‘Surprised and disappointed’: Oil giant BP has ousted its chair, Albert Manifold, over what it calls serious concerns related to “important governance standards, oversight and conduct.” The departure was abrupt and unexpected, with Manifold having been appointed to the position late last ye ar. “Albert has helped bring a welcome focus and pace to BP’s transformation,” Amanda Blanc, senior independent director, said in a statement Tuesday. “However, the board has been surprised and disappointed to learn of governance oversight and conduct issues it deems unacceptable and has taken decisive action.” BP’s board named Ian Tyler as interim chair, effective immediately. The search for a new chair is underway. The Associated Press has the full story. Uptick: The starting pay rate for an East Baton Rouge Parish School System teacher will increase by $6,000 if the district’s proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year is approved. The budget proposes $21.8 million for a competitive compensation package, with a starting teacher salary of $56,000, up from the previous $50,000. WBRZ-TV has the full story. A scathing critique: With the co-founder of Anthropic at his side, Pope Leo XIV on Monday issued a major new encyclical—his first—calling for artificial intelligence to be “disarmed” in service of the common good. “The word is strong,” Leo admits, but he chose the language of “disarmament” deliberately, “because this moment needs words capable of attracting attention, awakening conscience, and indicating paths forward for humanity.” AI today must be “freed from logics that turn it into an instrument of domination, exclusion and death,” according to the pope. Ars Technica has the full story. Economic trade-off Is “Made in America” worth higher prices? Yes No Δ ...read more read less