China Accuses Nvidia of Monopoly Breach Amid Renewed US-China Trade Talks 

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation has accused American chipmaking giant, Nvidia, of violating the country’s anti-monopoly laws, a charge that underscores the deepening strategic rift between Beijing and Washington over control of the semiconductor industry.

Although the regulator stopped short of disclosing specific details of the alleged violations, it confirmed that its investigation into the company would continue.

The announcement coincided with the second day of high-level trade talks between officials of both countries in Madrid, Spain.

Leading the negotiations were United States Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, and China’s Vice Premier, He Lifeng.

At the end of the discussions, Bessent struck a positive note, describing the exchanges as “very good,” while disclosing that a fresh round of talks would be held next month.

The Madrid meeting also broached the issue of TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media platform facing the threat of a US ban unless it is acquired by an American entity.

US President Donald Trump hinted at a breakthrough, writing on his Truth Social account that “young people… will be very happy,” and promising further conversations with President Xi Jinping later this week.

The accusations against Nvidia mark another flashpoint in the ongoing technological rivalry between the two powers.

Washington has tightened restrictions on advanced chip exports to China, citing national security concerns, while Beijing in turn opened its probe into Nvidia last December—moves widely interpreted as tit-for-tat economic retaliation.

Semiconductors remain at the heart of the geopolitical contest.

Analysts say the Madrid talks were expected to weigh heavily on the future of chip supply chains and market access, given the role of Nvidia’s processors in powering artificial intelligence and high-performance computing worldwide.

Diplomatic watchers note that while both sides are keen to project progress, the combination of regulatory investigations, export controls, and looming political deadlines suggests that the competition for technological supremacy will define US-China relations for years to come.

The Nigerian Government has approved the launch of four satellites to aid observation and fight against insecurity in the country.

This was announced by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, at the 22nd National Council on Innovation, Science, and Technology (NCIST) in Abuja.

Diaspora Watch reports that the satellites include three Earth observation satellites and one Radar Aperture Satellite.

According to the Minister, these satellites will enable the military to effectively monitor and respond to security threats without relying on foreign image and data purchases, noting with these satellites, Nigeria will have greater control over its security surveillance.

The minister emphasized the need to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact.

He noted that valuable research conducted in Nigerian universities and institutions has often remained underutilized due to lack of support, financing, and mentorship for young innovators.

The minister called for a new approach, where every “research has a roadmap to industry, and innovation is commercialized for national prosperity”.

The launch of these satellites will not only enhance security but also promote research and development in the country.

It will create opportunities for youths to develop their skills and contribute to the country’s technological advancement.

The 22nd NCIST, which was themed “Research, Development, Innovation, and Commercialization: A Cycle for National Prosperity,” served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss the role of innovation and technology in driving national development.

The launch of the satellites is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

A growing number of WhatsApp users in India are falling prey to hacking, with experts warning of a rising threat to online security. Shantanu Gupta, a noted author and political analyst, recently had his WhatsApp account hacked, highlighting the vulnerability of the popular messaging platform. Gupta’s account was compromised during a routine train journey, with the hacker gaining access to his contacts and sending messages demanding money.

Despite regaining control of his account within hours with the help of the police, Gupta expressed frustration with Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, and his network provider, Airtel, for their lack of support and security measures. “What shocked me was how easily my account was compromised,” Gupta said. “All they needed was my phone number and access to the voice OTP, and they could configure WhatsApp on another device. It’s unsettling that my network provider didn’t even verify or send a warning SMS before allowing such a crucial call to be redirected.

“Gupta’s experience is not an isolated incident. Manish, another WhatsApp user, has been facing a strange issue where his account is taken over every night, with unusual activity occurring, including the creation of WhatsApp groups with unknown numbers. Despite enabling two-factor authentication, Manish has been unable to prevent the hacking.

“I’m at my wit’s end,” Manish said. “Every morning, I have to request a review from WhatsApp and regain access to my account. It’s like someone is playing a game with me, and I don’t know how to stop it. “Experts warn that WhatsApp hacking is a growing threat, with attackers using social engineering, technical exploits, and SIM-based attacks to hijack accounts.

Common hacking methods include OTP phishing, SIM swapping, WhatsApp Web hijacking, and call merging scams. “WhatsApp hacking is a serious concern, and users need to be aware of the risks,” said Gautam Kumawat, a professional hacker and founder of Hacking Flix.

“Attackers are using sophisticated methods to gain access to accounts, and users need to take proactive steps to protect themselves.” To safeguard against these threats, experts recommend enabling two-factor authentication, using a SIM PIN, regularly checking linked devices, and being cautious when receiving unexpected OTPs or calls.

Users should never share their six-digit PIN with anyone, not even friends or family,” said Shiv Raj, Additional Superintendent (ASP), Banda district, a cybercrime expert and PPS officer of Uttar Pradesh Police. “They should also be wary of suspicious links or messages asking for personal information.”

In response to the growing concern, a Meta spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to user safety, advising users to never share their six-digit PIN and to enable two-step verification for added security.

“WhatsApp continues to invest in technology, safety tools, and resources to help users safeguard themselves from online scams,” the spokesperson said. “We advise people to be cautious when receiving un-expected OTPs or calls and to report any suspicious activity to us immediately.”