Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Carlos Barria/Reuters Meta Platforms reported a 91% plunge in second-quarter free cash flow on Wednesday, underscoring the financial strain of the social media giant’s costly AI buildout amid an uncertain payoff. The Facebook and Instagram parent company reported free cash flow of US$784-million in the second quarter ended 30 June, down…
American philanthropist Bill Gates has called for artificial intelligence (AI) to be deployed in Africa from the early stages of its development, warning that introducing the technology only after it has benefited wealthier nations would deepen global health inequalities. The chair of the Gates Foundation made the remarks during the inaugural Paul Farmer Butaro Dialogues…
A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill championed by Sen. Lindsey Graham that would impose sanctions on top Russian figures and heavy tariffs on the biggest buyers of Russian oil. The “Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026” aims to squeeze Russian leaders in an effort to bring the Kremlin’s four-year war on Ukraine to an…
Vancouver, Canada: In an era of artificial intelligence, deepfakes and data-driven decision-making, Canada is moving to revise its privacy laws through Bill C-36, the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act. Announced in June, Bill C-36 is Canada’s first major overhaul of private-sector privacy legislation in more than 25 years. The bill explicitly recognises privacy as…
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition wants an updated National Gambling Bill in front of Cabinet this year. (Image created by GenAI) The National Gambling Amendment Bill – in the works since 2018 – is before Parliament to be finalised as the industry calls for urgent action rather than more talk about blocking illegal…
ISPA argues that blocking IP addresses is technically challenging. (Graphic: Nicola Mawson | Magnific) Trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau is reviving an eight-year-old Bill to strengthen the National Gambling Board (NGB). However, the Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) is pushing back against a provision that would allow the state to block access to…
Trade Minister Parks Tau has revealed that the National Gambling Policy Council (NGPC) is fast-tracking the development of a comprehensive new Bill designed to address escalating gambling challenges in South Africa, with a specific focus on the booming online gambling sector. Responding to parliamentary questions from RISE Mzansi MP Makashule Gana regarding the widespread prevalence…
One year after President Donald Trump signed his core domestic policy package into law, student loan borrowers are bracing for a major overhaul of the federal lending system that will begin this week. Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscription Get exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading. Many were already struggling when the…
The following is the full transcript of an interview with Sen. Bill Cassidy that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on June 28, 2026. This interview was conducted on June 25, 2026. MARGARET BRENNAN: So, Senator, as I understand it, the Vice President and Special Envoy Witkoff gave you a special briefing in…
Parliament’s portfolio committee on communications & digital technologies has invited written submissions on the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill, opening the public phase of a legislative process that could reshape how spectrum, roaming and wholesale access are regulated in South Africa. Interested parties have until 4pm on Friday, 21 August 2026 to make written submissions. Those…
