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Anthropic's Dario Amodei: AI's most visible CEO and enigma

The surge in artificial intelligence and the heated debate around its risks have made Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei the most visible tech leader -- though the 43-year-old remains an enigma.

OpenAI says three staffers fired for mishandling 'sensitive' info

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI said Thursday that it has fired three researchers for allegedly mishandling "sensitive information" and violating company policies, including work that involved an external organization that evaluates artificial intelligence models.

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Oil dips under $100, stocks fall tracking Mideast war developments

Oil dipped under $100 Friday, but remained far above pre-Mideast war levels with no end in sight to disrupted crude supplies.

Deadly blast rocks Iran as leaders attend rally in show of defiance

Deadly explosions rocked Tehran close to a pro-government rally attended by top officials on Friday, as Israel and Iran unleashed fresh strikes in a war that has ignited the Middle East and threatens to torpedo the world economy.

Moscow pushes US to ease more oil sanctions

Moscow on Friday urged the United States to lift more sanctions on its oil exports to stabilise the global energy markets, upended by the war in the Middle East.

AI agent 'lobster fever' grips China despite risks

Chinese entrepreneur Frank Gao used to spend long hours running his social media accounts but now outsources the chore to AI agent tool OpenClaw, which is taking the country by storm despite official warnings over cybersecurity.

Thousands of Chinese boats mass at sea, raising questions

Thousands of Chinese fishing boats have been massing in geometric formations in the East China Sea, in coordinated actions that experts believe are part of Beijing's preparations for a potential regional crisis or conflict.

Saudi forces down drones, French soldier killed in Iraq

Saudi forces intercepted more than two dozen drones on Friday after renewed Iranian threats against oil facilities, as the regional conflict killed a French soldier in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Saudi forces down drones after Iran vows to target oil resources

Saudi forces intercepted more than two dozen drones Friday after Iran vowed to attack oil resources in the Middle East and said it would maintain a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz that has sent crude prices soaring.

US jury to begin deliberations in social media addiction trial

Jury deliberations are set to begin Friday in a landmark social media addiction trial accusing Meta and YouTube of intentionally trying to hook young internet users.

Top US, China economy officials to meet for talks in Paris

Top economic officials from the United States and China are set to convene in Paris, the Treasury Department said Thursday, ahead of President Donald Trump's planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in April.

Noma's star chef quits after claims that he hit and bullied staff

Danish superchef Rene Redzepi -- whose Noma restaurant was long regarded as the world's best -- said he was stepping down Thursday after allegations that he abused and bullied staff for years.

Oil tops $100 as Iran vows to keep Hormuz closed

Oil prices soared above $100 and stock markets extended losses as Iran's new supreme leader ordered the Strait of Hormuz to be kept closed.

Lufthansa flights axed as pilots walk out

Lufthansa said about half its flights were cancelled Thursday as pilots from the German airline kicked off a two-day strike over pensions.

Oil tops $100 as fresh Iran attacks offset stockpiles release

Oil prices soared Thursday, briefly trading above $100, and stock markets extended losses as fresh attacks against Gulf energy targets offset the release of crude reserves by major economies.

US military 'not ready' to escort tankers through Hormuz Strait: energy secretary

The US military is currently "not ready" to escort tankers through the critical Strait of Hormuz because all its assets are focused on striking Iran, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Thursday.

WWII leader Churchill to be removed from UK banknotes

World War II leader Winston Churchill is to be dropped from the UK £5 banknote in favour of a nature scene, sparking outrage from some lawmakers who said he should not be replaced by an otter or badger.

EU vows to 'respond firmly' to any trade pact breach by US

The EU executive on Thursday vowed to "respond firmly" to any violation of a key tariff deal by the United States after President Donald Trump's administration announced new trade probes.

Oil tops $100 as Iran attacks offset stockpiles release

Oil prices soared Thursday, briefly trading above $100, and stock markets extended losses as Iran's attempts to hit supplies in the Middle East offset the release of crude reserves by major economies.

Mideast war to brake German recovery: institute

The surge in energy prices triggered by the Middle East war will slow the struggling German economy's recovery, an economic institute warned Thursday.

BMW sees tariffs easing and China stabilising in 2026

German carmaker BMW said Thursday it expected tariff wars to ease in 2026 saw a tentative turnaround in China after posting results dampened by both trade tensions and competition from Chinese rivals.

China-North Korea train arrives in Pyongyang after 6-year halt

A passenger train from China arrived in the North Korean capital on Thursday, state media said, after a six-year hiatus since the service was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Businessman or politician? Billionaire Czech PM under fire again

Since entering politics in 2011, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has been grappling with a conflict of interest as a billionaire businessman and politician, and his latest stint in power is no exception.

Cathay Pacific roughly doubles fuel surcharge on most routes

Hong Kong aviation giant Cathay Pacific announced new fuel surcharges for most routes Thursday that are roughly double the existing ones.

China approves 'ethnic unity' law condemned by rights groups

China approved what it called an "ethnic unity" law on Thursday, which rights advocates warn could further marginalise minority groups such as the Uyghurs.

BMW profit holds up despite Trump tariffs, China woes

German carmaker BMW reported a three percent fall in annual profit on Thursday, despite US tariffs and cutthroat competition in China, far smaller than the double-digit plunges seen at rivals.

Electric vehicle rethink to cost Honda almost $16 billion

Japan's Honda said Thursday it expected to book nearly $16 billion in expenses and losses related to a major reorientation of its electric vehicle (EV) strategy, blaming US policy changes and tariffs.

From Kyiv to UK, Ukrainian drone production spans Europe

In an inconspicuous building near the UK's Mildenhall air base, drone manufacturer Ukrspecsystems is opening a new production line, like other Ukrainian arms companies looking to secure supply chain and boost capacity.

Australia to change fuel quality standards to boost supply

Australia will adjust fuel quality standards to allow higher sulfur levels for around two months in a move that will release 100 million litres into the domestic supply, officials said Thursday.

Co-founder of Copenhagen's Noma steps down after abuse allegations

The co-founder of Noma, several times crowned the best restaurant in the world, Danish chef Rene Redzepi said Thursday that he was stepping down, following reports of past abuse at his fabled restaurant.

War disrupts fertiliser supplies, puts food security at risk

With production in the Gulf countries at a standstill and gas prices rising, the war in the Middle East is disrupting the supply of fertilisers and posing risks for food security.

Oil prices jump despite strategic reserve release

A record release of oil from strategic reserves by IEA nations failed to ease concerns about the impact from the Middle East war, with crude prices pushing further higher and stocks sliding.

Man set himself alight in fatal Swiss bus fire: prosecutor

An inferno on a Swiss bus that killed six people was seemingly started by a "disturbed" man on board who set himself alight, the investigating prosecutor said Wednesday.

British fintech Revolut gets full UK banking licence

British fintech company Revolut on Wednesday said it had obtained a full UK banking licence from regulators, lifting restrictions on it competing with established retail lenders.

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