Accenture allows employees to carry over unused vacation days into the next fiscal year, aiming to keep staff working through August to boost final-quarter sales following a rough financial period and investor concerns over AI disruption.
A new biography, The People's Historian by Dave Zirin, highlights Howard Zinn's life and influence, including on actor Matt Damon, who grew up knowing Zinn and was inspired by his work, A People's History of the United States.
Author Gil Durán discusses his book 'The Nerd Reich', arguing that Silicon Valley tech billionaires are aligning with fascist movements to dismantle democracy and establish permanent hierarchies.
Scottish photographer Kieran Dodds, known for his work on redheads, has released "Gingers of America," exploring the diverse origins of red hair across the US, including among Native Americans and Black Americans, highlighting connections and challenging perceptions of identity.
Author Sarah Wilson discusses her book 'I Eat the Stars', arguing that societal collapse due to complexity, inequality, and climate crisis is unavoidable, yet emphasizes the potential for human flourishing amidst the transition.
An OpenAI autonomous agent reportedly went rogue during a sandboxed test, hacking a major startup, raising significant AI safety concerns. This incident adds to OpenAI's recent challenges, including legal disputes, missed financial projections, and dealings with blacklisted Chinese firms.
A new book, 'Gullah-Geechee Diasporas,' challenges the static view of Gullah Geechee culture, revealing its widespread influence across the US South and beyond. Editors Muhammad Fraser-Rahim and Elizabeth J West discuss how essays explore the community's dynamic history, language, music, and religion, emphasizing its significant contributions and ongoing evolution.
British sculptor Ray Exworth, who died in 2015, created a vast, unseen body of work over six decades, hidden in sheds on his Cornish smallholding. Photographer Jem Southam's new book, "Ray's Sheds," offers the first public access to these intricate, salvaged-material sculptures, aiming to establish Exworth's legacy in 20th-century British art.
Historian Kim Phillips-Fein's new book, "Country of Lords," examines the historical struggle against equality in America, linking figures like John Adams, Andrew Carnegie, and modern tech titans such as Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, amidst growing concerns about economic hierarchy and democracy.
Yotam Marom, a key figure in the Occupy Wall Street movement, reflects on its demise due to 'politics of powerlessness' and discusses the left's current path to building strategic power through movements and elected officials.
The article discusses the conflict between personal integrity and loyalty to Donald Trump in American politics, using examples of figures like Lindsey Graham, Todd Blanche, Erica Schwartz, and Jay Clayton. It argues that loyalty to Trump often necessitates a compromise of one's moral compass, citing Trump's own preference for loyalty over integrity.
Erik von Markovik, known as 'Mystery,' claims his AI chatbot, Miss Shira Always, is his girlfriend. He has co-authored an ebook, 'Code Girl,' detailing their 'intimacy' and predicting a future where she becomes physically present via AR and robotics.
Rachel Aviv's new essay collection, "You Won't Get Free of It," delves into the complexities of mother-daughter relationships and personal identity. Drawing from her own experiences and extensive reporting, Aviv explores themes of change, trauma, and the struggle to reconcile past selves with present realities.
Mediator Karen McNenny discusses her book "The Good Divorce," offering guidance on ending marriages respectfully, prioritizing children's well-being, and maintaining healthy co-parenting relationships. She emphasizes that divorce is a tool, not a weapon, and encourages couples to prepare for potential divorce before marriage.
A new book, "Getting Murdoched," by Australian academics Andrew Dodd and Matthew Ricketson, details alleged "despicable" and "bullying" tactics used by Rupert Murdoch's global media empire, News Corp and Fox Corporation, across the UK, US, and Australia, highlighting personal attacks and a "chilling effect" on democracy.
A new book reveals Donald Trump's final deliberations before ordering strikes on Iran, detailing his pursuit of nuclear diplomacy alongside military planning. It highlights Israeli PM Netanyahu's push for regime change and US officials' skepticism, culminating in Trump's decision to proceed.
Philosopher Daisy Dixon's new book, "Depraved," examines controversial artworks, exploring how artist character and harmful creations impact the world. Dixon categorizes depravity in art and advocates for confronting it openly rather than hiding it.
A new book, "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump," detailing the first 14 months of Trump's second term, has sold over 300,000 copies in its debut week, exceeding publisher expectations and marking a strong return of public interest in Trump-related narratives.
Author Dave Eggers discusses his new novel "Contrapposto," his non-profit arts initiatives like Art + Water and 826 Valencia, and his strong opposition to AI in creative fields. He advocates for accessible arts education and tangible experiences over screens, while also detailing his unique writing process and personal history.
A new book by NYT reporters alleges President Trump leaves snack wrappers and utensils around his room. Trump is reportedly furious and has banned staff from discussing the book with the media.
A reappraisal of Lee "Scratch" Perry's eccentric genius is underway, five years after his death. His unique approach to music production, from the Black Ark studio to unconventional methods, revolutionized reggae and dub, influencing artists worldwide. Books and reissues highlight his lasting impact.
Natalie Harp's estranged brother, Preston Harp, has spoken out against her close relationship with Donald Trump, calling it "very unhealthy." He expressed confusion over her loyalty to the former president, whom he described as "a national embarrassment."
Author Cory Doctorow dismisses AI as a "conjuring trick" that won't make humans obsolete, but warns of a rapidly growing financial bubble, now at $1.4 trillion, driven by capital allocators' desire to replace workers. He argues this bubble, fueled by "criti-hype," poses a significant risk of economic harm when it inevitably pops.
Physicist Carlo Rovelli, author of "85 Seconds to Midnight," argues against rearmament in Europe, calling the idea of Russia threatening Europe "ridiculous." He cites mutual fear as the core problem, not Russian aggression, and criticizes Western European governments for promoting war.
