
Microsoft flags active attacks on server software; Activision refutes lawsuit over Uvalde school shooter; Trump posts morphed video of Obama being arrested
Microsoft has flagged the emergence of 'active attacks' targeting server software used by high-profile clients such as U.S. government agencies and businesses. The company said that the vulnerabilities applied only to SharePoint servers used within organisations and that the SharePoint Online in Microsoft 365, which is in the cloud, had not been affected by the attacks. Tens of thousands of servers were reportedly at risk due to this 'zero day attack.' The Washington Post reported that unidentified actors in recent days had exploited a flaw to attack U.S. and international agencies and businesses.
Microsoft said that the vulnerability allowed an authorised attacker to perform spoofing over a network. The company further confirmed that it provided a security update for SharePoint Subscription Edition and urged customers to apply it immediately.
Activision refutes lawsuit over Uvalde school shooter
Call of Duty maker Activision, and Meta, are facing a lawsuit in the U.S. brought by the families of the victims of the Robb Elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas in 2022, over how their products allegedly influenced the gunman to carry out the killings. In specific, the lawsuit raised concerns about recognisable gun models or gun-related products being promoted to gamers through the Call of Duty game. The influence of highly realistic first-person shooter games with advanced special effects that allow players to gun down others through the screen have been criticised for desensitising users to real life acts of gun violence, which are rampant in the U.S.
However, Activision lawyer Bethany Kristovich opposed this view and defended the game's product placement and marketing choices. The lawyer also stressed that creators of artistic works, including video games, cannot be held legally liable for the acts of their audience. Meanwhile, Meta's attorneys are set to make their arguments for a similar motion next month.
Trump posts morphed video of Obama being arrested
U.S. President Donald Trump posted a morphed video of his predecessor, former U.S. President Barack Obama, being arrested by FBI agents and sent behind bars. The video, which appeared to originally come from a TikTok user, was shared by Trump on the right-wing social media platform Truth Social, where he is mostly active. U.S. outlet Fox News reported that the morphed video had been created with artificial intelligence (AI). In the video, Obama is seen being apprehended by FBI agents and handcuffed, before being shown in prison-issue orange clothes.
The video quickly went viral on Truth Social, and was then shared across other social media channels. This is not the first time Trump has posted morphed or AI-generated videos in order to take aim at his opponents or express his opinion on world events.
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Stop building in China, hiring in India, Trump warns tech majors
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India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Trump's AI plan calls for massive data centres. But can US power it?
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
India, UK start a new chapter with FTA
India and the UK signed a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the aim of doubling imports and exports to more than $100 billion by 2030 from $56 billion now, marking the first of several key accords the Narendra Modi government expects to reach amid global upheaval sparked by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Next up is likely a bilateral trade agreement with the US; both sides are said to be close to a pact. The CETA with the former colonial power is India's 16th such trade pact and will remove taxes on labour-intensive products such as leather, footwear and clothing in the British market, unlocking nearly $23 billion in opportunities. Similarly, whisky and cars from Britain will be cheaper in India. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category MCA CXO Leadership Others Data Science Design Thinking Degree Product Management PGDM Project Management Technology Cybersecurity healthcare Management Public Policy Data Analytics Artificial Intelligence Digital Marketing MBA others Healthcare Data Science Finance Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Programming Proficiency Data Handling & Analysis Cybersecurity Awareness & Skills Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Master of Computer Applications Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details The agreement between the world's fourth- and sixth-largest economies was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer after three years of negotiations amid the Trump-led tariff uncertainty. 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'The signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) reflects our shared commitment to enhancing trade, driving inclusive growth and creating opportunities for farmers, women, youth, MSMEs, and professionals.' India's exports to the UK rose 12.6% to $14.5 billion, while imports grew 2.3% to $8.6 billion in FY25. India's tariffs on British products will drop to 3% from 15%. Modi added: 'India-UK CETA will add momentum to the 'Make in India'-led growth and export promotion. This agreement will also provide Indian consumers with high-quality goods at competitive prices. The future indeed holds the promise of greater prosperity and deeper ties between our nations!' Since 2014, the country has signed five trade pacts — with Mauritius, the UAE, Australia, EFTA and the UK. Starmer said the deal would bring 'huge benefits' for both countries, making trade cheaper, quicker and easier. 'We've entered a new global era, and that is one that requires us to step up, not to stand aside... by building deeper partnerships and alliances,' he said. The agreement was signed by commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and UK's secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds. They also unveiled a renewed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership — the UK-India Vision 2035. 'The trade deal, which is forecast to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion yearly, is both India's most comprehensive deal ever, and the UK's most economically significant bilateral trade deal since leaving the EU,' the UK said in a statement, adding that it significantly improves market access for businesses in both countries, leading to cheaper products and services for consumers. The two sides announced the conclusion of the FTA negotiations on May 6. India gains India said it has protected the interests of domestic farmers by excluding dairy products, edible oils, oats and apples in the trade pact while securing zero duties on 95% of agriculture and processed food items. 'This FTA will serve as a catalyst for inclusive growth, benefiting farmers, artisans, workers, MSMEs, startups and innovators while safeguarding India's core interests and accelerating our journey towards becoming a global economic powerhouse,' Goyal said. Indian staples such as turmeric, pepper, cardamom, processed goods like mango pulp, pickles and pulses and marine products such as shrimp and tuna will enjoy duty-free access to the UK market. More than 95% of agricultural and processed food tariff lines will attract zero duties on fruits, vegetables, cereals, pickles, spice mixes, fruit pulps and ready-to-eat meals and processed foods. 'Duty-free access is expected to increase agri exports by over 20% in the next three years,' said an official. The CETA provides for zero-duty access for shrimp, tuna, fishmeal, feeds, coffee, spices, beverages and processed food. 'Nearly £6 billion in new investment and export wins announced today are a sign of things to come, as future collaboration expands into advanced technologies, critical minerals, green finance, and beyond,' Reynolds said. 'For financial and professional business services, locked-in access will offer certainty to expand in India's growing market and measures such as binding India's foreign investment cap for the insurance sector, ensuring UK financial services companies are treated on an equal footing with domestic suppliers,' the UK said in a statement. Twenty-six British companies have announced new business in India. Airbus & Rolls-Royce will soon begin delivering Airbus aircraft — with over half powered by Rolls-Royce engines — to major Indian airlines as part of around £5 million worth of contracts recently agreed upon. As part of the reinvigorated partnership, the UK and India have also decided to strengthen cooperation in tackling corruption, serious fraud, organised crime, and irregular migration through enhanced intelligence sharing and operational collaboration. Services, digital trade The deal will also facilitate easier access for temporary business visitors, though visas are not covered. Britain and India also agreed to ensure workers no longer have to make social security contributions in both countries during temporary postings in the other nation. India has also secured an agreement on the Double Contribution Convention. This will exempt Indian professionals and their employers from social security payments in the UK for up to three years, improving the cost competitiveness of Indian talent. The CETA provides greater market access for IT and IT-enabled services, financial and legal services, professional and educational services, and digital trade. 'Indian professionals, including those deployed by companies to work in UK across all services sectors, professionals deployed on contracts such as architects, engineers, chefs, yoga instructors, and musicians, will benefit from simplified visa procedures and liberalised entry categories, making it easier for talent to work in the UK,' the commerce and industry ministry said. Under the trade deal, British firms will be able to access India's procurement market for projects in sectors such as clean energy, and it also covers services sectors such as insurance. 'They have got limited access in our procurement but we have got unfettered access in theirs,' said the official cited above. Talks for a separate bilateral investment treaty are continuing. 'Women and youth entrepreneurs, farmers, fishermen, startups, and MSMEs will gain new access to global value chains, supported by provisions that encourage innovation, promote sustainable practices, and reduce non-tariff barriers,' the ministry added. GI push Bhagalpur silk, Pashmina shawls, Kolhapuri chappal, and Thanjavur dolls will now potentially get shelf space in malls and shops across Britain as the free trade agreement will provide duty concessions to a host of traditional products manufactured in India. Makhana, shahi litchi, Araku coffee, and Kashmiri saffron will also gain greater access to the UK market.