Healey appoints Labour manifesto writer, adding to election speculation 25. September 2026 (18:34) Exclusive: Economist Ravinder Athwal, who worked in Keir Starmer’s team, is poached from Flint GlobalRavinder Athwal, the economist who wrote Labour’s 2024 manifesto, is taking on a senior role as an adviser to John Healey, in a move likely to fuel speculation about an early general election.The chancellor is keen to strengthen his team before the critical budget on 28 October, as the economy is buffeted by high oil prices and rising government borrowing costs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Alberta’s self-image as world’s only rat-free region shattered by discovery of rat 25. September 2026 (18:34) Province’s rat patrol called in to investigate as town of Bowden announces discovery of dead verminFor more than seven decades, residents of Alberta have shared something in common with Antarctica and the high Arctic: all locations are officially free of rats.But on Thursday the Canadian province’s reputation as a firewall against rodent infestation took a hit when the town of Bowden announced the discovery of a dead rat and called on the province’s “rat patrol” to investigate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Novelist accused of using AI to write book removed from French prize list 25. September 2026 (18:14) Thélyson Orélien had been in the running to win a top literary prize before the AI claim emerged on social mediaThe organisers of France’s most prestigious literary prize said they had removed a critically acclaimed novel by a Canadian-Haitian writer from the longlist after an anonymous online account claimed the book was “almost entirely” written by AI.The Académie Goncourt, a Paris-based literary organisation, said on Friday its decision to withdraw Thélyson Orélien’s novel C’était ça ou mourir (It Was That or Die) was “driven by the desire to preserve the integrity of the Goncourt prize and the academy itself, whose central role is to promote and honour literature written by women and men”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pope Leo warns of AI threat to humanity at start of three-day France visit 25. September 2026 (18:01) Pontiff says artificial intelligence must remain at service of people in first official papal visit to country in 18 yearsPope Leo has warned against losing humanity in a “paradise of machines” as he addressed global concerns over the dangers of artificial intelligence at the start of a three-day visit to France.“If we are to avoid losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines invading and conditioning our daily lives, there is an urgent need for people to be educated in ethical discernment, capable of seeing what is morally right,” he said in a speech at the Élysée. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
No snap election before 2029, Andy Burnham says 25. September 2026 (18:00) Prime minister quashes speculation that Labour’s revival in the polls could prompt early contestAndy Burnham has said he will not call a snap general election before 2029, after days of speculation that Labour’s revival in the polls could tempt him to call an early contest.The prime minister was repeatedly questioned on the prospect during a round of broadcast interviews to regional media on Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
