Closer

A new essay by Cal Newport argues it is time to formally investigate the leading artificial intelligence labs, questioning their claims about the power and risks of their systems. The piece has drawn significant attention, with readers debating whether companies like OpenAI and Anthropic deserve closer scrutiny, and whether public concern about AI has been amplified by lab marketing rather than evidence.

Canada is being floated as a candidate for some form of EU 'associate membership', but analysts at the Lowy Institute argue this framing is misleading. There is no such status in EU law, and talk of it distracts from the real debate about how closely Canada and Europe should align on trade, defence and foreign policy amid strained transatlantic ties.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has reignited the debate over Britain's relationship with the EU, breaking years of stalemate in which post-Brexit negotiations with Brussels had been stuck. The question of whether the EU wants Britain back is now being asked openly. However, EU leaders remain clear that any discussion about closer ties will come with conditions, and no formal reopening of talks is on the table.

A rare public drive-through of SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas has been documented, showing a Starship rocket positioned on the launch pad. The footage offers an uncommon ground-level view of the site where SpaceX develops and launches its next-generation Super Heavy booster and Starship spacecraft, giving observers a closer look at operations at the Boca Chica complex near the Texas-Mexico border.

NASA and SpaceX have set no earlier than Oct. 7 as the departure date for the Crew-12 mission from the International Space Station. The target gives the four-person crew a planned return window, pending weather and spacecraft readiness. The announcement follows routine coordination between the agency and the company on crew rotation schedules, with a specific undocking time expected closer to the date.

The Coppa Agostoni cycling race is scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2026, in the Brianza area of Lombardy. Local coverage is detailing the race route, start times and the list of road closures residents should expect, with riders and teams expected to be announced closer to the date.

Novak Djokovic defeated Alexander Zverev to advance to the semi-finals of the China Open in Beijing. The win keeps the Serbian star's momentum going at the tournament as he moves one step closer to another title. Fans and sports outlets are highlighting the high-profile clash between the two former world number ones.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv believes Russia has shared jet-drone technology with North Korea, raising concerns about deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. The claim, reported by Reuters, suggests technology transfers that could advance North Korea's weapons programmes. It comes as Western officials warn of growing exchanges between the two countries, which have drawn closer since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

NFL.com's 'NFL GameDay Preview' takes a closer look at the Week 4 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders. The segment examines how the AFC West rivals match up heading into the game. It is part of the league's regular coverage building up to the Week 4 slate.

Fred Love, a candidate for Arkansas governor, was featured on Talk Business & Politics alongside longtime political editor Andrew DeMillo. The segment covered his gubernatorial campaign and the state's political landscape, giving viewers a closer look at his platform as the election cycle develops.

French President Emmanuel Macron said 'Welcome back' after the British Prime Minister indicated openness to closer ties, and potentially a return, to the European Union. The remark came as the UK leader suggested the door is now open to rejoining the bloc, a striking shift years after Brexit. Commenters are weighing whether a genuine path back to EU membership is politically realistic for Britain.

Partial results from Latvia's parliamentary election indicate a pro-European majority is emerging. As votes are counted, parties favouring closer ties with the European Union appear set to dominate the next coalition in Riga. The outcome is being watched across the region as a signal of continued Baltic support for EU integration amid ongoing security concerns over Russia.

Engadget takes a closer look at whether dedicated gaming routers actually improve performance or whether standard routers deliver the same experience. The piece examines what gaming-specific hardware offers in terms of latency, prioritisation and stability for online play.

The Telegraph reports that a future British bid to rejoin the European Union would force the government to abandon Labour's VAT levy on private school fees, since the levy conflicts with EU rules on education being exempt from VAT. The claim, made under Keir Starmer's Labour government, is sparking debate about whether the policy is compatible with closer EU alignment.

Independent classical label Divine Art Records has announced a 'Phase Change' planned for 2027, reported by OperaWire. The announcement gives little detail on what the transition will involve, but it points to a significant restructuring or new direction for the label, which has a long catalogue of classical and historic recordings. Further specifics are expected closer to the date.

The Italian national football team is moving away from a positional 4-3-3 setup, which relied on set patterns and large distances between players during deep build-up play, towards a more relational model with players positioned closer together in higher areas of the pitch. Football tactics observers are discussing what this structural change means for the team's style of play under its current setup.

As the NBA weighs expansion, attention is turning to who might own a prospective Las Vegas franchise. Reporting has taken a closer look at the leading bidders vying to bring an NBA team to the city, examining their finances and credentials. Las Vegas is widely viewed as a frontrunner for expansion alongside Seattle.

A group of Amazon e-book customers has moved closer to having its lawsuit certified as a class action in an antitrust case against the company. The buyers allege anticompetitive conduct around e-book pricing. With certification advancing, the suit could cover a broad group of purchasers, raising the stakes for Amazon in ongoing litigation over its e-book business practices.

Three leveraged funds tracking Bitcoin and Ether futures have cleared an SEC listing hurdle, moving a step closer to trading on US exchanges. The funds would offer 3x exposure to the two largest cryptocurrencies through futures contracts. The development marks another expansion of regulated crypto investment products available to American investors, following the earlier approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs.

Stéphane HUC is promoting a review of LinuxTV, a project aimed at televisions and based on the Debian Linux distribution. The item, published on his site, presents LinuxTV as a way to run a full Debian system on TV hardware, inviting readers interested in free software and open alternatives for living-room devices to take a closer look.

Psychology commentary is arguing that venting emotions does not provide the relief people expect, but instead acts like rehearsal, reinforcing negative thought patterns. The discussion draws on research into co-rumination, where repeatedly revisiting problems with others amplifies distress rather than resolving it, challenging the popular belief that expressing anger or frustration helps to dissipate it.

Travelers planning holiday trips are being warned to expect higher airfares this season. Reports indicate that flights around Thanksgiving and Christmas will cost noticeably more than in previous years, with outlets breaking down how much extra passengers could pay depending on when and where they book. The price increases are being attributed to strong seasonal demand, and experts suggest booking early to avoid paying peak prices closer to the holidays.

Manchester City have received an update regarding potential Premier League disciplinary action, with reports suggesting two possible punishments are being proposed, one of which could involve expulsion from the league. The development relates to the club's long-running financial charges case, which has kept the club at the centre of English football's biggest regulatory dispute.

The New York Times has published its expert picks and predictions for NFL Week 4, covering against-the-spread selections and over/under bets for Sunday's full schedule. Fans and bettors are weighing in on the recommendations as the week's matchups draw closer and betting lines continue to move.

A new poll finds 49% of respondents support the UK rejoining the European Union, while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has hinted at a possible move toward closer EU ties. The figures point to shifting British public opinion on Europe, years after Brexit, and Burnham's comments have fuelled speculation about his ambitions and the direction of the Labour movement.

Investors are turning to the latest Federal Reserve and European Central Bank meeting minutes for direction on interest rates. Weak US jobs data has fuelled expectations that the Fed may pause or slow its tightening cycle, while political and market stress in France has weighed on eurozone sentiment. Traders say both central banks may be closer to the end of their hiking cycles than previously thought, making the minutes key reading for markets.

A new exclusive clip from 'It's Not Like That' has been released, showing a rummage sale scene where Malcolm and Flora have a conversation about grief and their future. The excerpt offers viewers a closer look at the emotional dynamic between the two characters, highlighting themes of loss and what comes next as the project draws attention.

A Bangladesh Bank study has found that profit-loss sharing (PLS) arrangements account for less than 1% of investments in the country's Islamic banking sector. The finding highlights how little of Islamic banking is actually structured around the profit-sharing principle that is central to Shariah-compliant finance, with most investment instead taking forms closer to conventional lending.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has made an unexpected U-turn on Britain's road back to closer ties with Europe, according to The Observer, a shift the paper says has left Whitehall reeling. The report suggests the move surprised political insiders, with nobody anticipating the change in his position on European relations.