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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀

@mackayim.bsky.social
13K followers 3.1K following 12K posts

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. australian. #MasksWork virologydownunder.com

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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 5h
It seems many richer nations are having housing crises, and immigration is being blamed everywhere. It's almost like outside influences/oligarch-owned media companies, benefit by steering the blame away from decades of bad government housing decisions in favour of profiteering corporate ones
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 5h
We've really loved the easy, contactless public btransport payment systems thus far. Looks like Montreal is going to be the spanner in those works.
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Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Euromaidan Press @euromaidanpress.bsky.social · 13h
Russia is preparing for a bigger war in 2027. Moscow plans to spend a record 17.1 trillion rubles on defense, a 27% increase, while Putin has again expanded the authorized size of Russia’s armed forces – to a record 2.44 million personnel. buff.ly/5UzSOzj
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 16h
The most selfish time of the planet's most selfish species.
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Illia Ponomarenko @ioponomarenko.bsky.social · 17h
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 16h
"In plain English, we need you, mortgage borrowers, to enjoy a lower standard of living so that the economy has capacity to build lots of data centres and pay for more expensive fuel imports while inflation still comes down." www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...
abc.net.au
Borrowers again 'hit over the head' to bring inflation down
Why is Australia stuck in an inflation problem that has sent interest rates to 15-year highs?
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 17h
Wait for iiiiiiiiiit
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Ukraine Support 🇺🇦 🇪🇺 @blue24world.bsky.social · 17h
🇪🇺 EC working on reform to bypass national vetoes in decision-making The EC proposes applying a lower qualified-majority voting threshold, 15 countries representing 2/3 of the🇪🇺population to a broader range of policy areas, including sanctions, HR, def. & security www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/202...
pravda.com.ua
European Commission working on reform to bypass national vetoes in decision-making
The European Commission will propose changes to EU decision-making rules that could limit national vetoes and speed up the accession process for Ukraine and other candidate countries
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 17h
I dare say it does little for adult learning as well!
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Public Health Association of Australia @publichealthaus.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We're back with a new episode of Public Health Is… In this episode we speak with Stephen Bendle, Senior Advocacy Advisor with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, and Convenor of the Australian Gun Safety Alliance.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Is this the second round of media reporting "things are improving" only to then report, "nope" some days later? Why are you doing this? www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/202...
aljazeera.com
Ebola cases surpass 8,000 as DRC struggles to control outbreak
Fatalities near 4,000 across the DRC as health workers battle community anger and a vaccine-resistant strain.
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NBC News @nbcnews.com · 28/09/2026
Europe’s far-right parties are on the rise, but they face scrutiny over past ties to the Kremlin and a future approach to Moscow.
nbcnews.to
For years, Europe’s far-right leaders admired Vladimir Putin. But as they edge closer to actual power, figures like France’s Marine Le Pen are suddenly changing their tune on Russia. Here’s why.
As the European radical right seeks to convert its strong polling into positions of power, it remains dogged by questions about its historic and future links to Moscow.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Bit sweeter and chewier than the Aussie Turkish Delight. Not bad.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
A-frikkin-gain? My now they really should be getting this right, surely.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Just reminded of how screwed modern public transport will be if a war in space disrupts GPS satellites (re: recent UK comments europeanspaceflight.com/uk-creates-s...)
europeanspaceflight.com
UK Creates Space Effects Squadron to Protect Its Satellites - European Spaceflight
The UK forms No. III Space Effects Squadron to counter threats to its satellites as part of its broader efforts to develop orbital warfare capabilities.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Lake ONTARIO looking free and smart
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
This one's yummy! (I mean, if my sultana bran is already compromised, I might as well give the day away!)
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Oh well. More police than anti-immigration zealots & 'Christ-is-here' people in this Toronto crowd at least
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Spent a stupid amount of time looking at shoes before this trip, and I'm super happy with these guys. Comfy as hell. Merino socks are sooo good for travel. Also got a waterproof pair of Timberlands which have only seen one day of showers in two weeks - so much for all that rain out west😀 #TravelTip
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Savchenko Volodymyr @savchenkoua.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Commands were asked about six types of units they might need in 90-120 days, including military police, medical, and logistics battalions; responses are expected today. This week, Trump declared that the United States seeks "fundamental change" in Cuba and predicted that Cuban government will fall.
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Savchenko Volodymyr @savchenkoua.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
🇺🇸🇨🇺 The U.S. Army Reserve is exploring the possibility of providing military police, medical units, and logistics support to U.S. Southern Command over the next four months, - CBS News. The document does not mention Cuba, but officials told CBS that invasion is targeted specifically at that island.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"“North Korea is learning from our war and arming itself. The world must recognize this connection while there is still time,” Budanov stated" ua.news/en/ukraine/k...
ua.news
North Korea Is Learning from the Russian-Ukrainian War — Budanov
Kirill Budanov, head of the Office of the President, stated that North Korea is using lessons learned from Russia’s war against Ukraine to develop its own weapons. According to him, Pyongyang is recei...
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Did raisin bran *always* have sugar-coated raisins? And why the hell? Sigh.
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Crawford Kilian @crof.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
As I told one of my classes in China in 1983, after we watched a documentary about King, "When you can understand how the same country could produce Dr. King and his assassin, you will understand America."
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Crawford Kilian @crof.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
MSF: Ebola clinical trials must ensure equitable access to treatment www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/ebola...
doctorswithoutborders.org
Ebola clinical trials must ensure equitable access to treatment
Ongoing clinical trials for Bundibugyo Ebola virus therapeutics provide an important opportunity to make successful treatments accessible to all who need them.
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Euromaidan Press @euromaidanpress.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Eight Ukrainian companies told the defense ministry last winter their interceptors were ready to knock down Russia's jet-powered drones. Combat proved them wrong A jet Geran dodges harder once an interceptor shows up, so speed alone could not catch it buff.ly/rUnQhhp
buff.ly
Combat shows speed alone can’t catch Russia’s jet-powered drones, despite eight Ukrainian makers’ assurances. So why can’t they stop them?
Eight makers said their interceptors were ready last winter. They weren't.
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Savchenko Volodymyr @savchenkoua.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
🇺🇸❗️WP: The U.S. and Russia weakened a U.N. effort to regulate lethal AI weapons by removing key safeguards, including requirements for predictable systems, ethical considerations and human review before AI-assisted strikes.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Colour me unconvinced.
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Artologica aka Michele Banks @artologica.net · 26/09/2026
Xi "Very nice. You buy from Temu or Ali Express?"
tump and xi walk at white house. Xi gestures to the tacky gold frames and ornaments
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Watching these little chitterers tearing about gathering food and checking their spots, I'm reminded of a crew of experts that was every bit as frenetically busy keeping Queenslanders safe from SARS-CoV-2.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
A 30min (public transport!) bus ride to Lake Minnewanka. Picked the easy walk. Amazing track quality.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"These possibilities have been discussed for some time, but the information is now highly consistent and, unfortunately, convincing," -the clock keeps ticking. I think the notifying phase is about done? The prevention phase seems to have been skipped. Defence is next www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...
abc.net.au
A dangerous new reality is taking hold in Europe
One after the other they lined up to speak: National leaders warning of increasing imminent danger to their countries.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
535m up above the tree line, 9km of good track and some thin air. That was a lot for these knees - but they pulled up okay today! #LarchValley
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Good. Do it quickly.
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The Saturday Paper @thesaturdaypaper.com.au · 26/09/2026
The Saturday Paper contacted education ministers in every state and territory, and all are working on plans to rework what began as a $2.4 billion Digital Education Revolution under then prime minister Kevin Rudd. trib.al/CNVpYIL
trib.al
The legacy of Rudd’s digital revolution in schools
As Australian students record historically poor results on key cognitive measures, states are moving to reduce screen time in classrooms, unwinding a key initiative of the Rudd era.
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 26/09/2026
Ukraine war briefing: Russian attacks force closure of Ukraine’s largest steelmaker
theguardian.com
Ukraine war briefing: Russian attacks force closure of Ukraine’s largest steelmaker
Closure another blow to Ukraine’s steel sector, as Zelenskyy warns Moscow is expanding its targets to include ‘daily life’. What we know on day 1,676 Continue reading...
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UNITED24 Media @united24media.com · 25/09/2026
Russian attacks destroyed 13 million books and hit dozens of Ukrainian publishers.
united24media.com
Your Favorite Books Are Being Bombed by Russia—13 Million Copies Burned in Ukraine
Russian attacks destroyed 13 million books and hit dozens of Ukrainian publishers. Here's why Ukraine's publishing industry has become a target.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Suuuuure.
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Crawford Kilian @crof.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Artificial intelligence looks more and more like the outcome of natural stupidity: yle.fi/a/74-20248236
yle.fi
Finnish MP warns against politicians becoming "AI puppets"
Use of the technology is increasingly evident in day-to-day politics, Left Alliance MP Anna Kontula says, including to write speeches delivered in parliament.
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Crawford Kilian @crof.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
How to stay smart in the age of AI: the science of critical thinking www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
How to stay smart in the age of AI: the science of critical thinking
There is growing concern that AI can blunt memory and reasoning. But science shows ways to keep the brain sharp.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Lake Minnewanka (I'm sure it's all been said). We're not getting very far, stopping every 10m for another photo!
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
These are just what I see as a tourist so may not reflect actual daily life here at all, of course! None of these lists are 100% of that thing. Just trends
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Ruth Deyermond @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"It's all the West's fault" has been the Russian political elite's indispensable get out of jail free card for 30 years. It allows them to acknowledge that things have gone wrong while taking zero responsibility.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Flu season is peaking later than usual and we don't exactly know why -🤔🤔🤔🤔 www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...
abc.net.au
Australians urged to get free flu jab as season peaks later than usual
Influenza cases are peaking unusually late in the year in Australia, so if you haven't had your flu jab this season, it's actually not too late.
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Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Euromaidan Press @euromaidanpress.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Putin has again promised US officials that Russia can seize Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast within “a few months,” Zelenskyy said. In 2026, Russia suffered nearly 249,000 troops killed or severely wounded for slightly more than 1,000 sq km of territorial gains, according to Zelenskyy. buff.ly/VQKg22v
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The Ukrainian Review @theukrainianreview.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
🇵🇱‼️ Sikorski: You see, Russia never invades. It didn't invade Poland in the 18th century. It didn't invade Poland with Nazi Germany in 1939. Russia always "comes to the assistance of embattled national minorities." But it's bullshit.
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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀 @mackayim.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The things you see when you're up before everyone else in Banff! Maybe I'll stop complaining about possums eating my seedlings!!
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Euan MacDonald @euanmacdonald.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
UN Security Council member Russia is currently attacking Kyiv with ballistic missiles. Loud explosions in the Ukrainian capital.
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ABC News Bot (unofficial) @abcnewsbot.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
OpenAI's rogue artificial intelligence agents appear to have worked together to try to circumvent cybersecurity defences and find ways to access Australian government health data, according to conversation logs.
abc.net.au
How OpenAI agents tried to thwart cybersecurity amid Medicare hack
OpenAI's rogue artificial intelligence agents appear to have worked together to try to circumvent cybersecurity defences and find ways to access Australian government health data, according to conversation logs.
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CNN @cnn.com · 24/09/2026
An OpenAI agent hacked into a database of Australia’s national healthcare system, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. cnn.it/3V5dAaI
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