"Mexico strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally ... by armed forces of the United States of America against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in clear violation of Article 2 of the [UN] Charter" www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...

Whatever you might think of Maduro, the seizure and kidnapping of a head of state takes us to a very dark place. Vast, arbitrary, extra-legal power, which could be exercised almost anywhere, regardless of the character of the target government.

You can donate to Lina’s family here: chuffed.org/project/omsham

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was arrested by UK police under the Terrorism Act at the Prisoners for Palestine lock-on protest outside the offices of Aspen Insurance in London, which insures the Israeli weapons firm Elbit Systems.

You can donate to Hammam and his family here: chuffed.org/project/1580...

We are deeply concerned for the health of Qesser Zuhrah, who has been on hunger strike for 46 days. We join those calling on the government to act now, and address the serious concerns raised by lawyers acting for the prisoners.

‘This is the largest co-ordinated hunger strike in British prisons since 1981. The strike is another means of applying urgent pressure on the government, using the only tools available to the prisoners: their rapidly deteriorating bodies.’ E.S. Wight, from 1 December www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/de...

A grim read: I wonder whether, as in other respects, college-based universities fare slightly better, with their extensive social programme and overall financially more privileged student body, who may, for instance, need to work p/t jobs to support themselves in their studies less than elsewhere.

Had a beautiful pre-Christmas Sunday in the lovely Ouseburn Valley with the boys: lunch in Ouseburn Farm café, followed by a panto and playtime in Seven Stories. What a jewel of culture, nature, compassion and inclusivity we have on our doorstep!

Intensification of Israeli land theft in the West Bank continues, with new barrier that will cut off water supply to Palestinians farmers www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

@gatesheadcouncil.bsky.social @kimmcguinness.bsky.social I was just denied access on a nearly empty bus with my toddler and 6-yr-old on the way home from Saltwell Park, as apparently no bikes are allowed. This has never happened to me, and I travel by bus (and kids’ bikes/scooters) quite regularly.

Also all the problems caused by Ed tech can be solved by smaller class sizes and well-paid teachers given real academic freedom.

There isn't a single problem "solved" by edtech that couldn't be fixed with smaller classes led by well-paid teachers given real academic freedom

AI is filling the God void for many – but is ChatGPT really something to worship? | Brigid Delaney

@renaissancerach.bsky.social what could possibly go wrong?

‘Rebranded plantations’: how empire shaped luxury Caribbean tourism

I guess I’m glad I don’t have a Disney Plus subscription, and if I ever planned on getting one, I probably won’t now? Seriously tempted to revive the DVD era for the boys and scout around second-hand shops for the Disney classics etc.

Israeli settler groups have begun bulldozing Palestinian lands in the town of Beit Sahour to make way for a new settler outpost. The settlement threatens the existence of the largest remaining Christian community in the West Bank, residents say. mondoweiss.net/2025/12/new-... #Palestine #Israel

“by insisting that parents of small children be each other’s village rather than the recipients of community care, we are simply asking an overwhelmed, dispersed, and time-poor group of people at the most critical time in their careers to also, by the way, start a bowling league and supper club” 💯

Superb work by @racheledini.bsky.social. If it’s ok, I may save this essay and use in a survey course on the politics of reading and academic skills?

It’s been two weeks since ICE took Yuanxin Zheng from his father. He is six years old. He’s still not home. This has to end.

I'm delighted to announce a funded doctoral position (2026-2929) with me at Campion Hall, University of Oxford. Designed for those working in the field of ECOTHEOLOGY via systematic, political or applied theology approaches. For more information: lsri.campion.ox.ac.uk/news/applica...

But Labour MPs can’t put on hi-vis and a hard hat to visit for a photo opp, so they don’t count this as work and they don’t count these as jobs with saving

Good response to recent playgrounds announcement from @naomilott.bsky.social. Play is a right not a luxury, playgrounds are good but not enough, safe access to playgrounds is also critical, and the right to play is also about time and permission. theconversation.com/why-the-18-m...

I hope someone draws this wonderful story about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and the power of the arts to help us see things differently, to the attention of our Education Secretary. Do read it, it will lift your spirits.

Holy shit, and there we have why the humanities are vital for those in STEM, that's absolutely magical

Today is a seasonal and northern short stories reading and research day in the Lit and Phil.

And especially a curious, intelligent, critically active culture that values the marvels and wonders that humanity is able to create, namely the arts and humanities.

Children as young as eight have been pushed to work for their families’ survival, losing their education and childhood.

This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started

Last chance to submit your proposals for our special issue of Children's Literature in Education on the late, great Aidan Chambers! link.springer.com/collections/... Deadline 1 December!

Fantastic result, well done everyone!

new favourite New York Times term for a British thing just dropped

Please don’t scroll past this This is the voice of a mother in Gaza begging for help My daughter Alma is hungry and growing sicker each day Every night she asks for food I cannot give Please if your heart still feels compassion—help us survive @letsgodenverd.bsky.social @barbarafranchi.bsky.social

Rereading A Whistling Woman, I realised that, in 2002, so obviously post-Thatcher, Byatt foresaw an uncanny Labour version of Liz Truss, or a female version of Starmer, as Britain’s first female PM. The novel is set in 1968.

An excellent piece from back in June 2025 which is vital reading today. The cruel two-child benefit cap has been abolished at last!

This. I don’t want it, don’t care for it, don’t want my kids to be taught ‘how to use/train AI’, and can happily live my life without ever engaging with it. Which means, my students should please refrain from using it for essays: you’re much cleverer than that, and you know it!

These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions. What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.

Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other. Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq

🚨 The UK has REFUSED to back a plan to save collapsing mackerel stocks 🐟 By ignoring scientific advice, the UK is fuelling overfishing. This isn’t complicated. It’s a political choice. 📩 This #WorldFisheriesDay, tell the PM to stop overfishing: act.oceana.org/page/178303/...

So much of this could be said more broadly for play for children and young people - the safety, accessibility and inclusivity of our neighbourhood outdoor spaces in the context of the climate crisis is a growing challenge. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Anyone fancies building a snowman today?

Autumn turning into winter in Gateshead ❄️

mr president sir theres a story coming about how you intervened to help a sex criminal. no sir, not that sex criminal you helped….no not that one either…sir, please stop guessing sex criminals that you helped. ill give you a hint sir, hes a trafficker. no sir, not that trafficker a different one

It’s a teaching marathon day today, but a fairy tale themed one: starting off with tutorials on Andersen’s Snow Queen via Propp and Byatt, and finishing tonight with my Writing the Sea seminar on The Deep, ecological/posthuman merfolk solidarity, and memories of the Middle Passage.