Google owner Alphabet to sell $80bn in stock to fund AI spending spree
Posted on Tuesday June 02, 2026

Markets take note as world’s biggest equity fundraiser bids to garner more money than three biggest-ever IPOs combined

• Business live – latest updates

• Kenneth Rogoff: will AI create a permanent underclass?

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has said it plans to raise up to $80bn (£59bn) in equity to fund its vast artificial intelligence infrastructure investments, raising further questions over the economics of the AI boom.

The move, the largest equity fundraising ever according to analysts, includes a $10bn share sale to the US investment group Berkshire Hathaway, which was led until last year by Warren Buffett.

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Zero-hours contracts: ministers’ detailed plans for UK ban criticised by firms and unions
Posted on Tuesday June 02, 2026

Government says it would prefer workers to be guaranteed between eight and 20 hours a week based on regular hours

Ministers are facing criticism from unions and employers after laying out details of plans for a guaranteed regular working week as part of a ban on zero-hours contracts.

Under rules poised to come into force next year, employers will have to offer staff on zero hours or “short hours” contracts, including agency workers, a minimum number of hours each week based on their regular working hours.

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BP backs Amanda Blanc to lead search for new chair despite investor concerns
Posted on Tuesday June 02, 2026

Senior independent director to handle process again after Albert Manifold’s shock departure last week

• Business live – latest updates

BP has backed Amanda Blanc to lead its search for a new chair for a second time, shrugging off investor concerns over her role at the company after the shock departure of its chair last week.

Some shareholders have voiced concerns over Blanc, the senior independent director at the British oil company, running the process again after Albert Manifold’s short stint as chair.

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Lego launches Pokémon ‘smart’ bricks equipped for interactive battles
Posted on Tuesday June 02, 2026

Tie-up between blockbuster toy brands offers hi-tech play sets that will allow fans to ‘feel like the trainer’

Many Pokémon fans secretly fantasise about being a trainer and that dream has become a bit closer as hi-tech Lego bricks bring Pikachu to life for the first time. And that can only mean one thing – epic battles.

The sets are the latest to feature the Danish toy company’s motion-sensitive “smart” bricks that produce an array of sound effects and flashing lights when paired with different sets.

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Hackers trick Meta AI support bot to infiltrate Obama White House Instagram account
Posted on Monday June 01, 2026

Breach of high-profile accounts raises concerns about reliance on AI for security measures such as passwords

Hackers used Meta’s AI-powered support chatbot to infiltrate high-profile Instagram accounts, the company has confirmed, saying it resolved the problem after researchers exposed it.

The targets ranged from Barack Obama’s White House account to the beauty retailer Sephora and the US Space Force chief master sergeant, John Bentivegna, according to reporting from 404 Media. Everyday users complained of similar hijackings on Reddit and X over the weekend.

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Google owner Alphabet to sell $80bn in stock to fund AI spending spree
Posted on Tuesday June 02, 2026

Markets take note as world’s biggest equity fundraiser bids to garner more money than three biggest-ever IPOs combined

• Business live – latest updates

• Kenneth Rogoff: will AI create a permanent underclass?

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has said it plans to raise up to $80bn (£59bn) in equity to fund its vast artificial intelligence infrastructure investments, raising further questions over the economics of the AI boom.

The move, the largest equity fundraising ever according to analysts, includes a $10bn share sale to the US investment group Berkshire Hathaway, which was led until last year by Warren Buffett.

Read more...

England seal six-wicket win against India in deciding women’s T20 international – live reaction
Posted on Tuesday June 02, 2026

Updates from 6.30pm BST start at the County Ground
Kemp makes mark to level the T20 series | Mail Tanya

3rd over: India 31-1 (Mandhana 8, Bhatia 9) Two wides and two fours from Bell’s second over as she gets some punishment from Bhatia, through point and deep third.

Verma is eager for more runs but cramped for room, gets an outside edge ball which holds up in the wind and Charlie Dean collects at point. Clever bowling

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‘Excited but wary’: fans in the 16 host cities share their hopes and fears before the World Cup
Posted on Tuesday June 02, 2026

In the first of a new series of dispatches, fans in US, Mexico and Canada tell us that they want visitors to have a good time but are angry about ticket prices, Fifa’s priorities and a lack of long-term thinking from politicians

The 2026 World Cup features 104 matches in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the USA, from Vancouver to Mexico City and San Francisco to Boston. Before, throughout and after the tournament we’ll be hearing from fans in those cities about their experiences – some shared and some different – in our “My World Cup” series. Here some of our correspondents share their first thoughts.

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