"Don't worry Sweetie, you're just having a breakdown..." YouTube video by Can We Have Your Attention?

Feeling exhausted and burned out by the news? You’re not alone — this great new podcast Can We Have Your Attention? by my mega smart friends Claire Coady & @jameswickham.bsky.social looks at the ‘Attention Economy’, advertising, journalism, social media, and the rest

youtu.be/al4g2YdIoKQ?...

Good to know. Have to admit I do slightly miss the old days of Twitter when you'd suddenly find yourself reading about Prohibition-era jazz or something because someone had retweeted it. I suspect that's at Substack now. All a bit fragmented nowadays.

Just to check - is anyone using this site yet, or is it just automated news feeds talking to each other?
I suspect the era of microblogging is officially dead.

James Wickham standing outside BBC Quay House in Salford, UK

After 22 years I have left staff at the BBC. I'm hugely proud of the work I've done & the many wonderful people I've worked with.

I'm founding my own company - Phonogram - to offer media production and editorial consulting internationally.
More details soon!
phonogram.co.uk

That is very obviously not a penalty. #nufc

Of all the great commentaries my old colleagues at 5 live do, I’m not sure I love any of them more than The Masters. Had flu listening to it in 2005, passing in & out of consciousness while leaders changed constantly. Loved it ever since. Always better pictures on the radio!

@shannonliao.bsky.social Hi Shannon - hope you're well. if you're across it, is there any chance you'd be able to join us on the BBC World Service at 6.50pm ET to talk about the Tencent/Ubisoft deal? It's for World Business Report & would be about 5 mins. I'm on james.wickham@bbc.co.uk. Thanks!

I cannot wait for @georgecaulkin.bsky.social's piece on the cup final, though I am concerned he may have an aneurysm writing it. Joy unconfined? Newcastle? In the same sentence?

Pleased to hear it! I haven't yet got to the shower fixed episode, but will look forward to it.
Do come say hello if you're ever up north. Thanks!

...while in the bath. Afraid we haven't done enough on the Guatemalan Quetzel, as Mike requested, but will endeavour to work on it. Thank you for all the shows - really much appreciated, and I am particularly in awe of your jingle prowess. *doffs cap*

@benpartridge.bsky.social Hello! I'm slowly working my way through the 3BS back catalogue - I am appallingly late to both that & the wonderful B&DN. However I let out a squeal of delight/bemusement at the revelation in S7 E4 (Crisps), 19 minutes in, that you enjoy listening to Business Matters...

Kathryn was the first presenter I ever produced an outside broadcast, in my first job in proper radio. She was a complete delight - encouraging, patient, and very friendly. I’ve never forgotten her kindness to a complete newbie. This is very sad news.

www.itv.com/news/calenda...

@stephaniejones.bsky.social Hello again Dr. Jones - hope you're well. Is there any chance you might be available to talk James Bond with us on the BBC World Service this evening? If so is there a number I/one of my colleagues can give you a call on? I'm on james.wickham@bbc.co.uk or DM. Thanks!

Possible image of dodgy chap

@podonthetyne.bsky.social A news story I saw...

Croatian media says a former mayor's been arrested on suspicion of using public money to buy one and a half tonnes of sausages. Davor Milicevic's accused of buying lots of kulen - a spiced meat product that's popular in Croatia. Could it be...?

The cost of net zero in the town that steel built Labour’s climate push risks leaving Scunthorpe behind.

www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...

If today ends with tariffs - purportedly needed because of drug smuggling and illegal immigration - placed on Canada but not Mexico then I will be very confused.

BBC World Service to axe 130 jobs in bid to save £6m Cost-saving measures include closing posts in the UK and internationally and roles in BBC Monitoring.

BBC World Service to cut 130 jobs in savings plan
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#BBCWorldService

It's not finished. This is just the outline. But I wrote about why North England is poor. Which it really really is. tomforth.co.uk/whynorthengl...

I mean @deeley.bsky.social isn’t a TV person, more of a 70s/80s nerd, but it’s still good

You & @deeley.bsky.social talking about this is a circular Venn diagram of my TV people nerding out. Tis lovely.

The Storm Inside There are many journalists hiding from the stigma of mental health, addiction, or both, trying not to appear as damaged goods and to keep on working. I want them to know that they are not alone.

www.cjr.org/wartime/ogha...

Littler was playing a different game. Unreal.

RIP Johnnie Walker - one of the UK’s longest-standing and most recognisable DJs. A devoted fan and tireless champion of rock music, he’ll be sorely missed.

Here’s the start Bob Harris’s lovely tribute on BBC Radio 2’s Sounds Of The 70s, the show he inherited from Johnnie in November.

And of course, you no doubt recounted how Vaseline was invented in Athens 2000+ years ago. Ancient grease.

That looks ridiculously good.

Chinese firms produce one third of world's manufacturing output
• China's manufacturing output is higher than that of all G7 economies - combined
• Despite oversupply, fixed asset investment in manufacturing could grow by 9% in 2024

WATCH: I asked our correspondent in Damascus , Iina Sinjab, about how it felt to witness this weekend’s events. Lina is Syrian.

they've literally taken the Road to Damascus

I watched this yesterday, and thought they were excellent hosts!