Hostinger, a global web hosting and website-building company, has launched in Nigeria, offering AI-powered website and business tools alongside Naira-based payments as it seeks to attract small businesses and entrepreneurs building an online presence.

The Lithuania-headquartered company will offer website building, hosting, and an AI assistant capable of automating content creation, domain registration, and e-commerce management.

Hostinger’s launch comes as Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, contributing about ₦7 trillion to GDP in Q1 2025 and supported by over 39 million micro, small, and medium enterprises. Many of these businesses still face hurdles such as limited digital skills, unreliable infrastructure, and high operational costs, which have slowed the adoption of dedicated websites. Hostinger says it will lower these barriers by offering automated tools, clearer pricing, and localised support.

“Nigeria is an important milestone for us,” said Eiviltas Paraščiakas, Head of communications at Hostinger. “Our goal is simple – give people fast, reliable, and fair tools so they can build and grow online with confidence. Our integrated suite of AI-powered products makes it easier for small business owners and creators to get online in minutes and stay focused on what matters: building their business.”

Nigerian users will have access to Hostinger’s website builder, WordPress, and VPS hosting, and AI tools, including Hostinger Reach, an automated email marketing platform, and Hostinger Horizons, an AI-powered website and web app builder. Its AI agent, Kodee, can automate technical tasks such as website migration, content generation, and managing the products of a customisable, open-source e-commerce platform called WooCommerce, reducing the need for developer expertise.

Hostinger said Kodee handled about 855,000 customer conversations in September 2025, resolving 76% of them automatically and saving the company more than €750,000 ($873,000) that month.

Hostinger now joins a growing market of web‑hosting companies serving Nigerian businesses and freelancers. Existing players in the space include telaHosting, GO54QServers, HostAfrica, and Truehost Nigeria, many of which offer local‑currency payments, domain registration, and hosting plans tailored to Nigerian SMEs.

SOURCE PAGE

Ford CEO Jim Farley acknowledged the automaker is in “a fight for our lives in our industry” as it seeks to remain competitive in Europe amid pressure from Chinese competitors. One of its weapons to stave off those threats is a partnership with French automaker Renault Group.

The two automakers announced an agreement Tuesday to bring two affordable Ford-branded electric vehicles to the European market in 2028. Ford will lead the design and Renault will assemble the vehicles at its factory in northern France. The EVs will be built on Renault’s technology platform known as Ampere.

The companies have also agreed to “explore” making light commercial vehicles together.

The partnership is part of what Ford has described as the next phase of its European transformation — a plan that aims to make the U.S. automaker more agile and cost efficient in a market teaming with cheaper Chinese vehicles from companies like BYD and SAIC Motor.

“As an American company, we see Europe as the frontline in the global transformation of our industry,” said Farley in a statement. “How we compete here — how we innovate, partner, and invest — will write the playbook for the next generation. We are committed to a vibrant future in Europe, but that future requires us to move with greater speed and efficiency than ever before.”

SOURCE PAGE

Photo by Emily Wade / Unsplash

Education is constantly changing because of new technology. Learning is no longer just about textbooks and classrooms. Technology provides new ways for kids to learn. With interactive tools available, children can explore different subjects in fun and engaging ways. Many digital resources make learning easier and more enjoyable for kids of all ages.

Imagine if homework felt less like a chore and more like a chance to discover new interests and learn creatively. The right tools can change how children approach their studies, helping them understand tough topics more easily.

Let’s look at how you can use technology to enhance your child’s learning experience.

Online Tutoring

Online tutoring is an excellent option for kids who need extra help. It connects students with experienced teachers through an easy-to-use platform, enabling personalized instruction tailored to each child’s learning style. Online tutoring fits into busy schedules, so students can get help when it is convenient for them. It’s like having a knowledgeable guide available whenever needed.

One big benefit of online tutoring is its flexibility. Whether your child struggles with math, science, or language arts, there is a tutor who specializes in that subject. These tutors adjust to each student’s pace, helping them build confidence and understanding. Plus, learning from home helps kids feel comfortable, which can lead to better learning.

The technology used in online tutoring often includes videos, quizzes, and fun activities that reinforce learning. While they study, kids can also develop skills like organization and time management as they learn to use different online resources. These skills can help them in their future education.

Educational Apps

Educational apps have made learning more interactive and fun. From math to reading, these apps turn challenging topics into games or puzzles. Kids often find it easier to understand difficult ideas through technology they enjoy. Many apps also offer rewards and track progress, motivating kids to keep improving.

Parents can find many apps designed for specific subjects or skills. For example, math games make learning enjoyable while helping kids develop their skills. Reading apps can provide personalized content that matches a child’s reading level, allowing them to progress at their own pace. By incorporating these apps into everyday study time, parents can create a blended learning environment that enhances understanding and retention.

Another great feature of educational apps is their ability to support different learning styles. Whether a child learns best through visuals, sounds, or hands-on activities, there is likely an app that meets their needs. Using technology this way promotes active engagement and critical thinking, which are essential for success in school.

Interactive Learning Tools

Interactive learning tools make education more engaging than traditional resources. Examples include smartboards, virtual simulations, and augmented reality applications. These tools help students understand complex subjects by presenting information in exciting ways. Students can manipulate objects, explore different environments, and interact with lessons, which sparks their curiosity and encourages critical thinking.

For instance, science concepts that used to rely on memorization come to life through virtual simulations. Students can experiment with chemical reactions or watch celestial events without the limits of a classroom. These interactive learning tools can also be used in tutoring, which improve the efficiency of each session.

Another key benefit of interactive learning is collaboration. Many platforms let students work together on projects, even if they are in different locations. By teaming up, students build teamwork and communication skills that are crucial for real-life situations. Engaging with peers through technology allows them to learn from each other while exploring content.

Virtual Field Trips

Field trips have moved into the digital world with virtual field trips. This technology enables students to visit museums, historical sites, and even outer space without leaving home. Learning becomes more adventurous and exciting.

These experiences can enhance classroom learning and provide a broader perspective on the subjects that students study. For example, a history lesson about ancient civilizations becomes more meaningful when students can virtually walk through recreated sites. They gain insights that they might miss in textbooks. The variety of experiences is endless, enriching learning across many subjects.

Adding technology to your child’s education can create a more engaging and effective learning experience. Children are naturally drawn to technology, so combining their interest in digital tools with their schoolwork makes learning exciting. Remember, the right technology can make schoolwork not just manageable, but enjoyable.

SOURCE PAGE

SpaceX satellite company Starlink has urged Namibians to participate in the public comments for its license approval and proposed amendment to the country’s regulations. This comes amid its preparation for a launch in Namibia following its shutdown last November.

According to a Bloomberg report on Tuesday, Starlink is seeking public support for proposed amendments to the country’s regulations.

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)  is considering amending the local law that requires domestic telecoms companies to have 51% ownership. The relaxation of the law will boost Starlink’s launch in the country, paving the way for its operations in Namibia.

In addition, the regulator had published Starlink’s license applications in the government’s Official Gazette on Nov. 28 and invited public comments for two weeks. The process signals that the regulator has commenced Starlink’s licensing process and that it’s nearing official launch.

Starlink’s operation in Namibia is a familiar story. In November, the CRAN issued a cease-and-desist order to the Elon Musk-owned company for operating in the country without a license.  It noted that Starlink launched operations without getting regulatory approval. 

In addition to the order, the regulatory body also ordered the confiscation of all Starlink terminal equipment nationwide. It advised Namibians to avoid importing or using the satellite company’s equipment until the licensing process and compliance with local laws are guaranteed.

Meanwhile, Nghikembua pointed out that Elon Musk’s company has applied for a telecommunications service license in Namibia. However, the application has been under review since last year.

The publication of its application and consideration for local law renewals signals that the satellite company is nearing its long-awaited launch in the Southern African country. 

Also Read: President Tinubu’s aide claims terrorists use Starlink to evade Nigerian intelligence agencies.

What Starlink holds for Namibians 

Starlink’s entry into Namibia has generated significant interest due to its promise of high-speed internet through a network of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.

While 91% of Namibians have access to 2G, 3G or 4G networks, the coverage is largely concentrated in populated areas. The remaining 9% remain outside mobile service zones due to the country’s size and sparse settlement patterns.

Another boost for the company is the expectations. CRAN Director General Emilia Nghikembua has said Namibia is looking at satellite-based services to close gaps in rural connectivity. Speaking in June, she noted that large farming regions and isolated lodges remain difficult to serve.

“Some areas stretch across more than a million hectares. Terrestrial networks simply cannot reach all of them,” she said. 

Chief Executive Officer of CRAN, Emilia Nghikembua

The SpaceX company will face competition in a telecoms market already controlled by MTC and Telecom Namibia. Paratus Namibia, previously centred on fixed-line services, launched its own 4G mobile network in September 2025. 

SOURCE PAGE

Liv McMahonTechnology reporter

Google

Google plans to launch smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence (AI) in 2026, after its previous high-profile attempt to enter the market ended in failure.

The tech giant set expectations high in 2013 when it unveiled Google Glass, billed by some as the future of technology despite its odd appearance with a bulky screen positioned above the right eye.

Google pulled the product in 2015 less than seven months after its UK release, but is now planning on re-entering the market with smart glasses with a cleaner look.

But it comes after Meta has already made waves with its smart specs, which have sold two million pairs as of February.

Google’s new tech will let users interact with its own AI products, such as its chatbot Gemini.

It plans to launch two different varieties – one designed to be provide assistance without any kind of screen, and another which has a display on the glasses themselves.

While saying the first of the two types of AI glasses it is working on would come in 2026, Google has not given more information on what form it will take.

Technology analyst Paolo Pescatore told the BBC the tech firm “must avoid the pitfalls of its previous failed attempt”.

“Arguably, the move was ahead of its time, poorly conceived and executed,” he said.

“Now represents an opportune moment, thanks to the success of Gemini.”

Bloomberg via Getty Images

Google co-founder Sergey Brin demonstrated Google Glass on-stage at an event in 2012.

Google will also have to contend with Meta, which unveiled its own AI-powered glasses earlier this year, having built on its existing collaborations with luxury eyewear brands Ray-Ban and Oakley.

According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, the sector saw a surge in the first half of 2025, driven by demand for Meta’s devices and the launch of similar products by smaller brands.

It said sales of AI glasses had grown by more than 250% compared to the previous year.

What went wrong with Google Glass?

Google Glass was launched in 2013 as a pair of thin, wireframe glasses with a chunky right arm to accommodate a camera built into the corner of the right lens.

Wearers could use the camera to take images and record their surroundings, while simultaneously interact with a digital display

The device created a lot of excitement when it first appeared at a Google event in June 2012.

But after its launch the following year, concerns about its impact on privacy, potential for abuse and questions about its style and usefulness arose – and grew until Google Google said it would stop making them in that form in 2015.

A revamped version, Google Glass Enterprise, appeared two years later but was retired in 2023.

Former BBC Technology Correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones was among those who had deemed Google’s device in its initial form to be “a failure”.

The success of so-called wearable computers, he wrote, would likely depend on having the tech to bring their potential to life and them being “both attractive to wear and so easy to use that you forget that you have them on”.

Today, tech giants have tried to make AI and smart glasses more wearable by partnering with designer eyewear brands – and can pack more power and features into smaller, sleeker frames.

But there remain concerns about privacy and usability.

SOURCE PAGE

A Colorado university’s medical school has been ordered to pay a $10.3 million settlement to staff and students who said they were forced to take the COVID-19 vaccine despite requesting religious exemptions.

The University of Colorado (CU) Anschutz, located in Aurora, was sued in 2021 by 18 anonymous plaintiffs, including physicians, medical students, nurses, researchers and administrative staff, who argued the school’s mandate violated their First Amendment rights.

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ultimately ruled that Chancellor Donald Elliman and other university officials acted with ‘religious animus’ when they rejected all requests for religious exemptions.

Under the settlement, the university must now allow students to request religious accommodations on equal terms as employees, and grant religious exemption requests the same consideration as medical exemptions, a reversal of its policy during the pandemic.

The school also agreed to stop questioning or investigating the supposed legitimacy of students’ and employees’ religious beliefs, a process the lawsuit claimed was used to automatically deny every exemption request.

The settlement covers damages, tuition losses, and attorney fees for plaintiffs, all of whom filed under pseudonyms.

One of them, Madison Gould, known in filings as ‘Jane Doe 9,’ said the mandate forced staff and students into an impossible choice. 

‘Nobody should be coerced into choosing between their faith and their livelihoods,’ she said. ‘CU’s total disregard for our careers and livelihoods gutted the years of study and self-sacrifice poured out by so many.’

The University of Colorado Anschutz was sued in 2021 by 18 anonymous plaintiffs, including physicians, medical students, nurses, researchers and administrative staff, who argued the school’s mandate violated their First Amendment rights (STOCK)

The dispute dates back to the first months after COVID-19 vaccines became widely available, when health systems across the country implemented vaccination mandates to slow a deadly Delta variant surge.

The University of Colorado rolled out the mandate to all four campuses ahead of the fall semester, requiring students of CU Anschutz to be fully vaccinated no later than September 1, 2021. 

In a press release dated April 30, 2021, the university stated: ‘Medical or religious exemptions will be allowed, and a process for requesting exemption is under development now.’

A growing number of faculty, staff, and students soon filed suit, alleging that the university unconstitutionally denied their religious exemptions. 

Some objected to vaccination on broad religious grounds, while others argued their faith prohibited them from receiving vaccines developed or tested with fetal cell lines originally derived from aborted fetuses.

University administrators defended the policy, insisting vaccination was critical to protect vulnerable patients treated by the school’s physicians, nurses, and medical trainees. 

Officials also pointed out that several plaintiffs’ stated convictions differed from the public positions of their own faith leaders, including one Catholic physician whose exemption request came despite the pope’s endorsement of vaccination.

The original complaint centered on a Catholic doctor and a Buddhist medical student, both of whom said their ‘deeply held religious convictions’ prevented them from receiving the vaccine. 

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ultimately ruled that Chancellor Donald Elliman and other university officials acted with ‘religious animus’ when they rejected all requests for religious exemptions. Pictured is the University of Colorado Anschutz

More than a dozen additional plaintiffs joined the lawsuit in October 2021.

A federal judge in Denver repeatedly rejected the plaintiffs’ requests for preliminary injunctions, denying them in 2021, 2022 and again in 2023.

But the legal landscape shifted dramatically in 2024 when a three-judge panel of the Tenth Circuit reversed those rulings, concluding the university’s policies were motivated by religious hostility, not neutral public-health concerns. 

The trial judge, Senior US District Judge Raymond P. Moore, was appointed by former President Barack Obama, while all three appellate judges were Republican appointees.

Following the appellate decision, the case moved into mediation, ultimately producing Monday’s settlement.

Thomas More Society senior counsel Michael McHale said the outcome validates the plaintiffs’ years-long fight. 

‘No amount of compensation or course-correction can make up for the life-altering damage Chancellor Elliman and Anschutz inflicted,’ he said. ‘Our heroic clients fought for the First Amendment freedoms of all Americans who were put to the unconscionable choice of their livelihoods or their faith.’

‘We are confident this long-overdue victory confirms that our shared constitutional right to religious liberty endures,’ he added.

SOURCE PAGE

India has proposed a mandatory royalty system for AI companies that train their models on copyrighted content — a move that could reshape how OpenAI and Google operate in what has already become one of their most important and fastest-growing markets globally.

On Tuesday, India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade released a proposed framework that would give AI companies access to all copyrighted works for training in exchange for paying royalties to a new collecting body composed of rights-holding organizations, with payments then distributed to creators. The proposal argues that this “mandatory blanket license” would lower compliance costs for AI firms while ensuring that writers, musicians, artists, and other rights holders are compensated when their work is scraped to train commercial models.

India’s proposal comes amid mounting concerns in global markets over how AI companies train their models on copyrighted material, a practice that has triggered lawsuits from authors, news organizations, artists, and other rights holders in the U.S. and Europe. Courts and regulators are still weighing whether such training qualifies as fair use, leaving AI firms operating under legal uncertainty and allowing them to rapidly expand their business without clear regulations.

Unlike the U.S. and the European Union, where policymakers are debating transparency obligations and fair-use boundaries, India is proposing one of the most interventionist approaches yet by giving AI companies automatic access to copyrighted material in exchange for mandatory payment.

The eight-member committee, formed by the Indian government in late April, argues the system would avoid years of legal uncertainty while ensuring creators are compensated from the outset.

Defending the system, the committee says in a 125-page submission (PDF) that a blanket license “aims to provide an easy access to content for AI developers… reduce transaction costs… [and] ensure fair compensation for rightsholders,” calling it the least burdensome way to manage large-scale AI training. The submission adds that the single collecting body would function as a “single window,” eliminating the need for individual negotiations and enabling royalties to flow to both registered and unregistered creators.

The committee also points to India’s growing importance as a market for GenAI tools. Citing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s remark that India is the company’s second-largest market after the U.S. and “may well become our largest,” it argues that because AI firms derive significant revenue from Indian users while relying on Indian creators’ work to train their models, a portion of that value should flow back to those creators. That, it says, is part of the rationale for establishing a “balanced framework” that guarantees compensation.

Techcrunch event

San Francisco
|
October 13-15, 2026

India’s proposal lands amid intensifying legal battles worldwide over whether AI companies can lawfully use copyrighted material to train their models.

In India, news agency ANI sued OpenAI in the Delhi High Court, arguing its articles were used without permission — a case that has prompted the court to examine whether AI training is itself an act of reproduction or protected by “fair dealing.” Courts in the U.S. and Europe are confronting similar disputes, with creators alleging that tech companies have built their models on unlicensed content.

AI proposal sees pushback and dissent

Not everyone is convinced by the Indian government’s proposed model, though.

Nasscom, the industry body representing technology firms including Google and Microsoft, filed a formal dissent arguing that India should instead adopt a broad text-and-data-mining exception that would allow AI developers to train on copyrighted content as long as the material is lawfully accessed. It warned that a mandatory licensing regime could slow innovation and said rightsholders who object should be allowed to opt out rather than force companies to pay for all training data.

The Business Software Alliance, which represents global tech firms including Adobe, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft, pressed the Indian government to avoid a purely licensing-based regime. It urged India to introduce an explicit text-and-data-mining exception, arguing that “relying solely on direct or statutory licensing for AI training data may be impractical and may not yield the best outcomes.”

Limiting AI models to smaller sets of licensed or public-domain material, BSA warned, could reduce model quality and “increase the risk that outputs simply reflect trends and biases of the limited training data sets,” adding that a clear TDM exception would better balance innovation and rights holders’ interests.

The committee did not consider both a broad text-and-data-mining exception and an opt-out model, arguing that such systems either undermine copyright protections or are impossible to enforce. Instead, it proposed a “hybrid model” that would grant AI firms automatic access to all lawfully available copyrighted works while requiring them to pay royalties into the central collecting body that distributes the proceeds to creators.

The Indian government has now opened the proposal for public consultation, giving companies and other stakeholders 30 days to submit their comments. After reviewing the feedback, the committee will finalize its recommendations before the framework is taken up by the government.

OpenAI and Google did not respond to requests for comments.

SOURCE PAGE

In a major policy reversal confirmed by President Trump on Monday, the United States will allow Nvidia to resume exports of its high-performance H200 AI chips to China. But access to the world’s second-largest economy comes with a steep price tag: a 25% tariff on all sales, paid directly to the U.S. Treasury.

The decision marks a pivot from the Biden-era strategy of “total denial” toward a new model of managed competition, aiming to monetize China’s insatiable demand for compute while attempting to stall the rise of domestic Chinese rivals.

According to the announcement, Nvidia—along with Intel and AMD—will be permitted to sell the H200 GPU to “approved customers” in China. The H200, while powerful, relies on the older Hopper architecture, leaving Nvidia’s cutting-edge Blackwell and future Rubin chips still strictly banned from export.

This arrangement is a more aggressive evolution of a strategy Washington has been toying with for months. As Techloy reported in August, the administration had previously floated a 15% revenue-sharing deal for lower-tier chips. The new 25% levy suggests the White House believes it can extract a higher premium for better hardware without completely driving Chinese buyers away.

The decision to reopen the door is less about tax revenue and more about regaining leverage. The total chips export bans of the last two years didn’t starve China’s AI sector; they acted as an inadvertent kingmaker. By forcing Nvidia out, the U.S. effectively cleared the field for local champions, handing Huawei a monopoly that would have otherwise taken a decade to build.

Techloy previously reported that Huawei’s Ascend 910C processor had emerged as a formidable competitor, offering performance comparable to Nvidia’s banned hardware. The threat became tangible when major tech giants began defecting from the U.S. ecosystem. By October, ByteDance was reportedly switching to Huawei chips to train its massive AI models, signaling that U.S. sanctions might be accelerating, rather than stopping, China’s self-sufficiency.

By flooding the market with the H200, which is superior to the Ascend 910C but inferior to the U.S.-exclusive Blackwell, Washington hopes to re-hook Chinese tech firms on Nvidia’s CUDA software ecosystem before they permanently migrate to Huawei’s platform.

While Wall Street celebrated the news—pushing Nvidia shares up in after-hours trading—the success of this deal is not guaranteed.

Nvidia, which recently hit a historic $5 trillion valuation, faces a hostile regulatory environment in Beijing. Just last month, Techloy covered China’s retaliatory “guidance” which effectively shut Nvidia out of state-funded data center projects, dropping their market share in that specific sector to near zero.

Nvidia Just Hit $5 Trillion Valuation

Nvidia’s $5 trillion valuation now exceeds the combined market caps of AMD, Intel, Broadcom, TSMC, and Qualcomm.

Whether Beijing will allow its “approved customers” to pay a 25% tax to the U.S. government remains the wild card. However, for Chinese tech firms starved of compute power, the H200 may be an offer they literally cannot afford to refuse.

China’s New AI Chip Rule Shuts Out Nvidia and Other U.S. Giants

It’s not an outright ban. But it means no more state contracts for international companies.

Updated

December 09, 2025

Link copied!
Copy failed!

SOURCE PAGE

With the 2025 edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicking off in less than two weeks, global technology company TECNO has announced the launch of a suite of four football-focused artificial intelligence (AI) features. According to a statement seen by Technext, the company said the features are designed to reshape the way millions of Africans experience the tournament.

See also: 5 things you should know about the AI-powered 2026 FIFA World Cup official match ball

The AI features, powered by the company’s proprietary Ella AI system, reflect a growing shift in how football is consumed in the digital age, not only in stadiums and living rooms, but through the lenses, feeds and instant reactions that dominate smartphones across the continent.

“For many fans, the smartphone has become a second screen, a debate platform, a slow-motion studio and a memory archive. TECNO’s latest tools attempt to formalise that reality, turning everyday devices into active companions capable of interpreting the match as it unfolds,” the company’s statement reads.

TECNO’s new AFCON 2025 AI features

The suite comprises four new AI features. First is the Ella Match Decoder, which is at the centre of the rollout. The decoder is an AI engine that reads on-field movements, tactical patterns and key plays in real time. It then delivers instant, simplified analysis normally reserved for professional commentators. This essentially allows casual viewers to ‘decode’ the game, understanding momentum shifts, defensive structures or build-up sequences with unusual clarity.

The second feature is the Ella Snap and Know, which brings visual recognition capabilities. Next is the Ella Match Highlight, which compiles personalised summaries of decisive actions, goals, recoveries, combinations, errors or turning points. With this feature, fans gain autonomy over what they revisit and share, independent of official broadcast clips or social-media circulation.

Last but by no means the least is the Ella Star Cam, which shifts focus from the pitch to the stands. Described as a “superstar lens,” the company said the tool is built to capture what defines the AFCON experience for many. This includes the chants, synchronised dances, sharp pivots of excitement and collective euphoria that animate African football culture.

The Ella Star Cam can anticipate movement and emotion, creating footage that feels closer to immersion than observation.

Together, the company says the tools express its broader Aspire Intelligence philosophy, which interprets AI not as a distant technical layer but as an intuitive part of everyday behaviour. In the context of football, the company says, that means focusing on the small details that shape how people watch, debate, and emotionally process the game, from tactical curiosity to the instinct to document fleeting celebration.

“As an Official Partner of the Confederation of African Football, TECNO plans to integrate the technology into its on-ground booths, fan-engagement zones and digital communities throughout the tournament. The company describes the rollout as part of a larger effort to create a more participatory football ecosystem, one where fans help define the narrative rather than merely consume it,” the company’s statement reads.

With AFCON 2025 expected to dominate screens and social platforms across the continent, TECNO’s announcement underscores a broader shift: smartphones no longer record the atmosphere around the game, they interpret it, contextualise it and shape how it is remembered.

SOURCE PAGE

Southern California is facing a sudden and dangerous air-quality emergency as authorities issue widespread alerts urging residents to stay indoors.

More than 18 million Americans are under the alert issued Tuesday, which the National Weather Service (NWS) says will remain in effect until midnight.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) analyzed data from air-monitoring stations across the region and found sharply elevated levels of PM2.5, the fine particles produced by vehicles, industry and wood burning.

According to South Coast AQMD, these microscopic pollutants can trigger asthma attacks, bronchitis flare-ups, ER visits, and even hospitalizations, especially among children, the elderly and people with heart or lung conditions.

In response, officials have enacted a mandatory wood-burning ban across a massive portion of Southern California after pollution levels surged into the unhealthy range.

The order covers major population centers, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, the Inland Empire and the San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys.

‘When air quality is poor in your area, limit extended or intense outdoor activity and remain inside with windows and doors closed,’ the NWS warned in its alert.

Residents are also urged to run air purifiers or air-conditioning units, avoid swamp coolers or whole-house fans that pull in outdoor air, and monitor real-time conditions through AQMD’s app or website.

Millions of American are warned to stay inside if possible on Tuesday due to air quality issues across Southern California

The alert took effect at midnight Monday and continues until midnight Tuesday, covering coastal communities, mountain foothills, inland suburbs, and dense urban corridors. 

Under the ban, residents are prohibited from burning wood, pellets, or manufactured logs in any indoor or outdoor device. 

And for millions living in the impacted zone, officials have a blunt warning: stay inside whenever possible.

Air-quality experts say the restrictions aren’t mere bureaucratic caution; they are a direct response to particle levels high enough to trigger medical problems for vulnerable residents. 

The warnings come amid stagnant weather and atmospheric conditions that trap pollution close to the ground, a smoggy lid that can linger over valleys and coastal communities for days. 

These ‘No-Burn Days’ activate whenever forecasters expect PM2.5 to reach levels deemed hazardous to public health. 

The affected region includes some of the country’s busiest freeways, densest urban neighborhoods, and largest suburban communities. 

From the beaches of Huntington, Laguna, and Newport to the mountains above Riverside and San Bernardino, the alert stretches across an enormous arc of Southern California, one that encompasses nearly half of California’s entire population. 

Parts of California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, the Inland Empire and the San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys, are under air quality alerts on Tuesday until midnight. Yellow highlights poor air quality

South Coast AQMD emphasized that pollution levels are measured over a full 24-hour period, which means hourly air-quality maps may not reflect the health risks forecasted for the day. 

That discrepancy often confuses residents, officials admit, but does not negate the danger. 

Health experts caution that even healthy adults may experience problems when PM2.5 levels climb high enough. 

Short-term exposure can cause headaches, coughing, throat irritation, fatigue, and difficulty breathing, while repeated or long-term exposure is associated with far more serious heart and lung conditions. 

Winter weather patterns commonly trap pollutants across Southern California, but officials say this year’s combination of fireplace use, holiday traffic, and stagnant air has created a particularly severe spike. 

With conditions expected to remain unchanged through midweek, more alerts may follow. 

Residents can track live air-quality readings at aqmd.gov, where updates on the No-Burn order and local pollution conditions are posted throughout the day. 

SOURCE PAGE