AI could expose how Georgia voters cast their ballot, researchers warn 02. October 2026 (20:32) A Princeton researcher found that publicly available election records could be combined with AI to link voters to their ballotsWhen voters cast their ballots, their votes are supposed to remain secret: from their family, their neighbors, and the government.But what if artificial intelligence could make secret votes visible? Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Boston mass transit authorities flap around for solution to pigeon menace 02. October 2026 (20:12) Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority are now pondering on setting trained falcons on the urban birdsThe mass transit authorities in the greater Boston region are clawing around for ways to mitigate the excessive local pigeon population – or more graphically, pigeon poo all over stations – and have swooped on the possibility of setting trained falcons on them.The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), the public system commonly known as ‘the T’, issued a “request for information” (RFI) last month from falconry experts on the potential use of birds of prey, such as falcons, to control the crowds of urban birds widely considered a public nuisance. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Olivia Dean accused of plagiarism on her I’ve Seen It track 02. October 2026 (19:25) Mattie Music Group, owners of Bill Withers’ back catalogue, contend the Grammy winner infringed on Just the Two of UsOlivia Dean has been accused of plagiarizing the Bill Withers classic Just the Two of Us.The owners of Withers’ back catalogue aimed that allegation at his fellow Grammy winner in a copyright infringement lawsuit filed on Thursday in US federal court in Los Angeles. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Palestine Action activists used whips and hammers to threaten guards at arms factory, court hears 02. October 2026 (19:18) Five defendants accused of being part of ‘black team’ tasked with overcoming security at Israel-linked firm Elbit near BristolPalestine Action activists brandished whips, hammers and kebab skewers to intimidate security guards and keep them at bay during a break-in at an Israel-linked arms factory, a court has heard.Five defendants are accused by prosecutors of being part of a “black team”, wearing black jumpsuits, whose role was to overwhelm security guards, so that a “red team”, wearing red jumpsuits, could break into the Elbit systems factory in Filton, near Bristol, and smash up equipment including drones. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham to pass law scrapping pension triple lock before next election 02. October 2026 (18:39) Guarantee will remain until 2030 but MPs will vote on changes during this parliament, government saysAndy Burnham will pass legislation to scrap the state pension triple lock in this parliament, even though the guarantee will remain until 2030, the government has said.The prime minister used his conference speech to announce a change to the policy, which guarantees that the state pension rises by the highest of 2.5%, inflation or earnings growth. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spanish right wing votes down housing crisis plans as protest movement grows 02. October 2026 (18:27) Opposition lawmakers join forces to defeat proposals made by Socialist-led coalition after eviction of 87-year-oldRightwing lawmakers in Spain have rejected emergency measures put forward to tackle the country’s housing crisis, pitting a fractured parliament against the widespread protest movement that has swelled in recent days.On Friday Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist-led coalition put forward two decrees that included a range of measures aimed at improving access to housing, from a ban on evictions until 2030 to the regulation of temporary lettings and lettings by room. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
England school inspections to be overhauled again after barrage of complaints 02. October 2026 (18:00) Exclusive: Education secretary sends Ofsted back to ‘drawing board’ as teachers raise serious concerns about new systemSchool inspections in England will be overhauled for the second time in a year, after a barrage of complaints that the new system was dangerously stressful and damaging teachers’ mental health.Lucy Powell, the education secretary, will tell the schools regulator Ofsted to “go back to the drawing board” after becoming concerned that inspection changes overseen by her predecessor, Bridget Phillipson, were creating problems for headteachers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bosses of three firms that supply trains to UK railways made £3.5m last year 02. October 2026 (17:54) Rolling stock companies, which also paid out nearly £400m to shareholders, accused of profiting at passengers’ expenseThe chief executives of three firms that rent out trains to Britain’s railways were paid a combined £3.5m last year as they passed on almost £400m to shareholders in dividends.Rail unions accused the rolling stock companies (Roscos) of raking in profits at passengers’ expense. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Aviation security back in spotlight after nightmare on flydubai flight to Israel 02. October 2026 (17:40) Questions raised over cockpit locks and screening of pilots as UAE investigates details and motives of near disasterAt around 9.30 on Wednesday morning local time, Tali Manes was taking her six-year-old daughter Nina to the toilet on the regular flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv when she heard a series of heavy blows against the cockpit door.Manes, an Israeli bank executive, immediately told a flight attendant seated nearby that something was wrong. When he didn’t react, she shouted at him: “Something is happening in there!” Seconds later, the man “simply went to the [cockpit] door and opened it”, Manes told Israel’s Channel 12 TV. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US Coast Guard says it intercepted ship carrying fuel to Cuba 02. October 2026 (17:13) US says ship thought to be using common ‘dark fleet’ tactics was boarded and taken to Mexico as embargo continuesThe US Coast Guard has announced that it intercepted a large cargo ship carrying fuel bound for Cuba, as the Trump administration’s crippling oil embargo against the island nation continued.The vessel named Grace was stopped on 5 September in the Caribbean Sea between Cuba and Mexico while using tactics to evade authorities, the Coast Guard said. The New York Times reported that the ship was 91 metres (300ft) long. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
