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US-India trade negotiations intensify over tariff disputes

India is prepared to lower tariffs on over half of US imports worth $23 billion in a bid to ease trade tensions and prevent harsh reciprocal tariffs from Washington.

With US President Donald Trump set to impose new worldwide tariffs from 2 April, Indian officials fear the move could impact 87% of the country’s exports to the United States, prompting urgent negotiations between the two nations.

Trade talks are scheduled to begin this week, led by US Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch.

While India is willing to make significant tariff cuts on a wide range of goods, government sources indicate that the concessions will depend on securing relief from US duties.

Sensitive items such as meat, wheat, maize, and dairy products remain off the table, but reductions may be possible for almonds, pistachios, and certain grains. India is also pushing for a phased reduction of its automobile tariffs, which currently exceed 100%.

Despite efforts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen ties with Washington, Trump has repeatedly criticised India’s tariff policies, labelling the country a ‘tariff abuser.’

The Modi administration is weighing broader tariff reforms but faces domestic political challenges in implementing sweeping reductions. Experts suggest that while external pressure from the US might drive some changes, major across-the-board cuts remain unlikely in the short term.

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Gmail uses AI to find emails faster

Google has introduced a new AI feature in Gmail aimed at making email searches faster and more accurate.

Instead of simply listing messages by date or keyword, the updated system now considers user habits, including frequently opened emails and commonly contacted senders, to provide more relevant results.

The enhanced search feature is being rolled out globally for personal Gmail accounts and is accessible via the web, Android, and iOS apps.

Users can now toggle between the new ‘most relevant’ results and the traditional ‘most recent’ option. Google has also stated that it plans to extend this functionality to business users in the near future.

By using AI to refine email searches, Gmail aims to reduce the time users spend digging through their inboxes.

However, this update is part of Google’s broader strategy to integrate more intelligent tools across its suite of productivity apps, offering a smoother, more efficient experience for everyday users.

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Malaysia under scrutiny over semiconductor exports to China

Malaysia plans to tighten regulations on semiconductor shipments following US concerns over the potential transfer of high-end Nvidia chips to China.

Trade Minister Zafrul Aziz stated that the United States has urged Malaysia to closely monitor shipments, ensuring that advanced AI chips do not end up in unauthorised locations.

The move comes amid increasing global scrutiny over AI-related technology exports.

Authorities in Malaysia are also investigating whether local laws were breached in a case involving servers linked to a Singapore fraud investigation.

The case involves transactions worth $390 million, and reports suggest that some servers may have contained Nvidia chips subject to US export controls. Singapore media have linked the matter to potential transfers to Chinese AI company DeepSeek.

The United States has been tightening restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports to China, particularly chips crucial to AI development.

Malaysia’s role as a key semiconductor hub has drawn greater attention, with US officials pushing for stricter oversight.

The government is expected to introduce measures to ensure compliance with international regulations while maintaining its position in the global chip supply chain.

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Ukrzaliznytsia shifts to offline ticket sales after IT system failure

Ukraine’s state-owned railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, has been hit by a large-scale cyberattack, affecting its online systems.

While train services remain operational without delays, the company has been working to restore its IT infrastructure. Passengers were advised to buy tickets offline on Monday as backups were recovered.

The cyberattack, described by Ukrzaliznytsia as ‘systemic, non-trivial and multi-level,’ was first reported on Sunday.

The railway has become a critical part of Ukraine’s transport network since the Russian invasion in 2022, with airspace closed and trains serving as the primary mode of domestic and international travel. Last year, it transported 20 million passengers and 148 million tonnes of freight.

Efforts to fully restore online systems are ongoing as authorities investigate the incident.

Cyberattacks targeting Ukraine’s infrastructure have increased since the start of the war, with railways playing a crucial role in both civilian and military logistics. Officials have not yet attributed responsibility for the attack.

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Meta agrees to halt targeted ads in landmark UK privacy case

Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to stop targeting a UK citizen with personalised adverts as part of a settlement in a landmark privacy case.

The case, which avoided a high court trial, was brought by human rights campaigner Tanya O’Carroll in 2022, who claimed Meta had violated UK data laws by processing her personal data for targeted advertising without her consent.

O’Carroll’s case received support from the UK’s data watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which stated that users have the right to opt out of targeted ads.

The settlement has been hailed as a victory for O’Carroll, with potential implications for millions of social media users in the UK. Meta, however, disagreed with the claims. Instead of this, the company was considering introducing a subscription model in the UK for users who want an advert-free version of its platforms.

The ICO’s stance in favour of privacy rights could prompt similar lawsuits in the future, as users are increasingly demanding control over how their data is used online.

O’Carroll argued that the case demonstrated the growing desire for more control over surveillance advertising and said that the ICO’s support could encourage more people to object to targeted ads.

Meta, which generates most of its revenue from advertising, emphasised that it took its privacy obligations seriously and was exploring the option of a paid, ad-free service for UK users.

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AI agents take centre stage in Oracle fusion

Oracle has launched its AI Agent Studio, a new platform designed to let businesses orchestrate and customise AI agents within its Fusion Applications suite.

Announced during the OracleCloud World Tour in London, the studio enables companies to coordinate teams of AI agents that handle tasks across enterprise resource planning, HR, supply chain, and customer experience systems.

The AI Agent Studio allows businesses to adapt prebuilt Oracle agents to suit their own processes. Users can modify agents by adjusting logic, integrating external tools, or adding custom prompts.

It also offers flexibility in choosing from a range of large language models optimised for Oracle or industry-specific use cases, such as Llama and Cohere.

Oracle’s move builds on earlier AI deployments in its cloud applications, where agents have been embedded to manage routine operations like invoice processing or recruitment steps.

The new platform advances that effort by allowing these agents to operate collaboratively and be tailored to more complex workflows.

Industry leaders including Accenture, Deloitte, and PwC have praised the development, calling it a significant step toward smarter enterprise automation.

Analysts echo this sentiment, noting that Oracle’s approach allows businesses to maximise AI efficiency across departments without added cost, offering a powerful edge in today’s rapidly evolving digital workplace.

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Hackers use fake Semrush ads to steal Google accounts

Cybercriminals are using fake adverts for popular SEO platform Semrush to trick users into giving up access to their Google accounts, researchers have warned.

The malvertising campaign features ads that link to a bogus Semrush login page, which only allows users to sign in via Google, a tactic designed to steal high-value credentials.

According to Malwarebytes, Semrush accounts are often linked to critical Google services such as Analytics and Search Console.

These tools store confidential business insights, which threat actors could exploit for strategic and financial gain. The scammers may also access names, phone numbers, business details, and partial card information through compromised Semrush accounts.

By impersonating Semrush support, attackers could deceive users into revealing full card details under the pretence of payment or billing updates. However, this may open the door to wider fraud, such as redirecting funds from vendors or business partners.

With Semrush serving over 117,000 customers, including a significant share of Fortune 500 firms, the attack underscores the growing risks of malvertising on platforms like Google.

Security experts are urging businesses to tighten account access controls and remain cautious when engaging with search ads, even from seemingly reputable brands.

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MetaAI rolls out in Europe after regulatory hurdles

MetaAI, Meta’s AI chat function, is set to launch across Europe after delays caused by regulatory scrutiny regarding the use of personal data to train its models.

The European Commission is reviewing a risk assessment from Meta to ensure that the new feature complies with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). However, this regulation mandates companies to submit risk assessments in advance of deploying new functions.

MetaAI was first launched in the US in September 2023, followed by India in June 2024, and the UK in October.

However, its European rollout was delayed last summer after the Irish Data Protection Commission raised concerns about using data from Facebook and Instagram users for AI training.

Meta faced criticism over Europe’s regulatory approach, with company officials, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, expressing frustration with the delays.

Despite the regulatory hurdles, Meta is now moving forward with its plans to bring MetaAI to the EU, with the company noting that the process has taken longer than expected due to Europe’s complex regulatory landscape.

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Apple plans to add cameras to future Apple Watch

Apple is reportedly planning to introduce cameras to its Apple Watch lineup within the next two years, integrating advanced AI-powered features like Visual Intelligence.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the standard Apple Watch Series will have a camera embedded within the display, while the Apple Watch Ultra will feature one on the side near the digital crown.

These cameras will allow the smartwatch to observe its surroundings and use AI to provide real-time, useful information to users.

Apple is also exploring similar camera technology for future AirPods, aiming to enhance their functionality with AI-driven capabilities.

The concept builds on the Visual Intelligence feature introduced with the iPhone 16, which allows users to extract details from flyers, identify locations, and more using the phone’s camera.

While the current system relies on external AI models, Apple is working on its in-house AI technology, and it is expected to power these features by 2027, when the camera-equipped Apple Watch and AirPods are likely to be released.

The move is part of Apple’s broader push into AI, led by Mike Rockwell, who previously spearheaded the Vision Pro project.

Rockwell is now overseeing the upgrade of Siri’s language model, which has faced delays, and contributing to visionOS, the operating system expected to support AI-enhanced AR glasses in the future. Apple’s increasing focus on AI suggests a shift towards more intelligent, context-aware wearable devices.

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South Korean court reinstates Han Duck-soo as acting president

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been reinstated as South Korea’s acting president after the Constitutional Court struck down his impeachment in a seven-to-one ruling.

Han, who briefly held the position before being suspended in December, pledged to stabilise the country and prioritise national interests amid rising tensions over US trade policies.

The court’s decision returns Han to power during a time of heightened political instability, sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law last year.

Yoon’s actions led to mass protests and a wave of impeachments, resignations, and criminal charges across the political spectrum.

While Yoon awaits a separate ruling and trial over charges of leading an insurrection, Han expressed gratitude to the court and vowed to put an end to ‘extreme confrontation in politics.’

As one of South Korea’s most experienced officials, Han’s return is seen as a move towards continuity in governance. He has served under five presidents from both major parties and is regarded as a figure capable of bridging political divides.

Despite opposition criticism that he failed to prevent Yoon’s martial law move, Han denied any wrongdoing and has committed to guiding South Korea through external economic challenges, especially those posed by the United States.

The court’s pending decision on President Yoon’s fate remains a focal point of national attention. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party and a potential successor, has urged the court to act swiftly to end the uncertainty.

With rallies continuing across the country both in favour of and against Yoon, the outcome could trigger a snap election within 60 days if the president is removed.

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