American businessman and philanthropist; co-founded Microsoft
Health authorities have reported at least 1,759 confirmed Ebola cases and about 600 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo since mid-May, driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain. The World Health Organization has enrolled the first patient in a trial testing MBP134 and remdesivir; treatment centres are strained and insecurity and funding shortfalls are hindering response.
The Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo has intensified, with cases rising and deaths increasing. Health workers are striking over unpaid salaries, while international partners warn the official figures may undercount the true toll. Trials for treatments have begun, and vaccination efforts remain limited by the absence of a vaccine for this strain.
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez has reopened a criminal probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s activities at Zorro Ranch. The DOJ has refused to provide unredacted documents, citing federal law and privacy protections. NM officials say cooperation is insufficient as requests have yielded heavily redacted material and few pages.
Warren Buffett has redirected about $6 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock away from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to four family foundations and has accelerated plans to distribute his remaining Berkshire shares by Dec. 31, 2034. He has said he reviewed Bill Gates’s testimony about Jeffrey Epstein and has met Gates in Omaha since those documents were released.
Apple has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that OpenAI stole confidential trade secrets as it builds a hardware division, naming former Apple employees involved in the alleged misconduct. OpenAI denies the claims, stating it has no evidence of merit and remains focused on innovative technology.
Kathryn Ruemmler has testified before the House Oversight Committee, acknowledging a long relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and saying he used her to legitimize his standing. She has stepped down from Goldman Sachs but remains as senior adviser. Lawmakers are pursuing further depositions and documents as part of a broad probe into Epstein’s network.
The Gates Foundation has released a three-page summary of a WilmerHale review into its past engagements with Jeffrey Epstein. The review finds no evidence of payments to Epstein or illegal activity, but notes that Gates and foundation staff met Epstein about 30 times from 2011 to 2014, focusing on a donor-advised fund concept and a grant to the International Peace Institute. Gates expresses regret and the foundation says it will strengthen governance and vetting.
Barclays’ former chief Jes Staley has testified before the House Oversight Committee as questions mount over his long-standing ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Regulators had previously banned him for mischaracterizing those ties, and new disclosures are raising questions about how Barclays and JPMorgan Chase handled information on Epstein’s relationship with Staley.
Randall Lane has been dismissed as Forbes’ chief content officer after it emerged he received a payment from RJ Shook of Shook Research. The payment, described by Lane as a gift, raises conflict-of-interest concerns amid Forbes’ editoral standards. The Times and AP report describe Lane’s resignation and the company’s stance, while broader public trust in media is noted.
Anthropic has reported surging run-rate revenue and is considering a public listing this fall. Investors are forecasting a multi-trillion-dollar valuation, while safety and regulatory concerns persist amid fierce competition with OpenAI and Chinese challengers.
A wave of senior leadership departures across major AI labs has intensified as firms recalibrate leadership ahead of anticipated IPOs and major infrastructure overhauls. OpenAI and Anthropic are among those restructuring as executives exit and reassignments take place, with a broader industry shift toward aligning compute strategies with growth goals.
Bill Gates has published a 6,000-word memo arguing that AI could be the greatest equalizer or the worst source of injustice. He calls for designating Human Reserved jobs and a tax on automation to fund retraining, while urging global policy coordination to manage AI's rapid disruption.
Transcripts show JPMorgan's Staley disclosed sensitive JPMorgan details to Epstein; lawmakers question if the former Barclays chief exploited access. Staley defends his actions, saying he believed he could share information when appropriate. The panel highlights ongoing scrutiny into Epstein’s elite network.
Apple has accused OpenAI of stealing trade secrets; OpenAI contends Apple’s offboarding practices fuel the dispute. The case centers on former Apple employees who joined OpenAI and the handling of confidential information as both sides seek expedited judicial action.
Uber has announced a reorganisation that will reduce its global headcount by about 10% and collapse small "micro-teams", flatten management and require almost all staff to work from hubs rather than remotely. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has said the changes will make Uber "simpler and faster" and free money to reinvest in autonomous vehicles and core services.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has raised national-security concerns about Ford’s ties to Chinese battery tech and plans with Geely in Spain, prompting political and regulatory scrutiny. Ford defends its approach, while lawmakers press for clarity on independence from Chinese tech.
The Gates Foundation has expanded its AI initiative, uniting 60 partners including Google, Anthropic and OpenAI to develop language data for underserved communities. The effort aims to reach more than 3 billion people over five years, building language datasets across diverse dialects to ensure AI tools are equitable and locally relevant.
Public voices warn of AI risks at Washington rally; Sanders and Bannon urge speed limits and safety rules, while Trump downplays concerns as lawmakers debate approaches.
The House has found Leon Black in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas in its inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein. The full House approved the contempt resolution by unanimous consent after the Oversight Committee voted 41–0 to recommend the action. The matter has been referred to the Justice Department for possible criminal review.
Leading AI executives and regulators have debated whether to slow development after incidents involving autonomous agents. Anthropic and OpenAI have called for coordinated standards and independent testing, while Meta and Nvidia argue industry incentives and liability will enforce safety. U.S. political leaders have pushed back against formal global controls, complicating plans for international oversight.
The Oversight Committee has moved to refer the Epstein-related contempt against a private-equity chief to the Justice Department. Black has refused to hand over nondisclosure agreements or appear for deposition. The committee’s action comes amid bipartisan support and follows an earlier voluntary interview; a deposition was delayed but ultimately not attended.
China is accelerating its AI ambitions as Huawei and Alibaba unveil faster chips and new models ahead of Xi Jinping’s Washington visit. The moves illustrate Beijing’s push for self-reliance amid U.S. export restrictions, while analysts warn U.S. leaders to consider the competitive risk.
AP News reports on major literary prize announcements and new books, including a debut that has earned critical attention, a forthcoming memoir, and winners and longlists across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translation and youth categories. The timelines stretch from nominations this week to ceremonies in November.
Leaders across tech and politics have pressed for stronger safeguards as AI development accelerates. Industry chiefs warn against over-regulation, while regulators push for concrete rules. The debate has intensified following high-profile warnings about existential risks and recent security incidents involving AI systems.
The El Niño weather pattern has intensified, with multiple reports showing record sea-surface temperatures and forecasts of extreme heat. Scientists warn that global impacts will intensify through 2027, affecting temperatures, rainfall, and wildfire risk across regions from the Pacific to Africa and the Americas.
World leaders at the United Nations are weighing the risks and governance of artificial intelligence, urged by a U.N. science report to act, while U.S. and other heads of state push back against external controls. The debate centers on accountability, speed of deployment, and the balance between innovation and risk.
Projections show 451,000 additional heat-related deaths globally between June and February 2027, with Nigeria, Sudan, Niger and Chad bearing the heaviest impact. The Climate Impact Lab says emergency actions now can save tens of thousands of lives as El Niño intensifies.
Gates has warned that AI is powerful enough to drive events with catastrophic consequences, urging law enforcement and policymakers to implement safeguards. The remarks come as tech leaders push for a measured pace in AI development amid rising concerns about misuse and the potential for mass harm.
Tesla has officially opened high-volume production of the Semi in Sparks, Nevada, with a plan to build up to 50,000 trucks a year. The event showcases new design changes, a charging network, and cost considerations as diesel prices rise and fleets eye emissions reductions. CEO Elon Musk is attending a state dinner abroad, while executives highlight lowered battery weight and improved efficiency.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that AI could be powerful enough to cause a billion deaths if misused. He is calling for government oversight and safeguards, arguing that a modest overhead to industry is necessary for monitoring. Other tech leaders echo concerns, while some politicians resist regulation.
Microsoft is reshuffling its leadership, with Brad Smith taking charge of communications as Frank Shaw exits. The move comes amid a broader AI and Copilot push, with Nadella stressing the need to align the company’s messaging with its expanding AI strategy.