This, by @andrewkersley.bsky.social, is the best piece of journalism I've read this year. A gut-wrenching account of the human cost of bureaucratic failures and a testament to what you can discover when you set out to answer the question - how the fuck did this happen?

Over the weekend, my investigation on dropshipping digital blackface scams was published by @theverge.com: www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...

Leopard.

Yes. Using a computer now feels like this at all times.

Luckily someone wrote this on the back of this photo of a baby or we wouldn’t know who it was

Spelling bee spoilers: Innovational - are we really sure this is a word, it sounds like someone who doesn’t know the word innovative and has guessed

Local MP Neil Coyle has written a wild letter to the new council leader of Southwark, "I know you come from enormous privilege and have an entitled approach to politics with no worries about a roof over your own head, but the biggest issue facing local people is housing"

The Greens and Lib Dems officially went into coalition in Southwark yesterday - the council homes portfolio is going to Reginald Popoola, interesting to see his views, moving away from a developer-led model. It will be interesting to see what this translates to in reality >

This is really grim. www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/council...

The fact that enough people just said “woman” about Badenoch to appear on this 👀

The trams and big cinemas of New Cross Gate and Stoke Newington

This is a really interesting counterfactual about flats - most build to rent investors are steering away from flats to houses in the UK. Ed Williams makes a persuasive case here and has ID'd 83 local authority areas where high rise rental flats are viable living.insidehousing.co.uk/analysis/bui...

This is a great idea! There's so much construction waste. I went to a great project in Westminster a few years ago where the rubble from the previous buildings was used to make the foundations of the new buildings

Nearly a third of Brits think banks should be nationalised, what

This is a really interesting story about how one loan shark was prosecuted, and the special government body which investigates illegal money lending >> by @jennymessenger.bsky.social www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/the-...

Leasehold reform - obviously should move faster. But just want to spare a moment to point out the bbc has illustrated this with a photo of the flats on cold harbour lane with what must be the most perturbing yellow balconies in London www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

There’s been a lot of hype over Zero Bills homes - my colleague went to visit some and find out if they live up to it. The model works quite differently that I had assumed >> www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/does...

I don’t know why I’ve never read any other Stella Gibbons because Cold Comfort Farm is so perfect, and Flora Poste is one of my favourite characters in all literature, but I just started this and it’s already so good.

Big events in Brockwell Park are pretty annoying, but the extent of handwringing actually reaches comic proportions and I can't take it seriously anymore (Won't someone think of the poor ducks' ears)

Just resharing this piece we ran earlier in the year www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/how-...

A friend of mine who was TA’ing for an AmLit course found a copy of Moby Dick a student had left behind. It had only one marginal annotation, around page 100, that simply said “whale is important.”

I am really loving this

Are we sure this is a word though, it doesn’t sound like one

I might read a novel set in the UK but written by an American, wish me luck. Last time I did this someone in the regency period used the phrase “no worries”

Watched a YouTube video of two Americans walking around Brixton and Herne Hill (or Hernie Hill as they decide to call it) and as relieving as it was for them to go "this is just a normal place" it is wild they still considered it rough away from the high street

People replying to me with comments about this women’s appearance are not making the cutting incisive point you think you are

Another charmer, this assault involved “shoving a woman in her 60s to the floor”

I was sure I hadn’t read this one, but now I’ve started it’s very familiar. Oh well I am enjoying it a second time, and Spark is so razor sharp

This is an incredible story but somehow the wildest part is when the guy won the euromillions. And the reporting is so understated, I reread the par to make sure I didn’t hallucinate it. www.ft.com/content/56af... The French mastermind behind a €1bn Ponzi scheme

My annual reminder on the first hot day of the year that if you've got sash windows you can open them at the top and bottom and get a lovely breeze, and not to boast but my most viral social media post ever 😅 www.independent.co.uk/life-style/w...

In the Labour purges of ‘26, 1.2 million have died, millions more sent to camps, but thankfully, beloved Daily Mail journalist, Giles Udy, has survived to tell the tale. #media

@peteappleby.bsky.social has done an in depth investigation to us on "transfer slab" failures - unfortunately, yes, it seems like yet another story of unsafe construction. Only one building has been publicly identified with this flaw - so far www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/tran...

It is *incredibly* shabby that the Green Party cited "family and personal reasons" for their Makerfield candidate dropping out, given it was actually in relation to sharing antisemitic posts. Had a right-wing party done the same, they'd be getting called out loudly here for it. And rightly so.

Two days ago this government was celebrating it will be the next host for the European International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia forum.

I don't think it's a good idea to legally privilege someone else's discomfort over another person's rights.

A 100% social rent scheme approved in Penge. www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/clarion...

This would be a pointless and vindictive move which would shame those who propose it for the rest of their careers.

Joshua Robbins died at only 23 after leaning on a railing and it gave way. The building is owned by a housing association. www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/moth...

I find this a bit baffling - probably a bit simplified for the top line, but what about illness that isn’t a long term mental health issue apple.news/AGNEyukIQRJy...

For #WorldBeeDay - Attic Black-Figure amphora, ca. 540 BC, showing the four men who attempted to steal honey from the hives that fed the infant Zeus - Laios, Keleos, Kerberos, and Aigolios - being punished by bees! 🐝🏺 Image: British Museum (1847,0716.1). Link - www.britishmuseum.org/collection/o...

Argh, and it's terrible. Who judged this thing

On this note there's also some good news today - starts and completions up. Start on site of new homes here are above Homes England's target. www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/annuals...

I know there's a fair few councillors on here, and others working in the housing world. I would very much recommend going to this www.tickettailor.com/events/senso...

I went to see an interesting development in the Olympic Park, and talked to Places for People about how it’s newish Greater London development region is getting on www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/what...

Erm when was that, because it certainly wasn’t when I was doing exams

I do think California has better food than the UK though - caveat I’m not a foodie and pretty much only go to average/mid restaurants and diners. And more broadly the chances of going to a random diner in a random town and it’s really good.

I am genuinely baffled why this situation is not causing more uproar - unbelievable harm being caused to our most vulnerable children Feels like it sits at the exact centre of the Venn diagram of "how is local government not fit for purpose"

NEW ANALYSIS: Do renewables make electricity cheaper or more expensive? I pulled together wholesale and retail data across Europe and the US. Wholesale prices track gas exposure, not renewables share. Retail prices barely track either. Read full piece👇 janrosenow.substack.com/p/do-renewab...

Well I’ve spent a horrifying amount at the funfair today (the game where you catch a duck on a hook now costs five pounds a go?!!)