For months, we have been digging into a big myth — that strong social protection holds back economic growth.🔍 Spoiler: it doesn’t.💪 We launch our findings tomorrow in our report 'More than a Safety Net'. Stay tuned.🚀 For now, hear it from @stephenboydippr.bsky.social ⤵️

I know I'm old-school, but I did like it when the media's job was to report events, happenings, actions. Used to call it news. Didn't report feelings, moods, opinions. When critics say it's got up by the media, they mean the media are reflecting moods, not actions. The media seem to agree.

If people who are in work are also receiving benefits to make ends meet, the benefits system is subsidising the corporates, not the people. A fact that seems under-reported.

Pleased that this has now been updated to make the correct position clear

It is slightly irritating that the Guardian uncritically reports his claim that taxpayers are spending "an ever increasing proportion of our national income on out-of-work benefits” without pointing out that it is, in fact, false.

Israel used weapons in Gaza that made thousands of Palestinians evaporate. Al Jazeera investigation reveals how US-supplied thermal and thermobaric munitions burning at 3,500C have left no trace of nearly 3,000 Palestinians. www.aljazeera.com/features/202...

It is a cult!! “How would you feel if I was the girl in that situation and I’d been sexually assaulted?” www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...

US-supplied internationally prohibited thermal & thermobaric munitions burning at 3,500C have left no trace of nearly 3,000 Palestinians, @aljazeera.com reveals. “We found nothing of Saad. Not even a body to bury. That was the hardest part,” says one mother. www.aljazeera.com/features/202...

“Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”—Deuteronomy 27:19 (NIV)

There is a conceptual issue with wipes for any kind of decon. There's a big difference between removal and merely smearing the problem around. This has been genuinely problematic with more serious CBRN contaminants on skin or equipment (41)

Thread. 🧵 (1/x) On the superiority of water as the primary decontaminant for tear gas and peppery spray on skin and eyes. To make it clear to people, this is a thread. Some of you are not clear on the concept. I will reply this with another post and mark it with a number in (x). And so forth. (1)

The Epstein files are tumultuous in the criminality demonstrated. The investigation into the sexual abuse of young women and girls is paramount. The degree of police investigation into the (non sexual) crimes of politicians in European countries is impressive but what is happening in the US?

> ... The expansion of the detention system relies on silence and the assumption that regular people aren’t paying attention. By digging into these records, you are proving them wrong ... Great resource! 😉👍

Dr. John Gartner. He is a psychologist and former part-time assistant professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University Medical School. He has studied "malignant narcissism," a term originally introduced by Erich Fromm.

For half-term, next Tuesday I’m doing a fun kids’ event at @southbankcentre.bsky.social in London — I’ll be doing a funny talk on the history of Roman Britain, and my ace illustrator @rikinparekh.bsky.social will do a live draw-along tutorial Tix cheap! www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/tot...

The ENTIRE administration must go.

Remember, the US spends more on healthcare than any other country. You are being robbed by the insurance scams, sorry, schemes.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confesses that the Trump/Epstein files contain proof of "death, physical abuse, or injury", and that the names of perpetrators are being deliberately withheld by the G.uardians O.f P.edophiles. #ReleaseTheFiles #EpsteinTrump #NoImpunity #JusticeForSurvivors

In the latest saga involving gaffe-prone ex-Tory Vernon Smith, the Reform member has forced Gloucestershire county council to remind every councillor they must know which party they represent. 🧵1/4

THE Tina Brown? Wish you’d said in advance so we could have expressed our admiration for this.

They all should balk. TY Beth @bluestormcomin1.bsky.social 🌸🩷🌸🩷 @candycemv1.bsky.social @thewelshtaffy24.bsky.social @ernest33141.bsky.social @sackfull420.bsky.social @mary89074.bsky.social @jeryzner.bsky.social @lms2025.bsky.social @billthornbro.bsky.social @claire9389.bsky.social

I was born and raised in Coldwater Mi Proud of these words beyond measure Sending to everyone in my family ❤️

There are No Republicans, only RINOs working for Oligarchs and Foreign Nations.

This 10,000-year-old supernova remnant is known as the Garlic Nebula. My photo is how it appeared 10,000 years ago. It's estimated to be 100 light-years in diameter. 😎 High-resolution version: app.astrobin.com/i/tl6xtn

Priorities

Thanks for clearing that up

As empathy helps us learn to slow down and meet our loved ones at their pace, we just might give them not only better support but also greater happiness. This can be a kindness to them and to ourselves. #Alzheimers #dementia #kindness #happiness #empathy #quote

"Four hours after his arrest, he was taken to a hospital emergency room in Edina with swelling and bruising around his right eye and bleeding. A CT scan revealed at least eight skull fractures and life-threatening hemorrhages in at least five areas of his brain..." apnews.com/article/immi...

New Epstein emails show Peter Mandelson secretly advising JPMorgan’s CEO on how to fight Labour’s 2009 bankers’ bonus tax - even suggesting he “mildly threaten” the Chancellor. Mandelson was Business Secretary at the time. A year later, he was seeking work with JPM.

1/ ICE has built an AI-powered deportation pipeline that turns your social media posts, medical records, and everyday digital exhaust into targeting intelligence. Here's how the deportation machine works. #Voices4Victory #DemVoice1 #USDemocracy #ProudBlue www.wired.com/story/ice-is...

Is Peter Mandelson the scummiest scumbag ? All his interactions need thorough investigation.

En fin realitetskalibrering: forestill deg hvordan en norsk nyhetssak kan oppsummeres på CNN. "Norwegian Crown Princess Metty-Mary sexted with Jeffrey Epstein, now her son is facing multiple rape charges in court"

NY Daily News: Former Navy Seal & ex-Minnesota Governor Jesse “The Body” Ventura “Since Trump dislikes Minnesota so bad and we’re so ‘out of control,’ let’s join Canada. Instead of Canada becoming the 51st state of America … I’d like to see Minnesota, all of us become Canadians.”

The administration in 2 sentences. Via Axios: Melania Trump pocketed an estimated $28 million or more [from Bezos/Amazon] — at least 70% of the licensing fee — according to anonymous sources who spoke to the Journal. Amazon announced Wednesday that it's slashing 16,000 jobs nationwide.

@sturdyalex.bsky.social Happy Birthday! 29 again! 🎶🥳🕺🎂🥂

There’s one guy in the Epstein files who isn’t talked about enough… Alex Acosta was the U.S. Attorney who gave Epstein that sweetheart deal. It allowed Epstein to avoid federal prosecution for sex trafficking and abuse of minors. He served only 13 months in county jail with work release. 1/2

And if the property was “only” worth £750k was he intending to borrow so much more as they were planning to buy more properties? Oh. And yet they didn’t have the money to fund his boyfriend’s osteopathy course and he living costs…needed subs from Epstein?

Turns out it wasn’t just the boyfriend that went for Epstein subs. Mandelson too, albeit in earlier years….at least that’s what we know for now. bsky.app/profile/pick...

The death of an immigrant detainee at an El Paso facility has been ruled a homicide. Geraldo Lunas Campos, originally from Cuba, died Jan. 3 at the ICE facility at Fort Bliss. “Based on the investigative and examination findings, the cause of death is asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.”

😔

Companies reap $22bn from Trump’s immigration crackdown

Russia is converting Navy sailors, nuclear missile crews, and airmen into infantry for Ukraine. "They're raking up everything alive," says analyst Kevliuk. One fleet commander was dismissed after a "surprise inspection."

For easy reference. On the left, "agitators" and "domestic terrorists". Or the right, presidentially pardonned "freedom fighters".