Atlassian tightens tracking of staff AI use as other technology firms encourage ‘tokenmaxxing’
Some companies reportedly using leaderboards for employees who used the most AI in their workGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSoftware firm Atlassian has sought to tighten tracking of its staff’s AI spending by introducing “wallets” with monthly caps of up $2,000 for each employee, amid an explosion in costs at other tech companies.The move by Atlassian, which recently cited AI as part of the reason behind cutting 1,600 staff, bucks the trend of others in the tech sector who encouraged employees to use as much of the technology as possible, dubbed “tokenmaxxing”. Some companies have reportedly introduced leaderboards for employees who used the most AI in their work. Continue reading...
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US launches ‘Operation Economic Outcast’ to cut Iran’s economic lifeline | US-Israel war on Iran News
• The United States has launched "Operation Economic Outcast," a strategic initiative designed to sever Iran's economic lifelines. • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the U.S. will intensify sanctions to choke off Iranian revenues and further isolate the nation globally.
Read original · aljazeera.comWhat is Operation Economic Outcast, the US's new plan for Iran? - ABC News
• The US has introduced "Operation Economic Outcast," a strategic plan to launch an "economic onslaught" against the Iranian regime. • Under this initiative, the US threatens to target the economies of any third-party countries that continue to cooperate with Iran.
Read original · abc.net.auIran News in Brief – August 24, 2026 - NCRI
• Over 600 political prisoners are currently held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, where severe overcrowding has become a critical issue. • The report suggests that these conditions are a symptom of deeper structural crises and escalating internal conflicts within Iran's political system.
Read original · ncr-iran.org
NCRIBREAKING NEWS. Maximum worldwide alert. The war begins…see more
• A "maximum worldwide alert" warning claiming that "the war begins" has spread rapidly across social media, causing widespread public concern. • The reports are characterized by dramatic imagery and recycled footage, raising significant questions about the authenticity of the claims.
Read original · sivashaberim.com
Best lifestoryIran warns of a harsh response to anticipated US sanctions and other Middle East news
• Iran has issued warnings of a "harsh response" following expectations that the United States will impose new economic sanctions. • The Iranian government indicated that the consequences of these anticipated measures could extend to its neighboring countries.
Read original · apnews.comEarly Edition: August 24, 2026
• Turkey’s Justice Minister Akin Gurlek has issued a formal request regarding the detention of activists in international waters. • The legal action stems from an armed intervention targeting civilians who were attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Read original · justsecurity.org
Just SecurityMajor Sydney property developer collapses after ‘perfect storm’, leaving buyers in limbo
Bathla Group says softening sales and impacts from federal government’s May budget contributed it being placed in voluntary administrationFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastEmbattled home builder Bathla Group has been placed into voluntary administration, leaving customers in limbo in what it says is a “perfect storm” of circumstances.It joins the long list of Australian residential builders and property developers which have entered voluntary administration or liquidation due to soaring material costs, labour shortages and fixed-price contracts. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.comeHarmony deceived customers with ‘subscription traps’ that cost hundreds of dollars, court finds
Australian consumer watchdog says it received hundreds of complaints about the US-based dating site and its membershipsDating website eHarmony engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct over subscription traps that cost thousands of customers hundreds of dollars each, the federal court has found.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) sued the US-based eHarmony in 2023 over claims of providing free dating on its platform, and the information consumers were given on subscription costs and renewal terms when buying a premium subscription. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.com‘Like smoking a cigarette’: Indonesia chokes on haze as blazes intensify amid super ‘El Niño’
In Indonesia’s Kalimantan, fires have ravaged tens of thousands of acres, with suffocating smoke reaching Malaysia and putting Singapore on alertSuwadi can barely see five metres in front of him when he steps outside his home in Indonesian Borneo.Each breath, he says, feels “like smoking a cigarette”. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.comCoogee shark attack victim describes moment she came to face-to-face with ‘monster’
In her first media interview since the June incident, Leah Stewart, 34, says her thoughts while being bitten were of her one-year-old daughterAn Australian woman left without an arm after a shark attack at a beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has recalled the moment she came face-to-face with the “monster”.Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old teacher and mother of a one-year-old daughter, was attacked by a large shark while on a morning swim at Coogee beach on 13 June. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.comAt least 35,000 excess deaths recorded in Europe’s back-to-back heatwaves
True figure likely to be much higher as it only covers about half of continent and does not include August totalsAt least 35,000 more people died during Europe’s four record-breaking, back-to-back heatwaves this summer than would normally be expected, according to incomplete figures from barely half the continent.Excess mortality in three of the EU’s larger countries – Germany, France and Spain – alone has already exceeded 25,000, according to the provisional national figures, and experts say the toll will rise significantly once August totals are consolidated. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.comEurope’s heatwaves threaten insurers’ earnings, rating agency S&P says
Rise in claims linked to heat-related deaths and illness, especially among older people, could drive up premiumsEurope’s intense heatwaves could hit insurers’ earnings as companies face a rise in claims linked to heat-related deaths and worsening health conditions, the rating agency S&P has said.While a long summer of extreme heat will have increased drought and wildfire-related claims, the rating agency said there would also be fallout for life and health insurers, and for the reinsurers who provide financial protection to insurance companies. Continue reading...
Read original · theguardian.com
