We should be all extremely concerned that Gaza and the West Bank has fallen off the news agenda. Since the so called ceasefire Israel has killed 1000 Palestinians and banned over 30 well respected humanitarian orgs. Gaza is also grappling with flooding, high winds & extreme cold.

During Fiona Hill's testimony to Congress on Oct 14, 2019, she described how Trump and Putin discussed exchanging Ukraine for Venezuela. The quid pro quo was if Trump refuses to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion, Putin would not help Venezuela (a Russian ally) resist a US takeover.

It's New Year, so time to look back and forward. These are 10 things I think we need to recognise in 2026. It’s a response to what I think are profoundly damaging mistaken assumptions I’ve heard and read from practitioners, journalists, and analysts in 2025. Warning: very long🧵

Over-60s are facing rising homelessness. Many are relying on housing benefit - which has been frozen. “Soaring rents were locking people into renting for decades, forcing older people to live in homes unsuitable for their needs and damaging to their health, while pushing some into homelessness.”

So the crime, corruption & human rights abuses will continue (in Venezuela, just to be clear - though presumably also in the US), but the Trump administration will now be getting a cut. There's not much European leaders can do to stop this, but they shdn't act as though it's just business as usual.

Spycops 'clandestine reports were sent to MI5, helping the Security Service to build up large files on peaceful protesters' 'Their reports logged personal information...including their marriages, sexuality, holiday plans and bank accounts' 'MI5 still retains these surveillance reports'

So, in stark contrast to everything else that’s going on today, I’m delighted to announce I’ll be with this joyous bunch of people in the next #Taskmaster. Let Counting-Backwards-From-Fifty-While-Miming -Your-Least-Favourite -Farm-Animal Commence! youtu.be/1OP6DuihCnk?...

So the weather is crap and it looks like snow is on the way, a nightmare for rough sleepers. StreetLink is an org that helps people sleeping rough, often finding them somewhere to rest for a night. If you see someone who needs help, just ring them and they’ll do rest. thestreetlink.org.uk/start

Over-60s are facing rising homelessness. Many are relying on housing benefit - which has been frozen. “Soaring rents were locking people into renting for decades, forcing older people to live in homes unsuitable for their needs and damaging to their health, while pushing some into homelessness.”

With impeccable timing, the Maybe I'm Amazed Substack is back, and it's free maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/and-so-it-...

I've been tracking the spread of nonconsensual deepfakes on X for more than two years. Here's a timeline of how Musk's leadership allowed the practice to flourish from a once-underground market to a viral trend, with little recourse for victims or legal enforcement. spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...

'In one case that experts described as “really dangerous”, Google [AI overview] wrongly advised people with pancreatic cancer to avoid high-fat foods.' 'Experts said this was the exact opposite of what should be recommended, and may increase the risk of patients dying from the disease.'

'According to OxFam, a global confederation of non-government organizations, the $2.2tn growth in net worth for the world’s wealthiest 500 individuals would have been enough to lift 3.8 billion people out of poverty.' “Inequality is a deliberate policy choice."

this is such an important thing to recognize and call out the fascism is mostly done being nice at this point, but it got here through well dressed men politely asking questions while the rest of us were scolded for pointing out where those questions led

Why hasn't this abuse been ended? Thomas 'had spent 13 years trapped in prison with no hope of release.' 'Under an abolished indefinite jail term – recognised as “psychological torture” by the UN – which he was sentenced to after stealing a mobile phone, Thomas had spiralled into psychosis'

#OtD 1 Jan 1934 Nazi Germany enacted a law which forcibly sterilised more than 400,000 disabled people. Later they began murdering them, killing 250,000. Their rhetoric about disabled and ill people being a burden on workers is still widespread today stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8069...

No, the Home Office framing of genuine refugees who lack safe, legal routes is shameful...

“It’s having zero effect. It’s maybe solidifying our core support" says Nigel Farage of the media scrutiny of the testimony of fellow Dulwich College pupils recalling antisemitic and racist abuse from Farage as a teenager

For me, 2025 was the year of the fox and the silent communication exchanges in the cemetery. Have a great New Year however you decide to spend it. Thanks so much for reposts, likes and conversation. Now for a trip Hertford for the New Year! #MyBest2025 #FoxofTheDay #UKWildlife #WildlifePhotography

🚨 “Can I tell you how many times in the last 45 years the European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the UK when it comes to deporting people from this country - only 13 times - in 45 years” Please remember this in 2026 when Nigel Farage tells you we must leave the ECHR to control our borders

Vaccinating children at home is a great policy initiative, but it will need to be securely funded and staffed...

My fav part of London's New Year's Eve 2026 celebration was the scene with The Lionesses 👏 Followed by: This Is England "Caribbean barbers with the sharpest trims Christian neighbours saying happy Hannukah mate And Muslim mums saying merry Christmas love" "England is about loving each other"

'According to OxFam, a global confederation of non-government organizations, the $2.2tn growth in net worth for the world’s wealthiest 500 individuals would have been enough to lift 3.8 billion people out of poverty.' “Inequality is a deliberate policy choice."

Wishing everyone a very happy new year! Sending love especially to anyone who's finding life tough at the moment x

Tonight, 7pm - a new @timeteam.bsky.social feature length programme on their work @nationaltrust.org.uk Sutton Hoo. Trailer: youtu.be/ovPuXeqNGhAs...

Microchimeric cells: 'Mothers carry cells that came from their biological children, passed across the placenta when the baby was in the womb.' 'Likewise, children carry cells...from their mothers - some of which might even be from the child’s maternal grandmothers, older siblings or twin.'

After criticism of discussing the topic on the radio, Alex Hartley, commentator and former England spinner, says women "shouldn't be scared to talk about their periods." "It shouldn't be taboo. Females shouldn't be scared to talk about their periods. It is normal and natural."

Work now: in my 12 years in the NHS, I've not seen anywhere near as many patient-facing care cuts. Also, the morale in many bits of the NHS is tanked to a level that'd break any private company, and the NHS is mainly held together by the caring individuals who are routinely abused for it. 3/4

The CEO said that there were "some positives", but "these are vastly overshadowed by the extremely draconian actions being taken which negatively impact disabled people's lives and plunge them into further poverty - removing them even more from living lives of meaning and fulfilment."

Israel to ban dozens of aid agencies from Gaza as 10 nations warn about suffering

"What makes this suffering especially painful is how preventable it is. No one should have to study, raise children, or fight illness standing ankle-deep in cold water inside a tent." "Rain exposes just how fragile life has become. It tests bodies worn down by stress, exhaustion, and grief."

“The budget was an opportunity to send out a signal, not about how much disabled people cost." 'Instead, she says, it has “supercharged the inequalities and unfairness disabled people face”. “It is fuelling misinformation. It is fuelling hatred. It is fuelling blame and scapegoating."

how all youtube ads sound to me

They'll blame you for them coming and blame you again for them leaving. Why politicians trying to appease the anti-immigrant press is a complete hiding for nothing

It was actually quite a wide ranging & valuable conversation on LBC just now, we discussed - -REALISTIC solutions to the small boats -How do refugees PAY smugglers? -Are govt plans for SAFE ROUTES credible? Check it out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-y-...

"End-of-life care delivered in emergency departments, corridors, ambulances, or via unsupported discharges home has become increasingly routine across multiple regions." "What is particularly striking is the recurring pattern: hospital beds occupied by dying patients who should never be there"

The Russians have tried to assassinate Zelensky many times. Never seems to have bothered Trump.

I already agree with this in principle - citizenship is an untouchable status or it is nothing - but also for reasons of prudence. “The Home Sec can revoke citizenship when he/she deems someone’s online output sufficiently offensive” is a v dangerous precedent to set with Reform leading all polls.

having spent a while watching this I would say that it was at its absolute funniest on the seventh, maybe eighth replay

'Airstrikes, shootings, hypothermia: The harsh reality of life in Gaza under US-backed ceasefire...' 'As the conflict continues, Israeli strikes and shifting borders leave a trail of devastation, with more than 400 killed and 1,000 injured since October, while reconstruction remains blocked.'

"End-of-life care delivered in emergency departments, corridors, ambulances, or via unsupported discharges home has become increasingly routine across multiple regions." "What is particularly striking is the recurring pattern: hospital beds occupied by dying patients who should never be there"

Getting sick of Epstein files headlines that are like “files reveal Epstein and friends abused girls” etc etc. This is not a reveal. The girls told us. They told police. Partners. Press. Courts. They told it over and over. The victims/survivors revealed everything. People chose not to listen.

Tucked away deep in the Settings app on Android are all sorts of privacy and security features you may have never seen. It’s time to get to know those settings. ssd.eff.org/module/how-...

On the 4th day of Christmas... The original 1780 lyrics gave us “four colly birds”. Today’s “calling birds” loses that meaning. There are 5–6 million breeding pairs in the UK. Find out more about these widely loved birds that are part of our gardens all year round ⤵️ @eastangliabylines.co.uk

“Harsh winter weather is compounding more than two years of suffering. People in Gaza are surviving in flimsy, waterlogged tents and among ruins." "There is nothing inevitable about this. Aid supplies are not being allowed in at the scale required"

"The question is whether political leaders are brave enough to speak the truth? Immigration is good for this country and that we have a clear, moral responsibility to protect those failed by global injustice and political neglect." observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

To every NHS staff member working this Christmas 💙🎄 While we're with family, you're caring for those who need you most. Thank you for your care, courage, compassion & dedication. You're missing precious moments so others don't have to face theirs alone. You are seen. You are valued. ❤️

Christmas can be a difficult time for people with chronic illness. Thinking of everyone with severe #MECFS and #LongCovid, particularly those who are living alone or isolated in darkened rooms.