Issue #88

US government shuts down over healthcare, Britain grows rice for the first time, Chinese toilets make users watch ads, and more. 

‍News from 25 September - 2 October 2025

Hollywood's First AI Actor Sparks Backlash

Artificial intelligence talent studio Xicoia unveiled Tilly Norwood at the Zurich film festival this weekend, billing her as the next Scarlett Johansson despite the fact that she doesn't exist.

The AI-generated actor has already attracted interest from studios and a talent agency, but has faced fierce criticism from real actors. Scream's Melissa Barrera urged actors to drop any agent representing Norwood, while actors’ union Sag-Aftra condemned it for potentially destroying the livelihoods of actors.

Norwood's only acting credit so far is a single AI-generated comedy sketch called AI Commissioner, which has garnered just 200,000 views in two months. While technically impressive, critics say the performance is creepy and unfunny, with her teeth occasionally blurring into a single white block. Natasha Lyonne: “Any talent agency that engages in this should be boycotted by all guilds. Deeply misguided & totally disturbed. Not the way. Not the vibe. Not the use.”

‍Source

US Government Shuts Down Over Healthcare

The US government shut down on Wednesday after Democrats refused to support a Republican funding plan unless they secured concessions on healthcare.

The shutdown is the first since 2018 and comes as Republicans control both the Senate and House of Representatives. Senate votes on competing bills from both parties failed to advance late Tuesday, with neither side willing to compromise before the midnight deadline.

Democrats demanded an extension of healthcare tax credits affecting 20 million people and the reversal of Medicaid cuts that would strip coverage from 10 million Americans. Republicans insisted on passing funding first before negotiating, leading to the impasse. The White House responded by threatening mass layoffs of federal workers. Republican senator Ted Cruz: “They’re trying to show … that they hate Trump. It will end inevitably in capitulation.”

‍Source

UK Introduces Mandatory Digital ID to Combat Illegal Work

Britain will require all workers to hold digital ID on their smartphones by 2029 as part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plan to tackle illegal migration.

The PM claims it will make it tougher to work illegally in the UK and offer citizens easier access to services like driving licences and welfare. The digital ID will include name, date of birth, nationality, and photo, similar to contactless payment cards or the NHS app.

Opposition parties criticised the plan, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch saying it would "do nothing to stop the boats" but would be "used against law-abiding citizens while crooks walk free." More than a million people have signed a petition against the proposal, with privacy groups raising surveillance concerns. Reform UK spokesperson: “It’s a cynical ploy to fool voters that something is being done about illegal immigration".

Source

Bulletin Board

• Robotics Legend Calls Humanoid Robots a Waste. iRobot co-founder Rodney Brooks says investors are wasting billions on humanoid robot startups like Tesla and Figure. He argues that teaching robots dexterity through videos is "pure fantasy thinking" because human hands have 17,000 touch receptors that robots can't match. Brooks predicts successful robots in 15 years will have wheels and multiple arms, not human forms. Humanoid robot company Figure recently raised $1 billion at a $39 billion valuation. Source
• Buy Now Pay Later Surges Among Older Britons. Use of buy now pay later credit among 55 to 64-year-olds more than doubled from 10% to 21% in a year, according to UK Finance. Overall, BNPL use jumped from 14% to 25% of UK adults, with fashion accounting for 46% of spending. The Financial Conduct Authority is planning to regulate the £13 billion market with affordability checks. UK Finance head of research Adrian Buckle: "People are dipping their toe in the water and seeing how it works." Source
• Britain Grows Rice for the First Time. The UK's first rice crop is thriving in Cambridgeshire paddy fields as part of a trial to see what Britain could grow as the climate warms. Nine varieties including risotto and basmati are being tested on peat soil that is currently releasing greenhouse gases. Flooding the fields to grow rice could lock carbon in the soil while producing food. UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology professor Richard Pywell: "We're at a critical juncture in climate change and we need to make decisions." Source
• Saudi Arabia Buys Gaming Giant. Electronic Arts, maker of EA FC and The Sims, was acquired by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in the largest leveraged buyout in history. The deal values EA at $210 per share, a 25% premium, and will take the company private. The $55 billion purchase is financed partly by $20 billion in debt, raising industry concerns about future investment in new games. Industry expert Christopher Dring: "There's a lot of industry anxiety around this deal." Source
• Chinese Toilets Make Users Watch Ads. A video has surfaced showing a Chinese woman scanning a QR code to access a toilet paper dispenser, then either paying a few cents or watching an advertisement to receive tissue. The system was designed to prevent toilet paper theft, which has been a longstanding issue in Chinese public facilities. Service worker He Zhiqiang: "Toilet paper is a public resource. We need to prevent waste." Source

Disclaimer: This blog offers insights into international business and global events for informational purposes only. It is not intended as investment or business advice. WeavePay is not liable for any decisions made based on the content provided.

We're on a mission to partner with ambitious international businesses. If your team has the vision and meets the criteria, join us at WeavePay for tailored payment solutions that have helped hundreds of global companies succeed in the complex global market. Subscribe and reach out to see if we're a match.