Sign in

Darren Dodd

@badlyoverdrawnboy.ft.com
2.5K followers 257 following 171 posts

Financial Times journalist. Politics, health, politics of health. FT subscribers: join readers in 179 countries and sign up here for our Newswrap newsletter ep.ft.com/newsletters/subscribe?new…

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Andy Lewis @andylewis.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Every time someone links to this film, I have to repost it. It's one of the most significant bits of British 20th century art. Everything about it is incredible. Groundbreaking music production by Daphne Oram. Amazing camera work by Wolfgang Suschitzky (who later filmed Get Carter).-
43678257
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Philip @puggle18.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Well that was an absolute blast. Public Service Broadcasting @psbhq.bsky.social at Alexandra Palace celebrating The Race For Space 10+1
0101
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Michael Peel @mikepeeljourno.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Bats' extraordinary adaptations to promote long life and stave off disease have long fascinated researchers who are attempting to harness those attributes for human health. Now a genetic trove promises new clues to bat biology - and to the creatures' mysterious origins. www.ft.com/content/7aa3...
ft.com
Genetic trove aims to unlock bats’ secrets to long life
Genomic and fossil records could offer clues to the mammal’s ability to kill damaged cells that might eventually improve human health
13411
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Chris Cook @chriscook.news · 21/09/2026
A big new story from us: a big new leak means that we can put numbers on the scale of A7 -- the Kremlin's huge money-laundering machine. $6.9bn laundered through the international banking system via SWIFT, with $1.1bn sent to StanChart alone. www.ft.com/content/3848...
ft.com
Kremlin-backed forgery scheme moved $6.9bn through global banks
FT finds thousands of Russian payments handled by Standard Chartered, Citigroup and other international groups in vast leak from inside fintech A7
5276166
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Jay Rayner @jayrayner1.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
On the BBC News Katya Adler has just described Germany, where the far right AFD keep winning elections, as entering 'uncharted political territory'. Hmmm. Where Germany is concerned I think that territory is pretty well charted.
563910736
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
my brilliant colleague @robertshrimsley.bsky.social on the threat from Elon Musk’s X platform www.ft.com/content/f270...
6428101169
Darren Dodd @badlyoverdrawnboy.ft.com · 16/09/2026
as.ft.com/r/a47fae15-0...
as.ft.com
Human brain tissue grown in mice for first time
New genetic engineering technique promises to aid quest for treatments for incurable neurological conditions
031
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Tony - Pod Guy - Groves @tonygroves.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
If an Irish newspaper doesn’t run a “Senior Orangeman Calls For A United Ireland” headline, then the newspapers are dead.
7566163
Darren Dodd @badlyoverdrawnboy.ft.com · 10/09/2026
‘Mini-livers’ offer a new spin on regenerative medicine www.ft.com/content/b8ed... via financialtimes.com
ft.com
‘Mini-livers’ offer a new spin on regenerative medicine
The latest research suggests injectable grafts could provide an alternative to transplantation
000
Darren Dodd @badlyoverdrawnboy.ft.com · 10/09/2026
New AI health tools need ‘L-plates’, says UK review www.ft.com/content/25e3... via financialtimes.com
ft.com
New AI health tools need ‘L-plates’, says UK review
Proposals following national consultation on health tech regulation call for live monitoring as AI moves deeper into patient care
000
Darren Dodd @badlyoverdrawnboy.ft.com · 06/09/2026
012
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Rob Davies @byrobdavies.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
"I want your children's lungs to be smaller and less functional" is a bold electoral strategy.
26035401066
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Michael Peel @mikepeeljourno.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Stem cells have extraordinary powers of regeneration - but some clinics offer treatments that may be ineffective or even unsafe. My @financialtimes.com colleague @antoniacundy.ft.com and I investigated a growing industry that critics say urgently needs better regulation. www.ft.com/content/007e...
ft.com
The cowboy clinics selling unproven longevity treatments
An FT investigation has found a thriving market for stem cell therapies in the US promising longer, healthier lives. Experts say such claims are dangerous
2309
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Erin Biba @erinbiba.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
The way that AI does absolutely nothing but simply repeat back to you whatever you’ve said using a different order of words and expects us to believe that means the computer understood us makes me want to TEAR MY FUCKING HAIR OUT
261500303
Darren Dodd @badlyoverdrawnboy.ft.com · 28/08/2026
Add up all the 10-minute hacks and where has your day/week/life gone? Spot on.... www.ft.com/content/226f... via financialtimes.com
ft.com
Have you got 10 minutes?
The fightback against online ‘life-hacks’ starts here
000
Darren Dodd @badlyoverdrawnboy.ft.com · 27/08/2026
RIP Yayoi Kusama. Some images from her recent retrospective at Museum Ludwig
010
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 26/08/2026
FT Exclusive: The prime minister said his government is 'acutely conscious of how hard the operating environment is for businesses, big and small'. ft.trib.al/IPHp94k
5143
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Nat Guest @unfortunatalie.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Colleague didn't join a call but I had Gemini Notes switched on and it the transcript caught me talking to the cat.
Summary

Meeting logistics review addressed attendance verification and confirmed denial of additional catering requests.

Addressing Catering Request
Denial of secondary meal requests was finalized for shouting individuals. It was confirmed that participants had already consumed dinner.

Meeting Attendance Verification
Clarification regarding confirmed attendees occurred. Questions were raised about pending arrivals for the session.

Connection Status Check
Technical connection status was assessed. The presence of additional participants on the call remained under review.
291289308
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 21/08/2026
London cabbies plot ‘skulduggery’ to take on robotaxis ft.trib.al/wrEGv8S
ft.trib.al
London cabbies plot ‘skulduggery’ to take on robotaxis
Private-hire drivers are bracing for a new wave of technological change
1183
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Emma Monk @monkemma.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
This is not misinformation. That's what I normally cover - something out of context, an opinion quoted as fact, or a deliberate misinterpretation... This is none of those. This is full-on disinformation. Because that is NOT from the Express. It is entirely fake😱 🧵 1/10
Lembit Opik tweet:

Burnham's big migration plan: take 4,000 stranded migrants from Ceuta, bring them to the UK and put them up in luxury hotels. Americans look at Europe in despair. 

Express Headline: Burnham's migrant, Campbell, 1,000 stranded in Ceuta to be brought to UK. The Prime Minister proposes flying thousands of stranded migrants from Spanish enclave to Britain and housing them in London hotels. 

Monk Debunked stamp on top of both
461020610
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Jonny Morris @jonnymorris.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
THE DOCTOR WHO - LABOUR LEADER CORRELATION. 1. WILLIAM HARTNELL - HAROLD WILSON's 1st term 1964-1966 Hugely popular as the public are dazzled by the white heat of technology.
HartnellWilson
26640
Darren Dodd @badlyoverdrawnboy.ft.com · 20/08/2026
Why Gen Z is raising a glass to cask beer www.ft.com/content/9dc2... via financialtimes.com
ft.com
Why Gen Z is raising a glass to cask beer
From Boddington’s to Old Peculier, heritage beers are attracting younger drinkers who search for provenance, affordability and connection
000
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 19/08/2026
This stopped me in my tracks. An independent study by @qmul.bsky.social has found that after ULEZ was introduced, children’s lungs grew faster in Central London and have now caught up with children outside of the capital. Incredible.
1563369974
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 19/08/2026
London’s clean air zone linked to improvement in children’s lung health ft.trib.al/kVUEoJC
ft.trib.al
London’s clean air zone linked to improvement in children’s lung health
Study compared lung size and function of 1,600 six- to nine-year-olds with a matched group in Luton
0509
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Heidi Alexander MP @heidialexander.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
BREAKING: We're stepping in with @richardparkerwm.bsky.social to protect 750 buses per day running for millions of people across the West Midlands, securing thousands of jobs while the bus network transitions back to public control. 🚌🚏 www.wmca.org.uk/news/mayor-a...
wmca.org.uk
Mayor acts to protect West Midlands bus services as WMCA Board approves acquisition deal
Services to continue as normal after West Midlands Leaders approve acquisition deal for regional bus operation
1163
Darren Dodd @badlyoverdrawnboy.ft.com · 18/08/2026
AI hasn’t gone rogue. It’s worse than that www.ft.com/content/a994... via financialtimes.com
ft.com
AI hasn’t gone rogue. It’s worse than that
Recent cyber attacks reflect what the technology was trained to do but safeguards are falling short
000
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
British people should “enjoy” multiple heatwaves and shrug off warnings of dangerous climate change while enjoying more English fizzy wine, the deputy leader of Reform UK has said. www.ft.com/content/49ea...
ft.com
Reform UK’s deputy leader tells Britons to ‘enjoy’ heat amid record drought
Richard Tice’s call for people to ‘celebrate’ hotter weather comes as farmers warn of one of the worst harvests on record
12826298
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 15/08/2026
After decades of campaigning about their health risks – at least one in two long-term smokers will die from their habit – cigarettes were mostly removed from screens and magazines in the early 2000s.⁠ But now cigarettes are circling back into style. ft.trib.al/Pz1FyvY
20338
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Harry Rose @harryrose.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Seeing a bit of surprise that the FT comes top here. But it makes sense -- young professionals who need/want to be informed and can often get a corporate sub. (Plus free student access is smart, surprised others don't do it). pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...
pressgazette.co.uk
Which UK national newsbrands reach the most under-35s?
New research based on Ipsos iris data reveals proportion of young amongst audience of major online newsbrands.
0105
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 06/08/2026
The insurgent parties of left and right are united in opposing plans to develop more than 5,000 acres — or 10% of the marshland — for solar panels ft.trib.al/TOMuTVD
Rows of solar panels stretch across a large field at a solar farm, with countryside visible in the background.
2225
Darren Dodd @badlyoverdrawnboy.ft.com · 04/08/2026
Not sure this is gonna' catch on.... www.ft.com/content/d98a... via financialtimes.com
000
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 02/08/2026
The city has become the largest hub for AI power centres across Europe, competing with homes for energy, space and water. But its priorities are being called into question: ft.trib.al/fxkkxVA
4255
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Robert Shrimsley @robertshrimsley.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Since 2025, America has had more cases of measles (4,500), than in the previous 25 years combined after the disease had been declared eradicated. Almost all the US measles outbreaks have been in unvaccinated communities. Most of its fatalities are children www.ft.com/content/570e...
ft.com
The twilight of Dr Fauci
Scientist’s congressional testimony came amid the most sustained assault on US public service since the McCarthy era
64519
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Jennifer Williams @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
A bit on something that’s worrying me as.ft.com/r/9fe0cfe2-f...
as.ft.com
Mayoral scrutiny is a pressing issue
As Burnham devolves power, remember much of the country lacks Manchester’s media ecosystem
2216851
Darren Dodd @badlyoverdrawnboy.ft.com · 30/07/2026
European nations to boycott World Cup in protest at Fifa’s plans www.ft.com/content/b12a... via financialtimes.com
ft.com
European nations to boycott World Cup in protest at Fifa’s plans
Move by Uefa deals major blow to efforts to sell stake in new $20bn commercial venture
020
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Miranda Green @greenmirandahere.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
And here is @robertshrimsley.bsky.social on a pre-holiday roll pointing out the right sound a bit delusional (also IMHO hoping for the country to fail is neither a strategy nor very attractive) www.ft.com/content/5fa1...
ft.com
There is no modern-day Maggie to save Britain from Burnhamism
The right hopes that Labour’s new leader will fail, but who exactly is going to step in and shake things up?
2175
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Jonn Elledge @jonnelledge.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
I maintain that if Burnham made it legal to confiscate phones from people who watch video or listen to music without headphones, then called a snap election, he could actually increase his majority.
3257162
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 23/07/2026
Laura Loomer meets Zelenskyy after pro-Ukraine conversion ft.trib.al/CiuX887
ft.trib.al
Laura Loomer meets Zelenskyy after pro-Ukraine conversion
Far-right influencer abandoned opposition to war to praise Kyiv’s resilience against Russian aggression
5236
Reposted by Darren Dodd
John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 22/07/2026
Northern PM for two days and already imposing flat caps.
23571107
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 22/07/2026
The ChatGPT maker said the ‘agent’ escaped a testing environment, gained internet access, stole login credentials and hacked into the start-up Hugging Face by itself, in one of the first public examples of a cyber attack by an AI system acting outside human control. www.ft.com/content/9db7...?
Image description: The OpenAI logo displayed against a background of a partially visible circuit board with blue lighting. Credit: Dado Ruvic/Reuters. Overlaid text reads: OpenAI admits an AI ‘agent’ caused a major cyber breach by itself
2313484
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Lewis Baston @lewisbaston.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
We’re sourcing our reshuffle news from an alternate timeline of the 1980s…
To summarise yesterday evening, Mr Benn is out of the Cabinet, Mr Healey has returned to the Cabinet and Mr Kinnock has joined the Cabinet for the first time.

Quoted as an image because it’s a friend’s joke from Facebook and I can’t take credit for it.
9464115
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Jennifer Williams @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
AB, a 🧵
11274110
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Max B 💙 🔶 🇺🇦 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 @maxbrockbank.com · 16/07/2026
Canvassers out in force in Clacton.
411188348
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
REOPEN NOMINATIONS
1613111
Darren Dodd @badlyoverdrawnboy.ft.com · 10/07/2026
Some cheering news for a Friday.... www.picturehouses.com/blog/an-upda...
010
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Robin Wigglesworth @robinwigglesworth.ft.com · 08/07/2026
Please stop whatever you're doing and read Alphaville LLC's first research report on SpaceX, with an initial price target of ∞. www.ft.com/content/1344...
ft.com
Alphaville LLC initiates coverage of SpaceX with Buy recommendation
Good heavens
1313741
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
"Emergency podcasts, sir. Thousands of 'em"
161763250
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 07/07/2026
A new online system to pre-authorise entry to the EU is set to be delayed until next year, after the chaotic rollout of a separate electronic border-check system disrupted visits ft.trib.al/6D8zIEg
1174
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 02/07/2026
Keir Starmer’s former chief adviser, who was forced out of his job over the Peter Mandelson scandal, talks for the first time about what went wrong: ft.trib.al/qowo5Ao
26215
Reposted by Darren Dodd
Alex Hern @hern.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
NEVER let the Lib Dems access this technology
739747