work as a model. In 2024, the number of H-1B lottery applications dropped nearly 40%, due in part to new measures aimed at stopping applicants from submitting multiple entries to boost their chances of being selected. Tech companies had pushed for reforms after the surge in applications made it harder for their employees and recruits to be selected. This year, U.S. immigration authorities limited each applicant to one entry in the lottery, regardless of how many job offers they had. While critics welcomed this change, many say more reform is needed. The AFL-CIO has called for visas to be awarded based on salary levels rather than chance — a policy Trump previously supported during his first term.

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday in an effort to finalize an agreement that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States. The call is expected to touch on wider U.S.-China relations and could signal whether the two leaders will meet in person to advance trade talks. It will be their second call since Trump returned to the White House and reimposed steep tariffs on China, reigniting tensions between the two largest economies. Trump has pushed for a deal that would separate TikTok from its Chinese parent company ByteDance, citing data security concerns. U.S. officials have also raised questions about the platform’s algorithm and Chinese data laws. Beijing recently said both sides reached consensus on data handling and intellectual property issues. While U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier this week that negotiators reached a framework deal, final approval is expected from Trump and Xi. Trade remains a sticking point, with unresolved disputes over tariffs, agricultural purchases, and export controls. American farmers have been hit hard, with soybean and sorghum exports to China plummeting this year. Trump extends TikTok shutdown deadline for fourth time after framework deal with China Analysts say both leaders want to project strength: Trump by claiming leverage in trade talks, and Xi by emphasizing China’s economic influence. Despite tensions, experts note both sides are motivated to reach a broader agreement, with Friday’s call seen as a critical step. Source: Agency