One Tech Tip: Got an awkward or embarrassing Gmail address? Google is now letting users change it
Google is now allowing users to change their Gmail addresses. The company said this week that feature, which began rolling out in India last year, is now available in the United States. Google CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the update as a way for users to move on from outdated or embarrassing email handles. Changing your address is simple: go to your Google account page, navigate to Personal info, and select Email. You can then enter a new address. Your old address will remain as an alternate, and emails sent to either address will appear in your inbox. However, users can only change their address three times in total.
It’s International Fact-Checking Day. Refresh your AI identification skills
Artificial intelligence-generated content is everywhere these days, making it increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction, particularly when it comes to breaking news. The Iran war is just one example — since its outset, fake footage has reached countless people around the world. Some strategies for identifying these images include looking for visual cues, determining their origin, seeking out multiple reputable sources, making use of technology such as invisible digital watermarks and not immediately sharing content if its authenticity is unclear.
Trump administration appeals ruling that blocked Pentagon action against Anthropic over AI dispute
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Trump administration is appealing a judge’s order blocking the federal government from taking punitive measures against artificial intelligence company Anthropic after a dispute with the Pentagon over military use of AI. Department of Justice attorneys filed a notice in San Francisco federal court on Thursday of their intention to appeal last week’s ruling by U.S. District Judge Rita Lin. Lin last week said she was blocking the Pentagon from labeling Anthropic a supply chain risk. She also said she was blocking enforcement of President Donald Trump’s social media directive ordering all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic and its chatbot Claude.
Why 'unretired' seniors are picking up gig work to pay the bills
PLAINVIEW, New York (AP) — A growing number of Americans have “unretired” in recent years. They're returning to the workforce after ending careers that spanned decades. Many are motivated by inadequate retirement savings, rising living costs and a desire to stay active. Some are finding gig work, or contract jobs, through apps or digital platforms. They're delivering people and parcels, taking care of pets or folding other people’s laundry because they can set their own hours. But retirees and experts say the informal nature of gig work has downsides. They recommend making sure the pay will be enough to cover on-the-job expenses.
AI machine sorts clothes faster than humans to boost textile recycling in China
ZHANGJIAGANG, China (AP) — A company in eastern China is using an artificial intelligence-powered machine to sort clothes and boost recycling. It offers a glimpse into how AI could help reduce the impact of synthetic textile waste. The Fastsort-Textile machine was named one of Time magazine’s Best Inventions of 2025 and was created by Databeyond. The Chinese AI recycling company was founded in 2018. The equipment operates in Zhangjiagang and can sort 100 kilograms of clothes in two to three minutes. That compares with one worker taking around four hours to do the same thing.
Apple's 50-year odyssey has redefined technology, pop culture and comeback stories
CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — A scrawny hippie and a nerdy engineer who became prank-playing friends vowed to change the world when they founded a Silicon Valley startup on April Fools’ Day 50 years ago and then — no joke — pulled it off. The improbable odyssey began April 1, 1976 when a then-shaggy Steve Jobs and his gadget-tinkering friend Steve Wozniak signed the partnership papers that created Apple Computer Co. What happened next has become ingrained in the cultural zeitgeist. The Associated Press looks back Apple's peaks and valleys during a journey that thrust the company to the brink of bankruptcy before its exiled co-founder Steve Jobs came back to build an empire.
Mamdani puts New York City government back on TikTok
Almost three years ago, New York City joined governments across the country to ban TikTok from its devices over security concerns about the Chinese social media site. Mayor Zohran Mamdani is a bona fide social media star. On Tuesday he took to the app to announce a reversal. He said: “TikTok, we’re back.” The city will now allow agencies to start posting again on the short-form social media site as long as departments follow a set of security precautions. That's according to a memo from city cybersecurity officials. TikTok did not immediately return a request for comment.
Brazil is uniquely positioned to weather rising world oil prices. Here is why
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil is finding protection in a decades-old buffer against shocks that is both cheap and environmentally friendly as global oil markets tremble amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Tens of millions of Brazilian drivers have a choice at the pump: fill up with 100% sugarcane-based ethanol or a gasoline blend that contains 30% of biofuel. Brazil’s massive “flex-fuel” fleet, which are vehicles capable of running on any mix of ethanol and gasoline, is unique in its scale. It is the result of a landmark military dictatorship program launched in 1975, transformed into success during democratic times to reduce foreign oil dependency.
Meta, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube aren't fully complying with child account ban, Australia says
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia is considering bringing court action against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube after alleging they are not doing enough to keep Australian children younger than 16 off their platforms. Australia banned young children from holding accounts on 10 social media platforms in December. The first report from the eSAfety commission about compliance with the law was issued Tuesday. It found significant concerns with five platforms and was gathering evidence against them before deciding whether to initiate court action. The law also applies to Reddit, X, Kick, Threads and Twitch, but they aren't under investigation.
Brazilian banks to verify satellite deforestation data for rural credit
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian banks are now required to verify satellite deforestation data before approving rural credit. Financial institutions must check starting Wednesday if a property is listed in a government registry for potential illegal deforestation after July 31, 2019. The database is maintained by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change using satellite data. Farmers can challenge flagged properties by providing legal documents or restoration plans. The Finance Ministry says the new rule aligns rural credit with conservation policies. The Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil warns this could complicate credit access for compliant producers.
