The Ebola outbreak in the DRC has now been confirmed as the Bundibugyo strain. This is not good news, there are no licensed or candidate vaccines for this strain. No monoclonal antibodies. I am sure experimental antivirals will be tried. www.afro.who.int/countries/de...

🔴 Keir Starmer promised to crackdown on "Slapps" - abusive libel cases to silence journalists and critics Then Labour quietly dropped it We can reveal why: a three-year lobbying blitz by libel lawyers who've acted for Russian oligarchs, Epstein + more democracyforsale.substack.com/p/how-lawyer...

Trump admits he's for he/him, not you.

The Trump administration this week instructed federal prosecutors to use terrorism statutes to target Mexican officials complicit in the narcotics trade, a significant escalation in its campaign against drug trafficking from Mexico TAT: [Foreign policy]

A five-month investigation has named 13 previously unidentified victims of US attacks on boats allegedly carrying narcotics in a campaign that has killed nearly 200 people in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific. It is unclear if the US has ever ide... TAT: [Foreign policy | Undermining democracy]

The US Department of Justice accused Yale University of illegally considering race in admissions to its medical school. in a letter to the school Assistant Attorney General for civil rights, Harmeet Dhillon, alleged the sc... TAT: [Weakening civil rights | Attacking education | Suppressing dissent]

President Donald Trump labeled a reporter from the New York Times “treasonous” and “fake” for his coverage of the ongoing Iran war during a tense exchange aboard Air Force One. TAT: [Suppressing dissent]

Here we go: Official declaration from the DRC that "laboratory analyses conducted by the National Institute of Biomedical Research on May 14, 2026, on 13 blood samples, have confirmed 8 positive cases of Ebola virus disease, Bundibugyo strain" 5 samples had too little volume to be analyzed

My take on this stuff is that it is as much about jamming up USCIS and so slowing down the issuance of new green cards and naturalisations as it is about revoking existing ones: www.nytimes.com/2026/05/14/u...

I honestly think banning MPs' second jobs is the single most powerful immediate thing the Govt could do to dent Reform support. It's the right thing to do. It would be a strong move (and message) in cleaning up politics. And it would shine a light on the person hit hardest: Nigel Farage.

All the car parks to the supermarkets and hyper markets in this area are done. Plus quite a few much smaller parking areas. All new agricultural buildings have solar panel roofs as well.

Oh. My. God. This is despicable.

Don't miss the chance to celebrate the history of UCL #Mathematics, one of UCL's founding departments 200 years ago! Join us for a full-day symposium & festival with guests like Prof @fryrsquared.bsky.social, Prof @chrischirp.bsky.social & more 🤩 🗓️ Book now: www.ucl.ac.uk/mathematical... #UCL200

My latest US midterms update Republicans have added 8-11 seats through gerrymandering over the last 3 weeks - but Democrats can still win the House if every Democrat voter who can vote, votes christinapagel.substack.com/p/midterms-u...

This. The real problem isn't that the system has got rid of a bunch of incompetents over their head, evil grifters, and evil grifting over-their-head incompetents, it's that the system allowed them to rise to power in the first place.

Delighted to be joining this fantastic panel at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk next Monday. Lots of important points to discuss.

I know the local elections were seven hundred years ago in Labour-time but I thought I'd share a little app I made that lets you look at the English ward results on a map and compared to various Census demographics. Warning the map takes a while to load. 1/n benwansell.github.io/local-electi...

another must-read - if you are a US citizen, make sure you register to vote and exercise your right to vote.. it's crucial.. "America - you can do this." ⬇️⬇️⬇️

A new far-right terror attack in the UK has been confirmed in court. Alina Burns, then 18, tried to behead an Iranian refugee who was standing outside a barber's shop in Bristol with an axe The attack took place on 2 August 2025 but a judge did not rule on 'terrorism connection' until today

Further he is STILL withholding paying funds from GAVI as is insisting they remove thimerosal from vaccines even though (a) $600 Million funding has been allocated already, (b) the funds will expire if not used by September and (c) its not logistically feasible to remove thimerosal from all vax

a lot happening with vaccines in US- RFKJr may be less outspoken currently about vaccines but suggestion he is looking to put million of Tax-payer dollars into research trying to find link between e.g autism, chronic conditions and vaccines www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/h...

🧵on Report's findings on locals & future: 128/139 MPs of deprived towns & suburbs are Labour MPs. And before last week, well over half of councilors in these areas were Labour. Now it's just 19%. Overwhelmingly voters in these places voted for Reform, with the Greens making marginal gains 1/18

this is a *really* good report - proper, grown-up analysis of where Labour stands with the country and how it should go about winning back voters who are now voting for other parties. Labour needs to be proud of its values but it can't afford to ignore any of its 2024 voters!

The Trump administration will withhold $1.3 billion in federal Medicaid payments from California, Vice President JD Vance announced, saying the state had failed to combat fraud in the public health insurance program. TAT: [Attacking science | Suppressing dissent]

Miami residents claim Florida governor's land gift (worth $67m) to Trump for his presidential library is unconstitutional as Trump has said he will monetise the library as a hotel. [link] TAT: [Corruption | Undermining democracy]

this is brilliant

Donald Trump stands to profit from his UFC cage match on the White House lawn in June. Technically, all of the tickets are free, and the UFC is footing the bill for the event. But sponsorship packages that include ringside seats have been selling for $1 million or more, accordi... TAT: [Corruption]

Pete Hegseth’s last-minute decision to cancel the deployment of 4,000 troops to Poland caught Pentagon staff and European allies by surprise — the latest example of an abrupt personnel move from the Defense secretary that blindsided both sides of the Atlantic. The de... [link] TAT: [Foreign policy]

Both are true. More hate against Muslims, a Jew more at risk than a Muslim (because of v different population sizes) Also: it isn't a zero sum competition. We should not tolerate antisemitism or islamophobia and need to do more for both groups. bsky.app/profile/adsq...

Half-expect to be told next the £5m was for a secure ballroom in Clacton.

My latest US midterms update Republicans have added 8-11 seats through gerrymandering over the last 3 weeks - but Democrats can still win the House if every Democrat voter who can vote, votes christinapagel.substack.com/p/midterms-u...

Britain faces economic uncertainty, insecure communities, and polarised debate.The recent local elections show it is time for Labour to be ambitious, bold, and willing to lead the argument for change. Safe politics will not cut it.

Today marks the launch of ThinkLabour! 🌹We are a unique political organisation dedicated to helping Labour govern confidently, win elections, and deliver lasting change.Here is what we are building 👇

In 3 weeks: the Supreme Court gutted the VRA, five Southern states moved to redraw their maps, and Virginia's pro-Democrat map was struck down. The midterm maths has shifted 8-11 seats toward Republicans. My latest midterms update + 8 tips for voters christinapagel.substack.com/p/midterms-u...

In 3 weeks: the Supreme Court gutted the VRA, five Southern states moved to redraw their maps, and Virginia's pro-Democrat map was struck down. The midterm maths has shifted 8-11 seats toward Republicans. My latest midterms update + 8 tips for voters christinapagel.substack.com/p/midterms-u...

Nigel Farage tells The Sun's Harry Cole that Elon Musk offered to give Reform loads of money "if we said certain things" and he refused. "I can't be bought." Two things: 1. This is an allegation of attempted bribery. Very serious. 2. It shows the obvious: donors expect something for their money.

When the Justice Department indicted India’s richest man in the final weeks of the Biden administration, prosecutors described an “elaborate” bribery scheme involving “corruption and fraud at the expense of U.S. investors.” Now the Justice Department is ... TAT: [Corruption | Undermining democracy]

BREAKING: Andy Burnham has confirmed he will request to stand in the Makerfield by-election

Two police officers from Gratis, Ohio, an all-white town per the US census, showed up at a majority Latinx public school in Cincinnati—50 miles away—to search for undocumented students on behalf of ICE, disguised as a “wellness check.” TAT: [Nationalism]

Here we go again

This is positive masculinity

Georgia is the latest state to call for a redrawing of its congressional map favouring Republican seats, following the Supreme Court decision last week. Boverone Kemp (Rep) signed a proclamation convening the Georgia General Assembly for a special session on June 17 ... TAT: [Undermining democracy]

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster (R) is expected to call lawmakers back for a special session to redraw the state’s congressional map and eliminate its lone majority-Black district TAT: [Undermining democracy]

Met chief says British Jews ‘not safe’ in London after series of attacks

The reason I accepted £5million is that I can't be bought.

One of the largest drops in nhs waiting lists on record, which no one will now hear about. Opportunity cost from all the leadership turmoil www.england.nhs.uk/2026/05/heal...

BREAKING: Reform UK leader Nigel Farage bought a £1.4 million property in cash shortly after receiving a £5m personal gift from billionaire donor Christopher Harborne, according to property records seen by Sky News.

I'll just leave this here, for absolutely no reason at all.

This is grim - terrifying for the community involved. www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/2610483...