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Nintendo has revealed that the Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025, and will introduce new features aimed at enhancing connectivity for gamers, including interactive chat and screen-sharing functions. During its 60-minute Nintendo Direct event, the company showcased a brighter, larger display on the Switch 2 and announced a range of games that will be available at launch. Meta hit with fines by Turkey after refusing to restrict content A key update is the new “C” button on the Joy-Con controller, which will activate a “GameChat” feature, enabling players to communicate with friends and family during gameplay and share their game screens. The system will also include a built-in microphone for chatting with others online. Another notable innovation is the ability to use the Joy-Con controllers like a computer mouse. The developers demonstrated how this feature could be used in various games, such as adjusting a golf club’s angle in a golf game. Bitcoin investor buys an entire SpaceX flight The presentation also featured a first look at a new Mario Kart game, where in-game characters performed flips, tricks, and rail grinds. Additionally, Nintendo unveiled a new James Bond game, Project 007, inspired by the classic Nintendo 64 first-person shooter loved by fans. The Switch 2 will support backward compatibility, allowing it to play both physical and digital Switch games. However, users will need to purchase a new type of SD memory card, as standard SD cards will not be compatible with the system. Data from the original Switch can still be transferred to the new console. To promote the launch, Nintendo will host “Switch 2 Experience” events in several cities, including Los Angeles, New York, London, and Paris, starting this month.

Han Jong-Hee, a senior Samsung Electronics executive who played a pivotal role in enhancing the company's television business, passed away on Tuesday, the company announced. He was 63. Han, who served as a co-chief executive and oversaw the consumer electronics and mobile devices divisions, died at a hospital after being treated for cardiac arrest, according to Samsung. European startup scrubs first test flight of Orbital Rocket Having joined Samsung in 1988, Han spent the majority of his career in TV-related departments, contributing to the company’s rise as the world’s top TV manufacturer. He was named co-vice chairman and CEO in 2022. Samsung, a global technology giant, excels in both components and finished consumer products, with separate CEOs overseeing major business areas such as semiconductors, all under the broader leadership of third-generation corporate heir and chairman Lee Jae-yong. Finding health advice on social media is easy—but knowing what to trust is harder It is not yet clear who will succeed Han.

On the grounds of a gas-fired power plant on Canada’s eastern coast, an obscure company is pumping a mineral-rich slurry into the ocean, aiming to combat climate change. Whether this is an act of pollution or a breakthrough in climate solutions depends on perspective. A pipe along the shore releases a blend of water and magnesium oxide—a fine white powder commonly used in construction and antacids. Planetary Technologies, based in Nova Scotia, is betting that this mineral will help the ocean absorb more greenhouse gases. Finding health advice on social media is easy—but knowing what to trust is harder "Restore the climate. Heal the ocean," reads the slogan displayed on a nearby shipping container. Planetary is one of many emerging companies exploring ways to harness the ocean’s natural ability to absorb carbon. With a $1 million grant from Elon Musk’s foundation, it is also in the running for a $50 million prize. Numerous other companies and research groups are testing similar concepts—whether by sinking rocks, dispersing nutrients, submerging agricultural waste, or cultivating seaweed—to trap carbon dioxide for centuries. Over the past four years, nearly 50 field trials have been conducted, with startups securing hundreds of millions in funding. However, debate surrounds the potential consequences of scaling these approaches and their true effectiveness in combating climate change. Critics argue the industry is advancing too hastily without sufficient oversight. “It’s like the Wild West. Everyone is jumping on board, eager to contribute,” said Adina Paytan, a professor of earth and ocean sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Planetary, like many ocean startups, finances its projects by selling carbon credits—certificates representing one metric ton of carbon dioxide removed from the air. Though largely unregulated and widely debated, carbon credits have become a common way for businesses to offset emissions rather than reducing them directly. These credits often sell for several hundred dollars each. Last year, the industry sold over 340,000 marine carbon credits—up from just 2,000 four years prior, according to tracking site CDR.fyi. Yet, this remains a minuscule fraction of what scientists estimate is necessary to maintain a habitable planet. Despite the uncertainties, industry leaders like Will Burt, Planetary’s chief ocean scientist, acknowledge they are venturing into unknown territory. However, they argue that inaction poses an even greater risk to both the planet and the oceans. “We need to determine if this approach works as quickly as possible. The sooner, the better.” U.S. regulators recall nearly all Tesla Cybertrucks over safety issue Drawing Carbon into the Ocean Carbon capture efforts have expanded significantly in recent years. According to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, cutting emissions alone will not be sufficient to slow global warming. Actively removing heat-trapping gases is essential, and the ocean presents a vast and logical solution. Significant investments have already been made in land-based approaches, including extracting carbon dioxide from the air, underground storage, and reforestation. However, these methods are often limited by space and potential disruptions to local communities. In contrast, the ocean, which already plays a crucial role in regulating the planet’s climate, appears nearly boundless. “Can the ocean’s vast surface area help mitigate the worst effects of climate change?” asked Adam Subhas, who leads a carbon removal project at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts. On a recent afternoon along Halifax Harbour, Burt swapped his bike helmet for a hard hat as he guided two engineering students through Planetary’s site. A detached truck trailer stored massive bags of magnesium oxide mined in Spain and shipped across the Atlantic to Canada. Many companies exploring ocean-based climate solutions aim to reduce or transform the carbon dioxide stored in seawater. If successful, Burt explained, the ocean will act "like a vacuum," drawing in more carbon from the atmosphere. Planetary’s approach involves dissolving magnesium oxide into seawater, which converts carbon dioxide from a gas into stable molecules that remain out of the atmosphere for millennia. Other alkaline minerals, like limestone and olivine, have a similar effect. Other startups are focusing on cultivating seaweed and algae to absorb carbon dioxide, similar to how trees remove carbon from the air. Gigablue, for instance, is adding nutrients to New Zealand’s waters to stimulate the growth of phytoplankton, which would not otherwise thrive there. Some companies see the ocean’s depths as a storage site for organic materials that would otherwise emit greenhouse gases on land. Startups have submerged wood chips off Iceland’s coast and are planning to sink Sargassum seaweed to extreme depths. Carboniferous is seeking federal approval to deposit sugarcane pulp in the Gulf of Mexico, also called the Gulf of America by President Donald Trump. Burt acknowledges that Planetary’s work may seem like a “scary science experiment.” However, early tests indicate minimal risks to marine life. Magnesium oxide is already used in water treatment facilities to neutralise acidity. Halifax Harbour is just one of Planetary’s testing locations. The company also operates at a wastewater treatment facility in Virginia and plans to launch trials in Vancouver later this year. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine estimate that to meet the climate goals set during the Paris Agreement, billions of tons of carbon dioxide must be removed from the atmosphere annually by mid-century. “The goal is to counteract the rapidly worsening climate crisis,” Burt said. “We must act with caution and integrity, but we must also act swiftly.” Balancing Enthusiasm and Caution Despite industry optimism, not all coastal communities are eager to embrace these initiatives. In North Carolina, plans to deposit large quantities of olivine near the town of Duck faced regulatory concerns, reducing the project’s scale by more than half. Vesta, the company behind the initiative, promotes olivine as a tool for absorbing carbon while reinforcing coastlines against erosion. However, state and federal agencies raised concerns about potential harm to marine ecosystems, including habitats for sea turtles and Atlantic sturgeon. Vesta CEO Tom Green acknowledged that the initial proposal was unlikely to be approved as submitted. “It’s about starting a dialogue with regulators and local communities,” he explained. After incorporating a restoration plan and more detailed monitoring, a scaled-down version of the project proceeded last summer. Now, 8,000 metric tons of olivine from Norway lie beneath North Carolina’s waves. Green understands the skepticism and emphasises that Vesta’s intent is to protect, not harm, the environment. “It’s our responsibility to engage with local communities, present our data, and build trust.” Other projects have faced similar resistance. Fishing communities have voiced concerns over a Woods Hole project near Cape Cod that involves introducing sodium hydroxide into ocean waters. While the Environmental Protection Agency supports the project’s scientific merits, fishermen worry about potential impacts on marine life and local industries. Planetary, too, encountered opposition in Cornwall, England, where a proposed magnesium hydroxide release sparked protests. Following community backlash and government recommendations, the company paused operations, pledging to source minerals closer to the site and abstain from selling carbon credits from previous releases. The Unanswered Questions Even among scientists, uncertainties remain. Some principles behind these technologies have been studied for decades, yet real-world trials are essential to understanding large-scale impacts. Tracking how the ocean processes added materials is complex. Elements may sink, disperse, or alter in ways difficult to predict. “It’s incredibly challenging to control the ocean,” noted carbon cycle scientist Sarah Cooley. Questions persist regarding how long carbon will remain sequestered. Organic material like seaweed and wood chips could eventually decompose, re-releasing carbon. While some estimates suggest centuries or millennia of storage, others predict mere decades. Scaling these efforts to billions of tons annually presents further challenges, requiring vast resources, energy, and funding. Despite uncertainties, many experts argue that waiting is not an option. With global temperatures breaking records and carbon emissions reaching new highs, the urgency to act grows stronger. “The alternative to trying,” said David Ho, an oceanography professor at the University of Hawaii, “is allowing climate change to continue unchecked.”

The European Union outlined the actions Apple must take to improve the compatibility of its iPhone and iPad operating systems with competing technologies. This marks the first time the EU has enforced compliance with its Digital Markets Act (DMA), a digital rulebook introduced last year. Nvidia partners with Disney to propel generalist robotics forward The European Commission initiated two “specification proceedings” last year to detail the steps Apple needs to follow to meet the DMA requirements. The commission's decision outlined measures to enhance access to Apple’s iOS operating system for third-party devices, such as smartwatches. It also included steps to improve the transparency and efficiency of the process for software developers to request access to iPhone features. Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, stated in a press release that the measures provide “regulatory certainty” for both Apple and developers. She added that "effective interoperability" for third-party devices will offer consumers better choices in the rapidly expanding market for connected devices. Apple, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, claiming it would harm the company's products and European users. The company argued that the new rules would create unnecessary bureaucracy, slowing innovation in Europe and forcing Apple to give away new features for free to companies not bound by the same regulations. Apple affirmed that it would continue to engage with the European Commission to address its concerns on behalf of users. The Commission also announced that Google had not done enough to comply with the DMA. Despite some changes, such as removing flight listings, Google continued to prioritize its own services in search results. Additionally, Google failed to allow app developers to direct users to cheaper alternatives outside its Google Play Store, according to preliminary findings. Google acquires cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion in its largest-ever deal In response, Google stated that the EU's findings would require it to make further changes to how search results are displayed, which the company believes would hinder users from finding what they need and reduce traffic to European businesses. Google described this approach as "misguided."

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov announced on Monday that he has travelled from France to Dubai while French authorities continue investigating criminal activity on his messaging app. Durov disclosed his location in a post on his Telegram channel. He was detained last year upon his arrival in Paris, where French authorities pressed preliminary charges against him for allegedly permitting criminal activity on the platform. As AI reshapes hospital care, human nurses push back Following his arrest, Durov was prohibited from leaving France during the ongoing investigation and was required to report to a police station twice a week. “As you may have heard, I’ve returned to Dubai after spending several months in France due to an investigation related to the activity of criminals on Telegram,” Durov wrote. “The process is ongoing, but it feels great to be home.” French investigators claim that Telegram has been used for child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking and that the platform failed to provide information or documents to investigators when legally required. In his post, Durov expressed gratitude to the “investigative judges for letting this happen.” Authorities detained Durov last August when he arrived at Le Bourget airport near Paris and interrogated him for four days as part of a broad investigation. Durov stated in his post that, regarding moderation, cooperation, and crime prevention, Telegram has not only met but exceeded its legal obligations for years. Baidu unveils new AI models, claims superiority over DeepSeek Following his arrest last year, he maintained that Telegram is not “some sort of anarchic paradise” and attributed the challenges to a surge in users, which, he said, led to growing pains that made it easier for criminals to exploit the platform.

Albania’s opposition staged protests on Saturday against the government’s decision to ban TikTok, accusing the move of being a form of censorship ahead of the May 11 parliamentary elections. The Albanian Cabinet had decided last week to block TikTok for 12 months, citing concerns over the platform’s role in inciting violence and bullying, particularly among children. April 2025 Video Games: 8 Exciting Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch The centre-right Democratic Party urged citizens, especially younger users who are the main demographic of TikTok, to “protest against a corrupt government that aims to control the information available to the public,” according to its leader, Sali Berisha, on Friday. Hundreds of Democratic Party supporters gathered outside the government building in the capital, Tirana, chanting “Democracy” and Berisha’s name. Many held signs reading: “Censorship, corruption, not TikTok.” Only young party supporters delivered speeches, not senior leaders or Berisha himself. The protesters accused Prime Minister Edi Rama and his Socialist Party Cabinet of corruption, electoral manipulation, and overstepping judicial powers. The protest ended peacefully after an hour. “TikTok will return on May 12,” Berisha told reporters following the demonstration. Albania’s parliamentary elections will take place on May 11, with voters abroad being allowed to cast ballots for the first time. Recent polls suggest a strong victory for the ruling Socialists, who are aiming for their fourth consecutive term since 2013. Huawei Lobbyists barred from European Parliament amid Bribery Investigation The opposition Democrats have been divided following internal conflicts after the US and UK governments imposed entry bans on Berisha and his close family members in 2021 and 2022 due to alleged corruption. Many senior Democratic leaders went on to form their own parties, splitting opposition support. Berisha was released in November after serving 11 months under house arrest for breaching a court order. Though charged with corruption, Berisha claims the charges are politically driven. In October, Albania began EU accession talks covering issues like the rule of law, corruption, foreign policy, and defence. Rama has expressed hopes of completing the process by 2027 and for Albania to join the EU by 2030.

Meta will begin testing its crowd-sourced fact-checking initiative, Community Notes, on March 18, following the model used by Elon Musk's X, the company announced on Thursday. Meta had previously discontinued its fact-checking programme in January, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg stating that fact-checkers had become “politically biased,” echoing criticisms long voiced by conservatives. However, media experts and social media researchers expressed deep concern over the policy change. French publishers, authors sue Meta for AI copyright infringement “The decision not only eliminates a valuable resource for users but also lends credibility to the widespread disinformation narrative that fact-checking is politically biased. Fact-checkers play a crucial role by providing essential context to viral claims that mislead millions on Meta,” said Dan Evon, lead writer for RumorGuard, the News Literacy Project’s digital tool that curates fact checks and educates people on identifying misinformation. Meta first introduced fact-checking in December 2016 following Donald Trump’s election, responding to concerns about the spread of “fake news” on its platforms. For years, the company partnered with over 100 organisations across more than 60 languages to combat misinformation. The Associated Press withdrew from Meta’s fact-checking programme more than a year ago. Community Notes will eventually replace fact checks, though not immediately. Meta stated that potential contributors in the U.S. can begin signing up for the programme, but their notes will not be visible right away. “We will start by gradually and randomly admitting people from the waitlist and will take time to test the writing and rating system before any notes are published publicly,” Meta explained. Meta emphasised that it would not determine what content gets rated or written, and notes will only be published if contributors with diverse viewpoints reach a broad consensus. Unlike the previous fact-checking system, where flagged misinformation saw reduced distribution, posts with Community Notes will not face penalties. Meta initiates layoffs to reduce workforce by 5% Fact checks will remain in place outside the U.S. for now, though Meta intends to expand Community Notes globally in the future.

French publishers and authors have announced legal action against Meta, alleging that the social media giant used their works without permission to train its artificial intelligence model. On Wednesday, three trade groups stated that they were suing Meta in a Paris court, accusing the company of the “massive use of copyrighted works without authorisation” to train its generative AI model. The National Publishing Union, representing book publishers, has highlighted that "numerous works" from its members are appearing in Meta’s data pool, according to the group’s president, Vincent Montagne, in a joint statement. Meta has not responded to a request for comment. The company has introduced generative AI-powered chatbot assistants for users on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Montagne accused Meta of engaging in “noncompliance with copyright and parasitism.” Another trade group, the National Union of Authors and Composers, which represents 700 writers, playwrights, and composers, stated that the lawsuit is necessary to protect its members from “AI that plunders their works and cultural heritage to train itself.” Ex-Meta official’s 'explosive dispatch' on company to be published The union is also concerned about AI generating “fake books” that compete with real publications, said the group’s president, François Peyrony. The third organisation involved in the lawsuit, the Société des Gens de Lettres, represents authors. Together, they demand the “complete removal” of data directories Meta created without authorisation to train its AI model. Under the European Union’s comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Act, generative AI systems must comply with the 27-nation bloc’s copyright regulations and be transparent about the material used for training. This case is the latest example of the ongoing conflict between the creative and publishing industries and technology firms over data and copyright. Last month, British musicians released a silent album in protest against proposed changes to the U.K. government’s artificial intelligence laws, which artists fear could undermine their creative control. Meta initiates layoffs to reduce workforce by 5% Meanwhile, media and technology company Thomson Reuters recently won a legal dispute against a now-defunct legal research firm over fair use in AI-related copyright cases. Other cases, involving visual artists, news organisations, and others, continue to progress through U.S. courts.

An insider account, described as an "explosive dispatch" about seven pivotal years at Facebook/Meta, is set to be released next week, reports AP. Flatiron Books announced on Wednesday that Careless People will be published on Tuesday. Written by Sarah Wynn-Williams, Meta's former director of global public policy who left Facebook in 2018, the book delves into the inner workings of the company. Which phones are getting One UI 7 first and when The publisher's statement explains that Careless People takes readers behind the scenes of Meta’s boardrooms, private jets, and meetings with world leaders, shedding light on the appetites, excesses, blind spots, and priorities of executives Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, and Joel Kaplan. Wynn-Williams portrays them as deeply flawed, self-serving individuals, indifferent to the consequences of their actions on others for the sake of their own gain. Flatiron further shares that Wynn-Williams will offer detailed accounts of Zuckerberg’s attempts to expand Meta in China and her efforts to urge the company to tackle hate speech and misinformation online. Top 10 Holy Quran Apps on iOS and Android in Ramadan 2025 The book also touches on distressing incidents of workplace harassment and misogyny, as well as the challenges of working motherhood at a time when Sheryl Sandberg was globally recognised for advocating women to "Lean In."

President of Journalists Association of Korea (JAK) Kim Dong Hoon has said science and digital technology are evolving faster than ever and journalism may face “unprecedented crises” if they do not prepare for the future. “This is why we must reflect on issues and develop solutions now,” he said while speaking on the first day of the five-day World Journalists Conference-2023 that began in Seoul on Tuesday, seeking collaborative efforts for a brighter future for journalism globally. Kim said although participants from around the world have different nationalities, races, genders, and ideas, they all share the same identity as journalists who strive for truth, freedom and peace with sharp reasoning and warm hearts. “We now live in an era where we can access the news and information we need anytime, anywhere with a single smartphone. Things that were unimaginable just a few years ago have become a reality,” he said. Under the topic of “The Challenge of Journalism for Regional Development”, journalists discussed solution case studies that examine local community issues and propose solutions.