Companies are investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) to gain a competitive edge. However, many report that their employees don't have the necessary skills to use this technology effectively. This gap between technology adoption and workforce skills is causing challenges for business growth.
Key Facts
Many companies are investing in AI and integrating it into their operations.
A survey by Skillsoft indicates that many employees lack the necessary skills to meet business goals in the near future.
Only 10% of HR and learning professionals believe their employees have the required skills.
Leadership, AI proficiency, and technical skills are the most needed areas.
A third of survey respondents say skill shortages are hindering their market expansion.
Most companies have development programs, but few find them effective or aligned with business strategies.
Many employees use AI for significant parts of their tasks, but leaders are often unaware of how widespread AI use is.
There is a gap between how competent employees feel they are and their actual capabilities, leading to potential business setbacks.
President Trump announced a significant increase in the cost of H-1B visas, raising the fee to $100,000 for new applicants, which created confusion and concern among tech companies and workers. The H-1B program, which mainly benefits Indian workers in the U.S., is essential for providing skilled labor but is now facing potential interruptions. The high fee complicates hiring for new employees, since many of their salaries cannot cover the cost.
Key Facts
President Trump announced a hike in H-1B visa costs to $100,000 for new applicants.
This increase led to initial confusion and concern in the tech industry.
The White House clarified that the fee applied only to new H-1B applicants.
H-1B visas are significant for Indian workers, who make up over 70% of visa holders.
The program has been crucial for U.S. tech companies needing skilled labor.
In 2023, the median salary for new H-1B hires was $94,000, less than the new fee.
The policy could cause medium to long-term labor shortages in the U.S.
Apple is publicly disputing European Union (EU) rules that it says force it to change how its products work with others. The company argues these regulations threaten its unique user experience, particularly concerning its App Store and device compatibility. The EU wants Apple to allow more cooperation between its devices and those of other brands.
Key Facts
Apple is in disagreement with European regulators over rules affecting its closed ecosystem.
The EU imposed a €500 million fine on Apple for anti-competitive behavior related to its App Store.
The EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) requires Apple to ensure its devices work with other brands' devices.
Apple must allow notifications from third-party smartwatches, not just its Apple Watch.
Apple argues that these rules compromise its unique user experience and innovation.
Apple launched new AirPods Pro 3 in the US but is delaying their European release due to regulatory issues.
The European Commission rejected Apple’s request to overturn parts of the DMA-related order.
Other tech companies, like Meta, have also delayed feature rollouts in Europe due to the DMA.
President Donald Trump announced a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, impacting technology companies that rely heavily on foreign skilled workers. Amazon and other tech giants like Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google are the largest users of these visas. The fee will start with the next H-1B lottery cycle in 2026.
Key Facts
The H-1B visa allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers for jobs that need special skills.
A $100,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions was announced by President Donald Trump.
Amazon is the largest sponsor of H-1B visas, with over 10,000 approved in the 2025 fiscal year.
Other major tech companies using H-1B visas include Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google.
The new fee applies only to new petitions, not existing H-1B visa holders returning to the U.S.
The changes will take effect with the 2026 H-1B visa lottery cycle.
The White House confirmed that current H-1B holders will not be charged the new fee when reentering the U.S.
Sea moss, a type of red seaweed, is becoming popular as a superfood in the beauty and health industries. It's marketed for potential benefits like improved skin, digestion, and overall wellness, despite limited scientific evidence. Experts caution about possible health risks due to heavy metal contamination and high iodine content.
Key Facts
Sea moss is a term for different kinds of red seaweed found in the North Atlantic and Caribbean regions.
It has been traditionally used for its carrageenan, a thickening agent in foods like ice cream and nut milks.
Sea moss products are sold as pills, powders, gummies, flakes, and gels.
Its global market is projected to reach nearly $3 billion by 2030.
Claims on social media suggest benefits for skin, digestion, energy, weight, and sleep.
Scientific research on its health benefits is limited and mostly based on non-human studies.
Sea moss has nutrients like fiber, antioxidants, and minerals, but these can be found in other foods too.
Potential risks include heavy metal contamination and high iodine levels, which can harm health.
Silent Hill f is a new entry in the Silent Hill video game series set in 1960s Japan. The game focuses on psychological horror and societal expectations, featuring a storyline about a teenage girl named Hinako. It has been praised for its narrative and the way it integrates cultural themes into its plot.
Key Facts
Silent Hill f is the latest game in the Silent Hill series.
The game takes place in 1960s Japan and follows a teenage girl, Hinako.
It explores themes of psychological horror and societal norms, focusing on mental struggles.
Konami released Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill f within a year, both receiving praise.
The game’s storyline involves Hinako dealing with personal trauma and external societal pressures.
The game includes combat mechanics like light, heavy, and focus attacks.
Silent Hill f features artful cutscenes and a story with many mysteries and clues.
The game's plot raises questions about reality and mental states, typical of the Silent Hill series.
The article discusses challenges the U.S. Congress faces in regulating tech companies. It uses the US-China TikTok deal as an example of these difficulties.
Key Facts
The article is about the U.S. Congress and its struggles to regulate technology companies.
It specifically mentions the US-China TikTok deal to highlight these challenges.
TikTok is a popular social media app owned by a Chinese company.
The U.S. government has concerns about data security and privacy with TikTok.
The article is reported by Maria Curi from Axios, focusing on technology policy.
Online platforms originally designed for gaming, like Discord, Roblox, and Steam, are now being used for social interactions among young people. These spaces, often hidden from public view, are attracting attention due to concerns about hate speech and exploitation. Extremist groups, previously removed from mainstream social media, are using these gaming platforms to spread radical ideas anonymously.
Key Facts
Young people are increasingly using gaming platforms like Discord, Roblox, and Steam for social interaction.
These platforms allow users to engage in conversations anonymously, often making it harder for harmful content to be detected.
Extremist groups and predators are utilizing these spaces to target young, engaged users.
Most conversations on these platforms are harmless, but some involve radical or dangerous ideas.
Roblox, a gaming platform for children, has faced criticism and legal action over inappropriate content and user safety concerns.
Discord was used for planning the 2017 Unite the Right rally, and incidents of violence have been linked to content shared on this platform.
The 2022 Buffalo shooting was livestreamed on Twitch, highlighting concerns about content moderation on gaming platforms.
Gaming platforms are being scrutinized for not investing enough in content moderation to keep users safe.
Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, is asking the UK's communications regulator, Ofcom, to investigate Elon Musk and his social media platform X for allegedly breaking the Online Safety Act. Davey claims that harmful and illegal content, such as videos related to child exploitation and self-harm, is appearing on X. He argues that Musk removed important safety measures from X, which he believes is against the law.
Key Facts
Ed Davey wants Ofcom to investigate Elon Musk over issues on his social media platform, X.
Davey claims X is showing harmful content like child exploitation and self-harm videos.
The Online Safety Act requires internet companies to remove illegal content and verify users' ages.
The White House has explained a possible deal concerning TikTok's US operations. Under this deal, Americans would control the app's algorithm, and US companies would handle data and privacy. The deal aims to address national security concerns linked to TikTok's Chinese ownership.
Key Facts
The White House announced a plan for US companies to control TikTok's algorithm.
Americans will hold six out of seven board seats for TikTok's US operations.
The deal is not yet signed, and Beijing has not commented on it.
The app's US operations may be sold to US investors.
Tech company Oracle, owned by Larry Ellison, would manage data and privacy.
President Trump extended the deadline for TikTok to sell its US operations multiple times.
The US government has national security concerns about TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
Discussions between the US and China continue, focusing on TikTok's powerful content recommendation algorithm.
President Trump announced that China had agreed to a deal regarding the social media app TikTok's future in the U.S. The U.S. government had previously demanded that TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, sell its U.S. operations due to national security concerns. This deal is part of ongoing discussions between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Key Facts
President Trump said China agreed to a deal about TikTok's future in the U.S.
The U.S. government is concerned TikTok could be a national security threat.
A bill passed requiring ByteDance to sell its U.S. business or face a ban.
President Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. operations.
Trump discussed the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The deal is important due to concerns over propaganda and security risks.
The White House says a deal is close that would give the United States control over TikTok's key functions and help ensure data security. This agreement would give Americans oversight of TikTok's U.S. operations and respond to concerns about the app's ties to China. The deal involves major U.S. tech companies handling data and governance.
Key Facts
The White House claims that the U.S. would control TikTok's key algorithm under a new deal.
Six out of seven board seats of TikTok's U.S. operations would go to Americans.
TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a private Chinese company, and has about 170 million American users.
The proposed deal aims to prevent data security risks linked to Chinese government influence.
A U.S.-based consortium, including Oracle and Silver Lake, would own 80% of TikTok.
Oracle would manage U.S. user data to monitor for unusual activities.
The TikTok algorithm would be licensed from ByteDance but overseen by the U.S. consortium.
The deal needs final signing, according to the White House.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that adds a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas, a program often used by tech companies to hire skilled foreign workers. This change could impact big tech companies, which rely on these visas to fill specialized positions.
Key Facts
President Trump introduced a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas.
The H-1B visa program is for high-skilled workers like software engineers.
The new fee affects only new visa applications, not renewals.
Tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and JPMorgan Chase use this program.
Over half a million people live in the U.S. with H-1B visas.
Each year, 85,000 new H-1B visas can be issued through a lottery system.
The White House claims some companies exploit the program to pay lower wages.
Labor experts and politicians have expressed concerns about the program's impact on American jobs.
A deal to transfer TikTok's U.S. operations to American ownership is almost complete. The agreement will give the U.S. control over TikTok’s algorithm. The White House expects the deal to be signed soon.
Key Facts
The White House announced a deal for TikTok's U.S. platform to be under American ownership.
The control of TikTok's algorithm, which determines what users see, will be American.
A ban passed by Congress last year is not being enforced by President Trump as he negotiates this deal.
The U.S. platform will be majority owned by Americans.
The board overseeing TikTok's U.S. operations will include six Americans out of seven members.
Oracle will manage TikTok's data and security in the U.S.
Discussions included the possibility of U.S. users moving to a new version of the app.
The exact details of the deal and its implications for users are still unclear.
The rise of investment in artificial intelligence is boosting the stock market and economic growth, but it's not creating many new jobs. The job market is slowing down, and there's debate on what, if anything, the government should do. While AI is fueling financial markets, the need for human workers is not keeping pace.
Key Facts
Rising investment in AI is driving the stock market and economic growth.
The job market is slowing, despite a low unemployment rate of 4.3%.
Job creation has dropped, with only 27,000 new jobs per month between May and August, down from 168,000 per month the previous year.
Average hourly earnings growth slowed to 3.7% from 4.2% the previous year.
A survey shows a low chance (45%) for workers to find a new job within a year if they lose their current one.
38% of major company CEOs plan to reduce employment, although 89% expect stable or increased investment spending.
AI investments are adding more to economic growth than consumer spending.
The S&P 500 hit a new high and is up 13.6% in 2025.
A cyberattack hit check-in and boarding systems at several major European airports, causing travel delays. The systems affected were not run by airlines or the airports themselves but by a service provider. Collins Aerospace, which runs the check-in systems, is working to fix the problem.
Key Facts
The attack affected electronic systems at major airports like Brussels, Berlin's Brandenburg, and London's Heathrow.
Only manual check-in and boarding were possible at impacted airports.
The issue was related to Collins Aerospace's MUSE software.
The source of the attack is unknown; it could involve hackers or criminal groups.
Several flights were delayed or canceled due to the disruption.
Most airports returned to normal operations by late morning.
The incident mainly impacted passengers’ ability to check in and drop bags electronically.
Collins Aerospace is a part of RTX Corp and is working to resolve the issue.
Apple is reportedly close to securing broadcasting rights for Formula 1 in the United States, replacing ESPN after the 2025 season. Discussions involve potential international rights and the integration of Apple's technology in F1 broadcasts. A final deal announcement seems likely soon, despite some ongoing negotiations over specific terms.
Key Facts
Apple is negotiating to take over Formula 1 broadcast rights in the US from ESPN.
The deal could start after ESPN's contract ends following the 2025 season.
Apple has reportedly offered $150–$200 million per year for the US broadcasting rights.
Apple is exploring a component that involves non-US markets, though Sky holds international rights until 2029.
Apple's recent F1-themed movie was successful, grossing over $600 million.
Liberty Media's CEO mentioned the importance of having a US media partner that can also influence global markets.
Some negotiations involve Apple's desire to use its technology in broadcasting.
A formal announcement of the deal is expected soon, though some details are still being finalized.
A cyberattack disrupted check-in and boarding systems, leading to delays at several major airports across Europe, including London Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin. The issue involved software from Collins Aerospace, part of RTX Corporation, causing problems in electronic check-in and baggage drop systems, which were partially managed using manual processes.
Key Facts
A cyberattack hit check-in and boarding systems at some of Europe's busiest airports.
Airports affected included London Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin.
Collins Aerospace, a U.S.-based aerospace company, reported a "cyber-related disruption."
The disruption led to delays due to reliance on manual check-in processes.
Frankfurt, Zurich, and Paris airports were not affected.
No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the cyberattack.
There was no confirmed theft of data during the attack.
Several European airports, including Heathrow, faced a cyber-attack that disrupted electronic check-in and baggage systems. The software problem is linked to a provider, Collins Aerospace, and has caused delays and cancellations at affected airports. Manual check-in operations are being used to manage the situation.
Key Facts
Heathrow and other European airports experienced a cyber-attack on their check-in systems.
The issue is related to software from Collins Aerospace, a company owned by RTX.
Airports like Brussels and Berlin also reported delays and are using manual check-in processes.
Heathrow advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Eurocontrol requested airlines to cancel half their flight schedules at some airports due to the problem.
Nearly 100 flights were delayed at Heathrow, 70 in Brussels, and 15 in Berlin as of a specific time.
Manual check-in and baggage operations are being used to reduce the impact.
The Green Idea House in California is designed to generate more energy than it uses, primarily through solar panels. The house remodel used standard materials and technology to achieve energy efficiency and cost less than traditional construction. The homeowners aim to inspire others by sharing lessons learned from their project.
Key Facts
The Green Idea House is located in Hermosa Beach, California.
The house remodel focused on creating a net-zero energy home, meaning it generates as much energy as it consumes.
26 solar panels were installed, providing electricity for the house and two electric cars.
Transitioning from gas to electric appliances, like induction stoves, was part of the remodel.
The homeowners spent $18,000 on solar panels and save approximately $4,800 annually on utility bills.
A flat roof with a five-foot overhang helps shield the house from the sun and reduce cooling costs.
The project used common construction materials and technologies available to most people.
The house has been functioning without traditional utility bills for over 13 years.
