A new report by @techvsterrorism.bsky.social has revealed just how easily terrorists, and other bad actors, can use AI chatbots to plan and execute attacks, as well as acquire weapons, make bombs, and generate propaganda for their cause. www.lbc.co.uk/article/ai-c...

AI chatbots pose 'national security threat', warns expert, as terrorists able to use tech to plan attacks and build homemade bombs | LBC

“This should be, in our view, a national security conversation," said Adam Hadley, CEO of Tech Against Terrorism

lbc.co.uk

"The success of this London attack should embolden this group to make bigger statements." I spoke to @sadarlo.bsky.social about the new group claiming yesterday's attack in Golders Green 👇 www.lbc.co.uk/article/terr...

Success of London arson attack will 'embolden' suspected terror group that claims to be behind antisemitic hate crime | LBC

A Telegram post from Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, in which it claims to be behind the arson, has circulated online.

lbc.co.uk

The UK Government has said that Elon Musk's xAI "cannot go unchecked" after my latest investigation for LBC revealed that the Grok chatbot can give users instructions on how to make chemical weapons. Read the full story 👇 www.lbc.co.uk/article/grok...

Grok instructs users how to make chemical weapons - as LBC investigation uncovers the dark side of Elon Musk's xAI | LBC

The UK Government has said that Elon Musk's xAI

lbc.co.uk

The author of a viral Reddit thread alleging fraud at a food delivery company tried to back up his claim by sending me AI-generated documents. Today I'm publishing those documents in the hopes that it helps other reporter see what we're up against in the age of AI www.platformer.news/fake-uber-ea...

kash patel, 2024: we must release the epstein files and oust the cabal kash patel, 2025: the guy charged and jailed for sex trafficking kids didn’t sex traffic anyone actually

I've been working on a couple of investigations on AI and the Online Safety Act, specifically, how AI tools are allowing disturbing information to slip through the cracks.

It's been a while since I was on Blue Sky, so hello, I've had a bit of a job change recently! I'm now a digital journalist at @lbc.co.uk. If you have a story, you can reach me at rebecca.henrys@global.com 📧

Cumberland Council made payments of almost £3,000 to the Allerdale Labour Group for refuse collection services in 2023 'as a result of human error'. The payments were supposed to be made to Allerdale Waste Services but the 'wrong organisation number' was entered into the system.

Six years ago today, I joined the News and Star as one of the first Meta community reporters. There was a bit of a career break in the middle but it's fantastic to have been back in the journalism game for almost a year. And, this week I've had two front pages in a row!

Quite a long story from me, but I spoke to business owners in Carlisle City Centre about the impact that the ongoing regeneration works have had on their trade. TL;DR - They've been massively affected and feel unsupported by the council. www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2503868...

City centre shops impacted by regeneration works as disruption continues

Independent businesses have spoken out about the impact that ongoing Carlisle city centre regeneration works have had on their trade.

newsandstar.co.uk

@atomfall.com, the new Fallout-esque game set in Cumbria is now out, so how is it? I've been having a lot of fun playing it, there's mystery, intrigue, and lots to explore. But, it's disappointing that there are no actual Cumbrian accents to be heard. www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2504252...

A Cumbrian reviews Atomfall - a 'British Fallout' set after the Windscale fire

We played Atomfall, a game set in post-apocalyptic Cumbria following the 1957 Windscale fire.

newsandstar.co.uk

I had a look through all of Cumberland Council's expenditure docs for 2024 and found that they spent more than £15million on agency staff throughout the year. #Cumbria #LakeDistrict www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2502765...

Cumberland Council paid out £15million for agency staff in 2024

Cumberland Council spent more than £15million on agency staff in 2024, figures have revealed.

newsandstar.co.uk

Top DOGE operative is linked to a Russian American network of anti-West pro-Kremlin monarchists, inspired by the 1930s counter-democracy “Technocracy” movement tied to Musk’s grandfather

Musk’s DOGE Is Inspired by Pro-Kremlin Monarchists and 1930s Technofascism

bylinesupplement.com

I spoke to former Carlisle MP John Stevenson about his involvement in new think tank True North which aims to ensure the 'true north' isn't overlooked or forgotten in government policy discussions. www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2499835...

Former Cumbrian MP is turning his attention to the 'true' north with new venture

A spotlight is being turned on the forgotten areas of the north as a new think tank seeks to raise the profile of the 'true' north on the…

newsandstar.co.uk

Breaking news in Cumbria... www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2498525...

Child dead and second child seriously injured in major incident in Kendal

A child has sadly died in a serious collision at Kendal Rugby Union Football Club on Shap Road.

newsandstar.co.uk

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust is in a 'deteriorating' financial position as documents reveal it is spending millions more than its planned budget. Read the full story: www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2496814...

NHS trust in 'deteriorating' financial position as deficit reaches more than £40m

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS trust is in a 'deteriorating' financial position as documents reveal it is spending more than its planned budget.

newsandstar.co.uk

🚨 BREAKING: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a new €150 billion common defense fund. The announcement comes hours after Donald Trump decided to stop all military aid to Ukraine. Here’s the story: ow.ly/raUR50Va1kj

🔴Tommy Robinson Supporters Network Has Links to Neo-Nazi Groups and a Library of Terrorism Manuals Byline Times investigation finds members have access to an online library of bomb-making manuals, and instructions for assembling home-made firearms bylinetimes.com/2025/02/18/r...

Revealed: The Tommy Robinson Supporters Network With Links to Neo-Nazi Groups and a Library of Terrorism Manuals

A Byline Times investigation finds members have access to an online library of bomb-making manuals, and instructions for assembling home-made firearms

bylinetimes.com

"If you go to the dentist and if you go to the opticians, an annual sexual health screening should be on your self-care list." I spoke to Julieanne who is encouraging people to get tested for HIV regardless of their age, gender, sexuality, or ethnicity. www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2493052...

Woman from Cumbria living with HIV urges people, especially women, to get tested

A woman who has lived with HIV for more than 20 years is urging people, especially women, to get tested whilst also breaking down the stigma that…

newsandstar.co.uk

Big news for Cumbria!

James Moules@jamesmoules.bsky.social · 2y ago

Six areas have been added to the government’s Devolution Priority Programme - paving the way for more mayor-led authorities. They are: • Cumbria • Cheshire & Warrington • Norfolk & Suffolk • Greater Essex • Sussex & Brighton • Hampshire & Solent

The Prevent Learning Review into the handling of referrals concerning Axel Rudakubana in the years leading up to the Southport attack is about to be published Security minister Dan Jarvis is currently making a statement on it in parliament, telling MPs agencies "failed to act on the warning signs"

Almost 3,000 young people under the age of 18 were stopped and searched by #Cumbria Police in three years. Stop and search data from 2021 to 2024 reveals that 2,938 people between the ages of 10 and 17 were stopped by the police. Read the full story: www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2482466...

Thousands of under 18s stopped and searched by Cumbria Police since 2021

Almost 3,000 young people under the age of 18 were stopped and searched by Cumbria Police in three years.

newsandstar.co.uk

Who are Reform members? - older - not in London - hostile to net zero (much more so than Tory members) - economic Thatcherites (unlike the party’s target voters?) - like leaders “stirring up a bit of controversy”. - *very* online @timbale.bsky.social shares timely new research with us

Who Are Reform Members?

Middle-class and older Reform members look and think much like Conservative members – except in one crucial respect, finds Tim Bale

politicshome.com

EXCLUSIVE: Cumberland Council spent more than £10.4million on agency staff between January and August in 2024. 45% of this was spent on staffing the children and family services department. Read the full story: www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2480435... #Cumbria

EXCLUSIVE: Council spent more than £10.4million on agency staff in 8 months

Cumberland Council spent more than £10.4million on agency staff between January and August in 2024.

newsandstar.co.uk

Elon Musk has called for far-right agitator Tommy Robinson to be released from prison, suggested the US should exert economic pressure on the UK to get him out, said Jess Phillips should be jailed and said there should be fresh elections to oust Labour www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Elon Musk Calls for Fresh UK Elections in Latest Starmer Attack

Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk called for fresh UK elections in the latest sign of how Donald Trump’s incoming US administration could be a thorn in the side of Keir Starmer’s government.

bloomberg.com

Hello Blue Sky 👋 I'm Rebecca, a journalist for the News & Star based in #Carlisle, #Cumbria covering all things social affairs and politics. I'm keen to champion unheard voices and stories in the region, so if you have a story, please get in touch! Email me at rebecca.henrys@newsquest.co.uk 📨

I recently had the pleasure of going out with two officers in Carlisle on Black Eye Friday to see what goes into policing on the busiest night of the year. You can read all about my experience here: www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2481448...

A night out on Botchergate on Black Eye Friday with Cumbria Police

The News & Star joined Cumbria Police on Carlisle's Botchergate for Black Eye Friday, or Festive Friday, to get a glimpse of the reality of…

newsandstar.co.uk

Four months on since Wannasee Festival in Penrith was cancelled, people are still waiting for their refund. Payment dates have come and gone with no sign of the refund and they've had little response from the organisers. 👇 www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2477526...

'Infuriating' situation as Wannasee tribute concert customers still waiting on refund

Would-be festival goers have expressed their frustration as they still have not received a refund for WannaSee Festival four months after it was…

newsandstar.co.uk

This is huge news for people in the Carlisle area, the new centre will make a massive difference. www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2475397...

Funding for £12 million Urgent Treatment Centre at the Cumberland Infirmary approved

Funding for a new £12 million Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at the Cumberland Infirmary has been approved with hopes for it to open at the end of…

newsandstar.co.uk

If you're new to RFK Jr studies, you may know about the vaccine & fluoride denial, but not that he's another pro-Kremlin voice in the incoming Trump administration. In business, I believe this is called a takeover. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...

Trump announces RFK Jr as his pick to lead US health department

A scion of Democratic dynasty, RFK Jr is known for embrace of anti-vaccine beliefs and other conspiracy theories

theguardian.com