Labour inches ahead in polls for first time in 16 months - but Burnham insists he would 'rule out' a general election
Just over a quarter of Brits would now vote for Labour in a general election , catapulting the party ahead of Reform for the first time since March last year.
'Unexceptional' classics from the 70s to the 90s gather as mundane cars near extinction: Did you own one?
Poor build quality, rust and accidents have wiped out vast numbers of cars, meaning some are now rarer than classic Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
Big Tech Accused of Stonewalling European Social Media Researchers
European misinformation researchers say TikTok, X, and Meta are obstructing access to platform data required under the EU's Digital Services Act through rejections, restrictive quotas, costly APIs, and burdensome security demands. Although regulators have fined X and pushed platforms to improve access, researchers remain skeptical that the changes will provide reliable, reproducible data at scale. Ars Technica reports: In recent years, social media companies shut down public access tools like Meta's CrowdTangle and replaced them with content libraries, or, like X, paywalled their API data, forcing academics to pay "hundreds of dollars a month," said Duncan Allen, a research officer at Democracy Reporting International (DRI) in Germany. Researchers say that without API access, what Iamnitchi describes as the "black holes" in what society knows about how these platforms recommend content or handle reports regarding sensitive content will only grow. Others, like TikTok, cap how many posts any researcher account can pull each day, which Allen said can make it "impossible to study anything at scale."
The DSA was meant to solve this by allowing vetted researchers at credible institutions to have access to API data if they could show it would help in studying systemic risks, from illegal content to threats to fundamental rights. But two years after the law took effect, researchers say they struggle to meet its security requirements and face narrow interpretations from platforms of what qualifies as a systemic risk. Application forms differ by platform, but most require data to be stored on infrastructure that cannot be compromised -- such as a machine physically disconnected from the Internet -- a resource most universities lack, [said Adriana Iamnitchi, chair of computational social sciences at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, who leads research into online disinformation campaigns.]
Even for researchers who secure approval, "there's no guarantee that the data is good," said L. K. Seiling, coordinator of the DSA40 Collaboratory, a German initiative that tracks 46 DSA applications. API data is often difficult for a colleague to reproduce, so a researcher's work cannot be checked for errors, which Iamnitchi said is a "basic requirement of science." DSA40 data shows that of 46 tracked applications, 20 were approved and 14 rejected. But approval rates vary widely: TikTok approved 11 of 13 applications, while X rejected 11 of 23. The true rejection rate is likely higher because the tracker relies on voluntary reporting, Seiling said. "There's no structured advantage for researchers to use this pathway," Seiling said. "Data access as it's set up right now tries to disincentivize researchers."
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Essex crime round-up: Drug dealer, killer and extremist jailed
A drug dealer, a murderer, a rogue trader and a would-be terrorist are among those jailed in Essex in a series of serious cases brought before the courts.
Essex crime round-up: Drug dealer, killer and extremist jailed
A drug dealer, a murderer, a rogue trader and a would-be terrorist are among those jailed in Essex in a series of serious cases brought before the courts.
Update on plans for brand new bowling alley in Chelmsford shopping centre
Work is ongoing ahead of its planned opening date
Now Burnham faces Labour Left mutiny over youth benefits crackdown as it's revealed teens with anxiety get £100 MORE than those working
The Prime Minister suggested his plans for reform could make payments more 'conditional upon people taking opportunities that are presented in front of them'.
Cassette simulator rewinds digital audio to a more analog time in hiss-tory
Is there a simulator for the wail when you realize your precious one-off bootleg has just been chewed up?
Pupils in first borough to ban smartphones in schools are happier and better behaved say heads
Barnet in North London launched its smartphone-free schools scheme almost a year ago, leading to bans in 103 primaries and 23 secondaries.
England's top 10 unhealthiest towns REVEALED - where the average resident dies up to a decade early
A damning analysis by health think-tank The King's Fund found men in the seaside town can expect to live for just 73.7 years on average - almost a decade less than those living in Hart, Hampshire.
Petrol expected to hit 160p a litre this week - the highest price since Iran conflict began
Petrol rose 0.6p over the weekend to an average of 157.81p and diesel rose 1p to 175.71p. And the RAC says prices will continue rising this week.
Adam Peaty's family hits back at swimmer after his swipe at estranged relatives over 'hurtful' Commonwealth Games performance
The bitter feud between Adam Ramsay-Peaty and his estranged family escalated on Monday after his interviews at the Commonwealth Games sparked renewed anger.
An ancient biblical prophecy is unfolding in Dead Sea... and here's what it might mean
A mysterious development at Israel's Dead Sea has sparked fears that a biblical prophecy, connected to catastrophic war and the end of times, is coming to pass.
Scientists discover taking a £3.50 daily supplement could boost brain health in old age - and keep you strong
Taking a daily multivitamin could keep the brain sharp, allowing older adults to live independently for longer, new research suggests.
'Game-changing' drug allows children with allergies to eat foods that would have killed them
A drug used to treat asthma could prevent thousands of life-threatening allergic reactions, allowing a third of children with allergies to safely eat triggering foods.
Businessman 'in shock' after 'unprecedented' blaze tore through industrial estate
A business owner has told of his “shock” after a “completely unprecedented” blaze on an industrial estate near East Hanningfield.
Businessman 'in shock' after 'unprecedented' blaze tore through industrial estate
A business owner has told of his “shock” after a “completely unprecedented” blaze on an industrial estate near East Hanningfield.
Ed Miliband unusually takes up Britain's seat on the World Bank board so he can push his Net Zero agenda globally
The new Foreign Secretary, previously the architect of Labour's Net Zero agenda as energy secretary, will take on the role of UK Governor to the international lender.
Sara Cox reveals she's a 'proud mother of a queer daughter' while Sam Smith reveals they can't wait to start a family with their partner as pair bond over LGBTQ parenting
The Radio 2 Breakfast host shares daughter Lola, 22, with ex Jon Carter and is also mother to son Isaac, 18, and daughter Renee, 16, with husband Ben Cyzer.
Coronation Street's Samia Longchambon, 44, shows off her incredible figure in a string bikini as she enjoys a family holiday with husband Sylvain
The soap star, 44, has jetted off with her Dancing On Ice star husband, 45, whom she married in 2016, and their son Yves.