Clare M
@clarem.bsky.social
Nature, cats, birds, gin, science, feminism, TV, E17, law, LFC, film, ranting … in no particular order.
Number #256,490 in this place after fleeing the other place.
Number #256,490 in this place after fleeing the other place.
Reposted by Clare M
Real men make women feel safe. Fact.
February 16, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Real men make women feel safe. Fact.
Reposted by Clare M
BBC's Arabic radio service in Lebanon closed after 85 years as part of a £28.5m savings drive. 'Just months later, in October 2023, the Russian state-owned Sputnik news agency took over the frequency. Its news bulletin opened with “This is Moscow”, replacing the previous “This is London” intro.' 🙄
BBC warns Russia is taking over World Service radio frequencies
Russian propaganda is filling the void where the BBC has closed World Service radio services due to cuts
inews.co.uk
June 10, 2025 at 6:03 AM
BBC's Arabic radio service in Lebanon closed after 85 years as part of a £28.5m savings drive. 'Just months later, in October 2023, the Russian state-owned Sputnik news agency took over the frequency. Its news bulletin opened with “This is Moscow”, replacing the previous “This is London” intro.' 🙄
Reposted by Clare M
I think it's wrong to describe the World Service as "soft power". It's actually "info power". And these days that's a very hard form of power indeed.
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:05 PM
I think it's wrong to describe the World Service as "soft power". It's actually "info power". And these days that's a very hard form of power indeed.
Reposted by Clare M
It’s beyond insane that the BBC World Service might end in 7 weeks when its funding runs out. A beacon of information, education and UK soft power - Ministers would be crazy not to find money to support it
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:41 PM
It’s beyond insane that the BBC World Service might end in 7 weeks when its funding runs out. A beacon of information, education and UK soft power - Ministers would be crazy not to find money to support it
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Drop an album that was important to you when you were 19
February 14, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Drop an album that was important to you when you were 19
Gosh I played this to death back in the day. Almost wore the cassette tape out. Wonderful.
Scritti Politti’s 1982 debut album, Songs To Remember, is being reissued on April 10, 2026
buff.ly/0bffpdW
buff.ly/0bffpdW
February 14, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Gosh I played this to death back in the day. Almost wore the cassette tape out. Wonderful.
Your annual reminder that Valentine’s Day was traditionally for single people looking for a sweetheart. It was only rebranded to be about couples when capitalists realised they could sell way more tat, flowers and chocolates that way. Save it for the single romantics. Couples don’t need it.
February 14, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Your annual reminder that Valentine’s Day was traditionally for single people looking for a sweetheart. It was only rebranded to be about couples when capitalists realised they could sell way more tat, flowers and chocolates that way. Save it for the single romantics. Couples don’t need it.
Reposted by Clare M
Just ordered a book from my local Waterstones. Click and collect so I’ll get it on way home tonight. As cheap as Amazon. Also bought an instant camera earlier this week from Argos, cheaper than on Amazon. It’s proving very easy not to use the evil billionaire’s website. More of you should try it.
February 13, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Just ordered a book from my local Waterstones. Click and collect so I’ll get it on way home tonight. As cheap as Amazon. Also bought an instant camera earlier this week from Argos, cheaper than on Amazon. It’s proving very easy not to use the evil billionaire’s website. More of you should try it.
Reposted by Clare M
Happy birthday to Charles Darwin,
patron saint of tired scientists, grumpy fieldworkers, and hating your own manuscript.
patron saint of tired scientists, grumpy fieldworkers, and hating your own manuscript.
February 12, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Happy birthday to Charles Darwin,
patron saint of tired scientists, grumpy fieldworkers, and hating your own manuscript.
patron saint of tired scientists, grumpy fieldworkers, and hating your own manuscript.
Reposted by Clare M
This was due to it being state policy at the time to punish unmarried young mothers with the same drug which was used to chemically castrate Alan Turing. It is scary how few people know about this. heatherburns.tech/2026/02/02/t...
February 12, 2026 at 7:57 AM
This was due to it being state policy at the time to punish unmarried young mothers with the same drug which was used to chemically castrate Alan Turing. It is scary how few people know about this. heatherburns.tech/2026/02/02/t...
Reposted by Clare M
This by @zoesqwilliams.bsky.social is really worth a read, in spite of the fact that it mentions me in passing. She's convinced me, anyway, that vice-signalling really is a thing - and a phenomenon/technique we need to take very seriously.
The rise of vice-signalling: how hatred poisoned politics
Over the last 10 years, the terms of political debate have changed completely – and week by week they seem to get worse
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:30 AM
This by @zoesqwilliams.bsky.social is really worth a read, in spite of the fact that it mentions me in passing. She's convinced me, anyway, that vice-signalling really is a thing - and a phenomenon/technique we need to take very seriously.
I simply do not understand how anyone could shoot this beautiful golden eagle. They are beneath contempt.
Three-year General Licence restriction imposed on Raeshaw Estate (again), this time relating to the shooting of Golden Eagle Merrick.
Statement from NatureScot & commentary from me ⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/02/10/t...
Statement from NatureScot & commentary from me ⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime 🌍
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/02/10/t...
Three-year General Licence restriction imposed on Raeshaw Estate (again), this time relating to shooting of Golden Eagle ‘Merrick’
NatureScot has today announced a three-year General Licence restriction on Raeshaw Estate (and on neighbouring Watherston Wood, which is understood to be under separate management to Raeshaw), in r…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
February 11, 2026 at 7:57 AM
I simply do not understand how anyone could shoot this beautiful golden eagle. They are beneath contempt.
Heartbreaking documentary on knifecrime and the criminal exploitation of children on BBC1. Massive respect and deep condolences to the mums of Kelyan and Daejean. Their boys were cruelly used by criminals and sadly failed by those who should have protected them. We have to do better.
February 9, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Heartbreaking documentary on knifecrime and the criminal exploitation of children on BBC1. Massive respect and deep condolences to the mums of Kelyan and Daejean. Their boys were cruelly used by criminals and sadly failed by those who should have protected them. We have to do better.
Reposted by Clare M
England’s poorest areas have 70% more vape shops and bookmakers than wealthier ones
England’s poorest areas have 70% more vape shops and bookmakers than wealthier ones
Data shows deprived communities have more off-licences and takeaways and fewer childcare facilities and gyms
England’s poorest communities have 70% more vape shops, off-licences and bookmakers than wealthier ones and far fewer cafes and gyms, a study has found.
The Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (Icon), chaired by the Labour peer Hilary Armstrong, said ministers risked overlooking vitally important neighbourhood shopping precincts by focusing on town centres. In deprived areas, local shops have roughly double the number of retailers selling unhealthy food and significantly higher vacancy rates, its research has found. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:11 AM
England’s poorest areas have 70% more vape shops and bookmakers than wealthier ones
Reposted by Clare M
BBC News presenter asking Chris Mason whether McSweeney going means the heat is off Keir Starmer and Mason gave a waffling answer which ended with ‘I think the key question now is whether or not McSweeney’s departure means the heat is now off Starmer’
February 8, 2026 at 3:10 PM
BBC News presenter asking Chris Mason whether McSweeney going means the heat is off Keir Starmer and Mason gave a waffling answer which ended with ‘I think the key question now is whether or not McSweeney’s departure means the heat is now off Starmer’
Reposted by Clare M
On a day with so much awfulness just taking a moment to note with admiration a dignified leader
🇲🇩🇺🇦 Moldovan President Sandu said that she is against her nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, because there are more worthy candidates - Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Sandu emphasized that it is Ukrainians who are truly sacrificing themselves for the sake of peace and security in Ukraine and the EU.
Sandu emphasized that it is Ukrainians who are truly sacrificing themselves for the sake of peace and security in Ukraine and the EU.
February 7, 2026 at 5:18 PM
On a day with so much awfulness just taking a moment to note with admiration a dignified leader
Reposted by Clare M
Ten countries have launched investigations related to the released Epstein files.
Norway, UK, France, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Australia, North Macedinia, Turkey, Poland.
Conspicuously absent is the United States, the epicenter of this scandal.
We know why.
…
Norway, UK, France, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Australia, North Macedinia, Turkey, Poland.
Conspicuously absent is the United States, the epicenter of this scandal.
We know why.
…
February 6, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Ten countries have launched investigations related to the released Epstein files.
Norway, UK, France, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Australia, North Macedinia, Turkey, Poland.
Conspicuously absent is the United States, the epicenter of this scandal.
We know why.
…
Norway, UK, France, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Australia, North Macedinia, Turkey, Poland.
Conspicuously absent is the United States, the epicenter of this scandal.
We know why.
…
Reposted by Clare M
i love european olympics opening ceremonies. the second the ioc names a european host city the prime minister calls the culture minister into their office and says "find me your strangest homosexuals. give each of them a period of our great nation's history, a kilo of cocaine, and Ten Million Euros"
February 7, 2026 at 4:22 AM
i love european olympics opening ceremonies. the second the ioc names a european host city the prime minister calls the culture minister into their office and says "find me your strangest homosexuals. give each of them a period of our great nation's history, a kilo of cocaine, and Ten Million Euros"
This. The way these powerful men behave is appalling. Their views of women are shameful. And of course it is still going on. This did not die with Epstein.
Sex and snacks, but no seat at the table: the role of women in Epstein’s sordid men’s club
Sex and snacks, but no seat at the table: the role of women in Epstein’s sordid men’s club
Files reveal a world of flattery and fratboy tones, where rich men are cultivated and women provide services
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 9:04 AM
This. The way these powerful men behave is appalling. Their views of women are shameful. And of course it is still going on. This did not die with Epstein.
Reposted by Clare M
A plea to my fellow professionals in the media. Please put Trump’s racism on the top of your news agendas? Where is it? The leader of the “free world” is using his racism to make all of our lives worse instead of better. A racist is a threat to us all. Whatever else he is doing, holds no worth.
February 6, 2026 at 1:14 PM
A plea to my fellow professionals in the media. Please put Trump’s racism on the top of your news agendas? Where is it? The leader of the “free world” is using his racism to make all of our lives worse instead of better. A racist is a threat to us all. Whatever else he is doing, holds no worth.
Reposted by Clare M
This!
We're not defending the current iteration of the BBC News department.
We're defending the principle.
While the current reality has rarely been more flawed, the principle has never been more critically important.
We're not defending the current iteration of the BBC News department.
We're defending the principle.
While the current reality has rarely been more flawed, the principle has never been more critically important.
Bezos burning the Washington post to the ground is as firm a reason for the continued bbc licence as ever there was. Eventually everything that can be owned by a billionaire will be owned by a billionaire and at that point its future will be determined by the whims of a man making 166k per minute.
February 6, 2026 at 11:31 AM
This!
We're not defending the current iteration of the BBC News department.
We're defending the principle.
While the current reality has rarely been more flawed, the principle has never been more critically important.
We're not defending the current iteration of the BBC News department.
We're defending the principle.
While the current reality has rarely been more flawed, the principle has never been more critically important.
Reposted by Clare M
This pup found a stick shaped like an old timey pipe earlier today and has already solved three mysteries. 13/10
February 4, 2026 at 9:59 PM
This pup found a stick shaped like an old timey pipe earlier today and has already solved three mysteries. 13/10
There is perhaps no more toxic combination on earth than extreme wealth (or the promise of it) and the male ego.
February 4, 2026 at 1:01 PM
There is perhaps no more toxic combination on earth than extreme wealth (or the promise of it) and the male ego.
Reposted by Clare M
And now for some good news. A 13 year old has been hailed as a hero after swimming through rough water for four hours to get help for his mum and two siblings who had been swept out to sea on a paddle-board. After raising the alarm, his family was found 14km off shore.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Teenager makes 'superhuman' swim to save family swept out to sea
A 13-year-old boy has been hailed a hero after swimming four hours through rough seas to get help for his mother and two siblings, who were swept out to sea on an inflatable paddleboard in WA's South ...
www.abc.net.au
February 2, 2026 at 6:14 AM
And now for some good news. A 13 year old has been hailed as a hero after swimming through rough water for four hours to get help for his mum and two siblings who had been swept out to sea on a paddle-board. After raising the alarm, his family was found 14km off shore.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...