Amazon boosts AI ties with OpenAI/ChatGPT deal expansion as AI spending surges. E-commerce giant, founded 1994 by Jeff Bezos in Bellevue, remains a tech stack heavyweight.
Anthropic has released the Mythos model to a limited group of firms under Project Glasswing and has warned it can find thousands of software vulnerabilities faster than humans. Regulators and finance leaders in the US, UK, EU and Canada have convened urgent meetings, wargames and briefings to assess risks and coordinate defensive access and rules.
Unionized residential building workers in New York City have been preparing for a strike set to begin April 20 after negotiations over wages, benefits, and healthcare have failed. The contract expiration is imminent, and the union is demanding better pay, pensions, and healthcare protections. The strike could impact 1.5 million residents across the city.
A government panel has found evidence of child marriages, sexual abuse, and cover-ups within the Yavne'el Bratslav community. The report highlights systematic concealment of abuse and early marriages, with community members fearing retaliation for speaking out. The community's practices are linked to religious beliefs and cultural norms.
A 99-year-old woman in New York has been exercising regularly, lifting light weights and doing cardio, which her doctor has praised. Her routine includes daily gym visits, balance work, and physical therapy, contributing to her longevity and well-being as she approaches her 100th birthday.
Snap has announced it is cutting 1,000 jobs, representing 16% of its workforce, citing rapid AI development. The company aims to reduce costs by over $500 million and improve profitability, with layoffs affecting mainly North American staff. The move follows similar layoffs across the tech sector driven by AI integration.
A U.S. District Court has issued a preliminary injunction that prevents Nexstar and Tegna from merging amid ongoing legal challenges. The court finds that the merger is likely to harm competition, increase consumer costs, and reduce local journalism. The companies have already completed the deal but are now halted pending further legal proceedings.
California has filed a lawsuit alleging Amazon has engaged in illegal price-fixing practices by pressuring vendors to raise prices and coordinate with competitors. The case, initiated in 2022, is scheduled for trial in January 2027. The allegations include Amazon's efforts to manipulate prices on various products and platforms.
Sam's Club has introduced an enhanced express delivery service in the US, fulfilling nearly 65,000 orders with an average of 55 minutes. The service offers delivery in less than an hour for club-sized products, intensifying competition with Costco and boosting Walmart's e-commerce growth.
Developing signals around an AI-driven market rally point to a late-cycle melt-up risk, with indicators suggesting momentum could cool as funding and demand tighten. Investors monitor signs of a potential correction amid a still-lofty market backdrop.
OpenAI has revised its cloud partnership with Microsoft, making OpenAI’s models available across any major cloud provider and stripping exclusive revenue-sharing obligations through 2030. Microsoft remains a primary partner through 2032, but the license is now non-exclusive. The change unfolds ahead of a high-profile Musk-led legal case and amid competing cloud interests from Amazon and others.
A Guardian piece chronicles a month of anti-consumption experiments, detailing how various methods have fared in curbing impulse purchases, with one strategy resulting in substantial savings while another approach risks a return to shopping urges.
Meta has reported a milestone quarter with revenue up 33% to $56.31 billion and earnings of $10.44 per share in Q1. The company cites momentum across its apps and the first model from Meta Superintelligence Labs, while guiding for Q2 revenue of $58–$61 billion and capital expenditure up to $125–$145 billion as it expands AI infrastructure and talent; headcount stands at about 78,000 after a 10% layoff previously.
Labor unions, community groups and democratic organisations have been organising a nationwide May Day "economic blackout" for 1 May, calling for "no school, no work, no shopping". Organisers say events have more than doubled from last year and that city-wide actions are being planned in Los Angeles, Chicago and elsewhere to press immigration, voting and workers' rights.
Muslim American candidates are running for re-election or first-time office amid threats from the Trump administration era, with focus on Gaza policy and domestic issues like healthcare and wages. Notables include Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Adam Hamawy in New Jersey, and Aisha Wahab in California. Some incumbents like Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib are seeking re-election. One Somali mayor in Maine has decided not to seek re-election due to harassment.
Anthropic is expanding its access to compute with SpaceX and Nvidia while signaling stronger momentum in Claude Code growth. Executives say demand is outpacing supply, driving new capacity deals and higher usage limits across Pro and Max plans.
Nvidia has reported $58.32 billion in profit and $81.62 billion in revenue for the February–April quarter, beating analysts’ expectations. The company has projected about $91 billion in revenue for the current quarter, while preparing a $80 billion stock buyback and boosting its dividend. Shares traded modestly after hours, with investors weighing a possible cooldown after years of AI-driven growth.
Spirit Airlines has ceased operations due to mounting losses and fuel-cost pressures, prompting consolidation in the U.S. budget-airline sector. Allegiant’s merger with Sun Country closes, expanding its network while maintaining separate brands for now. The industry faces higher jet-fuel costs, fuel-related fare hikes, and route reallocation as airlines recalibrate post-Spirit.
Iranian state media say Tehran plans to impose licensing fees on global tech giants for use and maintenance of seabed Internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz, potentially extending control over repair work and data flow. Experts warn the legal basis is weak, while observers note the move could pressure firms and disrupt connectivity.
A wave of record profits, rising deal activity, and aggressive hiring define the current financial landscape. Banks are expanding, hedge funds are scaling, and private markets are buoyant as AI investment drives capital flows and strategic transactions.
Amazon’s UK tax contributions have risen by at least 20% to exceed £1 billion for 2025, driven by higher national insurance, corporation tax and business rates. The company employs about 75,000 in the UK and has announced about 16,000 global layoffs while planning a £40 billion UK investment through 2027, including drone delivery trials.