News

Netflix buys Ben Affleck’s AI film tech company, InterPositive
In 2022, Ben Affleck became so fixated on AI in film production that he quietly launched his own film tech company, InterPositive.Netflix brought the startup into the spotlight Thursday...
AI actor Tilly Norwood’s world is expanding with the ‘Tillyverse’
The digital world of the first AI actor, Tilly Norwood, is expanding.AI talent studio Xicoia, which created Norwood, has announced plans for a “rapid expansion” for the digitized actor....
Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic’s AI after clash with Pentagon
President Trump on Friday directed federal agencies to stop using technology from San Francisco artificial intelligence company Anthropic, escalating a high-profile clash between the AI startup and the Pentagon...
Block to cut more than 4,000 jobs amid AI disruption of the workplace
Fintech company Block said Thursday that it’s cutting more than 4,000 workers or nearly half of its workforce as artificial intelligence disrupts the way people work.The Oakland parent company...
Outside group spends $4.8 million on TV ads backing San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan for governor
An independent expenditure committee backed by Silicon Valley executives spent $4.8 million on television ads supporting San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s gubernatorial bid that will begin airing Thursday.The two...
Uber unveils new services as it prepares to bring robotaxis to L.A. soon
Uber announced a new set of services to support ride-hailing for autonomous vehicles ahead of its planned launch of robotaxis in Los Angeles in the coming months. Uber’s new...
In a frenetic digital era, he’s helping Angelenos rediscover the classic cassette player
Stepping into Jr. Market boutique in Highland Park is like entering a 1980s time warp. Built into a refurbished shipping container, it’s filled with everything from tiny Walkman-style portables...
Bernie Sanders kicks off billionaires tax campaign with choice words for the ‘oligarchs’
Populist Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday formally kicked off the campaign to place a billionaires tax on the November ballot, framing the proposal as something larger than a debate...
Mark Zuckerberg testifies in L.A. trial over claims social media makes kids addicted
Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg made an extended, pugnacious appearance in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Wednesday, defending his company from the witness stand against a lawsuit that...
Europe’s STOXX 600 hits record high on earnings boost; ECB in focus
Pan-European index is at 626.36 by 0945 GMT, with all major regional benchmarks in the blackPublished Wed, Feb 18, 2026 · 06:11 PMTHE STOXX 600 rose 0.8 per cent...
Japan’s US$550 billion investment in US seen widening gains on hedged JGBs
Yields on hedged Japanese government bonds may increase on rising costs for US dollar fundingPublished Wed, Feb 18, 2026 · 05:04 PM[TOKYO] Japanese government bonds (JGBs) may become an...
ECB President Christine Lagarde expected to leave bank before term expires next year: report
The FT report comes only a week after Bank of France governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau said that he would step down in June this yearPublished Wed, Feb 18,...