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The Star
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Microsoft in advanced talks for continued access to OpenAI tech, Bloomberg News reports
FILE PHOTO: A man looks at his phone in front of the Microsoft logo during the 2025 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, March 3, 2025. REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo (Reuters) -Microsoft is in advanced talks for a deal that would give the Windows maker continued access to critical OpenAI technology in the future, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing two people familiar with the negotiations. The companies have discussed new terms that would allow Microsoft to use OpenAI's latest models and technology even if the ChatGPT maker declares it has achieved artificial general intelligence (AGI), or AI that surpasses human intelligence, the report said. A clause in OpenAI's current contract with Microsoft will shut the software giant out of some rights to the startup's advanced technology when it achieves AGI. Negotiators have been meeting regularly, and an agreement could come together in a matter of weeks, Bloomberg News reported. Microsoft and OpenAI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. OpenAI needs Microsoft's approval to complete its transition into a public-benefit corporation. The two have been in negotiations for months to revise the terms of their investment, including the future equity stake Microsoft will hold in OpenAI. Last month, The Information reported that Microsoft and OpenAI were at odds over the AGI clause. OpenAI is also facing a lawsuit from Elon Musk, who co-founded the company with Sam Altman in 2015 but left before it surged in popularity, accusing OpenAI of straying from its founding mission — to develop AI for the good of humanity, not corporate profit. Microsoft is set to report June quarter earnings on Wednesday, with its relationship with OpenAI in the spotlight, as the startup turns to rivals Google, Oracle and CoreWeave for cloud capacity. (Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed)


The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Xavi application for India coaching job was a hoax, AIFF says
Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona Training - Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, Barcelona, Spain - November 3, 2023 Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez with players during training REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo (Reuters) -The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed on Saturday that a job application attributed to former Barcelona manager and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez for the India head coaching role was a hoax. The AIFF's national team director told The Times of India on Thursday that Xavi's name was on the list of applicants. The report also quoted an AIFF technical committee member saying the his candidacy was deemed too expensive to pursue. "The AIFF received an email furnishing the applications from Spanish coaches Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernandez. The authenticity of their applications could not be confirmed, and it has since emerged that the email applications were not genuine," the AIFF said in a statement. It had not been previously reported that the AIFF had also received an application purporting to be from Manchester City manager Guardiola. The AIFF Technical Committee said it had reviewed 170 applications for the Indian men's head coach role, narrowing the list to 10 before short-listing three candidates. The AIFF sacked former India manger Igor Stimac in June last year before appointing Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who left the job this month and returned to his role as coach of Indian Super League team FC Goa. (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)


The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Barcelona's friendly against Vissel Kobe back on after contractual issues resolved
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Girona - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - March 30, 2025 General view of a corner flag inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Albert Gea/ File Photo


The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Nokia confirms second-quarter sales, profit miss
FILE PHOTO: New Nokia's logo is displayed before GSMA's 2023 ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 26, 2023. REUTERS/ Albert Gea/File photo

Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Barcelona agree sponsorship deal with DR Congo to promote tourism
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Girona - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - March 30, 2025 General view of a corner flag inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo KINSHASA - Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to pay more than 40 million euros ($46.37 million) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel, according to a contract seen on Thursday by Reuters. The contract with Barcelona is dated June 29 and stipulates that a logo branding the war-hit Central African country as the "heart of Africa" will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men's and women's teams. The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract says. Congo will pay the club between 10 million and 11.5 million euros annually over the next four seasons, it says. Details of the deal between Congo and Barcelona have not been announced. AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with Congo without disclosing the amounts. Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth 1.6 million euros per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan and Barcelona. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho Asia Air India probe of Boeing 787 fuel control switches finds no issues Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore Singapore Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment Singapore Two women jailed for submitting fake university certificates to MOM for employment passes Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail A Congolese government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth 14 million euros per season. Announcing the AC Milan deal on June 20, Congolese tourism minister Didier M'Pambia said it was part of a government strategy "to reposition the DRC on the international stage as an undisputed leader on the African continent" by promoting tourism and investment opportunities. Congo's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time. In February Congo's foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain to end their "blood-stained" sponsorship agreements with "Visit Rwanda". The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern Congo's biggest city, Goma as part of a lightning advance. Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is defending itself. A report by a group of United Nations experts obtained by Reuters this month said Kigali exercised command and control over the rebels during their advance, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory. REUTERS