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Recent revisions to UK retail sales data reveal lower growth than initially reported, due to errors in seasonal adjustment. July sales increased by 0.6%, driven by online shopping and good weather, but three-month figures show a decline. Data delays and corrections highlight ongoing issues at the ONS.
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As of October 2025, OpenAI's valuation surged to $500 billion following a $6.6 billion secondary share sale by current and former employees to investors including SoftBank, Thrive Capital, and MGX. Despite not yet turning a profit, OpenAI has secured massive AI infrastructure deals with Oracle, Nvidia, and AMD, fueling rapid growth and complex partnerships across Silicon Valley's AI ecosystem.
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PayPal partners with OpenAI to enable instant AI-driven payments within ChatGPT, while Visa and Mastercard introduce AI-powered shopping and secure payment systems in the UAE. Meanwhile, US courts challenge Texas laws requiring age verification for app downloads, citing First Amendment issues. These developments highlight rapid innovation and regulation in digital payments.
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Cursor and Gamma exemplify new hiring strategies in AI, focusing on unconventional recruitment and lean operations. Cursor employs aggressive, global recruiting and practical assessments, while Gamma raises significant funding with a small team. ElevenLabs emphasizes European talent and remote work, challenging traditional hiring norms.
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U.S. online holiday sales reached a record $11.8 billion on Black Friday, a 9.1% increase from last year, driven by deep discounts, AI shopping tools, and mobile commerce. Consumers are spending more despite economic uncertainties, with a shift toward online shopping and buy now, pay later plans.