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Tesla proposes $1trn pay package for Elon Musk - but there are conditions
Sky News· 2025-09-05 15:19
The world's richest man could be in line for a roughly $1trn pay award.Elon Musk's electric car company, Tesla, is trying to pay him about $1trn over the next decade. Money blog: UK airport ranked worst for fourth year in a rowUnder the proposal, Mr Musk would receive no salary or bonus but instalments of company shares for hitting ambitious targets around increasing Tesla's market share, sales, revenue and company value.It's hoped that the incentives will drive Mr Musk's performance after he left his role ...
Mark Zuckerberg sues Meta - but he's not who you think
Sky News· 2025-09-05 10:40
Mark Zuckerberg - not that one - is suing Meta, the owner of Facebook.After years of putting up with people mistaking him for the founder of Facebook, the Indiana bankruptcy lawyer has had enough. Between 2022 and 2025, Mr Zuckerberg paid over $11,000 (£8,160) to Meta to advertise his law business, in an attempt to draw new clients to his law practice.His adverts, however, were repeatedly removed for "impersonating a celebrity" or using an inauthentic name, according to the legal filing.It was the final str ...
Google ordered to make search engine changes - but avoids dramatic break-up
Sky News· 2025-09-02 22:52
Core Viewpoint - A US federal judge has mandated significant changes to Google's search engine to mitigate monopolistic practices, while stopping short of more drastic measures like breaking up the company [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Ruling and Implications - Judge Amit Mehta has imposed new restrictions on how Google directs traffic to its search engine, requiring access for current and potential competitors to essential data from trillions of queries [2][6]. - The ruling does not require Google to divest its Chrome web browser or its Android operating system, which were part of the government's broader proposals [2][3]. - The judge has allowed Google to continue its multibillion-dollar agreements that secure its search engine as the default on various devices, which involve payments exceeding $26 billion annually [3][6]. Group 2: Industry Impact - The 226-page ruling is anticipated to have significant repercussions for the tech industry, particularly as advancements in artificial intelligence are reshaping the competitive landscape [6]. - Emerging platforms like OpenAI's ChatGPT are increasingly challenging Google's established dominance as the primary gateway to the internet [6].
AI 'immune system' Phoebe lands backing from Google arm
Sky News· 2025-08-20 07:03
Core Insights - Phoebe, an AI start-up, has secured $17 million in initial funding, marking one of the largest seed funding rounds for a UK-based company this year [1][2] - The funding round is led by GV (formerly Google Ventures) and Cherry Ventures, coinciding with the public launch of Phoebe's platform [2] - The company aims to address the significant time software developers spend on bug fixes, which is estimated to be up to 30% of their time [3] Company Overview - Phoebe was founded by Matt Henderson and James Summerfield, former executives at Stripe Europe, and has a history of successful ventures, including the sale of their previous start-up to Google [2] - The company utilizes AI agents to monitor live system data, identifying and fixing software glitches in real time, which can reduce resolution time by up to 90% [4] Industry Context - Financial losses from software outages reached $400 billion globally last year, highlighting the critical need for effective software monitoring solutions [3] - The current software monitoring tools are deemed insufficiently intelligent, requiring significant human intervention to diagnose issues [5] - Phoebe's approach aims to create a "software immune system" that enhances both human and AI engineers' ability to prevent software failures [6] Customer Impact - Phoebe has already signed customers, including Trainline, which reported significant improvements in incident investigation and remediation times [7]
UK drops Apple encryption demands, says US spy chief
Sky News· 2025-08-19 10:49
Core Viewpoint - The UK government has retracted its demand for Apple to create a backdoor for accessing encrypted user data, which would have compromised civil liberties and privacy for American citizens [1][8]. Group 1: Government Actions - The UK had previously ordered Apple to develop a method for its security services to access encrypted user data through Technical Capability Notices (TCN), which are not publicly disclosed [2]. - A UK government spokesperson confirmed the existence of long-standing joint security and intelligence arrangements with the US to address serious threats, while emphasizing the importance of privacy safeguards [5][6]. Group 2: Apple’s Response - Following the UK government's demands, Apple withdrew its "advanced data protection" feature for UK users, which provided end-to-end encryption for cloud data storage [2][7]. - Apple cited the increasing risks of data breaches and threats to customer privacy as reasons for the withdrawal of this feature [7]. Group 3: Reactions and Implications - US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard expressed concerns about any country requiring companies like Apple to create backdoors, labeling it a violation of privacy and civil liberties [8]. - Civil rights groups welcomed the UK’s decision to drop the backdoor demand, viewing it as a positive step towards protecting private data [9]. - Concerns remain regarding the Investigatory Powers Act, which could allow future governments to impose similar demands on encryption services [10].
Some call the Sussexes' Netflix deal a demotion - but the company still sees them as a power couple
Sky News· 2025-08-11 19:05
Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that Prince Harry and Meghan are pleased with their new deal with Netflix, indicating a continued partnership despite previous reports of potential cut ties [1][2] - The new deal is described as a "first look deal," which some perceive as a downgrade from their original agreement in 2020, raising questions about its financial implications [2][3] - There is speculation that the new deal could be more financially beneficial than it appears, as first look deals often involve financial commitments from Netflix for exclusive project access [3][6] Group 2 - The Sussexes may receive additional monetary incentives similar to the Obamas, such as Netflix covering operational costs for their production company, Archewell Productions [6] - The ongoing public interest in Harry and Meghan suggests that Netflix still views them as a valuable investment, capable of attracting significant attention [8]
Harry and Meghan extend Netflix partnership - but it's no longer exclusive
Sky News· 2025-08-11 18:23
Core Insights - Harry and Meghan have signed a new multi-year, first-look deal with Netflix, extending their creative partnership, although it appears to be less prestigious than their previous contract [1][2] - The new deal allows Netflix to have the first option on the Sussexes' content without an obligation to stream it, indicating a potential downgrade from their earlier agreement valued at over $100 million [2][3] - Archewell Productions, established by Harry and Meghan after stepping back from royal duties, has primarily produced documentaries and docuseries, with limited output in other genres [3][4] Content Production - The partnership has produced notable content, including "Harry & Meghan," which is Netflix's fifth most popular series, and "With Love, Meghan," the most-watched culinary show on the platform since its release [4][6] - Upcoming projects include the second season of "With Love, Meghan" and a Christmas special, showcasing the ongoing collaboration between the Sussexes and Netflix [6] Future Projects - Archewell Productions is working on a documentary titled "Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within," focusing on orphaned children in Uganda, and is developing a feature adaptation of the novel "Meet Me At The Lake" [10]
Mandalorian actor settles lawsuit with Disney – and thanks Elon Musk for funding it
Sky News· 2025-08-08 09:57
At the time, production company Lucasfilm said in a statement that her "social media posts denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities are abhorrent and unacceptable". But late on Thursday, she posted on X: "I have come to an agreement with Disney/Lucasfilm which I believe is the best outcome for all parties involved." Actor Gina Carano has settled her lawsuit with Disney and Lucasfilm after claiming she was wrongfully dismissed from The Mandalorian for expressing her political opini ...
Diddy plotting return to music with Madison Square Garden gig, his lawyer says
Sky News· 2025-08-07 14:25
Disgraced hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is hoping to make a comeback to music with a concert at Madison Square Garden, his lawyer has said. On Tuesday, the rapper was denied bail ahead of his sentencing in October, when he could face up to 20 years in prison after he was convicted of prostitution-related offences. The sentence, however, will likely be much shorter than that. Speaking to CBS News, the rapper's lawyer Marc Agnifilo said Combs told him "he's going to be back at Madison Square Garden", the i ...
BP raises prospect of more job losses as AI drives efficiency
Sky News· 2025-08-05 09:47
Group 1: Cost Management and Efficiency - The company is accelerating efforts to reduce costs and is open to further job losses as AI technology enhances efficiencies [1][5] - A review of the business portfolio and cost base is planned, following a previous announcement of cutting nearly 8,000 jobs [1][6] - The CEO emphasized the importance of technology in driving cost and capital discipline within the business [6] Group 2: Financial Performance - The company reported a second quarter underlying replacement cost profit of $2.4 billion, a 14% decrease from the previous year but above analyst expectations of $1.8 billion [7] - Shareholder value is being enhanced through operational returns to oil and gas investments and cost reductions totaling $1.7 billion over six months [8] - A 4% increase in dividends was announced, alongside a maintained share buyback program of $750 million for the quarter [7] Group 3: Exploration and Discoveries - The company made significant progress with its largest oil and gas discovery off Brazil's east coast this century, with plans to explore production facilities at the site [2][9] - The drilling rig at the Brazilian prospect Bumerangue intersected 500 meters of hydrocarbons, marking the largest discovery in 25 years [10]