A large-scale network disruption has been confirmed by Verizon, affecting wireless voice, messaging, and mobile data services and leaving many customer devices operating in SOS mode across several regions.
The company acknowledged service interruptions during Wednesday afternoon and evening, while emergency calling capabilities remained available.
Additionally, the telecom provider issued multiple statements apologising for the disruption and pledged to provide account credits to impacted customers. Engineering teams were deployed throughout the incident, with service gradually restored later in the day.
Verizon advised users still experiencing connectivity problems to restart their devices once normal operations resumed.
Despite repeated updates, the company has not disclosed the underlying cause of the outage. Independent outage-tracking platforms described the incident as a severe breakdown in cellular connectivity, with most reports citing complete signal loss and mobile phone failures.
Verizon stated that further updates would be shared following internal reviews, while rival mobile networks reported no comparable disruptions during the same period.
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British parents suing TikTok over the deaths of their children have called for greater accountability from the platform, as the case begins hearings in the United States. One of the claimants said social media companies must be held accountable for the content shown to young users.
Ellen Roome, whose son died in 2022, said the lawsuit is about understanding what children were exposed to online.
The legal filing claims the deaths were a foreseeable result of TikTok’s design choices, which allegedly prioritised engagement over safety. TikTok has said it prohibits content that encourages dangerous behaviour.
Roome is also campaigning for proposed legislation that would allow parents to access their children’s social media accounts after a death. She said the aim is to gain clarity and prevent similar tragedies.
TikTok said it removes most harmful content before it is reported and expressed sympathy for the families. The company is seeking to dismiss the case, arguing that the US court lacks jurisdiction.
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Samsara has built a platform that helps companies with physical operations run more safely and efficiently. Founded in 2015 by MIT alumni John Bicket and Sanjit Biswas, the company connects workers, vehicles, and equipment through cloud-based analytics.
The platform combines sensors, AI cameras, GPS tracking, and real-time alerts to cut accidents, fuel use, and maintenance costs. Large companies across logistics, construction, manufacturing, and energy report cost savings and improved safety after adopting the system.
Samsara turns large volumes of operational data into actionable insights for frontline workers and managers. Tools like driver coaching, predictive maintenance, and route optimisation reduce risk at scale while recognising high-performing field workers.
The company is expanding its use of AI to manage weather risk, support sustainability, and enable the adoption of electric fleets. They position data-driven decision-making as central to modernising critical infrastructure worldwide.
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Elevate for Educators, launched by Microsoft, is a global programme designed to help teachers build the skills and confidence to use AI tools in the classroom. The initiative provides free access to training, credentials, and professional learning resources.
The programme connects educators to peer networks, self-paced courses, and AI-powered simulations. The aim is to support responsible AI adoption while improving teaching quality and classroom outcomes.
New educator credentials have been developed in partnership with ISTE and ASCD. Schools and education systems can also gain recognition for supporting professional development and demonstrating impact in classrooms.
AI-powered education tools within Microsoft 365 have been expanded to support lesson planning and personalised instruction. New features help teachers adapt materials to different learning needs and provide students with faster feedback.
College students will also receive free access to Microsoft 365 Premium and LinkedIn Premium Career for 12 months. The offer includes AI tools, productivity apps, and career resources to support future employment.
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London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has warned that AI could become a ‘weapon of mass destruction of jobs‘ if its impact is not managed correctly. He said urgent action is needed to prevent large-scale unemployment.
Speaking at Mansion House in the UK capital, Khan said London is particularly exposed due to the concentration of finance, professional services, and creative industries. He described the potential impact on jobs as ‘colossal’.
Khan said AI could improve public services and help tackle challenges such as cancer care and climate change. At the same time, he warned that reckless use could increase inequality and concentrate wealth and power.
Polling by City Hall suggests more than half of London workers expect AI to affect their jobs within a year. Sadiq Khan said entry-level roles may disappear fastest, limiting opportunities for young people.
The mayor announced a new task force to assess how Londoners can be supported through the transition. His office will also commission free AI training for residents.
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Consumers across the US are increasingly starting everyday digital tasks with AI, rather than search engines or individual apps, according to new research tracking changes in online behaviour.
Dedicated AI platforms are becoming the first place where intent is expressed, whether users are planning travel, comparing products, seeking advice on purchases and managing budgets.
Research shows more than 60% of US adults used a standalone AI platform last year, with younger generations especially likely to begin personal tasks through conversational tools rather than traditional search.
Businesses face growing pressure to adapt as AI reshapes how decisions begin, encouraging companies to rethink marketing, commerce and customer journeys around dialogue rather than clicks.
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Smoke alarms remain critical in preventing fatal house fires, according to fire safety officials. Real-life incidents show how early warnings can allow families to escape rapidly spreading blazes.
Modern fire risks are evolving, with lithium-ion batteries and e-bikes creating fast and unpredictable fires. These incidents can release toxic gases and escalate before flames are clearly visible.
Traditional smoke alarm technology continues to perform reliably despite changes in household risks. At the same time, intelligent and AI-based systems are being developed to detect danger sooner.
Reducing false alarms has become a priority, as nuisance alerts often lead people to turn off devices. Fire experts stress that a maintained, certified smoke alarm is far safer than no smoke alarm at all.
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Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey has trademarked his image and voice to protect them from unauthorised use by AI platforms. His lawyers say the move is intended to safeguard consent and attribution in an evolving digital environment.
Several clips, including his well-known catchphrase from Dazed and Confused, have been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Legal experts say it is the first time an actor has used trademark law to address potential AI misuse of their likeness.
McConaughey’s legal team said there is no evidence of his image being manipulated by AI so far. The trademarks are intended to act as a preventative measure against unauthorised copying or commercial use.
The actor said he wants to ensure any future use of his voice or appearance is approved. Lawyers also said the approach could help capture value created through licensed AI applications.
Concerns over deepfakes and synthetic media are growing across the entertainment industry. Other celebrities have faced unauthorised AI-generated content, prompting calls for stronger legal protections.
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Claims that removing polite words from ChatGPT prompts could reduce environmental impact are misleading, experts say. Extra words add minimal processing demand compared with overall system energy use.
AI consumes power mainly because every query triggers new computation. Unlike stored digital content, each AI response requires a full processing cycle within large-scale data centres.
Those facilities rely on constant electricity, cooling and water supplies. Rising AI use is therefore increasing pressure on energy systems and local infrastructure worldwide.
Experts argue the real issue lies in how AI infrastructure is planned and regulated. Focusing on prompt wording distracts from managing AI’s long-term environmental footprint.
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Presenter Kate Garraway has condemned a cruel AI-generated hoax that falsely showed her with a new boyfriend. The images appeared online shortly after the death of her husband, Derek Draper.
Fake images circulated mainly on Facebook through impersonation accounts using her name and likeness. Members of the public and even friends mistakenly believed the relationship was real.
The situation escalated when fabricated news sites began publishing false stories involving her teenage son Billy. Garraway described the experience as deeply hurtful during an already raw period.
Her comments followed renewed scrutiny of AI image tools and platform responsibility. Recent restrictions aim to limit harmful and misleading content generated using artificial intelligence.
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