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Ola M

@polam.bsky.social
154 followers 419 following 0 posts

Interests: psychology, weight training, motor sports 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺🇵🇱

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Reposted by Ola M
Henry Mance @henrymance.ft.com · 28/09/2026
“A lot of people want to be famous and have a public profile, but they only see the positive side of that reality,” Vozinha says. “To be honest, if I were offered the life I have today or the life I had before, I’d choose the one I had before.” observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
observer.co.uk
Cape Verde hero Vozinha: ‘I preferred my life before fame’
The goalkeeper became a star with a sensational performance against Spain in this summer’s World Cup, but has discovered the downsides to his new-found celebrity
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Bylines Network @bylinesnetwork.co.uk · 26/09/2026
What happens when public transport becomes a victim of its own success? Passengers like this busway service: it’s convenient and reliable. But overcrowding can leave them standing, waiting for another bus – or returning to their cars. @eastangliabylines.co.uk
eastangliabylines.co.uk
Cambs busway: popular, reliable, but overcrowded
A recent survey by Cambridgeshire Sustainable Travel Alliance has exposed bus overcrowding in Northstowe
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Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
📌 ICYMI — UN Acknowledges ‘Conflicts’ of Interest After Byline Times Exposes AI Panel’s Ties to OpenAI and Anthropic Funders — @nafeez.bsky.social The supposedly independent panel has close ties to donors who financed the AI giants they have assessed, a Byline Times investigation has found
bylinetimes.com
UN Acknowledges ‘Conflicts’ of Interest After Byline Times Exposes AI Panel’s Ties to OpenAI and Anthropic Funders
The supposedly independent panel has close ties to donors who financed the AI giants they have assessed, a Byline Times investigation has found
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Good Law Project @goodlawproject.org · 26/09/2026
The latest High Court judge appointees are all white, and nine out of ten are men – no wonder the legal system fails to deliver justice 👀 goodlawproject.org/the-new-high-cou…
goodlawproject.org
The new High Court judges: 90% male, 100% white | Good Law Project
The latest High Court judge appointees are all white, and nine out of ten are men – no wonder the legal system fails to deliver justice
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Reposted by Ola M
The Canary @thecanaryuk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
C4 Dispatches tonight exposes what UK govt knows about Israel's crimes Among other things, the Dispatches trailer suggests that the show has evidence of the Foreign Office's explicit knowledge of Israel's genocide www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/20...
thecanary.co
C4 Dispatches tonight exposes what UK govt knows about Israel's crimes
Among other things, Dispatches trailer suggests that the show has evidence of the Foreign Office's explicit knowledge of Israel's genocide
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The Daily Britain @thedailybritain.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Lewis is now calling for legally enforceable revolving-door rules, a cap on political donations, an end to MPs' second jobs and the abolition of the House of Lords. Watson has taken leave from the Lords while working for Palantir.
theguardian.com
Tom Watson’s move to Palantir is the latest sign of how far the rot has spread in UK politics | Clive Lewis
When a former Labour deputy leader joins a firm built on surveillance and military targeting, it deepens public cynicism – and democracy depends on trust, says Labour MP Clive Lewis
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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The Hijab Series: 'What if' (2014) by Yemeni photographer Boushra Almutawakel #womensart
A series of six monochrome photographs showing a man and a woman, in stages the man is eventually shown wearing the burka that the woman wears in the first image, while the woman eventually is uncovered to wear clothes with no headdress
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Reposted by Ola M
Ballot Box Scotland @ballotbox.scot · 22/09/2026
New article: Local Government reform done for the wrong reasons will be a disaster There is a kernel of positivity in the Scottish Government's plans, but let's be frank: if they fully get their way, they will destroy local democracy entirely. Yes, it's that bad.
ballotbox.scot
Local Government reform done for the wrong reasons will be a disaster
There is a kernel of positivity in the Scottish Government's plans, but let's be frank: if they fully get their way, they will destroy local democracy entirely. Yes, it's that bad.
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Reposted by Ola M
Believe in Scotland @believeinscotland.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland has the right to decide its own future. 🟥 The Scottish Parliament has voted 84 to 18 in favour of Scotland’s right to choose its own future. 📝 They’ve backed Scotland’s right to choose. Will you? ✍️ Sign the petition: www.believeinscotland.org/indyref_peti...
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HOPE not hate @hopenothate.org.uk · 21/09/2026
NEW: In 2021, Stephen Lennon declared himself bankrupt, claiming he had no assets. He denies any involvement in Casual Basement, a clothing company that, in the most recent available financial accounts, had an equity of over £400,000. So why was he filmed locking up its warehouse?
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Reposted by Ola M
Rhoda Meek @wodieskodie.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
We love Stornoway: Diesel powering EV chargers as firms quit Isles welovestornoway.com/index.php/artic… #scothinews
welovestornoway.com
We love Stornoway: Diesel powering EV chargers as firms quit Isles
A lack of commercial interest in the Western Isles EV charging network is forcing Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to foot the bill while charge points continue to be partially powered by diesel generators
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Reposted by Ola M
Hilary Osborne @hilaryosborne.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
www.theguardian.com/money/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Domestic datacentres: how computer power can help heat your home
Energy bills are scheduled to rise next month but there are innovative ways to heat your home and save money
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Reposted by Ola M
Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Building a feminist nation. Feminist academics & writers propose excellent manifesto of well researched policies to improve women's lives in Scotland. Free download. books.sup.ac.uk/sup/catalog/... @sarasheridan
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The Life of Sharks @thelifeofsharks.com · 16/09/2026
Line-Up.
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Dale Vince @dalevince.com · 16/09/2026
We need to end that practice in any event. Britain’s Banks are on Benefits, despite their enormous profits - we shovel money to them. www.thetimes.com/business/eco...
thetimes.com
https://www.thetimes.com/business/economics/article/uk-inflation-rate-rises-to-31-per-cent-nzx6wnd03?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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Reposted by Ola M
Shona Murray @shonamurray.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
“As Irish people..we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up…” variety.com/2026/music/n...
variety.com
Ed Sheeran Opener Aaron Rowe Pulls Out of Tour After Macklemore Dropped: ‘I Cannot Allow Billionaires to Silence Rightful Voices’
The Irish singer-songwriter has dropped out of Sheeran's Loop tour after Macklemore was dismissed for supporting Palestine.
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Peter Lipman @peterlipman.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Warning: our democracy won’t survive the death of reading. Read on if you still can www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Warning: our democracy won’t survive the death of reading. Read on if you still can | John Harris
While fascists protest in UK ports and purvey nonsense and poison online, ever fewer people have the perspective or analytical tools to challenge them, says Guardian columnist John Harris
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Reposted by Ola M
Morten Morland @mortenmorland.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Sunday’s @thetimes cartoon times.newsprints.co.uk/morten-morla...
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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 13/09/2026
🔴 NEW: This US-style right-wing political pressure group keeps its funders a secret. Its members have helped man Scotland’s anti-migrant and asylum demonstrations. Find out more: www.theferret.scot/p/a133bcc2-0540-…
Protesters stand behind barriers facing police, with Union Jack, Saltire and Royal Banner of Scotland flags overhead. Headline reads: “‘Dark’ money pressure group helped man Scots anti-asylum protests.”
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Reposted by Ola M
The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · 11/09/2026
At what point should we step in when AI is making travel bookings for us?
theconversation.com
Travel bots are making decisions for us – convenient, but should we trust them?
At what point should we step in when AI is making travel bookings for us?
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Reposted by Ola M
Andrew Copson @andrewcopson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Bishops and Archbishops have voted against: abolition of slavery, abolition of death penalty, decriminalising abortion, decriminalising gay sex, same-sex marriage. So this is just the latest in long tradition of opposition to choice and freedom. It's scandalous that they get to vote on laws at all!
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Reposted by Ola M
Euronews @euronews.com · 10/09/2026
The French medicines agency (ANSM) urges women who take desogestrel contraceptives to seek medical advice if they develop suggestive symptoms, such as persistent headaches, visual disturbances or memory loss.
l.euronews.com
Desogestrel contraceptives: 1.6 million French women warned of tumour risk
The French medicines agency (ANSM) urges women who take desogestrel contraceptives to seek medical advice if they develop suggestive symptoms, such as persistent headaches, visual disturbances or memory loss.
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Reposted by Ola M
Bylines Network @bylinesnetwork.co.uk · 09/09/2026
How medical misogyny is letting women down Women make up half the population, and yet their health is severely overlooked - and underfunded. It's time to address the elephant in the room | Alazne Mountjoy @kentandsurreybylines.co.uk
kentandsurreybylines.co.uk
How medical misogyny is letting women down
Women make up half the population, and yet their health is severely overlooked - and underfunded. It's time to address the elephant in the room
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Morten Morland @mortenmorland.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Tuesday’s @thetimes.com cartoon times.newsprints.co.uk/morten-morla...
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Natasha Devon @natashadevon.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I wrote about how politicians need (PLEASE) to stop using the phrase ‘legitimate concerns about immigration’, particularly when responsible to far-right riots. www.lbc.co.uk/article/legi...
lbc.co.uk
Britain does not have an immigration problem, it has a nuance problem writes Natasha Devon | LBC
By endlessly repeating that people’s anxieties are ‘legitimate’, politicians are giving credence to the far-right’s propaganda and inadvertently stoking the tensions they were designed to rile up.
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Reposted by Ola M
The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · 07/09/2026
People are hardwired to believe they’re in danger – and politicians can tap into this.
theconversation.com
Crime is falling – but the public doesn’t feel safer, study finds
People are hardwired to believe they’re in danger – and politicians can tap into this.
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Reposted by Ola M
Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Any politician calling to leave the ECHR is lying about what that will achieve. It won’t solve any problem or improve our lives It will make us worse off and remove our rights. Just like Brexit. The ECHR belongs to us all. It’s not theirs to take. Please sign www.europeanmovement.co.uk/echr-petition
europeanmovement.co.uk
Act now to protect the UK's place in the ECHR
Sign the European Movement UK's petition now if you agree: Britain must remain in the ECHR
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Reposted by Ola M
Tom Gauld @tomgauld.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
My latest books cartoon for @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/books/pictur...
Title: Methods for Encouraging a Reluctant Young Reader 
 

Panel 1
Caption: Read Together 
Image: A small child sits on a sofa, face buried in a book, between two adults doing the same.

Panel 2
Caption: Bribery
Image: The small child sits on a treasure chest wearing a crown, face buried in a book, in a room full of coins, jewels and precious items.

Panel 3
Caption: Element of danger
Image: The small child sits, face buried in a book, precariously balanced on a thin branch in a tall tree.

Panel 4
Caption: Reverse Psychology
Image: The small child sits, face buried in a book, beside a huge bookshelf and a sign that reads “Adults Only”

Panel 5
Caption: Pulleys and Pistons
Image: The small child sits, face buried in a book, amidst a complicated mechanism that provides endless new books.

Panel 6
Caption: Rituals and Incantations
Image: The small child sits, face buried in a book, in a circle of candles amidst clouds of smoke and mysterious phrases.
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Reposted by Ola M
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Andy Burnham quietly comes to Scotland, not for speaking to Scots as part of his 'listening tour', nor speaking to the Scottish press, but to see the King. There was a sizeable press pack (though not ScotPol) at Braemar Highland Gathering, but not at Balmoral. www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottis...
dailyrecord.co.uk
Andy Burnham joins King and Queen at church service in Scotland
King Charles III and Queen Camila were joined by Prime Minister Andy Burnham for a service at Crathie Kirk.
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Reposted by Ola M
The Canary @thecanaryuk.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
NHS England refuses Palantir review NHS England has once again confirmed that patients cannot opt out from having their personal data handled by US spy firm Palantir By @willem-moore.bsky.social
thecanary.co
NHS England refuses Palantir review
NHS England has once again confirmed that patients cannot opt out from having their personal data handled by US spy firm Palantir
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Reposted by Ola M
Rob Edwards @robedwards5.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
This is a fascinating exposé by @danielshailer.bsky.social.
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Reposted by Ola M
Monica Lennon @monicalennon.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Before we rush to build the infrastructure of tomorrow, we should listen to the communities asking the questions our governments are not. Who really pays the price - and who gets the profit? Because the AI revolution should work for people, and our planet . Not the other way around.
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Monica Lennon @monicalennon.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
In my Sunday Mail columm today, I make the case for a moratorium on new hyper-scale data centres in Scotland . I worry that our governments have become too unquestioning in the rush to attract investment. Anyone asking fair questions risks being labelled anti-technology, anti-growth or a NIMBY.
The image is a Sunday Mail newspaper column by Monica Lennon MSP,  as laid out on the page. The main article discusses the proposals for hyper-scale data centres in Scotland. There is a smaller section at the bottom of the page marking the death of Dolly Parton with the headline ‘why all of us should try to be a little more Dolly.”
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Stephen Collins @stephencollins.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
This was from 2024 but I did the exact same thing two weeks ago because I never learn
[In the style of tent instructions booklet]

INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPACKING YOUR
B-STARD 3000

Your
B-STARD 3000
tent
uses an innovative and mysterious technology which makes it 4x harder to repack than it was to put up.

1.
Start by making the mistake of thinking it will be as easy to repack as it was to put up.

2.
Leave it till an hour before check out time.


3.
Take it down and fold it in half.

4.
Realise that's not right and fold it into thirds.


5.
Have an argument in front of the other families about how to repack your tent.


6.
Look up a video on YouTube of a cheerful German person repacking a completely different model of tent.

7.
Gaze covetously at the air tent next door.

8.
Roll the tent into an infinitesimally small sausage while wiping it off as you go.


9.
Marvel at how it is still Somehow three times too big for the bag.

10.
Jam the rest in the car because it's bloody raining now youve taken so
long.

11.
Spend the next two days drying it out at home.

[Ends]
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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
🔴 NEW: Special advisers accepted hospitality from lobbyists and businesses 700 times + since Labour took power Glastonbury tickets, Taylor Swift, UFC fights + more SpAds sit outside the UK lobbying rules. So no one knows what was actually discussed🧵 democracyforsale.substack.com/p/the-700-fr...
democracyforsale.substack.com
The 700 freebies: how lobbyists and businesses courted Labour's special advisers
A Democracy for Sale investigation reveals the scale of hospitality accepted by ‘spads’ – and how little the public is allowed to know about it
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Reposted by Ola M
Euronews @euronews.com · 29/08/2026
One hypothesis is that making an invisible symptom something patients can see, hear and respond to gives them greater control over it.
l.euronews.com
How VR helped a woman silence 27 years of schizophrenia voices
One hypothesis is that making an invisible symptom something patients can see, hear and respond to gives them greater control over it.
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Reposted by Ola M
The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · 26/08/2026
Maybe it’s time we all started ‘moderation-maxxing’.
tcnv.link
Our obsession with ‘maxxing’ every aspect of our lives could actually be stressing us out
Maybe it’s time we all started ‘moderation-maxxing’.
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Reposted by Ola M
Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I have written to the Cabinet Secretary to seek assurances that the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, who was lobbying for the privatised water industry until recently, has had no involvement in talks about the future of Thames Water.
25th August 2026
Dear Antonia,
It is reported in the media today that the Prime Minister has ‘shelved’ plans to take Thames Water into administration.
As is well known, the Chief of Staff in Downing Street James Purnell was until his appointment, the Chief Executive of Flint Global, whose clients it is widely reported include members of the privatised water industry, and Thames Water’s bondholders. 
The Times reports that the Prime Minister has been ‘advised by officials’ not to go ahead with special administration. In addition to James Purnell, can you confirm that no other officials involved in this process have links to the privatised water industry, and have accepted no hospitality from anyone associated with or acting on behalf of members of the water industry, including Flint Global, post the departure of James Purnell. 
It is especially concerning that the Times reports that the Prime Minister has listened to advice that even the half measure of temporary special administration would be costly and run into legal issues. Of course, this is what advisers and lobbyists for the privatised water industry will be saying and it is the ‘advice’ James Purnell would have been making weeks ago, It is also highly unlikely to be true, given the repeated catastrophic failures of Thames Water, including polluted rivers, sky high bills and water shortages, Thames Water could be taken into public ownership right now and Thames Water would not have a legal leg to stand on.
The public and I expect a proper explanation for this decision, including an update to parliament at the first possible time, and assurances that James Purnell has had nothing at all to
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The Canary @thecanaryuk.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Scots agree with Murray's no-referendum independence proposal Author Craig Murray put forward a plan to make Scotland independent of its blighted southern neighbour - and people like it
thecanary.co
Scots agree with Murray's no-referendum independence proposal
Author Craig Murray put forward a plan to make Scotland independent of its blighted southern neighbour - and people like it
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The Canary @thecanaryuk.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Paramount have smeared Mark Ruffalo because he dared to highlight that owner Larry Ellison's tech company has supported Israel's genocide
thecanary.co
Mark Ruffalo hits back at ‘antisemitism’ smear
Paramount have smeared Mark Ruffalo because he dared to highlight that owner Larry Ellison's tech company has supported Israel's genocide
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Dana R. Fisher (aka the Apocalyptic Optimist) @fisherdanar.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Important new study that shows the most influential political decisionmakers on climate--parliamentarians (in this paper: MPs in the UK)--Underestimate public support for climate policies and also Overestimate levels of public opposition www.nature.com/articles/s44...
nature.com
Perception gaps in the British Parliament reveal a possible pathway to stronger climate policy action - Communications Sustainability
United Kingdom Parliament members underestimate support for climate policies, yet the patterns reveal a correctable pathway to stronger advocacy, according to a survey experiment comparing their estim...
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Gina Rippon @ginarippon.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
This is a sensitive counterpoint to much recent comment. ANd from one who clearly knows! Uta Frith Would Have Diagnosed Me With Asperger’s. Now She’s Not So Sure. open.substack.com/pub/holdenth...
open.substack.com
Uta Frith Would Have Diagnosed Me With Asperger’s. Now She’s Not So Sure.
Dispatch from her home in Harrow-on-the-Hill, London
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The Canary @thecanaryuk.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
US ambassador to Belgium threatened Ghent university for suspending the literal ethno-supremacist 'professor' Via @skwawkbox.org
thecanary.co
Power behind racist Cofnas revealed as US threatens Ghent university
US ambassador to Belgium threatened Ghent university for suspending the literal ethno-supremacist 'professor'
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John Harris @johnharris1969.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Great piece by @ginarippon.bsky.social about last night's C4 ADHD programme www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
There is nothing scientific about The Great ADHD Myth? ‘documentary’ | Gina Rippon
Channel 4’s programme wastes a chance to ask important questions about how ADHD is diagnosed and treated, instead indulging in unscientific methods and conspiracy theories, says author Gina Rippon
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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 19/08/2026
Bold action on air pollution works. Take London’s example. After the ULEZ was introduced, new research shows that children’s lung function improved in Central London, catching up to levels outside London.
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The Optimist Daily @optimistdaily.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The premise behind rage workouts is that intense physical exertion gives anger somewhere to go, but a review of 154 studies covering more than 10,000 participants suggests it doesn’t work that way. www.optimistdaily.com/2026/08/rage...
optimistdaily.com
Rage workouts don’t calm you down, research finds. Here’s what does. | The Optimist Daily
A review of 154 studies finds vigorous exercise while angry keeps the body in fight-or-flight. The activities that help are less obvious.
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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Why did Monica Lennon fail to make the cut for ScotLab leader? Farage won Clacton but Reform’s benefits clampdown may hit its own support. Why is Ecotricity boss backing new oil fields? How will SNP react to UDI poll? Listen lesleyriddoch.com/podcast
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David Osland @davidosland.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
What would happen in your workplace if an employee rarely showed up in the office, spent more time on side hustles than the firm's business, came up on a disciplinary and then voluntarily reapplied for their job?
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Lucy Jackson @lucyajackson.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Fun fact: I love space... In another life, I would have been an astronaut (if I wasn't so terrible at science) 🚀 I've put together a handy guide for today's solar eclipse - including when it will start, and where to see it in Scotland I hope you get the chance to see it! And stay safe! 🌘
thenational.scot
When today's solar eclipse will start – and how to see it in Scotland
The UK is set to see its fullest solar eclipse for the next 54 years – but will it be visible in Scotland?
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