Author: IQ TIMES MEDIA
Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is almost here, and the pressure has never been higher. With $100,000 on the line, the top 20 early-stage startups know they must deliver their very best on the Disrupt stage from October 27-29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West. Meanwhile, our VC judges will bring sharp questions, deep experience, and a discerning eye to distinguish the promising from the truly exceptional. Founders can gain invaluable insights into what makes a winning pitch and a sustainable startup from these seasoned VCs. Investors can discover pitch-ready, impactful startups to add to their pipeline. Everyone else can witness the intense startup showdown, where the top 20 TechCrunch-vetted startups pitch for the equity-free prize and…
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The number of children displaced by violence in Haiti has nearly doubled to 680,000, according to a new UNICEF report released Wednesday that warns minors are increasingly facing hunger, violence and recruitment by armed groups in the Caribbean nation.Overall, around 6 million Haitians — half the country’s population — need humanitarian assistance, including more than 3.3 million children, UNICEF said.“Without decisive action, the future of an entire generation is at stake,” the report stated.Gang violence has displaced a record 1.3 million Haitians in recent years, with many cramming into makeshift shelters after their communities were razed.The…
The number of international student arrivals in the U.S. dropped by nearly a fifth in August as American universities started the new academic year, according to federal data. The dip is the latest sign of a hit to colleges’ international enrollment as the Trump administration ratchets up scrutiny of foreign students. International visitors arriving to the U.S. on student visas declined 19% in August compared with the same month in 2024, according to the preliminary data released by the National Travel and Tourism Office. The numbers declined also in June and July but August is the summer month that typically…
Japanese investing conglomerate SoftBank Group is buying a robotics company as the financial behemoth says physical AI is its next frontier. SoftBank announced on Wednesday that it has acquired Zurich, Switzerland-based ABB Group’s robotics business unit for $5.375 billion. The deal is subject to regulatory approval; SoftBank predicts the deal will close in mid-to-late 2026 according to a press release. Sami Atiya, the head of the division, will exit the company once the acquisition is complete, per ABB Group. ABB’s robotics business employs roughly 7,000 people and sells a variety of robots and equipment, designed for tasks like picking, cleaning, and painting. The company made $2.3 billion in revenue in 2024, representing 7% of ABB’s overall revenue. ABB announced plans to spin out its robotics group in April.…
On Wednesday, Google officially launched a new feature for its command-line AI system, Gemini CLI, allowing outside companies to integrate directly into the AI product. Called Gemini CLI Extensions, the feature is launching with extensions from Figma, Stripe, and other companies. The announcement comes just two days after OpenAI’s launch of apps in ChatGPT, which also integrated third-party systems into an AI environment. But while app access to ChatGPT is tightly curated, Gemini CLI extensions can be published with no endorsement or participation from Google. Available extensions will be hosted in public repositories on GitHub and installed manually by developers.…
Former NBA champion, fintech entrepreneur, and AI founder Tristan Thompson is bringing a different kind of game to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, taking place October 27-29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West — one that blends athletic grit, entrepreneurial instinct, and cutting-edge AI. After more than a decade lighting up the NBA, Thompson has shifted focus from the hardwood to the innovation arena. His latest venture, TracyAI, applies advanced artificial intelligence to sports analytics — turning real-time data into predictive insights that empower athletes, teams, and fans alike. Don’t miss this fireside chat where sports meets tech. Register now to save up…
The NCAA moved a step closer Wednesday to allowing athletes and athletic department staff members to bet on professional sports.The Division I Administrative Committee approved the change, which must still be approved by Division II and III for it to go into effect.If approved by all three divisions, it would go into effect Nov. 1.“The Administrative Committee was clear in its discussion today that it remains concerned about the risks associated with all forms of sports gambling but ultimately voted to reduce restrictions on student-athletes in this area to better align with their campus peers,” said Josh Whitman, athletics director…
It was a LeBomb. That was the reaction from some brand experts regarding NBA superstar LeBron James’ Hennessy ad stunt. Others said the campaign, which was teased like James’ potential retirement announcement, effectively generated buzz.In today’s big story, Tesla finally shared details about a more affordable option of its most popular EV.What’s on deck:Markets: See where some of the brightest young minds on Wall Street went to school.Tech: A $9 billion startup is cracking down on its return-to-office policy in an unconventional way.Business: Landlords are getting scammed by lease applicants, and we could all end up footing the bill.But first,…
Google is bringing its AI-powered conversational search feature, Search Live, to India — launching in English and Hindi — and expanding AI Mode to seven new Indian languages, as the company strengthens its presence in one of its fastest-growing markets. First introduced in the U.S. in July, Search Live builds on Google’s Project Astra technology and is available through the company’s AI Mode. The feature lets users point their phone camera at objects to get real-time assistance, supporting back-and-forth conversations that draw on the visual context from the camera feed. With this launch, India becomes the second market after the…
By Emma FargeGENEVA (Reuters) -Israel has repeatedly denied permission to transfer incubators from an evacuated hospital in North Gaza, a U.N. children’s agency official said on Tuesday, adding to strain on overcrowded hospitals further south where newborn babies are now sharing oxygen masks.Israel disputed the assertion and said it was allowing the transfer of medical equipment from the north of the enclave to its south.Two years of war between Israel and Hamas has increased stress and malnourishment among pregnant mothers, leading to a rise in premature and underweight babies who the World Health Organization says now account for a fifth…