Author: Web Desk

San Francisco: OpenAI valuation has been set to climb significantly as the artificial intelligence firm considers a major share sale. Reports have indicated that the company is in discussions to sell $6 billion (£4.7 billion) in stock from current and former employees, which would push its overall value to $500 billion (£392 billion). This rise would place OpenAI above SpaceX, currently valued at $350 billion (£274 billion), making it the most valuable private company globally. The company has already seen rapid growth over the past year. OpenAI attracted investments from firms such as Microsoft and SoftBank, with total funding surpassing…

Bahamas: Hurricane Erin has strengthened into a dangerous Category 4 storm as it passed near the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, raising concerns over rough seas, coastal flooding, and potential evacuation measures. The hurricane is the first major storm of the 2025 Atlantic season and has marked the fourth straight year with at least one Category 5 system. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has confirmed that Erin, which briefly intensified to a Category 5 storm over the weekend, has maintained sustained winds of around 130 mph (210 kph). Although the storm is not expected to make landfall in the…

Washington: The US State Department has revoked more than 6,000 student visas after identifying violations of US law and cases of overstaying, the department has confirmed. The student visas revocation has been framed as part of wider immigration enforcement measures to strengthen national security protections. According to the agency, the vast majority of the violations have been linked to criminal activity such as assault, driving under the influence, and burglary. In addition, a number of visas have been revoked under provisions relating to terrorism. While the department has not clarified its definition of ‘support for terrorism’, the Trump administration has…

London: Cambridge Dictionary has expanded its collection with more than 6,000 new entries this year, showcasing how language continues to evolve under the influence of online culture, technology, and social change. The Cambridge Dictionary has officially included viral slang terms like ‘skibidi’ and ‘tradwife’, reflecting their widespread social media adoption. ‘Skibidi’ – now defined as a versatile expression meaning ‘cool’, ‘bad’ or functioning as humorous nonsense – originated from a viral YouTube series. Celebrity usage, like Kim Kardashian’s ‘skibidi toilet’ reference, cemented its cultural relevance before this dictionary recognition. The word tradwife is a shortening of ‘traditional wife’ and refers…

Mumbai: The pigeon feeding ban in Mumbai has become a divisive issue, pitting public health activists against communities that regard feeding as part of cultural and religious life. The Bombay High Court has upheld the restrictions, citing health risks as paramount, while protests have continued in the city’s long-standing feeding spots known as kabutarkhanas. Exposure to pigeon droppings has been linked to severe respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, according to health officials. Delhi doctors report rising cases among children and elderly residents, with studies confirming the droppings harbor dangerous fungal, viral, and bacterial pathogens – fueling demands for…

Manitoba: Canada wildfire risk has expanded well beyond its traditional western provinces, as the country faces its second-worst burn on record. Road closures, evacuations, and stretched firefighting resources have become widespread across Canada, with Saskatchewan and Manitoba wildfires now responsible for over 60 percent of total burned areas. This year’s most destructive Canada wildfire activity has unusually impacted prairie provinces and Atlantic regions – areas not historically prone to major fire destruction. Newfoundland and Labrador have struggled to control out-of-control fires, prompting Premier John Hogan to temporarily ban off-road vehicles in forested areas. Nova Scotia has also prohibited hiking, camping…

Kyiv: Zelensky Russia peace deal negotiations have been hindered as Moscow refuses to agree to a ceasefire, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said. Zelensky noted that Russia continues to dismiss international appeals to halt fighting, making it difficult to move towards an end to the war. President is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington, where the American leader has pledged to encourage Ukraine to accept a permanent settlement. Trump has indicated that Trump wants to bypass a temporary ceasefire, arguing that such arrangements often collapse, and instead seek a long-term solution with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump…

Geneva: The latest round of global plastic talks has ended without agreement, as countries remain sharply divided over whether to cap plastic production or prioritise recycling measures. The United Nations-led negotiations, which began in 2022, are aimed at creating a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. However, the sixth round of talks has concluded without consensus, further delaying the process. Around 100 nations, including the United Kingdom and members of the European Union, have supported measures in the global plastic talks to limit production and standardise plastic design to improve recyclability. These proposals have been backed by major companies…

Sydney: New Zealand is witnessing its largest wave of emigration in over a decade, with young citizens leading the departure as economic conditions deteriorate. Official figures show that 71,800 New Zealanders left the country in the year ending June 2025, the highest number since 2012. Nearly 38 percent of those leaving are aged between 18 and 30, as rising unemployment and stagnant wages drive skilled workers overseas. The country’s net migration, the difference between arrivals and departures, has also plummeted, with foreign nationals moving to New Zealand nearly halving compared to 2024. Economists attribute the exodus to a deepening economic…

Copenhagen: The Nordic heatwave climate crisis has gripped Norway, Sweden, and Finland, delivering record-breaking temperatures in regions known for their cooler climates. July has seen Finland endure 22 consecutive days above 30 degree Celsius, while Sweden recorded 10 ‘tropical nights’ in which temperatures stayed above 20 degree Celsius . Scientists have confirmed that the climate crisis, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, has made this extreme heat at least 10 times more likely and approximately 2 degree Celsius hotter than it would have been without human influence. The impacts have been severe. Hospitals have reported overheating and overcrowding, with…