Normal view

20 October 2026 at 16:07

Hoping to quell criticism, Meta has dropped the word “train” from its “streamlined” commercial terms of service that kick in on October 30.

Last week, Meta faced backlash after legal experts warned that the tech giant’s sweeping new commercial terms of service seemed to give Meta permission to endlessly scrape websites linked on business pages. Talking to Nieman Lab, experts suggested that Meta could possibly use the policy to avoid millions in licensing fees from news organizations by requiring all business users to share a wealth of AI training data simply for running a business page.

A Meta spokesperson confirmed that Meta did not alert users to the changed language following backlash. This potentially only adds to confusion ahead of the policy rollout. In response to backlash, Meta's spokesperson provided a statement to Ars, acknowledging Nieman Lab's initial report but not its follow-up report reiterating experts' concerns:

TP-Link tries to appease Trump admin with pledge to assemble routers in US 20 October 2026 at 15:25

TP-Link tries to appease Trump admin with pledge to assemble routers in US

Ars Technica

By: Jon Brodkin

20 October 2026 at 15:25

TP-Link yesterday announced plans to assemble Wi-Fi routers in the US, as the company attempts to get the Trump administration's approval to sell its newest routers to American consumers.

The timing is uncertain, as TP-Link's press release said it expects US-based assembly to begin "as early as" 2027. TP-Link's application to sell new routers in the US could be rejected by the Trump administration or remain pending long enough to push the US-based assembly to 2028.

"Pending US regulatory approval, TP-Link expects domestic assembly of its groundbreaking Wi-Fi 8 home networking product line to begin as early as next year," the company said. TP-Link said it signed a Letter of Intent with US company Keytronic, which agreed "to become a primary domestic manufacturing partner for TP-Link, supporting assembly of the company’s advanced networking portfolio in Corinth, Mississippi."

Meta tries to scapegoat staff who downloaded torrents to spare execs 20 October 2026 at 13:40

Meta tries to scapegoat staff who downloaded torrents to spare execs

Ars Technica

20 October 2026 at 13:40

In copyright lawsuits over AI training, Meta has spent weeks blaming staff for downloading torrents. The company has now been ordered to name executives who authorized decisions to pirate books from shadow libraries like Anna’s Archive and LibGen, TorrentFreak reported.

In a discovery order impacting a class action raised by book authors—including Richard Kadrey and Sarah Silverman—as well as a lawsuit from publisher Entrepreneur Media, Magistrate Judge Thomas Hixon largely agreed that Meta must clearly identify key decision-makers. Following testimony from Meta staff who downloaded torrents, the order could expose a wider range of supervisors, managers, and executives whom staffers said greenlit the piracy.

Meta had been hoping to avoid detailing the chain of command, particularly for leadership involved in early AI training. According to a Meta court filing, its initial efforts to compile massive AI datasets were managed through an “informal approach" where supposedly nobody with authority made any decisions. Instead, Meta insisted that a “decision” was “made only in the sense” that some staffers “technically” downloaded torrents.

By: Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor

Two men re-arrested on suspicion of aiding Iran over RAF Fairford incident 20 October 2026 at 13:54

Two men re-arrested on suspicion of aiding Iran over RAF Fairford incident

The Guardian

20 October 2026 at 13:54

Counter-terrorism police say 24 and 25-year-old from central London detained under 2023 National Security Act

Counter-terrorism police have re-arrested two men from central London accused of helping Iranian intelligence as part of the investigation into events at RAF Fairford last month.

A 24-year-old UK national and a 25-year-old UK/Iranian national, both from Westminster, were detained on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service in breach of the 2023 National Security Act, police said.

The Guardian view on Covid-19 and care homes: the inquiry’s scathing verdict must be heeded | Editorial 20 October 2026 at 13:44

The Guardian view on Covid-19 and care homes: the inquiry’s scathing verdict must be heeded | Editorial

The Guardian

By: Editorial

20 October 2026 at 13:44

The government did not throw a ‘protective ring’ around social care, and vulnerable people were left exposed

The families of the 43,000 care home residents in the UK whose deaths between March 2020 and July 2022 were either caused by, or contributed to, by the Covid pandemic, have waited a long time for the official verdict on the way they were treated. The report published on Tuesday confirmed what many have been saying for a long time. In the first, panicked stages of lockdown, residents and their care workers were “something of an afterthought”. The “protective ring” around care homes referred to by Matt Hancock, the former health and care secretary, was a fiction.

These are scathing judgments. What actually happened, starting in March 2020, was that about 30,000 people were discharged from hospital to care homes in order to free up beds for Covid-19 patients. Since there were not enough tests for all of them, those without symptoms were moved without being tested. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, there was no instruction to isolate newly arrived residents until the second half of April (in Scotland, this happened earlier).

Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.

Nige seems tired and bored of himself as Kemi conjures a telepathic budget 20 October 2026 at 12:56

Nige seems tired and bored of himself as Kemi conjures a telepathic budget

The Guardian

By: John Crace

20 October 2026 at 12:56

The Tory leader has glimpsed the future and it involves Labour putting every last UK citizen on benefits

If you’re worried about next week’s budget, then now is your time to chill out. Because Kemi Badenoch has all the answers. The chancellor, John Healey, has been living rent free in the leader of the opposition’s head for the past few weeks. Lucky man. More than that, she has been perched on his shoulder while he sits at his desk in the Treasury and tries to make the sums add up.

And – SPOILER ALERT – Kemi has now read the whole speech that hasn’t yet been written and is in a position to give her budget reply more than a week ahead of time. Opposition by telepathy. Or wish fulfilment. If things don’t work out for her in her current job she could apply to be the next Mystic Meg.

UK to deploy fighter jets to protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks 20 October 2026 at 14:30

UK to deploy fighter jets to protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks

The Guardian

By: Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor

20 October 2026 at 14:30

RAF Typhoon fighters to fly defensive missions over cities and infrastructure in extension of UK support for Riyadh

RAF Typhoon fighters are to be used in efforts to protect Saudi Arabia from attack by Yemen’s Houthis, flying protective missions over the country’s cities and critical infrastructure as western allies increase their intervention in the escalating conflict.

The operation – the most significant military mission signed off by Andy Burnham as prime minister – will involve RAF pilots attempting to shoot down Houthi missiles and drones, which attacked Saudi airports and oil facilities.

UK government failures led to Covid spreading ‘like wildfire’ in care homes, inquiry finds 20 October 2026 at 07:00

UK government failures led to Covid spreading ‘like wildfire’ in care homes, inquiry finds

The Guardian

By: Jessica Murray Social affairs correspondent

20 October 2026 at 07:00

Inquiry chair says failure to advise care homes to isolate people discharged from hospital was ‘significant oversight’

Government failures caused Covid-19 to spread “like wildfire” among vulnerable and elderly people, and Matt Hancock’s “protective ring” around care homes did not exist, a public inquiry has found.

Heather Hallett, who is leading the Covid-19 inquiry, said the care sector was an “afterthought” and rejected the former health secretary’s long-held claim that he threw a “protective ring” around care homes from the start of the pandemic, saying it was “unfounded” and the “opposite was true”.

A modest increase in bank taxes is not the end of the world for lenders | Nils Pratley 20 October 2026 at 04:00

A modest increase in bank taxes is not the end of the world for lenders | Nils Pratley

The Guardian

By: Nils Pratley

20 October 2026 at 04:00

As long as Healey doesn’t go overboard, a small turn on surcharge dial will not seriously undermine flow of capital

Everyone is familiar with the banks’ plea: raising taxes on them amounts to taxing the nation’s growth. If you increase how much banks pay, goes the argument, less interest will be paid on deposits and loans will cost slightly more, meaning we’ll all be worse off eventually. In terms of economic theory, it’s coherent, it should be said: in an ideal world, a chancellor would strive to lower costs of capital at every opportunity.

In the real world, however, John Healey faces multiple competing demands, even from within a business lobby that extends well beyond the banks. As this newspaper revealed last week, the chancellor is likely to increase bank taxes in his budget next week. In the current climate of trying to “stay the course” on the fiscal rules by finding some money from somewhere, tapping the banks is a reasonable policy. Or, at least, better than most alternatives.

Healey to reject calls to raise capital gains tax in budget 20 October 2026 at 03:27

Healey to reject calls to raise capital gains tax in budget

The Guardian

By: Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor

20 October 2026 at 03:27

Cabinet colleagues have previously called for an increase but chancellor feels it might ultimately cost the Treasury

UK politics live – latest updates

John Healey will not raise capital gains tax in next week’s budget, despite previous calls to do so from cabinet colleagues including Louise Haigh and Wes Streeting.

The chancellor has decided that any increase might ultimately cost the Treasury if wealthy individuals defer the sale of assets or move them out of the country, according to Treasury sources.

Why have countries been pushing for a vital global climate report to be delayed? 20 October 2026 at 02:00

Why have countries been pushing for a vital global climate report to be delayed?

The Guardian

By: Fiona Harvey Environment editor

20 October 2026 at 02:00

Saudi Arabia, Russia and China among those claiming developed countries have skewed findings of IPCC review

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suspended an important meeting on Friday in Addis Ababa without setting out a firm timetable for its next report. The world’s governments are due to meet in less than a month for the Cop31 climate summit, and this leaves the future of scientific advice to governments on the climate in doubt.

Public support for founding principles of NHS is falling across UK population 20 October 2026 at 01:00

Public support for founding principles of NHS is falling across UK population

The Guardian

By: Denis Campbell Health policy editor

20 October 2026 at 01:00

Rise in economic hardship and changes in attitudes towards migration could explain drop in support, experts say

Public support for the NHS’s founding principles – that it is free to use, available to everyone and tax-funded – has fallen over the last five years, research has shown.

Backing for all three pillars dropped between 2021 and 2025 across the UK population, except for a small rise in millennials’ support for the NHS being funded from taxation.

Why terrorism laws stopped Sally Rooney selling books in the UK – podcast 19 October 2026 at 22:00

Why terrorism laws stopped Sally Rooney selling books in the UK – podcast

The Guardian

By: Presented by Nosheen Iqbal with Zoe Williams and Haroon Siddique · produced by Ruth Abrahams, Eleanor Biggs and Rudi Zygadlo

19 October 2026 at 22:00

The bestselling author says her books will no longer be supplied to UK bookshops over fears of prosecution. Zoe Williams and Haroon Siddique report

For now there might be a copy or two of Intermezzo left kicking around in your local bookshop – snap it up if you haven’t already, because soon that will be it.

Last year, Sally Rooney said she would be using her royalties to support Palestine Action, a group that is proscribed as a terrorist organisation under UK law. Since then, thousands of people have been arrested for supporting the group. Now, faced with the risk of prosecution under terrorism legislation, Rooney and her publishers have decided to stop supplying her books to retailers in the UK.

Accused OpenAI spy had folder called “Saudi Gov Docs,” FBI says 19 October 2026 at 16:21

Accused OpenAI spy had folder called “Saudi Gov Docs,” FBI says

Ars Technica

19 October 2026 at 16:21

On Monday, a court granted the US government's request to deny release of a former OpenAI engineer accused of bugging a top-secret conference room to steal the frontier lab’s secrets.

In a court filing Sunday, US attorney Craig Missakian argued that Abdulrahman Alfozan must continue to be detained while the US makes its case that Alfozan brazenly spied on OpenAI, either for his own personal business gain or to benefit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Evidence showed that Alfozan had been chatting with a member of the KSA royal family on WhatsApp, while pursuing opportunities to permanently move back to Saudi Arabia during the country's biggest AI push yet, the government argued. Shortly before his arrest, the FBI found he accessed a folder called "Saudi Gov Docs" on his iPhone, where he also allegedly stored photos of a second bug he planted in the offices.

By: Peter Walker Senior political correspondent

Burnham urges officials to come up with more radical options for Thames Water 19 October 2026 at 14:37

Burnham urges officials to come up with more radical options for Thames Water

The Guardian

By: Kiran Stacey · Pippa Crerar and Jessica Elgot

19 October 2026 at 14:37

Exclusive: Utility seen as ‘litmus test’ of PM’s promise to bring ‘essentials of life’ under public control

Andy Burnham has told officials to rip up their plans for how to fix Thames Water and present him with more radical options for what to do with the stricken company.

In an early test of his promise to bring “the essentials of life” under public control, the prime minister is urging his advisers to go back to the drawing board and create a new list of policies for the utility.

Shall we have another EU referendum? Maybe – but not yet | Polly Toynbee 19 October 2026 at 11:17

Shall we have another EU referendum? Maybe – but not yet | Polly Toynbee

The Guardian

By: Polly Toynbee

19 October 2026 at 11:17

We saw last time what reckless reliance on close polling led to. The omertà on rejoining has now been broken, but it would be folly to move too soon

When I hear that word again, a shudder runs down my spine. I want to groan, hold my head in my hands and wail. The horror! No, never again, not another referendum. But the idea is back in play as Andy Burnham looks for ways to reverse a decade of economic stagnation.

As the prime minister dared to unlock the door to a Brussels reunion, you could hear Ode to Joy burst out from all remainers. But the prospect of a re-run of the most self-destructive vote in our history is dismaying.

Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist

Hegseth wrong to say most non-US Nato forces in Afghanistan did not fight, says No 10 19 October 2026 at 10:13

Hegseth wrong to say most non-US Nato forces in Afghanistan did not fight, says No 10

The Guardian

19 October 2026 at 10:13

Downing Street emphasises sacrifices of UK troops and reasserts ‘unwavering’ support for Ukraine amid softening US policy towards Russia

Downing Street has criticised Pete Hegseth for downplaying the role of Nato allies in helping the US with combat operations in Afghanistan, saying Donald Trump’s defence secretary had been wrong to do so.

The direct condemnation came as No 10 more carefully distanced itself from Trump’s increasing willingness to engage with Russia, saying the UK’s backing for Ukraine was “unwavering”.

Florida DMV hacked after police dept insecurely stored login info 19 October 2026 at 12:38

Florida DMV hacked after police dept insecurely stored login info

Ars Technica

19 October 2026 at 12:38

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has begun notifying victims impacted by a recent data breach of driver’s license and motor vehicle data, but not everyone whose information was stolen will receive an alert.

In a notice posted Friday, FLHSMV confirmed that it took “immediate steps” after discovering that “a malicious actor accessed certain department records on September 4, 2026, using compromised credentials.” There’s “no evidence” that data has yet been misused, the department said, but law enforcement “determined the information potentially affected includes driver license and motor vehicle data, to include document images, and other personal information.”

FLHSMV is sending out letters to everyone affected, offering victims one year of credit monitoring from Sontiq, Inc. However, the state acknowledged that it may not have current contact information for many former Florida residents whose data was still being stored. Those potential victims can confirm if their data was stolen by emailing FLHSMV at customerinquiry@flhsmv.gov, officials said.

Disney found a way to buy Character.AI without buying its lawsuits 19 October 2026 at 10:45

Disney found a way to buy Character.AI without buying its lawsuits

Ars Technica

By: Maddy Varner

19 October 2026 at 10:45

This week, Character.AI declared bankruptcy. While some saw the fall of a chatbot platform as a harbinger for the industry, court filings indicate that the decision was actually a key part of a deal that has let Disney hire most of Character.AI’s staff—including its now former CEO Karandeep Anand—potentially acquire most of Character.AI’s technology, and avoid the beleaguered startup’s many legal liabilities and obligations.

In the past few years, Character.AI has faced multiple private lawsuits over the safety of its chatbots, as well as investigations from regulators around the world. In a declaration filed as part of the bankruptcy, Character.AI’s newly appointed CEO explained that the goal of the bankruptcy was to reach a “consensual resolution” with personal injury claimants and a group of states investigating the company, while maximizing the value of the company’s assets for shareholders.

The Disney deal seems to be structured so that whatever is left of Character.AI will retain responsibility for those legal battles, some of which are still ongoing.

By: Lisa O’Carroll senior correspondent

Saudi Arabia is learning the hard way: they can’t count on Trump for protection | Mohamad Bazzi 19 October 2026 at 07:00

Saudi Arabia is learning the hard way: they can’t count on Trump for protection | Mohamad Bazzi

The Guardian

By: Mohamad Bazzi

19 October 2026 at 07:00

After Houthis escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, the US turned down calls from MBS for help

For years, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, cultivated a close relationship with Donald Trump and his son-in-law and former top adviser, Jared Kushner. The prince understood the president’s transactional approach to power: he signed deals to buy billions of dollars’ worth of US weapons and invested billions more in American companies.

Days after Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, Prince Mohammed pledged to expand investment and trade with the US by $600bn over four years. He later promised to increase that investment to nearly $1tn, although it wasn’t entirely clear how Saudi Arabia would manage to plough a sum close to the kingdom’s entire annual GDP into a foreign economy over a few years.

Mohamad Bazzi is a Guardian US columnist. He is also director of the Hagop Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies and a journalism professor at New York University

US gave us no warning of Russian strikes on Kyiv power plants, Zelenskyy says 19 October 2026 at 05:03

US gave us no warning of Russian strikes on Kyiv power plants, Zelenskyy says

The Guardian

By: Andrew Roth in Kyiv

19 October 2026 at 05:03

Ukrainian president accuses Washington of ‘denial of reality’ in ongoing row with Trump over apparent support for Moscow

Ukraine did not receive a warning from the US about an impending Russian missile attack on Sunday evening, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said, reviving concerns that Washington is withholding intelligence in order to bully Kyiv into capitulating to Moscow.

Yuri Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian air force, said on television on Monday morning that Ukraine had not received a warning before a Russian missile barrage hit power plants in Kyiv at about 11pm. Earlier, a Ukrainian government official had told the Guardian the US had not warned the capital about the impending missile strike.

No 10: Hegseth ‘wrong’ to say most non-US Nato soldiers didn’t fight in Afghanistan – UK politics live 19 October 2026 at 10:49

No 10: Hegseth ‘wrong’ to say most non-US Nato soldiers didn’t fight in Afghanistan – UK politics live

The Guardian

By: Andrew Sparrow

19 October 2026 at 10:49

Downing Street delivered a rare rebuke to a senior member of Donald Trump’s administration

Asked why the Lib Dems were opposed to a third runway at Heathrow when they professed to be in favour of growth, Cooper said she did not accept that a third runway would produce all the benefits its supporters claimed.

She explained:

On Heathrow, it is clear from looking at all of the economic analysis of airport growth over the last few years that many of the promises made by all sorts of different airport companies simply haven’t come to bear.

The promise of higher wage jobs hasn’t been substantiated. Often it’s lower paid jobs, and often not as many as they’ve claimed.

UK government promises disabled air passengers better safeguards 19 October 2026 at 03:00

UK government promises disabled air passengers better safeguards

The Guardian

By: Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent

19 October 2026 at 03:00

Despite recent progress, almost a fifth of air travellers with disabilities are still dissatisfied with their experience

Disabled passengers will have better safeguards when flying, the government has pledged, including protection from damaged wheelchairs and support from trained staff.

A report from an industry-led accessibility group said there was “much more to be done” but progress was being made, a year after a review led by Tanni Grey-Thompson demanded action to improve air travel in response to numerous incidents in which passengers had been left stranded without assistance.

Andy Burnham launches campaign against ‘headphone dodgers’ on public transport 18 October 2026 at 19:01

Andy Burnham launches campaign against ‘headphone dodgers’ on public transport

The Guardian

By: Kiran Stacey Policy editor

18 October 2026 at 19:01

Passengers urged to ‘share the carriage, not the noise’ as guidance sets out £100 penalties for nuisance behaviour

Andy Burnham has announced a crackdown on “headphone dodgers” who play loud music on public transport, as he extends his promise to give voters “breathing space” in the confines of a train carriage.

The prime minister will unveil a campaign against nuisance behaviour on public transport on Monday, alongside guidance allowing local transport authorities to levy fines of up to £100 for non-compliance.

Electricity costs put UK steelmakers in worst position in three years against EU rivals 18 October 2026 at 19:01

Electricity costs put UK steelmakers in worst position in three years against EU rivals

The Guardian

By: Jasper Jolly

18 October 2026 at 19:01

Premium paid over French counterparts has risen to almost £30 a megawatt hour, analysis by lobby group finds

British steelmakers have been pushed further behind European rivals on electricity costs after the US-Israeli war on Iran caused a surge in global gas prices.

The premium paid by the British industry over its French counterpart has risen to almost £30 a megawatt hour (MWh), its highest level in three years, according to analysis by the lobby group UK Steel.

Shabana Mahmood to hold talks with EU over law enforcement cooperation 18 October 2026 at 14:13

Shabana Mahmood to hold talks with EU over law enforcement cooperation

The Guardian

18 October 2026 at 14:13

UK home secretary’s meeting comes after PM said he wanted to rejoin European law enforcement databases

The UK home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, will meet the EU’s home affairs commissioner on Monday for further talks just days after Andy Burnham said he wanted to rejoin European law enforcement databases from which the UK has been locked out of since Brexit.

According to the European Commission, they will discuss “migration, border management, law enforcement cooperation and counter-terrorism”, with the latest Frontex data published on Monday showing a 43% decline in small boats crossing the Channel.

The Guardian view on schools: the hardest questions for Lucy Powell are about priorities | Editorial 18 October 2026 at 12:25

The Guardian view on schools: the hardest questions for Lucy Powell are about priorities | Editorial

The Guardian

By: Editorial

18 October 2026 at 12:25

The education secretary is right that her job is not to ‘polish the status quo’. Next, she must decide what to change first

There is a good case to be made for the increased importance of speaking skills in our new age of machines. With the UK economy’s stronger-than-expected recent performance widely linked to AI investment, it is vital that people are equipped for the kinds of in-person, public-facing jobs that are least likely to be automated. A concerning decline in children’s language development, both in the UK and internationally, has been linked to high screen use. There is a grim irony in a situation where tech companies both compete with humans for contracts and undermine our ability to talk to one other.

The Guardian has previously backed efforts to more strongly embed speaking skills, or oracy, in British schools. In a speech on Thursday, Lucy Powell promised to give them equal status to reading and writing in English (education is devolved, so her main responsibility is for England, but there are parallel initiatives in the other nations). Yet with promised updates to the national curriculum postponed, and plans for special educational needs reform causing deep anxiety to families, schools and councils, the hardest questions for the education secretary are about priorities. Following negative feedback from schools, she has also asked Ofsted to look again at its new inspection framework.

Heat pumps and insulation would cut UK living costs more than new oilfields, study suggests 18 October 2026 at 02:00

Heat pumps and insulation would cut UK living costs more than new oilfields, study suggests

The Guardian

By: Fiona Harvey Environment editor

18 October 2026 at 02:00

Warm homes plan would create 50,000 jobs, compared with about 1,100 for Rosebank oilfield, thinktank finds

Insulating Britain’s homes and investing in heat pumps would do more to cut the cost of living, create jobs and boost the UK’s economy than drilling for new oil, research suggests.

The government’s £15bn warm homes plan, currently under threat of cuts as ministers seek budget savings, would slash £1bn a year from household energy bills across the UK, concentrated on those on low incomes, according to research by the thinktank E3G. It would also provide a £1.6bn yearly boost to the economy, and about 50,000 new jobs spread across thousands of small businesses.

Yvette Cooper pledges £140m to boost urgent care as NHS faces ‘tough’ winter 17 October 2026 at 19:00

Yvette Cooper pledges £140m to boost urgent care as NHS faces ‘tough’ winter

The Guardian

By: Press Association

17 October 2026 at 19:00

Health secretary says government has been preparing early and will spend money on ambulances and A&E upgrades

The NHS faces a more challenging winter than normal, the health secretary has warned, as she announced a £140m increase for urgent care in England.

Yvette Cooper said the money would help increase capacity, and that the NHS has been preparing since July to deal with the impact of seasonal illnesses.

Why Britain should reject the lure of cheap – and scary – Chinese AI 17 October 2026 at 11:00

Why Britain should reject the lure of cheap – and scary – Chinese AI

The Guardian

By: Phillip Inman

17 October 2026 at 11:00

In the west the technology comes with at least some effort to provide security and a benign intent – not so from China

There is much to fear from artificial intelligence developed in China and handed to businesses and governments in the west almost free of charge.

Every month Chinese AI developers such as DeepSeek and Xiaomi dispatch the latest versions of their “open-weight” models that allow users to take the core software and use it without paying an expensive ongoing licence.

Trump’s pause on Russia sanctions is ‘reward’ for Putin, Zelenskyy says 17 October 2026 at 10:46

Trump’s pause on Russia sanctions is ‘reward’ for Putin, Zelenskyy says

The Guardian

By: Andrew Roth in Kyiv

17 October 2026 at 10:46

Ukrainian president warns it will embolden Russian leader and intensify war as Moscow hits country’s power plants

Power plant attacks reflect Russian blueprint to make Ukrainian cities unlivable

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described Donald Trump’s decision to roll back sanctions on Russia as a “reward” for Vladimir Putin and warned it will embolden the Russian leader and intensify the Kremlin’s war, as Moscow launched one of its worst strikes yet on Ukraine’s power plants in an attempt to black out the country’s cities before winter.

The Ukrainian president also said he expected the Trump administration to lift more sanctions against Russia in the future and called for Europe to establish its own negotiations with Moscow as the US has sought better ties and business deals with the Kremlin.

The power of AI is worrying senior Labour figures – as is the fear of ‘falling behind the public’ 17 October 2026 at 07:33

The power of AI is worrying senior Labour figures – as is the fear of ‘falling behind the public’

The Guardian

By: Rowena Mason and Dan Milmo

17 October 2026 at 07:33

Westminster appears to be waking up to warnings over AI safety, with concerns over its use by extremist groups and bad actors

“I have this sense that, within a few months, AI is going to be all anyone is talking about,” said one cabinet minister, with an ominous stare.

It was Labour conference, with everyone from ministers to activists jubilant at Andy Burnham’s takeover and a bounce in the polls after the change of leader.

Brexit’s back – but are British voters ready to contemplate a reversal? 17 October 2026 at 01:00

Brexit’s back – but are British voters ready to contemplate a reversal?

The Guardian

By: Esther Addley

17 October 2026 at 01:00

As Andy Burnham talks up closer alignment with the EU and a poll suggests half in UK would rejoin, the B-word is back on the agenda

In February 2016, days after David Cameron announced the UK would hold a referendum on leaving the EU, he told workers in Slough not to imagine they could change their minds a few years down the line if they did not like how things panned out. Voting to stay in or leave was a once in a generation thing, he said. “This is a decision that lasts for life.”

Well times change, as the last prime minister but five could testify. A decade after Britain told Brussels where to go, Brexit is back on the political agenda. After years in which many politicians avoided any mention of the B-word, Andy Burnham broke the omertà in his party conference speech last month, saying he would look again at Britain’s relationship with Europe.

Trump pauses new Russia sanctions passed by Congress amid deepening row with Ukraine 16 October 2026 at 22:53

Trump pauses new Russia sanctions passed by Congress amid deepening row with Ukraine

The Guardian

By: Guardian staff and agencies

16 October 2026 at 22:53

President signed the legislation championed by late senator Lindsey Graham last month but has waived the restrictions as they were due to come into effect

Donald Trump has put on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause on the legislation passed by both chambers was in the national interest.

In an executive order on Friday, the US president said he was waiving many ⁠sanctions, restrictions and duties ⁠on Russia, in a move that comes as he has been publicly criticising ⁠Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, including suggesting that Ukraine needs a new leader.

Healey backs pro-growth case for Heathrow third runway after Burnham ducks issue 16 October 2026 at 17:30

Healey backs pro-growth case for Heathrow third runway after Burnham ducks issue

The Guardian

By: Heather Stewart in Bangkok

16 October 2026 at 17:30

Chancellor says government will study responses to public consultation, with airports being ‘big part of jobs and growth’

John Healey has said there is a pro-growth case for going ahead with a third runway at Heathrow despite the prime minister declining to back it.

Healey’s predecessor as chancellor, Rachel Reeves, put approval of the long-planned runway at the heart of her “growth speech” last year, saying it would “make Britain the world’s best-connected place to do business”.

“thegentlemanpervert” producing AI CSAM is a NJ prosecutor, say cops 16 October 2026 at 16:20

“thegentlemanpervert” producing AI CSAM is a NJ prosecutor, say cops

Ars Technica

16 October 2026 at 16:20

New Jersey’s deputy attorney general, Brian Richard Fitzgerald, was arrested on “felony charges related to AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM),” Bucks County Detectives said in a press release Thursday.

In the US, cops have vowed to crack down on AI CSAM since at least 2024, when the Department of Justice made one of the earliest arrests. After charging a Wisconsin man with spreading “thousands of realistic images of prepubescent minors” across Telegram and Instagram, the DOJ clarified to law enforcement that “CSAM generated by AI is still CSAM.”

New Jersey’s deputy attorney general, Brian Richard Fitzgerald, was arrested at his home Thursday. Credit: via Bucks County Detectives

On Thursday, New Jersey officials accused 51-year-old Fitzgerald of using AI to make photos from social media of real minors into sexualized images that he then distributed on social media.

No 10 leaves option open to impose Chinese EV tariffs if UK joins EU scheme 16 October 2026 at 14:09

No 10 leaves option open to impose Chinese EV tariffs if UK joins EU scheme

The Guardian

By: Rowena Mason · Lisa O’Carroll and Jasper Jolly

16 October 2026 at 14:09

Beijing warns against ‘discriminatory’ step after France drops opposition to British role in Made in Europe package

No 10 has left the door open to imposing tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles as part of the Made in Europe package, prompting a warning from Beijing that such a move would be “discriminatory”.

Downing Street said on Friday that it would “welcome the objective to have the UK included in the Industrial Accelerator Act” after France dropped its opposition to Britain joining the scheme.

Meta may use sweeping new commercial TOS to avoid millions in AI licensing fees 16 October 2026 at 11:41

Meta may use sweeping new commercial TOS to avoid millions in AI licensing fees

Ars Technica

16 October 2026 at 11:41

Legal experts are sounding alarms that Meta will soon update its commercial terms to require business accounts to allow Meta to train AI on their linked website content, not just their social media posts.

Kicking in on October 30, the TOS update won’t allow businesses to opt out, instead suggesting that businesses stop using Meta services if they won’t agree to let Meta bots freely crawl their linked content.

As Nieman Lab reported Thursday, this will affect all business accounts but is particularly shocking for news publishers who could perhaps charge Meta millions in licensing fees to continually access their articles for AI training. Currently news organizations are fighting a battle with OpenAI over whether such training without licensing is fair use, and Meta's terms seemingly risk granting it sweeping permissions, no matter which way the court leans.

Polymarket saw $600 million in election trades after the elections were over 16 October 2026 at 10:19

Polymarket saw $600 million in election trades after the elections were over

Ars Technica

By: Kate Knibbs · wired.com

16 October 2026 at 10:19

Prediction market boosters often tout the platforms as barometers of public opinion, or even “truth machines” offering a clearer picture of where things are headed than polling or other data. In 2024, for example, Kalshi beat many pollsters in forecasting the outcome of the US presidential race. But their trading activity can also tell more perplexing stories.

Two global election markets on Polymarket’s offshore platform, for instance, generated over $600 million in trading volume, far more than most political markets typically attract. Most of the activity took place buying and selling contracts tied to long-shot candidates who ultimately did not win.

This summer, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party cruised to victory in federal elections, winning 438 parliamentary seats and paving the way for him to serve another five-year term. The closest competitor won 13 seats. On prediction markets, trading volume—the total value of contracts bought and sold—typically tracks roughly with the odds of a given outcome; frontrunners attract far more volume than long shots. But in this case, the trading patterns deviated sharply from the norm. Just $173,000 was wagered on Ahmed winning, compared to more than $41 million traded on his chief of staff, Shimelis Abdisa, becoming the country’s next leader. Altogether, the volume traded added up to over $285 million, nearly all on losing candidates.

Super Scam Me documentary shows what it takes to catch a romance scammer 16 October 2026 at 10:00

Super Scam Me documentary shows what it takes to catch a romance scammer

Ars Technica

16 October 2026 at 10:00

If you got a DM from an unverified Jon Bon Jovi account after commenting on one of his official Instagram posts, what would it take to make you believe it was really the rock star hoping to connect? And at what point when he starts asking you to send money—like lose-your-house kind of money—would you snap out of the fantasy and stop draining your bank account?

In a documentary premiering Saturday—Super Scam Me—investigative journalist Mariana van Zeller goes deep into this toxic love-bombing terrain. In a clip that Ars is exclusively debuting below, you can see how van Zeller worked with an ethical hacker, Arman the Cyber, to use a fake bitcoin receipt and bait the fake Bon Jovi, giving the victim some much-needed closure.

Sneak peek at National Geographic's Super Scam Me.

Scamming a romance scammer

Broadcasting on National Geographic at 9 pm ET and available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu, the documentary takes viewers on an empathetic quest to understand how the line between “lover” and “fraud victim” gets blurred in romance scams that the Federal Trade Commission says cost Americans nearly $1.5 billion in losses each year.

By: Richard Partington Senior economics correspondent

UK risks losing key role in European space industry over satellite contract, says Airbus boss 16 October 2026 at 10:47

UK risks losing key role in European space industry over satellite contract, says Airbus boss

The Guardian

By: Jasper Jolly

16 October 2026 at 10:47

Guillaume Faury writes to Andy Burnham warning him against choosing US firm Lockheed Martin to build Skynet satellites

The boss of Airbus has told Andy Burnham that choosing its US rival Lockheed Martin to manufacture military satellites could cost the UK a key role in the European space industry, intensifying a last-minute lobbying effort for the £2.4bn contract.

It is understood that Guillaume Faury, the chief executive of France-headquartered Airbus, has written to the prime minister suggesting that the choice of provider of the Skynet system could have effects for decades to come on the UK’s strength in military satellites in Europe, in an effort to tip the contract away from its US rival.

British food and drink exports to EU collapse by more than a third since Brexit 16 October 2026 at 08:34

British food and drink exports to EU collapse by more than a third since Brexit

The Guardian

By: Lisa O’Carroll

16 October 2026 at 08:34

NFU analysis of official data shows falls in exports to UK’s largest trading partner since 2019 include 70% for sugar and 74% for egg products

Exports of British food and drink to the EU have collapsed by more than a third since Brexit with eggs, chicken and potato producers badly hit, new figures show.

Analysis by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) of HMRC data shows a sharp fall in exports in the year to July compared with the same period in 2019, with sugar dropping the most, down 70%.

Repairing Brexit economic damage should be Burnham’s top priority, business chief says 16 October 2026 at 01:00

Repairing Brexit economic damage should be Burnham’s top priority, business chief says

The Guardian

16 October 2026 at 01:00

Shevaun Haviland argues PM is right to revisit Labour’s EU red lines as current trading relationship is bad for business

Repairing the economic damage of Brexit should be the top priority for Andy Burnham as he reconsiders Labour’s red lines on EU membership, the head of one of Britain’s leading business groups has said.

Shevaun Haviland, the director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said she welcomed the prime minister reopening the Brexit battle lines despite the uncertainty it could create, arguing that the UK’s current trading relationship with the EU was bad for business.

Trump cancels Pentagon plans to livestream firing squad execution 15 October 2026 at 14:16

Trump cancels Pentagon plans to livestream firing squad execution

Ars Technica

15 October 2026 at 14:16

On Thursday, Donald Trump called off the Pentagon’s highly controversial plans to livestream a firing squad execution that is still on schedule for December 3.

Trump supports the execution of Nidal Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding more than 30 others in the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood. But sources close to Trump told CNN that the president was blindsided last week when Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the event—which is the first US execution of a soldier since World War II—would be livestreamed.

Backlash to the livestream was immediate and crossed political divides. On the morning Trump canceled the plans, an ABC News poll found 8 in 10 Americans were against the livestream, including a 55 percent majority of MAGA Republicans.

Report: FTC probes Anthropic, OpenAI after Trump dismissed AI fears as “hoax” 15 October 2026 at 11:43

Report: FTC probes Anthropic, OpenAI after Trump dismissed AI fears as “hoax”

Ars Technica

15 October 2026 at 11:43

Following a string of incidents where AI models hacked websites and breached government systems during testing phases, the Federal Trade Commission is officially probing Anthropic and OpenAI over consumer harms, an insider told Axios.

On Wednesday, the FTC sent out civil investigative demands seeking a wide range of information from the AI firms on recent safety incidents.

The FTC did not respond to Ars’ request to review the subpoena demands. However, Axios’ source said the requests spanned more than 50 pages of questions and sought documents related to the incidents, internal security measures taken, and marketing materials that may suggest consumers were misled.