Microsoft Outlook faced a widespread outage, preventing tens of thousands of users worldwide from accessing their accounts. Reports indicate login failures, inability to send or receive emails, and server connection issues. The disruption impacted both personal and business accounts, with affected users expressing frustration on social media. Microsoft acknowledged the issue and stated that their technical teams are working to resolve it. While the cause remains unclear, previous outages have been linked to system updates or cybersecurity threats. The outage highlights growing concerns over the reliability of cloud-based email services. Users await further updates from Microsoft on the resolution.    

Messaging app WhatsApp faced an outage on Friday evening, leaving thousands of users unable to send or receive messages. According to Down Detector, over 4,400 outage reports were recorded around 9 PM. Many users turned to social media to confirm the issue, with #Whatsappdown trending on X. There was no official statement from WhatsApp about the problem. This comes a day after Slack, another communication platform, also faced connectivity issues. Users are advised to wait for updates from WhatsApp. Some services may take time to restore fully.

Meta has apologized after an Instagram error caused violent and graphic videos to appear in users' Reels feeds. Many users, despite enabling the 'sensitive content control' setting, reported seeing inappropriate content. The company did not disclose how many were affected or the cause of the glitch but confirmed it has resolved the issue. "We apologize for the mistake," a Meta spokesperson said. The company recently faced criticism for scrapping its US fact-checking program, raising concerns over content moderation and user safety.

India has unveiled its first 410-meter Hyperloop test track at IIT Madras' Discovery Campus in Thaiyur. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video on December 5, 2024, highlighting the completion of the track. This collaborative project involves Indian Railways, IIT Madras' Avishkar Hyperloop team, and the TuTr Hyperloop startup. The test track is designed for initial speeds of 100 km/h, with plans to increase to approximately 600 km/h in subsequent trials. If successful, Hyperloop technology could revolutionize India's transportation network, offering high-speed, affordable, and sustainable travel options.

In 2024, the world witnessed a record 296 internet shutdowns across 54 countries, surpassing the previous year's 283 shutdowns in 39 nations. For the first time since 2018, India did not top the global list, recording 84 shutdowns—just behind Myanmar’s 85. These disruptions in India were largely imposed during protests, communal violence, and political unrest. Manipur faced a nearly seven-month-long mobile internet suspension, while Jammu and Kashmir saw 17 shutdowns, including eight in late December 2023. Despite dropping to second place, India's frequent shutdowns continue to spark concerns over digital rights and freedom of expression.

Microsoft has introduced the Majorana 1 chip, the first quantum processor utilizing a Topological Core architecture. This innovation leverages topoconductors—materials capable of creating and controlling Majorana particles—to produce stable and scalable qubits, essential for practical quantum computing. The Majorana 1 chip aims to facilitate the development of quantum systems with up to a million qubits on a single, palm-sized chip, enabling solutions to complex industrial and societal challenges. This breakthrough is the result of nearly two decades of research and positions Microsoft at the forefront of quantum computing advancements. 

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a warning to Google Chrome users about a significant security vulnerability. This flaw could potentially allow cyber attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, posing a substantial risk to user data and privacy. CERT-In advises all Chrome users to promptly update their browsers to the latest version to mitigate this threat. Regular updates are essential to protect against emerging cyber threats. This advisory underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software to safeguard against potential cyberattacks.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman rejected Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion bid to buy OpenAI’s non-profit arm, responding on X, “No thank you but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.” Musk, who bought X in 2022, fired back, calling Altman a “swindler.” Musk’s consortium, including xAI and investors, sought to return OpenAI to its non-profit roots. The rivalry deepened after OpenAI’s shift to a for-profit model, which Musk legally challenged. OpenAI’s transformation and ChatGPT’s success fueled tensions, with both billionaires competing for AI dominance. A California federal court is reviewing Musk’s lawsuit.

Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has sparked U.S. national security concerns with its breakthrough AI model, prompting the U.S. Navy to ban its apps over "potential security and ethical issues." The White House confirmed investigations into DeepSeek’s implications, as President Trump labeled it a "wake-up call" for U.S. tech. DeepSeek’s rise caused a dip in U.S. tech stocks, reigniting fears of knowledge distillation from OpenAI models. Meanwhile, DeepSeek faces cyberattacks, temporarily limiting user registrations. Despite advancements, experts assert U.S. dominance in AI, emphasizing its strong chip manufacturing edge.

A video of a robot dog and drone fighting with fireworks has gone viral, igniting discussions about futuristic warfare. Shared by Nexta TV, the footage reportedly originated in China, though the exact location remains undisclosed. The battle showcases the rapid advancements in robotics and AI, leaving viewers amazed and concerned. Social media users expressed mixed reactions, with some calling it “futuristic” and others warning that “humanity is doomed.” While robot dogs and drones have practical uses, the incident raises ethical questions about their potential role in warfare. The viral clip highlights humanity's uneasy relationship with emerging technologies.