(Reuters) -OpenAI said on Monday it is rolling out instant checkout in ChatGPT, in partnership with Etsy and Shopify. (Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Alan Barona)
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By Jeffrey Dastin and Deepa Seetharaman (Reuters) -Anthropic unveiled the Claude 4.5 AI model on Monday, saying the newest version can code for longer uninterrupted stretches and handle finance and scientific tasks better, as the startup pushes deeper into enterprise AI. The Alphabet and Amazon.com-backed AI startup is racing rivals to build models that can reliably operate software and complete multi-step work, key for AI agents, which can perform tasks on behalf of humans. The Sonnet 4.5 model created a web app from scratch in internal tests, and one customer had the AI chatbot code autonomously for 30 hours, up from a seven-hour run achieved by Anthropic's earlier Claude Opus 4 for a different client, Chief Product Officer Mike Krieger said. Anthropic is targeting power users and business customers rather than chasing a viral consumer moment, he said. Claude 4.5 is stronger at finance and scientific reasoning and better at using computers, scoring about 60% on a benchmark that tests operating-system dexterity versus roughly 40% for prior models, the company said. "It's a lot more visceral when you just see the model using a computer the way a person does if you're not a coder," said Chief Science Officer Jared Kaplan. Separately on Monday, Microsoft said it would add new Microsoft 365 Copilot features powered by Anthropic models, including "Agent Mode" in Excel and Word and an "Office Agent" in Copilot chat, with PowerPoint to follow. Microsoft last week said it would bring Anthropic's models to Microsoft 365 Copilot to diversify beyond longtime partner OpenAI. Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI executives, has positioned Claude for workplace use with guardrails it says reduce risky outputs. The company has been marketing Claude's coding and data-analysis skills to regulated industries and teams that want models to work across multiple software tools. Krieger said the company's focus is on sustained, reliable performance over long tasks rather than short demos. (Reporting by Jeffrey Dastin, Deepa Seetharaman in San Francisco and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
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By Manya Saini (Reuters) -Electric aircraft maker Beta Technologies filed for an initial public offering in the United States on Monday, the latest company to join the rush to tap a record-breaking bull run in the equity market. Easing trade tensions, robust stock markets and pent-up investor demand have combined to create one of the busiest windows for listings in years, with technology, aerospace and green energy firms leading the charge. Beta Technologies designs, manufactures and sells high-performance electric aircraft, advanced electric propulsion systems, charging systems and components. Electric aviation remains a niche segment of the transportation industry, with only a handful of companies developing and testing commercial aircraft. "Beta's IPO plays into two narratives that are resonating with investors: the long-term electrification trend and renewed appetite for selective growth stories," said Kat Liu, vice president at IPO research firm IPOX. Beta Technologies, citing internal estimates, said operating costs for its aircraft are 42% lower than conventional planes, thanks to a simplified design. "Our aircraft's design eliminates the need for complex components such as gear boxes, in-flight liquid cooling systems, and thrust vectoring mechanisms," it said in the IPO prospectus. The company said its ALIA CTOL electric aircraft has completed thousands of flights, covering nearly 83,000 nautical miles, including operations in North America and Europe. Its aircraft has been used by the U.S. military in training missions and flown by the Federal Aviation Administration. Beta also said it is partnering with GE Aerospace to co-develop a hybrid electric turbogenerator for defense and civil applications. As part of the deal, GE Aerospace will make a $300 million equity investment in the company. The broader electric vehicle and technology industries have been in the spotlight for years, drawing investment and fueling growth across the automotive and clean-tech sectors. Interest, however, has been uneven, with some segments and regions growing rapidly, while others face adoption and infrastructure challenges. "Electric aircraft fit into the same sustainability and clean-mobility narrative that has driven interest in electric cars, though aerospace faces far longer certification and commercialization timelines," Liu said. Beta Technologies, which did not disclose the size or terms of its offering, posted a net loss of $25.57 per share for the six months ended June 30, compared with $19.38 per share a year earlier. The company is aiming to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BETA". Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs are the lead underwriters of the offering. (Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar and Anil D'Silva)
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By Zaheer Kachwala (Reuters) -Videogame developer Electronic Arts has agreed to sell itself to a group of private investors in a deal that values the maker of "Battlefield" and "Madden NFL" at $55 billion, which if completed would be the largest leveraged buyout in history. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners and private equity firm Silver Lake came together to buy the popular videogame maker with a combination of $36 billion in cash, equity already held by PIF, and $20 billion in debt financed by JPMorgan, the company said Monday. For PIF, Saudi Arabia's $1 trillion wealth fund, the investment is a massive opportunity to push ahead with efforts to become a global hub for games and sports, as it bets on the enduring value of blockbuster game franchises as the industry recovers from a prolonged downturn. The deal could also herald a comeback of massive leveraged buyouts, which fell out of favor after several major deals executed in the years before the Global Financial Crisis ended in disaster. Among these was the record $45 billion takeover of Texas utility TXU Energy in 2007 that wound up in bankruptcy just seven years later. The EA deal "waves the green flag on sponsors resuming mega-deal transactions following several years of fishing for opportunities down market due to market headwinds such as higher borrowing costs," said Kyle Walters, private equity analyst at PitchBook. EA shareholders will receive $210 per share in cash, a premium of 25% over the September 25 closing price of $168.32, before reports of a deal emerged, giving it an equity value of about $52.5 billion, according to Reuters' calculations. The company's shares rose 5% in midday trading to about $202.54 a share. The take-private offer comes at a crucial time for EA, which is banking heavily on its core sports portfolio and action shooter intellectual property to weather a sluggish videogame industry as gamers get picky with spending. "The financial backing and resources of the investor consortium should enable EA to increase its focus on long-term growth opportunities that may have been viewed as too risky or expensive as a public company," analysts at Freedom Capital Markets wrote in a note to clients on Monday. Electronic Arts is gearing up to launch the much-awaited "Battlefield 6" in an industry where gamers stick to proven and recognizable titles. Still, "while the $210 per share offer price may appear compelling … we believe it falls materially short of the company’s intrinsic value. With Battlefield 6 about to launch and a pipeline that could add more than $2B in incremental bookings by FY28, the true earnings power of EA is only beginning to emerge," Benchmark analysts said. The company's sports portfolio has stood out for over a decade due to its global popularity and consistent recurring revenue as strong in-game spending patterns remain key for the franchise's longevity. The deal also has big appeal for Saudi Arabia's wealth fund as part of the kingdom's plans to diversify its economy away from oil by pouring billions in sectors including infrastructure, tourism, sports and gaming. Kushner, who is married to U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka, started Affinity Partners in 2021. The firm has investments from funds in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027 with $18 billion of the debt financed at closing. It will remain in Redwood City, California with CEO Andrew Wilson remaining at the helm. The previous LBO record holder, the $45 billion takeover of Texas utility TXU Energy in 2007 by private equity firm KKR & Co., alternative asset manager TPG and Goldman Sachs, went bankrupt in 2014. The leveraged buyouts of Toys "R" Us and Hertz also had rough goes. Toys "R" Us filed for bankruptcy in 2017 about a dozen years after Bain Capital and KKR bought the retailer for $6.6 billion. Rental car company Hertz did not survive the pandemic, filing for bankruptcy in 2020 after going private for $14.8 billion in 2005. EA must pay a $1 billion fee if it terminates the merger due to a board reversal, accepts a higher bid, or pursues another deal within a year of a shareholder rejection. The consortium owes the same amount if regulatory delays push completion past September 28, 2026, or if it breaches the agreement. (Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila, Elisa Martinelli, David Gaffen, Dawn Kopecki, Franklin Paul and David Gregorio)
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JAKARTA (Reuters) -TikTok has been fined 15 billion rupiah ($900,000) for the late reporting of its acquisition of e-commerce platform Tokopedia, Indonesia's anti-monopoly agency said on Monday. TikTok, which is owned by China's ByteDance, completed a deal in January 2024 to buy 75.01% of Tokopedia for $840 million from PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia. A TikTok spokeperson said they respect and appreciate KPPU's decision and remain committed to upholding the principles of fair business competition. The antitrust agency has the power to investigate and determine violations of competition law and impose fines or issue administrative sanctions, based on their findings. ($1 = 16,665 rupiah) (Reporting by Dewi Kurniawati; Writing by Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by John Mair)
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(Reuters) -Canadian carrier WestJet said on Monday the personal information of some passengers was exposed in a cybersecurity breach earlier this year, though no payment data was compromised. The airline said it detected suspicious activity on June 13 and later determined that a "sophisticated, criminal third party" had gained unauthorized access to its systems. The aviation industry's growing dependence on complex digital systems and vast stores of passenger data has made it an increasingly attractive target for cybercriminals. Earlier this month, a ransomware attack on Collins Aerospace, a unit of RTX, disrupted operations across major European airports, crippling check-in and baggage systems at popular hubs such as London's Heathrow and Berlin. WestJet said the type of data exposed in the breach varied but could include names, contact details, travel information and documents tied to reservations. However, no credit card and debit card numbers, expiration dates and CVV numbers were obtained during the breach. In a notice to U.S. residents on Monday, the carrier said it had worked closely with law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. It also notified relevant authorities, including the attorneys general of U.S. states where residents were affected. (Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
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BEIJING (Reuters) -China's market regulator on Monday published the country's first national safety standards for cross-border processing of personal information. The regulation, which takes effect on March 1 2026, sets out principles, core requirements and obligations for protecting personal information rights that relevant parties must follow when processing data across borders. (Reporting by Beijing Newsroom, Editing by Louise Heavens)
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By Eduardo Baptista BEIJING (Reuters) -China's new visa programme aimed at attracting foreign tech talent kicks off this week, a move seen boosting Beijing's fortunes in its geopolitical rivalry with Washington as a new U.S. visa policy prompts would-be applicants to scramble for alternatives. While China has no shortage of skilled local engineers, the programme is part of an effort by Beijing to portray itself as a country welcoming foreign investment and talent, as rising trade tensions due to U.S. tariffs cloud the country's economic outlook. China has taken a series of measures to boost foreign investment and travel, opening more sectors to overseas investors and offering visa waivers for citizens from most European countries, Japan and South Korea among others. "The symbolism is powerful: while the U.S. raises barriers, China is lowering them," said Iowa-based immigration attorney Matt Mauntel-Medici, referring to China's new visa category, called the K visa, which launches on Wednesday. "EXQUISITE" TIMING The K visa, announced in August, targets young foreign science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates and promises to allow entry, residence and employment without a job offer, which could appeal to foreign workers looking for alternatives to U.S. job opportunities. Earlier this month, the Trump administration said it would ask companies to pay $100,000 per year for H-1B worker visas, widely used by tech companies to hire skilled foreign workers. "The U.S. has definitely shot itself in the foot on H-1Bs, and the timing is exquisite for China's K visa,” said Michael Feller, chief strategist at Geopolitical Strategy. Other countries including South Korea, Germany and New Zealand are also loosening visa rules to attract skilled migrants. Immigration experts say the main attraction of the K visa is no requirement of a sponsoring employer, which has been regarded as one of the biggest hurdles for those seeking H-1B visas. The H-1B visa requires employer sponsorship and is subject to a lottery system, with only 85,000 slots available annually. The new $100,000 fee could further deter first-time applicants. "It's an appealing alternative for Indian STEM professionals seeking flexible, streamlined visa options," said Bikash Kali Das, an Indian student at Sichuan University. India was by far the largest beneficiary of H-1B visas last year, accounting for 71% of approved beneficiaries. LANGUAGE BARRIERS AND UNANSWERED QUESTIONS Despite its promise, the K visa faces hurdles. Chinese government guidelines mention vague "age, educational background and work experience" requirements. There are also no details on financial incentives, employment facilitation, permanent residency, or family sponsorship. Unlike the U.S., China does not offer citizenship to foreigners except in rare cases. China's State Council did not respond to a request for comment asking for more details on the logistics and underlying strategy of the K visa. Language is another barrier: most Chinese tech firms operate in Mandarin, limiting opportunities for non-Chinese speakers. Political tensions between Delhi and Beijing could also become a factor that could limit the number of Indian K visa applicants China is willing to accept, experts said. "China will need to ensure Indian citizens feel welcome and can do meaningful work without Mandarin," said Feller. K VISA: AN ALTERNATIVE FOR WHOM? China's talent recruitment has traditionally focused on China-born scientists abroad and overseas Chinese. Recent efforts include home-purchase subsidies and signing bonuses of up to 5 million yuan ($702,200). These have drawn back U.S.-based Chinese STEM talent, especially amid Washington's growing scrutiny on ties to China. "The recruitment effort targeting Indian tech talent in China is growing but remains moderate compared to the more intensive, well-established, and well-funded initiatives aimed at repatriating Chinese STEM talent," said Sichuan University's Das. A Chinese STEM graduate who recently got a job offer from a Silicon Valley-based tech company was also sceptical about the K visa's prospects. "Asian countries like China don't rely on immigration and local Chinese governments have many ways to attract domestic talent," he said, declining to be named for privacy reasons. The U.S. has over 51 million immigrants — 15% of its population — compared to just 1 million foreigners in China, less than 1% of its population. While China is unlikely to significantly alter its immigration policy to allow in millions of foreign workers, analysts say the K visa could still boost Beijing's fortunes in its geopolitical rivalry with Washington. "If China can attract even a sliver of global tech talent, it will be more competitive in cutting-edge technology," Feller said. ($1 = 7.1201 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Eduardo Baptista; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Lincoln Feast.)
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By Jan Lopatka PRAGUE (Reuters) -Hundreds of anonymous accounts on video-sharing platform TikTok have been increasingly active in spreading pro-Russia narratives and backing radical parties ahead of the Czech Republic's October 3-4 election, a non-governmental group said on Sunday. Online Risk Labs, a newly formed group of Czech analysts, said it had identified 286 TikTok accounts that have been boosting each other's content. Between them, they have 5 million to 9 million views per week – more than the combined reach of mainstream party leaders, the group said. "The accounts do not align with a single political entity, but rather demonstrate support for multiple radical and extremist parties simultaneously," the group said in a statement. Nearly a quarter of Czechs use TikTok, according to local media reports, a smaller proportion than in Romania, where a presidential election was annulled last year over accusations of Russian meddling via accounts on the platform. Russia denied the allegations. Czech telecoms watchdog CTU said it had received several complaints about hundreds of accounts on TikTok. "We have found these suggestions relevant and handed them over to the European Commission as the supervisory organ for large platforms," the CTU told Reuters, adding that it was in contact with TikTok. TikTok said on Monday, without giving details of any cases, that it had been actively cooperating with the CTU, had acted on content or accounts violating policies, and had teams in place to disrupt deceptive behaviour. The TikTok accounts flagged by Online Risk Labs voiced support for parties including the far-right SPD, running third in most opinion polls with about 13% support, and far-left Stacilo!, polling slightly above the 5% threshold to win seats, the group said. Both parties say the country should leave NATO and the European Union. Online Risk Labs said candidates promoted in the posts were not necessarily aware of them. Stacilo! said it was not using any fake accounts and denied any foreign influence on its campaign. The latest polls ahead of the parliamentary election show the opposition ANO party of former Prime Minister Andrej Babis leading by a wide margin over Prime Minister Petr Fiala's SPOLU centre-right coalition. ANO might need the support of SPD and Stacilo! to form a majority. (Reporting by Jan Lopatka. Editing by Helen Popper and Mark Potter)
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By Amy-Jo Crowley and Andres Gonzalez LONDON (Reuters) -Elliott Investment Management is exploring strategic options for its UK-based Ark Data Centres in a possible sale that could fetch more than 3 billion pounds ($4.00 billion), according to two people with knowledge of the matter. The U.S. hedge fund has held informal talks with advisers about a potential sale of the Wiltshire-based firm, with a process potentially starting early next year, one of the people said. While no formal decisions have been made, potential infrastructure investors have been approached, a second person said. That person said that Elliott had attempted to sell the company before in 2023 but offers had not reached their expectations at the time. However, since then global appetite for data centres, which support artificial intelligence and cloud computing services, has soared since OpenAI launched its ChatGPT platform in 2022. Investment in data centres will reach $6.7 trillion by 2030 to meet the computing power demand driven by AI and cloud services, McKinsey consultants estimate. Elliott declined to comment, while Ark did not respond to requests for comment. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter was private. Elliott acquired Ark Data Centres in 2012 through its private equity arm. European real estate investor Revcap, which did not respond to requests for comment, retains a minority stake in the unit. ARK has a joint venture with the UK Government’s Cabinet Office called Crown Hosting Data Centres, which gives Ark access to all UK public data centre requirements. Earlier this week, OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank announced plans for five new AI data centres under the Stargate project, a private initiative unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump that aims to invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure. Other data centre deals include Singapore's SC Capital's talks to buy British data centre group Global Switch in a transaction that could value at up to $5 billion. ($1 = 0.7492 pounds) (Reporting by Amy-Jo Crowley and Andres Gonzalez in London. Editing by Anousha Sakoui and Louise Heavens)
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