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Dr Michael Fraser

@ffinlo.bsky.social
163 followers 95 following 861 posts

Personal account. Works in a university. Non-resident Manx 🇮🇲. Supports Ukraine 🇺🇦.

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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 5h
"A search for the site of Mo Luóc’s monastery was launched by the Lismore Historical Society in 2016." Clare Ellis, Angela Boyle, et al. A major monastic centre? Rethinking Lismore’s place in the ecclesiastical landscapes of early medieval Britain. Antiquity, 2026. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
cambridge.org
A major monastic centre? Rethinking Lismore’s place in the ecclesiastical landscapes of early medieval Britain | Antiquity | Cambridge Core
A major monastic centre? Rethinking Lismore’s place in the ecclesiastical landscapes of early medieval Britain - Volume 100 Issue 413
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Humans can consult Bodley's digitised collections via digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/browse/
digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Digital Bodleian | Browse
Images from over 2,500 medieval manuscripts from the Bodleian and Oxford colleges, with over 1,000 fully digitized items.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Literally a backwards move -- from digital to microfilm; from global online to local room. Disappointing and with little notice. @manxheritage.bsky.social announce that digital access to the newspapers archive through iMuseum.im will cease from 12 October. manxnationalheritage.im/news/newspap...
manxnationalheritage.im
Newspaper archive preserved as iMuseum access changes
Manx National Heritage announce that digital access to the newspapers archive through iMuseum.im will cease from 12 October. For more than a decade, over Manx National Heritage announce that digital a...
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Joe Harkness Obituary www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Cream-coloured graphic announcing the Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing Shortlist 2026. In the centre is the green-and-black illustrated cover of Neurodivergent, by Nature: Why Biodiversity Needs Neurodiversity by Joe Harkness, featuring a stylised tree with exposed roots, surrounded by leaves and wildlife. Large text below reads: “Neurodivergent, by Nature — By Joe Harkness.”
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Reposted by Dr Michael Fraser
iomelections.bsky.social @iomelections.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Ramsey: Result Robert Cowell and Juan McGuinness elected in Ramsey. #Ramsey dlvr.it/TVdX5h dlvr.it/TVdX5k
dlvr.it
Ramsey - Vote 2026 IOM Elections | Isle of Man
Isle of Man House of Keys General Election 2026. Candidates, constituencies, debates, meetings and results from Vote 2026.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
"The United Kingdom does not recognise these sham elections in the temporarily occupied territories or Russia’s attempted annexation of Ukrainian territory. Borders cannot be redrawn through force, repression or fabricated ballots." www.gov.uk/government/s... #OSCE
gov.uk
Russia’s sham elections in occupied Ukrainian territories: UK statement to the OSCE
Ambassador Holland condemns Russia’s sham elections in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories as violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and the Helsinki Final Act. The UK rejects Russia’s attempted a...
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
In case it's useful to anything else. To report a cyber security system risk email public.disclosure@servicesaustralia.gov.au. www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/report-cyber...
servicesaustralia.gov.au
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Reposted by Dr Michael Fraser
Thesecretfarmer @thesecretfarmer.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
What's the word I'm looking for to describe this today....oh yes 'shitshow' !
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Weird. Imagine if research councils allocated funding like this. "But by 4pm on Tuesday – just six hours after it opened – the government confirmed that the 2026 SFI scheme was closed for applications, with all of the budget allocated." www.theguardian.com/environment/... #SFI
theguardian.com
‘Worse than the scramble for Oasis tickets’: England’s sustainable farming funds run out in just six hours
Entire £233m budget for 2026 allocated in less than a day, leaving thousands of farmers disappointed
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"Scientists from #UKHSA, @ox.ac.uk and a collaboration of academic institutions have used bacterial genome sequencing to understand why the meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent earlier this year was so severe." www.gov.uk/government/n... Preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
gov.uk
UKHSA and University of Oxford scientists uncover genetic changes in the bacteria causing severe Kent meningococcal disease outbreak
Scientists used genome sequencing to identify genetic changes that may explain the severity of the Kent meningococcal disease outbreak earlier this year.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Gets a little weird at T+1 million years but nonetheless an interesting thought experiment and read by Ilan Kelman & Matthew Blackett. theconversation.com/end-of-human... #Yellowstone
theconversation.com
End of humanity? Blow-by-blow account of what would happen if the Yellowstone supervolcano erupted now
Anybody within the eruption zone would be pulverised by blasts, crisped by the heat, or asphyxiated by ash.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Office for National Statistics (ONS), "Measuring artificial intelligence in the UK economy using a thematic account" (21 Sept 2026) The approach the ONS is taking to compile an AI thematic account & how it helps in the measurement of the impact of AI on the UK economy www.ons.gov.uk/economy/nati...
ons.gov.uk
Measuring artificial intelligence in the UK economy using a thematic account - Office for National Statistics
This article sets out the approach the ONS is taking to compile an AI thematic account and how it helps the measurement of the impact of AI on the UK economy.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Crown dependencies everywhere “There’s a large part of the community who would be quite pleased to revert back to being agricultural and fisheries and everything. But I don’t think we can go back there … who would support [the economy]? Who would pay the taxes?" www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
‘It’s unrecognisable’: How being a tax haven has changed Jersey
While global billionaires and multinational companies have been lured to its shores, many islanders feel left behind and priced out, with food bank use increasing
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Surely, press releases from the Prime Minister's Office concerning No10 North should use an actual picture of No10 North?
Screenshot of excerpt from a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office that includes a picture of 10 Downing Street and reads, 

Press release.
Taoiseach of Ireland First International Leader to visit No10 North
Prime Minister hosts Taoiseach of Ireland, Micheál Martin as first international leader to visit No10 North.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP.
Published: 18 September 2026
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Understanding the cost of undergraduate provision and qualifications in the #HigherEducation sector in England. Full economic cost of providing undergraduate degrees within #universities and colleges & extent to which the cost varies between different subjects etc. www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
Cost of undergraduate provision and qualifications in England
A study of the full economic cost of providing undergraduate-level higher education and other qualifications in England.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
UK’s priorities as Chair of #OSCE "We will continue to hold Russia accountable for its aggression and for actions that violate the principles on which this organisation was built. Sovereignty matters. Territorial integrity matters. And the Helsinki principles matter." www.gov.uk/government/s...
gov.uk
Strengthening European security: UK statement to the OSCE
Minister for Europe, Lord Wood of Anfield, sets out the UK’s priorities as Chair of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation, focusing on Ukraine, dialogue and managing security risks.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Dario Amodei: "We must slow the pace at which we improve the capabilities of AI models." Dante Gabriel Rossetti: "Aye, clench the casket now! Whither they go Thou mayst not dare to think: nor canst thou know If Hope still pent there be alive or dead." darioamodei.com/post/we-must... #Anthropic
Dante Gabriel Rossetti's painting of Pandora holding the box, 1871. Full description by Peter Nahum at https://leicestergalleries.com/browse-artwork-detail/MTY5OTg=

Pandora (For a Picture), 1870

What of the end, Pandora? Was it thine.
The deed that set these fiery pinions free?
Ah! Wherefore did the Olympian consistory
In its own likeness make thee half divine?
Was it that Juno’s brow might stand a sign
For ever? and the mien of Pallas be
A deadly thing? and that all men might see
In Venus' eyes the gaze of Proserpine?
What of the end? these beat their wings at will,
The ill-born things, the good things turned to ill, -
Powers of the impassioned house prohibited.
Aye, clench the casket now! Whither they go
Thou mayst not dare to think; nor canst thou know
If hope still pent there be alive or dead.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Parliament will debate the petition, “Apply to Rejoin the EU as soon as possible to increase growth in the UK”. The debate is scheduled for 12 October 2026. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74... #RejoinTheEU #BrexitIsNotWorking
petition.parliament.uk
Petition: Apply to Rejoin the EU as soon as possible to increase growth in the UK
We believe Brexit's not working. The OBR judges that the UK economy is smaller and trade is weaker because of Brexit, and it will just get worse. 10 years after the Brexit vote, let's apply to rejoin ...
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
'A military aircraft [from which nation?] entering “spurious” flight data into the UK’s air traffic control system led to an outage that caused thousands of planes to be grounded and unleashed a crisis that threatens to topple the head of the agency.' giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... #NATS
giftarticle.ft.com
Military jet triggered UK’s latest air traffic meltdown
Flight plan submitted by one aircraft sparked turmoil that grounded thousands of planes this week
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I am informed (belatedly) that these are called, "suggestion pills".
Large pill-shaped, clickable, suggestions from Microsoft Copilot that read,

"Create red and blue horse-sized pill concepts"
"Draft labels for each pill"
"Suggest a funny workshop presentation"
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Add your name to an open letter in support of the volunteers and staff at the RNLI 38d.gs/jpcf
38d.gs
An open letter in support of the volunteers and staff at the RNLI
This is a disgrace. Brave RNLI volunteers being called scum for risking their lives to save others at sea is just plain wrong. So I've signed an open letter of thanks for the RNLI letting them know th...
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
#OHCHR database of all business enterprises involved in certain specified activities related to the Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. www.ohchr.org/en/business/...
ohchr.org
Database of Business Enterprises Pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolutions 31/36 and 53/25
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
"Settlements are illegal under international law. The UK, France and Canada will therefore take steps to ban the importation of goods from settlements and enforce targeted measures against settlements and those who facilitate them or profit from them." www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Joint statement by the Prime Minister, President Macron and Prime Minister Carney on the Two-State Solution
Joint statement by the Prime Minister, President Macron and Prime Minister Carney on the Two-State Solution.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
"The [to be announced] UK ban on trade in Israeli settlement goods... is in line with the ICJ advisory opinion in 2024 requiring governments not to aid or assist an Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory, not just illegal settlements." www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
UK to adopt tougher stance on Israel with illegal settlements trade ban
Ed Miliband to reassert support for Palestinian rights and a two-state solution in move likely to draw fierce criticism from US and Israel
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Pope to Oxford’s Oriel College: Seek truth, promote integral anthropology "Pope Leo XIV met on Friday with the Provost, Fellows, and members of @orieloxford.bsky.social, as the constituent college of the University of Oxford celebrates its 700th anniversary." www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news...
vaticannews.va
Pope to Oxford’s Oriel College: Seek truth, promote integral anthropology - Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV meets with members of the Oriel College of Oxford University, and invites them to look to St. John Henry Newman as an example of the ...
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Photographs from the visit of their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway to the Isle of Man 4th to 6th July 2002 (Manx National Heritage, imuseum) imuseum.im/search//all/... #TynwaldDay #IsleOfMan #HaraldV #imuseum
Harald V of Norway and Queen Sonja at Tynwald Day, 2002.

Queen Sonja is wearing the traditional Norwegian Bunad dress from her native Telemark.

Photographic Archive

ID number: PG/7480/12

https://imuseum.im/search/archive_record/view?id=mnh-museum-382718&type=archive&tab=all&from=&page=&term=%22harald+v%22&size=80&sort=&filter=&view=&images=&ttmgp=0&rfname=&rlname=&machine=&race=&raceyear=&linked=0&pos=23
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
"The research... found that those who had received Shingrix had a 12% lower risk of a cardiovascular diagnosis in the following three and a half years. If confirmed, this benefit would be comparable to taking a daily blood pressure-lowering medication." www.theguardian.com/science/2026... #vaccines
theguardian.com
Shingles vaccine linked to lower risk of heart attack and stroke, study finds
Researchers say benefits of two-dose Shingrix vaccine could be comparable to taking daily blood pressure medication
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Should help reduce the courts backlog...
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The #IsleOfMan Prison does not buy-in vegetables because it is self-sufficient thanks to the enlightened horticultural programme in the prison. Also prize-winning at Manx horticultural shows. (Pictures from Southern District Summer Show, July 2026. YouTube video, 2018) youtu.be/fqZI6M5cuCc?...
IOM Prison receives second prize for a collection of four types of vegetables.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ANNUAL SUMMER SHOW, July 2026IOM Prison receives first prize for three green peppers.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ANNUAL SUMMER SHOW, July 2026.IOM Prison receives first prize for a marrow, the biggest of the bunch.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ANNUAL SUMMER SHOW, July 2026IOM Prison receives first prize for rhubarb.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ANNUAL SUMMER SHOW, July 2026
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
"The central aim of Russia’s war has failed. Ukraine’s nationhood is not defined by the Kremlin. It is lived every day by Ukrainians: in their language, their culture, their service to their country, & their determination to decide their own future." #SlavaUkraini 🇺🇦 www.gov.uk/government/s... #OSCE
gov.uk
Ukrainian Independence Day 2026: UK Statement to the OSCE
Arron Newble, Counsellor for Politico-Military Affairs, marks Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day by praising the courage of Ukrainians defending their sovereignty, identity and culture against Russia’s i...
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
"They were identified by Island Archives' Callum Tostevin-Hall working alongside Dr David Rundle, a manuscript expert at the University of Kent’s Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, and Prof Tamara Atkin, a book historian at the University of Oxford." www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Manuscript fragments hiding in plain sight shed light on medieval Guernsey’s literary life
Researchers say texts from 12th to 15th centuries ‘hint at a culture which has not even been imagined’
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
For nature to thrive humans just have to do... nothing (or very little). @carlsayer.bsky.social: “You don’t always have to reach for that expensive commercial wildflower seed mix. We’ve forgotten that nature has known what to do for quite a long while.” www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
‘I love it. It’s hope’: the mysterious self-willed wildflower meadow that seeded itself
Farmer Derek Sayer let a boggy field run wild and just one annual hay-cut has led to remarkable biodiversity
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Looking promising for the Good Habit café of Blackfriars Hall, Oxford. Due to open from 1 Sept. Application for pavement licence gives hope that opening hours will be from Lauds to beyond Vespers (0700-2200, daily).
Bread baskets in the window lined with Good Habit paper.Notice of an application for a pavement licence comprising 14 tables and 28 chairs. The application request use from 0700 to 2200 daily.View through the café window showing tables and chairs, and a Coming Soon sign.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Ploughing the dust bowl, Oxfordshire. #UKFarming
Green tractor in field facing forward towing a plough with yellow dust cloud following. Sky of clouds and blue.Field with tractor moving away. Large cloud of yellow dust obscures plough and partially obscures tractor.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Country diary -- Port Erin, #IsleOfMan: Ten tonnes of solid muscle, basking sharks are booming here once again www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Country diary: Ten tonnes of solid muscle, basking sharks are booming here once again
Port Erin Bay, Isle of Man: A few years ago they disappeared from these shores, but with food stocks on the up, they’ve made a magnificent return
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
"Businesses should not consider bidding for construction tenders [for the Israeli Government’s E1 West Bank Settlement Plan]. They should be aware of legal and reputational consequences including the risk of involving themselves in serious breaches of international law." www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Joint Statement from the Leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway on the E1 West Bank Settlement Plan
Joint Statement from the Leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway on the E1 West Bank Settlement Plan.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
The women of Afghanistan have been awarded the 2026 Chatham House Prize, in recognition of courage and resilience in the face of systematic gender persecution [imposed by Taliban rule], and for embodying the determination of a broader movement for women’s rights. www.chathamhouse.org/2026/08/2026...
chathamhouse.org
2026 Chatham House Prize awarded to the women of Afghanistan
The prize is presented to ‘the person, persons, or organization deemed to have made the most significant contribution to the improvement of international relations’.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
University Parks cricket square looking lush...
Photograph of green grass with sprinkler in operation. Green is bordered by yellow grass and in background is the cricket pavillion.
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Job at King's College London: Director of Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression Reports to Senior Vice President (Academic). Salary: £100-105k + LWA. Permanent. Skills/Experience: • Very strong political acumen. www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/role/di...
kcl.ac.uk
Director of Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression | King's College London
Director of Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
A Digital Lynching: A practical guide for individuals and organisations when the mobs gather, by @carolecadwalla.bsky.social broligarchy.substack.com/p/a-digital-...
broligarchy.substack.com
A Digital Lynching
A practical guide for individuals and organisations when the mobs gather
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Reposted by Dr Michael Fraser
Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
How Israel is making southern Lebanon ‘unliveable’ "An FT visual investigation with journalism non-profit Lighthouse Reports found systematic destruction across Israeli-occupied southern Lebanon, including tens of thousands of homes, schools, farmland & forests." giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
How Israel is making southern Lebanon ‘unliveable’
Israeli forces have systematically destroyed homes, roads, farmland and forests despite ceasefire with Hizbollah
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Reposted by Dr Michael Fraser
Kate from Kharkiv @kateinkharkiv.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
The Russian oil industry will continue to burn. ​To the Western press clutching its pearls: did you forget who invaded whom? Did you forget that Russia has been killing civilians in Ukraine every single day for four and a half years? Did you forget they bomb churchgoers on Easter,
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
What? 'In the end, he said, “we went quite close to some real Bronze Age remains, but we avoided Dobby’s grave”'. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Harry Potter fans force relocation of £430m undersea cable to avoid Dobby’s ‘grave’
Power cable linking UK and Ireland now passes near Bronze Age human burial remains instead of fictional grave on Welsh beach
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
tl;dr "The writing is abysmal. None of the characters has convincing motivation for their actions or words. There are no sex scenes, and all the food looks horrible." -- Emily Wilson, An Uncomplicated Man www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Emily Wilson · An Uncomplicated Man
As they say at the awards shows, I was humbled to learn that Christopher Nolan has read at least the first line of my...
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
@iomgovernment.bsky.social Your web server needs a reboot? www.gov.im
GOV.IM


Internal Server Error
Warning
An error has occurred

The server encountered an internal error and was unable to complete your request.

If you continue to encounter this problem please contact us.

When contacting us please include the following information:

    Your web browser (including version number)
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
From 1 Aug 2028: The levy [tax] is charged for an academic year on a higher education provider in respect of international students who are for any period during the year registered on a HE course. The amount charged is £925 for each of those international students. www.gov.uk/government/p... #UKHE
gov.uk
International student levy: draft finance bill
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
"The Beykush vineyards are the latest layer in a rich history of viticulture in this area - not just the ancient Greeks but the Ottomans and, later, Jewish growers... The layered history & biodiversity of the area is acknowledged in everything that #Beykush does." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
theguardian.com
To make wine is to believe in the future: the Ukrainians growing grapes on the frontline
In the midst of unexploded Russian rockets and buzzing drones, Ukrainian winemakers are keeping vines and hope alive
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
So how many clowns have now declared they will run against @countbinface.bsky.social?
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
'It makes your heart sing’, by @patrickbarkham.bsky.social "Here, however, we were standing on a large slab of ordinary countryside that until three years ago had been an arable field. Now it was a wetland, roiling with life." www.theguardian.com/news/2026/ju... #Rewilding
theguardian.com
‘It makes your heart sing’: can a pioneering project show that rewilding really works?
The long read: Intensive farming has all but destroyed England’s ancient woodlands and freshwater wetlands. On a farm in Lincolnshire a radical aristocrat hopes to show there’s money in protecting nat...
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Dr Michael Fraser @ffinlo.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
It's going to be Boaty McBoatface all over again but with a Binface.
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