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Stu B

@stubalk67.bsky.social
387 followers 561 following 105 posts

Grumpy Old Man. Son, brother, husband and father. Politically disenfranchised. Loves cycling. Worried about the future

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Stu B @stubalk67.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
In three years, Israel's war on Gaza hasn't just changed the Middle East, it's changed the world | Steve Bloomfield
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Alanwino @alanwino.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
This is horrifying and unconscionably cruel. Words fail me. What has the US become?
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Charles Keener @charleskeener.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
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Iain Overton @iainoverton.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
“Over 1,400 people have been killed (in Gaza) in the year since the ceasefire.” - The Economist. I wonder how many have to be killed for it not to be called a ceasefire?
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Stu B @stubalk67.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
The football horse that Andy Burnham rode in on is now bucking his vibe | Barney Ronay
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Prof Bill McGuire @profbillmcguire.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"Maricarmen Abascal (87), who uses a wheelchair, was evicted from the home she had lived in for 70 years....she [said] she was unable to afford the 230% rent hike demanded by the investment fund that bought her apartment" The obscenity that is capitalism www.theguardian.com/world/2026/o...
theguardian.com
Spanish right wing votes down housing crisis plans as protest movement grows
Opposition lawmakers join forces to defeat proposals made by Socialist-led coalition after eviction of 87-year-old
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Nolan Principles Matter. End the #GazaGenocide💔💙 @philildo.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Google Earth - show me a #Genocide This is Rafah, Gaza. The link to Wiki details says that Rafah is largely destroyed and depopulated...Rafah had a population of 171k in 2017 #ArrestNetanyahu Israel is a pariah state
Satelite view of Rafah - an entirely destroyed city
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Charlie Warzel @cwarzel.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
There is a moment at the very very end of Abdul El-Sayed's podcast with Ezra Klein (book recommendation section) where he talks about the idea of "speaking truth to pain" and this will be staying with me for an extremely long time. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/25/o...
But there’s also something about truth to pain. We talk a lot about truth to power, but I think it’s actually a lot harder to speak truth to pain. I say that as someone who went to medical school, realizing that in a lot of our politics right now, we’ve got to get a lot better at speaking truth to pain if we’re going to get through some of these challenges that we have.

What does “truth to pain” mean?

It’s one thing to look power in the eye and say: You’re wrong about this. But there’s a way in which pain is very difficult to reason with. Because when somebody is in their pain, they’re in their trauma. They see that pain, and they may not see what’s causing it.

I remember just very explicitly being in a trauma ward with a gunshot wound patient and watching this big guy with his hand on his gunshot wound. All the folks are trying to pull his hand off his pain, that point of his gunshot wound, this clear vulnerability.

And this emergency room doctor had the presence of mind to be like: Everyone, stop. And she looks him in the eyes, and she’s like: I get that really hurts, and I’m so sorry that you’re here. You don’t want to be here. We don’t want you to be here. But if you don’t let us fix this, you could die. So I’m going to take your hand, and I’m going to move it off, OK? Because I need to get there so that you can live.

She was speaking truth to pain. He understands he’s at the hospital, he needs care, but he also doesn’t want anybody to touch the wound. Which is a natural thing. And I think it is a really great metaphor for how we think about a lot of these challenges we talked about today.
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Middle East Eye (Unofficial) @middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Israel revokes credentials of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah over West Bank trade ban - www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-r…
middleeasteye.net
Israel revokes credentials of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah over West Bank trade ban
The move follows the Netherlands’ decision to ban goods from Israeli settlements to fulfil its 'international legal obligation'
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Middle East Eye (Unofficial) @middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Israel revokes credentials of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah over West Bank trade ban - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/liv…
middleeasteye.net
Israel revokes credentials of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah over West Bank trade ban
<article data-history-node-id="448414" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-revokes-credentials-dutch-diplomats-ramallah-over-west-bank-trade" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-revokes-credentials-dutch-diplomats-ramallah-over-west-bank-trade" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Israel revokes credentials of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah over West Bank trade ban</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p><a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/israel" target="_blank">Israel</a>i Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on Sunday that Israel had revoked the credentials of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah in response to the Netherlands’ ban on goods from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/tags/israeli-settlements" target="_blank">Israeli settlements</a>.</p> <p>"We informed the Dutch Embassy in Israel this evening that Dutch diplomats operating in Ramallah must return their Israeli-issued diplomatic documentation within seven days,"&nbsp;Sa’ar said in a post on X, adding that&nbsp;after this period, the diplomatic privileges and immunities granted to them will expire.</p> <p>"If the Netherlands wishes to continue representing its interests with the Palestinians, it may do so from Palestinian Authority territory, rather than from the territory of the State of Israel," Sa'ar said.</p> <p>The announcement came after the Netherlands began enforcing a national ban on 22 September on the import, purchase and sale of goods from illegal Israeli settlements amid escalating violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.</p> <h3>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-revokes-credentials-dutch-diplomats-ramallah-over-west-bank-trade-ban">Israel revokes credentials of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah over West Bank trade ban</a></h3> <figure role="group" class="media-block"> <div class="group-inner"> <div alt="An Israeli soldier stands guard against the backdrop of a newly established Israeli settlement outpost in Beit Sahur, south of Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank on 14 August 2026 (AFP)" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d7ecfbf-ba81-4f0f-976b-9b938b073b74" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/default/files/images-story/An%20Israeli%20soldier%20stands%20guard%20against%20the%20backdrop%20of%20newly%20established%20Israeli%20settlement%20outpost%20in%20Beit%20Sahur%2C%20south%20of%20Bethlehem%2C%20in%20the%20occupied%20West%20Bank%20on%20August%2014%2C%202026.%20AFP.jpg" width="1024" height="682" alt="An Israeli soldier stands guard against the backdrop of a newly established Israeli settlement outpost in Beit Sahur, south of Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank on 14 August 2026 (AFP)" typeof="foaf:Image" fetchpriority="high"> </div> <figcaption>An Israeli soldier stands guard against the backdrop of a newly established Israeli settlement outpost in Beit Sahur, south of Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank on 14 August 2026 (AFP)</figcaption> </div> </figure> <p><span style="background: url(&quot;https://www.middleeasteye.net/modules/contrib/ckeditor/vendor/plugins/widget/images/handle.png&quot;) rgba(220, 220, 220, 0.5); top: -15px; left: 0px;"><img height="15" role="presentation" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" loading="lazy"></span></p> </div> </div> </article>
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Paul Eric @pauleric70.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
ISRAEL RAPED A 13-YEAR OLD PALESTINIAN CHILD When the US State Department complained to Israel's gov, the IDF raided the NGO that documented the case of rape, "removed their computers & declared them a TERRORIST ENTITY"
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Extreme Temperatures Around the World @extremetemps.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Europe is living its most extreme heat event in its history with 6 days >40C at the end of September 41,3C yesterday at Seville Thousands of stations up to 5C above their late September records 4000+ stations in Western,Central and Northern Europe will break records next days.
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Natalie Bennett @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
#Democracy - it would be a good idea. And it demands getting #BigMoney out of politics democracyforsale.substack.com/p/breaking-t...
democracyforsale.substack.com
BREAKING: Tony Blair Institute’s $25,000 corporate network “smells like cash for access”
Exclusive documents show Tony Blair's think tank offers corporate members such as BP and Uber "networking" at party conferences and "a stronger voice" in policy debates.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Revolving doors and political auctions. Labour peer and former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson joins Palantir. Palantir is trying to save its £330m NHS contract, wants more public contracts. Nick Clegg, Rishi Sunak, George Osborne and others have taken similar jobs.
theguardian.com
Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson joins Palantir
Peer takes full-time position at the controversial company as it fends off pressure from both Andy Burnham’s government and Sadiq Khan
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RMT Union @rmtunion.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
📹 "It's time to end the scourge of outsourcing and bring our people home." Eddie Dempsey's message for the Labour government about outsourcing from #TUC26
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Seth Abramson @sethabramson.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
In a world of Ed Sheerans, fuck Robert Kraft.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Thames Water hit by £2bn bill for finance costs and advisers’ fees. Result of years of borrowing to pay dividends, cost passed to customers. TW has violated terms of its licence, has numerous criminal convictions. Must be brought into public ownership. archive.ph/FXmvV
ft.com
Thames Water hit by £2bn bill for finance costs and advisers’ fees
Embattled UK utility faces mounting costs as government debates moving ahead with temporary nationalisation
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Neoliberals demanding tax cuts for the super rich want to abolish the state pension triple-lock. Full state pension is less than 50% of the minimum wage. 2m pensioners live in poverty. 110,000 a year die in fuel poverty. Due to low incomes future retirees will be more reliant on the state pension
theguardian.com
‘Costing billions’: is the pensions triple lock a lifeline or simply unaffordable?
With the budget looming, arguments rage over whether ministers should scrap a pledge popular with millions
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Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 12/09/2026
Astounding story. Reform receives a *second* £36m donation from a crypto billionaire in 48 hours. Christopher Harborne- the £5m benefactor- has matched Ben Delo's money pound for pound. £72m in total. Approaching US politics sort of money. www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
telegraph.co.uk
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
UK electricity grid update needed to accommodate renewables energy. National Grid paid £28bn+ in dividends since privatisation, lack of investment. Upgrade will add £100 a year to household bills. Companies raising funds from customers, not shareholders.
theguardian.com
Speed up electricity grid upgrade or else face higher bills, warns UK watchdog
National Audit Office says failure to implement £70bn modernisation would also hold back economic growth
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Declassified UK @declassifieduk.org · 09/09/2026
The MoD recently gave a £10 million contract to an Israeli-owned arms firm which operates under the authority of minister Bezalel Smotrich -- who is subject to UK sanctions. Is Andy Burnham going to do anything about that? www.declassifieduk.org/uk-awarded-c...
declassifieduk.org
UK awarded contract to firm overseen by sanctioned Israeli
Exclusive: £10 million deal signed with company linked to Bezalel Smotrich who is sanctioned by Britain
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Alex Hall Hall @alexhh.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Israel supporters are only attacking the UK’s motives, because they can’t dismiss the substance of the UK’s concerns. In fact, as I argue here, UK policy towards Israel has been biassed for years…in favour of Israel. This is a long overdue course correction, and completely justified by the facts.
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
This government is still sitting on parts of a buried report laying bare catastrophic risks facing us from ecosystems collapse. My message to @andyburnham.bsky.social: tell the truth. Release the report in full. And prepare the country for what's coming. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Polanski calls for report on ecosystem collapse to be published in full
Green leader says ministers must stop ‘hiding the truth’ about threat to UK security from climate and nature crisis
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Ben Barclay @benbarclay.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
If you say something has a >10% chance of wiping out humanity, and you don’t put all of your effort into stopping it completely, you are either: A suicidal sociopath Or Lying Particularly as it would almost certainly have a >50% chance of wiping out billions of people.
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Ben Barclay @benbarclay.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
From a societal point of view, it goes without saying that anything with a >10% of wiping out humanity is an extraordinarily bad idea, and should be banned/blocked until adequate guardrails can be put in place (if they can).
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Ben Barclay @benbarclay.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
As I see it, the trouble is that people within the AI world do see real risks, but the way they're presenting them to the outside world is not designed to address them - it's all about giving themselves a strategic and competitive advantage.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
UK’s biggest private hospital firm Spire in £1.03bn takeover by hedge fund Toscafund known as “the Rottweiler” Value driven by NHS contracts. Spire has 45% gross profit margin New owner will be aggressive. Privatisation bleeds the NHS, money buys less. Must increase NHS capacity.
theguardian.com
UK’s biggest private hospital firm Spire agrees £1bn takeover by hedge fund
Toscafund, founded by City figure known as ‘the Rottweiler’, signs deal amid fears over creeping privatisation of NHS
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The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Seems the difference between ‘protestors’ and ‘terrorists’ is that protestors wear balaclavas while terrorists hold placards.
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Almost half of all terrorism-related arrests in the UK since the 9/11 attacks have been made in the last year, new figures have revealed 👇
thenational.scot
Massive rise in UK terror arrests since Palestine Action proscription
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The Secret Barrister @barristersecret.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I’m aware when I’m throwing these stones that the new Justice Secretary is in an impossible position, caused almost entirely by previous governments. But at some point somebody in politics is going to have to consider the idea of not structuring a criminal justice system on the whims of tabloids.
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Jonathan Kingham @jonkingh.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
This is excellent..
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Institute for Public Policy Research @ippr.org · 01/09/2026
⏰ | NEW REPORT: Young people are five times more likely to have no close friends than a decade ago. Gen Z are more isolated, more distressed and less productive. This isn’t a generation of snowflakes. It’s a generation being let down. Read here: www.ippr.org/articles/the...
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Mark Jones @mgjones.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
The problem with UK media in a nutshell 👇
Protecting individuals and groups of individuals from being unjustly maligned by the UK press and media more generally does nothing to restrict the freedom of press where it matters. But what does restrict the ability of the media to hold politicians and others to account is when the media is controlled by wealthy individuals with clear political interests. In that situation the press can fail to hold the government, certain politicians or those with power to account.
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Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 27/08/2026
Two train journeys across the UK this week. Both delayed by more than 4 hours between them. Hundreds of pounds for the privilege. Joke infrastructure, joke country.
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Middle East Eye (Unofficial) @middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Nearly 400 Palestinian children being held in Israeli prisons, report says - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/liv…
middleeasteye.net
370 Palestinian children being held in Israeli prisons, report says
<article data-history-node-id="446680" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/370-palestinian-children-being-held-israeli-prisons-report-says" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/370-palestinian-children-being-held-israeli-prisons-report-says" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Nearly 400 Palestinian children being held in Israeli prisons, report says</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>About 370 Palestinian children remain imprisoned in Israeli detention centres, according to a new report by the Palestinian Centre for Prisoners Advocacy, which it called "an unprecedented figure compared with previous periods".</p> <p>"As of early August 2026, approximately 370 Palestinian children were being held in Israeli prisons, most of them in Megiddo and Ofer prisons, among more than 9,400 Palestinian prisoners and detainees," the report said.</p> <p>It added that the figures point to "Israel’s continued use of administrative detention without charge or trial".</p> <p>In contrast, by the end of 2025, the number of children detained in Israeli prisons reached 180 - less than half the total number that has been reached in the first eight months of 2026.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Children behind bars: Around 370 Palestinian children remain held in Israeli prisons, facing detention conditions and violations that can leave lasting psychological, health, and educational consequences even after release.<br> <br> Read the full report: <a href="https://t.co/mHfkEukupQ">https://t.co/mHfkEukupQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/hTRo1V2A7m">pic.twitter.com/hTRo1V2A7m</a></p> — Palestinian Center for Prisoners Advocacy (@PalPrisonersA) <a href="https://x.com/PalPrisonersA/status/2093031703828734259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> </div> </article>
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Jewish Voice for Peace @jvp.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Children holding signs reading, “Stop the suffering: life is still worth living in Gaza,” and “Water is an essential right, not a luxury” held a protest in Jabalia, Gaza this week, where access to clean drinking water is a daily struggle.
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Dale Vince @dalevince.com · 27/08/2026
Five heatwaves in one summer - so far. Record levels of wildfires, burnt homes, dead people and Billions wiped from our economy. This story adds global context and emphasis. We are in a climate crisis.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
UK household energy debts hit £6bn, expected to hit £7bn by the end of the year Energy companies making record profits. Disposable incomes eroded, leaving less for essentials. 120,000 people a year die in fuel poverty. Can't rebuild economy on poverty. End profiteering. Nationalise energy.
theguardian.com
Households in Great Britain ‘could owe energy suppliers £7bn by end of year’
After higher prices for winter kick in, energy debt unpaid for more than 30 days likely to rise, says Energy UK
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Sian Berry MP @sianberry.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
A new record has been set for the number of children living in temporary accommodation. A total disgrace. We need new council housing and FAST. The PM must fund councils to buy the supply of existing homes, and get these 177,530 children settled and safe. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/fu...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Fund Councils to Buy the Supply of Council Homes
We urgently need to replenish our decimated council housing stock, and part of the answer is real funding for councils to Buy the Supply. Over 169,000 children are homeless and living in overcrowded…
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Extreme Temperatures Around the World @extremetemps.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
WINTER WITH 40C The madness continues in SOUTH AFRICA today 39.3 Mandini 37.8 Margate 37.1 Ulundi 36.0 Paddock But SOUTH AMERICA "revenge" is coming: Next week crazy winter heat with up to 42/43C in Bolivia,Paraguay and Brazilian Mato Grossos (normal & do Sul). HISTORY IS COMING
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Emma Jacobs @emmavj.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Great piece by Gill Plimmer - who has been on water companies for years giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... The fight to save England’s rivers
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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Shifting geographies of student accommodation/living arrangements, with nearly a third choosing to live at home, all driven by rising costs and the pressures of needing paid employment to rent elsewhere. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Graph showing rising numbers of students intending to living at home.
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Wolfgang Blau @wblau.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Crazy? It‘s crazy that flying from London to Paris is so much cheaper than taking a train. Regulatory failure.
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Felicity P @slightlydespairing.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Is there anything this country hasn't ruined for the spoils if profit? Used to have a proud tradition of publicly funded services. I think Blair government to blame, preceded by Thatcher of course.
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Eleanor Rylance 🔶🌳🌍🇫🇷🇬🇧🇪🇺🇺🇦🇨🇦 @eleanorrylance.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
There are halls of residence in the centre of Exeter that are £1000 a month, and defiantly owned by private equity- they had signs on them during development inviting investment.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
More UK students planning to live at home for university over 'insane' living costs. Student halls of residence replaced by private equity owned accommodation. High rents and profits. Fees (in England) and living costs plunge young adults into debt.
bbc.co.uk
More students planning to live at home for uni over 'insane' living costs
Students like Jessica say they worry about missing out on student life, but feel they have no choice but to stay at home.
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Middle East Eye (Unofficial) @middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Exclusive: UK's advertising regulator not investigating Great Israeli Real Estate Event - www.middleeasteye.net/news/uks-adve…
middleeasteye.net
Exclusive: UK's advertising regulator not investigating Great Israeli Real Estate Event
British government says it referred the event promoting illegal settlements to the Advertising Standards Authority
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Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Brilliant from @anthonybarnett.bsky.social as ever on the overwhelming case for a new citizen-based written constitution sourced via citizens’ assemblies - as he says, “it’s now the turn of our governing elites to trust the public”👇
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