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The Trial Continues Elon Musk's court case against Sam Altman continues on Thursday, after a day of contentious exchanges during OpenAI's cross-examination of the Tesla CEO. Musk will face another round of questioning before his lawyer calls more witnesses, including OpenAI's president, Greg Brockman. The Dispute Over OpenAI's Founding Witness testimony and evidence has revealed formerly private emails, text messages and diary entries surrounding the formation of OpenAI, giving a behind-the-scenes look at how the tech behemoth was created. Many of the tech industry's most powerful players are named as witnesses and will give their account on the origins of Musk and Altman's bitter feud. Altman is set to testify later in the trial, which will last three weeks. Musk's Allegations Against OpenAI Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, is arguing that Altman, Brockman and OpenAI broke a foundational agreement when they shifted the company from a non-profit intent on bettering humanity into a for-profit structure. Musk claims that Altman and Brockman unjustly enriched themselves and should be removed from the company. He is also seeking the undoing of the for-profit conversion and $134bn in damages to be redirected to OpenAI's non-profit arm. OpenAI's Response OpenAI rejects Musk's allegations and is attempting to show that he was always aware of plans for creating a for-profit entity. The AI firm's attorneys have stated Musk is "motivated by jealousy" of OpenAI's success after he left the company in 2018 after a failed attempt to take control. OpenAI has emphasized that it is still overseen by a non-profit. The Implications of the Trial The trial, which began on Monday with jury selection at a federal courthouse in Oakland, California, has already produced dramatic moments and bold accusations. Musk and OpenAI's lead attorney William Savitt spent most of Wednesday in a heated back and forth, with the world's richest person becoming noticeably frustrated and saying that Savitt's questions "are designed to trick me". The Future of OpenAI Silicon Valley is intently watching the trial for both its blockbuster testimony and the potential effects it will have on the AI industry. OpenAI is intending to go public later this year at around a $1tn valuation, but if Musk succeeds in this case, it could greatly complicate that effort – an outcome that would also benefit Musk's own xAI artificial intelligence firm.

Salesforce's AI Roadmap Strategy Artificial intelligence continues to advance at a dizzying clip, forcing enterprises to develop and release new products quicker than ever or risk becoming irrelevant to a faster-moving competitor. Salesforce believes it has found a strategy that allows it to keep up even if it isn’t clear where AI is headed next. The customer management software giant is crowdsourcing its AI roadmap in real time. Crowdsourcing AI Development Salesforce is certainly not the only company to work intimately with its customers for feedback on its products. However, it’s notable considering the sheer size of the company, the pace of new product launches or fixes to existing ones, and the granular level of these relationships. These aren’t annual or even quarterly discussions. Salesforce is meeting with some customers as often as once a week. The Benefits of Customer Feedback “The 18,000 customers are a wellspring of information and a wealth of information that is really needed to get to customer success,” Jayesh Govindarajan, executive vice president at Salesforce AI, told TechCrunch in a recent interview. “The stack that we’ve built has resonated with these customers. Over time we can get context to be better, and as it gets better, and LLMs get better, agent systems do more and more fully autonomous behaviors. That’s a long-running innovation track and we’re going to invest in that.” Rapid Product Releases Salesforce credits its customers for the rate of its product releases. The company told TechCrunch that by letting its customers lead the way, it is able to build an AI product roadmap that can quickly react to where AI technology is headed. Customer Success Stories Engine, a travel management platform, meets with Salesforce weekly and gets access to AI tools before they’re released. PenFed, a federal credit union, developed an IT service management (ITSM) workflow on its own using existing tools and agents in Agentforce that worked well for the company. The Future of AI Development This strategy also allows the company to roll out solutions and workflows built by users to its broader customer base too. However, the downside to this approach is that it relies on the classic service sentiment that the customer is always right. Salesforce is hoping they are despite many enterprises still figuring out what role AI will play in their business, and many having yet to find value from the tech.

The Psychedelic Therapy Trials The US Department of Defense (DoD) is funding two studies into psychedelic therapy for active-duty soldiers with PTSD. The studies, which will involve 186 service personnel, will investigate the use of MDMA-assisted therapy to help soldiers process trauma and reduce symptoms of PTSD. The Research Details The studies will be conducted at the Walter Reed national military medical center and Emory University, with the goal of determining the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy for soldiers with PTSD. The therapy involves multiple sessions of MDMA-assisted therapy, with the aim of helping soldiers process trauma and reduce symptoms of PTSD. The Data Analysis The studies will involve a total of 186 service personnel, with 91 military, guard, and reserve personnel set to receive three separate MDMA doses across 10 months at Walter Reed. The studies are expected to cost $4.9m each, with the funding signed off by former president Joe Biden as part of the National Defence Authorization Act in December 2023. The Impact Analysis The use of psychedelic therapy for soldiers with PTSD has the potential to revolutionize the way that the military approaches mental health. According to Rick Doblin, the founding president of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (Maps), "Helping people process trauma, whoever they are, is probably better than not." The therapy could also help to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the military. The Prediction If the studies are successful, MDMA-assisted therapy could become a standard treatment for soldiers with PTSD. The therapy could also have implications for the treatment of PTSD in civilians, and could potentially be used to address other mental health issues. However, there are also concerns about the potential risks of using psychedelic therapy, particularly in an active-duty setting.

The Leap from Ballet to New Careers Former ballet dancers share their journeys of transitioning to new careers, highlighting the challenges and opportunities they encountered. Finding New Purpose: Lana Jones' Journey to Midwifery Lana Jones, a former principal dancer at the Australian Ballet, discovered a new passion in midwifery. After the birth of her son, she felt a strong desire to pursue a career that wasn't about her, but about helping others. She enrolled in a midwifery course at medical school and now finds fulfillment in her work, particularly in making women feel safe during labor. From Ballet to the House of Lords: Baroness Deborah Bull's Story Baroness Deborah Bull, a former principal dancer at the Royal Ballet, was selected as a life peer in the House of Lords in 2018. She reflects on the similarities between performing on stage and working in the chamber, where she must prepare, research, and perform under pressure. Despite missing the physicality of ballet, she values her new role and the opportunity to contribute to important discussions. Embracing Change: Sarah Dolník's Path to Social Work Sarah Dolník, formerly a dancer with the Czech National Ballet, considered retirement during the 2020 Covid lockdown. She began studying social work and eventually left ballet at 27 to pursue a new career. Now a kindergarten teacher, she appreciates being part of decision-making conversations and values her newfound sense of purpose. Staying in the Performing Arts: Federico Bonelli's Experience Federico Bonelli, artistic director of Northern Ballet and former principal dancer at the Royal Ballet, shares his journey of staying within the performing arts while transitioning to a new role. His story highlights the importance of finding new passions and opportunities within one's existing field.

Public Anxiety Peaks as AI Quality Concerns Reach a New High As the U.S. midterm elections loom, voters are increasingly uneasy about artificial intelligence. 57% of registered voters say the risks of AI outweigh the benefits, according to an NBC News poll. Younger adults are even more skeptical: 61% of those under 30 believe more AI will make people worse at creative thinking, per a Pew Research survey. Poll Data Shows Majority Demand Stronger AI Regulation 57% of voters think AI risks outweigh benefits (NBC News). 61% of adults under 30 fear AI will erode creative thinking (Pew). 74% believe the government is not doing enough to regulate AI (Quinnipiac). These figures illustrate a growing political cohort that is ready to back concrete policy measures. Economic and Cultural Costs of AI‑Generated “Slop” Critics label the flood of low‑effort, AI‑generated content as “AI slop”—digital output that appears productive but later requires costly correction. A Goldman Sachs study found AI’s net impact on productivity to be a rounding error, while the Harvard Business Review warns that “workslop” drains human creative labor. Beyond productivity, slop threatens cultural ecosystems: fake music bands on Spotify, AI‑written books crowding Amazon, and inaccurate Google “AI overviews” that generate millions of wrong answers per hour. Legislative Proposal: A 1% Tax on Generative AI Output Mike Pepi proposes a straightforward levy: any company that furnishes or hosts generative AI content would pay an annual ~1% tax on its revenue. The five largest public AI firms—Nvidia, Google, Apple, Microsoft and Meta—collectively hold about $18 trillion in market value, meaning a 1% tax could generate roughly $180 billion each year. Revenue would flow into a publicly controlled fund that distributes grants to cultural institutions, artists, journalists, educators, and research projects—the very sectors whose data train these models. Outlook: From Tax to a Cultural Renaissance? If enacted, the “slop tax” could create a feedback loop: AI firms contribute to the public good, while creators receive resources to produce higher‑quality work. The proposal also offers Democrats a tangible policy win ahead of the midterms, potentially restoring trust among younger voters who feel betrayed by AI’s promises. While broader AI regulation remains fragmented, a targeted levy on the most egregious output may be the pragmatic first step toward a healthier digital ecosystem.

Supreme Court Decision Reshapes Voting Rights LandscapeThe United States Supreme Court has voided a key provision of a landmark civil rights law by ruling that the electoral map of Louisiana had been drawn up unconstitutionally to create two Black-majority districts. The decision represents a major reinterpretation of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 – in particular, its provision designed to protect minority voters from having their political power diluted.Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling is seen as a major win for Louisiana Republicans and President Donald Trump's administration and is expected to make it harder for minorities to challenge electoral maps as racially discriminatory under the 1965 law. It is unclear how much of that provision – Section 2 of the act – remains in force following this decision.The Louisiana Redistricting RulingThe court held that a map that created two Black-majority congressional districts in Louisiana was unconstitutional. The 6-3 ruling by justices blocks an electoral map that had given Louisiana a second Black-majority US congressional district.The court's conservative majority found that the Louisiana district represented by Democrat Cleo Fields relied too heavily on race. Chief Justice John Roberts described the 6th Congressional District as a "snake" that stretches more than 320km (200 miles) to link parts of Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette and Baton Rouge.The ruling was authored by Justice Samuel Alito and joined by his five fellow conservative justices. The dissenting justices are liberals."That map is an unconstitutional gerrymander," Alito wrote on behalf of the six conservatives.Understanding the Voting Rights ActThe Voting Rights Act was a piece of follow-up legislation to the Civil Rights Act, signed into law by President Lyndon B Johnson in 1964. It bans discrimination on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex or national origin.The 1965 law primarily ended common discriminatory practices against Black voters that were prevalent in many states, including literacy tests, that were designed to prevent them from voting.Section 2 of the act prohibits voting practices or procedures that discriminate on the basis of race, colour or membership of a language-minority group. The section has long been understood to bar electoral maps that dilute the voting strength of minority communities, even when there is no direct evidence of racist intent.How the Court Weakened the Voting Rights ActSection 2 of the act was amended by Congress in 1982 to prohibit electoral maps that would result in undermining the clout of minority voters, even without direct proof of racist intent.For more than four decades, plaintiffs could win a Section 2 claim by showing that a voting map had a racially discriminatory impact under this legal standard, known as the "results test".The Supreme Court's ruling on Wednesday, however, has in effect applied an "intent test" to Section 2, experts said. In the ruling, Alito wrote that the focus of Section 2 must now be to enforce the US Constitution's prohibition on intentional racial discrimination under its 15th Amendment.Interpreting Section 2 to "outlaw a map solely because it fails to provide a sufficient number of majority-minority districts would create a right that the amendment does not protect", Alito concluded.Political Power Shifts in CongressThe effect of the ruling may be felt more strongly in 2028 because most filing deadlines for this year's congressional races have already passed. Louisiana, though, may have to redraw its congressional districts now to comply with the decision.Republicans currently hold 217 seats in the House while Democrats hold 212. There is one independent and five vacancies in the House. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats hold 45. Two independents caucus with the Democrats.The state has primary elections set for May 16. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry told Republican candidates for the House of Representatives that he planned to suspend next month's primary elections to allow state lawmakers time to approve a new congressional map.Erosion of Civil Rights ProtectionsReactions to the ruling have been sharply divided along political lines."I love it," Trump told reporters after hearing of the decision, adding that he believes Republican-led states will now want to reconfigure their voting maps. In a social media post, Trump praised Alito as "brilliant" and called the ruling "a BIG WIN for Equal Protection under the Law, as it returns the Voting Rights Act to its Original Intent, which was to protect against intentional Racial Discrimination".Former President Barack Obama, a Democrat, warned that the ruling will free state legislatures to reconfigure electoral districts to "systematically dilute and weaken the voting power of racial minorities – so long as they do it under the guise of 'partisanship' rather than explicit 'racial bias'"."This is a devastating and profound step backwards for American Democracy," Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock wrote on social media.Justice Elena Kagan, in a dissent joined by the two other liberal justices on the Supreme Court, said the ruling rendered the Voting Rights Act "all but a dead letter" and predicted "grave" consequences.Redistricting Battles Ahead of 2026 MidtermsWith November's congressional elections looming, the court's decision could prompt Republican-led states to seek to redraw electoral maps to weaken US House seats considered safely Democratic.The ruling comes during a wider battle over congressional redistricting before midterm elections in November. The Congressional Black Caucus, a group of African American US lawmakers, condemned the ruling."Without the protections of the VRA [Voting Rights Act], Republicans now have the ability to move forward with a nationwide scheme to rig congressional maps in their favor – to manufacture more districts for themselves by eliminating majority-Black districts, while stripping away the ability to challenge those racist, anti-Black maps in court," it said in a statement.Warnock, a member of the caucus, said the ruling gutted the protections that civil rights champion Martin Luther King Jr "marched for [and] the protections made possible by civil rights protesters who spilled blood in pursuit of a more perfect union".

The Health Crisis of a Jailed Opposition LeaderJailed Tunisian opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi has been urgently transferred to a hospital after experiencing a sharp deterioration in his health, according to his party Ennahdha. The 84-year-old former speaker of parliament and head of the Ennahdha party has been imprisoned since April 2023 in what his supporters and international rights groups describe as a politically motivated campaign to crush dissent.In a statement on Thursday, Ennahdha's media and communications office confirmed that prison authorities were forced to transfer Ghannouchi to hospital for treatment and continuous medical observation over the coming days. The party did not provide specific details regarding his current medical condition, but noted that he suffers from chronic illnesses that require constant family care and attention due to his advanced age.Multiple Prison Sentences and Arbitrary DetentionGhannouchi's hospitalization comes amid multiple prison sentences totaling over 25 years. He was initially arrested in April 2023 on charges of incitement and sentenced to one year in prison. In February 2024, a financial corruption court sentenced him to three years over accusations that his party received foreign contributions – a charge Ennahdha vehemently denied. In February 2025, he was handed a 22-year prison sentence on charges including plotting against state security."In light of this dangerous development, the movement renews its demand for the immediate release of Mr Rached Ghannouchi, considering him arbitrarily detained," the Ennahdha statement read. The party pointed to a 2024 decision by a United Nations committee of experts, which concluded that Ghannouchi is being prosecuted for his freedom of opinion and expression, and that the charges against him lack any legal or factual basis.Widening Crackdown on Political OppositionGhannouchi's situation is part of a broader crackdown on political opposition orchestrated by President Kais Saied. Elected in 2019, Saied – a former law professor – suspended the Tunisian parliament in 2021 and subsequently dissolved the legislature to rule by decree. He later pushed through a controversial referendum on a new constitution that vastly expanded presidential powers, which the opposition has described as a coup.Since consolidating power, Saied's government has targeted numerous opposition figures, journalists, lawyers, and activists. In November 2025, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, cofounder of the National Salvation Front, was hospitalised due to severe dehydration during a hunger strike protesting his detention. Shortly after, prominent opposition figure Ayachi Hammami was arrested in December 2025 to enforce a five-year prison sentence following a mass trial of opposition members.International Condemnation and Human Rights ConcernsHuman rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International, have consistently condemned the arrests. In a 2025 report, HRW stated that Tunisia's government had turned arbitrary detention into a cornerstone of repressive policy."Saied's government has returned the country to an era of political prisoners, robbing Tunisians of hard-won civil liberties," said Bassam Khawaja, HRW's deputy Middle East and North Africa director. Despite international criticism, Saied has denied accusations of authoritarianism, maintaining that his actions are necessary to fight corruption, rescue the country from political chaos, and hold those he labels as "terrorists" accountable.Future Outlook for Tunisia's Political LandscapeGhannouchi's hospitalization has intensified international scrutiny on Tunisia's human rights situation. With the health of the highest-profile opposition figure deteriorating, pressure is mounting on President Saied's government to address concerns about arbitrary detention and political prisoners. The Ennahdha party has emphasized that "the natural place for Mr Rached Ghannouchi is to be free in his home among his family," citing his constitutional right to necessary healthcare and international treaties ratified by Tunisia.As Tunisia approaches potential political transitions, the treatment of opposition figures like Ghannouchi will likely remain a critical point of contention both domestically and internationally. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with human rights organizations likely to further document and report on developments in the coming weeks and months.

The Tactical Chess Match at the EmiratesNorth London witnessed a masterclass in defensive pragmatism mixed with attacking flair as Arsenal and Atlético Madrid settled for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal. The match, played on April 30, 2026, was characterized by a high-intensity tactical stalemate, where Mikel Arteta attempted to unlock a stubborn Diego Simeone defense with intricate passing patterns, while Atlético relied on rapid transitions and counter-pressing to negate Arsenal's dominance.Defensive Resilience Meets Attacking IntentArsenal started the match with overwhelming possession, registering over 65% of the ball, but struggled to convert territory into clear-cut chances against a compact backline. The breakthrough came when Leandro Trossard found space in the box to slot home a cross from Bukayo Saka. However, Atlético's resilience was tested but not broken. Their equalizer arrived late in the second half through a well-worked set-piece routine, with Alexis Mac Allister converting from the penalty spot after a VAR review.Key Turning Points0-45': Arsenal dominated possession but struggled to break down the Atletico Madrid low block.52': Leandro Trossard breaks the deadlock with a clinical finish.78': Alexis Mac Allister equalizes from the penalty spot after a VAR review.90+3': Both teams had late chances to win it, but the score remained 1-1.Implications for the Title RaceThis draw is a significant psychological boost for Atlético Madrid, who travel to the Emirates with a valuable away goal. For Arsenal, the result prevents a potential psychological blow but highlights a recurring issue: the inability to kill off games against top-tier defensive units. The draw keeps the Premier League title race tight, as Arsenal's lead over their rivals has been reduced by a point.Outlook for the Second LegThe second leg at the Metropolitano promises to be a high-stakes thriller. With the tie evenly balanced, both managers are likely to switch from a cautious approach to a more aggressive one. Arsenal will need to find a way to bypass Atlético's midfield press, while Simeone's side will look to exploit the spaces left by Arsenal's full-backs pushing high up the pitch. The winner of this tie is expected to face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final.

The Creation of a New Financial Crimes Agency Canada is to establish a new and powerful law enforcement agency to investigate financial crime, in stark contrast to the US, where weakened federal investigators have struggled to pursue fraudsters and the White House has pardoned convicted money launderers. The Event Details A bill to create the Financial Crimes Agency (FCA) completed its first reading in parliament this week. The legislation was introduced by the governing Liberals and with their parliamentary majority, the party is likely to move it through both levels of government quickly. The new agency, tasked with investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, is the result of a public inquiry that found Canada lacked a cohesive strategy against money laundering, placing it behind its international peers. The Data Analysis In addition to a new law enforcement agency, Canada will ban cryptocurrency ATMs, which officials say have been used by scammers to defraud victims and by criminals to launder the proceeds of crime. Canada has nearly 4,000 cryptocurrency ATMs, the most per capita in the world. For more than a quarter of a century, the financial transactions and reports analysis centre (Fintrac) has functioned as Canada’s financial intelligence unit. Last year, the agency uncovered $45bn in transactions from money laundering, counterterrorist financing, sanctions and evasion disclosures. The Impact Analysis The Canadian effort marks a stark contrast to the approach taken by the current US administration to the scourge of financial crime. Donald Trump’s government issued a high-profile pardon of Changpeng Zhao after the self-styled “king” of cryptocurrency pleaded guilty to money laundering charges. His company, Binance, had been ordered to pay a record $4.3bn penalty for its role in facilitating terrorist financing. The Prediction “Canada and the US are diverging,” said Jessica Davis, adding that the US was still “far ahead of us in terms of its ability to prosecute and invest, investigate and prosecute” financial crimes. “We’re still playing quite a bit of catchup now. Hopefully Canada will shore up our own abilities to protect Canada. Because the things that happen in the US do tend to happen in Canada. And so this new agency is a bulwark against that.”