Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Tuesday 13 October
Anthropic says new safeguards cut Claude distillation attempts by 90–99%
Anthropic said on 13 October that new safeguards cut data harvested in attempts to copy Claude's capabilities by roughly 90–99%. It banned tens of thousands of accounts and named Chinese developer Z.ai among the companies involved in such activity.
Poland signs deal to prepare second nuclear plant
Poland's Ministry of Energy, PEJ and PGE signed an agreement on 13 October making PEJ investor and coordinator, with PGE supplying location analyses and feasibility studies. The updated programme targets a technology partner in 2027 and construction around 2032.
EDPB urges smart glasses to give clear recording signals
The European Data Protection Board issued a non-binding recommendation on 13 October that AI-enabled smart glasses should clearly indicate when recording. Norway, France and UK campaigners are pushing for bans over secret filming of women and girls.
Democrats favored to retake House as Senate races tighten before 3 November
Americans vote on 3 November, with Republicans holding a thin House majority and Trump's approval at about 37%, per the BBC. Democrats need a net gain of four House seats and must hold or flip Senate seats in Georgia and Michigan.
Bulgaria summons Russian ambassador after ship sinks following drone attacks
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev summoned the Russian ambassador on 13 October after a commercial vessel sank following drone attacks near Bulgaria, which he suspects Russia carried out. Another Ukraine-owned ship was struck offshore, BBC reported.
Anthropic warns small AI models could self-replicate by end of 2026
Anthropic warned in a report that models with up to 30 billion parameters can already do many tasks needed for self-replication, and could build botnets or break into data centres by end-2026. GLM-5.2 and stronger models completed end-to-end replication in simplified tests.
Siemoniak cites AI-made graphic on Russian bot drop, researchers deny it
Poland's coordinating minister for special services said the ABW had seen a sharp fall in Russian bot activity after Ukraine hit Yandex data centres. The claim traced to an AI-generated graphic shared by politicians and MEPs; researchers deny any such drop.
Israel bars flight crews of 31 nationalities from Tel Aviv flights
Israel told foreign airlines that pilots and cabin crew holding the nationality of 31 mostly Muslim-majority countries may not fly into its airspace, and Air France says it is complying.
Russian missiles kill two in Kyiv and damage Thermal Power Plant No. 4
Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv on 13 October, killing two people and damaging a high-rise apartment building and Thermal Power Plant No. 4, Ukrainian officials said. Zelenskyy said Moscow was not behaving as though it accepted Trump's announced energy ceasefire.
Bucharest Tribunal replaces Georgescu's detention with house arrest
The Bucharest Tribunal granted Călin Georgescu's request to replace 30 days of preventive detention with house arrest in the DIICOT case over an alleged €1.1 million fraud. The ruling is not final, and DIICOT is expected to appeal.
IMF names AI investment slowdown as global financial stability risk
The IMF's Global Financial Stability Report said falling AI profits or investment could trigger a correction in AI-related assets and spill into wider markets. Stress tests showed the share of banking assets with weak capital rose to 22% from 18% in 2025.
Apple withholds HomeView device from EU over Siri AI availability
Apple said on 13 October that its HomeView device will not be sold in the European Union because its Siri AI service is unavailable there owing to EU regulatory requirements.
Italy asks to widen EU fiscal flexibility to cover household and business energy costs
Italy is seeking permission to use EU fiscal flexibility beyond the green transition, to support households and businesses facing higher energy prices and inflation, Reuters reported on 13 October. Finance Minister Giorgetti called for "selective and temporary support."
Bucharest Tribunal postpones Georgescu detention ruling to 13 October
The Bucharest Tribunal postponed its decision on whether Călin Georgescu can leave pre-trial detention for house arrest or judicial control until Tuesday, 13 October. He has been held since 29 September in the DIICOT fraud investigation, as protests reached a 14th night.
Saudi-led coalition orders evacuation around Sanaa oil station before planned operation
The Saudi-led coalition told civilians to leave the area around the Yemen Oil Company's Sabah central station in Sanaa on 13 October ahead of a planned military operation. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree threatened a "harsh and painful" response against Riyadh.
Saudi crown prince rejects Israeli request to join action against Houthis
Mohammed bin Salman rejected an Israeli proposal for Saudi participation in military action against the Houthis, Israeli media reported, as cited by Anadolu on 13 October. The idea was raised through US mediation.
Poland threatens to block EU 2028-2034 budget over ETS revenue plan
Warsaw says it will not accept a Commission plan to route 30% of ETS auction revenue into the EU budget, and RMF FM reports it could block the 2028-2034 package. The issue is on the 15-16 October European Council agenda.
Hungarian parliament votes 139-51 to remove Orbán-era anti-LGBTQ provisions
Hungary's parliament approved on 13 October, by 139 votes to 51, an amendment removing anti-LGBTQ provisions from the 2021 child protection law. It is the first rollback of Orbán-era restrictions since Prime Minister Péter Magyar took office in May.
Germany, Italy and Belgium seek EU emergency brake on new rules
Germany, Italy and Belgium asked Council President Costa, in a letter, to let member states halt new EU laws judged overly burdensome for governments and business. The request lands days before the 15–16 October leaders' summit and targets how legislation is adopted.
Anthropic report says Yemen-based armed group used Claude for missile software
Anthropic's September report describes a Yemen-based armed group using Claude for missile guidance software across three weapons programmes. A guided missile test reportedly failed, and the accounts involved have since been banned.
Romanian court moves Călin Georgescu to 30 days of house arrest
A Romanian court transferred pro-Russian former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu from police custody to 30 days of house arrest on 13 October, Reuters reported, while authorities investigate suspected fraud.
Germany, Italy and Belgium call for 'emergency brake' on costly EU legislation
Germany, Italy and Belgium sent a letter on 13 October seeking a mechanism to suspend or block EU rules judged excessively costly for businesses and governments. They also urged faster approvals for investment in decarbonisation, energy, AI and defence, and more SME deregulation.
Von der Leyen urges EU leaders to adopt emergency framework on weaponised migration
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen published a letter on 13 October ahead of the European Council summit, calling for an emergency framework for "weaponised" migration, stronger Frontex powers and higher deportation rates, following the Ceuta crisis.
Government spokesman Szłapka tells TV Republika reporters to apologize and leave
Government spokesman Adam Szłapka told TV Republika journalists on 13 October they could apologize and leave instead of asking questions, then ended the Warsaw briefing held after the government meeting. The exchange concerns press access to official briefings in Poland.
ZE PAK and Sołowow's SGE agree to build up to six SMRs at Pątnów
ZE PAK and SGE, controlled by Michał Sołowow, agreed to set up a special purpose vehicle to build up to six BWRX-300 small modular reactors at Pątnów near Konin. ZE PAK shares rose about 3.5% in Warsaw the same day.
US and Europe reportedly draft peace plan sharing energy profits between Russia and Ukraine
The Washington Post reports US and European governments are drafting a joint proposal offering economic benefits and security guarantees to both Ukraine and Russia. It would also press both sides toward territorial concessions that neither currently accepts.
Twelve US senators urge Trump to abandon Russian diesel arrangement
A group of 12 US senators argued on 13 October that suspending sanctions on Russian diesel would give the Kremlin extra war funds without materially lowering US fuel prices. The Treasury licence suspends the relevant sanctions until April 2027.
ZE PAK and Sołowow's SGE sign deal for six SMR reactors at Pątnów
ZE PAK and SGE, controlled by Michał Sołowow, agreed to set up a special purpose vehicle to build up to six BWRX-300 small modular reactors at Pątnów near Konin. ZE PAK shares rose about 3.5% in Warsaw the same day.
Kharkiv strikes kill three and injure 15, Ukrainian officials say
Russian strikes on Kharkiv killed three people and injured 15 on 13 October, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said, while attacks also damaged homes in the Lviv region. Reports did not link the strikes to the disputed energy ceasefire.
Germany's Wildberger wants tax on AI revenue to fund worker retraining
Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) wants revenue from artificial intelligence taxed in Germany to pay for retraining workers. DIW president Marcel Fratzscher went further, calling for the state to own all leading AI firms and their infrastructure.
Greens and SPD suspend Berlin exploratory talks with Left Party over antisemitism safeguards
The Greens and SPD suspended exploratory coalition negotiations with Berlin's Left Party on 13 October while they assess whether antisemitism measures agreed the previous week remain in force, Reuters reported. The dispute also touches the Israel–Gaza conflict.
All 27 states agree to open accession clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine and Moldova
Irish European affairs minister Thomas Byrne said on 13 October that all 27 member states agreed to open negotiating clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine and Moldova, covering the internal market, competitiveness and inclusive growth, following reforms linked to accession.
NewsGuard finds Russia-linked fake media reports up 850% in a year
NewsGuard reported on 13 October that Russia-linked networks produced 421 fake articles imitating legitimate outlets in the first half of 2026, against 44 in the first half of 2025. Targets include Euronews, with distribution via X and Telegram to undermine support for Ukraine.
Poland threatens to block EU 2028-2034 budget over ETS revenue plan
Warsaw said it will not accept a Commission plan to route 30% of ETS auction revenue into the EU budget, and RMF FM reports it could block the 2028-2034 package. The issue is on the agenda of the 15–16 October European Council summit.
Dombrovskis says EU-China car deal is only a first step on trade imbalances
EU Economics Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said on 13 October that the hybrid-import agreement with China is a first step, because the bloc's trade and economic imbalances with Beijing extend beyond the automotive sector, ahead of the 15-16 October leaders' summit.
IMF raises euro-area 2026 growth forecast to 1.1%
The IMF lifted its 2026 euro-area growth forecast to 1.1% from 0.9% in July on 13 October, citing AI-related investment and defence spending. It projects 1.2% for 2027 and assumes oil averaging $96 a barrel, warning that energy costs and debt threaten the outlook.
Poland signs deal to prepare second nuclear plant
The Ministry of Energy, PEJ and PGE signed an agreement on 13 October making PEJ investor and coordinator, with PGE supplying location analyses and feasibility studies.
Egypt offers Saudi Arabia "any kind" of support against Houthi attacks
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on 13 October that Cairo is prepared to provide any support Riyadh requests as Houthi attacks hit Saudi airports. He did not say whether this includes military assistance.
About 400 scientists urge international oversight body for cyber-capable AI
Around 400 researchers, including Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, urged governments on 13 October to set up an international body for advanced cyber-capable AI.
ECB and Bank of England press banks on frontier-AI risks
Reuters reported on 13 October that the ECB, Bank of England and other supervisors are pressing banks to strengthen recovery plans, map AI dependencies and prepare for AI-enabled cyberattacks or rogue agents.