Russia restricts FaceTime use

Russian authorities say they have imposed restrictions on Apple’s video calling service FaceTime, alleging it was being used for organizing what it called “terrorist activities.” Thursday’s announcement marks another step in Russia’s ongoing effort to control internet and online communications. In recent years, Russia has adopted restrictive laws and blocked noncompliant websites and platforms.

After the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the government blocked major social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Access to YouTube also was disrupted. Authorities have further restricted internet access with widespread shutdowns of cellphone connections. Critics say these measures are aimed at tightening internet control.

Boost holiday shopping game with AI tools

AI-powered shopping assistants have become a staple in online retail, making shopping easier and more convenient. This month, new AI tools have launched just in time for the holiday season. Amazon’s Rufus chatbot, Walmart’s Sparky and

Target’s holiday gift finder are among the latest offerings.

These chatbots aim to simplify finding the perfect gift by allowing conversational searches. General-purpose AI shopping tools, like those from OpenAI and Google, can search multiple sites for personalized recommendations. Virtual try-on tools and agentic AI for purchasing are also gaining traction, enhancing the online shopping experience.

US filings for jobless benefits fall to 191,000

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell to their lowest level in more than three years last week, potentially complicating the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision on interest rates. The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits for the week ending Nov. 29 fell to 191,000 from the previous week’s 218,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

That’s the lowest level since September 24, 2022, when claims came in at 189,000. Analysts surveyed by the data provider FactSet had forecast initial claims of 221,000. Applications for unemployment aid are viewed as a proxy for layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market.

Fashion firms asked for docs in abuse probe

Italian prosecutors have asked 13 high-end fashion firms to provide documents on governance, internal controls and audits. The request is part of a probe into the alleged exploitation of Chinese workers at subcontractors, judicial documents showed on Thursday.

According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, the investigation highlighted episodes of “heavy exploitations” of Chinese workers at subcontractors’ workshops, where the brands involved produced some of their products. The 13 fashion firms didn’t immediately comment on the request.

Wall Street inches closer to its all-time high

The U.S. stock market held near its records in a quiet day of trading. The S&P 500 inched up by 0.1% Thursday and is just 0.5% below its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%.

Dollar General rallied after reporting a better profit than analysts expected, but Kroger dropped after the grocer reported weaker revenue than expected. The modest overall moves for the market continue a calm run following weeks of sharp swings for stocks. Treasury yields ticked higher in the bond market, while stock indexes rose in Europe following a mixed finish in Asia.