Evening Standard

OpenAI says it will not release a new AI model because it 'didn't quite meet the bar' on the company's internal safety standards. The decision, reported by CNN, highlights how safety testing can delay or block model launches even when development is complete. It is likely to fuel ongoing debate about how AI companies weigh safety reviews against competitive pressure to ship new products.

The Republic of Ireland and Israel skipped the traditional pre-match handshake at their football fixture, underlining the political tensions surrounding the game. The decision, reported by BBC Sport, reflects the sensitivity of any sporting encounter between the two sides given the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The teams proceeded with the match without the usual formalities, drawing attention to the broader context.

New research suggests the usual split between 'normal' and 'abnormal' health checkup results oversimplifies risk. The study finds that checkup values have nonlinear relationships with future healthcare costs, meaning risk can rise even within ranges typically considered normal. The findings could prompt a rethinking of how screening thresholds are used to predict and manage long-term healthcare spending.

A new Atlas Intel poll in Brazil puts Lula at 45.3% and Flávio Bolsonaro at 42.2% in a first-round scenario for the 2026 presidential election, with the two statistically tied. In a second-round matchup, the survey shows the candidates even, underscoring how competitive the race has become. The numbers are fueling debate about Bolsonarismo's strength under a new standard-bearer and Lula's re-election prospects.

Elon Musk's former partner says their relationship ended abruptly, describing the breakup as coming 'with no warning'. The remarks, reported by the Evening Standard, have drawn fresh attention to Musk's personal life, with commenters discussing the claim and the Tesla and SpaceX chief's relationships with the mother of some of his children.

The Los Angeles Times reports that more students are taking the SAT even though the University of California and California State University systems continue to ignore test scores in admissions. The piece explores why families still see value in the exam, citing college applications outside California, scholarship opportunities, and uncertainty about whether test-free policies will last.

Nigeria are preparing to take on Guinea-Bissau in an international football fixture, with attention focused on team selection. Outlets including the London Evening Standard have published predicted lineups and confirmed team news ahead of kickoff, as fans debate which players will start for the Super Eagles and how Guinea-Bissau will line up in response.

Bluebell Horner, the 20-year-old daughter of Spice Girls star Geri Horner, is reported to have performed at a secret charity gig in London, according to the Evening Standard. The report is drawing attention as a possible first public step into performing for the celebrity offspring, whose mother is one of Britain's best-known pop stars.

Broadcaster Amol Rajan has described actor Richard E Grant as the 'lord of chaos' during his appearance on the BBC's Celebrity Traitors. The remark, reported by the Evening Standard, has circulated widely among fans following the show, which also features names such as James Acaster and Maya Jama in connection with the franchise.

Mark Chapman and his Match of the Day co-host Kelly Cates are reportedly dating, according to the Evening Standard, following Chapman's split from his former partner. The two BBC presenters work alongside each other on the football highlights show. There has been no public confirmation from either Chapman or Cates, and details about the relationship remain sparse.

Andy Burnham has scrapped a controversial plan backed by Keir Starmer that would have removed jury trials for certain offences. According to the headline from the Evening Standard, the proposal to limit defendants' right to a jury is being abandoned. The details of the decision and reactions from legal figures and politicians were not included in the available coverage.

Filmmaker Robert Eggers has shelved another horror project after 'Werwulf', saying it became 'so dark' that it could not move forward. The director, known for 'The Witch' and 'The Lighthouse', has a history of uncompromising, atmospheric horror, and the report suggests the project's tone crossed a line even for his standards.

The National Audit Office has launched a review into Capita's handling of civil service pensions administration, the Evening Standard reports. Capita runs pension services for the UK civil service under government contracts, and the watchdog's scrutiny will examine how the outsourcing firm delivers those services. The review adds to pressure on the company, which has faced criticism over contract performance in recent years.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is bringing legal action against Thames Valley Police at the High Court over search warrants reportedly connected to the Sandringham Estate. The case, first reported by the Evening Standard, places the former Duke of York in a fresh legal dispute with a UK police force, drawing renewed public attention to his ongoing legal entanglements.

Warhorse Studios' Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 director Daniel Vávra has said he hopes Grand Theft Auto 6 will open the door to higher game prices, while admitting the popularity of Rockstar's series surpasses his understanding. His comments have reignited debate over whether the next GTA will push the standard $70 price tag even higher across the industry.

The Evening Standard has published personal finance advice listing nine bad money habits to avoid in the run-up to Christmas. The piece, tagged around money and personal finance, is aimed at helping people curb spending during the costly festive shopping season, when supermarket trips and gift-buying can strain household budgets.

Campaign groups say businesses supporting further North Sea oil and gas drilling are increasingly out of step, amid ongoing debate over the UK government's energy policy. The claim, reported by the Evening Standard, highlights growing tension between industry backing for new drilling licences and environmental campaigners calling for a faster shift to renewable energy.

BT has agreed a rescue deal to keep TalkTalk from collapsing into administration, according to the London Evening Standard. The move would see one of the UK's best-known broadband providers taken under the wing of its larger rival, protecting millions of customer connections and marking a major consolidation in the British telecoms market. Details of the price and terms have yet to be widely reported, and reaction is still forming.

A failed asylum seeker has been sentenced to life imprisonment for planning a knife attack on the Israeli embassy in London. The case, reported by the Evening Standard, adds to ongoing UK concerns about extremism and security around diplomatic premises, particularly amid heightened tensions linked to the Middle East conflict.

A sixth man arrested over an alleged terror plot targeting RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire has been released on bail, according to the Evening Standard. The arrest is part of an ongoing counter-terrorism investigation at the airbase, with questions also raised in coverage involving Keir Starmer, Iran and Benjamin Netanyahu. Police continue to investigate.

Forecasters expect temperatures in London to plunge sharply in the coming days as the first real autumn chill arrives. The Evening Standard reports a cold spell is on the way after a mild stretch, with Londoners bracing for noticeably cooler conditions. The shift is being picked up as a talking point as the season turns.

Greece and Germany face each other in a UEFA Nations League fixture today, with fans looking for TV channel and live stream details. The Evening Standard has published viewing information ahead of the match, which has drawn attention as audiences in both countries and beyond seek out how to follow the game live.

Martin Freeman and Jim Broadbent are set to star in a Dickensian ghost story airing at Christmas, according to the Evening Standard. The project is linked to Mark Gatiss and the BBC, continuing the tradition of festive supernatural adaptations in the vein of Charles Dickens. Entertainment commentators are picking up the casting news as part of the seasonal TV line-up.

Eamonn Holmes' girlfriend, Katie Alexander, has reportedly moved out of the broadcaster's £1.3 million Surrey flat and is said to be devastated by the split in living arrangements. The news has drawn attention to the state of the couple's relationship, with the Evening Standard covering the development in its showbiz section.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth invoked the 1415 Battle of Agincourt as he argued for an overhaul of America's hi-tech weapons programmes, drawing on a medieval battle where longbowmen overcame a larger French force. The remarks, reported by the London Evening Standard, come as the Pentagon pushes to modernise procurement, with figures like Elon Musk prominent in debates over military technology.