Laura Phillips

It's hard to believe how successive UK governments have failed to grasp the importance of the country's enormous creative sector. That's whether one considers it from an economic, soft power or information security perspective. As a bonus, its products makes people feel good.

‘The government, and all of us, must seize this chance to shape a universal and sustainable #publicservice #BBC, offering great value while supporting a strong society, a healthy democracy and a growing creative economy.’ 11.

‘‘A charter that maintains the status quo will not be enough; it would abandon the #BBC to managed decline.’ 10/

‘Third, it must allow the BBC to move at the pace of today's media world. We need proper checks and balances but the new charter must reflect global competition and rapid technological change with a lighter, more growth-focused regulatory framework.’ 9/

‘Second, the charter must provide a funding model fit for the future. The current system was designed for another era and no longer sustains our public service mission.’ 8/

‘We are not perfect and must be held to account, but the BBC's future should never become a political battleground. We are calling for the charter's fixed end date to be removed, alongside changes in board appointments to secure independence.’ 7/

‘But it won't be possible without a charter that delivers radical reform.
First, it must protect our independence. Only the BBC has a charter that expires every decade, leaving it open to being treated as a political football.’ 6/

‘The #BBC is ready to keep innovating to do more: to tackle #disinformation, support #localnews and strengthen grassroots #democracy; to safeguard British storytelling and grow our creative sector; to carry Britain's voice and influence to the world.’ 5/

‘Access to reliable information is increasingly intertwined with national security and stability. We should heed that warning and recognise the critical role of the @bbcworldservice as a global beacon of media freedom.’ 4/

‘To see this simply as a BBC problem is to miss the big picture. The UK's creative strength is at risk from global tech giants. Online echo chambers erode the shared experiences that bind a nation together. Around the world, truth is under all-out assault.’ 3/

‘Used by 94 per cent of UK adults each month, we have stayed relevant with world-class content and digital innovation despite rapid shifts in the media market. But with
accelerating change, the choice is clear: back this national asset or watch it decline.’ 2/

Unshackle the BBC from the politics of charter renewal The 10-year cycle creates a political battleground and needs to be removed to safeguard the corporation’s independence — and future

Every Word. And nothing will work without proper funding.
Tim Davie: “The #BBC is a vital national asset. It powers our world-leading creative industries, drives economic growth+promotes the UK's interests
abroad. That contribution matters more than ever, yet it is at risk like never before.” 1/

3/ Whether the details of the rule are the same - ie whether responsibility simply reverts back six months after the request is made - is a point that will likely have to be fleshed out in case law.

2/ This matches the EU rules on sending an asylum-seeker to a 'safe third country' *outside* the EU, ie the asylum claim is only inadmissible if the other country admits the asylum-seeker. The point will become more important because the EU has just widened the 'safe third country' rule hugely.

CJEU, asylum law

New judgment: Italy cannot unilaterally refuse transfers to it of asylum-seekers it is responsible for under the Dublin system. But given that it has done so, the Member State requesting the transfer becomes responsible instead after six months - curia.europa.eu/site/upload/... 1/

‘Meanwhile, we have a shortage of PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles. So, when it comes to technology or weapons exchange, I believe our country will be open to it.’ 5.

From an interview with Rai Italia.

‘Nothing is too much for the people, of course, but they simply do not have that many missiles. That is why they need interceptor drones, which we have.’ 4/

‘Regarding weapons: we ourselves are at war. And I said, completely frankly, that we have a shortage of what they have. They have missiles for the Patriots, but hundreds or thousands of “shaheds” cannot be intercepted with Patriot missiles – it is too costly.’ 3/

‘If their representatives come, we will provide the expertise. Especially since there is also a request from Europeans+from the United States. Requests have come to us to share our experience with partners in the Middle East.’ 2/

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Zelenskyy: ‘We received signals from partners in the Middle East. There have been strikes by Iranian “shaheds” on civilians in those countries. They are seeking our expertise. We are open.’ 1/

China sets lowest economic growth target since 1991 It is also the first time the target has been lowered since it was cut to

China has cut its annual economic growth target to a range of 4.5%-5%, the lowest expansion goal since 1991 as it grapples with challenges both at home+abroad.
It is the first time the target has been lowered since it was cut to "around 5%" in 2023. A target was not set in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Britain has an America problem Our old ally has grown unreliable. We must lessen our dependence

By @benjudah.bsky.social

Allergy training to become compulsory across all schools in England, says government The plans, due to come into force in September, follow support for Benedict's Law, a campaign to improve allergy safety in schools.

The only question: why not before now?

NATO's Mark Rutte: “Iran was one of the key enablers of the Russian war effort against Ukraine through these weapons of destruction…and the fact now that Iran is facing this full onslaught of Israel and the US will also degrade their capacity to export their chaos to Russia and therefore to Ukraine.

Sam Altman admits OpenAI can’t control Pentagon’s use of AI CEO’s claims come amid increased scrutiny of US military’s use of the technology and ethics concerns from AI workers * Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told employees on Tuesday that his company does not control how the Pentagon uses their artificial intelligence products in military operations. Altman’s claims on OpenAI’s lack of input come amid increased scrutiny of how the military uses AI in war and ethics concerns from AI workers over how their technology will be deployed. “You do not get to make operational decisions,” Altman told employees, according to reports by Bloomberg and CNBC. Continue reading...

Sam Altman admits OpenAI can’t control Pentagon’s use of AI

Who the hell is answering the phones at the State Department these days? Embedded DOGE boys?

😞😡

Just when I thought ICE couldn’t sink any lower.