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BookishMagpie

@bookishmagpie.bsky.social
1.4K followers 1.5K following 429 posts

Hello. I'm Maureen. Books, birds, gardening, science, politics. American but I reside in Hertfordshire, England (via Minnesota) Tea guzzler (English mother) bookishmagpie.blogspot.com

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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 13h
🔥 Over 25,000 emails from you to your MPs... All 650 MPs contacted. Some >100 times. Asking MPs to attend the parliamentary debate on the UK joining the EU. Keep sending those emails via this form. If you've already sent one, share this link with friends. 👇
europeanmovement.co.uk
Ask your MP to stand up for our future in Europe
On 12 October, Parliament will debate the UK's future relationship with Europe, after a government petition got over 100,000 signatures. Will you write to your MP to ask them to attend the debate?
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Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 4h
Jupp is highly regarded as a journalist, but what a task she faces. The BBC faces constant criticism over story selection & alleged bias from all quarters. Meanwhile, she will have to deal with the use of AI and the rising influence of short form video for news. A tough job.
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Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 12h
NEW: BBC morale dented by gradual ‘bloodletting’ after weeks of cut announcements. Gloomy staff fear another wave of cuts next year. BBC Three/BBC Scotland ARE expected to go online only. More staff meetings on cuts this week. A tough time for staff. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
BBC morale dented by gradual ‘bloodletting’ after weeks of job cuts
Plans to shed as many as 2,000 employees have been announced in stages, and staff fear further cuts in 2027
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Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
That’s not the right way to think about it. Putting a Brit label on it but doing the same things that Palantir does is still wrong. We need a rethink of *what* as well as *who*.
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David Blanchflower BSc @davidbflower.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
'Extraordinary' sighting of rare bird of prey. 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
'Extraordinary' sighting of rare pallid harrier near Southampton
Pallid harriers breed mainly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and are very rarely seen in the UK.
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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Autumn arrival alert: the Yellow-browed Warbler has landed! 😍 Once rare, these tiny travellers from Siberia are becoming a more familiar sight as they pass through each autumn. Weighing just 6 grams, their sharp, distinctive call is usually the first clue they're around. Have you seen one?
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 01/10/2026
Patrick Radden Keefe’s bestseller London Falling shortlisted for Baillie Gifford prize
theguardian.com
Patrick Radden Keefe’s bestseller London Falling shortlisted for Baillie Gifford prize
The acclaimed American journalist, who won the nonfiction prize in 2021, is shortlisted alongside Andrea Wulf and Matthew Sweet Former Baillie Gifford winner Patrick Radden Keefe is among the authors shortlisted for the 2026 prize, this time with his book on London’s criminal underbelly. The six-strong shortlist spans literary biography, ancient history, true crime and international reportage, with James Baldwin, Barbara Cartland and Alexander the Great among its subjects. Continue reading...
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Scott Bryan @scottygb.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Only on the #CelebrityTraitors can people not believe that someone is a Traitor after they admitted that they were a Traitor
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 01/10/2026
UK-Iran national arrested under Terrorism Act over RAF Fairford incident
theguardian.com
UK-Iran national arrested under Terrorism Act over RAF Fairford incident
Counter-terrorism police arrest 27-year-old in Westminster, while second man questioned under caution Detectives have arrested a dual UK-Iranian national on suspicion of terrorism offences as part of an investigation into a suspected plot near RAF Fairford. Counter-terrorism police said the 27-year-old man was arrested on Thursday in Westminster on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. Continue reading...
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Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
🚨🚨Under-reported but strikingly radical #enlargement proposal from the @ec.europa.eu where the EU would offer unprecedented "gradual integration" into the EU SM and access to research programs for candidate countries, while their applications are being worked on. www.politico.eu/article/ursu...
politico.eu
EU to offer single-market access to candidate countries
Economic benefits would be conditional and can be taken away if non-members backslide on democracy or share sensitive tech with unfriendly governments, the plan says.
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Alex Hall Hall @alexhh.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
More broadly, Burnham’s speech marks first serious effort to confront 🇬🇧 problems in years - not blaming it on foreigners, migrants, the EU etc, but decades of poor choices by our own cowardly politicians. His honesty was refreshing, and merits respect - but it’s a HUGE challenge to deliver.
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Alex Hall Hall @alexhh.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
This quote (thank you Bettina) is the essence of why I so admired Burnham’s speech. No one is denying it’s going to be incredibly hard to deliver on his agenda, but the UK will never tackle its problems effectively, if it’s not able to discuss them honestly - on the EU and much else besides.
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 30/09/2026
No 10 gathering evidence on public support for rejoining the EU
theguardian.com
No 10 gathering evidence on public support for rejoining the EU
Senior Downing Street officials reach out to thinktanks and pollsters as they look to test backing for reversing Brexit Senior Downing Street officials have been reaching out to thinktanks and pollsters as they look to test public support for the UK rejoining the EU. Aides to Andy Burnham have been talking to EU experts in a range of organisations about how the public would view a promise to rejoin, as momentum builds behind including such a pledge in the next Labour manifesto. Continue reading...
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
RIP Esther Rantzen. There will never be a TV programme with the incredible public reach that That's Life had in the late 70s & early to mid 1980s, when it was regularly watched by 15 million to 20 million www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Dame Esther Rantzen: That's Life! presenter, Childline founder and assisted dying campaigner
The star presented That's Life! for two decades and set up two national helplines, including Childline.
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Ann Bartow @annbartow.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I have watched this a million times and probably will one million more. Do the right thing and you can help change the world.
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SempaiScuba @sempaiscuba.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
RIP Dame Esther Rantzen. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Dame Esther Rantzen: That's Life! presenter, Childline founder and assisted dying campaigner
The star presented That's Life! for two decades and set up two national helplines, including Childline.
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Zack Whittaker @zackwhittaker.com · 30/09/2026
The Pentagon is notifying millions of current and former U.S. military servicemembers and staff that hackers stole their *unencrypted* personal information during a months-long data breach. The agency that had the breach also handles ID and login/credential access to U.S. military systems and bases.
techcrunch.com
Hackers stole millions of US military personnel records during months-long data breach | TechCrunch
The Department of Defense notified millions of current and former U.S. military personnel that their personal information had been stolen in a months-long breach.
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James Ball @jamesrball.com · 30/09/2026
At this point I would honestly prefer that the UK authorities said nothing on this than they kept dribbling out cryptic clues like it's a murder mystery evening. "What if I told you one of them rang 999 himself?" "We've bailed them, but it's still Iran, what might that mean?" Not. Helpful.
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Fionna O’Leary @fascinatorfun.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
RAF Fairford arrests. Weirder and weirder Petrol found but no other bomb related stuff One of the five suspects phoned 999 himself Yes. Iran is suspected of being involved. Iran Gov denies it. Yes. All 5 suspects bailed. All British living in London. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
How did the RAF Fairford incident go from 'suspected bomb plot' to police bail?
Detectives are entering a vital stage of the investigation, with a number of options still open, the BBC's Daniel Sandford writes.
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Carole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
It’s pretty nuts. Tom Watson’s very first intervention in his new job at spytech firm Palantir is to write a letter to his former colleague @labourlewis.bsky.social detailing all the times the firm has monitored his anti-Palantir activities
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Good Law Project @goodlawproject.org · 30/09/2026
If Palantir are so trustworthy, why are they intimidating anyone who criticises them? www.thenerve.news/p/clive-lewis-tom…
thenerve.news
'We're watching you': MP Clive Lewis reveals Tom Watson has warned him over criticising Palantir
In a letter to his former Labour colleague, the peer, who joined Peter Thiel's AI company this month, writes: ‘You have made the case against the company more or less continuously'. By Carole Cadwalladr
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 29/09/2026
👀 In his speech, Burnham promised to set out different options for closer UK-EU relations. Shortly afterwards, Downing Street did not rule out that these options included rejoining the EU. inews.co.uk/news/politics/burnham-o…
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David Rothkopf @djrothkopf.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Jack Smith made it crystal clear that his investigation was sound and lawful, that the president had committed crimes and that the GOP attacks on him were the actual weaponization of our justice system. He showed courage and moral clarity and continues to be one of the heroes of this moment.
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Frank Amari @frankamari.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." -- John Adams, December 1770
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 29/09/2026
Jack Smith: "History teaches that the rule of law is rarely destroyed all at once. It's often weakened by attacks on the institutions and the public servants sworn to uphold it. Since January 2025, we have witnessed precisely such an effort."
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Jack Hopkins-The Original @therealjackhopkins.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Jack Smith looked the Senate in the eye today: "I will not be silenced." He says his evidence proved criminal conduct beyond a reasonable doubt, and he'd charge Trump again.
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Sahil Kapur @sahilkapur.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A phenomenal moment in the Senate. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., claims he has evidence Jack Smith went to a HAWKS game in Atlanta. Smith denies it. Schmitt declares he has busted Jack Smith for perjury. Smith, vexed, says he went to HAWKEYES game in Maryland. WATCH IN FULL, UNINTERRUPTED
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 29/09/2026
🤡 Schmitt beclowns himself 🤡 Schmitt concocted an elaborate conspiracy theory that Smith traveled to Atl for a Hawks game and to collude with Fani Willis, & flashed his "evidence" before accusing Smith of perjury. There's just one problem -- his facts were totally wrong. Here's the whole sequence:
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Met Office - weather and climate @metoffice.gov.uk · 28/09/2026
This week's '5 things to know about the weather' is brought to you by the letter 'W'... 🌞🌦️ Wow, what a week!
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
💥 HUGE NEWS 💥 “Ministers say it is ‘not if but how’ the prime minister puts rejoin in the next election manifesto” Exclusive for The Independent.
independent.co.uk
Burnham edges Labour closer to rejoining EU
Exclusive: After Ed Miliband told the Labour conference in Liverpool that Britain’s future is at the heart of Europe, ministers say it is ‘not if but how’ the prime minister puts rejoin in the next el...
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Lev Parikian @levparikian.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I’m on my nonsense again. This week’s Six Things: – Typesetting – Vernacular – BPOTY – Pips & Nubs – Lobster – Hortle
levparikian.substack.com
Six Things, Volume 167
Typesetting | Vernacular | BPOTY | Pips & Nubs | Lobster | Hortle
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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
All 19 species of bird of prey and owl that regularly breed in England have been recorded at Wild Ken Hill so far this year, in a notable landmark for the West Norfolk site:
f.mtr.cool
Wild Ken Hill records all 19 of England's breeding raptors and owls
The Norfolk rewilding site has achieved an extraordinary 'full house' of England's breeding birds of prey and owls this year.
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Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
A time of mists and woodland archipelagos in the vale. #Dorset
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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Dunlins arrive in today’s Autumn Arrival Spotlight! 🌊 Watch for these energetic waders, flying in large flocks across the mudflats and estuaries as they settle in for the winter.
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British Hedgehog Preservation Society @hedgehogsociety.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
As the leaves change colour & fall from the trees - don't over-tidy them! 🍂 🍃 They play an important role in the life cycles of many species - from butterflies to #hedgehogs! 🦋 🦔 💤 If you must tidy gardens, leave a designated patch, edge or corner untouched for #wildlife 💚 📹 Ian Mears & BHPS
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National Trust @nationaltrust.org.uk · 28/09/2026
Today marks three years since the iconic Sycamore Gap tree was illegally felled. We're pleased to bring you new images which reveal how the stump is growing, a sure sign that the tree is in recovery.
A close-up of sycamore shootsThe stump is hidden by a thick ring of green shootsThick, green shoots surround the stumpShowing tall shoots, growing above the stump
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Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
That's one in the eye for the panic-mongers
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The speculation and hyperbole has gone into overdrive in some quarters... particularly on X-crement and right wing channels. Given they've been released I suspect there might be a few red faces in the coming days. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6...
bbc.co.uk
RAF Fairford suspects to be released on bail, head of counter-terror police says
Laurence Taylor says the five men arrested on Sunday are still under investigation as police consider multiple lines of inquiry, including the possible involvement of a foreign state.
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Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Oxford Street to be pedestrianised from October 26th www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Oxford Street to be pedestrianised from 26 October
Buses, taxis, bikes and other vehicles, will be banned from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Houses can be built on floodplains despite failing safety test, says UK high court. Profitable for developers, misery for buyers/residents. Problems with insurance, reselling, quality of life. Too many defective homes built. Get a private survey before buying a new home. Must change laws.
theguardian.com
Houses can be built on floodplains despite failing safety test, says high court
Decision to allow 190 controversial new homes in north Somerset sparks campaign for change in the law
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Good Law Project @goodlawproject.org · 27/09/2026
Over 85,000 people have asked their local NHS Trust to say no to Palantir. Time is running out, so every email counts. Will you email your local trust and ask them to stand against Palantir? notopalantir.goodlawproject.org/ema…
notopalantir.goodlawproject.org
Say no to Palantir in the NHS
NHS England is rolling out software to run our health records from Palantir - fight back
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
They voted overwhelmingly for Trump.
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
DoorDash spent $1.4M trying to stop Zohran Mamdani from becoming mayor. This week's historic $131.5M enforcement action against DoorDash for underpaying NYC delivery workers shows why. Yet another reminder that the only thing that can beat organized money is organized people.
theintercept.com
DoorDash Spent $1.4 Million Trying to Stop Mamdani From Becoming Mayor. Now We Know Why.
In a wage-theft settlement, DoorDash now has to pay its workers around 100 times what it spent trying to beat Zohran Mam
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WATERSHED Investigations @watershed-i.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
We tested people living near a chemical plant in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire. 70% of people tested had levels of PFAS in their blood that, in the US, would be classed as 'high-risk' for adverse health effects. 1 person had the highest levels of PFAS ever recorded in anyone's blood in the UK.
Our PFAS pollution story on the front page of the Times today
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 24/09/2026
IPPR: The UK is losing out on annual exports to the EU that could be worth as much as £6.5bn without a deal with Brussels that allows manufacturers to remove duplicate product testing. Brexit damaged our economy. Our polling shows that people want to rejoin the EU. The time to act is now.
theguardian.com
UK ‘losing up to £6.5bn a year in EU trade’ without post-Brexit product deal
IPPR finds failure to align testing standards costing 0.18% of national income and has seen companies abandon exporting
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Dave Vetter @davidrvetter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Even the Telegraph describes "Tommo" as a "far-right activist." Not so the BBC - which has a track record of sending its own reporters to harass people trying to cross the channel.
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Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
No, BBC, he has not been arrested over the video of dinghy slashing. He’s been arrested over the dinghy slashing. Words matter.
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Russ Jones @russincheshire.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Good. Now arrest those who were with him for conspiracy, and then arrest those who tried to set fire to a hotel for arson. And then proscribe the group as a terrorist organisation. Which is what you are if you use violence for political ends. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Police arrest far-right activist Daniel Thomas after dinghy slashed in Channel
Thirty-seven-year-old in custody on suspicion of crimes including criminal damage with intent to endanger life
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The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Happy Autumnal Equinox. Six months now until we have this much daylight again.
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Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The first architect of the White House ballroom resigned after warning repeatedly that Trump was insisting on designs that violated fire and safety codes, the Washington Post reports. “I am the code,” Trump said www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
By Sarah Blaskey and Jonathan O'Connell
In the weeks leading up to his resignation last year, the first architect on the White House ballroom clashed with President Donald Trump over design features that the architect believed violated building safety codes, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions and corroborating documents reviewed by The Washington Post.
James McCrery II withdrew from the project last October after warning repeatedly that Trump was insisting on a preliminary design that did not provide adequate emergency exit routes or fire-containment measures, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private discussions.
Trump brushed off McCrery's concerns, they said, and the president countered that no building codes apply to White House construction.
"I am the code," Trump said.
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