This Week in Explainers: Why did ChatGPT-maker OpenAI fire Sam Altman?

When it comes to international news, it’s been another fast-paced week. Israel’s raid on the Al-Shifa Hospital in north Gaza infuriated many around the world. Osama bin Laden’s “Letter to America” became the talk of TikTok decades after it was written. Things took quite an interesting turn in the United Kingdom when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sacked Suella Braverman. And in a surprise move, OpenAI fired CEO Sam Altman. Let’s get you caught up on the big developments of the week. 1. In a shock move, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI sacked co-founders Sam Altman and Greg Brockman… over  Google Meet calls. The decision took OpenAI employees and the rest of the tech industry by surprise. The company has appointed Mira Murati as interim CEO. But why was Altman fired? And what is going on at the company? We explain . 2. Israel has for days insisted that the Al-Shifa Hospital in north Gaza is a cover for a Hamas command centre — a claim Hamas has entirely rejected. On Wednesday, Israel finally raided Gaza’s largest hospital amid warnings from doctors of a ‘catastrophic situation’ at the hospital. Israel’s actions, already under fire in many parts of the world, came in for even more criticism. But what did Israel find at Al-Shifa? Does it justify the raid? This article gives you the low down. 3. America, like many nations, is worried about its youth and the impact of social media on young people. While many dismiss such concerns as overblown, there may perhaps be good reason to worry. This week, a letter from Osama bin Laden — yes, that Osama bin Laden — to the citizens of America went viral on TikTok with around two million views. [caption id=“attachment_13398482” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] TikTok removed the hashtag #lettertoamerica from its search after bin Laden’s 2002 letter was widely shared on the platform. File photo/AP[/caption] Authorities, who were naturally embarrassed by this development, were forced to act and remove the letter and the hashtag. But what do we know about the letter? And why has it come up now? This piece puts the entire kerfuffle in context. 4. Many people were waiting to see what UK prime minister Rishi Sunak would do after his fiery home secretary Suella Braverman accused the London police of going soft on pro-Palestinian protesters. Many thought that Braverman, in making her remarks, was openly challenging Sunak. Others thought the right-wing firebrand was attempting to position herself as an alternative to Sunak within her party. Sunak decisively put an end to the will he, won’t he speculation on Monday by firing Braverman. This article documents what happened leading up to the firing and what has transpired since. [caption id=“attachment_13403322” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Suella Braverman was fired as UK home secretary, who drew anger for accusing police of being too lenient with pro-Palestinian protesters. The government says Suella Braverman has left her job as part of a Cabinet shuffle on 13 November. AP[/caption] 5. We’ve all heard the advice from friends, loved ones and doctors — get eight good hours of sleep every night. But do you? Really? A new study on sleep and longevity shows that may not necessarily be the case for everyone. This piece examines what experts call the sleep schedule, why it matters if everyone needs the same amount of sleep and how people can sleep better. 6. Junk food is bad for us. We all know it. And yet, to quote a famous chips brand, no one can eat just one. But now one country is taking action against junk food in what experts say may be the most ambitious public health measure in Latin America. Colombia has now imposed a tax on ultra-processed food and sugary drinks after years of campaigning by health activists. [caption id=“attachment_13382632” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Various studies have shown that eating junk food has many adverse effects on health. Pixabay (Representational Image)[/caption] “This is not to take money from you. This is so that you choose healthy foods and improve the health of the Colombian people,” President Gustavo Petro wrote on X. This explainer gives you an insight into the ‘junk food law’, why was it needed and just how bad junk food can be for a person’s health. 7. An Alabama family has received an unexpected blessing. Kelsey Hatcher, who got pregnant last year, was shocked to discover that she is carrying two babies — in two separate uteri. The extremely unusual case stunned Hatcher and left her husband in disbelief. Hatcher recounted breaking the news to her husband, “I said, ‘Well, there’s two of them in there.’ And he said, ‘You’re lying.’ I said, ‘No, I’m not.’’ Hatcher told Good Morning America, “When I first found out, I was like, ‘I wonder if there’s anybody I can reach out to just to, you know, see what their experiences were. But I think I’ve only read of two other cases (in which) they’ve had (pregnancies) in completely separate uteruses, and no one that I’ve been able to reach out to.” The case has also shocked medical experts. Dr Shweta Patel, Hatcher’s obstetrician, told a local channel Hatcher’s case is “very, very rare”. “Some OB/GYNs go their whole careers without seeing anything like this,” Patel added. If Diwali and cricket celebrations have kept you busy this list will come in handy in catching up on the news. Watch this space for more.