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During Ramadan 2025, iOS and Android apps provide an easy way to learn and listen to the Holy Quran anytime, anywhere. These apps offer recitations, translations, and interactive learning tools to enhance your spiritual journey.  Best iOS and Android Apps to Learn, Recite & Listen to Holy Quran in This Ramadan  . Al Quran (Tafsir & by Word) Al Quran (Tafsir & by Word) is a powerful app designed to help users understand and memorise the Quran effectively. Rated 4.8/5, it is completely free with no ads and varies in download size depending on the device.  Developed by the Greentech Apps Foundation (GTAF), the app provides word-by-word meanings in multiple languages, including English, Bangla, Urdu, and German, allowing users to grasp the Quran’s depth. It includes colour-coded Tajweed rules for accurate recitation, making it beginner-friendly.  Read more: How to Get Traffic Updates in Dhaka: Useful Apps and Sources With over 70 translations and tafsirs in 35+ languages, including renowned works like Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Tafsir Jalalayn, users can gain deep insights. The app features audio recitations from 30+ famous Qaris with customisable playback speed, a Quran Planner to track Khatmah completion, bookmarking, and a Mushaf mode for an authentic reading experience, making it an ideal app for Ramadan. Quranic: Learn Quran and Arabic Quranic is a unique learning app that teaches Arabic using interactive lessons derived from Quranic verses. Rated 4.8/5, it is free with in-app purchases and varies in download size by device. Developed by BusyPeople LLC, it uses gamification techniques, quizzes, and spaced repetition to reinforce learning.  Designed for beginners and advanced learners alike, it helps users understand Quranic vocabulary and sentence structure efficiently. The app’s intuitive interface and engaging format make it an excellent tool for anyone looking to enhance their comprehension of Quranic Arabic. Tarteel: Quran A.I. Tarteel is an innovative AI-powered Quran app that listens to users’ recitations and provides real-time feedback. Rated 4.7/5, it is a freemium app with no ads and varies in download size by device. Developed by Tarteel Inc., it helps users improve their memorisation and pronunciation by detecting mistakes and offering corrections.  Read more: Best Free Bangladeshi Online Doctor Apps for Android, iOS The premium version includes features such as memorisation mistake detection, advanced memorisation mode, and progress tracking. The app encourages habit-building through detailed analytics and personalised engagement goals. Users can set their own memorization targets and receive interactive guidance to perfect their recitation. Tarteel is an excellent choice for those focusing on Hifz and improving their Quranic fluency with AI-driven learning. Athan Athan is more than just a Quran app—it is a complete Islamic lifestyle app offering accurate prayer times, Adhan notifications, and a Qibla finder. Rated 4.7/5, it is free with ads and offers in-app purchases, with a download size that varies by device. Developed by IslamicFinder, the app includes a digital Quran with translations in over 45 languages, along with a Ramadan fasting tracker, Hajj and Umrah guides, and a personalised prayer log. The Athan Pink feature caters specifically to women’s prayer needs, providing Duas and a period tracker. Users can customise their Quran recitations, set prayer reminders, and access daily Islamic content, making it a valuable companion throughout Ramadan. Read more: 10 Best eBook Reader Apps for Android, iOS Quran by Quran.com  Quran by Quran.com is a minimalist app that offers a distraction-free reading experience. Rated 4.7/5, it is completely free and varies in download size depending on the device. Developed by Quran.com, it provides seamless navigation, extensive translations, and tafsirs in multiple languages.  The app is linked to the popular Quran.com website, ensuring users have access to high-quality, regularly updated content. With features like bookmarking, search functionality, and verse-by-verse study tools, this app is ideal for users who prefer a simple yet effective approach to reading and understanding the Quran. Quran Majeed Quran Majeed is a comprehensive app that provides a rich Quranic experience. Rated 4.6/5, it is free with ads and offers in-app purchases, with a download size that varies by device. Developed by Pakdata, it features high-quality Arabic text, translations in 45+ languages, and HD audio recitations from world-renowned Qaris.  Read more: 10 Grocery Shopping Apps in Bangladesh: An Overview The app also includes tools such as a Qibla compass, prayer times, and live streaming from Makkah and Medina. The memorisation mode offers Hifz tracking, repetition options, and verse bookmarking. With daily recitation reminders, tafsirs, and a Hijri calendar, Quran Majeed is an all-in-one tool for Muslims looking to enhance their Quranic engagement during Ramadan. Ayat: Al Quran Ayat: Al Quran is a comprehensive Quranic study app featuring multiple recitations, tafsirs, translations, and a powerful search function. Rated 4.6/5, it is free and varies in download size by device. Developed by King Saud University, it allows users to bookmark verses, take notes, and access an offline mode for uninterrupted study.  Its detailed word-by-word breakdown makes it an excellent tool for in-depth Quranic study and memorisation. The app is ideal for students, scholars, and anyone seeking a deeper connection with the Quran. Read more: 7 Food Delivery Apps for Dhaka Learn Quran Tajwid Learn Quran Tajwid is a comprehensive app designed to help users master Quranic recitation with proper Tajweed. Rated 4.5/5, it is free with ads and varies in download size by device. Developed by Learn Quran, it offers structured lessons suitable for beginners and advanced students. The app includes voice narration for Arabic characters, practice exercises with transliterations, and the ability to record and compare recitations.  It provides real Quranic examples, images, and videos for better understanding. The placement test helps users assess their Tajweed level, while progress tracking and automated evaluations ensure effective learning. Despite its rich features, some users find the frequent ads disruptive. Overall, it is a valuable tool for improving Tajweed and Quranic recitation. Learn To Read The Quran Learn To Read The Quran is designed for beginners who want to learn how to read the Quran from scratch. Rated 4.3/5, it is free with ads and varies in download size by device. Developed by Quran Ayat, it provides Arabic alphabet lessons with audio support, interactive reading exercises, and a built-in Quran for practice.  Read more: 10 Best Free Apps for Ramadan on Android and iOS By focusing on Tajweed and pronunciation, it ensures users develop a strong foundation in Quranic recitation. The app’s structured approach and easy-to-follow lessons make it perfect for learners of all ages. Quran Word by Word with Audio – eQuran Teacher Quran Word by Word with Audio – eQuran Teacher provides a word-by-word breakdown of Quranic verses along with synchronised audio recitations. Rated 4.3/5, it is free and varies in download size by device.  Developed by ImaginaryTech, it allows users to listen to individual words, phrases, or complete verses to improve their pronunciation and memorisation.  The app includes Roman transliterations, customisable repetition settings, and offline access. It is an excellent tool for those looking to enhance their understanding and fluency in Quranic recitation. Read more: Best Video Editing Apps for Android, IOS Final Words These top-rated Quran apps for iOS and Android provide various features to enhance your learning and listening experience during Ramadan 2025. Whether you seek memorisation tools, word-by-word recitation, or AI-powered feedback, these apps offer valuable resources for deepening your connection with the Quran. Choose the one that best suits your needs and enrich your spiritual journey.  Read more: Best Free Personal Safety Android, iOS Apps for Women

Molly Kelley was stunned to discover in June that someone she knew had used widely available “nudification” technology to create highly realistic and sexually explicit videos and images of her, using family photos that were posted on social media. “My initial shock turned to horror when I learned that the same person targeted about 80, 85 other women, most of whom live in Minnesota, some of whom I know personally, and all of them had connections in some way to the offender,” Kelley said. Backed by her testimony, Minnesota is considering a new strategy for cracking down on deepfake pornography. A bill that has bipartisan support would target companies that run websites and apps allowing people to upload a photo that then would be transformed into explicit images or videos. States across the country and Congress are considering strategies for regulating artificial intelligence. Most have banned the dissemination of sexually explicit deepfakes or revenge porn whether they were produced with AI or not. The idea behind the Minnesota legislation is to prevent the material from ever being created — before it spreads online. Experts on AI law caution the proposal might be unconstitutional on free speech grounds. Why advocates say the bill is needed The lead author, Democratic Sen. Erin Maye Quade, said additional restrictions are necessary because AI technology has advanced so rapidly. Her bill would require the operators of “nudification” sites and apps to turn them off to people in Minnesota or face civil penalties up to $500,000 “for each unlawful access, download, or use.” Developers would need to figure out how to turn off the function for Minnesota users. It’s not just the dissemination that’s harmful to victims, she said. It’s the fact that these images exist at all. Musk's embrace of right-wing politics risks turning off car buyers and sinking Tesla's stock Kelley told reporters last month that anyone can quickly create “hyper-realistic nude images or pornographic video” in minutes. Most law enforcement attention so far has been focused on distribution and possession. Congress, states and cities are also trying other tactics San Francisco in August filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against several widely visited “nudification” websites, alleging they broke state laws against fraudulent business practices, nonconsensual pornography and the sexual abuse of children. That case remains pending. The U.S. Senate last month unanimously approved a bill by Democrat Amy Klobuchar, of Minnesota, and Republican Ted Cruz, of Texas, to make it a federal crime to publish nonconsensual sexual imagery, including AI-generated deepfakes. Social media platforms would be required to remove them within 48 hours of notice from a victim. Melania Trump on Monday used her first solo appearance since becoming first lady again to urge passage by the Republican-controlled House, where it's pending. The Kansas House last month approved a bill that expands the definition of illegal sexual exploitation of a child to include possession of images generated with AI if they're “indistinguishable from a real child, morphed from a real child’s image or generated without any actual child involvement.” A bill introduced in the Florida Legislature creates a new felony for people who use technology such as AI to generate nude images and criminalizes possession of child sexual abuse images generated with it. Broadly similar bills have also been introduced in Illinois, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Texas, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural. Maye Quade said she'll be sharing her proposal with legislators in other states because few are aware the technology is so readily accessible. “If we can’t get Congress to act, then we can maybe get as many states as possible to take action,” Maye Quade said. Victims tell their stories Sandi Johnson, senior legislative policy counsel for the victim’s rights group RAINN — the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network — said the Minnesota bill would hold websites accountable. “Once the images are created, they can be posted anonymously, or rapidly widely disseminated, and become nearly impossible to remove,” she testified recently. Megan Hurley also was horrified to learn someone had generated explicit images and video of her using a “nudification” site. She said she feels especially humiliated because she's a massage therapist, a profession that's already sexualized in some minds. Microsoft to shut down Skype in May “It is far too easy for one person to use their phone or computer and create convincing, synthetic, intimate imagery of you, your family, and friends, your children, your grandchildren,” Hurley said. “I do not understand why this technology exists and I find it abhorrent there are companies out there making money in this manner.” AI experts urge caution However, two AI law experts — Wayne Unger of the Quinnipiac University School of Law and Riana Pfefferkorn of Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence — said the Minnesota bill is too broadly constructed to survive a court challenge. Limiting the scope only to images of real children might help it withstand a First Amendment challenge since those are generally not protected, Pfefferkorn said. But she said it would still potentially conflict with a federal law that says you can't sue websites for content that users generate. “If Minnesota wants to go down this direction, they'll need to add a lot more clarity to the bill,” Unger said. “And they'll have to narrow what they mean by nudify and nudification.” But Maye Quade said she thinks her legislation is on solid constitutional ground because it's regulating conduct, not speech. “This cannot continue," she said. "These tech companies cannot keep unleashing this technology into the world with no consequences. It is harmful by its very nature.”

Last-minute problems forced a launch delay Monday for SpaceX’s mega rocket Starship, attempting a comeback following an explosion on the last test flight. The countdown got down to the 40-second mark, but it was halted because of issues with the 403-foot (123-meter) rocket, the world’s largest and most powerful. Starship was supposed to blast off from the southern tip of Texas with four mock satellites on board for a space-skimming test flight. If the problems can be fixed quickly, another launch attempt could come Tuesday, according to SpaceX. Musk's embrace of right-wing politics risks turning off car buyers and sinking Tesla's stock The last Starship demo ended in an explosion over the Atlantic in January, with flaming debris streaming over the Turks and Caicos. Starship has already been booked by NASA for astronaut moon landings later this decade. SpaceX's Elon Musk intends to use the mammoth rockets to settle Mars.

Elon Musk's car company is required each year to report to investors all the bad things that could happen to it, and the latest version lists every imaginable threat from costly lawsuits to out-of-control battery fires to war and another epidemic. But there’s barely any mention in the latest annual update of Musk’s full-bore entry into right-wing politics, which some experts say is turning off potential customers who don’t share his views. “It's marketing 101: Don’t involve yourself in politics,” said New York brand consultant Robert Passikoff. “People will stop buying your products.” It may be too late. Tesla sales plunged 45% in Europe in January, according to research firm Jato Dynamics, even as overall electric vehicle sales rose. That comes after a report of falling sales in California, its biggest U.S. market, and the first annual drop globally for the company last year. “I don’t even want to drive it,” said Model 3 owner John Parnell, a Democrat from Ross, California, adding that he also is cancelling his order for the company's Cybertruck, losing a $100 deposit. “He's destroying the brand with his politics.” Car industry analysts say it's too early to say for sure how much damage Musk is causing to Tesla because so many other factors could explain its current troubles. It's best selling vehicle, the Model Y, is coming out with a new version this year, leading potential Tesla buyers to hold off purchases right now. And European and Chinese manufacturers are finally catching up to the world's EV leader, offering cars with battery life and dependability that are competitive. But, if anything, that makes Musk’s political comments even more reckless, auto analysts say. “Musk thinks he can say anything he wants to and doesn’t think Tesla will suffer any consequences,“ said Morningstar analyst Seth Goldstein. “Tesla was in the sweet spot. Now it has competition.” Federal workers sue over Elon Musk's threat to fire them The sales numbers were particularly bad in Germany and France in January, down roughly 60% each, more than the average decline for the more than two-dozen European countries surveyed. Sales in France fell another 26% in February. More worrisome was the breakdown for Tesla’s individual models. Sales of Tesla’s Model 3 dropped 33% across all European countries even though that car is not being updated and there is no reason for buyers to wait “Part of the population is not happy with his views, his political activism,” said Jato senior analyst Felipe Munoz who had shrugged off the boycott threat earlier this year, but is now having second thoughts. Many Tesla buyers used to be wealthy, environmentally-conscious professionals, often liberal, who were attracted to Musk's talk about how his EVs could help save the planet from fossil-fuel destruction. Not anymore. “I used to be adored by the left,” Musk said in an interview with Tucker Carlson on February 18 as his stock was halfway through a nearly 30% plunge for the month. “Less so these days.” His decision to spend $270 million on Donald Trump's presidential campaign and publicly back him was risky enough for his business. Then he doubled down, pursuing a slash-and-burn strategy as head of Trump's government efficiency team and taking his political revolution and incendiary talk abroad. He has backed the far-right, pro-Russian, anti-Muslim party in German y, called the British p rime minister an “evil tyrant” who runs a “police state," and stated recently about a U.S. neighbor and major Tesla market, “Canada is not a real country." The backlash has been fierce. Tesla showrooms in the U.S. have been besieged by protesters, its vehicles vandalized and bumper stickers appearing on its cars with sayings such as, “I bought it before Elon went nuts.” An effigy of Musk was hung in Milan and image of him doing a straight-arm salute projected on a Tesla factory outside Berlin. In London, a bus stop poster of him above the word “swasticars” lit up social media. A Polish government minister called for a Tesla boycott. “I will not buy a Tesla again," said Jens Fischer, a 50-year-old microscope salesman in Witten, Germany, who thinks Musk is “destabilizing democracy” and has slapped one of those “Elon went nuts” stickers on his Model 3. “I’d sell if I got a good offer.” Tesla investor Ross Gerber says Musk has somehow managed to marry the world's best product with the world's worst marketing. “People want to buy stuff that makes them feel good, you don't want politics involved," said Gerber, a money manager whose portfolios hold nearly $60 million in Tesla stock. “It's even worse when you have such divisive issues, whether it’s firing climate scientists or taking aid away from starving African children.” Trump, Musk’s cost-cutting drive echoes Clinton’s ‘Reinventing Government’—but with key differences Boycotts have a habit of fizzling out, and Morningstar's Goldstein says that buying a car is too big a decision and costs too much to make them successful targets, anyway. One Tesla owner, Londoner Harry Chathli, is unmoved by the backlash, saying he has no intention of getting rid of his Tesla S. He has nothing but praise for Musk who he calls a visionary for transforming "the way we think about transportation and the future of our planet.” But if Tesla's stock is any indicator, the company's prospects are deteriorating, and Musk's position in the Trump administration isn't helping. As of Friday, it has dropped 37% since its Inauguration Day, a loss of $550 billion in investor wealth.

Microsoft has announced that Skype, the once-popular video-calling service with hundreds of millions of users, will be discontinued in May. Skype revolutionized online communication by enabling free computer-to-computer voice and video calls worldwide. Although not the first platform of its kind, it played a key role in popularizing internet-based calling. In a post on X, Skype advised users to transition to Microsoft Teams, where they can continue their conversations with existing contacts. Microsoft, however, declined to comment when approached by BBC News. Launched in 2003, Skype was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion—the company's largest acquisition at the time. It was later integrated into Microsoft's ecosystem, including Xbox and Windows devices. Tech analyst Om Malik once described Skype as one of the "key applications of the modern web," particularly after a major global outage in 2010. Following news of Skype’s impending shutdown, users shared memories of how the service impacted their lives. Many recalled using it to stay in touch with loved ones, long before the rise of smartphones and WhatsApp. One user on X described the news as the loss of "a fragment of adolescence," while another recounted how Skype was crucial for maintaining a transatlantic relationship. Digital marketing professional Anna Simpson reminisced about video-calling her grandparents in France nearly two decades ago, saying, “Back then, it felt like magic.” When Microsoft acquired Skype, the platform had been downloaded over a billion times and boasted a vast user base. At the time, then-CEO Steve Ballmer envisioned it as the future of real-time communication. However, as messaging services like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger surged in popularity, Skype began to lose ground. A 2017 redesign, which borrowed elements from Snapchat, was met with user backlash. Tech journalist Rachel Kaser criticized the update, saying it was "fixing something that was never broken." By 2021, speculation grew that Skype’s days were numbered when Microsoft integrated Teams into Windows 11 by default, while Skype was left out for the first time in years. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated Teams’ growth as remote work and virtual meetings became the norm. With Skype’s closure confirmed, Microsoft is now encouraging users to migrate to Teams, which offers similar features along with added capabilities like meeting hosting, calendar management, and community building. Skype users can export their chats, contacts, and call history before the shutdown. Those with paid subscriptions will continue to access services until their next renewal period.  

A federal judge is reviewing whether to halt a Florida law that prohibits children under 14 from having social media accounts and mandates parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. Signed into law in 2024 by Governor Ron DeSantis, the measure is among the strictest in the country regarding minors’ social media use. Industry groups representing tech companies argue it infringes on free speech rights. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker heard arguments Friday from the Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice, trade groups seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the law’s enforcement while legal proceedings continue. Supporters claim the law is necessary to address the rising use of social media among minors, which researchers link to increased depression and anxiety. “We’re not opening a Pandora’s box, we’re closing one,” said Republican Rep. Tyler Sirois, the bill’s sponsor. “The harm social media is causing our children is well-documented and severe.” During the Tallahassee hearing, Walker questioned state attorney Kevin Golembiewski on how the law does not infringe on free speech. Walker, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, has previously been critical of DeSantis administration policies. “You’ve got a tough case to make,” Walker told Golembiewski. “Convincing me this doesn’t involve speech is an uphill battle.” State officials argue the law targets addictive social media features—such as notification alerts and auto-play videos—rather than content itself. “The goal is to curb compulsive use,” Golembiewski said. “It does not regulate content, and children can still use apps if companies eliminate the addictive features outlined in the law.” However, attorney Erin Murphy, representing CCIA and NetChoice—whose members include Google, Meta, X, and YouTube—criticized the law, calling it “draconian.” She argued that features like infinite scrolling are inseparable from the content they display. “They are restricting access to expressive activity,” Murphy said. “That clearly raises First Amendment concerns.” Stephanie Joyce, director of CCIA’s Litigation Center, echoed these concerns, stating that the law creates significant obstacles to accessing online information. “This ‘internet rationing’ law blocks access to lawful content and represents yet another attempt by the state to regulate free speech,” Joyce said in a statement. The law, originally set to take effect on Jan. 1, has not yet been enforced due to the ongoing lawsuit. Walker stated he would carefully review the arguments before issuing a ruling.        

Democratic lawmakers demanded answers from billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency on Thursday as concerns about who has access to America's most sensitive information continue to dog Trump administration efforts to reshape the federal government. The systems accessed by Musk's DOGE staffers include billions of data points about citizens and businesses, as well as potentially sensitive information about government payments and programs that, if assembled correctly, could reveal secrets about national security and intelligence operations to Russia, China or another adversary. Musk and the White House so far have not convinced their critics and have offered few details about their cybersecurity measures as their tech-centered approach to shrinking government roils Washington. In a letter sent to Musk and the White House, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., demanded to know the details about security precautions and whether lapses in security may have exposed sensitive information. The letter asserts that reckless actions by DOGE present a “grave” threat to national security by exposing secrets about America’s defense and intelligence agencies. "DOGE employees do not appear to fully understand much of the information to which they have been given unfettered access and given the cavalier and incompetent ways that they have handled this data, these individuals represent a clear threat to national security and the nation’s economy,” wrote Warren and Connolly, who were joined on the letter by several other Democratic lawmakers. Musk and President Donald Trump have defended DOGE’s work, saying it’s led to billions of dollars in savings. In response to the concerns raised in Thursday’s letter, a spokesman for the administration said it’s vital that DOGE workers have access to federal databases. “It takes direct access to the system to identify and fix it,” Harrison Fields, principal deputy White House press secretary, said in an email Thursday. “DOGE will continue to shine a light on the fraud they uncover as the American people deserve to know what their government has been spending their hard earned tax dollars on.” If that information is mishandled, or security precautions fail, the information could be exposed to foreign intelligence services or common hackers, prompting significant worry among some national security and cyber experts. Apple to fix iPhone bug that suggests ‘Trump’ instead of ‘Racist’ Groups worried about DOGE have challenged its actions in court, with a federal judge in Manhattan temporarily restricting DOGE from accessing some Treasury Department information until its members can be certified in cybersecurity. Another recent ruling blocked DOGE's access to certain records at other agencies, too. Federal laws and regulations were written to tightly control the management of sensitive federal data — even if it has little value to scammers or foreign spies. Certain officials only have access to certain data, and access to information from the same data set may be split among different people as an additional security measure. Classified data has always been subject to more stringent rules — designed to minimize the risk that it could fall into the wrong hands. Access to such information is tightly controlled, said Jeffrey Vagle, a law professor and cybersecurity expert at Georgia State University who has in the past worked on classified federal technology projects. It’s unknown what steps DOGE has taken to ensure security, Vagle said, which called worrying by itself. If they store data on flash drives, access it on a personal device or comingle systems, they could be creating huge security vulnerabilities, he said. “A foreign agent wouldn’t even have to try that hard,” Vagle said. Information in federal systems includes Treasury payments that could be used to figure out the details of intelligence programs or health and personnel records that could reveal the identities of agents or the responsibilities of clandestine officers. An adversary like China could use artificial intelligence to analyze these kernels of data to create a picture of covert U.S. activities, said Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. “In the intelligence business, information is the coin of the realm,” Warner said. “These bits of information could unravel the very sources and methods our nation relies on to keep Americans safe. And it could literally get people killed.” In their letter, lawmakers cited concerns that DOGE staffers used unauthorized servers and unknown AI programs to analyze and store the data. They noted that despite assurances that the DOGE website will not reveal information from intelligence agencies, material from the National Reconnaissance Office was easily found. The Democrats also said they worried DOGE was cutting spending without understanding its purpose, pointing to a recent incident in which the government tried to bring back workers it had fired who worked on nuclear weapon programs. WhatsApp starts introducing voice message transcription feature Earlier this week, more than 20 DOGE staffers resigned, saying they would not use their technical expertise to “dismantle critical public services.” In a joint resignation letter, they warned that many of those brought in by Musk are political ideologues who lack the necessary skills or experience for the job. U.S. intelligence agencies have, so far, escaped the same scrutiny or level of cuts that DOGE has leveled at other agencies. Employees at the CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence were told they didn’t need to comply with Musk’s demands for federal employees to list their recent accomplishments or risk termination. Some of the concerns raised about DOGE may be motivated by politics and concerns about its rapid pace, said Zach Edwards, senior threat researcher at Silent Push, a cybersecurity firm that worked on President Barack Obama's 2008 campaign. But Edwards said DOGE's tech-centered approach could lead to mistakes that would have been caught in the old system. "They're moving fast and breaking things,” Edwards said, quoting the popular tech catchphrase. “With government, if you break things, it can take a long time to fix it.”  

Apple is addressing a glitch in its iPhone dictation feature that momentarily suggested the word “Trump” when users spoke words with an “R” sound, including “racist.” The issue gained attention after iPhone users shared videos on social media demonstrating the error. When using the dictation feature and saying the word “racist,” the text initially displayed “Trump” before automatically correcting itself. “We are aware of an issue with the speech recognition model that powers Dictation and we are rolling out a fix today,” Apple said in a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday. Apple explained that the speech recognition model sometimes suggests words with phonetic similarities, causing certain words with an “R” sound to trigger the bug. However, The Associated Press was unable to replicate the issue a day after it was first reported. Meanwhile, Apple recently announced plans to invest over $500 billion and create 20,000 jobs in the U.S. over the next four years, including building a new factory in Texas. This comes amid former President Donald Trump’s push for tariffs on imports. Separately, Apple shareholders rejected a proposal to align the company with Trump’s efforts to eliminate corporate diversity initiatives.  

WhatsApp has commenced the rollout of its much-anticipated voice message transcription feature in India, providing users with a seamless way to read the contents of voice messages without the need to listen to them. Initially announced in November 2024, this feature is currently available for Android users and is expected to be introduced to iOS users shortly. The newly introduced feature aims to enhance user convenience, particularly in situations where listening to a voice message is impractical, such as in noisy environments or while multitasking. By enabling real-time transcription, WhatsApp seeks to offer an improved messaging experience while maintaining user privacy. Privacy and Security at the Forefront WhatsApp has assured users that the transcription process is entirely secure, as it relies on on-device processing. This means that both the voice message and its corresponding text transcript are processed locally on the user’s device, ensuring that no external access is granted to the contents of the messages. 31 sued in Feni over anti-state activities in WhatsApp group The company has reiterated that privacy remains a top priority, with neither WhatsApp nor any third party being able to access the transcriptions. Language Availability and Future Expansion The transcription feature currently supports multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian. However, despite WhatsApp displaying text transcripts for Hindi voice messages in some instances, the company has yet to officially introduce Hindi support. It is expected that more languages will be incorporated in subsequent updates to cater to a wider user base. How to Enable the Feature Users wishing to activate the voice message transcription feature can do so by navigating to the settings menu within the WhatsApp application. The following steps outline the activation process: Open WhatsApp and go to Settings. Select Chats. Scroll down to the Voice Message Transcripts section. Enable the feature and choose a preferred language from the available options. Complete the setup using either mobile data or Wi-Fi, depending on personal preference. Once activated, users can transcribe voice messages by simply tapping and holding the message, selecting More Options, and then choosing Transcribe. The text version of the voice message will then appear within the chat alongside the original audio, offering a convenient way to track important conversations without the need to listen to every voice note. Understanding Zero-Click Hacks: The Growing Cyber Threat to WhatsApp Users With the ongoing rollout, WhatsApp continues to refine its features to provide a more user-friendly experience while upholding its commitment to privacy and security. As language support expands, the transcription feature is expected to become an invaluable tool for millions of users across India and beyond. Source: Indian media

Apple shareholders rebuffed an attempt to pressure the technology trendsetter into joining President Donald Trump's push to scrub corporate programs designed to diversify its workforce. The proposal drafted by the National Center for Public Policy Research — a self-described conservative think tank — urged Apple to follow a litany of high-profile companies that have retreated from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives currently in the Trump administration's crosshairs. After a brief presentation about the anti-DEI proposal, Apple announced shareholders had rejected it. In a regulatory filing submitted Tuesday evening, Apple disclosed that 97% of the outstanding shares that cast ballots voted against the measure. The outcome vindicated Apple management's decision to stand behind its diversity commitment even though Trump asked the U.S. Department of Justice to look into whether these types of programs have discriminated against some employees whose race or gender aren't aligned with the initiative's goals. But Apple CEO Tim Cook has maintained a cordial relationship with Trump since his first term in office, an alliance that so far has helped the company skirt tariffs on its iPhones made in China. After Cook and Trump met last week, Apple on Monday announced it will invest $500 billion in the U.S. and create 20,000 more jobs during the next five years — a commitment applauded by the president. Kieslect Pura Reno Review: A Compact Smartwatch for Women Tuesday's shareholder vote came a month after the same group presented a similar proposal during Costco's annual meeting, only to have it overwhelmingly rejected, too. That snub didn't discourage the National Center for Public Policy Research from confronting Apple about its DEI program in a pre-recorded presentation by Stefan Padfield, executive director of the think tank's Free Enterprise Project, who asserted “forced diversity is bad for business.” In the presentation, Padfield attacked Apple’s diversity commitments for being out of line with recent court rulings and said the programs expose the Cupertino, California, company to an onslaught of potential lawsuits for alleged discrimination. He cited the Trump administration as one of Apple's potential legal adversaries. “The vibe shift is clear: DEI is out and merit is in,” Padfield said in the presentation. The specter of potential legal trouble was magnified last week when Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a federal lawsuit against Target alleging the retailer’s recently scaled-back DEI program alienated many consumers and undercut sales to the detriment of shareholders. Just as Costco does, Apple contends that fostering a diverse workforce makes good business sense. But Cook conceded Apple may have to make some adjustments to its diversity program “as the legal landscape changes” while still striving to maintain a culture that has helped elevate the company to its current market value of $3.7 trillion — greater than any other business in the world. “We will continue to create a culture of belonging,” Cook told shareholders during the meeting. In its last diversity and inclusion report issued in 2022, Apple disclosed that nearly three-fourths of its global workforce consisted of white and Asian employees. Nearly two-thirds of its employees were men. iPhone 16e Review: Budget-Friendly Apple Experience with Premium Features Other major technology companies for years have reported employing mostly white and Asian men, especially in high-paid engineering jobs — a tendency that spurred the industry to pursue largely unsuccessful efforts to diversify.