Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Anyone uses AI detection software on texts? I just tested my own work which doesn't use AI, and it told be the texts were 79% and 61% produced by AI I had to log in to gain a "report" Then it told me it can humanise my text (ironically using AI) for a price 000
Reposted by Michael BirdLarry the Cat @number10cat.bsky.social · 05/06/2026Anthony Head was an Ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats home for more than two decades. Thanks for everything Tony x 162169762164
Reposted by Michael BirdTaco Bell Quarterly @tacobellquarterly.org · 06/06/2026Just put yourself out there, the more embarrassing it feels, the better you're doing, I swear 719643
Reposted by Michael BirdEurogroup for Animals @eurogroupforanimals.org · 22/05/2026Former fur industry leader describes fur farming as “inherently cruel”. Citizens have spoken. Science is clear. Even former insiders acknowledge the reality of this industry. The @ec.europa.eu must finally deliver on #FurFreeEurope. euobserver.com/217742/its-i... 031
Reposted by Michael BirdKit de Waal @kitdewaal.com · 07/02/2026I’m an Ambassador for this brilliant charity, Bookbanks, giving away books with food parcels at food banks. There are two part-time jobs going for Regional Leads in London and East Anglia. Link below. Please share far and wide :)bookbanks.co.ukGet Involved — Bookbanks 8168126
Reposted by Michael BirdAaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 25/01/2026Walz: "To Americans who are watching this, I've got a question for you: What side do you want to be on? The side of an all powerful federal govt that can kill, injury, menace, & kidnap its citizens off the streets? Or on the side of a nurse at the VA hospital who died bearing witness to such govt?" 8714998014600
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 30/12/2025🐯 A white tiger has died in Craiova Zoo in Romania after choking on a plastic bag thrown by visitors, reports the press today. www.digi24.ro/stiri/actual...digi24.roUn pui de tigru alb a murit la grădina zoologică din Craiova după ce a înghițit o pungă de plastic. Nu e primul incident de acest felUn pui de tigru alb de la grădina zoologică din Craiova a murit după ce ar fi înghițit o pungă de plastic aruncată de unul dintre vizitatori. Nu este prima oară când se întâmplă o astfel de tragedie a... 100
Reposted by Michael BirdSarah Dempster @dempster2000.bsky.social · 25/12/20257 reasons why The Thing (1982) is a Christmas film: 1) snow 2) bearded men concealing surprises 3) compulsory party games 4) introverts shunning group activities 5) digestive issues 6) revellers bursting open to reveal partially assimilated canine lifeforms 7) knitwear 824859
Reposted by Michael BirdEurogroup for Animals @eurogroupforanimals.org · 02/12/2025Europe’s wildlife trade isn’t what it seems. Animal Hustlers uncovers the shadowy networks selling exotic animals legally… & illegally. 😔 ‼️ The EU’s wildlife loopholes are fueling a silent crisis. Explore the full investigation ⤵️ animalhustlers.comanimalhustlers.comHome - Animal HustlersAnimal Hustlers reveals the illicit trade in exotic animals in Europe, a market sustained by legal loopholes, weak enforcement and a fetish for wild creatures. 043
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 04/12/2025How much does a tiger cost in Romania? How much does a lion cost in Czechia? A macaque in Albania? Our new video, website and reports 'Animal Hustlers' exposes the illicit trade in exotic animals in central and eastern Europe www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYaD...youtube.comAnimal HustlersYouTube video by Wild at Heart Investigates 100
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 27/11/2025How much does a tiger cost in Romania or a monkey in Albania? Check out the trailer for our new investigation on animal traffic youtube.com/shorts/Ur0yg...youtube.com'Animal Hustlers' TrailerYouTube video by Wild at Heart Investigates 010
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 26/11/2025“He’s gonna sell Poland to Nazi Germany - that’s what a dealmaker does” 000
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 23/11/2025Monkeys, snakes and baby caiman face abuse on Europe's beaches - will 2026 offer another season of animal suffering? www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh-x...youtube.comMonkey Hustlers of MontenegroYouTube video by Wild at Heart Investigates 010
Reposted by Michael BirdSAINT JAVELIN @saintjavelin.bsky.social · 24/10/2025That’s one hell of a steel butt russians published a video showing an FPV strike on Ukrainian soldiers. The Ukrainian serviceman was extremely lucky cause the drone hit him right in the butt, but didn’t explode. The warhead and the fiber-optic cable separated from the drone. 511410
Reposted by Michael BirdPhotojournalism News @pjournalismnews.bsky.social · 17/10/2025EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR PRESS AND MEDIA FREEDOM: Car bomb attack on investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci rings alarm for media freedom in Italy www.ecpmf.eu/car-bomb-att... @ecpmf.bsky.social #photojournalism #journalism #journalismisnotacrime #pressfreedomecpmf.euCar Bomb Attack on Investigative Journalist Sigfrido RanucciA car bomb targeting Italian journalist Sigfrido Ranucci exposes deepening threats to press freedom in Italy. Journalists and media freedom groups demand urgent protection and justice. 085
Reposted by Michael BirdHenry Mance @henrymance.ft.com · 22/09/2025There should be a high bar for politicians attacking the media, but maybe Ed Davey has half a point here? For example, the first three paragraphs of this BBC story repeat Reform's £243bn figure without saying that the thinktank behind the estimate now disowns it. (This is mentioned in paragraph 35) 961643552
Reposted by Michael BirdAlgorithmWatch @algorithmwatch.org · 06/09/2025The deadline for the #AlgorithmicAccountability Reporting fellowship call is approaching. We have an upcoming Q&A session on September 8 at 18:00 CET. Join us to solve any questions you have before sending your application. Find all the information in our website: algorithmwatch.org/en/open-call.... 171
Reposted by Michael BirdAlgorithmWatch @algorithmwatch.org · 09/08/2025The Industrial Revolution produced not only technical innovation, but also social disruption. What is the situation with the current “AI revolution”? This report by our fellows examines working conditions in this context: EN: algorithmwatch.org/en/ai-revolu... DE: algorithmwatch.org/de/die-ki-re... 074
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 09/08/2025How the AI revolution is built on exploitation of workers in the west: my new investigation with Nathan Schepers for @algorithmwatch. algorithmwatch.org/en/ai-revolu...algorithmwatch.orgThe AI Revolution Comes With the Exploitation of Gig Workers - AlgorithmWatchBusiness process outsourcing (BPO) companies manage the human work behind AI development. However, they face accusations of worker exploitation, underpayment and wage theft. Big tech companies benefit... 010
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 07/06/2025Bucharest Pride 2025 - record number of 30,000 attend diversity demo 1102
Reposted by Michael BirdAlgorithmWatch @algorithmwatch.org · 23/05/2025After interviewing almost 50 clickworkers around the world, our Fellows @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social and Nathan Schepers encountered a sophisticated fraud starting in Facebook and WhatsApp, in which users are lured into buying and/or selling clickwork accounts… Read the full story: t1p.de/qbzjm 🇩🇪⬇️ 263
Reposted by Michael BirdAlgorithmWatch @algorithmwatch.org · 23/05/2025Zwei unserer aktuellen journalistischen Fellows, @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social & Nathan Schepers, sind in einer investigativen Recherche in einen besonderen Schwarzmarkt eingetaucht. Gehandelt wird dort nicht mit Drogen oder Waffen, sondern mit Clickwork-Accounts. Die Reportage auf 🇩🇪: t1p.de/1yhjat1p.deGig Economy: Wie KI-Training einen globalen Schwarzmarkt für Clickwork-Jobs erschaffen hat - AlgorithmWatchUnternehmen, die Daten für das Training von KI aufbereiten, überlassen ihr Personalrecruiting Kriminellen, die vom internationalen Lohndumping profitieren. 041
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 23/05/2025A black market is selling access to platforms that train AI models, and it’s out in the open Our new report for AlgorithmWatch and taz in Berlin algorithmwatch.org/en/scams-and... German: taz.de/!6088209/algorithmwatch.orgScams and Shadow Workers: A Black Market is Selling European Accounts for AI Training - AlgorithmWatchAI data annotation companies are losing control of their supply chain. Criminal networks are taking over the work account management. 000
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 08/05/2025Thanks to @thecwa.bsky.social for shortlisting my crime story 'The Human Imperative' for the annual Margery Allingham Award - proud to be alongside a great list of writers for this prestigious prize thecwa.co.uk/awards-and-c...thecwa.co.ukMargery Allingham Short Mystery Competition - The Crime Writers’ Association 000
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 02/05/2025Thanks to the Mechanics Institute Review (MIR) Online for publishing my short story ‘sugar tiger’ Which introduces the hindolyne - a pet that only appears to its owner when it senses true affection then tells the brutal truth of where it stays the rest of the time mironline.org/fiction/suga... 010
Reposted by Michael BirdEuropean Centre for Press and Media Freedom @ecpmf.bsky.social · 17/04/2025Journalist Antonina Favorskaya, accused of "extremism," along with journalists Konstantin Gabov, Sergey Karelin, and Artyom Kriger, has been sentenced to several years in prison by a Moscow court. Nothing scares an authoritarian government more than true reporting. corporate.dw.com/en/convictio...corporate.dw.comConviction of former DW journalists in RussiaJournalist Antonina Favorskaya, accused of "extremism," along with fellow journalists Konstantin Gabov, Sergey Karelin, and Artyom Kriger, has been sentenced to several years in prison by a Moscow cou... 013
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 12/04/2025Very happy to have made the Longlist for the Margery Allingham Award for @thecwa.bsky.social and congratulations to all the writers here - I can't wait to read your work thecwa.co.uk/awards-and-c...thecwa.co.ukMargery Allingham Short Mystery Competition - The Crime Writers’ Association 110
Reposted by Michael BirdCorylus Books @corylusbooks.bsky.social · 09/04/2025It's with great sorrow that we announce the death of Romanian author Bogdan Teodorescu (1963-2025). Bogdan was not only a personal friend, but also the main reason why Corylus Books came into existence. His political thriller Sword was the first book we published back in 2020 3192
Reposted by Michael BirdFly on the Wall Press @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social · 02/04/2025'The Others': A sweeping love story set against the fall of the Berlin Wall – where love, lies, and revolution collide. The fourth moving novel by Sheena Kalayil, out June 19. Avail for preorder from all bookshops now! www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/product-page... #books📚💙 @inpressbooks.bsky.social 0106
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 11/03/2025Romanian far right candidate for Presidency Călin Georgescu cannot stand in elections in May, rules highest court in România, the Constitutional Court hotnews.ro/calin-george...hotnews.roBREAKING Călin Georgescu nu poate candida în alegerile prezidențiale. Decizia definitivă a fost dată de CCR - HotNews.roContestația lui Călin Georgescu împotriva deciziei de invalidare a candidaturii la alegerile prezidențiale a fost respinsă de Curtea Constituțională, anunță 021
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 07/03/2025“I don’t know if I’ll still be alive on the date of my MRI appointment” LB.UA in @n-ost.bsky.social show how Russia treats the most vulnerable in the occupied Ukrainian territories n-ost.org/article/want...n-ost.orgWant an MRI? Go to Russia. How residents in temporarily-occupied Luhansk cope with the invader’s obstructions to healthcareFind experts, fellow journalists and media organisations to collaborate with 010
Reposted by Michael BirdPositively Birmingham @positivelybrum.bsky.social · 01/03/2025Every Saturday Ukrainian people come and meet and sing in Birmingham's Victoria Square. 0173
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 23/02/2025Yes, and we know the name of the 78-year-old kid who's forced the country to stop the car before it gets to Disneyland 010
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 23/02/2025Romanian Presidential candidate Calin Georgescu asks followers to draw up ‘blacklist’ on X. This is a witch hunt 020
Reposted by Michael BirdBrian Goldstone @brian-goldstone.bsky.social · 16/02/2025This is where we are now: An elementary school at Fort Campbell has removed all books from its library that so much as *allude* to slavery or the civil rights movement. The wholesale erasure of history in real time.clarksvillenow.comBooks mentioning slavery, civil rights removed from shelves at Fort Campbell schools - ClarksvilleNow.comAt an elementary school at Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne Division, librarians are hard at work scrubbing the shelves for books that contain references to slavery, the civil rights movement... 20172783412952
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 16/02/2025Wordle 1,338 🇺🇦 Solidarity 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 000
Reposted by Michael BirdFly on the Wall Press @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social · 12/02/2025See you all tonight! Impulsive readers, you can still grab a ticket here you lucky things - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/s-j-bradle... @blackwellsmcr.bsky.social #books📚💙eventbrite.co.ukS J Bradley & Rachel Bower in conversationJoin us for a fantastic evening of fiction showcasing resilience, community and place. 042
Reposted by Michael BirdLuke Harding @lukeharding1968.bsky.social · 12/02/2025Trump says he will begin negotiations with Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Any "deal" will be scripted by Moscow: Russia keeps territory it has stolen, no Nato membership for Kyiv, US military assistance ends. In short, a recipe for betrayal and further war www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...theguardian.comTrump says he has spoken to Putin and agreed to negotiate Ukraine ceasefireUS president says he called Russian leader and agreed to have teams start negotiations immediately 1412464
Reposted by Michael Birdopendemocracy.net @opendemocracy.net · 31/01/2025🔴 From Ukraine to Uganda, Trump’s aid freeze endangers millions. This is the global impact of Trump’s attack on USAID ⤵️ www.opendemocracy.net/en/trump-for... 84515
Reposted by Michael BirdFly on the Wall Press @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social · 20/01/2025We're so pleased to launching @rosiegarlandwriter.bsky.social at WaterstonesMCR with #NeilCampbell 6 Feb, discussing fab short story collections, #YourSonsAndYourDaughtersAreBeyond & #SayingDirtyThingsInRegionalAccents, exploring the everyday & the supernatural www.waterstones.com/events/in-co... 01513
Reposted by Michael BirdCarole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 23/12/2024Yesterday, the Baron of Siberia posted my investigation into Tortoise on Twitter. I responded saying the Guardian is cancelling my contract after 19 years, so I'd be happy to go to the Indie to carry on investigating Evgeny's dad, the ex-KGB spy. This was a joke! However, here are some facts.. 1/ 28824356
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 23/12/20242024 Worldwide #BoxOffice is a fiasco for original material - only at number 15 is there a movie derived from non pre-existing cinematic intellectual property 100
Reposted by Michael BirdEuropean Centre for Press and Media Freedom @ecpmf.bsky.social · 20/12/2024🛑 The media in #Georgia is under siege. Since November 28, over 80 journalists have faced brutal attacks during Tbilisi protests. Together with 50 press freedom organisations, ECPMF stands with Georgian independent media, urging accountability and action. www.ecpmf.eu/press-freedo...ecpmf.euWe Stand in Solidarity with Journalists in GeorgiaPress freedom groups express solidarity with journalists in Georgia amid escalating attacks on independent media during Tbilisi protests. 065
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 19/12/2024 “This is like Anna Frank’s story, but in 2024,” says a headteacher from the Zaporizhzhia region. Great article on how learning becomes a crime in occupied Ukraine. n-ost.org/article/when... 000
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 30/11/2024Looking to spook a loved one this Christmas? Then look no further than buying 👹 Modern Gothic 👹 5 prescient, mad, scary and downright weird takes on the beloved genre, from The Bookseller award-winning @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/product-page...flyonthewallpress.co.ukModern Gothic | flyonthewallpressOut October 2024 Embark on a chilling journey through nightmarish tales that will captivate the ghoulish modern reader. Encounter landlords with sinister requests, ethereal housemates, and a glass-enc... 171
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 26/11/2024Romania 2024: A Facebook page called 'National Socialism' endorses a sympathiser of the Fascist Legionar movement for President of the country, cheered on by cartoon hands clapping. This could be a head of state in the EU in two weeks 000
Michael Bird @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social · 18/11/2024My cat is looking very noir today: is she about to solve a crime or commit one? 030