The New Scientist (along with The Independent) have included Timor Mortis in their best new books for July 🎉🎉🎉 @lshtm.bsky.social @newmodernbooks.bsky.social @northlitagency.bsky.social @waterstones.bsky.social @commonwealthfund.org

‘TIMOR MORTIS: HOW WE LIVE WITH DEATH’ by @richardcoker.bsky.social 30-07-26 An Independent Book of the Month “Blends humour and profound wisdom. (A) rambunctious book” The Independent “Thoughtful and brilliantly researched” Dominic Hughes, BBC Health Correspondent

Hi all, I’ve exciting news, a book coming out July 30th. ‘Rambunctious … strangely life-affirming’ The Independent’s Martin Chilton: favourite new book releases for July

Morbid by Saul Justin Newman review – why everything you think you know about longevity is wrong

Amazing coincidence that almost all of the adults who are citizens of the wealthy countries they live in, and who struggled to afford health care last year, live in America.

He's doing this because polls show more people in favour of Mahmoodism than against. And from a purely political POV (leaving aside morality and, yknow, thinking) that sounds sensible. But it isn't. It's spineless and moronic. Quick thread >

Write the book you would like to see someone pull from a higgledy piggledy pile in a secondhand shop 63 years after your death and say, "This looks fucking weird. I think I will buy it for Joan

Publication date 30th July. Preorder www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Timor-... #TimorMortis #Booksky #MedSky

Let’s see how this goes over:

Welcome to New Modern Arcade A brand new narrative non-fiction imprint from New Modern For readers inspired by the stuff of life Coming in July: ‘Rate this Book: How Star Ratings Took Over the World’ by Benji Wilson ‘Timor Mortis: How We Live with Death’ by Richard Coker tr.ee/HQrHYvpZUp

TIMOR MORTIS: HOW WE LIVE WITH DEATH by RICHARD COKER 30-07-26 tr.ee/dpSV_TkoJn Richard delves into the historical, biological, psychological and moral complexities of death, examining how our understanding of death has evolved through the lens of both his personal and public health expertise

Pandemics have killed millions of people throughout history. How many deaths were caused by different pandemics, and how have researchers estimated their death tolls?

I've been following the assisted dying bill for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk for the last 18 months - this feels like a very unsatisfactory ending for everyone involved or invested, whatever their views on the outcome. Some thoughts below 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/assi...

Landmark ancient-genome study shows surprise acceleration of human evolution www.nature.com/articles/d41...

This is NUTS www.thehandbasket.co/p/trump-usai...

Cui bono if no deal? These three, for certain.

The New York Times deleted Trump’s “open the fuckin’ strait” line to make him look less insane Their write-up falsely says his post says only “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” and “Praise be to Allah”

The NHS desperately needs them. The doctors in the pipeline need them too (as otherwise many will leave). Performative stupidity. And with applications open in a few weeks, this could be hugely disruptive at a time when we are about to be hit by shortages of fuel, helium etc.

Medical schools will no longer be required to teach about health inequities. The change comes as political pressure about diversity, equity and inclusion grows. Experts say removing DEI from the guidelines will affect patient care. www.healthday.com/health-news/...

Trump’s brain?

Schrodinger’s bomber. Defensive when it takes off and when it drops its bombs. Offensive in mid flight. I feel for government lawyers having to advise on legality of this policy.

Israel once again undercuts U.S. in killing top security official Larijani. From NYT: “Ali Larijani had opposed the succession of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s supreme leader and had lobbied the council of clerics that elected him to consider changing their vote for a more moderate choice. “

The smart thing for Europe to do, surely, is ignore Trump’s calls for assistance and hope that the ever-dwindling possibilities of GOP success at the mid-terms is crushed. Maybe economically painful in the short term, but strategically, with a neutered Trump, a huge win.

"it's your house, so it's your job to put out the fire", says arsonist.

lmao i love that authors used to just be able to do this

‘Negatives are photographic truths’: the collector who fled Russia with a haul of second world war images

Everyone else in the room when a former DOGE employee was deposed.

Wait, doesn’t everyone?

This is appalling. The Home Office rejected an appeal from the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, that would have protected outstanding students in some of the world’s most dangerous countries from changes to the UK’s immigration system www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

This piece is one of the most shocking, repulsive things you'll read today; brace yourself I hope these concierge physicians face justice & accountability, but I fear they will not

#Photography Harry Gruyaert, from his series "Irish Summers". /Magnum Photos

Certainly has some vibes

Dr Oz: "We're announcing a 6 month national moratorium blocking all new enrollments for durable medical equipment -- prosthesis, orthotics -- supplies across the board."

If you’d like a more comprehensive and reality-based take on what Trump has done for health, we can help, free to read @xrkulik.bsky.social @hjarman.bsky.social @mirandayaver.bsky.social

Student loan scandal If it was kept at the same amount you borrowed, in real terms, that would make sense. But the fact they’re using RPI, which is something they refuse to use for pay rises, and then adding 3% on top of that, that’s just incredible www.thetimes.com/money/family...

For @theguardian.com, I gained access to a leaked draft of America's $1bn memorandum of understanding with Zambia that features mandatory targets, sharing of data, and requires access to mining concessions: www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Jeez. This is awful. Well done Victoria Derbyshire for not letting it go #StudentLoansScandal

Unanimous not guilty: All Extinction Rebellion ‘JP Morgan medics’ cleared A jury has delivered a unanimous not-guilty verdict to the six healthcare professionals from who cracked windows at JP Morgan Chase’s European HQ during the July 2022 heatwave. extinctionrebellion.uk/2026/02/19/i...

This sort of framing of stories about 'left behind' places is getting very tired. How have they been 'failed' by politics? They are the product of political choices - which organisations like the BBC have often failed to explain to people.

Fine words from Becca Rothfeld on the WaPo sh#tshow and the value of book reviews in newspapers - in @newyorker.com. The books section of a newspaper fulfils a different role from a literary magazine or blog. “It does not cater to aficionados; it seeks new recruits.” 1/

New economic research: "We estimate that by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8%, with the impact accumulating gradually over time."

""Britain’s economy is focused on London and without the capital the UK would be poorer per head than Mississippi, the poorest state in the US. “We are not a rich country; we are a poor country with a few rich people.”".

‘If somebody is selling something then I already say they have no credibility.’ 👏👏👏 But doesn’t that also describe the American healthcare system to a great extent?

This is excellent on the pernicious impact of influencers in the ‘wellness’ industry and their origins. When it comes to medics who occupy positions of real impact one has to hold one’s nose, their stench is so awful. After all, they really do know better.

Why is every scandal existential for Starmer? Because he has actively worked to eradicate his own support base. And that, along with the Mandelson decision, can be laid at McSweeney's door iandunt.substack.com/p/starmers-m...

“When did you last have sex?”

My bit for @bmj.com this week Partly in response to HSJ editor's deliberately provocative leader www.bmj.com/content/392/...

The cartoon that appeared this week on the front page of France’s most influential national newspaper, Le Monde Brilliant work by the cartoonist, Guffo.

Those were the days, my friend. From Katrina Forrester In The Shadow of Justice.

1) Prostate cancer thread: In recent years, especially this year, there's been much debate in the UK media and elsewhere (often related to experiences of men in the public eye) about prostate cancer: on the importance of testing/early treatment, and (often) calling for new screening initiatives. 🧪