Author: BBC

Michael RaceBusiness reporter, BBC NewsGetty ImagesThe UK economy unexpectedly grew in the final three months of last year following a boost to the construction and services sectors. The economy expanded by 0.1% between October and December, according to official figures, despite analysts predicting it would contract.Growth in the quarter was driven by a range of industries, from pubs and bars to machinery manufacturers, having a strong December.However, with tax rises coming into force in April, concerns remain that economic growth will remain sluggish for sometime.Businesses have warned that paying more in National Insurance, along with minimum wages rising and business…

The former chief executive of Google is worried artificial intelligence could be used by terrorists or “rogue states” to “harm innocent people.”Eric Schmidt told the BBC: “The real fears that I have are not the ones that most people talk about AI – I talk about extreme risk.”The tech billionaire, who held senior posts at Google from 2001 to 2017, told the Today programme “North Korea, or Iran, or even Russia” could adopt and misuse the technology to create biological weapons.He called for government oversight on private tech companies which are developing AI models, but warned over-regulation could stifle innovation.Mr…

Hugh Pym and Chloe HaywardBBC NewsBBCScarcely a day goes by without the NHS being in the news – even more so during the winter. Today, new numbers from NHS England will reveal how the system coped during the peak of winter pressures. We will learn how many patients were stuck on trolleys or chairs in A&E for more than 12 hours, waiting for a hospital bed. There will be stats on the number of people waiting for more than two months to start cancer treatment and more on the nearly 7.5 million waiting for planned treatment.But finding out what this…

Mark SavageMusic CorrespondentGetty ImagesThe band are due to start their long-awaited reunion tour this summerManchester bands Oasis and New Order are among the 14 acts being considered for inclusion in the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year.They’re joined by artists such as Mariah Carey, Cyndi Lauper and The White Stripes on the 2025 longlist.Half of the 14 nominees are first-timers, including English punk star Billy Idol, rock and roll pioneer Chubby Checker, and “mad dog with soul” Joe Cocker.Performers become eligible for nomination 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. Voting starts now, with…

Simon Jack and Dearbail JordanBusiness editor and business reporter, BBC NewsBBCGoldman Sachs International’s chief executive Richard GnoddeGoldman Sachs’ vice chair has said the bank ditched an internal diversity rule that barred it from advising all male, all white boards on company flotations because it was no longer needed.The investment bank had pledged that it would only help a business sell its shares on a stock exchange if it had two diverse board members, one of which had to be a woman.But Richard Gnodde told the BBC: “That policy was put in place to try and drive a change in behaviour…

Elon Musk denied leading a “hostile takeover” of the US government and defended his cost-cutting plans as he made a surprise first appearance at the White House on Tuesday.The world’s richest man took questions from reporters in the Oval Office as he stood next to President Donald Trump, who has tasked him with slashing the size and spending of the federal government.Trump then signed an order giving Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) more authority to cut the federal workforce. It instructed the heads of government agencies to comply with Doge.The agency has been criticised by Democrats who have accused…

Instagram | Robert Charles AlbonRobert Charles Albon visited Wales in 2023 and posted this photo on Instagram: “Joe Donor in Wales… do you need help with a baby? Send a message”A sperm donor who claims to have fathered more than 180 children has been used by a judge to warn of the dangers of unregulated sperm donation.Robert Charles Albon, who calls himself Joe Donor, claims to have fathered children all over the world from China to Australia after advertising online.But using him as a donor turned into a “horror story” for a couple after he took them to court as…

Tom RichardsonBBC NewsbeatEPASabrina Carpenter will be the first international act to receive the Brits global success prizeSabrina Carpenter will perform at this year’s Brit Awards, organisers have announced.The Espresso singer has also been named winner of the ceremony’s Global Success award recognising “phenomenal” worldwide music sales.It is the first time an international artist has been given the honour after Brits bosses changed the rules to make overseas artists eligible. Previous winners have included One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Adele and Sam Smith.Sabrina is also nominated in the international artist of the year and international song of the year categories.Organisers said 2024…

Oil giant BP has said it will “fundamentally reset” its strategy as profits dropped sharply last year.It is widely expected to say later this month that it will scale back renewable projects and increase oil and gas production following similar moves from rivals including Shell and Equinor.BP’s net income fell to $8.9bn (£7.2bn) in 2024, down from $13.8bn the previous year.It said lower oil and gas prices, plus lower profits from its refineries, had dented how much money it had made.Five years ago BP set a target of 50GW of renewables generation capacity by 2030.That is expected to be abandoned…

A consortium of investors led by Elon Musk offered $97.4bn to take over OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT.The billionaire’s attorney, Marc Toberoff, confirmed he submitted the bid for “all assets” of the tech company to its board on Monday.The offer is the latest twist in a longstanding battle between Musk, the world’s richest man and right hand to US President Donald Trump, and Open AI chief executive Sam Altman over the future of the start-up at the centre of the AI boom.In response to the bid, Altman posted on Musk’s social media platform X: “no thank you but we will…