Northern Lights theorkneynews.scot/2025/10/03/n...

The French military has now boarded the Russian ship linked to the Danish drone incidents.

The US government shut down much of its operations on October 1 as deep partisan divisions prevented Congress and the White House from reaching a funding deal, setting off what could be a standoff that could lead to the loss of thousands of federal jobs reut.rs/4nvyxF9

It's newsletter day! Have you got it? Have you read it? Are you motherfucken zen, bitches? Wang us your finest gif right in this very place. (And if you're a newb get yourself signed up right here for weekly writing pep and prompts writershq.co.uk/flash-face-o...)

This sounds like the beginning of a proper friendship & makes me feel much the same as when the Blind Date couples actually fancy each other (ps for those who don’t know, DATD introduces people who disagree strongly about something to each other)

Still a few places left for Shakespeare critics ... #drama #theatre #literature go.bsky.app/BKaWcfr

Eric Pickles (remember him?) ended the Local Government Pension Scheme for new Councillors in 2014. Now, 11 years later, at the Labour Party conference, Steve Reed MP has just announced that he is reversing this decision in recognition of the huge contribution of local councillors! 🎉

Does your pet look good in a horsehair wig? Do they deserve to be seen and admired by thousands? Why not dress them up as a lawyer and submit their photo for inclusion in this year’s Law Paw Calendar (www.lawpawcalendar.com)? All proceeds will go to @savechildrenuk.bsky.social

I often find people who like to think is doesn’t happen here…that money in politics is harmless. I have news for you: Ex-Reform politician admits Russia-linked bribery charges www.bbc.com/news/article...

The Bath Film Festival runs 17–26 October. 2025’s programme includes previews of Die, My Love (Jennifer Lawrence & Robert Pattinson), and Bugonia (Emma Stone, dir. Yorgos Lanthimos). Plus films including The Invisible Woman and Nouvelle Vague. See bathboxoffice.org.uk/theme/bath-f...

I got an email like this a few days ago, targeting an old graphic novel that has few reviews and that got very little attention. But when I saw the signature file of the alleged guy running the “book club” it mentioned book marketing, so it was pretty clearly a scam.

I got hit with a rhythm stick at the office last week so I’ve hired a workplace Ian Dury lawyer.

I used to know a guy who ended up becoming very very rightwing, and an early tell was when he went to the Rothko Room in the Tate and the paintings made him insanely angry, because he felt they were a joke and the joke was being played on him.

Denmark and the rest of Europe are waking up to potential attacks that could be directed against hundreds if not thousands of targets in each country on.ft.com/3VDScpZ

Flights have been halted to Copenhagen Airport after multiple drones were spotted over the Øresund Strait, Reuters reports.

UK fans of actor Gary Oldman: BBC4 are showing, tomorrow at 22:20, his 1989 TV play "The Firm" in which he plays the psychopathic leader of a "firm" of football hooligans while leading a semi-respectable life as an estate agent. HIGHLY recommended. Oldman is chillingly convincing in the part.

Follow us here to keep up to date with editorial offers, industry news and opportunities for writers. Start your journey today: we offer free no-obligation feedback on your opening pages 👉 www.cornerstones.co.uk

We’ve moved to Bluesky! Cornerstones is the leading transatlantic literary consultancy, named Best Literary Consultancy 2025. 📚 We believe your story matters, and we’re here to help turn good books into exceptional ones, launching debuts and bestsellers. www.cornerstones.co.uk

A beautifully enjoyable Bluesky-tinted chat -

I’d lost the excellent Gavin Williams’ name /handle / whatever it’s called, earlier! Here he is: @gavstatic.bsky.social

I live alone and sleep alone. Each morning I wake up to find fresh toenail cuttings in my bedsheets. I have no answer for why except that I must be cutting my toenails in my sleep.

AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS- “amazing” “wow … just wow”. The teen begged to watch the last night; he’d known about it for years (writer Gavin Williams is a mate). 2018, pre-pandemic, pre-right’s rise, the horror is much louder now than when I first watched. www.imdb.com/title/tt4971...

The 14y/old’s delighted charity shop find this summer. Just completed all 3 series. Not just great writing and performances, but yet again, feels searingly relevant today. #Media #Monarchy #Machinations #HouseOfCards #FUFU

Hey #FilmNoir fans! Want to know what we're screening at this year's #FilmNoirFest in #Weston?! (31/10/2025 - 02/11/2025)! Well... here you are! Please, do spread the word. We recommend buying our festival pass early to avoid disappointment. More info: ti.to/film-noir-uk...

Avon Valley Railway is celebrating ‘Railway 200’, the bi-centennial anniversary of the modern railway, with a weekend of family entertainment with a heritage bus, model railway and steam and heritage diesel trains. 27-28th Sept. See www.avonvalleyrailway.org

10% off selected items in our sale (see the homepage) plus free postage on everything until the end of September. Happy shopping! #BookSale #IndiePublisher #ReadersOfBluesky #BookDeals #BookLovers

Our #JustOneBook appeal is live. If every follower bought just one book today, you’d help us keep publishing the stories and poems you love. Support us now: www.saltpublishing.com 📚 Every book matters. #BookSky #IndiePress #BookCommunity

11 poetry workshops here, free to use. Each one about 5 minutes each. They've had nearly 250 thousand views. I hope people are finding them useful. www.youtube.com/c/MichaelRos...

The fab nhs have popped me in a mandatory rest position for a few weeks. The little brain is littler, with tiny energy batteries replacing the whatever-I-had-before. Mates have sent MR James, New Scientist, Amor Towles, food + 🌷💐🌻. Proper treat to spend my tiny energy bubbles with old loves + new👻📚🧪

Oh WELL PLAYED, South Lakes Islamic Centre.

there’s a tweet for every occasion

FINALLY! As someone who has written a lot of television for WB, I am relieved to see them finally defending their copyrighted works from AI crooks. If your business model doesn’t work without violating the law, you’re not in business. You’re in organized crime. deadline.com/2025/09/ai-l...

The Conservatives' Chris Philp has asked an Urgent Question on rape gangs. NPCC data indicates that 85% of child rape gang suspects are white. 3.9% of suspects are of Pakistani-origin. Philp's statement only mentioned crimes committed by "Pakistani", "Muslim" and "illegal immigrant" men.

Tomorrow night. With live venues struggling it seems apposite to mention: we play online in the hope that we can book live slots like the old days; we release digital music in the hope that generates interest to press vinyl and CD; we work jobs because we love the sounds we create. Join us.

Just heard about this horror- the biggest neo-nazi music festival in over a decade. The Home Office can block entry of overseas bands, and so scupper promoters’ plans. *We* can email the Home Office and be heard: hopenothate.org.uk/2025/08/28/g...

Buses buses buses... shorturl.at/cXoj9 - timetable updates, handy links, strike info...

I suppose this is the point when I should say again that: the amount of money the videogames industry brings into the UK economy every year is *more than double* the value of the fishing and steel industries *combined* what this country is really good at is producing culture

So, (very) belatedly, my @theobserveruk.bsky.social column on immigration, culture, the Judeo-Christian tradition and echoes across a century: observer.co.uk/news/opinion...

I reviewed Matthew Dunster’s reimagining of #Hedda Gabler for Bristol247: fascinating bright and exceptional show, starring #LilyAllen - www.bristol247.com/culture/thea...

I reviewed Matthew Dunster’s reimagining of #Hedda Gabler for Bristol247: fascinating bright and exceptional show, starring #LilyAllen - www.bristol247.com/culture/thea...

My first 100 days, in under 100 seconds. In this new chapter for the West, together we’re rolling out new green buses, have secured record transport funding, and launched a Youth Guarantee for jobs and training. We’ve turned the page, and we’re only just getting started!

Fine advice.

When serving as a police officer we were awarded commendation for the amount of patrolling our district we did on night shifts. We were playing Pokemon Go.

I'm a female CEO & ultimately the decision maker when hiring for high level management & executive positions in the company. I've hired more women for senior positions than men. The simple reason being because men keep ignoring me & talking to my male PA/notetaker in interviews.

Very pleased indeed to have caught Giant on its last day yesterday. So impressed that I bought the script AND the programme. Great work, @royalcourt.bsky.social 👏👏👏

I started a new #writing project this week - much fun playing with new characters I didn’t know were in me! The joy of the early draft period,eh?! #IFKYK #BeforeTheIckRisk

A while back, I decided more heavyweight CPD was in order (being the public affairs/ strategic comms guru that I am) and started a Media Law course w/ London School of Journalism. It’s NOT EASY. My appreciation of (esp, investigative) ethical journalists was already high, and just keeps rising.

It's a brimful of

7 years later and I still whisper, “We’re disabled, Daniel, not werewolves” to myself like a sacred mantra whenever I see a non-disabled person discover ableism like it’s the latest hipster indie band.

🚽 FLUSHED WITH SUCCESS! Thank you! Labour proposals for a better public loo strategy passed unanimously at B&NES Council last night, seconded by Lib Dem Economic Development lead Paul Roper. Next? Solid action, so this motion doesn't just go down the pan... #BNES #Labour #PublicLoos