Laura Phillips
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lauraphillips.bsky.social
Laura Phillips
@lauraphillips.bsky.social
Campaigner to support the BBC, (not a BBC employee).It’s affected by savage UK govt cuts: c40% 2010-2024. BBC costs <48 pence/around 62 US cents a day per UK household. It’s a national public service broadcaster, respected worldwide for accurate reporting.
#Trump latest. His post on the death of #JesseJackson is a paean of praise.

To himself.
February 17, 2026 at 6:54 PM
@barackobama.bsky.social ‘Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of a true giant, the Reverend Jesse Jackson. We will always be grateful for Jesse's lifetime of service, and the friendship our families share.’ 1/
February 17, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Well.
Nigel Farage lashes out at a FT journalist and refuses to answer the question.

Is this how Reform UK would ignore media questions if they got into government?
February 17, 2026 at 3:58 PM
First-look pictures for witty+painfully relatable eight-part drama series Two Weeks in August, coming soon to #BBCiPlayer and #BBCOne. Made by the multi-award-winning Various Artists Limited (I May Destroy You, Such Brave Girls) the series follows a group of friends reuniting for a summer holiday.
First-look pictures of new drama Two Weeks in August unveiled
Written by Catherine Shepherd, the series stars Jessica Raine, Damien Molony, Nicholas Pinnock, Antonia Thomas, Leila Farzad and Hugh Skinner
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 2:42 PM
"I was mesmerised... He was a Baptist minister, and he could preach."

Dr Eddie Glaude, professor of African American studies at Princeton University, remembers civil rights activist Rev Jesse Jackson at the 1984 Democratic Party convention, who has died aged 84.
#BBCRadio4 #WorldAtOne
video.twimg.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Reuters: GENEVA- IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER: WE'VE REACHED AN UNDERSTANDING ON MAIN PRINCIPLES WITH THE U.S.
February 17, 2026 at 2:07 PM
ICYMI you can see the debate here:
Gorton and Denton by-election debate as candidates go head-to-head
Gorton and Denton by-election candidates from five parties go head to head in a BBC debate.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Reform UK names Robert Jenrick as pick for chancellor
Leader Nigel Farage says Reform is
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Just seen @samiraahmeduk.bsky.social with Richard Burgess Director of News Content, BBC News on #BBCNews' lack of investigation, curiosity+challenge on #Epstein including during an extended #BillGates interview with no questions on this. "Could we have done more? I think that's a fair question." 1/
Newswatch - 14/02/2026
Did BBC journalists whip up a frenzy of excitement about whether the prime minister would be forced out of office?
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 11:01 AM
“I’ll seriously consider this because we are in some seriously challenging times right now.”

Democratic Senator #MarkKelly tells @vicderbyshire.bsky.social @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social that he will “seriously consider” running in the 2028 US presidential race.
video.twimg.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Laura Phillips
BREAKING | Civil rights icon Jesse Jackson has died
trib.al/Y4uJuzX
Civil rights icon Jesse Jackson dies at 84
A cause of death was not immediately given but Jackson’s family said he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones
trib.al
February 17, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has accused the FBI of failing to hand over any information and evidence from its investigation into the shooting.

BCA Supt Drew Evans called the FBI's actions "concerning and unprecedented". The FBI has not yet responded.
FBI won't co-operate into Alex Pretti's death investigation, state officials say
Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says the FBI will not hand over any evidence it has gathered.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 9:50 AM
#BBC’s Luxmy Gopal: Emotional support animals, hot drinks, and a lounge to relax in: this is what greets you if you walk into a specialist emergency #mentalhealth unit in west London.
The centre in Ladbroke Grove is designed to be a calmer, more suitable alternative to A&E departments.
Mental health A&E unit 'helps patients be seen within 15 minutes'
Karalyn, a patient, says she prefers the Ladbroke Grove centre as there's more certainty and calm.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 9:47 AM
#HillaryClinton, former US Secretary of State+her husband former US President #BillClinton, have agreed to testify in the congressional investigation into Jeffrey #Epstein. She said the govt's behaviour indicated it had something to hide. "Get the files out. They are slow-walking it".
BBC World Service - Global News Podcast, Hillary Clinton accuses Trump of Epstein 'cover up'
President Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Really important (H/T @vicderbyshire.bsky.social) How a dark web agent spotted a bedroom wall clue to rescue a girl from years of sexual abuse

This is a brilliant documentary from #BBCEye - Sam Piranty+ @DeeMcIlveen have spent years filming these undercover officers

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
How dark web agent spotted bedroom wall clue to rescue girl from abuse
Detectives desperate to locate a 12-year-old, seen abused online, found a surprising lead.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Reposted by Laura Phillips
Reform's polling is ~the lowest its been since last year's local elections
February 17, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Reposted by Laura Phillips
Cuts to overseas aid by the UK are set to go further and faster than those made by the Trump administration in the US, as Sir Keir Starmer’s government wrestles with funding pressures

www.ft.com/content/ad52...
UK overseas aid cuts to outstrip those of Trump administration
Spending will drop 27% this year from 2024 levels to help fund higher defence budget
www.ft.com
February 16, 2026 at 7:51 AM
@emmaharding.bsky.social: Calling all #Bridgerton fans… @arghlice goes behind the scenes of the hit Regency drama for In The Studio #bbcworldservice and #BBCSounds She speaks to lead writer Jess Brownall & actors Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha
BBC World Service - In the Studio, Bridgerton: Behind the scenes
Producer Jess Brownell takes us behind the scenes of Bridgerton
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 9:02 AM