iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Peter Smith @redpeter99.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

Chris Mason has spent the last few days looking for a gotcha with Andy Burnham and his relationship as Greater Manchester mayor with Man City. Mason's peers in ITV have done an excellent, and brave, expose of Reform. The contrast speaks volumes.

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Angry People in Local Newspapers @apiln.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

His co-defendant, a Mr S. Doo, entered a plea of “Ruh-roh!”

WPXI-11 Pittsburgh: Man accused of planning terrorist attack enters 'not guilty' plea in federal court

Court sketch shows a man who looks suspiciously like Shaggy out off of Scooby Doo.

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Monty 🇨🇦 @onlymonty.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

A great move to rid filth from the Canadian supply chain…

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Alan Ferrier @alanferrier.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A pre-2014 #IndyRef piece from the late, lamented A.A.Gill: www.thetimes.com/travel/desti...

Someone said that Scotland doesn’t have history, it just has a longer memory for current events. Before talking about whether this uneven union should be split, it’s instructive to understand what forged it in the first place.

The English, while offering gold with one hand, waved the cudgel with the other and passed the Alien Act, making any Scot not in the army or on business an illegal immigrant. London threatened tariffs on Scottish exports. So the vote was passed. As Daniel Defoe, an English spy, said, for every one Scot in favour of union, 99 were against. There had been hundreds of petitions agin it from every corner of the country, and not a single one in favour. There were riots in Edinburgh and Glasgow, martial law was imposed.

As the ancient Caledonian parliament voted itself out of existence, the Earl of Seaford, with a heavy heart, noted that it was the end of an auld sang. And at St Giles Cathedral, the national church of Scotland, where Knox had preached, the bells rang out. The tune was Why Should I Be So Sad on My Wedding Day?

Not many Scots, and even fewer English, know this story, the inglorious nuptials of the Union. But you don’t have to remember history to be affected by it. This act and all the bullying and perfidy, venality, weakness and snobbery that went before it has made the relationship between the two countries what it is. The informed view of Big Ben seen from Ben Nevis was never a love match, nor the uniting of mutually benefiting equals. It’s the English who roll their eyes at the raking up of the past and say, “Oh, get over it, move on. Stop being a victim,” which is what wife-beaters always say to their victims.

Still, despite 400 years of patronage and propaganda, Scotland isn’t the heathery extension of England. It remains stubbornly and grimly, often amusingly, a different place. Its humour, its character, its stories, its expectations, how it gets married and celebrates, how it gets buried and sees in the New Year, what it s…

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Paul Eric @pauleric70.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Israeli soldiers took a PR photo with a Palestinian grandma and when they were done, they shot her in the head and executed her. What a sick and deranged country. 💔😢💔😢🤬🇮🇱🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🇮🇱♾️

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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.

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

NASA picture of the day today is a real 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿beauty! This is a composite image of the ~5000yo Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis. The amazing Giuseppe Petricca has only gone and photographed the Sun at noon there, every few days, for a whole year. #Dedication 🔭🧪👌 ℹ️: science.nasa.gov/image-articl...

The imposing Callanish Stones stand talk with their shadows spanning out across the glass. It's a super clear sky, but looks cold. Above the central stone is a strange figure-of-8 shape of dots. This is the location of the Sun, at noon, on various different days across the year.

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Anand Menon @anandmenon.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

God I hate this 'people who create wealth' nonsense. Let's see how much wealth we have in a society without teachers, nurses etc......

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Alan Ferrier @alanferrier.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

An oil-producing nation with no refinery. An exporting nation with no shipping routes. An electricity producer forced to pay to upload to the “national” grid. Welcome to our blessed "union of equals".

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Hassinator @hassinator.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

a great letter in the times today. perhaps worth sharing in these troubled times. #RNLI #heroes

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Gregory Norminton @gregorynorminton.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Yet another begging bowl email from the Labour Party this morning. ‘There is no pretending about the scale of what we’re up against.’ If only you guys had a massive majority in Parliament and could pass legislation to protect our democracy from ‘what we’re up against’.

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Dan Snow @thehistoryguy.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I’m just a person on my fucking knees begging the government to use its absolutely massive majority to do something extremely fucking popular: save our democracy.

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Andrew Sharpe 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿|🇪🇺 @andrew.sharpe.scot · 13/09/2026

Wait - are these the same folk who were complaining 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 about the exclusion of Glasgow airport buses from the 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 SNP Scottish Government's fair cap? And now they're complaining because they're 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘥?

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WillieMillersMoustache @williemillersm1.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Seems like a government, with an enormous, ludicrous majority could, if it wanted to, legislate to prevent money launderers shoveling vast and equally ludicrous quantities of cash up Farages arsehole in order to subvert what little of a democracy show we have. But it doesn't seem to want to.

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PeteGulls @gullssinceaboy.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Unbelievable. Farage is as deceitful a politician as has ever lived. As deceitful as Trump.

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Micah @rincewind.run · 07/09/2026

Discworld QOTD, from Men at Arms

The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money.
Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars.
Those were the kind of boots Vimes always bought, and wore until the soles were so thin that he could tell where he was in Ankh-Morpork on a foggy night by the feel of the cobbles.
But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.
This was the Captain Samuel Vimes 'Boots' theory of socioeconomic unfairness.

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Andrew Sharpe 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿|🇪🇺 @andrew.sharpe.scot · 09/09/2026

🇬🇧 Labour's Starmer promised a £200m investment in Grangemouth. It's now discovered that none of the promised money from the National Wealth Fund has been spent. It's clear that only 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish parties care about Scotland.

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Henry Mance @henrymance.ft.com · 09/09/2026

Well, look at that.

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Ruth Watson @ruthwatson.eurosky.social · 07/09/2026

The courage of those who set out to save those at risk of drowning can never be overestimated. Each rescue is a challenge. I used to watch the Orkney lifeboat head out into rough seas with my heart in my mouth. Remarkable bravery. Donate to the #RNLI here: shop.rnli.org/products/don...

shop.rnli.org

Donation to RNLI

It costs us around £483,000 a day to run our lifesaving service. Your kind donation will help deliver our lifesaving work.

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Nolan Principles Matter. End the #GazaGenocide💔💙 @philildo.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Morning all Without a hint of irony following the latest far right intimidation in Portsmouth, BBC reports a government spokesperson saying: "The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy, but it must never cross a line into disorder." Hypocrisy

2 pensioners sitting on steps with placards saying the oppose genocide and support Palestine Action

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Parody Nigel Farage @parodypm.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

If you block the roads you can expect angry condemnation from Rupert. Unless you're a masked far-right fuckwit, in which case you can expect wholehearted support.

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Andy Diggle @andydiggle.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Compare and contrast.

Photo: Four police officers carrying an elderly woman
More than 500 people arrested at Palestine Action protest in London
Arrests and detentions took place at first mass demo since group's ban was ruled unlawful by high court
More than 500 people have been arrested at the first mass demonstration opposing the proscription of Palestine Action since the group's ban was ruled unlawful by the high court.

"The ‘spontaneous’ protest was broken up by midday on Saturday and no arrests were made"
Police face questions over Dover disruption caused by masked protesters
Up to 500 activists dressed in black brought part of UK port town to a standstill on Saturday

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Andy Scollick @andyscollick.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Thank you @gilltav.bsky.social for reminding us all of the Police response in 2021 👇 when some 40 environmental activists of Insulate Britain blocked the Port of Dover: 39 arrests. Compare that to yesterday when 200-400 fascist paramilitaries intimidated Dover town and blocked the Port: 0 arrests.

bbc.com

Port of Dover: Arrests made as Insulate Britain blocks port

Queues form at Europe's busiest ferry terminal as Insulate Britain shift their protest from the M25.

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Mr Roger Quimbly @rogerquimbly.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

“Oh, Mister Farage, sir… just one more thing…”

Lieutenant Columbo about to get his man bang to rights.

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Jay Zedbee @jayzedbee.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Channel 4 reporter: Hello. I am Mr. Alias and this is my extremely suspicious comically large donation that i can only make in the form of a bag of money with a dollar sign on it. every other reform guy: seems legit! let me tell you every single way in which i and my boss have broken the law

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Channel 4 News @channel4news.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Undercover footage verified by Channel 4 News reveals a secret plot by senior Reform UK figures to break the law on party donations. A leading legal expert is now calling for a criminal investigation. 🔗 Read the exclusive story on Substack:

channel4news.substack.com

Exclusive: Nigel Farage filmed undercover celebrating secret new foreign donations

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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Genuinely bad news for the far right.

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JudithFlanders @judithflanders.co.uk · 26/08/2026

I reviewed Spamalot in the UK with Tim Curry as King Arthur. I wrote that he was the single most charismatic performer I had ever seen onstage. The editor tried to delete 'I had ever seen', thinking I meant that night. Me: No. He is the most charismatic performer I have ever seen. Bar none.

Tim Curry taking a curtain call in Spamalot, dressed as King Arthur, arm in arm with Eric Idle. Unfortunately that dipwad John Cleese is in the background. Into every life a little rain must fall.

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Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

As I board the ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki, I’m reminded yet again of three things about the EU: 1) You don’t sacrifice any of your national identity or culture by being part of the EU. Estonia remains Estonia. Finland remains Finland 2) Schengen is great. 3) Brexit was and is shit.

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Stephanie Carvin @stephaniecarvin.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Everyday I wonder how things can get stupider and everyday I am informed how, against my will.

Truth social post where Trump threatens to call Lake Ontario, Lake America

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Justin Ling @justinling.ca · 22/08/2026

Here's a gift link; www.thestar.com/gift-redeem?...

thestar.com

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weegingerdug @weegingerdug.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

We were in Glasgow City Centre yesterday evening. No one tried to stab us. No one tried to rob us. No one tried to sell us drugs. We saw no violence or disorder. Although we did pass a woman at a bus stop who tutted and complained her bus was late. We feel awful for letting BBC Scotland down.

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Mr Roger Quimbly @rogerquimbly.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

No, AI subtitle generator, Tom Waits is singing not clearing his throat.

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Windfall tax on colossal bank profits could raise £19bn in 2026. Result of profiteering and govt policies. Sufficient to increase frozen personal income tax allowance by nearly £2,000. Banks paid out £25bn in bonuses in the year to March, can easily pay more tax.

positivemoney.org

Windfall tax on colossal bank profits could raise £19bn in 2026

Burnham urged to resist lobbyists and tax banks to pay for his cost of living measures

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John Crace @mrjohncrace.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

The ridiculous Chris Philp just got more ridiculous

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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

It is beyond ridiculous – it is crass, smug, and astonishingly self-regarding – for failed politicians like Anas Sarwar to describe their acceptance of titles, honours and ministerial office as acts of reluctant and humble service, writes Andrew Tickell ✍️ 👉 www.thenational.scot/politi...

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Doug Henwood @doughenwood.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

'Netanyahu Belongs in the Hague' | NYC's Mamdani Says He Still Eyes Arrest of Israel's PM During September Visit - U.S. News www.haaretz.com/us-news/2026...

'Netanyahu Belongs in the Hague' • NYC's Mamdani Says He Still Eyes Arrest of Israel's
PM During September Visit
The New York mayor said an 'active conversation' is underway with city lawyers over the scope of his authority to order Netanyahu's arrest, saying 'it is hard to find a more bankrupt policy approach' than Washington's policy toward Gaza and Palestinians

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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

It's the 10th anniversary of the dumbest moment in modern British history so let's celebrate some of the idiots who made it happen. First up ... Jacob Rees-Mogg and his promise of cheap food and wine... In fact food prices have increased some 12% as a direct result of Brexit (LSE) 1/5

Brexit will REDUCE food,
wine and clothes costs
by 20% - Rees-Mogg
fires back at Remainers

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Henry Mance @henrymance.ft.com · 23/06/2026

You already got one, and you didn't like it.

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Led By Donkeys @ledbydonkeys.org · 23/06/2026

Exactly 10 years since the Brexit vote, the verdict is in.

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Sathnam Sanghera @sathnam.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Under 16s to be banned from social media, and a white supremacist who fuels riots on our streets, still allowed to run a whole platform.

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

The case for Labour to introduce a wealth tax has never been stronger. 99% of us are paying, in total, 40% to 50% tax on our incomes, billionaires are paying 25% at most. 2% levy on fortunes above £100m could begin to reverse decades of rising inequality. But govts like to hit the poor.

theguardian.com

The case for Labour to introduce a wealth tax has never been stronger | Phillip Inman

A 2% levy on fortunes above £100m – with no exemptions – could begin to reverse decades of rising inequality

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Gregk Foley @gregk.co.uk · 13/06/2026

The British state is handing contracts for increasingly sensitive elements of the Defence/Security apparatus to a man who has repeatedly tried to stoke open insurrection while aggressively backing British politicians who receive shady foreign funding and a guy who is currently in Moscow.

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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

The Scottish Greens have called for an independent inquiry into all parties finances

thenational.scot

Greens call for independent inquiry into ALL Scottish party finances

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