Elon Musk's xAI raises $6 billion to build AI systems for 'all of humanity'

The reports were right: Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI has raised $6 billion from a number of big shot Silicon Valley funds and a Saudi Arabian prince.

The company announced the news over the weekend, with Elon Musk confirming that the pre-money valuation for the company was $18 billion.

Key investors in...

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 28

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections —...

John Waters on 'Cry-Baby's second coming

Looking back on his career, John Waters by his own estimation "started in the underground," then went to independent cinema, "then Hollywood, then Hollywood independents, then crashed right back down to where I am today, Hollywood underground." 

The Baltimore provocateur who shocked audiences with his gleefully depraved, Divine-fronted films like Multiple Maniacs, Pink Flamingos, and Female Trouble found mainstream success with the chipper dance flick Hairspray. That led to his most shocking...

John Oliver's 'Last Week Tonight' Season 2 is streaming for free if you want to time travel

John Oliver fans are having a field day on YouTube of late, with Seasons 1 and 2 of Last Week Tonight streaming for free on the platform.

The first season of the comedian's late night show was uploaded to the platform in April, and now the second season has been added.

In Season 2, released in 2015,...

Leaflet by Leaflet, a Few Aging Activists Fight India’s Tide of Bigotry

As politicians stoke religious hatred online, these veterans of social causes deliver their messages in person: “Talk to each other. Don’t let anyone divide you.”

Cyclone Remal Tears Through India and Bangladesh, Killing at Least 23

The storm, the first of the season, hit the South Asian countries after weeks of intense heat. Millions were left without power.

South Africa, With Elections, Is Becoming Something New

The country is in the midst of another complex transformation.

Will Roy Cohn Save Donald Trump’s Hide One Last Time?

The wily lawyer taught Mr. Trump how to manipulate people and the law, and it’s all on display in a Lower Manhattan courtroom.

A Rare Glimpse Inside an Abandoned Ellis Island From 1974.

In the early 1970s, two high school filmmakers ventured out in a rowboat to make a 16 mm film about an abandoned space nearby: Ellis Island.

Melinda French Gates’s Philanthropy Will Include Abortion Rights

A philanthropist is focusing on gender issues around the world, including abortion access in the United States.

Central Texas Could See Damaging Winds and ‘Very Large Hail’ on Tuesday

Forecasters said there was a moderate risk of severe weather for Tuesday after powerful storms swept through large sections of the country over the Memorial Day weekend.

ESA Euclid Telescope’s New Images Search Dark Universe

The European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope’s latest release shows off the device’s capabilities.

Carbon Offsets, a Much-Criticized Climate Tool, Get Federal Guidelines

The new principles aim to define ‘high-integrity’ offsets amid concerns that current practices often don’t cut greenhouse gas emissions as claimed.

Climate Change Added a Month’s Worth of Extra-Hot Days in Past Year

Since last May, the average person experienced 26 more days of abnormal warmth than they would have without global warming, a new analysis found.

South Africa’s 2024 National Election: What to Know

The ruling African National Congress party could lose its parliamentary majority for the first time since the fall of apartheid 30 years ago.

South Africa’s Young Democracy Leaves Its Young Voters Disillusioned

We spoke to South Africans who grew up in the three decades since the country overthrew apartheid and held its first free election about their lives and plans to vote — or not — in this week's pivotal election.

Elon Musk Dominates Space Launch. Rivals Are Calling Foul.

At a time when the U.S. government is concerned about its reliance on a mercurial billionaire for access to space, new competitors say Elon Musk’s SpaceX is using tactics intended to squash them.

War-Weary Iraqis Feel for Gaza, but Fear Spread of the Conflict

Iraqis want to help Palestinians but say they are still recovering from their own wars and fear playing host to a proxy fight between Iran and the United States.

OpenAI Says It Has Begun Training a New Flagship A.I. Model

The advanced A.I. system would succeed GPT-4, which powers ChatGPT. The company has also created a new safety committee to address A.I.’s risks.

If A.I. Can Do Your Job, Maybe It Can Also Replace Your C.E.O.

Chief executives are vulnerable to the same forces buffeting their employees. Leadership is important, but so is efficiency — and cost-cutting.