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Time of India
an hour ago
- Business
- Time of India
Elon Musk's X may get another service, Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino says 'that's the future'
Social media platform X (formerly Twitter ) is moving aggressively into financial services, with CEO Linda Yaccarino announcing that users will soon be able to make investments and trades directly on the platform. This push appears to be central to owner Elon Musk 's ambition to transform X into an "everything app," similar to China's WeChat. "You'll be able to come to X and be able to transact your whole financial life on the platform," Yaccarino said in an interview with the Financial Times. 'And that's whether I can pay you for the pizza that we shared last night or make an investment or a trade. So that's the future,' she added. Adding to these plans, the company is also exploring the introduction of an X credit or debit card, potentially launching as early as this year. Twitter is already working on X Money This foray into finance comes as X has already committed to introducing X Money , a digital wallet and peer-to-peer payment service, with Visa as its initial partner later this year. Yaccarino confirmed that X Money will debut in the US first before a global rollout. The service aims to enable users to purchase merchandise, store value and tip creators directly on the platform. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ductless Air Conditioners Are Selling Like Crazy [See Why] Keep Cool Click Here Undo "A whole commerce ecosystem and a financial ecosystem is going to emerge on the platform that does not exist today," she emphasised. The platform's pivot to new revenue streams comes as it continues to struggle with financial headwinds. Since Elon Musk's $44 billion acquisition of Twitter in 2022, when it was rebranded as X, the company has seen a mass exodus of advertisers – its primary source of revenue. Several brands cited concerns over Musk's relaxed approach to content moderation, which could place their ads near objectionable content, as well as the billionaire's own controversial use of the platform. World Music Day 2025: Tech That Changed How We Listen to Music AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
UAE Moments
9 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Don't Make the Same Mistake as I Did – Must-Have China Apps
Traveling to China without the right apps can turn your trip into a frustrating experience. I learned this the hard way—struggling with payments, transport, and language barriers. To save you the hassle, here are the must-have apps you need before landing in China. 1. WeChat (微信) & Alipay (支付宝) – For Cashless Payments China is largely cashless, and many places don't accept foreign cards. WeChat Pay and Alipay are essential for transactions—from street vendors to high-end stores. Pro tip: Link your foreign card before arriving, as setup can be tricky. 2. Didi (滴滴出行) – China's Uber Taxis can be tough without Chinese skills. Didi lets you book rides easily, with an English interface. Avoid the stress of haggling or getting lost! 3. VPN (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Astrill) – Access Google & WhatsApp China blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and more. A reliable VPN is a lifesaver for maps, emails, and staying connected. Download it before you arrive! 4. Pleco or Google Translate – Break the Language Barrier Many locals don't speak English. Pleco (for Chinese learners) and Google Translate (with offline packs) help with signs, menus, and conversations. 5. Baidu Maps or Apple Maps – Navigation Without Google Google Maps doesn't work well in China. Baidu Maps (Chinese) or Apple Maps (English-friendly) are better for directions and public transport. 6. Meituan (美团) or Eleme (饿了么) – Food & Delivery Craving local food? These apps let you order meals, groceries, and even book hotels—like a Chinese super-app. Final Advice
NBC News
10 hours ago
- NBC News
Chinese Ph.D. student sentenced to at least 24 years in prison for raping multiple women
LONDON — A British judge on Thursday sentenced a Chinese Ph.D. student to a minimum of 24 years in prison for drugging and raping 10 women in England and China. Zhenhao Zou, 28, was convicted of the attacks, which took place from 2019 to 2023, during a four-week trial earlier this year at Inner London Crown Court. Judge Rosina Cottage on Thursday described Zou as a 'very bright young man' who used a manipulative 'charming mask' to hide that he is a 'sexual predator.' Zou was studying for a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at University College London in 2023 when the first woman came forward to allege that he had raped her. As part of the investigation, police seized Zou's phone, on which they found videos of him raping unconscious women. A search of his apartment in south London turned up sedatives and recording equipment. The investigation into Zou's crimes continues, and at least 24 women have come forward with new allegations as a result of the publicity surrounding his trial, London's Metropolitan Police Service said. Taken together, the cases would make him one of the worst sex offenders in U.K. history. Zou, who also used the name Pakho online, befriended fellow students of Chinese heritage on dating apps and WeChat, before inviting them for drinks and drugging them at his apartments in London or an unknown location in China. Using hidden or handheld cameras, Zou filmed nine of the attacks as 'souvenirs,' and he kept a 'trophy box' of his victims' belongings, according to evidence presented at trial. Zou, who claimed the encounters were consensual, was also convicted of three counts of voyeurism, 10 of possessing an extreme pornographic image, one of false imprisonment and three of possessing a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offense. He was handed a life sentence and must serve a minimum of 24 years in prison. Prosecutor Saira Pike praised the victims who came forward to report Zou's 'horrific crimes.' 'They have been incredibly strong and brave,' Pike said. 'There is no doubt that their evidence helped us to secure his conviction, and the life sentence handed to him today.'
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Musk's X to offer investment, trading in 'super app' push: Report
X CEO Linda Yaccarino has said users will soon be able to make investments or trades on the social media platform, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, a move to support billionaire owner Elon Musk 's vision to create an "everything app." In an interview with the publisher, Yaccarino said the company was exploring the introduction of an X credit or debit card, which could come as soon as this year. Musk, who in April 2022 clinched a $44 billion deal to buy Twitter and later rebranded it as X, has signaled plans to model it as a "super app," similar to China's WeChat. The social media platform did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. "2025 X will connect you in ways never thought possible. X TV, X Money, Grok and more," Yaccarino wrote in a post in December last year. Payment s giant Visa and X partnered to offer direct payment solutions to customers of the social media app, a person familiar with the matter said earlier this year. A super app, or what Musk refers to as an "everything app," has been described as the Swiss army knife of mobile apps, offering a suite of services for users such as messaging, social networking, payments and e-commerce shopping. X hired NBCUniversal advertising chief Yaccarino as CEO in 2023 amid advertiser exodus from the platform as they worried that their ads could appear next to inappropriate content. Yaccarino said that 96% of X's ad clients prior to acquisition had now come back to the platform, the Financial Times report said. The company is poised for its first year of ad revenue growth this year since its acquisition by Musk, according to data from research firm Emarketer in March. X had filed a lawsuit in federal court in Texas against the World Federation of Advertisers, accusing them of unlawfully conspiring to boycott the site and causing it to lose revenue.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
After EVs, rockets, and social media, the world's richest man Elon Musk is now eyeing your wallet
Elon Musk , the world's richest man, is now setting his sights on the world of finance. After shaking up electric vehicles, space travel, and social media, Musk is preparing to launch financial services through his platform X—formerly known as Twitter. According to reports, Musk plans to introduce investment and trading features on X as part of his vision to transform it into a 'super app' akin to China's WeChat. The goal is to build a comprehensive financial ecosystem that enables users to carry out transactions—shopping, tipping, storing money, and more—without ever leaving the platform. As part of this plan, X is expected to roll out branded credit and debit cards, potentially as early as this year. The initiative will debut in the U.S., with global expansion to follow. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 23.7% Returns in last 5 years with Shriram Life's ULIP Shriram Life Insurance Undo Visa has already signed on as the platform's first payments partner. The service, dubbed X Money , will include a digital wallet and peer-to-peer payment functions. Users will be able to make purchases, store funds, and support content creators, all within the app. 'You will be able to go on X and conduct all your financial transactions on the platform,' X CEO Linda Yaccarino was quoted as saying at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. She described the effort as the foundation of 'a whole commercial and financial ecosystem that doesn't exist today.' Live Events However, the road ahead isn't without hurdles. Regulatory scrutiny, particularly around licensing and anti-money laundering compliance, could pose significant challenges to Musk's ambitions. X is also working to rebuild its advertising business after a mass exodus of advertisers following Musk's acquisition in 2022. Concerns over content moderation and brand safety had driven many advertisers away, with some ads appearing next to controversial content. Despite lingering doubts from some marketers, Yaccarino claims that 96% of pre-acquisition advertisers have returned. Research firm eMarketer forecasts that X will generate $1.9 billion in ad revenue in 2024 and $2.3 billion in 2025—still far from the $4.1 billion it earned in 2022. In December 2024, Yaccarino had teased several upcoming features including X TV, X Money, and Grok, an AI chatbot, signaling that 2025 could be a pivotal year in Musk's quest to turn X into a one-stop digital universe.
