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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.

The U.K.’s National Crime Agency (NCA) announced on Wednesday that a man has been arrested in connection to the ransomware attack that disrupted several European airports over the weekend. The attack, targeting check-in systems provided by Collins Aerospace, caused delays at airports in Brussels, Berlin, Dublin, and London’s Heathrow. The arrested man, in his forties, was taken into custody in West Sussex under the Computer Misuse Act. While released on conditional bail, the investigation is ongoing, according to the NCA.

RTX, the owner of Collins Aerospace, confirmed in an SEC filing that the cyberattack involved ransomware, leading to flight delays and cancellations. The incident was first revealed by European cybersecurity agency ENISA and has impacted customer-specific networks. Despite the confirmation, details about the ransomware type and hackers responsible remain unclear. Technology journalists Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai and Zack Whittaker, reporting for TechCrunch, are covering the ongoing investigation into the ransomware attack.

The historic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, faced unprecedented challenges when the Kentucky River flooded the distillery grounds in April, impacting every aspect of whiskey production. However, just five months later, the distillery has managed to bounce back, with production returning to normal and new whiskeys being introduced to their catalogue. Despite facing over $30 million in cleanup and repairs, the distillery has persevered, with the help of dedicated employees and supporters.

Jaguar Land Rover, Britain’s biggest automaker, announced on Tuesday that its production lines will remain shut down until at least Oct. 1 following a cyberattack in August. The shutdown has had a ripple effect throughout the U.K. auto industry, impacting tens of thousands of jobs in the supply chain. The company, owned by India’s Tata Motors, has not revealed much information about the nature of the attack but is working with law enforcement and the U.K. government’s National Cyber Security Center to ensure a safe restart of operations.

The extended pause in production is aimed at providing clarity for the coming week as JLR builds a timeline for the phased restart of operations. Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Industry minister Chris McDonald are set to visit Jaguar Land Rover to discuss the situation with affected companies in the supply chain. The government has expressed its support for those facing financial difficulties due to the stoppage, assuring them that they are on their side and will do everything possible to help during this challenging time.

Amazon announced plans to close all 19 of its Fresh supermarkets in the U.K. as it focuses on online delivery growth. Five Fresh locations will be converted into Whole Foods stores. The move comes as Amazon recalibrates its grocery strategy to emphasize online sales over physical stores.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy remains optimistic about the company’s grocery business, highlighting the success of online sales for everyday essentials. The company also plans to offer same-day delivery of groceries, including perishable items, in the U.K. starting next year.