Amanda Goodall says Microsoft is offering voluntary exits to as many as 60,000 employees, describing it as the first such program at the company. The offer reportedly applies to staff at level 70 or below in the United States, India, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with employees expected to learn within hours whether they are included. The figure refers to employees potentially targeted for the offer, not people who have accepted or left.
Goodall links the timing to anticipated workforce reductions, asking whether voluntary departures are intended to precede layoffs or replace some planned cuts. She also wonders whether Microsoft changed its plans after criticism from a public figure, but provides no confirmation. A related update says Microsoft’s cuts are ongoing, with Xbox a potential focus: 1,868 jobs have reportedly been eliminated toward a target of 3,200, leaving about 1,300 more. It describes three additional rounds as planned for October, November, and January. A commenter characterizes the voluntary program as a pre-layoff effort that could be followed by involuntary separations if too few employees accept; that remains speculation rather than an established company position.
Summary generated by AI from the linked article. hn.today is not affiliated with Hacker News or Y Combinator.
From August 2028, universities in England will pay £925 ($1,200) annually for each international student above an exemption threshold of 220, including current and new students. The government expects the levy to raise revenue for education, while university leaders warn it could strain finances and push up tuition fees. (africa.businessinsider.com)
The Pentagon is developing a plan for major U.S. bases to sustain essential operations independently for 90 days, including power, water, fuel, and communications. Separately, Britain is advising households to keep enough food, water, and cash for three days of disruption; officials say the efforts are not coordinated and do not signal an imminent war. (fortune.com)
“Buy, borrow and die” lets wealthy investors hold appreciating assets, borrow against them instead of selling, and pass them to heirs, who may receive a higher tax basis. The strategy can reduce capital-gains taxes while creating demand for loans secured by investments. (wsj.com)
The US fired an estimated 609 missile interceptors defending Israel from October 2023 through September 2026, including 186 SM-3s and 378 THAADs. The analysis estimates the interceptors cost $11 billion, exceeding Israel’s own use of ballistic-missile defenses. (stephensemler.com)
The US has designated helium as a critical material, recognizing its importance to the economy and national security. Helium is used in applications including medical imaging, semiconductor manufacturing, and scientific research. (apnews.com)
Today's best Hacker News stories, summarized and screenshotted, one email a day.