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NellyNerd

@nellynerd.bsky.social
898 followers 1.3K following 27 posts

Just me, trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

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Reposted by NellyNerd
WATERSHED Investigations @watershed-i.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Ahead of tomorrow's report on sewage releases, we've loaded data on discharges near bathing sites onto our Watershed Pollution Map for you to investigate & make your own assessment of how water companies are doing. Come on in, the water's lovely... share.google/fJcxMofi3Hi7...
Sewage spills near bathing sites England
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Gillian Brockell @gillianbrockell.com · 17/03/2026
In all my years at WaPo, this happened to me twice, and it was a huge Marty-Baron-is-calling-your-boss-level deal. Now that I’m indy, it’s three times in a month, that I know of! It’s fucking disgusting. I made $220 from paid subscriptions last month and a salaried journalist is stealing from me.
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Gillian Brockell @gillianbrockell.com · 17/03/2026
I emailed the reporter privately an hour and a half ago and have not received a response, hence my publicly blasting them here. 3/
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Gillian Brockell @gillianbrockell.com · 17/03/2026
This @the-independent.com story is such an obvious lift of mine that they didn’t even bother deleting my site’s referral URL. And no, they do not credit me for reporting it first or (intentionally) link to my story. In j-school, rewording someone else’s reporting was called plagiarism. 1/
A screenshot of the landing page for a story from the Independent reading: 

Delta flew 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father to ICE detention in Texas, new video shows

A photo of federal agents detaining Liam Conejo Ramos in Minnesota outraged people across the nation last year
Ariana Baio
Tuesday 17 March 2026 16:15 EDT
A screenshot of the landing page for my story reading: 
Video proves Delta flew Liam Ramos and his dad to ICE detention center
Three plainclothes federal agents can be seen boarding a Delta flight while guarding the 5-year-old boy and his father, right under unsuspecting passengers' noses.
Gillian Brockell
16 Mar 2026 - 8 min readA line from the Independent story reading: 

“The airport footage was obtained through an information disclosure request to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport by activist Nick Benson with MN50501 - a Minnesota-based organization that advocates against Trump's policies.”

I’ve highlighted the part where it links to MN50501. 
A screenshot of a browser window showing that the MN50501 link includes “?ref=gillianbrockell.com”
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Royal Astronomical Society @royalastrosoc.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
More than 100 physics teachers across the UK have now signed our open letter opposing budget cuts to particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics outlined by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. Want to join them? ✍️ 👉️ ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
ras.ac.uk
Physics teachers' open letter on cuts hits 100 signatures
An open letter from UK physics teachers opposing budget cuts proposed by the Government has so far received more than 100 signatures. The Royal Astronomical Society...
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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
For an hour, Jon, Simon and I explained how devastating the proposed cuts will be, not just to the science that we can do, but also the scientists who are the lifeline of the UK economy. Simon made the excellent analogy that cutting funding for ECRs is like chopping the roots off your tree.
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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Here is my run-down of today's Science, Information & Technology Committee hearing (House of Commons) where @jonbutterworth.bsky.social @si-wills.bsky.social & I argued for no funding cuts, & Prof. Michele Doughtery explained why they were needed. The public gallery again packed with physicists 🔭👩‍🔬⚛️
Rows of people wearing orange lanyards in a House of Commons committee hearing.  At the front is Catherine sporting her "I'm about to perform an appendectomy" mask and looking particularly snazzy.
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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
The Science, Innovation & Tech committee have written the most amazing letter to DSIT/UKRI/STFC: "What is clear is that, despite your assertions to the contrary... widespread cuts have been proposed before adequate consultation with those affected was undertaken. This is wholly unacceptable" 💪🔭⚛️🧪
The letter reads:

We were deeply concerned by what we heard, both from witnesses representing the PPAN community and those who contacted us in advance of the hearing.
It is not clear whether the current situation is the by-product of irresponsible financial management and inadequate governance; a conscious decision to set aside the 2009 ‘Drayson partitions’ in order to deprioritise a particular area of scientific research in favour of research facilities; an unintended consequence of wholesale, rushed reforms to the way the UK funds scientific research; or a combination of all three.
What is clear is that, despite your assertions to the contrary in evidence to my committee and our counterparts in the House of Lords, widespread cuts have been proposed before adequate consultation with those affected was undertaken.
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Robert Massey @robertmassey.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
The RAS will be sending these to astro groups across the UK... They look great on every laptop, particularly in meetings with UKRI and DSIT staff...
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Nobody can ever accuse Richard Tice of not loving his money!!... I mean his country... sorry... his country www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
thetimes.com
Reform’s Richard Tice avoided nearly £600,000 in tax
The deputy leader’s property company paid nothing in corporation tax on multimillion-pound profits for most of 2018-21
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Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
"Bylines Network doesn’t have billionaire backers, corporate owners or political paymasters. Our strength comes from people – readers, writers, editors, volunteers and supporters who believe in truth and democracy." Citizen journalism is on the rise. Please chip in!
bylinesnetwork.co.uk
Friends of Bylines Network - Bylines Network
Stand with us – sign up. now to become a Friend of Bylines Network
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Curse of Private Equity US evidence shows: When private equity incentives collide with clinical care, patients—especially those who are sicker, poorer, or harder to treat—are more likely to be killed or harmed. Yet UK handing more of the NHS to PE, enabling it to make profits.
usrtk.org
When profit kills: How private equity is eroding health care
Peer-reviewed studies link private equity takeovers to more deaths and medical complications in nearly every corner of healthcare.
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EveryDoctor @everydoctor.org.uk · 09/03/2026
Is interest the "hidden" drain on the NHS? Our research into 36 trusts found that while £196m was recorded as profit, a massive £326m flowed out as interest. 📉 Interest payments to investors are now outstripping profit. Read the full investigation: 🔗 bit.ly/PFIProfits
A social media graphic from EveryDoctor on a bright blue background titled "How PFI Extracts Money." It features two buckets representing financial outflow. The smaller bucket on the left is labeled "£196m Profit" under an NHS logo. The larger bucket on the right is labeled "£326m Interest" with an arrow pointing toward the word "Investors." Text at the bottom right explains: "£326m flowed out as interest, more than recorded profit."
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Steve Hyndside @stevehyndside.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Changes with last week: Reform: 24 (-2) Greens: 20 (+2) Tories: 17 (-1) Labour: 16 (+1) LDs: 10 (-2)
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LunaLuvgood2020 @lunaluvgood2020.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Did you see this today? Anti #ICE protesters carried a MASSIVE U.S. Constitution through the streets of Minneapolis. Not a flag. Not a slogan. The Constitution. Thousands marched, demanding accountability and asking whether federal enforcement is aligning with the rights written on those pages.
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Dear Shabana, Let's clear some things up around migration and remember we're talking about people's lives.
Dear Shabana,
I notice today that you referred to me in your speech on immigration at the IPPR think tank.
You said: “A party leader should not be on the beaches of France encouraging people to
make a perilous crossing on small boats.”
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised especially after the hateful Labour campaign in Gorton
and Denton, but this is just the latest in a string of lies peddled by a discredited Government
who intentionally fan the flames of racism and division.
When I went to Calais, I was not there to encourage people to travel to the UK. I was there
to see at first hand the suffering your Government and successive Governments have done
in demonising migrants in a pathetic bid to pander to the base instincts of Reform and the
flawed strategy of Morgan McSweeney.
As you will know, if you even bothered to research my visit instead of taking Reform talking
points, I was there to witness the brutality of families living in tents in freezing temperatures. I
filled water tanks and picked up litter.
What that visit did do is confirm my belief that if we are to smash the boat gangs and stop
the boats, we need to offer safer and managed routes for migrants to come to this country.
Showing compassion as a politician is not a crime. In fact, we need to see much more of it.
It reminded me of a young MP who in October 2015 spent three days in Lesbos helping
migrants fleeing war-torn Syria. She posted videos on X, talked about handing out water and
croissants to refugees and food parcels.
When she returned to the UK, she wrote a very moving piece in the New Statesman. She
said “we have to work with our European partners and create new, safe, and legal routes for
refugees to get to Europe. We cannot abandon them to their fate, left as prey for smugglers
whilst risking death on the seas.”
She said “maybe we can make ourselves feel better by saying no-one is making them get on
the boats. And again, the Home Secretary is not entirely wrong when …
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Lilibuster @lilibuster.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Literally leaped out of my office chair to perform a one-woman standing ovation to my laptop screen after reading this 💚👏👏👏👏💚
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EmiB71 @emiliab.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
In fact I suspect that a number of them will have seen fit to suddenly increase their round rent with extortionate amounts. I know that in my area they have suddenly doubled. Initially I didn't know why, but this really makes it obvious. They are squeezing every last penny from leaseholders.
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EmiB71 @emiliab.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
#UK #Politics #Leaseholdership Anyone who was hopeful at finally seeing an end to the extortionate ground rent that freeholders can charge: The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill does not put an end to it In fact, it has a sunset clause of 42 years in it. And freeholders are aware of that.
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God @thegodshow.com · 03/03/2026
JESUS WAS NOT ABOUT WAGING WAR! HE WAS ALL ABOUT GIVING PEOPLE FREE BREAD AND FREE UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE!!
thegodshow.com
Thou Shalt Not Try to Start Armageddon
Stop it.
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
The blatant Islamophobia that Keir Starmer is demonstrating through smearing Mothin Ali would be shocking - but it's becoming a pattern. Smearing a caring man of principle for standing up for peace.
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
This is terrible from Starmer. Just absolute trash. And any normal voter looking at the new MP and then reading this description will think him mad.
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George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
This is negligent homicide. We demand justice for Shah Alam and his family. He was nearly blind, and they left him five miles from his home, forced to try to walk home alone in the dark and the freezing cold.
Screenshot of an X post by journalist Sam Stein stating that DHS claimed it left a man at a coffee shop described as a “warm, safe location,” but video later showed it was the middle of the night, cold, and the coffee shop was closed.Screenshot of an X post from the official Homeland Security account titled “Here are the FACTS.” The statement says Buffalo Police alerted Border Patrol about a non-citizen, that Mr. Shah Alam entered the U.S. as a refugee in December 2024, was not amenable to removal, and accepted a courtesy ride to a coffee shop described as a warm, safe location. It adds that he showed no signs of distress or disability requiring assistance.
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Barbara @veryoldlady.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
It’s happening 👇
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BBC Newsnight @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
“How much did you borrow?” “£84,000...” “…how much do you owe now?” “£110,000” Max Linford discusses how much his student loan has risen despite paying off £8000 since graduating in 2023. #Newsnight
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Anyway he's the worst post war PM for that alone and I hope it haunts that shallow little man forever
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Political people love to debate who the worst modern PM in modern times was but it's unquestionably Cameron. 10 years ago this week he gambled the prosperity and fragile unity of the UK on a referendum on an issue that most people didn't even understand to placate back benchers and fucked us all.
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The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
The detailed and informative replies to the quoted post show how this site can be very good for discussing news events. No site is perfect, but Bluesky has many merits. And this sort of engagement is better than I had with 1/4 million followers on Twitter.
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The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
NEW How Palantir captured the Ministry of Defence How a close read of public domain documents show how MoD was commercially colonised by Palantir By me, at FT www.ft.com/content/5207...
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Ed Davey @eddavey.libdems.org.uk · 20/02/2026
Trump loves suing people.... so the PM should take a leaf out of his book. Starmer should sue the President for illegal damage to the British economy. Don’t worry Donald - we will settle for £100bn, that’s how it works right?
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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
An article in the Guardian this weekend showed just how dangerous the household budget myth is. The UK is not precariously poor, but the myths by which the Treasury and government manage the country are dangerous, condemning us to decline. www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2026/02...
taxresearch.org.uk
Condemning ourselves to decline
Phillip Inman’s column in the Guardian on Saturday made a familiar argument.
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Richard Herring @herring1967.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Ludicrously good line-up for tomorrow's RHLSTP and there's still a few £18.50 tickets left. What do you want London? My other testicle. www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/show/richard... BOOK NOW
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Richard Herring @herring1967.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
It’s today. You will be able to buy tickets on the door but book now to ensure you get an £18.50 one!
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Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Pretty amazing that comms person at FBI called my @ms.now colleague @kendilanian-nbc.bsky.social a liar and demand a correction only for Kash to post a photo from the locker room
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Amra Watson @amrawatson.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Plenty have clocked how Nigel Farage talks to women journalists — pure condescension: “listen, love,” “go write your silly little story.” Know your place. No shock from a man who praises Andrew Tate. The real surprise? It’s only being called out now.
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James O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
So many countries reminding the USA of all the things the USA is supposed to be…
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Daily Herald #FBPE #NAFO 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇬🇱 @dailyherald.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Wes Streeting, Health Secretary: "Farage has announced his Shadow Cabinet, with no Health Secretary. Presumably because if he becomes Prime Minister, there’ll be no NHS."
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Medicare for All - "That's socialism!" Social Security - "That's socialism!" Debt free education - "That's socialism!" Universal childcare - "That's socialism!" Billions for ICE, refurbishing Trump's Qatar jet, and tax cuts for the rich... "That's just how it is."
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Raider @iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
ICE point weapon directly at woman peacefully protesting, just inches in front of her face. Goon is pointing a B&T GL06 grenade launcher and shooting someone at point-blank range with this so-called "less than lethal" ammo could be fatal.
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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
“I’ve never protested before - but I just watched 4th & 5th grade kids run away from our own government.” 😕🇺🇸💔 (From @crindivisible.bsky.social )
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Lancaster for Europe @lancasterforeu.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Brexit enthusiasts really do say the stupidest things, don't they...🙄
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Rachel Maddow @maddow.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
“I am too scared to drive my 5-year-old daughter to school in my husband’s car. I’m terrified ICE will detain me and our daughter will end up alone,” she said. “This is just as scary as the war in Ukraine, except now we don’t have Dmytro with us..." www.thedailybeast.com/laughing-ice...
thedailybeast.com
Laughing ICE Goons Seize Dad Who Fled Ukraine War at Walmart
Dmytro Kulyk is facing deportation as refugees become the Trump administration’s latest target.
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Elliott Payne @elliottpayne.org · 12/02/2026
Someone was abducted at 10 AM by ICE on Central Ave. Their coworker says they’ve lived here for over 20 years, are documented, and have 3 kids who were born here. Don’t be fooled by headlines when they’ve been lying to us the whole time. We still need you out patrolling until every agent is gone.
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Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
“We’re the only country in the world that has mail in ballots”. - Senile Satan
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Norah 🤗 @thenoraheffect.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump is convicted of child molestation against 2 children He attempted to keep one victim quiet by claiming he would receive $10 million from the Trump administration as restitution for former Jan. 6 defendants and would share the money with the victim in his will 😑🖕
nbcnews.com
Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump is convicted of child molestation
Andrew Johnson tried to bribe a child victim with the promise of a Jan. 6-related payout, prosecutors say. Trump has discussed the possibility of compensating rioters, but no one has received any paym...
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sher12.bsky.social @sher12.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 12/02/2026
Walz: "The federal government needs to pay for what they broke here. There's going to be accountability on things that happened, but one of them is the incredible and immense cost borne by the people of this state. The federal government needs to be responsible."
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 11/02/2026
🗺️Daisy Cooper MP: "To your question about Europe, it's right on our doorstep and you just can't fight geography." 🇪🇺"We want to have a better trading relationship with Europe." 🛬 We need a better UK-EU trading relationship. 💪Deeper alignment. Deeper cooperation. Opportunities returned.
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 11/02/2026
The Epstein files show that Brexit was never a “plucky British revolt”. In reality, Brexit was fed, and empowered, by an entire class of oligarchs and autocrats, who thrive on chaos, weak regulation and brittle institutions.
eastangliabylines.co.uk
The will of the rich and powerful: Brexit and the Epstein files
The Epstein files reveal the role of Brexit in a global network which stands to gain from undermining democracy itself
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 10/02/2026
Straight out of the Trump handbook. Reform UK is threatening to defund a Welsh university simply because a debating society turned them down. Are they serious? www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wale…
dailypost.co.uk
Reform threatens to defund Welsh university after student society's debate ban
The warning over funding came after the Bangor Debating & Political Society refused a request from Reform for Q and A wi
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