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Apple Inc. is set for a showdown with European Union antitrust regulators (REUTERS) News 

Apple Refuses to Comply with EU’s Antitrust Investigation of Spotify

Adriana Marais, , , ,

Apple Inc. is preparing for a confrontation with European Union antitrust regulators, asserting that it does not have to implement any further modifications to its App Store. This comes after the company faced formal accusations regarding its treatment of competitors in the music streaming industry, including Spotify Technology SA. Ahead of a hearing in Brussels on Friday, the iPhone maker claims it was unfairly accused by the EU of having illegal restrictions similar to Spotify’s that prevent developers from driving users away from the App Store. Apple believes it has…

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The stock market debut could make Shein the most valuable Chinese company to go public in the United States since ride-hailing giant Didi News 

Shein Seeks US IPO with Valuation of USD 60 Billion, Reports Say

Adriana Marais, , ,

According to sources, Shein, the Chinese e-commerce company specializing in fashion and valued at over $60 billion, has filed for an initial public offering in New York. The company has been facing scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers regarding its labor practices. The stock market debut could make Shein the most valuable Chinese company to list in the U.S. since ride-hailing giant Didi Global listed in New York in 2021 at a valuation of $68 billion. Didi was removed from New York a year later against the Chinese tech giants in Beijing…

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Italian Air Force officers unfurled their nation's flag and peered out windows at the curve of Earth while enjoying a few minutes of weightlessness Space 

Virgin Galactic Takes First Tourists to Space with Richard Branson at the Helm

Jim Hendler,

On Thursday, Virgin Galactic accomplished a significant milestone by safely transporting its inaugural paying passengers to the ultimate frontier. This highly anticipated achievement has reinstated the company’s position in the rapidly growing private space travel industry. Italian Air Force officers unfurled their country’s flag and looked out the windows at the arc of the Earth, enjoying a few minutes of weightlessness 52.9 miles (85.1 kilometers) above sea level. “It was a beautiful trip,” Col. Walter Villadei told reporters at a news conference, adding that his favorite moment was seeing the…

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Based on her public comments, Khan is unlikely to accept compromises from Amazon. (AP) News 

FTC Antitrust Suit to Take Aim at Amazon with Lina Khan at the Helm

Sanjay Patil, , , ,

Lina Khan, who heads the Federal Trade Commission, has initiated legal action against Amazon.com Inc. on three occasions. Currently, she is preparing for a significant legal battle against the company. According to documents reviewed by Bloomberg and three people familiar with the case, the agency plans to file a far-reaching antitrust lawsuit in the coming weeks that focuses on Amazon’s core online store. The main charge is expected to be that Amazon uses its power to reward online retailers who use its logistics services and punish those who don’t. FTC…

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ESA's Euclid Space Telescope and NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will join forces to study dark energy! (NASA) Space 

NASA and ESA Unite to Investigate the Puzzling Dark Energy

Adriana Marais, , ,

Dark energy and dark matter exist in an invisible realm that surpasses the observable universe in size. NASA and ESA are now actively investigating this enigmatic force to uncover its concealed mysteries. NASA explains that dark energy and dark matter constitute an unseen substance that accounts for the majority of the universe’s mass and forms its fundamental framework. Astonishingly, dark energy makes up 68% of the universe, while dark matter comprises 27%, leaving a mere 5% for the observable entities such as Earth, the Sun, planets, and everything we have…

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About 52% of the U.S. survey responders reported having faced online harassment, compared to 40% in the survey's previous year. (Pexels) News 

Survey Reveals Majority of Americans Experienced Online Harassment

Febin Mathew, ,

According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), more than 50% of Americans surveyed in the past year have experienced online harassment and hate at some point in their lives. This percentage rises to over 75% among transgender individuals, as reported by the advocacy group on Wednesday. The ADL’s fifth such annual survey found that reports of online hate and harassment in the past 12 months have increased in nearly every demographic group in the United States. About 52% of respondents to a US survey said they had been harassed online, compared…

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Nvidia Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress said Wednesday that the company is aware of the reports on tighter restrictions. (Bloomberg) AI 

US Imposing Export Restrictions on AI Chips from Nvidia

Febin Mathew, ,

According to sources, the Biden administration intends to strengthen export controls that were previously announced in October. The aim is to limit the sale of certain artificial intelligence chips to China, as there are increasing worries about providing this technology to a significant strategic rival. Under a Commerce Department proposal expected in July, the United States would revise export controls announced in October to make it harder to sell some chips to China without a license. The move is aimed in part at Nvidia Corp.’s A800 chip, which the U.S.…

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Shares of the company rose about 3% in trading after the bell. They have gained about 34% this year AI 

Micron’s Q3 Revenue Surges on High Demand for AI Chips

Febin Mathew, ,

On Wednesday, Micron Technology exceeded analysts’ predictions for third-quarter revenue, as the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence industry fueled the demand for its memory chips. The company’s shares rose about 3% in after-hours trading. This year they have risen by around 34 percent. CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said customers continued to reduce their excess inventory during the quarter as inventories in the PC and smartphone segments were close to normal levels. As a result, Micron is seeing improved pricing trends and increased confidence that the industry has passed a growth and revenue…

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Unity CEO John Riccitiello speaks on AI and gaming's future (AP) AI 

John Riccitiello Discusses AI and the Future of Video Game Software with an Insider

Febin Mathew, , , , ,

During his career spanning over 20 years, starting from his tenure as the head of Electronic Arts in 1997, John Riccitiello, the CEO of Unity, a video game software company, has witnessed the transformation and changes in the video game industry. Unity Software Inc. was founded in Denmark and is now based in San Francisco. It’s partnering with Apple to help bring games to its upcoming virtual reality headset, the Vision Pro. Riccitiello recently spoke with The Associated Press about how artificial intelligence is changing the way video games are…

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Planes without compatible altimeters won't be allowed to fly in low visibility. News 

US Flights Risk Disruption Due to 5G Deadline on July 1st

Jim Hendler,

According to The Wall Street Journal, starting from July 1st, planes lacking retrofitted sensitive radar altimeters will not be able to land in low visibility across the US. This requirement may cause inconvenience for travelers. It is important to note that this is not related to any existing safety concerns. The deadline is in line with the expansion of 5G networks by US wireless companies, which could potentially cause more interference for aircraft without the required equipment. The 5G push comes after years of delays and discussions between the Federal…

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The partnership between India and the US indicates that by collaborating, they may build a more robust and diverse semiconductor supply chain News 

Can India and the US’s Tech Partnership Disrupt China and Taiwan’s Hold on the Semiconductor Market?

Adarsh V.K, , ,

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, the latest tech partnership between India and the US, along with the semiconductor declarations, are expected to have the capability to diminish the chip market dominance of China and Taiwan. Both India and the US have significant strengths in the semiconductor business. Many of the world’s largest chipmakers are based in the US, while India has a huge and growing pool of talented engineers. So, all the information released on June 22 about the partnership between the countries shows that by working together, they…

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Looming over the four-day meet: China’s biggest geopolitical rival, the United States. (AP) News 

China’s Security Industry Views US as Larger Threat than Artificial Intelligence

Nitin Misra, ,

China’s security and surveillance industry, which has experienced rapid growth over the years, is now prioritizing the strengthening of its defenses against external threats such as the United States. This move is prompted by concerns over the potential risks posed by hackers, advancements in artificial intelligence, and pressure from competing governments. The renewed emphasis on self-reliance, anti-fraud and anti-hacking systems was on display at the recent Security China exhibition in Beijing, illustrating how difficult it is to get Beijing and Washington to cooperate, even as scientists warn of shared risks…

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PM Narendra Modi, accompanied by US First Lady Jill Biden, also called upon the need to build a robust India-USA partnership to empower young entrepreneurs. (AFP) News 

PM Modi Outlines Vision for India-US Tech Collaboration to Support Young Entrepreneurs

Adarsh V.K, ,

The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the USA has been described as a significant event, and within just two days, it has already proven to be a momentous trip. During his visit, PM Modi has already had meetings with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has confirmed that Tesla cars will be introduced in India as soon as possible. Additionally, he has met with astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, who expressed his pleasure at meeting a head of state who is as scientifically-minded as PM Modi. In a recent speech,…

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., arrives to talk to reporters about artificial intelligence, during a news conference after a closed-door meeting with fellow Democrats, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (AP) AI 

Democrat Urges Quick Action on AI Regulations to Spark a Revolution

Febin Mathew, , ,

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated on Wednesday that the swift expansion of artificial intelligence tools is a pivotal moment of revolution, and emphasized the need for the government to promptly regulate companies involved in its development. The New York Democrat said he is working on “very ambitious” bipartisan legislation to maximize the technology’s benefits and mitigate significant risks. While Schumer did not reveal the specifics of such legislation, he did offer some key goals: protecting U.S. elections from AI-generated misinformation or interference, protecting U.S. workers and intellectual property rights,…

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Amazon is accused of using deceptive designs, known as “dark patterns,” to deceive consumers into enrolling in the program News 

Allegations of Unauthorized Enrollment in Amazon Prime Program Through Use of ‘Dark Patterns’

Nitin Misra, , ,

On Wednesday, the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging that the company engaged in a prolonged campaign to enroll customers in its Prime program without their consent and made it challenging for them to terminate their subscriptions. In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, the agency accused Amazon of using fraudulent designs known as “dark patterns” to trick consumers into participating in the program. That said, the option to buy products on Amazon without subscribing to Prime was more…

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Sen. Bernie Sanders savaged the company’s worker safety protections in a nearly 2,400-word letter. News 

US Senate Investigates Amazon’s Warehouse Safety Standards

Sanjay Patil, ,

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, led by Bernie Sanders (I-VT), is conducting an investigation into Amazon’s safety practices in its warehouses. Sanders has written a letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, requesting information about the company’s response to safety concerns and urging him to address health and safety issues in the warehouses. Amazon has responded by disagreeing with Sanders’ claims and inviting him to tour one of its facilities. Sanders’ nearly 2,400-word letter takes the retailer to task for reported injuries and unsafe practices at its warehouses.…

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet world's most influential leaders in New York (HT) News 

PM Modi to Connect with Elon Musk and Neil deGrasse Tyson During US Visit

Adriana Marais, , ,

Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the United States to attend a conference in New York where he will have the opportunity to meet with some of the world’s most influential figures. Among the attendees are renowned entrepreneur Elon Musk, astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nobel laureate Paul Romer, mathematical statistician Nicholas Nassim Taleb, and investor Ray Dalio. As part of his visit 21.-24. June PM Modi attends a state dinner hosted by President Biden and addresses a joint session of the US Congress. Prime Minister Modi is…

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Ransomware threats far surpass the preventive capacities of traditional security solutions and human-only teams. (AFP) News 

US and 6 Other Nations Name ‘Lockbit’ Digital Gang as Top Ransomware Threat

Adarsh V.K, ,

On Wednesday, the world’s leading ransomware threat was identified by the United States and six other nations as the digital extortion group operating under the name “Lockbit.” Cyber officials from the US, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand said in a joint advisory that Lockbit’s ransomware, which was used to scramble victims’ information until a ransom was paid, was the most widely used by cybercriminals. “In 2022, LockBit was the most used ransomware variant in the world and will continue to be prolific in 2023,” the advisory said,…

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