Author: staff
Published on 16/04/2026 – 16:05 GMT+2 Using artificial intelligence for basic cognitive tasks can damage a person’s intellectual ability after just 10 minutes, a new study showed. The preprint study asked 1,200 people to complete either 15 fraction math problems or eight basic reading comprehension tasks, with and without AI. In both experiments, the AI group had access to the technology for most questions but had to answer a few without it. Those in the AI group were more likely to solve problems correctly at first, but when AI was removed, they got more questions wrong or skipped them entirely.…
Poland’s Minister of Finance Andrzej Domański addressed the issue of cash storage by Poles in case of possible digital crises, in an interview with Polsat News. The immediate impetus for this discussion was the recommendations of, among others, Estonia’s central bank, which recommended that citizens keep a stockpile of cash in their homes sufficient for up to a week of daily expenditure. The reason for this is the growing risks associated with possible payment system failures, cyberattacks or power cuts. Experts emphasise that in the event of a major disruption to the financial infrastructure, cash may be the only means…
The benchmark US equity indices surged to new territory entering price discovery, reflecting a market that appears to be looking past immediate geopolitical risks in favour of potential de-escalation and corporate strength. On Wednesday the S&P 500 closed 0.8% higher at 7,022 points, up on the day and surpassing its previous peak from January of this year. The S&P 500 is now 11% higher since it bottomed on 30 March and after it first dropped 9% during last month. The Nasdaq Composite also posted a record, rising 1.6% to over 24,000 points while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.15%…
Updated: 16/04/2026 – 12:52 GMT+2 The first trailer for “As Deep as the Grave” has been released, with the late Val Kilmer appearing as an AI-generated replica, created by filmmakers with the permission of his estate following his death last year. … More
“What has changed is, as is well publicized, OpenAI’s internal financing context has become more challenging and they have made similar calls in the United States with their program there as well,” he said. “So companies get in trouble, companies have challenges and financing commitments they’ve made,” he said. OpenAI declined to comment. Two weeks ago the company raised $122 billion, giving it a valuation of $852 billion. The FT recently reported that some investors have expressed misgivings about the company’s decisions as it seeks to stave off competition, although OpenAI denied that investors are unsupportive of its strategy. Chi Onwurah,…
Europe has “maybe six weeks or so of jet fuel left,” the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday, warning of possible flight cancellations “soon” if oil supplies remain blocked by the Iran war. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol painted a sobering picture of the global repercussions of what he called “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced,” stemming from the cut-off of oil, gas and other vital supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. “In the past there was a (music) group called Dire Straits. It’s a dire strait now and it is going to have…
Published on 16/04/2026 – 13:51 GMT+2 Spanish energy company Repsol confirmed that it is regaining operational control of its oil assets in Venezuela after reaching an agreement with the country’s government and state oil company PDVSA. The deal is expected to include a mechanism to secure payments through oil shipments and could enable Repsol to significantly expand output, including plans to triple production within three years. “This agreement underscores Repsol’s commitment to Venezuela, where we have operated without interruption since 1993,” said Repsol’s Executive Managing Director of Exploration and Production, Francisco Gea, after the signing of the contract. “We have…
British trip-hop icons Massive Attack and the legendary US singer-songwriter Tom Waits have teamed up to release a powerful, politically-charged new song, titled ‘Boots On The Ground’. The haunting track is the first new material from both Massive Attack and Tom Waits in years. It takes aim at “recent ICE raids on migrant communities & the killing of civilians that protect them”, with all proceeds from the song going to the American Civil Liberties Union and the US Immigrant Defense Project. ‘Boots On The Ground’ features additional vocals from Waits’ son Casey, and begins with the heavy breathing. Massive Attack…
He added: “If that changes … I will speak about it, and I will make an announcement about it.” Government analysis of a prolonged closure of the the Strait of Hormuz leaked to the Times warns the availability of chicken, pork and other supermarket goods could be affected if the Iran conflict impacts supplies of the gas, which is critical to the food and drink industry. It increases the shelf life of salad, packaged meats and baked goods, and is also used to slaughter nearly all pigs and two thirds of chickens. The worst-case scenario in “Exercise Turnstone” assumed the strait had not…
Published on 16/04/2026 – 13:01 GMT+2•Updated 13:02 The world’s largest contract chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), reported a fourth consecutive quarter of record profits on Thursday, as demand for artificial intelligence chips drove a sharp rise in revenue and net income. “AI-related demand continues to be extremely robust,” said chairman and chief executive Dr C.C. Wei during a post-earnings conference call. First-quarter net profit rose 58.3% from a year earlier to NT$572.48bn (€15.38bn, $18.11bn), equivalent to earnings of $3.49 per share, beating analysts’ expectations. A survey of seven analysts by Zacks Investment Research had forecast earnings of $3.31 per…