Business titan and media empire founder
OpenAI has added an Apple Messages plugin to ChatGPT for Mac that lets the AI read, search, summarise, draft and send iMessages. The feature is optional, runs on the desktop app, and OpenAI says it processes data locally; critics and some users have raised privacy and authenticity concerns, and Apple could push back given its on-device privacy stance.
A coordinated U.S.-Japan intervention in late July has only temporarily strengthened the yen. The currency has given back roughly half the gains from the operation and is trading near ¥159–¥160 to the dollar as of mid-August. Analysts say the yield gap between U.S. and Japanese debt and Japan's domestic policy mix are keeping downward pressure on the yen.
Bumble has announced changes allowing either user to send the first message and extending the reply window to 72 hours, as part of a broader move by dating apps to combat user fatigue and lift engagement.
Bloomberg reports that parents are paying thousands to pair college-age children with career coaches years before careers begin, aiming to give students the polish needed to secure internships and jobs in a harsh job market.
A federal judge has paused an order that would have forced the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust to hand over detailed financial records to the BBC in a $10bn defamation suit. The stay will last while the court considers Trump’s request to amend his complaint to focus on personal reputational harm rather than business damages.
The United States is circulating a nine-page questionnaire to NATO members and other allies, seeking to gauge support for its approach to defense and deterrence. The document asks whether allies have publicly supported US policy, whether they have placed restrictions on US access to bases, and whether they have aligned with the aim of strengthening “strong, clear, and quiet” messaging. Bloomberg reports the questionnaire reflects a push to involve allies in a broader Middle East strategy.
Spain has imposed reciprocal border checks on travellers from Italy after Rome has kept controls that it introduced following a deadly mass crossing into Ceuta on 30–31 July. Italy has said it will not lift checks until it is satisfied there is no new migration wave or security risk. The dispute has fractured EU unity and left thousands still in Ceuta.
Canada and the United States have resumed intense negotiations to avert looming U.S. tariffs after weeks of tit-for-tat duties. Ottawa has been pressing for a broad, comprehensive deal; Washington is demanding changes including restored U.S. alcohol sales in some provinces and tighter rules on transshipped goods. Leaders say a final agreement remains subject to paperwork.
The Hungarian Parliament confirms Andr?s Baka as transitional president, as the ruling party pursues a sweeping constitutional overhaul that tightens control over media and judiciary. The move comes after Tisza-led reforms dismantle Orbán-era institutions and set the stage for a new constitutional order.
The Times of Israel reports that Ben Gurion Airport has faced ongoing disruption amid staffing shortages and a wildcat strike that halted check‑in and baggage handling. Management and unions are negotiating to ramp up staffing ahead of the Jewish holidays as operations try to return to normal.
Mark Zuckerberg has published a manifesto arguing AI should be widely accessible and accompanied by personal AI agents. Meta launches Muse Glimmer, a downloadable AI model, and outlines safeguards and privacy protections while signaling a shift toward distributed power and entrepreneurial opportunity. The piece synthesizes perspectives from other tech leaders and frames the debate around control, jobs, and governance.
New York City has hit peak summer activity with record crowds and spending. After Knicks’ championship and World Cup crowds, the city remains lively as visitors push commerce and events into high gear this August.
Bloomberg reports Warner Bros. shares have risen in recent sessions, narrowing the gap to Paramount’s $31 offer to about $3 after a rebound from a July spread that peaked above $5 amid state antitrust actions.
Serve Robotics has expanded its autonomous sidewalk delivery rollout in Washington and San Jose, while continuing partnerships in Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami. Uber has divested its stake, signaling a strategic pivot as Serve scales the fleet and explores coordination with new partners.
Bloomberg reports that Cooper, host of Call Her Daddy, is navigating employee turnover, a slipping slate of shows and internal discord with husband and co-CEO Matt Kaplan, as the company restructures to stabilize operations.
An underground market is emerging for rooms that claim to leak details on officials under scrutiny in China. Operators charge entry fees and offer cryptic clues, with others moving members to new rooms to avoid monitoring. The development follows a broader assessment of leadership changes and tensions in China’s industrial sector.
Tesla has filed for tax incentives for a grand-scale solar factory in Texas, codenamed Project Crystal Sun. The facility aims to begin operations by Q1 2029, employing about 9,700 full-time workers. Musk has signaled a bold target of 100 GW of U.S. solar manufacturing capacity by 2028, though incentives and site competition remain uncertainties.
Ukrainian forces have hit several energy facilities across Russia, triggering fires and prompting fuel restrictions in multiple regions. Refineries and oil terminals are experiencing damage and downtime as Moscow braces for continuing supply disruptions.
A severe wildfire has forced the evacuation of about 1,000 people in Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, with Omis and Lokva Rogoznica among affected areas. The blaze, fed by gale-force winds, has caused casualties and widespread damage as firefighters battle the flames through Thursday night and Friday morning.
Paramount has secured global competition clearances for its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, but a U.S. antitrust lawsuit led by California’s attorney general remains unresolved and could delay closing. The deal has won approvals in 66 jurisdictions, while U.S. federal approval is in place.
Reddit has been added to the S&P 500 ahead of trading on Aug. 18, replacing AvalonBay Communities as the index rebalances. The move comes amid Reddit’s expanding data-licensing and AI-related partnerships, which have helped drive revenue growth and position the platform as a valuable data source for tech firms and advertisers.
Au Vodka, the Swansea-based RTD vodka brand known for its gold bottles, is nearing a sale to Sazerac. Founders Charlie Morgan and Jackson Quinn are expected to net over £100m each. The deal, first reported by Sky News, would deepen Sazerac’s UK footprint and follows Au Vodka’s rapid growth and US expansion.
OpenAI is accelerating its Ohio data-center project with backing from Nvidia and SB Energy. The agreements would add up to 10 gigawatts of compute capacity by 2028, supporting thousands of jobs and a large-scale power and grid investment. Details vary across reports from Bloomberg and CNBC.
Saudi Aramco is diverting shipments around Africa and rerouting volumes via the Red Sea to evade the Hormuz-closure risk. Europe and Asia-bound barrels are being moved through new corridors as Yanbu’s terminal faces threats from Houthi actions.
Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has announced a discovery of more than 160 billion cubic metres of sweet natural gas in southern Fars province. Production could last 15 years with high-cost savings due to low hydrogen sulfide content, though Bloomberg notes any output may be years away amid broader strikes and sanctions. Bloomberg and Reuters sources converge on the assessment that findings could bolster Iran’s energy portfolio, even as current output remains constrained.
International student enrollments in the United States have declined amid new visa rules and ongoing restrictions. CNBC and Bloomberg report sizable drops in new foreign student applications and overall enrollment despite rising undergraduate applications. Fitch Ratings flags potential revenue pressures for mid-ranked institutions.
Japan’s delegation has met with Chinese officials through Thursday to mend strained ties after repeated tensions. The group includes LDP members and opposition lawmakers, and emphasizes reopening channels for dialogue amid growing economic strain.
The FTC and five states have reached a settlement with Zillow and Redfin over their rental-listing partnership. The deal allows Redfin to resume rental advertising and keeps Zillow-Redfin cooperation, while boosting competition and aiming to lower listing costs for landlords and renters. The settlement covers ads and a staged return to rentals through 2030.