POLITICS CORNER

[Stanley]

See THIS disturbing report on how the law on deep fakes is not being enforced
Campaigners have accused the government of dragging its heels on implementing a law which would make it illegal to create non-consensual sexualised deep fakes. It comes amid a backlash against images created using Elon Musk's AI Grok to digitally remove clothing - with one woman telling the BBC more than 100 sexualised images have been created of her. It is currently illegal to share deep fakes of adults in the UK, external, but new legislation that would make it a criminal offence to create or request them is still not in force despite passing in June 2025, external. But it is unclear whether all of the unclothing images created by Grok would fall foul of this law. The BBC has contacted the government for comment.
There is much more information in the article. Quite rightly agencies affected are asking pointed questions about why no action has followed th passing of the law into force.

[Stanley]

See THIS report about growing pressure on 'X'.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall says she would back regulator Ofcom if it blocks UK access to Elon Musk's social media site X for failing to comply with online safety laws. Ofcom says it is urgently deciding what to do about X's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok, which digitally undressed people without their consent when tagged beneath images posted on the platform. X has now limited the use of this image function to those who pay a monthly fee. But Downing Street said the change was "insulting" to victims of sexual violence. Musk said on X the UK government "want any excuse for censorship" as he replied to a post questioning why other AI platforms were not being looked at. Kendall said: "Sexually manipulating images of women and children is despicable and abhorrent. She added: "I, and more importantly the public, would expect to see Ofcom update on next steps in days not weeks." She said the Online Safety Act "includes the power to block services from being accessed in the UK, if they refuse to comply with UK law" and "if Ofcom decide to use those powers they will have our full support". The BBC has approached X for comment.
Why is there any delay in acting?

In another part of the forest I saw THIS report from Twin Cities.
Updated 1 hour ago
A video filmed by the US immigration agent who fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday has emerged, showing the moments before gunfire rang out. The 47-second footage, obtained by Minnesota-based outlet Alpha News, shows Renee Nicole Good sitting behind the wheel of her car and speaking to the officer. US Vice-President JD Vance shared the clip on social media, commenting that the agent had acted in self-defence. Local officials have insisted the woman posed no danger. Good's wife has paid tribute to the 37-year-old, saying the pair were trying to support their neighbours when she was shot. Her death has sparked protests across the US. President Donald Trump's administration says Good tried to run over the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in an act of "domestic terrorism" after blocking the road and impeding the agency's work. Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has described that account as "garbage" based on the video footage. The BBC has asked the homeland security department and the White House for comment on the new video that emerged on Friday. The footage starts with the officer getting out of his car and filming Good's vehicle and registration plate while he walks around the Honda SUV. A dog is in the backseat. Good says: "That's fine dude. I'm not mad at you." Her wife, Becca Good, is standing on the street filming the interaction with her mobile phone. She tells the ICE agent: "That's OK, we don't change our plates every morning just so you know. It will be the same plate when you come talk to us later." She adds: "You want to come at us? You want to come at us? I say go and get yourself some lunch, big boy."

[Stanley]

See THIS update on events in Minneapolis.
6 hours ago
At least 29 people have been arrested in Minneapolis during protests over the death of a woman who was shot by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. One police officer was also injured after a "chunk of ice was thrown at them", city officials said, during demonstrations which saw 1,000 people take to the streets of the city on Friday night. Protests against immigration enforcement have been held across the US after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot in her car on Wednesday. The Trump administration said the agent who fired the shots acted in self-defence. Local officials have insisted the woman posed no danger. Minneapolis Police declared an unlawful assembly on Friday night as protesters gathered outside the Canopy Hotel in the city, where some ICE agents were believed to be staying. The Minneapolis police department said in a statement that "some individuals forced entry into the hotel through an alley entrance". Videos posted online showed protesters flashing bright lights into the area, blowing whistles and banging on drums. Police said there were "well over 1,000" demonstrators in the area and some threw ice, snow and rocks at officers, police vehicles and other vehicles, but no serious injuries were reported. One law enforcement officer suffered minor injuries but did not need any medical attention, according to the BBC's US partner CBS News.
It looks as though this story has legs. Not good news for Trump.... As President he is expected to unite the Nation. This is anything but.....