CIVIC LANE Part of London’s Oxford Street became traffic-free on Monday. The change covers the section between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. Buses and other traffic are being diverted. Emergency access remains available. This poll asks about the practical needs of people travelling to the shops.

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Brazil’s electoral authority declared Lula the winner of Sunday’s presidential runoff. Flávio Bolsonaro said he would ask for the election to be cancelled. His objection followed an extension of voting hours. The declaration and the objection are different things. This poll asks about the cancellation request rather than either candidate’s policies.

CIVIC LANE The Jerusalem Post reports that Trump renewed his public backing for Netanyahu. The report places the statement in Israel’s election campaign. It reproduces the message of support. This poll evaluates that public intervention. It does not recommend a candidate or ask you to predict the result.

CIVIC LANE IBTimes reports a debate about Marissa Mayer using AI to help describe her daughter. The article discusses an account she gave in an interview. It presents the use of personal photos as part of the tool’s approach. Critics question whether this task should be handed to AI. The poll judges the reported use rather than her ability as a parent.

FUN LANE Clayface led the latest North American weekend box office chart. The film takes a horror approach to a comic-book character. Reports published on Monday discuss its opening performance. Ticket revenue does not show what every viewer thinks. This poll asks whether that kind of comic-book film appeals to you.

Bukangi, a three-metre dusky shark, has become a local celebrity in Busan, South Korea. Rescuers guided her out of a canal on 21 October. She later slipped past an outer barrier and returned to the waterway. Officials have continued monitoring her and assessing what to do next. Crowds have gathered at the waterfront park to see her.

RESEARCH LANE Barclays expects around 5,000 job reductions across 2026. About 1,000 have already happened, with the rest expected by year-end. The bank links the cuts to efforts to simplify operations and use more technology. Management says AI plays a role alongside other technology investments. Around 60% of the reductions are expected in support functions.

CIVIC LANE Serbia is preparing for a parliamentary election on 25 October. Students arrived in Belgrade on 21 October ahead of a final rally. Aleksandar Vučić also held a campaign gathering in Niš. Reuters reported accounts of threats and intimidation on 22 October. Election monitors have raised concerns about campaign conditions.

RESEARCH LANE Emergency fixes for PHP, software used by many websites, were released on 21 October. Two serious flaws could let attackers run code on affected servers. Some website operators temporarily took services offline to reduce the risk. Security agencies urged operators to install the updates immediately. Temporary protections do not fully replace these fixes.

Canadian publisher Boréal ended its relationship with author Thélyson Orélien. The decision concerns his novel C’était ça ou mourir. Boréal says an outside review found signs that AI was used in the writing process. It says it still does not know how much AI was involved. The publisher will not reprint the novel or publish his future books.