The BookTok community has erupted after creator AllieRoseCo announced she had trademarked merchandise featuring the phrase ‘Hot Girls Read’. User backlash was instantaneous, with many accusing her of attacking small businesses and even betraying her own followers. On this episode, Marianna explains why BookTok is such an influential marketing demographic on TikTok, and what this controversy tells us about the fragility of influencer careers tied exclusively to a personal brand.

Also this week, a viral photo which appears to show Donald Trump meeting with a group of mysterious figures has led to a raft of theories about their identities. One of the most prominent narratives to emerge is that the men are representatives of the mythical kingdom Agartha. Matt dives deep into the lore on Agartha, and its adoption by Nazi occultists. Why has this theory seen such a resurgence among young people on TikTok, and how dangerous is the implicit ideology behind it?

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From Makerfield to London – how far does Andy Burnham’s support go?

The former Greater Manchester mayor has been sworn in as an MP, and says he will stand for Labour leadership after Keir Starmer announced his resignation.

The BBC’s UK Editor Ed Thomas has travelled by train from Burnham’s constituency down to the capital.

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#AndyBurnham #Labour #Politics #BBCNews

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Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as Labour leader and UK Prime Minister, just less than two years after he won the …

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The US has confirmed it has lifted its naval blockade of Iranian ports, as the Iran deal comes into effect. Meanwhile, in a written …

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The first round of negotiations between the US and Iran to reach a final deal to end the war has ended with “encouraging progress”, mediators Qatar and Pakistan say.

In a joint statement early on Monday, Qatar and Pakistan said that a “High Level Committee” had agreed to “a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days”.

Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said there had been “major progress” towards ending the conflict in Lebanon.

The memorandum of understanding signed last week includes a commitment to ending the fighting on “all fronts” – including Lebanon – and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War,” Araghchi posted on social media.

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For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

#Iran #US #Qatar #Pakistan #BBCNews

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