Author: Grace Johnson

A worldwide Microsoft outage on Wednesday knocked out major websites including Heathrow, NatWest, and Minecraft. The disruption lasted several hours and affected millions of users before systems slowly came back online later in the evening. Thousands face website failures around the world Outage tracker Downdetector recorded thousands of reports from users unable to access key websites. Pages loaded slowly, emails stalled, and online platforms froze as the failure spread across continents. Microsoft said users of Microsoft 365 experienced long delays in Outlook and other tools. By 21:00 GMT, the company confirmed that most affected websites were back online after it…

The entertainment industry came together in a major show of support for communities affected by wildfires, launching a large‑scale fundraiser that achieved remarkable results. The “wildfire relief fundraiser” event drew dozens of well‑known artists and industry figures, showing how celebrity and entertainment platforms can mobilise resources and public attention. Held at major venues in Los Angeles, the fundraiser brought together more than 30 performers and entertainers. Proceeds were directed toward both immediate relief efforts and long‑term prevention of wildfire damage. The result: more than $100 million was raised in this high‑profile initiative. Organisers emphasised that beyond the money, the event helped shift…

OpenAI has completed its transformation into a for-profit company. The move is designed to attract billions in investment and could open the door to a future stock market listing. Microsoft reshapes its powerful partnership with OpenAI As part of the restructuring, OpenAI and Microsoft have redefined their alliance. Microsoft now owns a 27% stake in the ChatGPT creator. The agreement marks a turning point in a partnership that began in 2019, when OpenAI still operated as a non-profit AI research organization. Under the new terms, Microsoft can now pursue artificial general intelligence (AGI) independently or with other collaborators. AGI is…

Amazon is reportedly planning a major round of job cuts among its corporate employees, with thousands of positions expected to be eliminated as early as this week, according to several media outlets. Both The Wall Street Journal and Reuters report that up to 30,000 jobs could be affected. The layoffs are part of a cost-cutting strategy led by chief executive Andy Jassy, who has focused on streamlining the company’s operations. Amazon did not respond to requests for comment from international news organizations. Major downsizing since post-pandemic boom If confirmed, this move would represent one of the largest layoffs announced by…

Real Madrid delivered a near-flawless performance in El Clasico. Xabi Alonso’s team beat Barcelona 2-1 and stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to five points. Jude Bellingham scored his first league goal and provided an assist after recovering from shoulder surgery. Kylian Mbappé continued his deadly scoring streak. Alonso’s tactical plan, in his first Clasico as coach, worked perfectly. But Vinicius Jr’s anger after being substituted overshadowed the night. The Brazilian exploded with frustration in the 72nd minute after being taken off. He stormed past Alonso, disappeared into the tunnel, and returned minutes later, still visibly upset.…

US President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on Canadian goods after Ontario aired an anti-tariff advert featuring former US President Ronald Reagan. Trump called the advert a “fraud” and accused Canadian officials of refusing to remove it before the World Series baseball championship. “Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now,” he posted on social media Saturday. Trade conflict between US and Canada deepens Trump had already withdrawn from trade talks with Canada on Thursday. Ontario Premier Doug Ford…

The demolition of the White House East Wing under President Donald Trump has sparked debate across political and public circles. Supporters say the move modernizes the historic building, while critics question the necessity and cost of the project. Officials from the White House confirmed that the East Wing demolition is part of a broader plan to renovate and upgrade facilities. The modernization efforts aim to improve functionality, accessibility, and safety standards. “The East Wing has served its purpose for decades, but modernization is necessary,” a senior official said. “This project ensures the building meets current needs while preserving its historic…

Beef prices in the United States have soared to record highs, creating both economic strain and political tension. Donald Trump, who once claimed inflation was “dead,” now faces pressure as beef costs threaten his vow to lower grocery prices. This week, he took to social media to urge ranchers to drop their cattle prices. But his appeal — and the proposals coming from his administration — have sparked outrage among ranchers who fear the plans could damage their livelihoods while offering little relief to consumers. America’s cattle industry in decline The number of cattle ranchers in the US has been…

US President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on 30 October. The White House confirmed the meeting, which will take place on the sidelines of a key Asian summit. The two governments have prepared the encounter for weeks, but rising tensions between Washington and Beijing almost derailed it. This will be their first face-to-face discussion since Trump returned to the presidency. Trump recently warned he would impose a 100% tariff on Chinese goods in November if Beijing does not ease restrictions on rare earth exports. White House confirms the long-awaited talks White House press secretary…

Tesla achieved its highest-ever quarterly revenue but suffered a steep drop in profits. The carmaker’s results highlight how rising costs and global competition continue to pressure its business, even as demand for electric vehicles remains strong. Revenue climbs, but profits take a hit For the quarter ending in September, Tesla reported $28 billion (£21 billion) in revenue, up 12% from a year earlier. Yet profits fell 37% over the same period. The company blamed the decline on increased tariffs and growing expenses from research and development projects. Investors responded cautiously. Tesla’s shares slipped 3.8% in after-hours trading following the announcement.…