Rachael Unsworth

Legendary architect Frank Gehry dies aged 96 www.bbc.com/news/article... - his Louis Vuitton building is stunning

The folk who would suffer most if NF were PM are those who are unlikely to have read any history, political science, economics or serious investigative journalism. They are willing to accept glib promises, crafted for the credulous, and don't demand substance about methods, motives and impacts.

YouTube video by The Rest Is Politics: Leading Zack Polanski: I Am A Populist, Farage IS NOT.

On @therestpolitics.bsky.social, leader of @greenparty.org.uk @zackpolanski.bsky.social didn't seem to have economic advisors. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DC2...
He should learn from @annpettifor.bsky.social, @kateraworth.bsky.social, @timjackson.org.uk
Do you have more suggestions of tutors for him?

Good news!

Earlier this year I shared reports that the land around the Cerne Abbas Giant was up for sale

I’m delighted that, after lots of conversations, the land has now been bought by the National Trust (who already own the Giant): www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

bsky.app/profile/guys...

Great culture can save lives. Literally.

Amazing letter in today’s @thetimes.com about Tom Stoppard

Supporting skills for students with internships - NCAS Find out how internships make a difference to students and scientific research.

Phoebe Darling, a computer science student from @unibirmingham.bsky.social spent 6 weeks with NCAS sharing her skills and gaining experience. Find out how internships can make a difference!

ncas.ac.uk/internships-...

Trickle Down Is A Scam.....

A pity that this venture failed. I thought that maybe I would make use of it, but especially with a rail card and then a bus pass, it doesn't make sense.

Stephen Miller Is an Immigration Hypocrite. I Know Because I’m His Uncle. If my nephew’s ideas on immigration had been in force a century ago, our family would have been wiped out.

Since Stephen Miller is in the midst of another of his Aryans-only trantrums, we should note that his family are 20th century immigrants from the shtetl of Antopol (Антопаль) then in the Hrodna gubernia of Russia. Applying his immigration rules, they would all have perished in the Holocaust.

Part of our transition in Leeds away from maximising space for cars and towards more space for pedestrians, cyclists and nature.

L: Bridge End, just S of Leeds Bridge before deletion of road space.
R: new landscaping
www.planit-ie.com/case-studies...

Highly selective endless harping on/shoving uncomfortable truths into the bin.

Farage, apologise? If ever he does say *anything* entirely sincere and not cynically contrived to further his agenda, you'll be able to knock me over with something considerably less substantial than a feather.

This petition will be mentioned in Parliament now that it has reached over 10,000 signatures.
Please keep signing and sharing it, the more people who sign, the more attention it will garner for possible debate.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...

And what's on BBC WATO today? Apologist Tim Mongomerie, who joined Reform in late 2024, repeating over & over the assertion that what happened in the past is irrelevant and what matters is today.
No other detailed viewpoint given air time.

Snyder applies his years of deep understanding of Ukraine and Russia to forensically unpack the meaning - and meaninglessness - of the 28 clauses of this document.

Rachel Reeves is studiously ignoring the cause of Britain’s woes: the Brexit-shaped hole in its roof | Jonathan Freedland The autumn budget will mop up some damage, but the true source of the economic crisis is clear. The government should now fix it – tragically, it won’t, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland

Rachel Reeves is studiously ignoring the cause of Britain’s woes: the Brexit-shaped hole in its roof | Jonathan Freedland

I thought that Putin man Andrei Federov was much more candid than some of the stooges who come on and parrot propaganda lines that completely fly in the face of reality.

Davis did also slip in a question : "Why, who are you thinking of invading next?"

Rachel Reeves hopes trade deals can save Britain’s budget. Economists aren’t convinced. With a difficult budget looming, the chancellor has increasingly turned her gaze overseas.

Trade folk (including myself) are unconvinced there is much of a growth dividend for Rachel Reeves from agreements with India, EU, and US. Just as there's no evidence of positive impact from independent UK trade policy since 2021. www.politico.eu/article/rach...

I found myself thinking a great deal about 'freedom to' and 'freedom from' during the time when I was willingly isolated (locked down from 15.3.20, and it would have been earlier but for obligations to others) and I was so fortunate not to have to mix more than I absolutely needed to.

Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...

The petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian interference has really picked up stream and is now over 15k. Well done everyone for your good work.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...

On the US poverty line:

What does that tell you about the $31,200 line we still use?

It tells you we are measuring starvation.

Part 1: My Life Is a Lie How a Broken Benchmark Quietly Broke America

Powerful stuff - very clear explanation of how 'The Poverty Line' (below which households are in crisis, not sufficiency) is way out of date & why so many Americans struggle even to be solvent.

Part 1: My Life Is a Lie
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...

Particularly noticed distinct outline of face v. faint arm/hand.
By chance, reading a v interesting novel 'Landscapes' by Christine Lai, in which art - especially Turner - is a central theme. Just passed a mention of Berthe Morisot and a comment about 'blurred female form fades into walls & floors'.

Such a star.

👍
I do wish more folk would recognise the huge savings & environmental sense from insulating the air next to your body or at least applying heat sources topically, like a hot water bottle.

" ... adopting far-right positions leads neither to electoral success for centrist parties nor to electoral defeat for far-right parties".

It was just what I needed after a disconsolate couple of hours scurrying through chilly showers, failing to do any Christmas shopping.
At least I got the bargain tortilla and some cut-price fingerless gloves to upgrade my WFH self-insulation.

Small, non-costly veggie pleasure on a drab day in a troubled world:
half a bargain tortilla (25p), a slice of squash, a mushroom, a helping of red cabbage* and a little tuft of rocket salad.

*Cooked slowly with apple (a gift), caraway seeds, red vinegar, brown sugar, ground clove, celery seeds.

Boris Johnson took four days off as NHS warned Covid could ‘overwhelm’ system Files show then PM was walking dog, riding motorbike and hosting guests as pandemic planning stalled in ‘lost month’

A few weekends ago my husband & I were away, trying to relax and spend time together after the death of our son. Whilst there an accident happened at the factory he runs, he spent ages on his phone & laptop helping to sort out the response. But this bastard took holiday during our biggest crisis!!