Good morning.
Meta and Microsoft are undertaking significant workforce reductions as they increasingly invest in artificial intelligence (AI), with executives asserting that this technology is effectively addressing productivity requirements.
On Thursday, Meta announced a personnel reduction of 10%, equating to nearly 8,000 employees, effective May 20, as part of a larger strategy to enhance operational efficiency.
Additionally, the company is eliminating approximately 6,000 vacant positions. Meanwhile, Microsoft introduced, for the first time, an option for voluntary retirement to about 7% of its US workforce, which comprises roughly 125,000 individuals.
- What have they said about AI? Mark Zuckerberg articulated in January that the integration of AI is rendering certain hiring processes redundant.
Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft’s AI chief, noted in February his conviction that AI could replace a majority of white-collar jobs within the upcoming 12 to 18 months. - How many tech layoffs have there been in 2026? According to Layoffs. fyi, over 92,000 employees in the tech sector have been laid off in just four months.
Some analysts, however, speculate that organizations might be engaging in “AI washing,” using the technology as a façade for a sluggish labor market and rising operational costs.
Trump claims the US has total control over the Strait of Hormuz after Iran seizes two container ships
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards released footage that seemingly depicts naval forces boarding a container ship.
Donald Trump asserted that the US possesses “total control over the Strait of Hormuz,” a claim that appears questionable in light of Iran’s recent seizure of two container ships and a US report indicating it may take up to six months to remove mines from the strait.
These remarks from the president followed a special forces operation in which US personnel boarded a stateless oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, purportedly transporting Iranian crude oil.
This military intervention occurred mere hours after Iran’s takeover of the two container vessels, amid escalating tensions as both nations enforced competitive blockades in the strait. Footage purportedly shows Iranian forces seizing two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz – video
Trump asserted that Iran’s leadership is so fractured by internal strife that the question of who is in command remains ambiguous.
Additionally, he informed reporters that a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon would be prolonged by three weeks, although Hezbollah has not engaged in the discussions, and sporadic clashes persist during the ongoing truce.
- What about a peace deal with Iran? When queried about his timeline for achieving a comprehensive agreement with Iran, he nonchalantly replied: “Don’t rush me.”
- Follow developments in this rapidly evolving story via our live blog.
Israeli killing of Lebanese journalist draws international condemnation
The assassination of prominent Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil by Israeli forces has elicited widespread international condemnation.
Colleagues described Khalil’s death as resulting from a calculated assault by Israeli troops, with rescue workers trying to retrieve her from the rubble also coming under fire and denied access to provide critical assistance. The Prime Minister of Lebanon has characterized the incident as a war crime.
Khalil, who was laid to rest on Thursday, had previously reported receiving threats from an unknown Israeli number warning her to vacate southern Lebanon, where she was stationed.
- What is a double-tap attack? This tactic involves striking a location initially, then waiting for responders to gather before hitting the same spot again.
- How many journalists have been killed in Lebanon in 2026? Khalil marks the ninth journalist to perish in Lebanon this year; notably, three journalists were killed in a similar double-tap attack last month.
In other news …
Trump’s post on Truth Social contained remarks accusing Indian immigrants in the US tech industry of not hiring white Americans.
- Donald Trump has shared comments online calling India a “hellhole,” provoking an official rebuke from India regarding the incendiary post.
- The Department of Justice’s inspector general has announced an audit of the department’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The mandated document releases have faced numerous challenges, including missed deadlines, leaked victims’ information, and excessive redactions.
- A US soldier involved in the apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been charged with allegedly betting on the capture, according to federal authorities.
- At least one fatality and five injuries were reported on Thursday following a shootout at a mall in Baton Rouge, as per police reports.
Stat of the day: More than $1bn was traded on Kalshi during Super Bowl Sunday
Sports betting has been legalized in 39 US states and Washington DC since a landmark 2018 Supreme Court ruling.
Leading advocates for stricter regulations express concern that gambling addiction is spiraling “out of control” in the US, a sentiment shared by a significant portion of the population; approximately 40% advocate for the federal government to enhance oversight of sports betting. Incredibly, over $1 billion was traded on the betting platform Kalshi during Super Bowl Sunday alone.
Culture pick: The seven best shows to stream this week
If you’re on the lookout for engaging new content to immerse yourself in, your quest ends here. From Widow’s Bay—characterized as a “genuinely eerie comedy horror” from the creator of Parks and Recreation—to a documentary series detailing the journey of a woman who became an informant after her fiancé confessed to murder, here are seven exceptional selections.
Don’t miss this: ‘I nearly quit to become a fencing teacher’ – Iron Maiden at 50
Reflecting on a remarkable fifty-year trajectory as icons of heavy metal, Iron Maiden recounts their myriad experiences, which include lineup shifts and relentless touring, while also grappling with communication challenges.
In the mid-1980s, frontman Bruce Dickinson contemplated abandoning music for a career as a fencing instructor.
With a new documentary chronicling their history set to release next month, the band reminisces about their storied past.
Climate check: Republican lawmakers attempt to shield big oil from climate lawsuits in alarming bills
Recent legislative proposals by Republican lawmakers aim to confer legal immunity to the oil and gas sector, raising alarm among environmental advocates.
New bills in both the House and Senate, championed by Harriet Hageman of Wyoming and Ted Cruz of Texas, would protect fossil fuel corporations from lawsuits seeking to hold them accountable for damages attributable to their emissions.
Last Thing: Crunch time! ‘Kraken-like’ giant octopuses 100 million years ago crushed the bones of prey
‘I certainly wouldn’t have wanted to go swimming in the ancient oceans if these things were swimming around,’ one scientist remarked.
Research indicates that “kraken-like” giant octopuses were among the most formidable predators of the Cretaceous seas, impressively capable of crushing the bones of their prey.
Reaching lengths of up to 62 feet (19 meters), palaeontologists assert that these creatures were far from being oversized versions of contemporary octopuses.
Source link: Theguardian.com.
