(Brands & Consumers)
Employees across Xbox-owned studios have been left reeling after Microsoft announced one of the biggest rounds of layoffs in the company’s gaming division, with many workers saying they were blindsided despite weeks of speculation. Morgan Goin, a senior encounter designer at Xbox-owned ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS), said staff knew cuts were coming but had no…
A Singapore court has ordered Bloomberg and one of its reporters to pay S$460,000 (US$356,000; £266,000) in damages to two Singaporean ministers after finding they had been defamed by a 2024 article about luxury property transactions. The lawsuit was brought by Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam and Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng,…
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced the next edition of its quarterly UBA Business Series, with a focus on how African entrepreneurs can use customer feedback to develop technology solutions tailored to the continent’s unique needs. The virtual event, themed “Building for Africa’s Realities: Turning Consumer Feedback into Technology-Driven Solutions,” is scheduled to…
A coalition of 12 US states, led by California, has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the proposed $110 billion (£85 billion) merger between Paramount and Warner Bros., arguing that the deal would reduce competition, increase prices, and limit consumer choice. The legal challenge targets what would become the largest media consolidation in Hollywood’s history,…
US fast-food chain Chipotle Mexican Grill is set to open its first restaurant in Mexico this week, marking a significant milestone as the company expands into the country that inspired much of its menu. The restaurant chain, which operates more than 4,100 locations worldwide, announced on Monday that the launch represents an important step in…
A decade after it revolutionised mobile gaming, Pokémon Go continues to bring millions of players together, proving that its appeal extends far beyond catching virtual creatures. Since its launch in 2016, the augmented reality game has been downloaded more than one billion times across Android and iOS devices. Even after 10 years, millions of players…
A University of Plymouth student has developed a low-cost wearable device capable of translating spoken language and displaying real-time subtitles in front of a user’s eyes, offering an affordable alternative to expensive smart glasses. Twenty-two-year-old Milya Mohd Asyraf spent six months designing the prototype as part of her Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree. The device,…
Gloucestershire County Council has launched an artificial intelligence-powered messaging service designed to help unpaid carers access information and support at any time of the day. The new service, called Ask Grace, operates through WhatsApp, allowing carers to ask questions in their own words and receive tailored responses. The AI chatbot provides quick access to trusted…
SpaceX made history when it became a publicly traded company, delivering the largest initial public offering (IPO) ever seen. Yet barely a month after its spectacular Wall Street debut, the excitement that sent its share price soaring has begun to give way to questions about whether the company can live up to its lofty valuation….
Around 200 jobs could be at risk after John Lewis announced plans to close its in-store foreign exchange services and dedicated gift-wrapping areas as part of efforts to modernise its operations. The retailer confirmed that no final decision has been made and that it has begun a consultation process with affected employees. If approved, the…
Hidden beneath a luxury apartment building in Manhattan, Aldi’s newest US store is proving that bargain hunting can thrive even in one of the world’s most expensive neighbourhoods. For shoppers like 79-year-old Mary Porter, the attraction was immediate. A jar of almond butter selling for just $4 stood out in particular because the same product…
Meta has withdrawn a newly launched artificial intelligence-powered image feature from Instagram just days after its release, following widespread criticism over privacy concerns. The feature, introduced as part of Meta’s new Muse Image tool, allowed users of the Meta AI chatbot to generate or edit images using content from public Instagram accounts by simply tagging…
Apple has filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, its design subsidiary io Products and two former Apple employees, alleging the artificial intelligence company unlawfully obtained confidential information through the recruitment of key staff. The lawsuit, filed on Friday, accuses OpenAI of engaging in what Apple described as “a pattern of theft” involving sensitive product development…
South Korean semiconductor manufacturer SK Hynix has raised $26.5 billion (£19.8 billion) through its New York stock market debut, completing the largest US share offering ever by a foreign company. The company announced on Thursday that it sold 177.9 million American depositary shares (ADS) at $149 each. On their first day of trading on the…
Nigerian music star Qing Madi has been unveiled as the official face of the new Infinix HOT 70 Pro, as the smartphone maker launches a youth-focused campaign centred on creativity, self-expression and individuality. The partnership pairs one of Africa’s fastest-rising music talents with a brand that has built much of its identity around Gen Z…
The UK government has unveiled proposals to tighten regulations on vaping products, including banning colourful packaging and flavour names inspired by sweets, desserts and cocktails, as part of efforts to curb youth vaping. The measures form part of a 12-week public consultation launched to make vaping products less attractive to children and young people while…
A bidding war has erupted over one of Europe’s best-known budget airlines after EasyJet agreed in principle to a £5.7 billion takeover proposal from US investment giant Apollo Global Management, just days after accepting an earlier offer from rival private equity firm Castlelake. The dramatic twist has set the stage for a contest that could…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned an alleged drug kingpin, three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerians before a Federal High Court in Lagos over their alleged involvement in operating a clandestine methamphetamine production laboratory in Mowe Forest, Ogun State. The defendants are facing an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, operating a…
Japanese authorities have arrested a 15-year-old high school student over his alleged involvement in a cyberattack that disrupted the operations of Bandai Namco Filmworks’s Bandai Channel streaming service and led to the cancellation of more than 46,000 user accounts. According to reports citing the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the teenager is being investigated for alleged…
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust has become the first NHS trust in the UK to introduce an artificial intelligence tool designed to help clinicians detect infections earlier, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital-acquired infections. The technology, known as MEMORI, is being used at Kent and Canterbury Hospital as part of a partnership between the…
A California bankruptcy court has approved a $46.75 million (£35 million) compensation settlement for people affected by the 2023 data breach at genetic testing company 23andMe. The ruling requires Chrome Holding, which acquired 23andMe’s assets following the company’s bankruptcy, to fund the settlement. Chrome Holding, operating as TTAM Research Institute and led by 23andMe co-founder…
Samsung Electronics expects a sharp rise in quarterly earnings, forecasting a nearly 19-fold increase in operating profit as strong global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) memory chips continues to boost its semiconductor business. In its earnings guidance released on Tuesday, the South Korean technology giant projected operating profit of 89.4 trillion won (about $58.4 billion)…
Nigeria’s electricity regulator says three neighbouring countries owe more than $12.6 million for electricity supplied during the first quarter of 2026 after paying less than one-third of their outstanding invoices. According to the latest first-quarter report released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), electricity generation companies billed international customers $17.48 million between January and…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major global technology companies and generative artificial intelligence platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unauthorised use of Nigerian news content. The directive follows a petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), which represents…
Microsoft has announced plans to cut approximately 4,800 jobs, representing about 2.1% of its global workforce, with its gaming division, Xbox, accounting for a significant portion of the layoffs. The company said the move is part of a broader restructuring aimed at adapting to changes in the technology industry and positioning the business for long-term…
NEW DELHI – The Indian government has directed Meta to immediately remove advertisements and content on Instagram that promote or facilitate child sexual abuse material, following concerns over the presence of such content on the platform. A senior official from India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said the government has also demanded that Meta…
For decades, Vietnam has been one of the world’s most recognisable destinations for counterfeit luxury goods. From bustling street markets in Ho Chi Minh City to hidden warehouses on the city’s outskirts, imitation handbags, sneakers, watches and clothing have long been sold openly, attracting both locals and international tourists seeking designer labels at bargain prices….
The UK government has indicated that it may intervene in the proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, citing concerns over media plurality and the potential impact of the deal on the country’s news landscape. UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she is “minded to intervene” in the transaction, which would…
As artificial intelligence transforms workplaces across industries, many companies are racing to automate tasks, streamline operations and reduce costs. But at Ford Motor Company, the future of manufacturing isn’t being built by algorithms alone. Instead, the automaker has made an unexpected investment: experience. Over the past three years, Ford has recruited more than 350 veteran…
NEW YORK – Comcast has announced plans to separate NBCUniversal and its European media business, Sky, into a standalone publicly traded company, a move that analysts say could reshape the media landscape and pave the way for future industry consolidation. The company said the spin-off process is expected to take about a year and remains…
For decades, ITV has been woven into the fabric of British television. From Coronation Street and Emmerdale to major sporting events and national news, it has remained one of the country’s most recognisable broadcasters. Now, that legacy could enter a new chapter. Sky is expected to acquire ITV’s television and streaming business in one of…
Long before the first serve is struck on Centre Court, another Wimbledon tradition is already in motion. Every summer, hundreds of thousands of tennis fans tuck into one of the tournament’s most enduring symbols: strawberries and cream. The simple dessert has become almost as iconic as the grass courts themselves, delighting spectators, celebrities and players…
LONDON – Pubs across England and Wales will be permitted to remain open until 5:00 a.m. on Monday to allow football fans to watch England’s FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match against Mexico, following a last-minute policy reversal by the UK government. The match, scheduled to kick off at 1:00 a.m. UK time in Mexico City,…
Authorities in Singapore have seized a luxury mansion valued at 55 million Singapore dollars (about $42.5 million) as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged smuggling of advanced Nvidia artificial intelligence (AI) chips. Police announced on Wednesday that the property was allegedly purchased using proceeds from the illegal trade of servers equipped with Nvidia…
LAGOS – Several customers of ProvidusUnity Bank, formerly Providus Bank, have reported unauthorised transactions on their payment cards, months after a cyberattack exposed sensitive data belonging to several Nigerian institutions. Affected customers took to the social media platform X on Friday to complain about suspicious deductions from their accounts. Some customers, who requested anonymity, also…
BRUSSELS – Europe’s highest court has upheld a €4.1 billion (£3.5 billion) antitrust fine against Google, ruling that the technology giant abused the dominance of its Android mobile operating system to restrict competition in the smartphone market. The decision dismisses Google’s appeal against the penalty, bringing to a close one of the European Union’s most…
WASHINGTON – Employment in the United States’ hospitality sector fell unexpectedly in June, defying forecasts that the ongoing FIFA World Cup would drive hiring across restaurants, bars and hotels. New figures released on Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed that the leisure and hospitality industry lost 61,000 jobs during the month, despite…
Volkswagen is reportedly preparing a sweeping restructuring plan that could see up to 100,000 jobs eliminated over the coming years as the German automotive giant responds to mounting financial and competitive pressures. According to German business publication Manager Magazin, the proposed cuts would affect roughly 15% of Volkswagen’s global workforce and would be accompanied by…
The White House has asked OpenAI to restrict the initial release of its upcoming GPT-5.6 artificial intelligence model to a small group of government-approved partners, according to a source familiar with the discussions. The request follows growing concerns within the US government over increasingly powerful AI systems and comes shortly after the administration imposed export…
Air passengers have been urged not to pack power banks, vapes and other lithium battery-powered devices in checked luggage as aviation authorities warn that such items have become the leading fire risk on commercial aircraft. The warning comes from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ahead of the busy summer travel season, with school holidays…
For more than three decades, 57-year-old Jürgen Linnemann has done what millions of people do every day – go to work. He has spent his entire working life inside one of Germany’s Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen, or workshops for people with disabilities, producing goods for companies whose products are sold both in Germany and around…
For millions of football supporters visiting the United States for the FIFA World Cup, the biggest surprise hasn’t come from the action on the pitch. It has come at restaurant tables, coffee shops, bars and even convenience stores, where visitors are repeatedly asked the same question after making a purchase: How much would you like…
OpenAI has introduced its first custom-designed artificial intelligence chip, marking a significant step in the company’s push to strengthen its AI infrastructure and reduce its reliance on third-party hardware suppliers. The new processor, named Jalapeño, was developed in partnership with semiconductor company Broadcom and is designed to power services such as ChatGPT and OpenAI’s AI…
For years, Snapchat has marketed itself as a platform for spontaneous conversations, disappearing messages and staying connected with friends. Now, the social media giant is once again defending itself against allegations that some of those same features helped facilitate one of the worst outcomes imaginable. The family of a Missouri teenager has filed a lawsuit…
The City of Johannesburg has ramped up its campaign against illegal outdoor advertising, with several high-profile brands – including Coca-Cola, Netflix, MTN, Absa, KFC, WeBuyCars, Jeep, Dis-Chem, Engen, and eTV – finding themselves caught up in the latest enforcement operations. The initiative, known as “No to Illegal Outdoor Advertising,” forms part of the city’s broader…
Senegal-born digital sensation Khaby Lame has secured a place on Forbes’ 2026 Top 50 Creators list, further cementing his status as one of the world’s most influential online personalities just months after his brand became the centre of a headline-making $975 million business deal. Lame ranked 15th on Forbes’ annual list, which evaluates creators based…
Families are expected to benefit from lower costs on a range of summer activities from Thursday as a temporary reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) comes into effect for the school holiday period. The government has reduced VAT from 20% to 5% on selected family-focused activities, including admissions to theme parks, zoos, museums and other…
Artificial intelligence company Anthropic has accused Chinese technology giant Alibaba of carrying out what it describes as the largest known attempt to extract the capabilities of its Claude AI model through fraudulent means. In a letter dated June 10 and addressed to US Senators Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren, the San Francisco-based company alleged that…
Elon Musk is no longer a trillionaire after a sharp decline in the value of technology stocks wiped hundreds of billions of dollars from his paper wealth, according to the latest figures from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The index, updated on Tuesday, estimated Musk’s net worth at approximately $957 billion, down from about $1.11 trillion…
Ferrari has announced the departure of its longtime marketing chief, Enrico Galliera, just weeks after the unveiling of the luxury automaker’s first all-electric vehicle, the Luce, sparked widespread criticism. Galliera, who spent 16 years at Ferrari and served as the company’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, will leave the role at the end of June….
