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Richard in Bristol

@rickybrs.bsky.social
134 followers 90 following 483 posts

Welsh man who's been living in Bristol for quite a few years. Politics firmly to the left.

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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
When you've got Tom Watson as an enemy you know you're doing something right. Keep it up @labourlewis.bsky.social and great reporting as always @carolecadwalla.bsky.social www.thenerve.news/p/clive-lewi...
thenerve.news
'We’re watching you’: MP Clive Lewis reveals Tom Watson has warned him over criticising Palantir
In a letter to his former Labour colleague, the peer, who joined Peter Thiel’s AI company this month, writes: ‘You have made the case against the company more or less continuously’. By Carole Cadwalla...
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Apparently the vans had broken down as they'd put a "quantity of petrol" in the tank as they couldn't afford the diesel www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
RAF Fairford: 'Quantity of petrol' but no explosives found in three vehicles
Police say the decision to release five men on bail is one "grounded in experience and strategy".
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Is it really the case that pensioners across the UK lose out and the money goes on a care system just for the English? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Andy Burnham pledges pension triple lock changes to fund care reforms
The PM was at times emotional during his conference speech in which he outlined his long-term plan for the UK.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I'm assuming it's now perfectly legal to break into Sam Altman's home or office and steal pretty much what you like. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
OpenAI bots meddled with US government agencies, including SEC and Census
OpenAI said its bots accessed public data from a range of institutions during test exercises.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
In olden days if a knight of the realm spoke with disloyalty they would get all possessions taken, get stripped of their title and then get a deep sense of separation in the neck area. Nowadays best just to say "Shut up Jim and stay in Monaco you're not welcome here". www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Billionaire Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he has lost confidence in UK
Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe tells the BBC he thinks the country is "on the slide" and calls for more investment in the North Sea.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
They are just an ordinary political party (or private company a actually) fighting against the establishment working for the downtrodden people of Britain who happened to be funded by billionaires - more than one of whom has been convicted of serious crimes. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Ben Delo: Reform receives record £36m donation from cryptocurrency billionaire
Ben Delo's donation, the biggest single sum ever given to a political party in the UK, comes amid scrutiny of Reform's finances.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Maybe he's putting together content for a rival to Rich and Ally's Craven Newsround @herring1967.bsky.social
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Let's be clear, the violence wasn't sparked by the arrival of 120 asylum seekers it was sparked by the arrival of several hundred fascists. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Police seek to identify protesters behind Portsmouth anti-migrant disorder
Sarah Jones told MPs the violence sparked by the arrival of 120 migrants in a single dinghy was "intimidating and thuggish".
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Why do the names and faces of ignorant pricks from the British far right get so much coverage on the BBC. Yes report on the general thuggery but don't keep giving them publicity by profiling the leaders. I'm happy being blissfully unaware of the name and nickname of the latest far right extremist
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Not only were the police slow to respond but also they took no action whatsoever. Maybe when it comes to fascist mobs the police are never going to do anything. Fortunately there are more of us than them. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Police slow to respond to Dover protest, says council boss
The "exceptionally well organised" protest "caught several agencies on the hoof", the leader says.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
There doesn't seem to be any mention of how many arrests were made. If we live in a country where far right thugs can do as they please whilst campaigning pensioners get arrested as terrorists then we have a serious problem. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Disruption at Port of Dover due to 'stop the boats' protest
The government says it condemns "the behaviour in Dover" and the hours-long disruption it caused.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
So apparently this is an anti immigration protest. I'm assuming each person will be arrested for conspiracy to cause a public nuisance and face around 5 years in prison just as the Just Stop Oil protesters did when they blockaded the M25. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Disruption at Port of Dover as masked men hold protest
Images appear to show hundreds of protesters, all dressed in black and wearing face coverings.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
They are not settlements, it's land seized illegally by terrorists funded by the Israeli state. This invasion of a sovereign country has to stop and we must boycott all Israeli goods and services, stop funding Israel and impose the strictest sanctions against the regime www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Israel re-establishes closed West Bank settlement, defying growing international protests
Thirty "pioneer families" have arrived on a wave of nationalism driven by Israel's government, but the rapid change has left nearby Palestinian residents fearful.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
The BBC is really no better than the Daily Mail. The advice is on what constitutes rape and harassment in the UK. It recognises that perceptions may be different in other countries. Even in the so called civilised UK it was not illegal to rape your wife before 1991. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Asylum seekers told rape and harassment illegal in UK in new Home Office booklet
The nine-page booklet covers issues including respect in public, sex and consent, and gender equality.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
I like Mackenzie Crook so I do hope that the write up of this film which describes Colin Pillinger and the Beagle 2 mission team as farmer and a bunch of misfits is a mistake. He was an eminent UK scientist and the team made the UK the 3rd country to land on Mars www.chortle.co.uk/news/2026/05...
chortle.co.uk
Mackenzie Crook to direct his first film : News 2026 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide
Mackenzie Crook to direct his first film - Starring fellow Detectorist Toby Jones
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Whether it be a circus ring, a field in a zoo or a 10 acre habitat - it's a prison for a wild animal. Keeping wild animals in captivity is cruel no matter how big the cage. www.itv.com/news/meridia...
itv.com
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Coming soon to Theatre Royal in Bath a genocide apologist and a transphobic has been. Miss it at your pleasure. www.theatreroyal.org.uk/events/prese...
Tracy Ann Oberman and James Dreyfus feature in play at Theatre Royal Bath. Both controversial actors, she has some very vocal views in support of Israel and he has been very vocal on his views against Trans people
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
It's not always bad news on the BBC. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas specials cancelled after star breaks jaw
The sitcom's creator says he requires "immediate" surgery but hopes the show will return in 2027.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Tragic loss of life. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Jason Arday: Former Cambridge university professor found dead
Emergency services said a man was found "unresponsive" at an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
I guess now he's banned the BBQs we don't need all the other environment stuff. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham moves to cut new EV sales targets
Possible cut from 80% down to as little as 50% could add millions of tonnes of CO2 to emissions and comes amid UK heatwaves
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
I don't understand why the BBC still insists on calling these people settlers. Even Mike Huckabee sees what they are and calls them terrorists and says their behaviour is thugish. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
More troops to be sent to West Bank village besieged by Israeli settlers
Two Palestinian families in the village of Qusra say they have been trapped in their homes, with water and power cut off, since Sunday.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
So it's not extreme heat and no rain causing these wildfires, it's portable BBQs. Yet another Labour leader gives us the truth about who Labour really are. My advice #VoteGreen www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Burnham urges shops not to sell disposable BBQs over wildfire risks
The PM wants the public to avoid using single-use grills during the current spell of extremely dry weather.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
A tragic case for the family but the facts are that the young offenders were cleared of murder and sentenced for manslaughter. There was no appeal at the time. If there is a failing here it was a failing of the CPS originally to put together a better case. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Why PC Andrew Harper's death touched so many
The early release of two of his killers has brought a case which still resonates with the public back into the spotlight.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
And another law breaking company comes to the fore. If you break the law you need to pay the consequences whether it was a human or some code that did it. I'm sure Zuckerberg can afford to pay a fine, he can use the money he's clearly been saving on haircuts. 💇 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
More illegal activity from AI tools. Treat the companies as you would any other and prosecute the responsible people. If you can't prove who is responsible then responsiblity lies with the CEO or board depending on the company governance structures. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Anthropic AI created fake profiles to deceive people in attempted hack
The UK's AI Safety Institute said recent behaviour from Anthropic and OpenAI models was malicious and unprecedented.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
What should really be taken from these polls is that over 50% support broadly progressive parties (I'm including Labour and LibDem in this due to public perception not actions). The hateful right wing policies of the right do not represent the majority. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Sir John Curtice: The "Burnham bounce" is real but it's not massive
The governing party's poll ratings have improved but they're only just ahead of Reform
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Lots of errors in this BBC report. It's not just an outpost it's an illegal outpost. They are not settlers they are invaders. Most of all though, why is the BBC giving a platform to these far right racist terrorists? It should be illegal to offer them a platform. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Israeli West Bank settler tells BBC attacks on Palestinians are justified as revenge
Settler violence against Palestinians is on the rise in the West Bank, as settlements and outposts expand.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
This should be treated like any corporation that comitts a criminal act. The people behind Anthropic need to be prosecuted, as do those behind Chat GPT. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Anthropic's Claude AI escapes tests to hack three organisations
It comes just days after rival OpenAI said rogue AI agents had breached other firms' networks.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Let's hope the ban gets overturned. Whilst this Labour government continues to have ministers who receive funding from Israel they don't have my vote. I don't believe in Israel and anyone who does has no place in the Labour party. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Palestine Action ban to be reviewed by Supreme Court
The UK's highest court gives Palestine Action's co-founder permission to appeal the government's proscription of the group under anti-terrorism legislation.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Parts of this sound good but it runs the risk of restricting kids from certain areas as fodder for the local factory. I wonder how many kids in Eton or Harrow will end up on the vocational path? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Schools to offer technical subjects to pupils from age 14, Burnham says
The government wants pupils to take courses like AI and manufacturing which are linked to local jobs.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Hardly surprising that Jones couldn't keep his mouth shut. He's way to the right of most Labour members and certainly not a good representative for his constituency. The chance of Labour winning Bristol North West with him is about zero. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Starmer ally takes swipe at Burnham's first big policy
Sir Keir Starmer's former right hand man Darren Jones says Andy Burnham's VAT cut is unfunded.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
So nothing so far to improve cost of living but at least the oil companies will get what they want. Plus ca change. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Burnham to announce plans for new North Sea oil and gas drilling
Drilling has become a controversial topic for the Labour party after the 2024 manifesto pledged to not issue new licenses.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
These problems can be solved by better enforcement of renting rules and a total ban on new HMOs. If landlords leave the market that's great news, HMRC coffers will be boosted by the capital gains tax revenue and housing stock freed up for purchase for social housing. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
'Work, sleep, repeat': renting in England’s most expensive city
Tenants in Bristol say they spend nearly half their wages on rent as costs reshape everyday life.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
He doesn't like it when he's questioned does he. More like this please BBC - keep scraping the surface and the whole country will soon see him as the greedy frog faced little racist he is. I forsee some movements in the polls. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Farage says £5m gift spending details 'not public's business'
Rival parties have raised concerns over the gift received by the Reform UK leader before he became an MP.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
I've never been a supporter of Starmer's approach and many of his policies but he's made a dignified exit. Of his successes the renters reform bill has the potential to transform the lives of so many if only there was more publicity around it. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
theguardian.com
Starmer announces resignation as prime minister and leader of the Labour party - UK politics live
The prime minister said a new leader will be in place before parliament returns in September
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
This decision doesn't surprise me but it's a bad day for democracy when the right to protest is curtailed like this. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Palestine Action ban is lawful, Court of Appeal rules
The Home Office had challenged a High Court ruling that the group's proscription should be quashed.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
I guess nobody can disagree with me now when I call him a frog faced racist. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Nigel Farage vows to ban foreign nationals from social housing
The Reform UK leader says tenants would have three months to find a new home or face potential deportation.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Proof that there's no need to pander to the racist ideology. We beat them by showing that we are united and cannot be divided. The workers united will never be defeated. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Belfast protest: Thousands gather for anti-racism rally
Protesters gathered at Belfast City Hall for a demonstration against racism, after the past week of violence and disorder.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Maybe the best way to get peace in the middle east would be to strategically destroy Israel's combat infrastructure. Oh and to follow on from that don't sell (or rather give) them any more. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Israel carries out air strikes on Lebanon, state media says
The strikes come as Iran's foreign minister says a deal to end fighting with the US is close.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Here's a perfect example of where increased defence spending would lead us. Petty warmongers starting unecessary conflicts which achieve nothing apart from the death of innocent people and destruction of homes. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
theguardian.com
US-Iran peace deal remains elusive as Trump and Tehran trade conflicting claims
US president dismisses Iranian media reports agreement is close, despite earlier suggesting a deal could be signed this weekend
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
We need to see more enforcement of regulations in Bristol. There are many properties being let out without licences and landlords getting away with unsafe practices. Fine them the maximum and compulsory purchase their properties to cover the fines. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Bristol is England's least affordable city to rent in - should more be done?
Data shows the average cost of rent in the city amounts to 45% of the average salary.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Before you accept the points raised here it's worth checking out the background of Rachel Cashman who is quoted in the piece. Her organization expresses views that may be perceived to be trans exclusionary and she associates with well known anti trans activists. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Dozens of children put at risk after gender care failures at GP clinic, inquiry finds
A safety inquiry into the WellBN clinic in Brighton found 78 children were potentially harmed after being given gender medication without proper checks.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
There are so many of these men hiding in plain sight. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
David Sullivan banned from contact with West Ham women's and youth teams since 2023
The decision followed a safeguarding investigation opened by the the Football Association.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
All you need to know about this story is the company is run by Sunkaet Pathak. He's the man behind the Synapse fintech platform that spectacularly failed in 2024. It was heavy on hype and marketing as it seems is this. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Could humanoid robots be heading for the battlefield?
Armed forces are experimenting with humanoid robots, but battlefield deployment is some way off.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Can somebody please tell these American prats that they all come from immigrants. Actually, we are all immigrants when it comes down to it. We migrated from an area in Africa just about where Rwanda is now. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Hegseth attacks Europe over 'invasion' of migrants in D-Day speech
The US defence secretary was speaking in Normandy, 82 years after allied forces launched their operation to liberate Nazi-occupied north-western Europe.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Israel is governed by a genocidal regime. Members of it's government openly call for the removal of Palestinians from their homeland. Opposing this isn't antisemitism it's common sense. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
NHS staff should be banned from wearing pro-Palestinian badges, report recommends
The recommendation is one of several from Lord Mann, whose review examined antisemitism within the organisation.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
I'm bemused that the founder of St Skeletor's day and famous Somerset alumni @herring1967.bsky.social didn't get a part in this film. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Masters of the Universe filming sees Somerset sites 'transformed'
Wells Cathedral and Wookey Hole Caves provide the backdrop for scenes in Masters of the Universe.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
On point one, employers of employees under 21 earning less than £4189 per month pay no NI at all so what is he going to cut? On point two, this will have no impact on cost of living and just go into exchequer coffers to pay interest on gov debt. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Streeting suggests NI cut and North Sea drilling
The former health secretary has been distancing himself from policies pursued by Sir Keir Starmer's government.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
A sensible approach that carefully considers the risks of over treatment. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Prostate cancer screening only for "a few thousand" at risk men
Only men with a dangerous genetic variant and a family history of cancer should be offered screening, say UK advisors.
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Richard in Bristol @rickybrs.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
You can tell the measure of a politician in what they do after they leave politics. For Blair it's always been about power and greed. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Tony Blair tells Starmer and rivals: abandon net zero and move closer to Trump
In highly unusual intervention, ex-PM says his party’s ‘almost infinite capacity for self-delusion’ makes it likely to lose next election
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