Innovations - Page 2

EU top court rules against Apple, Google

The tech giants have been ordered to repay taxes and fines they had long fought against. The multibillion-euro cases against the iPhone maker and Google are part of Europe’s battle to rein

10 months ago

Innovations

Apple unveils new AI-boosted iPhone 16

The new iPhone 16, unveiled on Monday, is the first Apple product to be built with artificial intelligence in mind. But the company faces challenges in the form of Huawei in China

10 months ago

Innovations

South Korea: Telegram apologizes for deepfake porn

The messaging platform said there had been a “miscommunication” about the issue. Seoul has vowed to clamp down on a rising tide of online sex crimes. South Korean media reported on Wednesday

10 months ago

Innovations

Netherlands: Nationwide ban on phones in schools underway

Cell phones, smart watches, and tablets are now banned for pupils at Dutch primary and secondary schools. The Dutch government called them a “distraction” that reduces academic performance and social interaction. As

10 months ago

Innovations

E-car trailblazer, biologist win German environment prize

An electric car battery engineer who developed a system to slash charging times was announced as a winner of the German environmental prize. A moor and peatland researcher shares the 2024 accolade.

10 months ago

Innovations

Malaysia charges ex-PM Muhyiddin over alleged royal insult

Muhyiddin Yassin, an opposition leader and former prime minister, has been accused of insulting Malaysia’s former king. The rotating monarchy in the country is held in deep respect. Malaysia has brought sedition charges

10 months ago

Innovations

US court rules Google is monopoly in antitrust case

The historic ruling found that the giant search engine has been illegally exploiting its dominance to quell competition. The US has increasingly been working to reign in Big Tech companies over antitrust

11 months ago

Innovations

Germany summons Chinese envoy over 2021 cyberattack

Germany’s Foreign Ministry stressed the dangers posed by Chinese espionage in a press briefing. It is the first time China’s ambassador to Berlin has been summoned since 1989. Germany’s Foreign Ministry has

11 months ago

Innovations

Google scraps plan to remove third-party cookies from Chrome

After years of deliberation, Google’s “Privacy Sandbox” initiative announced it will not be phasing out third-party cookies from its Chrome browser. The cookies allow advertisers to collect user information. After years of

12 months ago

Innovations

Bangladesh student group halts protests for 48 hours

Bangladesh protest organizers are giving authorities a two-day “ultimatum” to restore internet service and end curfew, after clashes between students, pro-government supporters and armed police killed dozens last week. A student group

12 months ago

Innovations

Dock at Antwerp’s MAS Museum opens as pop-up swimming pool

This summer, people will be able to swim in a zone of the Bonaparte Dock at the MAS Museum in Antwerp for the first time. From 28 July, visitors can enter the

12 months ago

Innovations

US bans Kaspersky antivirus software over Russia ties

The Russian software company will no longer be able to sell or even update its products in the United States. The move comes amid fears of Russian cyberattacks. The White House said

1 year ago

Innovations

EU ministers approve contested Nature Restoration Law

Ministers of 20 EU member states voted in favor of the Nature Restoration law giving it their final approval. The Austrian minister who backed the vote faces legal action from her own

1 year ago

Innovations

Meta delays launch of AI software in Europe after complaints

US social media giant Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is delaying the launch of its new artificial intelligence (AI) programme in the EU. The company made the announcement in

1 year ago

Innovations

Microsoft reveals PCs with AI capabilities

The American multinational corporation has unveiled a new category of personal computers with artificial intelligence capabilities. The tech giant said that the AI features will take place on the device itself. Microsoft

1 year ago

Innovations

South Africa: Top court bars Zuma from election run

South Africa is set to hold a general election next week in which the ruling African National Congress (ANC) could lose its majority for the first time since 1994. Jacob Zuma’s MK

1 year ago

Innovations

Reddit, OpenAI strike deal to use forums to feed ChatGPT

Publicly listed Reddit is looking to diversify its revenue beyond advertising. Earlier this year, the social network also struck a deal allowing Google’s parent company to use its data to train AI

1 year ago

Innovations

New Caledonia state of emergency comes into effect

New Caledonia saw a third night of riots over an electoral reform imposed by France. Pacific nations such as Australia, New Zealand and Vanuatu have called for peace. A state of emergency came into

1 year ago

Innovations

French campaign urges men: ‘Drive like a woman!’

There is a perception in society that men are safer drivers than women, according to the Victims and Citizens association. But French road accident statistics suggest otherwise. A new campaign aimed at

1 year ago

Innovations

Germany: Cybercrime by foreign actors rose by 28% in 2023

A new report found that cybercrimes by foreign actors increased by 28% as compared to the previous year. In 2022, the increase was 8% on the previous year. German authorities reported a 28%

1 year ago

Innovations

Pauline van der Rest qualifies for Queen Elisabeth Competition semi-finals

Pauline van der Rest has reached the semi-finals of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. The 19-year-old from Brussels is the only Belgian candidate in this year’s prestigious violin competition. In total, 24 of

1 year ago

Innovations

Cultural Compass: Greek tragedies, fashion photography, violin competition and more

Exhibitions, music, architecture, books, festivals… this is Belga English’s pick of cultural activities in Flanders and Brussels, published every Sunday. Performers from NTGent paraded through the streets on 1 May to commence

1 year ago

Innovations

Squash sisters lead Belgium to first European title

The Belgian women’s team has been crowned European squash champions for the first time in history. Belgium beat England 2-1 in the final of the European Team Championships in Zurich, Switzerland. The

1 year ago

Innovations

China launches uncrewed probe to far side of the moon

The two-month mission aims to collect samples from the far side of the moon. The mission is part of a Chinese program aiming to send a crew to the moon by 2030.

1 year ago

Innovations

EU probes Facebook, Instagram over election disinformation

The European Union has launched an investigation into Facebook and Instagram amid concerns they are failing to curb online disinformation. The probe relates to the handling of political advertising ahead of EU

1 year ago

Innovations

China’s ByteDance denies plans to sell TikTok in US

Earlier reports had suggested ByteDance planned to sell the app, without its powerful algorithm. US President Biden recently signed a law that would effectively ban TikTok in the US if it is

1 year ago

Innovations

TikTok meets EU deadline over reward-to-watch feature

The European Commission is investigating the impact of TikTok Lite’s rewards program on users’ mental health. TikTok on Tuesday submitted a risk assessment report on its TikTok Lite rewards programme, meeting a 24-hour deadline

1 year ago

Innovations

Chinese subsidies endanger world economy, says US’ Yellen

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said that China’s subsidy-fueled “overcapacity” could overload the global market. Beijing has dismissed such concerns in the past. US Treasury chief Janet Yellen on Friday warned that China’s

1 year ago

Innovations

Los Angeles police investigate $30 million Easter heist

The cash was stolen out of a facility in the northern Los Angeles suburb of Sylmar over the weekend. It was unclear how the thieves managed to bypass the building’s alarm system.

1 year ago

Innovations

Iran: 5 border guards killed in clashes with gunmen

At least five Iranian security force members were killed during clashes with gunmen who opened fire on two sites linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to state media. At least five Iranian

1 year ago

Innovations

Peru: PM wins confidence vote amid Rolexgate scandal

Congress has backed new Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen after he asked for a vote of confidence over a scandal involving the president’s Rolex collection. Peru lawmakers gave their support to the Cabinet of new

1 year ago

Innovations

US Republicans introduce bill to name airport after Trump

US Republican Representative Guy Reschenthaler has filed legislation to rename the Dulles International Airport in Virginia as “Donald J. Trump International Airport.” Congressional Democrats have mocked the idea. Republicans in the US

1 year ago

Innovations

Russia extends detention of US-Russian journalist Kurmasheva

Alsu Kurmasheva worked as a journalist for the US-funded outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Her employer said the charges against her were politically motivated. A Russian court extended the pre-trial detention of US-Russian

1 year ago

Innovations

Israeli PM Netanyahu undergoes ‘successful’ hernia surgery

Benjamin Netanyahu’s hernia operation has passed by without issue, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s office. Ahead of the procedure, the 74-year-old expressed confidence in a swift return to work. Benjamin Netanyahu has

1 year ago

Innovations

NATO’s Romania finds possible Russian drone fragments

NATO member Romania says it has discovered possible fragments of a Russian drone near the border with Ukraine. The Romanian Defense Ministry on Friday said it had found possible drone fragments on an island

1 year ago

Innovations

Canada: Educators sue social sites for disrupting learning

Four Canadian school boards have filed lawsuits against TikTok, Meta and SnapChat. They accuse the social media platforms of interfering with student learning. Four school boards in Canada said Thursday they have filed separate

1 year ago

Innovations

Germany’s postal service ceases domestic mail flights

Deutsche Post will no longer use aircraft to carry letters within Germany after more than six decades of doing so. The move aims to cut costs and reduce CO2 emissions — but

1 year ago

Innovations

Japan’s yen dips to 34-year low against US dollar

The Japanese yen has hit a decades-long low against the dollar, even after Japan’s central bank announced a hike in interest rates. Currency markets saw Japan’s yen dip to its lowest point against the

1 year ago

Innovations

EU defence a priority even for eurosceptics: exclusive poll

Nearly half of Europeans agree Brussels should sharpen its military strategy, as the bloc faces up to a belligerent Russia and wavering US. More than one third of the most eurosceptic voters

1 year ago

Innovations

German economic institutes cut 2024 growth forecast to 0.1%

A combined report from leading economic think tanks in Germany has revised 2024 growth forecasts from 1.2% down to 0.1%. The country is also expected to dip into a technical recession after

1 year ago

Innovations

EU asks Facebook, TikTok to identify and label AI deepfakes

The European Commission asked big social sites, like TikTok and Facebook, to clearly label political advertising and reduce “virality of content” that threatens the integrity of European elections this summer. The European Union

1 year ago

Innovations

Baltimore bridge collapses after ship collision

A large chunk of a 1.6-mile-long bridge was seen in a video completely collapsing into the water after a cargo ship collided with a pillar. Rescue efforts are ongoing. A portion of

1 year ago

Innovations

Florida passes law restricting teen social media access

At a time when US federal government is pushing for a ban on TikTok, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a law restricting children’s access to social media. The law will come

1 year ago

Innovations

US, UK accuse China-linked hackers of spy campaign

US and UK officials accused Chinese hacking group APT31 — an abbreviation for “advanced persistent threat”— of targeting political figures. The US said their aim was to “repress” critics of Beijing. The

1 year ago

Innovations

Germany approves partial legalization of cannabis from April

The new law will allow adults to carry up to 25 grams of cannabis for their own consumption and store up to 50 grams at home. It is now slated to come

1 year ago

Innovations

UN General Assembly adopts first AI resolution

Proposed by the US and co-sponsored by 123 other countries including China, the UN General Assembly’s resolution on artificial intelligence is meant to be an “important first step.” The United Nations General Assembly unanimously

1 year ago

Innovations

Germany’s Lufthansa values cost of strikes at €250 million

Lufthansa’s CFO has said strikes have had long-term impacts on the company’s operations. The airline had recorded bumper profits in 2023. Lufthansa, Germany’s flagship airline, estimated that industrial action by its staff

1 year ago

Innovations

Germany on course to meet 2030 climate goal, minister says

Germany’s climate protection minister has said the country is on target to reduce greenhouse gases by the end of the decade. German Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck on Friday said he believed that the

1 year ago

Innovations

Ship carrying 200 tons of aid approaches Gaza via new Mediterranean route

Israel’s refusal to allow substantial aid into the Gaza Strip has left its population facing famine and life-threatening medical supply shortages. A ship carrying 200 tons of aid is approaching the coast

1 year ago

Innovations

China: Two killed, many injured in restaurant explosion

A suspected gas leak explosion at a building in northern China has killed at least two people and injured 26 more, according to officials. An explosion ripped through a restaurant in China’s Hebei

1 year ago

Innovations