Amazon to Cut 16,000 Jobs Globally Amidst Tech Sector Shifts and Geopolitical Tensions
Amazon announced plans to cut approximately 16,000 jobs globally as part of an effort to streamline operations and reduce bureaucracy, according to a statement released by the company on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The cuts come as the tech giant invests heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) and reduces its reliance on human labor, according to Sky News. The company has yet to confirm whether UK positions will be affected.
Beth Galetti, senior vice president of people experience and technology at Amazon, addressed employees in a message, stating, "I recognise this is difficult news, which is why I'm sharing what's happening and why. "The reductions we are making today will impact approxim
The announcement coincides with rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that "a massive armada" is heading towards Iran, warning Tehran to negotiate amid threats of a possible US military strike. "It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm and purpose," Trump wrote, without providing further details about the mission. This development follows widespread protests in Iran that began on December 28 over the collapse of the rial currency and the rising cost of living, with estimates of fatalities ranging from 6,000 to 30,000, according to Euronews.
Meanwhile, other tech companies are focusing on innovation and addressing social issues. Samsung previewed a new privacy feature designed to prevent onlookers from viewing a Galaxy phone's screen. The feature, likely to debut with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, will allow users to customize visibility settings for specific apps or when entering sensitive information like passcodes, PINs, or passwords, according to TechCrunch. "Our phones are our most personal space, but we use them in the least private places," Samsung stated, highlighting the need for enhanced privacy measures.
In other news, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei expressed concern over the violence of Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, emphasizing the importance of preserving democracy. On an NBC News segment, Amodei stated his belief in arming democracies to defend against autocratic countries and the need to defend democratic values at home. He also clarified that Anthropic has no contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, echoed similar sentiments in an internal Slack message leaked to The New York Times, stating, "What's happening with ICE is going too far. Part of loving the country is t
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