X wants to appeal High Court's dismissal of Coimisiún na Meán case, court hears
X International Unlimited Company, which operates X, formerly known as Twitter, had alleged that the media regulator engaged in 'regulatory overreach' in its approach to restrictions on certain video content.
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Coimisiún na Meán's online safety code, which was adopted last October and came into effect earlier this month, sets out legally binding rules for video-sharing platforms. It is aimed at protecting the public, and especially children, from harmful online content.
The social media giant had sought a High Court order compelling the commission to quash its decision to adopt certain sections of the code.
It also sought the court to overturn the commission's decision to apply the code to its platform.
In a judgment, Mr Justice Conleth Bradley this week refused reliefs sought by X.
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The judge dismissed several arguments made by the platform in the proceedings, including that the code was out of step with European legislation.
At the High Court on Thursday, senior counsel Declan McGrath, for X and appearing with barrister Emma Synnott, said he was instructed to seek permission to appeal the court's judgment.
In some High Court cases, permission must be granted by the court to appeal a judgment.
Noting the judge's provisional view that the costs of the High Court action be awarded to the commission, Mr McGrath said he would not be making any submissions on the matter.
Mr Justice Bradley set a date in October for the hearing of X's application for permission to appeal.
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The Guardian
39 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Friday briefing: Has the recognition of a Palestinian state gathered an unstoppable pace?
Good morning. It started in the Caribbean: Barbados and Jamaica recognised a Palestinian state in April 2024. Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas followed weeks later, meaning that all Caribbean Community states had recognised Palestine. At the end of May 2024, Ireland, Spain and Norway formally recognised Palestine. Then it spread. Last month, France became the first G7 country to announce it would follow suit, pledging recognition this September. Malta, the UK and Canada have signalled they could do the same, though London and Ottawa attached conditions. Other countries, including Andorra, Australia, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal and San Marino, have signed a declaration that indicates they may be next. The shrinking number of countries refusing to recognise Palestine has played a significant role in this surge. It's a club few now want to be part of. So too has a landmark ruling from last year's International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel. Not the case examining whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, which will take years to conclude, but the one on the legality of Israel's nearly six-decade-long occupation of the Palestinian territories. To understand how this ruling has galvanised recognition as well as growing calls for boycotts and sanctions against Israel, I spoke to Haroon Siddique, the Guardian's legal affairs correspondent. That's after the headlines. Gaza | At least 91 people have been killed and 600 wounded while waiting for aid in Gaza over the past 24 hours, as the US envoy, Steve Witkoff, visits Israel for ceasefire discussions and to inspect food distribution. NHS | Nine out of 10 nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have rejected their 3.6% pay award and have warned that they could strike later this year unless their salaries are improved. Science | The world's 'oldest baby' has been born in the US from an embryo that was frozen in 1994, it has been reported. US news | US president Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing tariffs ranging from 10% to 41% on imports from dozens of trade partners in his latest attempt to reshape the global economy. Hong Kong | Former Hong Kong politician and prominent democracy campaigner Carmen Lau has accused British police of requesting she 'self-censor' and retreat from public life. Hold your breath, but we'll need to start with a little history lesson – specifically the events of 1967. After the six-day war between Israel and four Arab states, Israeli forces took control of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, as well as the Golan Heights and Sinai, in a series of rapid military advances. This reshaped the balance of power in the region. The war later opened the door to peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan, but it also marked the start of a decades-long occupation of what the international community recognises as the Palestinian territories: East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. With the peace process long stalled and illegal settlements in those areas continuing to expand, the situation has hardened into a brutal, prolonged and unresolved impasse. Mainstream Israeli politics includes voices asserting that Israel has a rightful claim to all the occupied territories, and harder-line positions calling for the expulsion of Palestinians have also influenced government policy in recent years, as Benjamin Netanyahu moved further right to retain control of his coalition. In 2022, the Palestinian delegation at the UN asked the general assembly to seek an advisory opinion from the ICJ on whether Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories complied with international law, the legality of the settlements, and how other states should respond. The request passed with majority support, Haroon told me. 'The judgment that followed was historic because of how unequivocal and wide-ranging it was.' The question of apartheid This time last year, the ICJ ordered Israel to immediately end its occupation of the Palestinian territories and pay full reparations to Palestinians. The advisory opinion concluded that Israel had violated international law in several ways, including denying Palestinians their inalienable right to self determination and inflicting policies that amounted to apartheid. Perhaps most importantly, the court advised that other states are obliged not to recognise the occupation as lawful and not to aid or assist it. 'It also said Israel needed to make full reparations for wrongful acts and essentially concluded that what Israel was doing violated international law,' Haroon said. 'Some people interpreted the judgment as saying there was apartheid, and to me it seemed explicit. They said settlers and Palestinians are treated differently and that's enshrined in Israeli law and other measures. There is almost complete separation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem between Israeli settlers and Palestinian communities,' Haroon said, explaining that the court said Israel was in breach of article 3 of the international convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination (CERD), which condemns racial segregation and apartheid. The court found multiple breaches of international law, including forcible evictions, widespread demolitions, settlement expansion, failure to curb settler violence, restrictions on water access, exploitation of resources, and the extension of Israeli law to the West Bank and East Jerusalem. A clear message to other states There was also a lot in the court's opinion about other states' relations to Israel, Haroon said. 'The court said other states shouldn't render aid or assistance that entrenches the occupation. For example, they shouldn't do trade or economic activity with settlements.' How did the UK respond? During the hearings, the Conservative government argued that the ICJ should not issue an advisory opinion at all. Now, under Labour, the position is even less clear. 'Last year, the Labour government simply said, 'We'll take this in and get back to you,' but they haven't issued any substantial response since. This has caused concern and anger among groups advocating for Palestinians. The only comment the UK government has made is that they don't disagree with the central findings of the advisory opinion. That's vague: it doesn't say what they're doing about it,' Haroon said. He notes that Britain, for instance, does not ban the import of goods produced in Israeli settlements. 'Earlier this year, a group of 62 MPs and peers wrote to the trade secretary saying they should ban those imports, citing the ICJ judgment, but nothing's happened.' Last month, Caabu (the Council for Arab-British Understanding) sent a letter signed by 112 parliamentarians demanding that the UK government publish a response to the ICJ ruling. A separate letter followed from 16 civil society organisations, 'The government said it's a complex ruling, but a year on, it feels like foot-dragging, and it makes people think it's political,' Haroon said. Others have mobilised into action. In April, Ireland unveiled a bill to ban imports from the occupied Palestinian territories in the first move by an EU member to curtail trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements illegal under international law. Ireland based the legality of its move on the ICJ ruling. Israel's response For its part, Israel didn't participate in the case (though it's worth noting they did participate in the genocide case against them). 'Israel later called the opinion 'fundamentally wrong and one-sided,' saying it was trying to push a political settlement on them, but that settlements could only be reached by negotiations,' said Haroon. 'They also submitted a written argument, saying the questions put to the court were prejudiced and failed to recognise Israel's rights and duty to protect its citizens or its security concerns.' The 'Montevideo Convention' So how does the ICJ case relate to recognition of a Palestinian state? 'The court said that the violations, such as the occupation and the settlements, were preventing the Palestinian people's right to self-determination. They said Israel abused its position as an occupying power,' Haroon said. 'I would say the recent French recognition of a Palestinian state is very much in keeping with what this judgment was saying, because it was about ending the occupation. The court said Israel should withdraw immediately. Anything that pushes towards a Palestinian state, including recognition, is consistent with the ruling.' The UK announcement of recognising a Palestinian state has been met with furious pushback. Those against recognition now warn that it goes against International law. They note that under the Montevideo Convention, a state must have a permanent population, defined territory, government, and the capacity to engage with other states. The peers argue that Palestine may not meet these criteria. The UK government have dismissed this argument. It is worth noting that some advocates for Palestinian rights also criticise recognition. Hussein Agha and Robert Malley argued in a forceful opinion piece that it amounts to little more than a symbolic gesture and will not halt the deaths and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza caused by Israel's siege and war. Either way, what happens at the UN general assembly this September in relation to the two‑state solution will be written into the history books. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion A couple's dispute you couldn't make up: Is it acceptable to drink from a water bladder during sex? 'A water bladder is not for the bedroom'. A definite win for the prosecution? Phoebe Major corporations are arguably the biggest winners in Gaza, concludes a report by UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese. It is 'hypocritical' for companies like Google to support Israel, says Katrina vanden Heuvel. Anandita Abraham, newsletters team I find it both depressing and surprising that we don't have bottle returning schemes all over the place. I loved reading about this inspiring scheme from the Netherlands - and hope it can spread! Phoebe Intrigued by this What we're reading piece on books enjoyed in July, because Welsh is on the mark about Seán Hewitt, who is a real force to be reckoned with. Definitely need to check out 'Hunted' by Abir Mukherjee. Anandita Interesting piece from Larry Elliott on the one-sided EU-US trade deal and how it's a historic admission of weakness for Europe. Phoebe Cricket | Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue took two India wickets apiece on day one of the fifth Test before Chris Woakes was forced off for England. The 36-year-old was scheduled to have a scan on Thursday evening, with his ability to take an active part in the remainder of the game to be assessed overnight. Rugby | Blair Kinghorn and James Ryan will start for the British & Irish Lions in their third Test against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday. Ryan replaces Ollie Chessum, who has been named on the bench. Athletics | After the sorrow of 2021, world indoor 400m champion Amber Anning talks about her determination to race at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September. 'The gold is always the goal,' she says. 'The mathematics of starvation: How Israel caused a famine in Gaza,' is the lead story on the Guardian today. Also focusing on the conflict in Gaza, the i says: 'No negotiation with terrorists: Starmer defends ultimatum to Israel - but won't issue one to Hamas.' 'Record number of foreign sex offenders in British prison,' is the splash at the Daily Express, while the Times says: '1 in 8 of all prisoners were born overseas. ''Labour bid to silence migrant hotel critics', is the lead story over at the Telegraph, while the Mail runs with, 'Proof Starmer's smash the gangs campaign's a joke.' 'Drug crisis scared me to death and I'm going straight,' is the splash on the Daily Record. Meanwhile the FT highlights the latest in tech news with the headline: 'Microsoft market value touches $4tn as US tech stocks surge to fresh highs.' Finally the Mirror with: 'Man, 76, arrested 'poisoned' at summer camp.' Our critics' roundup of the best things to watch, read, play and listen to right now TVThe Assassin | ★★★★★ A menopausal assassin has been a long time coming, even though there is literally no more perfect pairing in the world than a woman rapidly emptying of oestrogen and a gun. The Assassin is perfectly crafted preposterousness. It is stylish, witty, tightly written, even more tightly paced and takes the job of massively entertaining us at every turn with the proper amount of seriousness. Lucy Mangan Film My Beautiful Laundrette | ★★★★★ Now getting a 40th anniversary rerelease, this classic British comedy from screenwriter Hanif Kureishi and director Stephen Frears has for me the jaunty spirit of Ealing. It is a sharp, smart picture, with English eccentricity, sly quirk and political subversion, that represents a brilliant and almost unique engagement with contemporary history in 80s British cinema: a satire of Mrs Thatcher's Britain which involved playing Toryism at its own game. Peter Bradshaw Art and designAndy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years | ★★★★★ Rural life hits you in the face like the stink of cow dung as soon as you step into the Royal Scottish Academy. This is the Clarkson's Farm of art retrospectives, plunging today's urbanites into the raw sadness and beauty, the violence and slow natural cycles of the British countryside. Goldsworthy may love nature but he doesn't sentimentalise it. It is our connection with nature he wants to reawaken, not in a quiet contemplative way but as a shock. Jonathan Jones Music Tyler, the Creator: Don't Tap the Glass | ★★★★☆Musical reference points are deployed with an evident love and understanding of the source material, never feeling like box-ticking or pastiche; the hooks work with enviable efficiency. It's all funky enough that you imagine even the selfie-obsessed pocketing their phone and throwing themselves around if it came booming from some big speakers. Alexis Petridis Did lead poisoning help create a generation of serial killers? The Pulitzer prize-winning author Caroline Fraser grew up in Seattle in the 1970s, a decade that has the highest crime rates in recent US history. At that time the US was entering a peak era of serial killers, and Fraser tells Michael Safi what it was like, especially for a woman, to grow up with violent men like Ted Bundy and the Green River Killer operating locally. A bit of good news to remind you that the world's not all bad In a rare moment of glory for AI, which is usually in the news for taking jobs or helping kids skip homework, the first AI-run NHS physio clinic has halved the waiting list for back pain and musculoskeletal services. This successful pilot was accessible to 2,500 patients in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough - where wait times were as long as 18 months. One patient described the AI physio as 'intuitive.' Although the root cause of long waiting lists, recruitment freezes stopping (human) physiotherapists from entering work, remains, and an app-based interface may be inaccessible - this seems like a welcome innovation for some who need imminent care. Sign up here for a weekly roundup of The Upside, sent to you every Sunday And finally, the Guardian's puzzles are here to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword Wordiply
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Key things to know about how Elon Musk has boosted hard-right figures in Europe
Elon Musk may have tumbled from political grace in Washington, D.C., but as he seeks to build a new political party, his power on X — where he commands the most popular account — remains unchecked. Musk is a kingmaker on the platform he acquired in 2022 for $44 billion. He has used his influence to cultivate hard-right politicians and insurgent activists across Europe. A retweet or reply from Musk can lead to millions of views and tens of thousands of new followers, according to an Associated Press analysis of public data. That fact has not been lost on influencers who have tagged Musk persistently, seeking a reply or a retweet. It has also fueled concerns in Europe about foreign meddling -- not from Russia or China, but from the United States. 'Every alarm bell needs to ring,' Christel Schaldemose, a vice president of the European Parliament who works on electoral interference and digital regulation, told AP. The Associated Press analyzed more than 20,000 posts, which were compiled by Bright Data, over a three-year period from a sample of 11 European figures who had significant interactions with Musk and frequently promote a hard-right political or social agenda. These case studies are not meant to be representative of a broad universe; rather they showcase the ways in which Musk's engagement can have an impact on local influencers that share his views. Musk has sweeping power to direct attention on X Since acquiring Twitter in October 2022, Elon Musk's followers have more than doubled, to over 220 million. No other large account has shown such high or consistent growth. The result: If Musk's X account is his megaphone, it has gotten a lot bigger since he took over -- a change that has global implications. The accounts Musk has been promoting are part of a growing global alliance of nationalistic parties and individuals united in common cause to halt migration, overturn progressive policies and promote an absolutist vision of free speech, which has rattled the foundation of a trans-Atlantic bond that guided U.S. and European relations for over eight decades. Several of the accounts AP analyzed belong to people who have faced allegations of illegal behavior in their own countries. Tommy Robinson, an anti-immigrant agitator in the U.K., was sentenced in October to 18 months in prison for violating a court order blocking him from making libelous allegations against a Syrian refugee. Bjoern Hoecke, a politician from Germany's Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party, was convicted last year of knowingly using a Nazi slogan in a speech. Italian vice premier Matteo Salvini was acquitted in December of allegations he illegally detained 100 migrants aboard a humanitarian rescue ship Among the others examined by AP: Alice Weidel, who helped lead Germany's Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party to its best electoral showing this year; Eva Vlaardingerbroek, a Dutch influencer known as the 'shieldmaiden of the far-right'; Naomi Seibt, a German activist dubbed the 'anti-Greta Thunberg' now living in what amounts to political exile in Washington DC; Rubén Pulido and Foro Madrid, both associated with Spain's populist Vox party; and Fidias Panayioutou, a politician from Cyprus who has also advocated for Musk's companies. These accounts collectively gained roughly 5 million followers from the time Musk took over Twitter in October 2022 through January of this year. Most saw triple-digit percentage increases in their followers -- as high as 920%, or in one case of a tiny account exploding over that time, topping 6,000%. Even some accounts that grew more steadily on their own saw their follower counts sharply begin rising once Musk started interacting with them. Similarly, on days Musk interacted with a post, the number of views the account got soared — in most cases, accruing two to four times as many views, with a few seeing boosts 30 or 40 times their normal daily viewership. More established players in Musk's orbit -- like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose ruling Brothers of Italy party has neo-fascist roots — benefit less when Musk interacts with them on X, AP found. Attention seekers know that getting Musk to engage can be transformative Musk's dominance creates a strong incentive for people to get Musk to engage with their content. Naomi Seibt, a German climate skeptic, pinged Musk nearly 600 times over the past three years. Musk finally engaged in June 2024, when he asked her to explain why the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is so controversial in Germany. Since then, Musk has replied to, quoted or tagged Seibt more than 50 times, and her followers have grown by more than 320,000 since Musk took over the platform. On days Musk interacted with Seibt, her posts, on average, got 2.6 times as many views. 'I didn't intentionally 'invade' Elon's algorithm,' Seibt told AP. 'Obviously Elon has a lot of influence and can help share a message even with those who are usually glued to the legacy media, particularly in Germany.' Musk's online influence has real-world political and financial impact Alice Weidel, who helps lead the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, saw her daily audience surge from 230,000 to 2.2 million on days Musk interacted with her posts on X. After Musk hosted a livestream with Weidel on X, vice president JD Vance broke protocol and met her in Munich. Weidel's party, which is fighting a lawsuit to block the German government's decision to designate it as an extremist group, went on to secure its best electoral showing ever. Musk has also used X to advocate for the leader of Italy's hard-right League party, Matteo Salvini. On days Musk interacted with Salvini's account, average views were more than four times higher than usual. Now serving as vice premier, Salvini has urged his government to move ahead with controversial contracts for Starlink and pushed back against European efforts to regulate content on X. And Musk has a friend in Brussels: Fidias Panayiotou — a 25-year-old social media influencer from Cyprus. Before winning a surprise seat in the European Parliament last year, the Cypriot spent weeks on a quest to get Elon Musk to hug him. In January 2023, his wish came true. Their embrace went viral. Since taking office, Panayiotou has praised X on the floor of the European Parliament, pushed back against regulations that impact the platform, and credited Musk with sparking his call to fire 80% of EU bureaucrats. Musk, evidently, was pleased. 'Vote for Fidias,' he wrote on X. 'He is smart, super high energy and genuinely cares about you!' The endorsement has been viewed 11.5 million times. —- —-
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
From Palestine to jobseeker and keeping children safe online: Tanya Plibersek on Labor's tough calls
Tanya Plibersek, one of Labor's most recognisable political figures and the minister for social services, joins us as the government faces big decisions at home and abroad. Chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy speaks to her about the push to recognise Palestinian statehood, the jobseeker rate and the urgent fight to keep children safe online
