SAN FRANCISCO — OpenAI’s ChatGPT and related services experienced scattered disruptions for hundreds of users on Thursday, May 14, 2026, according to real-time alerts and community reports, though the issues appear limited in scope rather than a full-scale outage affecting the entire platform.

The outage-monitoring account @status_is_down on X posted at approximately 12:54 GMT, stating “OpenAI / ChatGPT is reportedly down for hundreds of users right now. Are you one of them?” and linking to a community forum discussion titled “Is ChatGPT / OpenAI down May 14 2026?” The post quickly gained traction as frustrated users sought confirmation that their connectivity problems were not isolated.

Downdetector and similar platforms showed elevated but not catastrophic reports for OpenAI and ChatGPT in the past several hours. Most complaints centered on slow responses, failed generations, login issues and intermittent connectivity rather than a complete service collapse. OpenAI’s official status dashboard indicated normal operations across major components as of mid-morning Pacific time, with no broad alerts posted.

This latest flare-up follows a relatively stable period after earlier incidents in May. On May 11, users reported elevated errors with certain GPT models that were quickly mitigated. A more substantial outage occurred on April 20 when ChatGPT was unavailable for around 90 minutes, affecting thousands and sparking widespread discussion. Those events highlighted the challenges of scaling AI infrastructure to meet surging demand from hundreds of millions of weekly active users.

Today’s reports appear more regional or device-specific. Customers in various markets described frozen loading screens, error messages during conversations and difficulties accessing advanced features like voice mode or custom GPTs. Some noted that refreshing the page or switching networks temporarily alleviated symptoms, while others reported the problems persisting across multiple devices on the same network. The volume of complaints — hundreds rather than millions — suggests localized congestion, maintenance activity or a targeted software glitch rather than a core infrastructure failure.

OpenAI serves tens of millions of subscribers and free users worldwide with conversational AI tools used for writing, coding, research and creative tasks. Peak usage hours often strain capacity, especially during business hours in major time zones. Any minor hiccups today likely coincide with heightened demand rather than systemic failure.

Users experiencing problems should follow standard troubleshooting steps recommended by OpenAI. Refreshing the browser, clearing cache and cookies, trying incognito mode or switching networks frequently resolves temporary glitches. For mobile app users, force-closing and restarting the app or checking for updates can help. OpenAI’s support pages also suggest signing out and back in or trying a different device.

The company has invested heavily in infrastructure resilience through multiple data centers and sophisticated load balancing. Despite occasional disruptions common to all major AI platforms, ChatGPT maintains strong overall uptime and responds quickly to reported issues. No formal statement has been issued for today’s scattered complaints, consistent with OpenAI’s approach to non-catastrophic events.

Recent technical difficulties, such as brief model-specific errors earlier in the month, underscored the complexity of running frontier AI systems at scale. OpenAI typically offers apologies or credits for significant outages, though none appear warranted for the current limited reports.

Customer frustration is understandable. AI tools like ChatGPT have become essential for work, education and daily productivity, and even brief interruptions disrupt workflows for students, professionals and casual users. Social media platforms lit up with memes and complaints, with hashtags like #ChatGPTdown and #OpenAIDown trending briefly as users shared screenshots of error messages.

For businesses and enterprise users relying on OpenAI’s APIs for applications, any downtime carries higher stakes. Dedicated support channels often provide faster resolution, but consumer accounts depend on self-service tools. The service’s integration with productivity apps and developer tools continues to drive loyalty despite occasional hiccups.

As of late morning Pacific time on May 14, the situation remained fluid. Some users reported partial restoration while others continued experiencing problems. Monitoring accounts like @status_is_down play a valuable role in crowdsourcing real-time information when official channels lag. The linked forum thread showed users sharing experiences and potential fixes.

Looking ahead, OpenAI is expected to continue expanding its model offerings and enterprise features. These expansions increase pressure on infrastructure but also drive subscriber growth. In the meantime, users can stay informed through OpenAI’s status page, the ChatGPT app and third-party trackers.

The May 14 reports serve as a reminder of how dependent modern work and creativity have become on AI services. While not rising to the scale of previous major incidents, the issues affecting some users highlight ongoing challenges in maintaining flawless performance across a vast global user base. OpenAI has historically resolved such matters quickly and offered goodwill gestures to impacted subscribers.

Users are advised to document any prolonged disruptions for potential credits and to explore alternative AI tools until service stabilizes. The platform’s commitment to infrastructure investments suggests these types of events will become less frequent over time, though complete elimination remains unlikely in such a complex system.

For now, most OpenAI and ChatGPT users appear unaffected, with the reported problems limited to a subset of subscribers. The situation underscores the importance of diversified AI options and staying informed during peak usage periods. As the day progresses, further updates from OpenAI or monitoring services will clarify the full scope and resolution timeline.

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As US President Donald Trump travels to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, we look at the tensions and the relationship between the world’s two biggest economies.

Presenter: Will Bain, Michelle Fleury and Rahul Tandon
Producer: Gideon Long

(Photo: US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, 30 October, 2025. Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

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The UK’s largest luxury watch retailer hailed a 13 per cent jump in revenue to £1.8bn in the year to May

Shares in Watches of Switzerland soared after the company announced record revenue growth, driven by affluent Americans snapping up luxury timepieces.

The UK’s leading luxury watch retailer reported a 13 per cent rise in revenue to £1.8bn for the year ending May, with its US market alone posting a 24 per cent increase to £1.2bn.

Shares in the FTSE 250 company leapt 13 per cent to 600p when markets opened on Thursday, putting the stock up 28 per cent for the year to date.

The retailer had faced headwinds from Trump’s unpredictable tariff policy over the past 18 months, yet has successfully capitalised on booming demand across the Atlantic, which it describes as the world’s largest and fastest-growing luxury watch market.

Watches of Switzerland posted 25 per cent growth in its US retail market, while revenue at Roberto Coin — the Italian luxury jeweller it owns — surged by 22 per cent, as reported by City AM.

The US emerged as the firm’s largest market, with revenue climbing to £927m, while UK revenue grew by five per cent to £901m.

The Leicestershire-based retailer said it had succeeded in strengthening its domestic performance despite consumer confidence falling to a two-year low.

Chief executive Brian Duffy celebrated “a major milestone in the world’s largest and fastest growing luxury watch market, achieved in just over eight years from entering the US”.

He said: “In the UK, performance has improved despite the challenging macroeconomic backdrop, with resilient demand for luxury watches and jewellery.”

The toll being inflicted on some luxury giants by the decline in tourism after the Iran conflict was laid bare last month, when the owners of brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Birkin saw the situation dent their revenues.

However, Watches of Switzerland insisted it will not be pulled down by the conflict, noting it has minimal exposure to tourist consumers and to the Middle East market.

The company recently snapped up Texas-based luxury jeweller Deutsch & Deutsch and reported strong performance across its four US locations.

The outlets, which predominantly deal in Rolex watches, have delivered £16m in revenue since the acquisition, while the transaction pushed Watches of Switzerland’s net debt up to £57m.

The business was established in 1924, when Maurice Lane opened its first office in Ludgate Hill, London.

BEIJING — President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded two days of high-stakes talks in Beijing on Friday with modest agreements on agricultural purchases and new trade dialogue mechanisms, but failed to achieve significant progress on core disputes including Taiwan, technology restrictions and China’s role in easing tensions over Iran.

The summit, Trump’s first visit to China since 2017, wrapped up after roughly four hours of formal discussions and side meetings at the Great Hall of the People. Both leaders described the talks as “productive” and “candid” in separate readouts, but analysts characterized the outcome as a tactical stabilization rather than a substantive reset in the world’s most consequential bilateral relationship.

Trump, flanked by U.S. tech executives including Elon Musk, Tim Cook and Jensen Huang, secured commitments from China for increased purchases of American soybeans, energy products and Boeing aircraft. White House officials described the deals as “tangible wins” for American farmers and manufacturers, though the exact dollar figures were not immediately disclosed. The two sides also agreed to establish new bilateral boards on trade and investment to monitor implementation and resolve disputes — mechanisms reminiscent of previous attempts that often faltered.

Xi emphasized “mutual respect” and warned that differences over Taiwan could lead to conflict if not managed carefully. Chinese state media highlighted Xi’s firm stance on sovereignty issues while portraying the meeting as a step toward stable relations. No breakthroughs were announced on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan or semiconductor export controls, two persistent flashpoints.

On Iran, Trump pressed China to use its influence to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and support diplomatic efforts amid ongoing disruptions. Beijing offered symbolic language calling for calm but stopped short of concrete commitments, prioritizing its energy security interests as Iran’s largest oil customer. U.S. officials described the discussions as “constructive” but acknowledged limited movement on the issue.

The presence of top American CEOs underscored the commercial dimension of the trip. Musk, Cook and Huang participated in side meetings focused on market access and supply chain stability. Tesla’s Shanghai operations and Apple’s manufacturing footprint in China give these executives direct stakes in any easing of tensions. No specific new deals involving their companies were announced, but sources indicated productive conversations on investment frameworks.

The atmosphere was notably more restrained than Trump’s lavish 2017 state visit. No “state visit-plus” pageantry or major cultural spectacles were featured this time, reflecting cooler bilateral ties shaped by years of tariffs, technology competition and military posturing. Security around the event was tight, with significant portions of Beijing locked down.

Global markets reacted with cautious optimism. U.S. futures showed modest gains, while Asian indices found support on hopes for reduced uncertainty. Oil prices remained elevated due to ongoing Hormuz concerns but eased slightly on expectations of continued dialogue.

Domestic political reactions varied. Republican allies praised Trump for engaging directly with Xi and securing purchase commitments. Democratic critics called for a more multilateral approach and greater emphasis on human rights and strategic competition. In China, state media framed the summit as evidence of Beijing’s global centrality and willingness to cooperate on equal terms.

The summit’s modest deliverables align with lowered expectations set by both sides in advance. Analysts from Goldman Sachs and other institutions had predicted limited breakthroughs, focusing instead on tactical agreements and confidence-building measures. The creation of new trade and investment boards aims to provide structured follow-up mechanisms, though similar bodies in the past have produced mixed results.

For Trump, the trip offers optics of strong personal diplomacy and economic wins ahead of midterm elections. For Xi, hosting the first U.S. presidential visit in nearly a decade projects strength and stability during China’s economic transition. Both leaders have met multiple times since Trump’s return to office, establishing a working rapport built on transactional deal-making.

The two-day schedule included bilateral meetings, a welcoming banquet and limited cultural elements. Trump’s delegation pushed for reciprocal economic deals, while Chinese counterparts stressed non-interference and mutual respect. No joint press conference was held, with each side releasing separate statements emphasizing their priorities.

Broader implications extend beyond the immediate outcomes. The summit sets the tone for U.S.-China relations through the remainder of Trump’s term. A smoother-than-expected meeting could open doors for future cooperation on global issues, while unresolved tensions risk hardening positions on Taiwan, technology and trade.

As Trump departs Beijing, the focus shifts to implementation of agreed purchase commitments and the effectiveness of new dialogue mechanisms. Markets, businesses and allies will closely monitor whether this summit marks a genuine step toward managed competition or merely a temporary pause in escalating rivalry.

The Trump-Xi relationship has defined much of global politics in recent years. This Beijing meeting, though more restrained than previous encounters, carries significant weight for the international order. Incremental progress on trade and energy issues provides cautious optimism, but deep structural differences remain unresolved as the world’s two largest economies continue navigating complex interdependence and strategic competition.

Unknown Executive

Hi everyone. Greeting, everyone. Welcome to Asia X (sic) [ AirAsia X] First Quarter Results briefing. Today here with me, I have Bo Lingam, Group CEO; Farouk Ahmad, Deputy CEO; Kar Chuan, Group CFO; Lavinia, Group Head of Finance; Amanda, Chief Commercial Officer.

The Bursa results has just been uploaded, and we would like to go through the results. But before that, I can give you some reporting structure guide. [Technical Difficulty]

So in — on 16th January, we completed the acquisition by AirAsia X of acquiring AirAsia Berhad and AirAsia Group. However, under accounting standard [Technical Difficulty] — however, under accounting standard, this is treated as a reverse accounting. For reporting purposes, AAGL (sic) [ AAAGL ] is treated as the acquirer. In the Bursa statement that you will see today, there is no comparative P&L and cash flow as it is not an apple-to-apple comparison. So therefore, we have only the first quarter 2025 comparatives for P&L and cash flow.

As for the balance sheet, the 31st December 2025 actually refers to only AAAGL, which is the Thai, Indonesia, Philippines and Cambodian entities, but excludes the original AirAsia X and AirAsia Berhad. Therefore, it does not represent the enlarged group. And at the back of this presentation, we have included the pro forma financials for your guidance in terms of when one to do the comparison. I’ll pass the presentation to Farouk.

Farouk Kamal

Hi, good evening, everybody. So I’ll just run through the presentation before we go to questions. The

Operator

Good morning, and welcome to LPA’s First Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. My name is Ellie, and I will be your operator for today’s call.

[Operator Instructions] And please note that this call is being recorded. [Operator Instructions] Now I would like to turn the call over to Mr. Camilo Ulloa, Investor Relations. Please go ahead, sir.

Camilo Ulloa
Investor Relations Officer

Welcome to LPA’s First Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. My name is Camilo Ulloa with LPA’s Investor Relations team. Joining me on today’s call are Esteban Gaviria, our Chief Executive Officer; and Paul Smith, Chief Financial Officer.

Before we proceed with a review of LPA’s financial and operating results, please note that the information presented during this call is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell any securities.

Forward-looking statements made during this call are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which are discussed in LPA’s filings with the SEC. Our actual results, performance and prospective opportunities may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements after this call.

We have prepared supplemental materials that we may reference during the call. We encourage you to visit our website, ir.lpamericas.com, to download these materials. Please also note that all comparisons that we will discuss during today’s call are year-over-year unless we note otherwise. Esteban will begin

Available for over a year

Meal prepping is supposed to save us time, money and stress. It is a huge trend on social media, but how can we make it work in our own real, messy lives?

Ruth Alexander meets Hannah, a busy working mum who wants help to make meal times easier, quicker and more varied. Could batch cooking be the answer?

On hand to offer advice and inspiration are Jess Rice from the US website Budget Bytes and Kevin Curry, who has around two million followers across his Fit Men Cook social media accounts.

And if you have ever wondered whether those leftovers are safe to eat, or how long you should leave hot food cooling on the kitchen counter before you freeze it, there is advice from Natalie Stanton, who trains chefs in food safety.

If you would like to get in touch with The Food Chain team, please email thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk

Producer: Lexy O’Connor

Sound engineer: Hal Haines

(Image: A food container with chicken and vegetables being opened by a woman’s hands. Credit: Getty Images)

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