Europe's leading AI provider Mistral has raised $830 million in new debt to buy 13,800 Nvidia chips for a major data centre near Paris, the firm told Reuters, as Europe races to scale AI infrastructure to compete with the U.S. and China. The deal, set to be announced on Monday, marks Mistral's first debt raising and underscores growing investor confidence in European AI firms as they seek to c...
Europe's leading AI provider Mistral has raised $830 million in new debt to buy 13,800 Nvidia chips for a major data centre near Paris, the firm told Reuters, as Europe races to scale AI infrastructure to compete with the U.S. and China. The deal, set to be announced on Monday, marks Mistral's first debt raising and underscores growing investor confidence in European AI firms as they seek to challenge the dominance of U.S. tech giants like Microsoft, Google and Amazon in cloud computing and AI services. Mistral's debt raising was financed by a consortium of seven banks, including BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole CIB, HSBC and MUFG, it said.
Middle East conflict enters fifth week as Israel strikes Tehran and Saudi Arabia intercepts nearly a dozen drones after Yemen’s Houthis join the fighting. (Source: Bloomberg)
Middle East conflict enters fifth week as Israel strikes Tehran and Saudi Arabia intercepts nearly a dozen drones after Yemen’s Houthis join the fighting. (Source: Bloomberg)
A deep dive into the horror novelist’s archives reveals pedantry, penny-pinching, and a total redraft of Carrie When Caroline Bicks first met Stephen King she was worried. As a teenager she had scared herself silly with his books – Carrie and The Shining were the two that crept under her skin and refused to budge – but now she found herself in the odd position of being Stephen E King professor at ...
A deep dive into the horror novelist’s archives reveals pedantry, penny-pinching, and a total redraft of Carrie When Caroline Bicks first met Stephen King she was worried. As a teenager she had scared herself silly with his books – Carrie and The Shining were the two that crept under her skin and refused to budge – but now she found herself in the odd position of being Stephen E King professor at the University of Maine. King had endowed the chair at his alma mater in 2016 for the study of literature, and Dr Bicks was a Harvard-trained Shakespeare specialist. What, beyond a name, would they really have in common? At the time of her appointment, Bicks’s employers had told her not to initiate contact with the famous author in any way. But four years into the job she got a phone call from “Steve” who turned out to be a teddy bear: “I couldn’t believe it. The man responsible for terrifying generations of readers – including me – was so … nice.” Not quite a meet-cute, but promising. Continue reading...
Interest rates as high as 4.45% and a steep cut in next year’s allowance fuel forecast of last-minute rush Savers who want to make the most of this year’s cash Isa allowance are being urged not to leave it to the last minute, as the deadline for applications falls on the Easter weekend. The Isa wrapper allows people to save or invest money and benefit from the returns free of tax. Each tax year, p...
Interest rates as high as 4.45% and a steep cut in next year’s allowance fuel forecast of last-minute rush Savers who want to make the most of this year’s cash Isa allowance are being urged not to leave it to the last minute, as the deadline for applications falls on the Easter weekend. The Isa wrapper allows people to save or invest money and benefit from the returns free of tax. Each tax year, people can pay in up to £20,000, which can then be moved around in subsequent years without the tax benefits being lost. Continue reading...
Millions are dipping into savings or borrowing to get by as the Iran war drives up prices, survey shows The Iran war has led to a surge in pessimism in the UK as half of households are already struggling to afford everyday essentials. The escalating conflict in the Middle East , which has driven the price of oil, gas, crop fertiliser and other raw materials sharply higher, threatens to cause anoth...
Millions are dipping into savings or borrowing to get by as the Iran war drives up prices, survey shows The Iran war has led to a surge in pessimism in the UK as half of households are already struggling to afford everyday essentials. The escalating conflict in the Middle East , which has driven the price of oil, gas, crop fertiliser and other raw materials sharply higher, threatens to cause another cost of living shock . Continue reading...
Jude Chehab turns the camera on the maelstrom – and slow liberation – after her mother’s expulsion from controversial group al-Qubaysiat Opening the Pandora’s box of her family secrets, Jude Chehab makes a complex and moving documentary debut that unfolds both as an investigation and as a kind of intergenerational therapy. For decades, her mother, Hiba, was devoted to al-Qubaysiat, a highly secret...
Jude Chehab turns the camera on the maelstrom – and slow liberation – after her mother’s expulsion from controversial group al-Qubaysiat Opening the Pandora’s box of her family secrets, Jude Chehab makes a complex and moving documentary debut that unfolds both as an investigation and as a kind of intergenerational therapy. For decades, her mother, Hiba, was devoted to al-Qubaysiat, a highly secretive female Muslim order that operates in Lebanon and Syria. Chehab’s grandmother Doria had also been a follower, and the film-maker herself was initiated into the group as a young girl. For the two older women, this all-female religious movement inspired feelings of solidarity and freedom, yet al-Qubaysiat also demanded absolute submission to the leader, known to followers as the Anisa, or the Teacher. And when Hiba was expelled for unclear transgressions, her world fell apart. In contrast to other documentaries on controversial organisations, Chehab’s film doesn’t sensationalise the tactics of indoctrination. In fact, information about the group only comes in bits and pieces, as revealed by Hiba and Doria. This storytelling choice lifts the focus away from the unseen but powerful Anisa, focusing instead on the emotional maelstrom endured by Hiba and the rest of Chehab’s family. Chehab might have thought of her camera as a potent tool for catharsis, yet when she urged her father to speak on the al-Qubaysiat, his answers were not as scathing as she had hoped, as if he had gone off an imaginary script. Continue reading...
M Gessen explores the wild truth about his cousin, who keeps kidnapping his own child. Plus: will the world of porn really be Screwed By AI? “Anyone’s first cousin could be plotting murder …” New York Times columnist M Gessen is the reporter and host of this leftfield five-parter released under the NYT/Serial Productions banner, with shades of its previous series such as We Were Three and S-Town. ...
M Gessen explores the wild truth about his cousin, who keeps kidnapping his own child. Plus: will the world of porn really be Screwed By AI? “Anyone’s first cousin could be plotting murder …” New York Times columnist M Gessen is the reporter and host of this leftfield five-parter released under the NYT/Serial Productions banner, with shades of its previous series such as We Were Three and S-Town. A braggart with a problematic habit of kidnapping his own son, M’s “idiot” cousin Allen is charged with ordering a hit on his ex-wife, Priscilla. Hannah J Davies Widely available, episodes weekly Continue reading...
Beyond the Belgian capital’s more obvious sights lies a thriving district known for its classic Belgian cuisine, alternative art scene and gigantic flea market The Brusseleir dialect that’s still spoken in much of the Marolles dates back to the middle ages, a symbol of the independence of this proudly working-class neighbourhood in central Brussels. Located between the Palace of Justice and Halle ...
Beyond the Belgian capital’s more obvious sights lies a thriving district known for its classic Belgian cuisine, alternative art scene and gigantic flea market The Brusseleir dialect that’s still spoken in much of the Marolles dates back to the middle ages, a symbol of the independence of this proudly working-class neighbourhood in central Brussels. Located between the Palace of Justice and Halle Gate, it’s always been an inclusive refuge for immigrants from Europe and north Africa. The must-see Brussels tourist attractions of the Grand-Place central square and Mannekin-Pis statue are within walking distance, but the Marolles offers a very different experience: fashion, antiques and bric-a-brac shopping; alternative creative centres and provocative graffiti; characteristic estaminets (hybrid pub, cafe, bistros) specialising in hearty local dishes; and artisan breweries. Continue reading...
When Merlin came to live with me, his only job was to clear the weeds from my fields. But his calm, affectionate nature has made him a vital part of my therapy practice Merlin the sheep came to me by chance four years ago. A friend of mine had a lamb she was bottle-feeding, but she couldn’t look after it any more so she asked me if I could take care of it. I live in Moortown, Leeds, and rent about...
When Merlin came to live with me, his only job was to clear the weeds from my fields. But his calm, affectionate nature has made him a vital part of my therapy practice Merlin the sheep came to me by chance four years ago. A friend of mine had a lamb she was bottle-feeding, but she couldn’t look after it any more so she asked me if I could take care of it. I live in Moortown, Leeds, and rent about three hectares (seven acres) of land in Eccup, a small village nearby, where I’ve kept horses for about 13 years. I needed some help clearing the weeds that the horses wouldn’t eat and sheep seemed like the best solution because they’ll eat anything – so I said yes. The lamb was called Bambi and when I came to collect her, my friend offered me another lamb, Merlin. Shortly after, Bambi died and it was just Merlin left. It wasn’t long until he started to show his special powers. Continue reading...
As the clocks go forward and the UK enters British summer time, the Guardian photographer Sarah Lee has been trying to distract herself from gloomy world news by focusing on the miracles of springtime and coming of longer days Continue reading...
As the clocks go forward and the UK enters British summer time, the Guardian photographer Sarah Lee has been trying to distract herself from gloomy world news by focusing on the miracles of springtime and coming of longer days Continue reading...
From council tax to water, broadband to stamps, costs climb again from next month …. and that’s before any knock-on effects from Iran war Next month, UK households face a bill surge in which the annual cost of essentials, including council tax and water, increase by more than £200 – and that is before the full impact of price jumps caused by the Iran war hit your pocket. The “awful April” increase...
From council tax to water, broadband to stamps, costs climb again from next month …. and that’s before any knock-on effects from Iran war Next month, UK households face a bill surge in which the annual cost of essentials, including council tax and water, increase by more than £200 – and that is before the full impact of price jumps caused by the Iran war hit your pocket. The “awful April” increases are particularly unwelcome as the financial turmoil caused by the Middle East conflict has pushed up mortgage rates, fuel prices and energy bills for rural households . Continue reading...
Architect Dan Meis talks about the challenges of designing Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium - including relegation battles, new owners, a pandemic and global war.
Architect Dan Meis talks about the challenges of designing Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium - including relegation battles, new owners, a pandemic and global war.
A troupe of left-behind rural women in central China has gained online fame through group live streams orchestrated by local Gen Z managers. In Junying village in Henan province, more than 20 women with an average age of 60 wear sunglasses and gloves, colourful jackets and dance with props in a disused courtyard. But this is no ordinary square dancing. In group live-streams, the aunties take on th...
A troupe of left-behind rural women in central China has gained online fame through group live streams orchestrated by local Gen Z managers. In Junying village in Henan province, more than 20 women with an average age of 60 wear sunglasses and gloves, colourful jackets and dance with props in a disused courtyard. But this is no ordinary square dancing. In group live-streams, the aunties take on the viral dance routines favoured by younger internet users, while viewers send virtual gifts and...
European private equity firm Inflexion has raised €4.5 billion ($4.7 billion) for its latest buyout fund in six months, demonstrating the depth of demand for mid-market funds that focus on the continent amid a still-tough fundraising market. Infexion’s Buyout Fund VII surpassed its initial target of €3.75 billion, according to a statement reviewed by Bloomberg News. The fund is also larger than th...
European private equity firm Inflexion has raised €4.5 billion ($4.7 billion) for its latest buyout fund in six months, demonstrating the depth of demand for mid-market funds that focus on the continent amid a still-tough fundraising market. Infexion’s Buyout Fund VII surpassed its initial target of €3.75 billion, according to a statement reviewed by Bloomberg News. The fund is also larger than the predecessor vehicle, which raised £2.5 billion ($3.3 billion) in 2022. The strategy primarily aims at acquiring majority stakes in mid-market companies that are based in North Europe. The fund will invest in businesses with enterprise values of €250 million to about a €1 billion or more, in business services, technology, financial services, health care, industrials and the consumer sector. Quick fundraising has become increasingly rare in private equity, as declining returns amid a difficult market for mergers and acquisitions and initial public offerings make investors more selective about where they deploy their money. Investors are also shifting more toward the European mid-market, where exit activity has proved to be more robust. The uncertainty around the US economy, stemming from the changing policies including tariffs, has lured investors to Europe for a more stable environment as well. The European mid-market has seen an uptick in demand for allocation as some investors pull back from the US given the recent volatility, according to Flor Kassai , managing partner and head of buyout at Inflexion. The “relative illiquidity” in the large-cap end of the private capital industry has also been driving up demand for mid-market strategies, she said in an interview. Inflexion sits “squarely at that intersection,” Kassai said, adding that it has raised more than €1 billion in commitments from new investors. The firm is focused on investing in “relatively macro-resilient” businesses facing limited disruption risk from artificial intelligence, while it’s also hunting for thos...
The governments of Canada and Quebec are pushing to save the country’s only copper smelter after Glencore Plc threatened to shut it down over new pollution-control requirements. The Horne Smelter, about 390 miles northwest of Montreal, is one of small number of facilities in North America that can process copper concentrate and recyclable materials such as electronic waste. The Swiss resources com...
The governments of Canada and Quebec are pushing to save the country’s only copper smelter after Glencore Plc threatened to shut it down over new pollution-control requirements. The Horne Smelter, about 390 miles northwest of Montreal, is one of small number of facilities in North America that can process copper concentrate and recyclable materials such as electronic waste. The Swiss resources company said last month it was suspending plans to invest nearly C$1 billion ($720 million) in its Quebec copper operations after hitting an impasse in talks with the province over measures to reduce harmful arsenic emissions. Without a deal, the facility would have to be wound down, impacting North America’s already constrained capacity to process copper into useful products. But Quebec has now proposed legislative changes to address some of Glencore’s main concerns. If passed, the metals company would get more time to reaching tougher emissions targets. Meanwhile, the Canadian government is considering a financial aid request for about C$150 million to help pay for new pollution-control systems, according to people familiar with the matter, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. “While awaiting regulatory certainty, we are open to evaluating other mechanisms, particularly financial ones, for sharing risks,” Glencore said in an emailed statement. The office of Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly declined to comment the ongoing discussions with the company. Gabrielle Landry, a spokesperson for Joly, said the smelter at Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, is “a strategic asset within our industrial base and an important part of our domestic capabilities.” Landry added: “Protecting our industrial backbone matters, just as the health and safety of Canadians does.” The copper smelter represents about 16% of North America’s annual production capacity with approximately 215,000 metric tons of copper concentrate and copper scrap, according to the US Geological Survey. Ther...
'The Era Of Deportations Has Begun!' - European Parliament Backs Remigration Efforts In Major Victory For The European Right Authored by Thomas Brooke via Remix News, The European Parliament has taken a major step toward a far tougher migration regime, approving a new negotiating mandate for legislation designed to speed up the deportation of illegal migrants and tighten enforcement across the blo...
'The Era Of Deportations Has Begun!' - European Parliament Backs Remigration Efforts In Major Victory For The European Right Authored by Thomas Brooke via Remix News, The European Parliament has taken a major step toward a far tougher migration regime, approving a new negotiating mandate for legislation designed to speed up the deportation of illegal migrants and tighten enforcement across the bloc. In a vote on Thursday, MEPs backed the so-called Returns Regulation by 389 votes to 206, with 32 abstentions, clearing the way for talks with the European Council on a new legal framework governing the removal of illegal migrants who have no right to remain in the European Union. The result was driven by support from a broad right-wing and center-right coalition, including the European People’s Party (EPP), the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN), and Patriots for Europe (PfE), illustrating how the balance of power on migration has shifted in Brussels. The proposal is intended to overhaul the EU’s weak returns system, long criticized for allowing rejected asylum seekers and other illegal migrants to remain in Europe for years. When the regulation was initiated by the European Commission last year, Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner summed up the scale of the failure when he said, “One out of five people who are told to leave the EU, actually leave the EU, and that is not acceptable.” NEW: The European Parliament has voted in favor of progressing a stricter legal framework for the deportation of illegal migrants. Migrants with a deportation order will be required to cooperate with the authorities to facilitate their return, and could be detained for up to two… pic.twitter.com/vvDPtgrg1B — Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) March 26, 2026 The new framework would introduce stricter return procedures, longer detention in some cases, wider entry bans, and penalties for those who refuse to cooperate with their own deportation. It would ...