WORLD
China says multiple pathogens are behind spike in respiratory illnesses
Influenza is one of the main causes of the spike in cases, National Health Commission spokesman Mi Feng said at a press conference on November 26. Rhinovirus, mycoplasma pneumoniae and respiratory syncytial virus are also circulating, he said.
AUTOMOBILE
Nissan will invest $1.4 billion to make EV versions of its best-selling cars at UK factory
The auto industry is bracing for 10% post-Brexit trade tariffs taking effect in January. They threaten to raise the cost of new EVs by punishing manufacturers in their respective markets for not sourcing enough of their components from either the EU or Britain.
WORLD
What is COP28 and why is it important?
Planet earth has once again seen the devastating effects of climate change in 2023 as the summer season in the northern hemisphere recorded the warmest temperature on record globally, with at least 5,000 people losing their lives in Libya in the Mediterranean storm Daniel in September, while a wildfire on the Hawaiian island Maui killed at least 115 people.
WORLD
Saudi Arabia raises $11-billion loan to help fund deficit
The 10-year loan was funded by at least 15 banks including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Citigroup Inc., First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC and HSBC Holdings Plc, according to people familiar with the matter.
TRENDS
Billionaire Manoj Punjabi builds next hollywood in Southeast Asia
Indonesian horror film "KKN di Desa Penari" surpasses global blockbuster "Avengers: Infinity War" to become the highest-grossing local movie.
WORLD
Humanity needs an OpenAI board that will still say ‘No’
OpenAI’s leadership must think carefully about the remaining board members they add, and not just to look progressive. They need women, people of colour and other diverse voices for whom biased language models are most likely to cause harm, and who will speak up about those risks
BUSINESS
Altman is back at OpenAI, but questions remain as to why he was fired in first place
Altman had been fired Friday after clashing with the board over his drive to transform OpenAI from a nonprofit organization focused on the scientific exploration of artificial intelligence into a business that builds products, attracts customers and lines up the funding needed to power AI tools.
TECHNOLOGY
Sam Altman’s OpenAI comeback is a strategic win for Satya Nadella
Committing $11 billion that gave Microsoft a 49% stake — and no board seat was an extraordinary gamble by Nadella, given the possibility of Altman being fired. Nadella can silently thank OpenAI’s nonprofit board for causing all this ruckus. The outcome isn’t even a silver lining — it’s a stronger position in the AI arms race.
BUSINESS
The winners and losers in Sam Altman’s OpenAI kingdom
The biggest winner is Microsoft. The $2.8 trillion tech giant, which relies heavily on OpenAI as its partner in the AI revolution, has successfully protected its investment, without having to hire around 700 OpenAI engineers, as had once seemed plausible or even probable.
WIRE-NEWS
OPEC+ struggle over African quotas forces a delay to meeting
Saudi Arabia and oil allies face output quota dispute with African members, prompting a delay in a crucial meeting.
BUSINESS
Billionaire Gautam Singhania's separation with wife erases $180 million at Raymond
The stock has tumbled 12% since Nov. 13 when Singhania announced separation from Nawaz Singhania, his wife of 32 years and a Raymond board member, erasing more than $180 million in market value
BUSINESS
Big boost for Make in India: Govt closer to pact with Tesla to import EVs, set up plant
India is now said to be considering lowering import taxes for international EV manufacturers for a period of 5 years if those firms eventually commit to setting up local factories.
BUSINESS
Insider selling sparks bullish signal in distorted India market
Booming stock markets and, in some cases, the need to repay loans backed by share pledges, may nudge founders to sell down further, analysts said.
BUSINESS
Satya Nadella indicates willingness to have Sam Altman rejoin OpenAI
Whether Altman joins Microsoft or returns to OpenAI — as some of the startup’s investors have been trying to arrange — the entrepreneur will be working with Microsoft, Nadella said
BUSINESS
Citigroup cuts over 300 senior manager roles in latest restructuring
The workforce reductions, which the bank has said may continue around the globe into next year
BUSINESS
Microsoft hits all-time high after hiring OpenAI’s Sam Altman
The Redmond, Washington-based company’s shares had edged lower on Friday after Altman’s shock exit from the creator of ChatGPT. The shares recovered on Monday, rising 1.9%
BUSINESS
Moody’s revises up SoftBank outlook to stable after Arm Holdings IPO
Arm’s September initial public offering lifts the proportion of SoftBank’s listed assets, Moody’s said in a report .
BUSINESS
Microsoft ends weekend of OpenAI drama with coup of its own
Sam Altman was unexpectedly fired by OpenAI’s board on Friday, setting off a frenzied weekend campaign to reinstate him, led by OpenAI executives and key investors — including Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft.
BUSINESS
Sam Altman’s friends and Foes: Who’s who in OpenAI Drama
Microsoft's Satya Nadella has reportedly reached out to Altman following the firing to offer him support in his next steps. Indian-American businessman and venture capitalist Vinod Khosla has alao said that his firm wanted Altman “back at OpenAI but will back him in whatever he does next,” in a statement on X.
BUSINESS
The doomed mission behind Sam Altman's shock ouster from OpenAI
A source familiar with Nadella’s thinking said that the Microsoft CEO was advocating for Altman’s potential return and would also be interested in backing Altman’s new venture.
BUSINESS
Sam Altman sought billions for chip venture before OpenAI ouster
The OpenAI chief executive officer planned to spin up an AI-focused chip company that could produce semiconductors that compete against those from Nvidia Corp., which currently dominates the market for artificial intelligence tasks.
WORLD
Thailand plans more Visa waivers, events to lift tourism revenue
While Thailand has rolled back most pandemic-era curbs on visitors, average spending per traveler has lagged pre-Covid levels and missed official estimates.
ECONOMY
Global prices singe as India likely to keep up ban on rice exports till next year
Lower prices and ample stockpiles have helped make India one of the top shippers globally over the past decade, recently accounting for almost 40 percent of the total
BUSINESS
Some investors pressing OpenAI board to reinstate Sam Altman as CEO
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has been in touch with Altman and pledged to support him in whatever steps he takes next
