Apple to unveil latest iPhone lineup with as John Ternus steps up as CEO

Apple is unveiling its latest generation of iPhones on Wednesday at an event headlined by new CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on Sept. 1. This year, analysts and Apple fans are expecting the company to unveil a foldable model. Many of Apple’s biggest rivals, such as Samsung, Motorola and Google, have already come out with foldable smartphones. The iPhone 18 likely will cost more due partly to a global memory chip shortage.

Meta launches personal AI agent, Muse, emphasizes safety and privacy

Meta is launching a personal artificial intelligence agent, Muse, for people 18 and over. The parent company of Instagram and Facebook said the agent can help with day-to-day tasks like schedules, shopping and long-term goals. Meta is stressing the safety and privacy features of the agent. It launched Tuesday and is only available in the U.S. Muse. Meta says it runs on a dedicated, secure virtual machine that houses both the agent and the user’s data. Tech companies are touting AI agents as the next step after chatbots, which can answer questions and retrieve information but won’t take action on the user’s behalf.

2026's elections could test how heavy trading on prediction markets affects races and results

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Election-season trading on prediction markets is skyrocketing as states fight to outlaw the platforms as unlicensed casinos. Election officials also are worrying about how high-stakes odds will affect American democracy in unpredictable ways. Their concerns are broad, but many revolve around the fear that pervasive financial incentives will further damage confidence in elections and democracy if Americans think they're influencing the outcome. Prediction market officials say the activity is neither gambling nor a danger to elections or democracy. They say it's barely different from people who trade stocks, bonds or commodities ahead of an election to protect themselves against the eventual winner’s policies.

China's Huawei Technologies faces racketeering trial in New York

NEW YORK (AP) — The world's biggest supplier of telecommunications network gear faces a criminal trial in New York. Jury selection began Tuesday in the U.S. case against China’s Huawei Technologies. The company has been charged by U.S. authorities with stealing technology and trade secrets. U.S. prosecutors also claim it installed surveillance equipment that enabled Iran to spy on protesters and violated U.S. sanctions on North Korea. Huawei denies the allegations. Chinese officials say the U.S. government has engaged in “economic bullying” and has improperly used national security as a pretext for “oppressing Chinese companies.”

Proposed Australian law would let social media users opt out of algorithms

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australian social media users would be given a choice to opt out of algorithms under proposed laws announced by the government. A government statement said on Tuesday social media platforms would be required to send a notification to new and existing users offering them a choice over their default feed. Users would be able to opt in to having their default feed include personalized content recommended by an algorithm. Alternatively, users could see the content of friends and creators they choose to follow. Under the legislation, children would be protected from content that promotes eating disorders, hostile ideas about women, pornography, crime, dangerous stunts and causes serious mental health distress.

'Divorce-tok' fills social media as creators find audiences — and support — by sharing heartbreak

Many influencers are sharing their divorce journeys on social media, using platforms like TikTok and Instagram to connect with others. This kind of content provides a space for both the creators themselves to heal and for their followers to relate and reflect on their own experiences and emotions. Despite potential legal risks and online negativity, creators continue to share, aiming to destigmatize divorce and show it can lead to new beginnings.

Ashley St. Clair and Alex Gibney on AI and the dangers of Elon Musk

VENICE, Italy (AP) — A new documentary about Elon Musk uses a CGI avatar and artificial intelligence voice syncing to simulate an interview with the SpaceX and Tesla CEO using things he’s really said in interviews. Filmmaker Alex Gibney said Tuesday in Venice that the choice is intentionally ironic, referencing Musk's simulation theory and views on technology. The film, titled “Musk,” explores his life and influence. Ashley St. Clair, who shares a child with Musk, appears in the film, discussing their relationship and a nondisclosure agreement she refused to sign. The nearly four-hour film delves into Musk's childhood, his work in Silicon Valley, and his influence on politics. Gibney says he believes Musk poses a threat to democracy.

Japan protests as China slaps new measures against its exports of a key chipmaking material

BANGKOK (AP) — Japan has protested Chinese controls that will limit its exports of a key chemical used to make computer chips. China imposed the curb on imports of dichlorosilane from Japan, saying its exports of the material have violated anti-dumping regulations, harming China's domestic industry. Beginning Tuesday, companies importing the chemical compound from Japan must provide cash deposits to China's customs at rates of up to 99.2%. Beijing says the measure is provisional as an investigation continues. Japan's chief government spokesman expressed concern, saying Tokyo is studying the potential impact on Japanese companies. Tensions between the two countries have run high since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi angered Beijing with comments about Taiwan last year.

Party's over for crypto scammers who went on a spending spree after a $240 million bitcoin theft

WASHINGTON (AP) — A 22-year-old man from Singapore is expected to plead guilty this week in Washington to orchestrating one of the largest cryptocurrency thefts in U.S. history, duping a stranger out of bitcoin worth over $240 million. Malone Lam's conviction would be a major milestone in a case that already has led to guilty pleas by several co-conspirators. The scammers who duped a man into turning over the virtual keys to his crypto holdings celebrated the August 2024 heist by embarking on a wild spending spree. The case is an extreme example of an increasingly common form of cybercrime at a time when the Trump administration is relaxing industry regulation.

Documentarian Alex Gibney on the power and influence of Elon Musk

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Alex Gibney's new documentary “Musk” premieres this week at the Venice Film Festival. The nearly four-hour film explores the power and influence of Elon Musk. Gibney says that Musk's power stems from his ability to speak confidently about the future, often without evidence. He describes Musk as a master of stock pumping rather than invention. Gibney also explores Musk's political shift toward Trump, linking it to federal investigations into his companies and says that many people were afraid to speak on record for the film. “Musk” is one of the most anticipated releases of the year.