Oracle has publicly responded to market concerns linking its strategic deal with OpenAI to rumours it might lay off up to 30,000 employees. The company denied that the stalled $100 billion Nvidia-OpenAI investment affects its financial commitment or operations, affirming confidence in OpenAI’s funding and execution capabilities. Despite this, Oracle’s stock slid, and analysts from TD Cowen pointed to the potential mass layoffs as a risk tied to funding its AI and data-centre buildout strategy. The controversy has also sparked questions about the viability of the complex financing model at play. (PC: X)

The Washington Post announced sweeping layoffs affecting about one-third of its workforce, marking one of the most severe newsroom cuts in its history. The restructuring, described by leadership as a painful but necessary response to financial losses and changing reader habits, eliminated over 300 jobs, shut down the sports section, reduced foreign bureaus and closed the Books division. Senior international affairs columnist Ishaan Tharoor, son of Indian politician Shashi Tharoor, confirmed his layoff on social media, expressing heartbreak for colleagues. Many affected journalists shared emotional farewells online, calling the cuts a “dark day” for journalism. 

A U.S. federal judge sentenced Ryan Wesley Routh—convicted of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course in September 2024—to life in prison without parole, plus a seven-year consecutive term for weapons charges. Prosecutors showed Routh spent weeks plotting the attack, hiding with a rifle near Trump International Golf Club and aiming at security before a Secret Service agent spotted him. He was found guilty on multiple federal counts, including attempted assassination and firearm offenses. Judge Aileen Cannon described his actions as “deliberate and evil,” noting Routh’s lack of remorse and extensive criminal history. (PC: The Hindu)

Newly released U.S. Justice Department files reveal a 2010 email from Eva Andersson-Dubin, former girlfriend and long-time associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, inviting him to her home when her daughter Celina was 15, saying, “Come and visit next week, Celina will have 5 friends over.” Epstein had already served jail time for soliciting a minor and was a registered sex offender at the time. The correspondence has drawn renewed scrutiny over his access to minors post-conviction. The Dubins, a wealthy couple, had defended Epstein in 2009 and maintained a social connection despite his criminal record. (PC: Reuters)

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has denied allegations linked to newly released Epstein-related emails and said he regrets meeting Jeffrey Epstein. In an interview with Nine News, Gates said the emails cited in the files were never sent and contained false claims about his health and conduct. “The email is false. I don’t know what his thinking was there,” Gates said. He added, “I regret every minute I spent with him.” Gates said his meetings with Epstein were limited to dinners and stated, “I never went to the island. I never met any women.” He said more details will show the allegations have no factual basis. (PC: X)

Israeli shelling and airstrikes killed 23 Palestinians in Gaza, including seven children, according to local health officials. The strikes hit areas including Khan Younis and Gaza City. A medic who went to help victims was killed in a second strike at the same site, officials said. The Israeli military said it acted after militants fired at its troops near the armistice line and called it a ceasefire violation. It also said one strike targeted a senior Hamas commander. Hamas said the attacks harmed truce efforts and called for “immediate international pressure.” The violence came days after Rafah crossing with Egypt reopened. (PC: HT)

A legal letter released in new Jeffrey Epstein case files claims Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein asked an exotic dancer to “engage in various sex acts” at a Florida house in 2006. The woman’s lawyers said she was promised $10,000 to dance but was paid only $2,000. The letter says the men asked for a threesome after her performance. It adds she refused at first and said she was hired only to dance. Her lawyers later sought $250,000 to keep the matter private. The claim’s settlement status is unclear. Andrew has denied wrongdoing. BBC said it contacted him for comment. (PC: BBC)

Russia’s foreign ministry stated it has “no reason to believe” India is reconsidering its purchases of Russian crude, highlighting that energy trade between the two remains stable and beneficial, with no official communication from New Delhi about halting imports. This comes after claims in U.S.–India trade deal discussions that India agreed to stop buying Russian oil, which Moscow has not confirmed. The statement underscores continued cooperation in energy markets despite international pressure and diplomatic negotiations. Russia views the longstanding oil relationship with India as consistent and unchanged for now. (PC: India Today)

Russian drone and missile attacks damaged Ukraine’s energy and residential sites during a period of extreme cold, leaving many areas without heat and power. Ukrainian officials said strikes hit Kyiv and other regions, with over 1,000 buildings in the capital losing heating supply. A key power plant in Kharkiv was reported beyond repair. Authorities opened warming centres and metro shelters for residents. Regional officials reported civilian deaths and injuries in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia after overnight attacks. Ukraine’s air force said more than 100 drones were launched, with several impact sites confirmed. The energy ministry said the system remains under severe strain and repairs are ongoing. (PC: BBC)

A Turkish Airlines flight THY-727 from Kathmandu (Nepal) to Istanbul (Turkey) made an emergency landing at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on Wednesday after the pilot reported a possible fire in the right engine mid-air. The Airbus A330, carrying 236 people including crew, diverted safely and touched down at about 14:49 IST. All onboard were unharmed. The aircraft is now being inspected by technical teams, and operations at the airport are continuing normally. (PC: X)