News

Microsoft has announced the disabling of a set of cloud and AI services used by a unit within the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) following preliminary evidence supporting reports of a surveillance system in Gaza and the West Bank. This decision was prompted by an August article in the Guardian alleging activity by a unit of the Israel Defense Forces utilizing Microsoft’s Azure for collecting and storing data on phone calls made by civilians in the region. While the internal review is ongoing, Microsoft has found evidence corroborating elements of the Guardian’s reporting, leading to the company’s decision to cease and disable specified IMOD subscriptions and services related to cloud storage and AI technologies.

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president, emphasized that the company does not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians. The action taken does not affect Microsoft’s cybersecurity services to Israel and neighboring countries in the Middle East. In a related development, Microsoft terminated four employees who participated in protests on company premises regarding ties to Israel during the conflict in Gaza, citing breaches of company policies and safety concerns arising from on-site demonstrations.

Eli Lilly announced plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas, as part of its $27 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing plants. The facility will focus on producing small molecule drugs, including an experimental obesity pill, orforglipron. The company is aiming to address supply constraints and meet the growing demand for these drugs, particularly in the booming market for GLP-1s.

The new Houston site is expected to create 615 jobs in the Greater Houston area and bring 4,000 construction jobs. Eli Lilly’s investment in domestic manufacturing reflects a strategic move to boost production in the U.S. and align with President Donald Trump’s push to re-shore production. The company aims to enhance its ability to manufacture small molecule drugs and fulfill the potential of orforglipron as a treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes on a global scale.

A new research report by the Latino Donor Collaborative reveals that U.S. Latino immigrants contributed a whopping $1.6 trillion to the GDP in 2023, with an overall purchasing power of $4.1 trillion. Economists from Arizona State University noted that the Latino GDP saw a significant 50% increase from 2015, driven by higher levels of education, entrepreneurship, and labor force participation. In contrast, the estimated GDP of non-Latinos in the U.S. only grew by 17% during the same period.

The report highlighted California as a key player in Latino GDP, with a staggering $989 billion in 2023 alone, projected to surpass a trillion dollars by 2025. As Latino spending continues to grow, experts warn that mass deportations could disrupt this economic progress and lead to significant losses. If as many as 8.3 million undocumented workers were deported, the U.S. could face a decline in total GDP by $2.3 trillion or $7.7%, showcasing the vital role U.S. Latinos play in driving economic growth.

Starbucks revealed a $1 billion restructuring plan, including closing some North American coffeehouses and laying off more workers as part of its “Back to Starbucks” transformation under CEO Brian Niccol. With a decline of about 1% in company-operated stores in North America in fiscal year 2025, along with the estimated 500 gross closures, the company is aiming to prioritize resources for a stronger future.

Niccol emphasized the need for these steps to reinforce what is working and build a more resilient Starbucks that deepens its impact on the world. The company plans to focus on investment closer to the coffeehouse and customer experience, in a bid to reverse a sales slump in its largest market. By ending fiscal year 2025 with nearly 18,300 North American locations and a focus on customer service, Starbucks is taking bold steps towards growth and sustainability in the face of increased competition and changing consumer expectations.

A report released on Wednesday highlights the effects of the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) remaking of the federal workforce on the Washington job market. The DMV Monitor, a real-time data interactive, revealed a 64% increase in homes for sale in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region since June 2024, with the region’s unemployment rate being the highest in the nation. DOGE’s purges of federal agencies led to tens of thousands of job cuts, including layoffs and incentives to quit, significantly impacting the Washington area.

Scott Kupor, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, predicts a total of 300,000 fewer federal workers nationwide by the year’s end. Alongside mass layoffs, President Trump’s actions to reshape the nation’s capital, such as deploying National Guard troops and federalizing the city’s police department, may further impact consumer spending and investment. The report warns of stagnating private-sector job growth and the potential for more federal job losses in the future.

French voice actor Françoise Cadol found herself at the center of a controversy when her iconic portrayal of Lara Croft in the “Tomb Raider” video game series was replaced by an AI-generated voice. Fans were quick to notice the robotic and lifeless quality of the new voice, prompting outrage and calls for action. As Cadol and her supporters rallied against this unauthorized use of her voice, the incident shed light on the growing concerns surrounding AI technology and its impact on human workers in various industries.

The incident has sparked a debate on the ethical boundaries of AI usage and the need for regulations to protect the rights of voice actors and other professionals. With similar concerns emerging in Hollywood and around the world, the voiceover community is calling for measures to prevent the unauthorized use of actors’ voices for deepfakes and other illicit activities. Cadol’s determination to reclaim control over her voice and seek justice from the game developer serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the artistry and talent of human performers in the face of advancing technology.

YouTube, owned by Alphabet, has announced that it will offer creators a way to rejoin the streaming platform if they were previously banned for violating COVID-19 and election misinformation policies that are no longer enforce. This decision comes as part of tech companies’ rollbacks on content moderation after facing pressure from conservatives, including former President Donald Trump. The move reflects YouTube’s commitment to free speech and valuing conservative voices on its platform, recognizing their important role in civic discourse.

The letter from Alphabet’s attorneys, submitted in response to subpoenas from the House Judiciary Committee, highlighted the platform’s decision to ease restrictions on content related to COVID-19 and election misinformation. This announcement also comes amidst allegations from tech CEOs, such as Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai, of government officials attempting to coerce companies into removing certain content. The reinstatement process for banned creators on YouTube has not been fully detailed, with a spokesperson for the platform yet to provide further information.