Desk

The Day So Far

The People Building AI Are Warning It Could Kill Us All

A former Anthropic researcher has quit, warning that the race to build superintelligent AI could put humanity at risk. Two current Anthropic researchers backed his concerns, including one who puts the chance of AI killing humanity at more than 10% within the next decade.

Saudi Aramco Headquarters Hit in Dhahran as Houthi Attacks Intensify

An administrative building at Saudi Aramco's Dhahran headquarters was attacked on October 13, causing a limited fire without reported casualties. The incident follows Houthi threats against Saudi oil infrastructure and renewed coalition airstrikes in Yemen.

Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed With Lung Cancer, Undergoes Surgery in Rome

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican reports no surgical complications, but questions remain about the cancer's stage, further treatment and the Pope's forthcoming international engagements.

Congo Ebola Outbreak Nears 9,000 Confirmed Cases

DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has reached 8,978 confirmed cases and 4,336 deaths. The national total remains just below 9,000, while the wider multinational outbreak has reached exactly 9,000 confirmed infections.

Republicans Break With Trump Over Russian Diesel Deal

Trump wants Russian diesel to help lower American fuel prices before the midterms. But six Republican senators have joined Democrats in demanding he scrap the agreement, accusing the White House of undermining sanctions and offering Putin a financial lifeline.

Saudi-Led Coalition Strikes Sanaa as Houthis Threaten Saudi Oil Facilities

Saudi-led coalition airstrikes struck a fuel storage facility in Yemen's capital after an evacuation warning. The Houthis responded with threats against Saudi oil installations and airports as fighting intensified across Yemen and along its Red Sea coast.

Asian Chip Stocks Plunge as AI Boom Faces Reckoning

Asian chip stocks plunged as Samsung, SK Hynix, Kioxia and SoftBank led an AI-related selloff. Higher financing costs, uncertain returns and growing Chinese competition are forcing investors to reconsider valuations across the semiconductor industry.

French Supermarket Cyberattack Exposes a Vulnerability in Europe's Food Supply

Hackers disrupted refrigeration systems across hundreds of French supermarkets, destroying food and causing reported fires. The attack has raised questions about the security of commercial infrastructure and Europe's ability to protect its interconnected food-distribution networks.

AI Investment Gives Global Trade a Boost Despite Tariffs and Energy Costs

Global trade is receiving a boost from surging investment in artificial intelligence, according to the IMF. Demand for chips, computing equipment and data-centre infrastructure is supporting Asian economies, although questions remain over the long-term returns from AI spending.