Author: Aurora Lane

Employee Share Sale Boosts Market Value OpenAI has reached a record $500 billion valuation following a $6.6 billion sale of shares held by current and former employees, according to Bloomberg. The deal marks the highest valuation ever achieved by a privately held company. Purchasers included major investors such as SoftBank, Dragoneer Investment Group, Thrive Capital, MGX, and T. Rowe Price. Unlike a traditional funding round, the proceeds went directly to individual shareholders rather than the company itself. Still, the sale serves as a powerful retention mechanism for OpenAI, which has recently faced aggressive talent poaching from Meta’s AI division, including…

Youth Movement Rejects President’s Response Police in Madagascar have fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the capital Antananarivo, as youth-led demonstrations continued despite President Andry Rajoelina dissolving his government. The so-called Gen-Z protests, sparked by repeated power and water cuts, have mobilized thousands across at least eight cities since last week. On Monday, Rajoelina announced the dismissal of his prime minister and cabinet, promising dialogue with young people and pledging a new government within days. However, protesters rejected his statement as insufficient, demanding accountability for lives lost during the unrest and for the president himself to step down. A…

Targeting Democratic Projects President Donald Trump signaled Thursday that the government shutdown, now in its second day, gives him what he called an “unprecedented opportunity” to slash federal agencies and programs tied to Democrats. The statement followed his administration’s freeze of $18 billion in funding for New York City infrastructure projects and the cancellation of $8 billion earmarked for climate-related programs in Democratic-leaning states. Both measures directly impact the home state of Democratic leaders Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. The funding halts were announced not by the agencies overseeing the projects, but by Russell Vought, director of the…

Experience Italy Without the Crowds For travellers with flexible schedules, Italy’s quieter months between November and March are often the most rewarding. During this period, iconic destinations such as Venice, Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast shed the intensity of peak-season crowds and reveal a slower, more authentic side of Italian life. Visitors can enjoy exploring the Colosseum without queues, admiring Florence’s Renaissance treasures at the Accademia gallery, or walking through the ruins of Pompeii in near solitude. The reduced foot traffic allows for an intimate connection with Italy’s cultural landmarks, turning famous sites into personal experiences rather than tourist…

Concerns Grow Over Tilly Norwood’s Creation The debate surrounding Tilly Norwood, the so-called AI “actress,” has intensified as the British actors’ union Equity joined SAG-AFTRA in denouncing the digital creation. The union said the character, designed by AI production studio Particle6, cannot be considered a performer and raised concerns about how the data used to build her was sourced. “Tilly is not an actress. She is an AI tool. Or it is an AI tool. That’s not a performer,” said Shannon Sailing, Equity’s audio and new media organizer, in an interview with BBC Radio. “What that tool is made up…

Fried Delivers but Gets Pulled The New York Yankees opened the American League Wild Card Series with a disappointing 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox, and much of the conversation afterward focused on manager Aaron Boone’s decisions. Starting pitcher Max Fried gave the Yankees exactly what they needed, holding Boston scoreless through 6⅓ innings. He scattered four hits, worked out of pressure in the middle innings, and struck out key batters. Fried reached 102 pitches but still looked strong, even saying later that he felt ready to continue until the ball was taken out of his hand. Despite the…

Gemini Replaces Google Assistant Google is officially rolling out Gemini for Home, replacing Google Assistant on smart home devices starting this month. The shift marks a move toward a more natural, conversational experience, where rigid commands give way to context-driven interactions. Users will still need the “Hey Google” wake word, but Gemini can now interpret intent more flexibly. For example, saying “I’m about to watch a movie, turn off the lights” will dim the living room lights specifically. Multiple requests can be bundled into one sentence, and automations can be created by voice without using the Google Home app. Smarter…

Security Measures Intensify in Copenhagen Denmark has imposed a nationwide ban on civilian drone flights this week as it prepares to host a high-profile European Union summit in Copenhagen. The transport ministry said the restriction was necessary to “simplify security work” for police, stressing that authorities could not allow “foreign drones creating uncertainty and disruption.” The ban, effective until October 3, comes amid a series of drone sightings over Danish military sites, including incidents as recent as Saturday. Officials warned that violations could carry fines or imprisonment of up to two years. Police remain on heightened alert ahead of the…

AI Shopping Moves Beyond Search OpenAI announced Tuesday that U.S. users can now complete purchases directly within ChatGPT using a new Instant Checkout feature powered by Stripe. The move marks a major step in monetizing the platform’s 700 million weekly users and poses a potential challenge to Google’s dominance in search-driven advertising. The feature launches with Etsy sellers and will expand soon to more than one million Shopify merchants, including well-known brands like Glossier, Skims, Spanx, and Vuori. Instead of redirecting users to merchant websites, ChatGPT will allow shoppers to select an item, click “Buy,” and confirm payment and shipping…

A Historic One-Term Mayor New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday he is ending his campaign for reelection, virtually ensuring he will become the city’s first one-term mayor since David Dinkins. In a nine-minute video, Adams reflected on his tenure and the challenges that ultimately derailed his political future. “It has been my honor to be your mayor,” Adams said. “We turned victory into action, making this city better for those who have been failed by government.” Legal Troubles and Financial Setbacks Adams’ campaign faltered under the weight of a dismissed federal bribery case, weak polling, and the Campaign…