Software Financial News

OpenAI said Friday that its CEO, Sam Altman, was planning to donate $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with Trump. «President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead,» Altman said in a written statement sent to The New York Times. His planned donation was first reported by Fox News.

Rammohan Naidu on Friday unveiled the centenary celebrations logo of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI Airport) in Kolkata. «Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Hon'ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation has unveiled the official logo to mark 100 years of glorious service of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI Airport), Kolkata today,» as per an official release. The logo launch event was graced by Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, MoCA; Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other senior officials of MoCA and AAI.

Geminid meteor shower, one of the year’s most spectacular cosmic events, is set to peak on December 14-15, 2024. Known for its bright and fast streaks of light, this shower can produce up to 120 meteors per hour under perfect conditions. However, the near-full moon during the peak may reduce visibility, allowing for about 15 meteors per hour in most areas. This celestial show is unique as it originates from an asteroid rather than a comet, adding an extra layer of intrigue for stargazers. Viewing opportunities are available worldwide, with clear skies offering the best chance to experience the spectacle.

Meta Platforms is urging California's attorney general to block OpenAI's planned conversion to a for-profit company, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. In a letter to Attorney General Rob Bonta dated Thursday, Meta said that allowing OpenAI to become a for-profit company would set a dangerous precedent of allowing startups to enjoy the advantages of nonprofit status until they are poised to become profitable, WSJ reported. «OpenAI's conduct could have seismic implications for Silicon Valley. If OpenAI's new business model is valid, non-profit investors would get the same for-profit upside as those who invest the conventional way in for-profit companies while also benefiting from tax write-offs bestowed by the government,» the WSJ report quotes Meta as saying in the letter.

Cook is the latest in a string of big tech leaders — including OpenAI's Sam Altman, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon's Jeff Bezos — who have sought to improve their standing with the incoming president after choppy relations with Trump during his first term. Trump has said he has spoken with Cook about the company's long-running tax battles with the European Union.

Suchir Balaji, a former researcher at OpenAI and a whistleblower who raised concerns about copyright breaches in the development of generative AI, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26. According to the San Francisco police and Medical Examiner's Office, the 26-year-old’s death has been ruled a suicide, with no evidence of foul play. Balaji’s passing has added urgency to the ongoing debates over the ethical and legal implications of AI development.

Sarwan Singh Pandher stated that a group of farmers will proceed 'peacefully' towards Delhi as part of their ongoing protest. Speaking to ANI, farmer leader Pandher stated that the government must arrange a talk if it is serious about resolving the matter. «Our third group, headed by Jaswinder Singh Longowal and Malkit Singh, will proceed from here peacefully, sharp at 12,» Pandher said.

imported coal to use cheaper domestic supplies to help reduce electricity costs while lowering the dependence on overseas sources, said people aware of the matter. India has 15 power plants that use imported coal, including Tata Power’s Coastal Power Gujarat, Adani Power Mundra Ltd, Essar Power Gujarat, and JSW Ratnagiri. A reduction in coal imports will enhance energy security as well. The matter was discussed at a meeting between senior officials of the coal and power ministries this week, said the people cited above.

Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India effective January 1, 2025, in a move that may raise the tax outgo on dividend income for Indian entities operating in the European country. The decision follows India’s Supreme Court ruling in October 2023 in a case involving Swiss multinational Nestle SA. The court had held that the MFN clause under the DTAA does not get automatically triggered until notified under the Income Tax Act, 1961. “On the basis of the Indian Supreme Court ruling, the Swiss competent authority acknowledges that its interpretation of para 5 of the Protocol to the IN-CH DTA is not shared by the Indian side,” said a recent statement issued by the Swiss authorities. “In the absence of reciprocity, it therefore waives its unilateral application with effect from 1 January 2025.”

Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) non-executive chairperson Ram Sewak Sharma stepped down a few days ago citing personal reasons, people in the know told ET. He was appointed to the position on September 12 this year. Sharma, a former mission director at the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), continues to be part of the advisory council of the government-backed open ecommerce network, the people said. ONDC and Sharma did not respond to ET's request for comment.

Analogue wristwatches are making a comeback with a growing number of people opting for their simplicity and classic elegance, leaving behind the digital distractions of smartwatches. Tech entrepreneur Madhav Sheth, who introduced Chinese smartphone brands Realme and Honor in the Indian market, has stopped using his smartwatch and returned to an analogue timepiece. The smartwatch would worsen anxiety levels with regular email notifications, which meant taking immediate action, besides constant tracking of health vitals such as pulse rate, according to Sheth. Abhishek Ganguly, former managing director of Puma India, who is building his own sportswear company Agilitas, is giving up on his smartwatch to return to analogue-he uses a fitness band for his workouts only. «Analogue watch adds to my wardrobe,» he said.

US Vice President Kamala Harris has eventually taken a significant hit, revealed a recent Economist/YouGov poll which was conducted in the month of December, reported The Sacramento Bee. According to The Sacramento Bee, her favorability rating has eventually dropped to 43% while 52% are viewing her pretty unfavorably which is a sharp decline from a peak of 49% in the month of August during the Democratic National Convention. Whereas, during recent days, in comparison, US President Joe Biden holds a lower favorability at 38% while US President- elect Donald Trump enjoys a favorable rating of 49%. Also Read :Big dilemma for China: Should Xi Jinping accept Donald Trump's invitation and attend his inauguration on January 20?

US stock market is currently at a point that its investors are basking in glory at some of the most amazing returns showcased through the bull run in the past two years. As of now, the US stock market has recorded a historically high PE ratio, something that has only been seen twice in the past few decades, as per reports.

Earth on Friday, the 13th, but not this one. The 2029 Friday 13 is the most concerning of all because there is a slim chance that we will be struck by a massive asteroid that is speeding towards Earth. Today is the day to pay close attention to the gap when boarding the train and to cast ten glances left and right before crossing the street. For what reason? Of course, it's Friday 13, the dreaded day, as quoted in a report by the Daily Star UK. You can avoid disaster on this year's frightfully unlucky day if you take precautions, but in 2029, just over four years from now, you might not be so fortunate because a massive asteroid might be on its way to Earth.

Gold prices fell on Friday after bullion hit a more than five-week high in the previous session and as the U.S. dollar gained, but prices were on track for a weekly rise on expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week. Spot gold was down 1.1 per cent at $2,652.29 per ounce at 01:43 p.m.(ET), as the US dollar was steady at its highest in more than two weeks, Reuters reported. Bullion hit its highest since November 6 on Thursday, and has risen over 0.8 per cent so far for the week. The US gold futures settled 1.2 per cent lower at $2,675.80.

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's regime was brought down by insurgents in the country, who managed to take control of major territories of the country, forcing the President to escape to Russia and seek asylum there. Meanwhile, there are already reports on how Moscow intelligence officials helped plan Al-Assad's escape, through a Russian airbase along the Syria coast. Now, a shocking development has been seen, where it is being claimed that a white tiny pill, named the Captagon, was responsible for bringing down the Syrian regime, helping the insurgents.

Indian men’s cricket team when they won the 2011 World Cup. He played a role in the Indian men’s hockey team’s bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now, he has helped Dommaraju Gukesh win the World Chess Championship. Paddy Upton, the mental conditioning coach from South Africa, has indeed played a significant hand in the history of Indian sport and by his admission is “grateful for all the opportunities.” Upton spoke to Boria Majumdar about how Gukesh readied himself mentally for the world championship. Excerpts:

president-elect Donald Trump, who was recognised as the 2024 Person of the Year, talked about Melania's plans for his second term. Trump was given the prestigious title by the magazine Thursday for the second time; the first time was following his election victory in 2016. In an interview with a Time reporter, the president-elect talked about his successful campaign, his goals for a second term, and Melania's intentions to run for president again, as quoted in a report by The Independent. Even though she accompanied Trump when he rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, the former first lady was conspicuously absent from the campaign trail.

Gabba pitch is among the toughest assignments a touring batter can face but India's Shubman Gill will approach the task with a clear head in the third test starting on Saturday. Nearly four years ago, the Gabba was the proving ground for Gill's test career in the deciding fourth match of the 2020-21 series. A callow, 21-year-old opener playing in just his third test, Gill scored a brave 91 as an injury-depleted India chased down a record 328-run target for victory and sealed the series 2-1.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a scathing attack on PM Modi-led government at the Centre in her maiden speech saying that the government has not understood that 'Bharat ka Samvidhan' (India's Constitution) is not 'Sangh ka Vidhan' (law of the RSS). Speaking for almost 32 minutes in Hindi, Vadra talked about the violence in Sambhal and her meetings with rape victims in Agra and Unnao. She also talked about her meeting with victims of the landslide in Wayanad. The first speaker from the Opposition side to speak on the debate on the 75 years journey of the Constitution, she began her speech by outlining the significance of the Constitution and paying tributes to those who laid down their lives in the Parliament attack on December 13, 2001.

Kimberly Guilfoyle and Don Jr. probably split up because of her fashion choices. According to a Trump insider, Kimberly Guilfoyle's fashion choices prompted his fiancé Donald Trump Jr. to look for a new girlfriend who would more effectively impress his father, as quoted in a report by the Daily Beast. This week, Don Jr. and Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson were seen holding hands. People report that Guilfoyle looked the other way while Trump Jr. and Anderson started dating six months ago. Donald Trump appointed Guilfoyle ambassador to Greece on Wednesday. According to People, Anderson pushed for her to be sent abroad. According to a source close to the Trump family, Trump Jr. has been pursuing Anderson because he believes she could be his Melania Trump counterpart and win over his father.