A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction halting the Trump administration’s $400 million White House ballroom construction, ruling that the project likely exceeded legal authority and lacked proper congressional approval. The National Trust for Historic Preservation challenged the project, citing improper adherence to federal guidelines and questionable funding through private donations funneled via a nonprofit and the National Park Service. Judge Richard Leon criticized the administration’s legal and financial justifications, emphasizing that only Congress can authorize such alterations and funding, and ordered construction to stop unless statutory approval is granted.
Posts tagged as “Microsoft”
The U.S. Department of Justice seized four internet domains linked to Iranian government-backed hacking groups involved in cyberattacks, data theft, and intimidation of dissidents, including threats against individuals in the U.S. These groups, such as Handala and Homeland Justice, have targeted entities like a U.S. medical technology company and foreign governments, using custom malware and psychological warfare tactics. The seizures come amid heightened regional tensions following recent U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, with U.S. officials vowing to continue countering Iranian cyber threats to national security.
Five American celebrities have been tricked into recording video messages for a stranger named "Vladimir," which were then doctored and used to discredit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Kremlin took advantage of these celebrities by repurposing their video messages to falsely portray Zelensky as a drug addict. Microsoft's report is a reminder of the need to be aware of the potential for manipulation of public figures and their messages, as well as the importance of providing support to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
Sam Altman has been reinstated as CEO of OpenAI, just days after being removed from the position. OpenAI has reached an agreement in principle for Altman to return as CEO with a new board chaired by Bret Taylor, with Larry Summers and Adam D'Angelo also on the board. Altman initially decided to join Microsoft, but reconsidered after the new board and support of the company's founders was announced. OpenAI is confident that the new board will help them continue to innovate and create new technologies.
Microsoft has hired Sam Altman, the former CEO of OpenAI, to lead a new artificial intelligence project. This comes after OpenAI's board of directors expressed a lack of confidence in Altman, a prominent figure in the tech industry's efforts to grapple with the promise and potential dangers of AI. Microsoft's decision to bring Altman on board is seen as a sign of the company's commitment to developing AI responsibly, and they have said they look forward to providing him and his team with the resources needed for their work.
Investors of OpenAI are pushing to bring back Sam Altman as CEO, following his ousting by the board. Brad Lightcap addressed the decision in a memo to employees, assuring them that the company remains in a strong position and that the decision was not due to any malfeasance. Microsoft, Tiger Global, Thrive Capital and Sequoia are among the top backers that are part of the effort to reinstate Altman and Greg Brockman, with Sequoia supporting them in whatever they choose to do next.
Open AI, the company behind ChatGPT, has announced the sudden departure of CEO Sam Altman due to a lack of "consistently candid" communication with the board. COO Jack Lightcap has commented that the board's decision was a surprise and that Microsoft remains a committed partner of Open AI. Altman has been removed from the board and his role as CEO, and the board has yet to announce a replacement.
Shanna Gardner-Fernandez has been charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit murder and child abuse in the death of her ex-husband Jared Bridegan. Mario Fernandez Saldana, Gardner-Fernandez's current husband, was previously charged with murder in March, and the alleged gunman Henry Tenon pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Gardner-Fernandez's indictment makes her the third person charged in Bridegan's death, which occurred in front of his 2-year-old daughter. The state attorney intends to seek the death penalty.