Podcasts about Ofcom

It's online safety day, and Nick speaks to the Ofcom boss about how many internet companies are being fined for breaching online safety laws. Also, is Timothy Chalamet wrong to criticise Opera & Ballet?

Colin Browne, Chair of the Voice of the Listener and Viewer (VLV), discusses what the BBC Charter review means for the future of public service broadcasting in the UK, and why it's vital that ordinary licence fee payers respond to the government's consultation by midnight on Tuesday 12 March. Step by step, we explore where VLV supports or challenges the BBC's own proposals on independence, funding, public accountability and participation in BBC decision making. We also look at how well the BBC is serving “at-risk” public service genres such as religion, the arts and children's content—especially now that Ofcom's monitoring role has been diluted.PLEASE take part in the consultation. Links to the consultation and suggested answers below.This is the link to the government's consultation:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/britains-story-the-next-chapter-the-bbc-royal-charter-review-green-paper-and-public-consultation/britains-story-the-next-chapter-bbc-royal-charter-review-green-paper-and-public-consultation#:~:text=The%20current%20Charter%20came%20into,the%20next%20decade%20and%20beyond.This is a list of organisations we have interviewed over the last few years and their suggested answers:VOICE OF THE LISTENER AND VIEWERhttps://vlv.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/BBC-Charter-Review-Consultation.pdfBRITISH BROADCASTING CHALLENGEhttps://britishbroadcastingchallenge.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BBC-Charter-Consultation-Suggested-Answers.pdfTHE CHILDREN'S MEDIA FOUNDATIONhttps://www.thechildrensmediafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CMF-bbc_charter_response-final.pdfSANDFORD ST MARTIN TRUSTThe Sandford St Martin Trust: https://sandfordawards.org.uk/religion-and-the-future-of-the-bbc-have-your-say/CAMPAIGN FOR THE ARTShttps://www.campaignforthearts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/A-Stage-for-the-Nation.pdfBBC WAC (Written Archives Centre) CAMPAIGNhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1n5aXNHY6D5dq9elIYUdLfh9XG_T9AMki/viewMEDIA REFORM COALITIONhttps://www.mediareform.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-Alternative-Green-Paper-March-2026.pdfINTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING TRUST urges the BBC to maintain its commitment to international news but to broaden the range of stories covered, and also to give its non-news content a more international flavour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summary   This conversation delves into the critical topic of online safety for children, featuring insights from experts in the field. The discussion covers the impetus behind the Online Safety Act, the roles of organizations like Ofcom and LGFL, and the importance of empowering parents and schools to foster safe online environments. The conversation also addresses the challenges posed by technology, including AI, and emphasizes the need for continuous communication between parents and children regarding online safety.   Takeaways The Online Safety Act was prompted by tragic incidents involving children. Empowering parents and schools is crucial for online safety. Children's experiences online often differ from their parents'. Continuous communication about online safety is essential. Technology is an integral part of children's lives today. AI poses new risks that need to be addressed. Schools should engage parents creatively in online safety discussions. Risk assessments are vital for companies serving children. Children need to be educated about the risks of online content. Regulators must hold companies accountable for user safety. key  topics Legislation and regulation of online safety (Online Safety Act, Ofcom's role) Impact of AI and algorithms on children's online experiences Parental and educational strategies for online safeguarding Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Online Safety and the Guests 03:51 The Impetus Behind the Online Safety Act 05:35 Support from LGFL for Schools and Parents 08:14 The Role of Parents in Online Safety 10:59 Ofcom's Regulatory Role and Responsibilities 13:34 Impact of Algorithms on Children's Online Experience 16:21 Engaging Parents in Online Safety Discussions 18:06 Children's Experiences and Parental Awareness 20:06 Overcoming Parental Barriers to Online Safety Conversations 22:30 The Future of Social Media Regulations 24:38 Empowering Parents and Educators for Online Safety 26:57 Empowering Parents with Resources 28:30 Regulatory Frameworks and Company Accountability 33:40 School Policies on Technology Use 41:45 Navigating the Challenges of AI in Education 47:39 Envisioning a Safer Digital Future 49:57 The Importance of Online Safety in Education 51:04 Navigating the Challenges of AI and Online Safety Resources Online Safety Act (UK) - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/29/enacted  Ofcom's Online Safety Framework - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety  UN Rights of the Child in Digital - https://www.un.org/en/rights-of-the-child  UNICEF Digital Child Safety Initiatives - https://www.unicef.org/child-rights/digital-safety  LGFL Safeguarding Resources - https://www.lgfl.net/online-safety  Australian Online Safety Laws - https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/children-and-teenagers/online-safety  Ofcom's Research on Children's Online Experiences - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/children-online  Global Regulatory Cooperation on Digital Safety - https://www.ituc-csi.org/global-cooperation-digital-safety The resource I referenced is the Parent Online Safety Toolkit for schools – available to download at https://parentonlinesafety.lgfl.net/  

GB2RS News Sunday, the 8th of March 2026   The news headlines: RSGB members – secure your place on the Direct Digital Synthesiser programming workshop The latest edition of RadCom Plus has been published Listen out for groups that are active for British Science Week There's still time for RSGB members to book their place on the Direct Digital Synthesizer programming workshop, taking place in Blackpool on Saturday the 11th of April. If you would like a flavour of the workshop, watch our short video recorded at last year's RSGB Convention. You can hear from participants who enjoyed exploring new opportunities with Arduino and appreciated having a full six hours to see the project through from start to finish. Find the video on our YouTube channel and Facebook profile, and book the workshop via rsgb.org/practical-events The Winter 2025 / Spring 2026 edition of the RSGB's digital technical supplement, RadCom Plus, is now available via the RSGB app for mobile and web. RSGB members can enjoy four technical articles, including part five in the ‘Operating on the 30THz band' series and ‘Understanding Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing'. You'll also find articles on ‘Taming the end-fed half-wave antenna' and on the construction and use of a 4m solid state linear amplifier. Don't forget you can save articles in the app by bookmarking them. Within the mobile app, you can also download the edition to read whilst you're on the go. Members can also browse all the back issues of RadCom Plus, dating back to 2015, within the app. If you're not a member yet, you can read a sample edition of RadCom Plus. Go to rsgb.org/radcom  to get started. British Science Week 2026 began last Friday, and a wide variety of amateur radio activity is taking place throughout the ten days. From kit building to Morse-a-thons, from skeds to radio direction finding, this is a fantastic showcase of amateur radio to wider audiences. There is still time to get involved in this national event that celebrates science, technology, engineering and maths by listening out for operators on the amateur bands. A number of groups will be active throughout the week, including the Royal Signals Museum Outreach team, who will be active on Wednesday, the 11th of March, as GB100RSM. The team will be running a day full of activities for 60 pupils from Milldown Academy in Blandford Forum, so listen out for them and exchange greetings. You can find details of other groups that will be on the air by going to rsgb.org/bsw  and selecting ‘Events happening near you' from the right-hand menu. The Full and Direct-to-Full Exam Handouts, references EX309 and EX320, have been updated with immediate effect, so their 5MHz band plans now align with the main RSGB band plan, which was updated in January 2026. The new editions can be found at rsgb.org/exam-forms. The changes highlight that caution must be exercised to avoid out-of-band operation, as well as the fact that the band is for Full Licensees only. This follows Ofcom monitoring and warnings to errant operators. To encourage activity on the 2m band, the 145 Alive team has introduced 145 Alive 50. The trial period for this initiative runs until the 18th of April. The rules are simple. Call CQ on the calling channel and have at least one QSO per day on the 2m band. Record your contacts and send your log for 50 or more days, in ADIF format, to 145aliveuk@gmail.com. Electronic certificates will be supplied by the 145 Alive team to successful applicants. 145 Alive needs net controllers for its next event on Saturday, the 18th of April. Stations will be on the air from 12 am to 3 pm. The event predominantly features FM, but some SSB stations will also be operating. If you or your group would like to run a net, email 145aliveuk@gmail.com. Remember to include your name, callsign, location and Maidenhead locator. Today, the 8th, the Vintage and Military Amateur Radio Society is attending the Audiojumble event at K2 Crawley, Pease Pottage Hill, Crawley, RH11 9BQ. The Society's display and information stand will be of interest to those who enjoy historic equipment, including vacuum tubes. Everyone is welcome to drop by and will be made very welcome. Please send details of all your news and events to radcom@rsgb.org.uk. The deadline for submissions is 10 am on Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.  And now for details of rallies and events Today, the 8th, the Hack Green Military Surplus and Military Radio Hangar Sale is taking place at Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8AL. The sale includes electronic equipment, amateur gear, components, military radio items and vehicle spares. For more information, visit hackgreen.co.uk On Sunday, the 15th of March, Ripon and District Amateur Radio Society Rally will take place at Great Ouseburn Village Hall, Lightmire Lane, Great Ouseburn, York YO26 9RL. The doors open for traders at 7.30 am and for the public at 10 am. Admission costs £5. Free parking and refreshments will be available. Tables are available at a cost of £10 each. Early booking is advised. For more information, email radars.rally@gmail.com Now the Special Event news To celebrate the centenary of the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters, which was formed on the 16th of August 1926, special callsign ZL100C will be active until August. QSL via the Bureau and Logbook of the World. Special callsign DB100FT is active throughout 2026 to celebrate the centenary of the Berlin Radio Tower. The 150m-high steel structure is one of the city's most iconic landmarks and has a prominent place in German radio broadcasting. Recently, the station was spotted on the HF bands using FT4 and FT8. QSL via the Bureau, or directly to DO2PZ. Now the DX news Jozef, ON6HX, is active again as YB9/ON6HX from Mataram on Lombok Island, OC-150, until Wednesday the 11th of March. The station is operating using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8 and FT4. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, or via Jozef's home call. Gerard, F2JD is active as HR5/F2JD from Copan, Honduras until Thursday, the 12th of March. He is operating using CW, SSB, FT8 and FT4 on the HF bands. QSL to F6AJA directly or via the Bureau. Now the contest news The RSGB March 144 and 432MHz Contest started at 1400UTC yesterday, the 7th, and runs until 1400UTC today, Sunday the 8th of March. Using all modes on the 2m and 70cm bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The ARRL International DX Contest started at 0000UTC yesterday, the 7th, and runs until 2359UTC today, Sunday, the 8th of March. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is RST and transmit power. American stations also send their state, and Canadian stations send their province. On Tuesday, the 10th of March, the RSGB 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 1955UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also on Tuesday the 10th, the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday, the 11th of March, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 11th, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest. On Wednesday, the 11th of March, the RSGB 80m Club Championship runs from 2000 to 2130UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Thursday, the 12th of March, the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The Commonwealth Contest starts at 1000UTC on Saturday, the 14th of March and ends at 1000UTC on Sunday, the 15th of March. Using CW on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Sunday, the 15th of March, the UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest runs from 1000 to 1500UTC. Using all modes on 1.3 to 3.4GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.  Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday, the 5th of March 2026. What a difference a week makes! In our last report, we mentioned that there were zero sunspots and a solar flux index of 130. This week has seen a turnaround with five active sunspot regions and a solar flux index of 144. HF propagation has been reasonable with openings up to 10m to various parts of the world. We have only seen M-class solar flares, although there have been around 40 of them in the past five days. We had a brief excursion in the Kp index when it went to 5 during one three-hour period, late on the 3rd of March. However, it soon recovered and has been at 2 or lower for the past two days at the time of writing. The effects of a small Earth-facing coronal hole started coming past the Earth on Friday, the 6th of March and is expected to be the source of a solar wind stream. According to NOAA and the Space Weather Prediction Centre, Active to Minor G1 geomagnetic storming will be possible today, the 8th of March. We have now seen the start of the 3Y0K Bouvet Island DXpedition, which is due to run until around the 17th of March. It has already been worked from the UK on bands from 40 to 12m. Bouvet is virtually due south from the UK, and the higher bands should be open from around 0700 to around 1900UTC. The 40 and 30m bands should open from around 2000 to 0400UTC. So, there are plenty of opportunities to work the station. Next week, the Space Weather Prediction Centre in the US forecasts that the solar flux index may be around 156 today, the 8th, but will then decline to be in the 120s or even 110s later in the week. We may have slightly unsettled geomagnetic conditions around the 10th to the 12th of March and again on the 14th and 15th of March, with an estimated Kp index of 4. In summary, HF conditions are not bad. Keep an eye on solarham.com  for daily updates. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The recent change of weather to introduce high pressure onto the scene provided some welcome enhanced tropo conditions in the last week. The March RSGB 144 and 432MHz Championship should still be able to benefit, except perhaps for the northwestern fringe of the UK, where the next Atlantic fronts will be making an intervention. It looks a little more problematic for the 432MHz UK Activity Contest on Tuesday, the 10th of March. The same is true for the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest on Thursday, the 12th of March, as the low-pressure pattern returns and offers a chance of rain scatter for the microwave bands. The meteor scatter prospects are still driven by random activity, so as usual, a preference for the early hours of the morning is called for on this mode. It has been mentioned before that the Spring and Autumn are periods when auroras are more likely. This is known as the Russell-McPherron effect when the Earth's magnetic field is better coupled to the solar wind. So, keep monitoring the Kp index for signs of it going above 5. Then check the bands for fluttery signals, even on the LF bands. CW can be used as an early ‘heads up' for potential activity on the VHF bands. Lastly, thoughts about Sporadic-E should be kept in check for a while yet, since we are still very far away from the usual start of the season. For EME, Moon declination is negative and falling to a minimum next Thursday, meaning shortening Moon windows and lower peak elevation until then. Path losses are falling until apogee on Tuesday, the 10th of March. 144MHz Sky noise is moderate, rising to a high of more than 3000 Kelvin on Thursday and falling back by next weekend. And that's all from the propagation team this week.

V této epizodě SecurityCastu rozebíráme tvrzení bezpečnostních výzkumníků, že hacker využil model Claude od Anthropic k útokům na mexické vládní instituce a krádeži až 150 GB dat – zatímco mexické úřady samotné narušení popírají. Podíváme se také na masivní internetový blackout v Íránu, kdy podle monitorovacích dat klesla konektivita téměř na nulu. A rozebereme milionové pokuty v Británii: Ofcom a ICO začaly tvrdě vymáhat Online Safety Act a UK GDPR vůči pornografickým platformám i Redditu kvůli nedostatečnému ověřování věku a ochraně dětských dat.

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UK streaming services face new accessibility rules under the 2024 Media Act, requiring Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and others to meet minimum standards for audio description, subtitles, and signed content. Steveen Scott and Shaun Preece dive into the UK's updated approach to on-demand accessibility, now overseen by Ofcom. The 2024 Media Act extends broadcast standards to major streaming platforms with 500,000+ users, establishing minimum requirements of 80% subtitled content, 10% audio described, and 5% signed programming. They discuss the delayed rollout—consultations through 2026, enforcement by 2027, and a four-year compliance period—sparking debate over why services need so long to implement features that largely already exist. RNIB's Sonali Rai joins to explore industry challenges including resource allocation, content discoverability, and metadata issues that prevent audio description from “travelling” across platforms. The conversation also covers: The potential global impact of UK regulation. Calls for higher AD thresholds and consistent accessibility. The role of AI in future audio description. Accessibility gaps on social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Subscribe to Double Tap for more in-depth conversations on accessible technology and media. Share your thoughts via email at feedback@doubletaponair.com or WhatsApp at +1 613-481-0144. Relevant Links RNIB: https://www.rnib.org.uk Inside Access Live: https://insideaccess.live Ofcom Media Act 2024: https://www.ofcom.org.uk Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website---Follow on:YouTube: https://www.doubletaponair.com/youtubeX (formerly Twitter): https://www.doubletaponair.com/xInstagram: https://www.doubletaponair.com/instagramTikTok: https://www.doubletaponair.com/tiktokThreads: https://www.doubletaponair.com/threadsFacebook: https://www.doubletaponair.com/facebookLinkedIn: https://www.doubletaponair.com/linkedin Subscribe to the Podcast:Apple: https://www.doubletaponair.com/appleSpotify: https://www.doubletaponair.com/spotifyRSS: https://www.doubletaponair.com/podcastiHeadRadio: https://www.doubletaponair.com/iheart About Double TapHosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited. "Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell Tarín is joined by COO Lindsay Rowntree and co-founder & advisor Ciaran O'Kane to discuss streaming, retail, and out-of-home.They look into Ofcom's regulation of video-on-demand platforms, backlash over in-game ads on the Six Nations debut, and Walmart's AI-powered shopping assistant, Sparky.0:00 Introduction1:51 UK streamers face 'enhanced regulation'11:14 Rugby fans riled over in-game ads20:16 Walmart's AI boosts order value31:20 2025 out-of-home revenue

Just what went wrong on the BBC's BAFTA edit? And how did the afternoon unfold for audience members? Talent agent Alex Segal was in the room when it happened.Also on the show: the government moves to bring Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video under Ofcom regulation for the first time; Goalhanger tells TV commissioners they've got young audiences wrong; the Paramount vs Netflix bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery ratchets up; ITV Studios launches Studio 55 at the London Screenings; Peter Wright gives evidence in the Harry phone-hacking trial; Clive Dickens reports from the AI front line… and in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we play Slate or Fake — London TV Screenings edition.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex (who is a real person) selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.comWe record at Podshop Studios — for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studioBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.What The Media Club has been reading this week:BAFTA's Tourette Incident Derails Awards Celebrations - and Alex's takeStreamers to come under Ofcom's jurisdiction Goalhanger chief says TV commissioners giving up on young audiencesBBC Studios eyeing acquisitions, Acast says it's conscious of ad loadParamount raises WBD bid to $31 a shareITV Studios launches Studio 55 at London ScreeningsDoctor Foster returns for final series with Suranne JonesFormer Mail on Sunday editor gives evidence in Harry phone-hacking trialVariety's Picks Of The WeekPolice media guidelines updated Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the team chat about Claude Cowork, the change in leadership within Microsoft's XBOX division, rumours of a touchscreen Mac and Ofcom's fines for adult sites that don't implement age verification.Our Hot Hardware of the Week candidate is a Dell's 52" monster monitor.Jon's ZEISS Lens Wipes can be bought at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ZEISS-Binoculars-Individually-Disposable-Spectacle-White/dp/B00IKGH2TI/

In today's MadTech Daily, we cover video-on-demand services facing new Ofcom regulation in the UK, Canva buying animation and marketing startups, and OOH hitting record revenue in 2025.

Al's on today's proper jaw-dropper: London doctors announce a UK first — a baby born after a womb transplant from a deceased donor. Then it's back to the paperwork side of the future as the government drags Netflix, Prime Video and the rest into tougher Ofcom-style rules. After the break, Uber tries to become the backstage crew for robotaxis everywhere, scientists reveal a new way to see DNA's 3D structure, Fallout 4 goes portable on Switch 2, and Firefox does something radical: it gives you an AI off switch. More on all of it at standard.co.uk — and follow Tech and Science Daily from The Standard for your weekday briefing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The full scale invasion of Ukraine began four years ago today. Ukraine Unbroken is an evening of five new plays written in response to the war. David Edgar talks about his, Five Day War, which imagines the puppet government waiting to move in when Kviv falls, and the other dramas. Between the plays Ukrainian musician Mariia Petrovska sings and plays the bandura. She talks about her involvement and the bandura, the national instrument that was once banned. And Mariia plays and sings live in the studio.As Oscar-winning British cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins looks back at his career through his visual memoir Reflections: On Cinematography, he talks to Samira about his practical and inventive approach to working on many iconic films such as 1984, O Brother Where Art Thou, 1917, tackling sci fi on Bladerunner 2049 and Bond with Skyfall. The government has announced the introduction of new legisation to introduce monitoring by Ofcom of streaming services. Front Row explores the implcations of this.And we consider the novels selected for the International Booker Prize longlist, announced today with writer and head judge Natasha Brown. The books in contention are: The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar, translated from German by Ruth Martin We Are Green and Trembling by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, translated from Spanish by Robin Myers The Remembered Soldier by Anjet Daanje, translated from Dutch by David McKay The Deserters by Mathias Énard, translated from French by Charlotte Mandell Small Comfort by Ia Genberg, translated from Swedish by Kira Josefsson She Who Remains by Rene Karabash, translated from Bulgarian by Izidora Angel The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, translated from German by Ross Benjamin On Earth As It Is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, translated from Portuguese by Padma Viswanathan The Duke by Matteo Melchiorre, translated from Italian by Antonella Lettieri The Witch by Marie NDiaye, translated from French by Jordan Stump Women Without Men by Shahrnush Parsipur, translated from Persian by Faridoun Farrokh The Wax Child by Olga Ravn, translated from Danish by Martin Aitken Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated from Mandarin Chinese by Lin KingPresenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Julian May

A ideia de que uma lei pode impedir o acesso de menores não é nova, mas o seu historial é de um fracasso sistémico. A lei americana COPPA, de 1998, estabeleceu os 13 anos como o limite de entrada, mas tornou-se uma “idade notional” largamente ignorada. Os dados do regulador britânico Ofcom são contundentes: entre as crianças de apenas 10 a 12 anos, mais de metade utiliza o Snapchat, mais de 60% o TikTok e mais de 70% o WhatsApp.

GB2RS News Sunday, the 15th of February 2026   The news headlines: Support the RSGB Contest Committees Learn your freedoms and restrictions in relation to repeaters, gateways and packet radio in March's Tonight@8 Check your club's details are up to date on Club Finder   The RSGB Contest Support Committee, HF Contest Committee and VHF Contest Committee are looking for volunteers who can help organise, support and manage the Society's contesting activities. While applications from experienced contestants are welcome, the committees would also be pleased to hear from radio amateurs who are new to contesting. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact RSGB General Manager, Steve Thomas, M1ACB, in the first instance, via gm.dept@rsgb.org.uk In February 2024, Ofcom made significant changes to the amateur radio licensing conditions, but how has that affected your freedoms and restrictions in relation to repeaters, gateways and packet radio? In the next episode of Tonight@8, two members of the RSGB Emerging Technology Coordination Committee will answer this question for you. Join Steve Morton, F4VTF and John McCullagh, GI4BWM, live on Monday, the 2nd of March, via the RSGB's YouTube Channel or via its special BATC channel. If you have a question on this topic, ensure you watch the webinar live and submit your question via the live chat feature. Find out more by going to rsgb.org/webinars If you are a member of an RSGB-affiliated club or society, the RSGB is encouraging you to check that your organisation's details are up to date on Club Finder. The RSGB Club Finder allows people to search for local amateur radio groups. Those people could want to join your club, find out more about amateur radio before taking their Foundation licence exam, or perhaps need support for British Science Week activities. Updating your listing is easy. Just log in to your club's Membership Services account and go to the ‘UK Club Finder' section. The form includes a section called ‘Meeting details' where you can add helpful information about disabled access, as well as details about both physical and online meetings. The Society will update Club Finder with any new data between 4 pm and 6 pm every Friday. If you wish your latest information to appear before the weekend, please ensure you update your details before 3 pm on Fridays. If you have any questions about the process, please contact membership@rsgb.org.uk Among the many informative and engaging displays at the RSGB National Radio Centre, you'll find information highlighting the contribution to the war effort made by Voluntary Interceptors who were RSGB Members during World War Two. It is this topic that Josephine Saunders explores in her compelling article “Listening for victory” published in “BRITAIN” magazine. The four-page feature looks at the role that radio amateurs played in the War, and how RSGB volunteers now help to bring this history to life at the RSGB National Radio Centre. She also looks at some of the wide-ranging activities on offer at the NRC, such as the ‘Find the spy transmitter' event held last year. Subscribers to the magazine can read the feature on page 63. It can also be read by going to tinyurl.com/NationalRadioCentre Participation from radio amateurs in this year's British Science Week is already looking to exceed last year's. Several clubs and groups are looking to set up skeds, ranging from South Derbyshire and Ashby Woulds Amateur Radio Group to Crowthorne and Wokingham Without NMI Men's Shed. A sked is a prearranged radio contact with another radio operator at a scheduled time and on a particular frequency. Find out more about these opportunities by going to rsgb.org/bsw  and selecting ‘Events happening near you' from the right-hand menu. For those unable to attend the Memorial Service for Dr Julian Gannaway, G3YGF, tomorrow, Monday the 16th of February, the service can be viewed online at watch.obitus.com. The login details are available via the RSGB's Silent Key web page. And finally, a date for your diary. The 14th Scottish Microwave Round Table GMRT will be held on Saturday, the 31st of October 2026, at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife, Scotland. There will be an optional dinner in the evening at a local hotel. Further updates will be provided on the GMRT website at gmroundtable.org.uk Please send details of all your news and events to radcom@rsgb.org.uk. The deadline for submissions is 10 am on Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.  And now for details of rallies and events Today, the 15th of February, Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society's Radioactive Fair is taking place at Nantwich Civic Hall, Cheshire CW5 5DG. The doors are open from 10 am to 3 pm. The event features a bring-and-buy sale, RSGB bookstall and raffle. Catering, parking and disabled facilities are available on site. For more details, visit radioactivefair.co.uk On Sunday, the 1st of March, the Exeter Radio Rally will take place at The Kenn Centre, EX6 7UE. The rally will include a bring-and-buy area, disabled facilities, catering and free car parking. The entry fee is £3. Traders can gain entry from 8 am, and the doors open to the public at 10 am. For more information, email Bill, G7AKJ via billwrench213@btinternet.com Now the Special Event news Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society will be using the special callsign GB100MKG with Milton Keynes Girlguiding during Thinking Day on the Air weekend. The station will be on the air from 11 am on Saturday, the 21st of February and throughout the day. Operators will be running primarily on the 40, 17 and 15m bands, as well as via the QO-100 satellite, using SSB. FT4 and FT8 contacts will also be possible. Special event station TM23AAW is on the air until the 2nd of March to celebrate the 23rd Antarctic Activity Week. Look for activity on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL via F8DVD or the Bureau. For more information, visit QRZ.com Now the DX news Borut, S53BV is active as S9BV from Sao Tome, AF-023, until Friday, the 20th of February. He is operating using CW and SSB on the 60, 40, 30 and 15m bands. QSL via OQRS only. Walt, W0CP and Mary, K0ZV, are active as V31DJ and V31DK from Placencia in Belize until the 27th of February. They are using CW, FT4, FT8 and SSB. Look for activity on the 160 to 10m bands. QSL via OQRS, Logbook of the World or directly. Now the contest news The CQ World Wide WPX RTTY Contest started at 0000 UTC on Saturday, the 14th and ends at 2359 UTC today, Sunday, the 15th of February. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. The PACC Contest started at 1200 UTC on Saturday, the 14th and runs until 1200 UTC today, Sunday, the 15th of February. Using CW and SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. PA stations also send their province reference. On Tuesday, the 17th of February, the RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230 UTC. Using all modes on the 23cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Thursday, the 19th of February, the RSGB 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The ARRL International DX Contest starts at 0000 UTC on Saturday, the 21st and runs until 2359 UTC on Sunday, the 22nd of February. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. American stations also send their state, and Canadian stations send their province. The REF Contest starts at 0600 UTC on Saturday, the 21st of February and runs until 1800 UTC on Sunday, the 22nd of February. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Sunday, the 22nd of February, the UK Microwave Group EHF Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700 UTC. Using all modes on 76 to 241GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday, the 12th of February. It has been a good time for HF DX. Settled geomagnetic conditions and a fairly high solar flux index has meant the ionosphere has had time to shine. With the Kp index not exceeding 4.33, and generally being in the ones and twos, coupled with a solar flux index in the 160s, this has meant that the upper HF bands have been humming. This is despite many relatively minor C- and M-class solar flares. DX heard or worked this week includes stations in Vietnam, India, Australia and New Zealand on the 10m band, even with modestly equipped stations. DX being chased includes the KP5/NP3VI Desecheo Island DXpedition near Puerto Rico. This has been difficult, often because they are running low power on their remotely controlled rigs. But UK stations have got through on all bands from 40 to 10m. Due to deteriorating sea conditions, they have delayed equipment recovery until the 3rd of March, so you still have time to work them. The next big DXpedition to look forward to is 3Y0K from Bouvet Island. Due to technical problems with their ship, the operation has now been delayed and will start around the 26th of February. With the path to Bouvet being almost due south from the UK, propagation predictions suggest that the path should be open from around 0730UTC until 1830UTC, up to 10m, with 21MHz being open from around 0800 to 1000UTC and again from 1600 to 1800UTC. Outside of these times, look for a path on the 20, or even 30 or 40m bands, in the evening and night. FT8 will be the most favourable mode, but CW and SSB are possible. However, remember they will be using split frequency operation. Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will increase to be in the 160 to 180 range. Geomagnetic conditions may start the week settled, with a predicted Kp index of 2, but we may expect more unsettled conditions as the week progresses, with a predicted Kp index of 4 from the 16th to the 21st of February. So, get your HF Dxing in early next week! And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The weather is often described as blocked when we see long-lasting high pressure, which hangs around for weeks at a time and is a gift for tropo on VHF. However, right next door to a blocked high you will probably find a low-pressure region, which is also blocked for the same reason.  Currently, we are in the middle of a prolonged period of blocked low pressure, hence the rain and absence of tropo. The position of the low varies a bit, of course, so sometimes we will have milder southerly winds with rain and at other times colder northerlies with snow.  We have the full variety in the coming week or so, and that means no tropo for VHF operators, but plenty of rain scatter for the GHz folk. The meteor scatter position hasn't changed since last week's news, so we are once again confined to random activity and, for this, early morning hours are usually best. Aurora alerts continue to trickle through, and as we approach the spring equinox, the chances of auroras improve, but there is a little way to go yet.  Lastly, thoughts of Sporadic-E remain dormant since we are some way short of the typical early season openings of late April and May. As usual, consider checking the propquest.co.uk  graphs occasionally, which have shown minor peaks of the foEs, or critical frequency of the Es layer, in the early evening on some days.  The Moon reached perigee, its closest point to the Earth, on Tuesday, the 10th of February. The Moon is moving toward apogee on Sunday, the 22nd of February, meaning path loss will gradually increase throughout the week as the Moon's distance grows. Cosmic background noise is relatively low during this period, which helps maintain a better signal-to-noise ratio. And that's all from the propagation team this week.

Gabriel Sherman joins Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins to discuss the real‑life Murdoch family battle at the heart of his new book , Bonfire of the Murdochs, including the secret Nevada court case that pitted Rupert Murdoch against his own children. We assess the reporting of a turbulent week in Westminster with Catherine Neilan, Whitehall Editor at The Observer and Simon Nixon, publisher of the Wealth of Nations newsletter and a former journalist at the Wall Street Journal and The Times.As The Washington Post lays off around 300 staff, we talk to one of them, reporter Marissa Lang and former senior managing editor, Cameron Barr, assesses what comes next.And we discuss the issue of balance and due impartiality in the digital age as Ofcom faces criticism for declining to investigate a GB News interview with Donald Trump. Producers: Lisa Jenkinson & Dan Hardoon

In this episode of Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel discuss the Washington Post sacking over 300 journalists—or one-third of its newsroom—and the dangers of not having a strong journalistic organisation in the US capital.Lionel challenges Post owner Jeff Bezos's argument that decisions about cuts have to be data-led and speculates on the departure of editor Will Lewis: was it out of his own free will?They also discuss Ofcom's decision not to investigate a GB News interview with Donald Trump which contained false claims.And, after one listener asks what Lionel and Alan make of a Telegraph article lamenting how the Financial Times has “gone woke”, the pair disagree over the FT's infamous How To Spend It (HTSI) luxury magazine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As parents called by God to nurture our children through childhood and into a spiritually healthy adulthood, we have the responsibility to be keenly aware of and sensitive to electronic addiction in all of its forms. We must understand its threat, presence and impact. Consequently, we must be diligent in preparing both ourselves and our children to understand, process and live with electronic media in ways that bring honor and glory to God. UK communications regulation firm Ofcom says that we might not be doing a very good job in preventing electronic addiction. Their data shows that among five to seven year olds, sixty five percent are making voice or video calls, fifty percent are watching livestream apps and sites, forty one percent are gaming online, and thirty eight percent are using social media apps or sites. Parents, our habits are formative. Good habits form us, and bad habits deform us. Lead your kids into God's Word and World, rather than into electronic addiction.

PODCAST: This Week in Amateur Radio Edition #1404 - Full Version (With repeater ID breaks every 10 minutes) Release Date: January 24, 2026 Here is a summary of the news trending...This Week in Amateur Radio. This week's edition is anchored by Chris Perrine, KB2FAF, Jordan Kurtz, KE9BPO, Denny Haight, NZ8D, Mike Nicolich, K9DXM, Don Hulick, K2ATJ, Will Rogers, K5WLR, Ed Johnson, W2PH, George Lama, KC2OXJ, Eric Zittel, KD2RJX, George Bowen, W2XBS, and Jessica Bowen, KC2VWX Produced and edited by George Bowen, W2XBS Approximate Running Time: 1:38:53 Podcast Download: https://bit.ly/TWIAR1404 Trending headlines in this week's bulletin service 1. AMSAT: AMSAT Membership Now Includes “Getting Started” Guide 2. AMSAT: Message To U.S. Educators: ARISS Contact Opportunity Call For Proposals 3. AMSAT: Satellite Shorts From All Over 4. WIA: Chinese National Damages Undersea Cable 5. WIA: Communication News Shorts 6. WIA: Hubble Space Telescope Nearing Its End Of Life 7. WIA: Amateur Issues Call For More Ham Radio Accessible Digital Software Development 8. ARD: SpottedHam.com Launches Custom POTA and Keyword Email Alerts 9. ARRL: ARRL Director Tharp, KB7HDX Receives Search-and-Rescue Award 10. ARRL: ARRL Board Approves Funding for Federal Advocacy; Creates New DXCC Single-Band Honor Roll 11. ARRL: Vandals Strike Ham Factory 12. ARRL: ARRL Honorary Vice President John Cadwallader Kanode, N4MM, Silent Key 13. ARRL: Nominations Are Now Being Accepted For The 2026 Dayton Hamvention Awards. 14. ARRL: Former FCC Official John B. Johnston, W3BE, Of Derwood, Maryland, Silent Key 15. PY: Amateurs Arrested In Belarus Under Suspicion Of Espionage 16. NASA Artemis Two Spacecraft Is Rolled Out To The Launch Pad 17. Congress Agrees To Restore Funding To The Voice Of America 18. Hamvention Awards Nomination Window Closes Soon 19. Damage To Taiwanese Undersea Cables Spurs More Interest In Amateur Radio 20. Hosting Site For World RadioSport Team Championship 2030 Is Being Sought 21. Hindu Pilgrimage Safety Is Provided By Indian Amateurs 22. ARRL: 2026 Repeater Directory is now shipping 23. ARRL: 2026 Winter Field Day Is up and running 24. ARRL Upcoming radiosport contests and regional convention listings 25. AMSAT: NASA marks fifty years of the GOES satellites 26. AMSAT: Two US schools & organizations move forward in the ARISS contact selection process 27. FCC: FCC approves Starlink expansion to 19,000+ satellites with direct to device service 28. RW: Financial Traders seek permanency for shortwave data transmissions 29. ARRL: New 60 Meter frequencies will become available as of February 13th, 2026 30. ARRL: The FCC is poised to exempt radio amateurs from Foreign Adversary Reporting System 31. ARD: DX Look introduces VOACAP view professional HF propagation prediction 32. FutureGeo is the most important amateur radio initiative of the decade 33. Device frequency sharing is eyes by Ofcom in the United Kingdom 34: HamCation will be featuring an APRS Digipeater Plus these Special Features This Week: * Working Amateur Radio Satellites with Bruce Paige, KK5DO - AMSAT Satellite News * Australia's own Onno Benschop, VK6FLAB, and Foundations of Amateur Radio, presents Part Five of his series on "Building A Shack". The episode Onno tackles the problem of "Noise" * The DX Corner with Bill Salyers, AJ8B with with all the latest news on DXpeditions, DX, upcoming radio sport contests, and a lot more * Weekly Propagation Forecast from the ARRL * Our own amateur radio historian, Will Rogers, K5WLR, with yet another edition of "Dead Electrical Dudes". This week's stiff is Guglielmo Marconi ----- Full Podcast (ID breaks every 10 mins for use on ham frequencies): https://www.twiar.net/twiarpodcast.rss Full Podcast (No ID Breaks for LPFM or personal listening): https://www.twiar.net/twiarpodcastlpfm.rss Truncated Podcast (Approximately 1 hour in length): https://www.twiar.net/twiarpodcast60.rss Website: https://www.twiar.net X: https://x.com/TWIAR Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/twiar.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/twiari YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQdPO6QkZJ1eIvw6-EQWQPgogVNiZim4u RSS News: https://twiar.net/?feed=rss2 Automated (Full Static file, updated weekly): https://twiar.net/TWIARHAM.mp3 Automated (1-hour Static file, updated weekly): https://www.twiar.net/TWIAR1HR.mp3 This Week in Amateur Radio is produced by Community Video Associates in upstate New York, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. If you would like to volunteer with us as a news anchor or special segment producer please get in touch with our Executive Producer, George, via email at w2xbs77@gmail.com. Thanks to FortifiedNet.net for the server space! Thanks to Archive.org for the audio space.

Robin Ince joins Alexei Sayle and Talal Karkouti to discuss Ofcom for podcasts, dragging Alexei back into comedy and Rowland Rivron's Ben Elton impression.They also explore why Robin stopped working with Ricky Gervais (spoiler: he's not a nice person) and his resignation from Infinite Monkey Cage.LAST CHANCE to vote for Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar to win a British Comedy Award by visiting comedy.co.uk and filling in the form!Be a comrade and support the show by becoming a Patron and getting access to full video versions of the podcast, live episodes and more - patreon.com/AlexeiSaylePodcastSend your fan art, thoughts and questions to alexeisaylepodcast@gmail.comPlease consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.Subscribe to Alexei's YouTube channel here and join him for his Bike Rides.The Alexei Sayle Podcast is produced and edited by Talal KarkoutiMusic by Tarboosh RecordsPhotograph from the Andy Hollingworth Archive 

It's Harry vs Daily Mail: but as both sides bring robust arguments, could this one get messy? Journalist and TV producer Steven D Wright gets the popcorn out.Also on the show: the BBC agrees a deal with YouTube and Ofcom to produce content for the platform. TV critic Rhianna Dhillon explains the deal and what it means for your feed.All that plus: Channel 4 gets commercial, the Government throws a spanner in the Telegraph deal AGAIN... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we take on the gossip columnists. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex (who is a real person) selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.comWe record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studioBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.What The Media Club has been reading this week:Prince Harry testifies against the MailBBC to make content for YouTubeChannel 4 appoint their first in-house chiefLisa Nandy 'minded' to refer Mail/Telegraph deal to CMAPrue Leith to leave Bake OffAlan Rusbridger joins The New WorldJamie Laing hires former Amazon Podcast boss Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode Ken Macdonald KC and Tim Owen KC discuss a wide range of issues affecting UK law and politics and answer some listeners' questions.     Does Elon Musk's climbdown over Grok's image generator represent a victory for online safety campaigners and have Ken and Tim been unfair about Ofcom's record of enforcing the Online Safety Act ?    Will the US Supreme Court's imminent ruling in  Learning Resources v Trump declare Trump's unilateral imposition of tariffs without Congressional approval to be unlawful and what would that mean for Trump's latest threats to impose tariffs on any NATO country opposing his demand to take over Greenland?   And is being turned down for the Nobel Peace Prize a good reason to invade a sovereign State ?   The decision of 6 Palestine Action activists to end their hunger strike was greeted with relief by the Ministry of Justice but what were the activists demanding and what is the law concerning the duty of the Prison Service in response to hunger strikes?  Ken and Tim explain the fundamental shift in the law from mandatory force feeding of the Suffragettes, as established in the 1909 judgment in Leigh v Gladstone, to the turning point in the ‘70s and 80s involving IRA hunger strikers.     What do recent amendments to the Parole Board's powers and the Justice Secretary's new power to direct the Parole Board to refer a release decision in “top-tier” cases to the High Court say about Labour's approach to sentencing, fairness and respect for judicial independence?  See this for a background to the changes - https://www.no5.com/2025/12/the-parole-board-new-powers-and-new-challenges/   Finally, Ken and Tim reflect on the defection of Robert Jenrick to Reform, the record of his replacement as Shadow Justice Secretary, Nick Timothy MP, and the mysterious decision by SFO Director, Nick Ephgrave, to announce his early retirement after only 2 and half years in the job. -- overing the critical intersections of politics and law in the UK with expert commentary on high-profile legal cases, political controversies, prisons and sentencing, human rights law, current political events and the shifting landscape of justice and democracy. With in-depth discussions and influential guests, Double Jeopardy is the podcast that uncovers the forces shaping Britain's legal and political future.     What happens when politics and law collide? How do politics shape the law - and when does the law push back? What happens when judicial independence is tested, human rights come under attack, or freedom of expression is challenged? And who really holds power in Britain's legal and political system?  Get answers to questions like these weekly on Wednesdays.    Double Jeopardy is presented by Ken Macdonald KC, former Director of Public Prosecutions, and Tim Owen KC, as they break down the legal and political issues in Britain. From high-profile legal cases to the evolving state of British democracy, Double Jeopardy offers expert legal commentary on the most pressing topics in UK law, politics, and human rights.     Ken Macdonald KC served as Director of Public Prosecutions from 2003-2008, shaping modern prosecutorial policy and advocating for the rule of law. He is a former Warden of Wadham College, Oxford, a crossbench member of the House of Lords, and a leading writer, commentator and broadcaster on politics and the rule of law.  Tim Owen KC has been involved in many of the most significant public, criminal and human rights law cases over the past four decades.  Both bring unparalleled experience from the frontline of Britain's legal and political landscape.  If you like The Rest Is Politics, Talking Politics, Law Pod UK and Today in Focus, you'll love Double Jeopardy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Smart 7 is an award winning daily podcast, in association with METRO that gives you everything you need to know in 7 minutes, at 7am, 7 days a week...With over 19 million downloads and consistently charting, including as No. 1 News Podcast on Spotify, we're a trusted source for people every day and the Sunday 7 won a Gold Award as “Best Conversation Starter” in the International Signal Podcast Awards If you're enjoying it, please follow, share, or even post a review, it all helps...Today's episode includes the following guests:Sir Keir Starmer - UK Prime Minister Damian Collins - Former Tory MP, who chaired the UK's Culture, Media & Sport Select CommitteeBlair Gibbs - Director of the Police FoundationLouise Haigh - Labour MP and Former Transport Secretary Will Guyatt - The Smart 7's Tech Guru Carlo Buontempto - Director of the Copernicus Climate Change UnitDr Marios Adamou - Consultant Psychiatrist and Founder of the UK Adult ADHD Network Dr Rangan Chatterjee - GP, Television Presenter and PodcasterDr Ali Mussa Hammedu - Geologist from Ethiopia's Samara UniversityJared Isaacman - NASA Administrator Doctor Marie Henderson - Planetary Scientist with the University of Maryland, and training the Artemis Crew at the NASA Goddard Space Flight CentreIsabella Tree - Co-owner, Curator of the Knepp Estate in West SussexContact us over @TheSmart7pod or visit www.thesmart7.com or find out more at www.metro.co.uk Presented by Ciara Revins, written by Liam Thompson, researched by Lucie Lewis and produced by Daft Doris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

X has been firmly in the firing line after its Grok AI tool was used to create sexualised images of women and children. Elon Musk's company could face a fine of up to 10% of its global earnings by internet regulator Ofcom, or a ban in the UK. He denies that the AI has done anything illegal and says users are responsible for the images they create. How can we regulate AI? Nish and Coco speak to Rutger Bregman, historian and author who called out billionaires at Davos. He argues Big Tech should be treated like Big Tobacco, and gives his take on Iran, as thousands of protestors take to the streets, and what a radical policy platform looks like for the UK Left today. Plus - what on earth is UKIP proposing as a terrifying rebrand?  *Update on Palestinian Hunger Strikers*: On 14th Jan Heba, Kamran, and Lewie collectively paused their hunger strike. They made British history, lasting 73 days. CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS  SHOPIFY Shopify.co.uk/podsavetheuk BABBEL https://www.babbel.com/PSUK  GUESTS  Rutger Bregman - Historian and Author of Moral Ambition, out in paper back on 15th Jan USEFUL LINKS https://www.moralambition.org/book Let us know your experiences of SEND support in schools - or any other stories. CREDITS Liz Kendall MP, Technology Secretary - Parliament TV Rutger Bregman - Publicae    Rutger Bregman and Tucker Carlson - Now This Tehran protests - Shaparak Khorsandi/Instagram Donald Trump - New York Times Laila Cunningham - Daily Express/YouTube Nadim Zahawi - Sky News Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Instagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukX: https://x.com/podsavetheuk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's round-up of the latest news in online speech, content moderation and internet regulation, Mike and Ben cover:UK, Canadian watchdogs press on with probes into Elon Musk's Grok chatbot (Reuters)Musk's xAI limits Grok's ability to create sexualized images of real people on X after backlash (CNBC)X claims it has stopped Grok from undressing people, but of course it hasn't (The Verge)State Department Threatens UK Over Grok Investigation, Because Only The US Is Allowed To Ban Foreign Apps (Techdirt)Keir Starmer tells MPs he is open to social media ban for young people (The Guardian)Statement from the Molly Rose Foundation (LinkedIn)Wes Streeting asks US expert Jonathan Haidt to address officials on social media ban for under-16s (The Guardian)Some social media use can benefit teen mental health (AAP)Arlington-focused Facebook group with 25,000 members is removed, angering moderators (ARLnow)Bandcamp becomes the first major music platform to ban AI content (The Verge) Ctrl-Alt-Speech is a weekly podcast from Techdirt and Everything in Moderation. Send us your feedback at podcast@ctrlaltspeech.com and sponsorship enquiries to sponsorship@ctrlaltspeech.com. Thanks for listening.

Katie Razzall and guests discuss how Iran's recent protests have sparked debate about how they were covered by international media. We speak to BBC Persian's Behrang Tajdin, Lyse Doucet, and Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat about the challenges of reporting from one of the world's most restricted environments. Also, Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok is under fire for generating sexualised, non-consensual images of women and children. Ofcom has launched an investigation under the Online Safety Act, and the UK government is preparing new laws to ban ‘nudification' tools. We hear from Chi Onwurah MP and CNN's Hadas Gold on what this means for tech regulation. Plus, Phil Maguire, co-founder of the Prison Radio Association, reflects on building the world's first national radio station for prisoners and its impact on rehabilitation. And Liza Marshall, producer of the new film Hamnet, reveals how she secured the rights early - before Maggie O'Farrell's novel became a global sensation- and what it takes to back a winner in Hollywood.Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai

In a week where:Iran goes through Internet blackouts as nationwide protests continue.US cities protest ICE after a woman is murdered by ICE Agent.The EU backs Greenland as USA threatens occupation.The Golden Globes come & go.Ofcom investigates Elon Musk's X over Grok Al sexual deepfakes whilst Malaysia & Indonesia already ban it.In the 1st of two Geopolitics segments: (6:39) It is all kicking off in Iran and as every day passes, the more significant it feels. So, we're going to double up on the Iran protests, starting with some on-the-ground reporting on what has been happening. (Article By Deepa Parent & William Christou) In the 2nd Geopolitics segment: (20:48) A more broader look at the Iran protests and asking if this is maybe a revolution instead of just protests. (Article By Mahjoob Zweiri) In the 1st of two Life segments: (34:55) An introduction to a comprehensive journal edition by the Review of African Political Economy, covering the life and work of ever-present voice on the Black diaspora Frantz Fanon as he would've been 100 last year. (Article By Chinedu Chukwudinma, Christopher J. Lee and Bettina Engels)Lastly, in the 2nd Life segments: (52:35) As life becomes more frictionless - for better or worse - people are now realising the benefits of doing things with hands-on effort. (Article By Kathryn Jezer-Morton) Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?"Rate & ReviewE-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter & IG: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://the5thelement.co.ukPhotography: https://www.crt.photographyIntro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop MusicOther Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence

The UK government is threatening Elon Musk's X with the nuclear option: a ban. The social media platform is under pressure from ministers over the use of the Grok AI tool to manipulate images of women and children to remove their clothes. Ofcom, the UK's media regulator, has launched an investigation into X – and the government says it will support a ban if it decides to press ahead. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's senior national editor Aaron Sharp. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Golden Globes Timothee Chalamet beats Leonardo DiCaprio Golden Globes 2026 The full list of winners and nominees US Fed Chair Jerome Powell under criminal investigation Revolutionary eye injection saved my sight, says first ever patient Golden Globes red carpet in pictures Ariana Grande, Jenna Ortega and Selena Gomez Ofcom investigates Elon Musks X over Grok AI sexual deepfakes Vets under increasing pressure to make money for corporate owners, BBC told Fomer chancellor Nadim Zahawi defects to Reform UK Margam park Roman villa find could be Port Talbots Pompeii Guantanamo detainee Abu Zubaydah paid substantial compensation by UK to settle torture complicity case

The Smart 7 is an award winning daily podcast, in association with METRO, that gives you everything you need to know in 7 minutes, at 7am, 7 days a week…With over 19 million downloads and consistently charting, including as No. 1 News Podcast on Spotify, we're a trusted source for people every day and we've won Gold at the Signal International Podcast awardsIf you're enjoying it, please follow, share, or even post a review, it all helps... Today's episode includes the following: https://x.com/i/status/2010636151024161252 https://x.com/i/status/2010629100990513368 https://x.com/i/status/2010814564548378853 https://x.com/i/status/2010656751713231168 https://x.com/i/status/2010652982132568524 https://x.com/i/status/2010646633017438393 https://x.com/i/status/2010835616267735185 https://x.com/i/status/2010603350501511433 https://youtu.be/j6uDeBYDHu4 Contact us over @TheSmart7pod or visit www.thesmart7.com or find out more at www.metro.co.uk Voiced by Jamie East, using AI, written by Liam Thompson, researched by Lucie Lewis and produced by Daft Doris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apple announces that its going with Google's Gemini to power Siri later this year, and Google joins the $4T club on the news. Governments around the world are still mad at Grok. AI has essentially killed Stack Overflow but its making more money than it ever has. And how you get get AI to give you the full text of books. Apple picks Google's Gemini to run AI-powered Siri coming this year (CNBC) UK's Ofcom investigates X over Grok's sexualised AI images of women and children (FT) Anthropic expands into healthcare a week after OpenAI launched a similar product (Business Insider) Stack Overflow's forum is dead thanks to AI, but the company's still kicking... thanks to AI (Sherwood News) AI's Memorization Crisis (The Atlantic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Chris and Adam are down in City Hall to speak to the mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan. He defended London against claims by critics like President Trump and Nigel Farage that the city in unsafe, and pointed to the falling murder rate as proof of a positive counter narrative.Plus he welcomed Ofcom's new investigation into X and said “we need proper guardrails” to protect people online. He also spoke Europe and supported closer alignment with the customs union, and said “we've got to look at the impact it will have on the U.S. Trade deal” when it comes to rejoining the customs union.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were Adam Fleming and Chris Mason. It was made by Anna Harris with Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producers were Grace Braddock and Beth Pritchard. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Ofcom has launched an investigation into X over its AI tool Grok – but what does it mean when the platform is widely used by the government? Plus, Pippa and Kiran discuss Nadhim Zahawi's defection to Reform UK, and why it could both help and hinder the party. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

IS STARMER TRYING TO TURN UK INTO NORTH KOREA?  #KeirStarmer #UKPolitics #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #FreeSpeech #DigitalID #TwoTierPolicing #BBCBias #CivilLiberties #StateOverreach #UKDemocracy #LiveDebate #OFCOM  Today's show is driven by today's news. On the same day this stream goes live, Keir Starmer has asked Ofcom to investigate X over responses generated by its AI system Grok.  A sitting Prime Minister encouraging a state regulator to step in over images produced by an AI should alarm anyone who believes in free expression. This is not a literal comparison. The reference to North Korea is political hyperbole — a long-established way of warning about authoritarian direction, not dictatorship. Tonight's live show asks a simple but serious question: when governments start leaning on regulators to police speech they dislike, where does that road lead?  WHAT WE'RE COVERING  This broadcast examines a wider pattern — not one decision in isolation. Topics include: Digital ID and the expansion of state oversight  Free speech, censorship, and government pressure on platforms Two-tier policing of protests and public disorder The Southport riots and the Lucy Connolly case Selective enforcement of the law and narrative protection BBC bias and the absence of real accountability (BBC) Birmingham policing controversies and institutional double standards Cultural inconsistency and political taboos The collapse of the Red Wall and voter alienation Tolerance of the intolerant — and intolerance of dissent Weak or delayed action on Iran Disregard for Parliament and democratic scrutiny Media-friendly videos versus genuine accountability The Laura Kuenssberg interview and soft questioning Early prisoner releases and justice priorities Government acting as parent — from breakfast clubs to behaviour control Immigration narratives and the Dover crossings "bogeyman" Moves toward rejoining the European Union without a clear mandate Demonisation of opposition voters Constant attacks on Nigel Farage and Reform UK as "racist" instead of being debated Grandstanding on the world stage while trust collapses at home Leadership surrounded by compliance rather than challenge Manifesto contradictions and broken promises Growing concern over elections, democratic norms, and consent WHY THIS MATTERS This is not Left vs Right. It is power vs accountability. If asking questions is treated as extremism, if speech is managed by regulators, if policing and justice depend on who you are or what you believe, then the issue isn't the language used to criticise it — it's the direction the country is being taken.

Following the surprise defection of former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi to Reform UK, Julia Hartley-Brewer speaks to Reform UK's London Mayoral candidate, Laila Cunningham. In this interview, Julia asks about the most senior defection to Reform and whether her party is becoming the home of “washed-up” Tory politicians. Laila Cunningham describes Nigel Farage as a “true leader”, the likes of which we haven't seen in years, and sets out a vision of her party and city:Lawless London: As Met Chief Sir Mark Rowley claims that critics of the police in London were willing to “promote narratives that suit them”, Laila condemns the "gaslighting" of Londoners who don't feel safe.Faith & British Values: Laila explains why she doesn't want to be known as a “Muslim mayor”, the difference between her and Sadiq Khan's Islamic faith, and why British values should come first no matter who you are. Civil Service Mutiny: Laila warns that her party is ready to overcome “obstacles” - including civil servants that refuse to work with Reform.X Ban: Laila explains why she views calls to ban Elon Musk's X (and Grok AI) as an attempt to “control the narrative”, as Ofcom says they will investigate X over sexualised AI deepfakes being shared on the site. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from 10AM-1PM, Monday to Thursday. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the government about to stand up to Elon Musk? That now seems possible. Downing Street said today that they would support action from Ofcom - the media regulator - against his platforms if they deemed it necessary.Ofcom has announced that it has launched an investigation into Musk's X platform over its AI tool Grok being used to create non-consensual sexualised images of women and children. Ministers have said they expect action within days.After unveiling the lowest homicide figures in more than a decade, Jon and Lewis speak to Sir Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor - about how to confront the hard right claims that London is a 'hellhole', and what can be done about the misinformation on Musk's platforms.Later, one-time Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi was unveiled today as the latest Reform defector. He's the biggest name to move over to Nigel Farage's party so far but, having pledged he would remain a Conservative for life, why has he done it?

Apple gaat gebruikmaken van Gemini, het AI-model van Google, om Siri slimmer te maken. Dat bevestigt Apple aan nieuwszender CNBC. De slimmere versie van Siri wordt rond maart verwacht. Niels Kooloos vertelt erover in deze Tech Update. 'Na zorgvuldige evaluatie hebben we vastgesteld dat de technologie van Google de meest geschikte basis vormt voor Apple Foundation Models en we zijn enthousiast over de innovatieve nieuwe mogelijkheden die dit onze gebruikers zal bieden', zegt een woordvoerder van Apple tegen CNBC. Dat Apple met een andere AI-ontwikkelaar zou samenwerken voor de langverwachte update van Siri, werd vorig jaar al gemeld door ingewijden aan persbureau Bloomberg. Toen was het nog wel de vraag of Google of Anthropic met Apple samen zou werken. Ook werd destijds gemeld dat Apple niet voor altijd samen zou werken met een externe AI-ontwikkelaar. Het zou om een tijdelijke samenwerking gaan, zodat Apple meer tijd heeft om een eigen AI-model te ontwikkelen voor Siri. Verder in deze Tech Update: De Britse media-waakhond Ofcom gaat onderzoek doen naar X, omdat er massaal seksueel getinte deepfakes op het platform worden geplaatst met AI-chatbot Grok See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

STARMER VS MUSK – TODAY IT'S X, TOMORROW IT'S YOUR FREE SPEECH #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #FreeSpeech #Starmer #StarmerVsMusk #ElonMusk #Censorship #DonaldTrump #Trump #Iran #IranProtests #UKPolitics #IndependentMedia #CultureWar #YouTubeLive Keir Starmer wants to ban X — today it's social media, tomorrow it's your free speech. This is not about safety. It's about power, censorship, and silencing criticism. Not satisfied with cancelling elections, locking people up for "hurty words" and enforcing two-tier policing of political protest, Keir Starmer now wants to silence the internet itself by banning X. The excuse? Deep-fake nude images — which I utterly condemn. But let's stop pretending. This has nothing to do with protecting women and everything to do with protecting Starmer. This is about power. This is about control. This is about shutting you up. The idea that a government-appointed censor like OFCOM should police what adults say, think, read and watch online must be resisted. We don't even need OFCOM for broadcasting — we all have an off button. Don't like it? Don't watch it. What's next — banning football? Because every ground in the country now rings out with "Starmer is a wanker", doesn't it? Instead of censoring criticism, how about dealing with the real threats: Grooming gangs still waiting for a full public inquiry Rapists being allowed into the Met Police Birmingham officers falsifying evidence to blame Jews instead of Muslims BBC bias — including falsified edits of Trump speeches Without social media: The Iran protests would be invisible The grooming gang scandal would have died quietly Police corruption would never see daylight The truth? Starmer and the mainstream media hate Musk because their grip is slipping. This is a revolution — and they can't control it.  #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #FreeSpeech #Starmer #StarmerVsMusk #ElonMusk #X #Censorship #UKPolitics #OFCOM #CancelCulture #TwoTierPolicing #BBCBias #GroomingGangs #PoliceCorruption #DonaldTrump #Trump #Iran #IranProtests #CultureWar #MediaLies #IndependentMedia #YouTubeLive Jon Gaunt, Jon Gaunt TV, live, free speech, Keir Starmer, Starmer vs Musk, Elon Musk, X, censorship, UK politics, OFCOM, cancel culture, two tier policing, BBC bias, grooming gangs, police corruption, Donald Trump, Trump, Iran, Iran protests, culture war, media lies, independent media, YouTube live This is political blogging and hard-hitting social commentary from Triple Sony Gold Award-winning talk radio legend, Jon Gaunt — former host on BBC, Talk Radio, and Sky News. On Jon Gaunt TV, we cut through the noise and say what others won't. No political correctness. No censorship. Just real conversations that matter.

Hey Strangers,#ai #elonemusk #grokDegrading images of children and women with their clothes digitally removed by Grok AI continue to be shared on Elon Musk's X, despite the platform's commitment to suspend users who generate them.After days of concern over use of the chatbot to alter photographs to create sexualised pictures of real women and children stripped to their underwear without their consent, the UK's communication's watchdog, Ofcom, said on Monday that it had made “urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK”. Ofcom added that it would assess whether an investigation is necessary based on the company's response.**************************************************My other podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKpvBEElSl1dD72Y5gtepkw**************************************************article links:https://www.wired.com/story/expired-tired-wired-surveillance-state/======================================Today is for push-ups and Programming, and I am all done doing push-ups Discordhttps://discord.gg/MYvNgYYFxqTikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@strangestcoderYoutubehttps://www.youtube.com/@codingwithstrangersTwitchhttps://www.twitch.tv/CodingWithStrangersTwitterhttps://twitter.com/strangestcoderBlueSkyhttps://bsky.app/profile/strangestcoder.bsky.socialmerchSupport CodingWithStrangers IRL by purchasing some merch. All merch purchases include an alert: https://streamlabs.com/codingwithstrangers/merchGithubFollow my works of chaos https://github.com/codingwithstrangersTipshttps://streamlabs.com/codingwithstrangers/tipPatreonpatreon.com/TheStrangersTimeline00:00 Cold Open02:06 Greeting04:00 What are we talking about 15:20 My Thoughts18:10 outro anything else?Take CareSend in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coding-with-strangers/message

A disturbing new front in royal harassment: an AI chatbot tied to X is accused of generating sexualised images of the Princess of Wales from real photos, prompting “urgent contact” from UK regulator Ofcom. Meanwhile, the internet does what it does — a short clip of Prince William arriving at Kensington Palace with George and Charlotte ignites baseless “separate lives” speculation, plus a side quest into royal travel protocol and why heirs aren't supposed to fly together.Also: the Waleses get compared to the Beckhams, some people love it, some people hate it, and somehow this becomes a whole thing. And we close with the big question: are the royals secretly obsessed with UFOs?Palace Intrigue is your daily royal family podcast, diving deep into the modern-day drama, power struggles, and scandals shaping the future of the monarchy.Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.

Today on Tech and Science Daily from The Standard, our host Alan Leer speaks about London researchers test a self-guided sleep web app for children with epilepsy, the UK piles pressure on X and xAI after Grok image-abuse concerns, and Accenture agrees to acquire London AI firm Faculty. Plus, CES 2026 foldable phone news, a major Valorant update, and the latest Xbox Game Pass additions. For the latest news visit Standard.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Socialmediaplatformen en datingapps moeten vanaf donderdag verplicht optreden tegen ongewenste naaktfoto's in het Verenigd Koninkrijk. Gebeurt dat niet, dan kunnen er boetes uitgedeeld worden die oplopen tot 10 procent van de wereldwijde omzet. Niels Kooloos vertelt erover in deze Tech Update. Cyberflashing, zoals het ongewenst sturen van naaktfoto's heet in het VK, is al langer verboden, maar platformen moeten er nu meer tegen gaan doen. De eis wordt voorgeschreven door de onlangs ingevoerde Online Safety Act, die het internet veiliger moet maken voor onder andere kinderen. De manier waarop platformen dat doen is aan de platformen zelf. De Britse overheid adviseert om bijvoorbeeld geautomatiseerde systemen te gebruiken, die naakfoto's preventief detecteren en verwijderen. Eerder deze week ontdekte een deepfake-onderzoeker nog dat er bijna 7000 foto's per puur van mensen die uitgekleed zijn door AI-chatbot Grok op X worden gepost. De Britse toezichthouder Ofcom heeft om opheldering gevraagd. Of de nieuwe eis van de Online Safety Act daar een rol bij speelt is onduidelijk. Verder in deze Tech Update: Samsung verwacht dat de winst afgelopen kwartaal is verdriedubbeld door AI OpenAI wil dat jij je medische dossiers levert aan ChatGPT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's that time of year again.What's going to happen? What does the future hold?We all want to know. Knowing what's going to happen makes you feel better.NostreDominic is here to tell you.Here are 19 predictions for 20261. Gold Breaks $5,000Gold doesn't quite have the year it had in 2025, but it has a good year nonetheless and rises above $5,000/ozOn which note: Charlie Morris's monthly gold report, Atlas Pulse is, in my view, the best gold newsletter out there. Get your copy here. No pay nada.2. S&P 500 FrustrationThe S&P500 will spend much of 2026 in a frustrating range trade with a couple of nasty pullbacks. We see an interim peak in April-May, followed by a weak summer, but a strong final quarter means we end the year with a 10-15% gain.The problem of disproportionately few stocks (41 is it?) being responsible for most of the gains remains.3. Inflation Finds New FormsInflation doesn't die, it mutates. Headline inflation looks reasonably controlled (by recent standards), enabling leaders to declare that it is controlled or some other BS. Despite this “victory”, inflation finds other ways to rob you.4. Bitcoin Hits $150,000Bitcoin has a good year. With escalating geo-political conflict, as well as capital controls and tax grabs, more and more people wake up to the value of permissionless, apolitical currency. Falling trust in fiat - never mind government institutions - becomes more culturally entrenched. Bitcoin goes to $150,000.5. Starmer Survives (Just)Prime Minister Keir Starmer manages another year. His position gets even more precarious after a bad showing in the May local elections, but it is still only 2026 and the next General Election is not till 2029. Too early to oust him just yet.6. Government Spending: The Unstoppable ForceGovernment spending keeps on increasing. Even if they wanted to, they just can't stop it. Western Europe continues, therefore, its great march on the road to serfdom7. But No Sovereign Debt CrisisDespite the mathematics verging on the impossible, government debt continues to outpace GDP (it has grown at three times the pace this century) but the inevitable sovereign debt crisis that is coming to the UK, Western Europe and perhaps even the US, is somehow averted.By saying it won't happen, it will happen. I know it.8. British Stocks Shine Despite Economic StagnationBritain's economy continues to stagnate, but British stocks do well. Rather like Japan circa 2015, the valuations are so cheap that mergers and acquisitions are inevitable. Foreign money takes advantage.9. Oil RecoversOil, currently lagging metals, begins to turn around. Brent crude stays above $55 and flirts with $80 a barrel.10. UK Energy Costs Stay ElevatedEnergy costs in the UK remain high because Millibrain. Limited growth is the result.If you live in a Third World Country such as the UK, I urge you to own gold or silver. The pound is going to be further devalued. The bullion dealer I recommend is The Pure Gold Company. Pricing is competitive, quality of service is high. They deliver to the UK, the US, Canada and Europe or you can store your gold with them. More here.11. Critical Minerals BoomI would venture that the decision to overthrow Venezuelan President Maduro was as much about critical minerals - so-called strategic metals et al - and China's chokehold on them, as it was oil and gas, narco-terrorism, Russian drones and liberating the poor suffering people.To the US's credit it is trying to put the China chokehold problem right. The UK and Europe are hopeless. But this process, especially re-shoring industry, is highly inflationary, hence my comment about inflation finding new forms.It is a good year to be invested in both industrial and critical minerals, and the related stocks end the year considerably higher than when they began.This is something I'll be looking at a lot next year12. Emerging Markets RallyEmerging markets have a good year. Commodities, innit.13. The Pound Weakens A BitThe pound gradually weakens against the US dollar. High is $1.37, low is $1.25. Or thereabouts.14. Silver. Triple Digits.Silver goes above $100. There I've said it. Now watch it crash.15. AI-Powered Government OverreachA highly worrying development. Government Blob bodies, such as Ofcom and HMRC in the UK (though this problem is global), make increasing use of AI to make their processes more efficient. This enables them in a really bad way.This is already happening. In 2026 people start to wake up to the fact.I like AI. But it enables Big Bureaucracy. Beware.16. UK Property: More Stagnation The stagnation, particularly at the upper end of the market, continues. And why wouldn't it? Moving is too expensive.While nominal prices might be flat or slightly up, real prices are down, liquidity is poor, transactions fall.17. Rents Stay ElevatedBecause so many now prefer to rent so they don't have to pay moving taxes, and because the game is now over for amateur landlords, who continue to exit the market due to the increased cost of regulations, rents stay elevated.18. Official Reassurance = The Biggest MistakeThe biggest mistake of 2026, as with every year, will be trusting official reassurance. Governments and central banks remain behind the curve. Markets lead, policymakers follow. The crisis won't come from what they warn us about, but from something they've missed.19. Your Bruce-y Bonus Sports PredictionArsenal win the League. West Ham, Burnley and Wolves all get relegated.Have a wonderful 2026. Let's hope as with last year I'm wrong about everything and we make a potload of dosh. Until next time Dominic This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theflyingfrisby.com/subscribe

Grok genereert en plaatst gemiddeld 6700 afbeeldingen per uur van mensen die, zonder hun toestemming, uitgekleed zijn door de AI-chatbot op X. Dat meldt deepfakeonderzoeker Genevieve Oh, die gelieerd is aan anti-deepfakebeweging My Image My Choice. Niels Kooloos vertelt erover in deze Tech Update. Gebruikers op X kunnen sinds eind december foto's laten genereren door Grok. Al gauw bleek dat daar weinig grenzen aan zitten. Zo kan Grok normale kleding vervangen door bikini's en mensen in suggestieve poses plaatsen, ook als die minderjarig lijken te zijn. Verschillende overheden en instanties hebben zich al uitgesproken tegen de nieuwe functie van Grok. Zo is een drietal Franse ministers naar de Franse mediawaakhond gestapt met klachten, heeft de Britse toezichthouder Ofcom om uitleg gevraagd aan X en klinkt er ook veel kritiek vanuit Brussel. 'Dit is niet pikant, dit is illegaal, verwerpelijk en smerig', zei een woordvoerder van de Europese Commissie eerder deze week. Verder in deze Tech Update: Op Roblox moeten alle gebruikers nu verplicht hun leeftijd verifiëren als ze met elkaar willen chatten. Eerder gold dat alleen nog voor Nederlandse, Nieuw-Zeelandse en Australische gebruikers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we are checking out of 2025, on this New Year's Eve we pondered the question: Was media ever truly unbiased? We discussed role of media in free society, work of regulatory bodies such as Ofcom and Arcom, fairness doctrine and similar. Happy New Year, see you in the next one and enjoy!

STARMER'S BANANA REPUBLIC | HE MUST BE DEPOSED  #Starmer #BananaRepublic #UKPolitics #BBCBias #JonGaunt #JonGauntTV #Live #FreeSpeech #HateCrimeLaws #BBCBias  Today's live show lays out the case that under Keir Starmer, Britain is being reshaped away from constitutional democracy and toward something far more dangerous — a system where power flows downward from the state, not upward from the people.  This is not about personality. It's about how Starmer governs, what he tolerates, and what his system incentivises . We examine how Starmer's leadership is marked by: • Elections treated as an inconvenience rather than a mandate • Governing while sidelining or ignoring the House of Commons • Abandoning manifesto commitments once power is secured • Criminalising "offensive" political speech • Expanding police powers through vague and subjective hate crime laws • Undermining trial by jury in favour of administrative efficiency • Handing Ofcom sweeping control over online speech • Regulating dissent via unelected bodies instead of Parliament We also address selective enforcement and cultural engineering: • Ideological "re-education" of boys on misogyny • While ignoring or downplaying Pakistani grooming gangs • FGM, forced marriage, sectarian coercion, and parallel legal cultures • Equality before the law replaced by political fear and silence And the wider system surrounding Starmer: • Media narrative control and framing, especially the role of the BBC • Loyal but incompetent appointments beneath the leadership • Weakening of the family and replacement with the state • Denial and rewriting of British history as shame • Expansion of welfare dependency to create political compliance • Use of foreign war — Ukraine / Russia — as moral cover and domestic distraction This is not left vs right. It's Keir Starmer vs democratic consent. What does "deposed" mean? It means politically removed — through Parliament, party mechanisms, elections, and sustained lawful public pressure. Not violence. Not chaos. Democracy correcting itself before it's too late.  If you think this case is wrong, challenge it. If you think it's exaggerated, defend the record. But don't pretend this is normal.

Neoborn Caveman lets loose a marble-mouthed pro-humanity satire on privilege, warhawk hypocrisy, and bureaucratic tyranny, questions whether melanin or blood clots define true privilege while mocking coerced silence from Ofcom and the BBC's admitted propaganda, slams leaders who send others' children to trenches while hiding behind manipulated news, defends populists who actually serve people over parasitic cockroaches, celebrates an Oklahoma student flunked for quoting Christian beliefs in a gender essay, demands accountability for unelected bureaucrats funded by everyday purchases, and reminds listeners that sovereignty begins with refusing mortgages, Uber, and fake honey while reclaiming local power through recalls and pressure; the second half features a throwback interview with Soul Sparkles (Patreon exclusive).Music guest: Van Hechter with his latest song, Boy ProblemsKey TakeawaysPrivilege is life itself, not pigment or compliance.Warhawks never fight their own wars.Legalised lying by government is the death of trust.Populists rise when elites stop serving.Bureaucrats must face recall or pressure.Tax is hidden in every purchase—you fund your own cage.Education now punishes honest reasoning.Sovereignty rejects debt slavery and green agendas.History repeats when accountability vanishes.You are special—never listen to inner naysayers.Sound Bites"Is it the pigment level? The melanin level? The blood clots level?""None of the warhawks in white tie ever join from the trenches.""Hussein Obama made it legal to lie to the people.""Putin… seems to serve the people's interest… then the people won't change that person.""Getting a zero point because she was quoting Christian beliefs in a gender essay.""If there is a bureaucrat, fire them!""We need to set a good example… the rest of the world can learn from that example.""You are special. You are amazing! You are one of the kind."Gather for unfiltered rambles (and the full throwback interview with Soul Sparkles) at patreon.com/theneoborncavemanshow —free join, chats, lives.keywords: privilege, warhawks, populism, propaganda, bureaucratic tyranny, Christian persecution, sovereignty, accountability, debt slavery, green agendaHumanity centered satirical takes on the world & news + music - with a marble mouthed host.Free speech marinated in comedy.Supporting Purple Rabbits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The BBC is facing mounting accusations that it has failed to report impartially on transgender issues. A formal complaint has been sent to Ofcom by the Bayswater Support Group, which represents hundreds of parents who believe the broadcaster has promoted one-sided coverage of sex and gender. The group accuses senior editors of failing to reflect dissenting views, glossing over safeguarding concerns, and presenting gender identity as an uncontested fact.Camilla and Tim Stanley are joined by parents of two young people who socially transitioned as teenagers. They describe how their children's gender identities were affirmed at school during the Covid pandemic - in some cases without parental knowledge - and the lasting impact it has had on their families as the relationship with their children broke down.They also discusses leaked allegations that the BBC's coverage has been subject to internal censorship, alongside examples cited by critics - from reporting on puberty blockers to children's television and drama - and the corporation's response to claims of bias.We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorSenior Producer: John CadiganExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsVideo Producers: Will Walters and Andy MackenzieStudio Operator: Meghan SearleSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's roundup of the latest news in online speech, content moderation and internet regulation, Ben is joined by Vaishnavi J, former head of youth policy at Meta and founder and principal of Vyanams Strategies, a product advisory firm that helps companies, civil society, and governments build safer age appropriate experiences. Prior to founding Vys, she led video policy at Twitter, built its safety team in APAC and was Google's child safety polciy lead in APAC. Together Ben and Vaishnavi discuss:House overhauls KOSA in a new kids online safety package (The Verge)A nationwide internet age verification plan is sweeping Congress (The Verge)Grindr supports app store age-verification bill despite censorship concerns (Pink News)A summary of the technology sector's response to the UK's new online safety rules (Ofcom)Age Assurance Implementation Handbook (Vyanams)Interoperable Age Assurance (Age Verification Providers Association)EU's non-binding resolution around revamping child safety rules (European Parliament)‘We'll be watching': Social media companies warned about complying with ban as teens flock to alternative apps (Crikey)The Salesforce of safety: Software vendors as infrastructural/professional nodes in the field of online trust and safety (Sage, Platforms & Society)It's their job to keep AI from destroying everything (The Verge) Ctrl-Alt-Speech is a weekly podcast from Techdirt and Everything in Moderation. Send us your feedback at podcast@ctrlaltspeech.com and sponsorship enquiries to sponsorship@ctrlaltspeech.com. Thanks for listening.

What should tech companies be doing to prevent online abuse of women and girls? Ofcom's Chief Executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, joins Nuala McGovern to discuss their new guidance. It's urging tech firms to go much further to prevent the harm caused by misogynistic pile-ons, online stalking and intimate image abuse. They've also teamed up with Sport England to highlight the toll such abuse is taking on women in sport. Have you heard of rage rooms? Or even visited one? Turns out demand for them is surging, and 90% of the UK customers are women. Believed to have started in Japan in the early 2000s, rage rooms are places where people can smash up items such as electronics, white goods and crockery. Nuala is joined by Jennifer Cox, psychotherapist and author of Women are Angry: Why Your Rage is Hiding and How To Let It Out, and culture journalist Isobel Lewis who has visited a rage retreat.Isabelle Kyson, 17, is a national-level sprint hurdler and passionate advocate for girls in sport. Today, she releases her documentary, Out of the Race, on YouTube which explores why so many girls drop out of sport during puberty. Research shows that more than two-thirds of teenage girls quit sport by the age of 16 or 17—a trend Issey has been campaigning to change for some time, including lobbying government for action. She has also launched a new toolkit for schools, developed in partnership with the Association for Physical Education. Issey joins Nuala along with Kate Thornton-Bousfield, Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Physical Education.We discuss acting and AI as the actor Olivia Williams discusses why she wants actors to have more control over the data that is obtained from scans of their body. Many actors contracts now include a clause granting producers ownership of an actor's ‘likeness' across all platforms, forever. This can cover photos, drawings, figurines, and the full body scans captured with advanced technology. In a recent article in The Guardian, Olivia suggested that something similar to a 'nudity clause' should be added to contracts. She joins Nuala along with consultant solicitor, Kelsey Farish, who advises actors and performers on AI clauses. Presented by: Nuala McGovern Produced by: Sarah Jane Griffiths