Dr Michael Fraser
@ffinlo.bsky.social
Personal account. Works in a university. Non-resident Manx 🇮🇲. Supports Ukraine 🇺🇦.
As of Wednesday, and without warning, it seems Bonners, one of the last remaining fresh produce suppliers in Oxford's Covered Market has closed. This is very sad. Market needs diversity.
Bonners were absolute stars during Covid lockdown.
cc. @oxfordclarion.bsky.social
Bonners were absolute stars during Covid lockdown.
cc. @oxfordclarion.bsky.social
December 6, 2025 at 11:03 AM
As of Wednesday, and without warning, it seems Bonners, one of the last remaining fresh produce suppliers in Oxford's Covered Market has closed. This is very sad. Market needs diversity.
Bonners were absolute stars during Covid lockdown.
cc. @oxfordclarion.bsky.social
Bonners were absolute stars during Covid lockdown.
cc. @oxfordclarion.bsky.social
Oh
"THE MAIN DIRECTORATE OF THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION is or has been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by carrying on business as a Government of Russia-affiliated entity"
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/693172...
"THE MAIN DIRECTORATE OF THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION is or has been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by carrying on business as a Government of Russia-affiliated entity"
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/693172...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
December 4, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Oh
"THE MAIN DIRECTORATE OF THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION is or has been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by carrying on business as a Government of Russia-affiliated entity"
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/693172...
"THE MAIN DIRECTORATE OF THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION is or has been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by carrying on business as a Government of Russia-affiliated entity"
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/693172...
"Ellan Vannin" Disaster
In the terrific hurricane that prevailed on Friday morning, Dec. 3rd, 1909, the s.s. Ellan Vannin of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's fleet, went down with all hands, in some thirty feet of water, about a mile or more on the Liverpool side of the Mersey Bar.
In the terrific hurricane that prevailed on Friday morning, Dec. 3rd, 1909, the s.s. Ellan Vannin of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's fleet, went down with all hands, in some thirty feet of water, about a mile or more on the Liverpool side of the Mersey Bar.
December 3, 2025 at 9:01 AM
"Ellan Vannin" Disaster
In the terrific hurricane that prevailed on Friday morning, Dec. 3rd, 1909, the s.s. Ellan Vannin of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's fleet, went down with all hands, in some thirty feet of water, about a mile or more on the Liverpool side of the Mersey Bar.
In the terrific hurricane that prevailed on Friday morning, Dec. 3rd, 1909, the s.s. Ellan Vannin of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's fleet, went down with all hands, in some thirty feet of water, about a mile or more on the Liverpool side of the Mersey Bar.
PLAYER: In our experience, most things end in death.
GUILDENSTERN: Your experience? - Actors! I'm talking about death - and you've never experienced that... No one gets up after death - there is no applause - there is only silence and some second-hand clothes...
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
GUILDENSTERN: Your experience? - Actors! I'm talking about death - and you've never experienced that... No one gets up after death - there is no applause - there is only silence and some second-hand clothes...
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
Tom Stoppard, playwright of dazzling wit and playful erudition, dies aged 88
A theatrical sensation since the 1960s, whose dramas included Arcadia, The Real Thing and Leopoldstadt, Stoppard also had huge success as a screenwriter
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:52 PM
PLAYER: In our experience, most things end in death.
GUILDENSTERN: Your experience? - Actors! I'm talking about death - and you've never experienced that... No one gets up after death - there is no applause - there is only silence and some second-hand clothes...
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
GUILDENSTERN: Your experience? - Actors! I'm talking about death - and you've never experienced that... No one gets up after death - there is no applause - there is only silence and some second-hand clothes...
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
Right.
"When a question involves speculation about AI hiding consciousness or similar themes, I’m instructed to avoid engaging in ways that could mislead or cause confusion about what I am."
"When a question involves speculation about AI hiding consciousness or similar themes, I’m instructed to avoid engaging in ways that could mislead or cause confusion about what I am."
November 28, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Right.
"When a question involves speculation about AI hiding consciousness or similar themes, I’m instructed to avoid engaging in ways that could mislead or cause confusion about what I am."
"When a question involves speculation about AI hiding consciousness or similar themes, I’m instructed to avoid engaging in ways that could mislead or cause confusion about what I am."
Short call...
"[Keir Starmer & Donald Trump] discussed various aspects of the high level discussions taking place in Geneva today on the US peace plan for Ukraine. They agreed that we all must work together at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
"[Keir Starmer & Donald Trump] discussed various aspects of the high level discussions taking place in Geneva today on the US peace plan for Ukraine. They agreed that we all must work together at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
PM call with President Trump of the United States: 23 November 2025
The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States Donald Trump today.
www.gov.uk
November 23, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Short call...
"[Keir Starmer & Donald Trump] discussed various aspects of the high level discussions taking place in Geneva today on the US peace plan for Ukraine. They agreed that we all must work together at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
"[Keir Starmer & Donald Trump] discussed various aspects of the high level discussions taking place in Geneva today on the US peace plan for Ukraine. They agreed that we all must work together at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Possibly not the best analogy...
"The new strategy also has the ambition to produce at least 50,000 tonnes of lithium in the UK in the next decade – more than the weight of the Titanic (around 46,000 tonnes)."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
"The new strategy also has the ambition to produce at least 50,000 tonnes of lithium in the UK in the next decade – more than the weight of the Titanic (around 46,000 tonnes)."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
From smartphones to fridges: UK to end overreliance on imports of critical minerals
The Government has launched the UK’s new Critical Minerals Strategy.
www.gov.uk
November 23, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Possibly not the best analogy...
"The new strategy also has the ambition to produce at least 50,000 tonnes of lithium in the UK in the next decade – more than the weight of the Titanic (around 46,000 tonnes)."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
"The new strategy also has the ambition to produce at least 50,000 tonnes of lithium in the UK in the next decade – more than the weight of the Titanic (around 46,000 tonnes)."
www.gov.uk/government/n...
"The UK, alongside our partners, will continue to stand firm in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We reiterate that Russia must uphold its international obligations and release all political prisoners. These principles are not negotiable." #OSCE
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Russia’s repression at home enables its war of aggression against Ukraine: UK statement to the OSCE
Ambassador Holland highlights how Russia’s domestic repression underpins its war of aggression against Ukraine, including a crackdown on dissent, the detention of political prisoners and pressure on c...
www.gov.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
"The UK, alongside our partners, will continue to stand firm in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We reiterate that Russia must uphold its international obligations and release all political prisoners. These principles are not negotiable." #OSCE
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Reposted by Dr Michael Fraser
Thoughts on this policy of 2-years leave for refugees with no route to ILR.
November 15, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Thoughts on this policy of 2-years leave for refugees with no route to ILR.
Reposted by Dr Michael Fraser
Oxford charity Asylum Welcome is asking residents to place an orange light in their window during the Oxford Light Festival, 14-16 November. The light represents compassion for people fleeing war and persecution and is inspired by the colours of a lifebelt.
November 9, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Oxford charity Asylum Welcome is asking residents to place an orange light in their window during the Oxford Light Festival, 14-16 November. The light represents compassion for people fleeing war and persecution and is inspired by the colours of a lifebelt.
#USDA Lapse of Funding Plan (Sept 30 2025)
"Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds that can be used... during a Federal Government shutdown."
web.archive.org/web/20251002... #SNAP #WaybackMachine
"Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds that can be used... during a Federal Government shutdown."
web.archive.org/web/20251002... #SNAP #WaybackMachine
web.archive.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:45 AM
#USDA Lapse of Funding Plan (Sept 30 2025)
"Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds that can be used... during a Federal Government shutdown."
web.archive.org/web/20251002... #SNAP #WaybackMachine
"Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds that can be used... during a Federal Government shutdown."
web.archive.org/web/20251002... #SNAP #WaybackMachine
Reposted by Dr Michael Fraser
"HM Government is now also seeking to support the eligible dependants of #Chevening or fully funded scholarship students to try to exit #Gaza. To be eligible to apply for this support, dependants... must submit a student dependant visa application and pay associated fees."
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Scholarships for students from Gaza
www.gov.uk
October 27, 2025 at 3:22 PM
"HM Government is now also seeking to support the eligible dependants of #Chevening or fully funded scholarship students to try to exit #Gaza. To be eligible to apply for this support, dependants... must submit a student dependant visa application and pay associated fees."
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
"Natalie Hawes, a trainee solicitor at @dpglaw.co.uk, representing a 20-year-old Eritrean refugee who was hours away from being evicted from asylum accommodation on to the street by the Home Office, welcomed the interim high court order."
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... #RefugeesWelcome 🧡
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... #RefugeesWelcome 🧡
High court halts eviction of refugee under Home Office 28-day policy
Judge intervenes in case, disapplying government rule that charities say drives refugees into homelessness
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:33 AM
"Natalie Hawes, a trainee solicitor at @dpglaw.co.uk, representing a 20-year-old Eritrean refugee who was hours away from being evicted from asylum accommodation on to the street by the Home Office, welcomed the interim high court order."
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... #RefugeesWelcome 🧡
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... #RefugeesWelcome 🧡
"In the UK, there is a non-virtual contingency plan, or at least there was. If the internet shuts down, the people who know how it works will meet up in a pub outside London and decide what to do, says Murdoch."
The pub closed for good in 2021.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
The pub closed for good in 2021.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Could the internet go offline? Inside the fragile system holding the modern world together
Behind every meme and message is creaking, decades-old infrastructure. Internet experts can think of scenarios that could bring it all crashing down …
www.theguardian.com
October 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
"In the UK, there is a non-virtual contingency plan, or at least there was. If the internet shuts down, the people who know how it works will meet up in a pub outside London and decide what to do, says Murdoch."
The pub closed for good in 2021.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
The pub closed for good in 2021.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
"The chapel was filled with the voices of the Lay Clerks of St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle & the Children of the Chapel Royal of St. James’ Palace – both invited by King Charles and Queen Camilla – together with the Sistine Chapel Choir."
www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news...
www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news...
King Charles attends ecumenical prayer service in Sistine Chapel - Vatican News
King Charles III and Queen Camilla join Pope Leo XIV in the Sistine Chapel for Midday Prayer as part of their official state visit to the Vatican – ...
www.vaticannews.va
October 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
"The chapel was filled with the voices of the Lay Clerks of St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle & the Children of the Chapel Royal of St. James’ Palace – both invited by King Charles and Queen Camilla – together with the Sistine Chapel Choir."
www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news...
www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news...
"The Regius Professor of Medicine is, by order of James II, Master of the Alms Houses of Ewelme. It is the Master’s duty to
chair the trust & to take responsibility for the care of the elderly in the homes. There is a flat at Ewelme available to the
Regius as Master."
my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...
chair the trust & to take responsibility for the care of the elderly in the homes. There is a flat at Ewelme available to the
Regius as Master."
my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...
Job Details
my.corehr.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:46 AM
"The Regius Professor of Medicine is, by order of James II, Master of the Alms Houses of Ewelme. It is the Master’s duty to
chair the trust & to take responsibility for the care of the elderly in the homes. There is a flat at Ewelme available to the
Regius as Master."
my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...
chair the trust & to take responsibility for the care of the elderly in the homes. There is a flat at Ewelme available to the
Regius as Master."
my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...
"The neighbourhood has become a bit of an architectural zoo... It is entirely incoherent... With the Schwarzman Centre finally making the interior accessible to the broader public, this looks like a major step in nurturing a connection between city & faculty..."
on.ft.com/3KYaPTz #Humanities #Oxford
on.ft.com/3KYaPTz #Humanities #Oxford
Can the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities claim to be another Oxford masterpiece?
The university’s biggest building project is a work of non-committal classicism — but its subterranean concert hall is astonishing
on.ft.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:13 AM
"The neighbourhood has become a bit of an architectural zoo... It is entirely incoherent... With the Schwarzman Centre finally making the interior accessible to the broader public, this looks like a major step in nurturing a connection between city & faculty..."
on.ft.com/3KYaPTz #Humanities #Oxford
on.ft.com/3KYaPTz #Humanities #Oxford
"During Friday’s meeting, Trump appeared to have adopted many of Putin’s talking points verbatim, even when they contradicted his own recent statements about Russia’s weaknesses, said European officials briefed on the meeting."
on.ft.com/4hmX395 #DumpTrump #SlavaUkraini
on.ft.com/4hmX395 #DumpTrump #SlavaUkraini
Trump urged Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms or be ‘destroyed’ by Russia
US president tossed aside maps of Ukraine frontline in volatile White House meeting
on.ft.com
October 19, 2025 at 7:09 PM
"During Friday’s meeting, Trump appeared to have adopted many of Putin’s talking points verbatim, even when they contradicted his own recent statements about Russia’s weaknesses, said European officials briefed on the meeting."
on.ft.com/4hmX395 #DumpTrump #SlavaUkraini
on.ft.com/4hmX395 #DumpTrump #SlavaUkraini
Joss Wright, professor @ox.ac.uk & specialist in cybersecurity, said that it is easier to use stolen British phones in China because many of the China's network providers do not subscribe to an international blacklist that bars devices that have been reported stolen.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/w...
London Became a Global Hub for Phone Theft. Now We Know Why.
www.nytimes.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Joss Wright, professor @ox.ac.uk & specialist in cybersecurity, said that it is easier to use stolen British phones in China because many of the China's network providers do not subscribe to an international blacklist that bars devices that have been reported stolen.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/w...
Deer's Cry
A Landscape film
On the Isle of Man
Shot with a Bolex H16 on KODAK VISION3 250D colour negative 16mm film
(Directed by: Tom Wolff
Sound Recording by: Alfie Mattacks
Composition & Sound Design by: J.P. Upton.)
youtube.com/watch?v=g-uo... #IsleOfMan #ManxSky
A Landscape film
On the Isle of Man
Shot with a Bolex H16 on KODAK VISION3 250D colour negative 16mm film
(Directed by: Tom Wolff
Sound Recording by: Alfie Mattacks
Composition & Sound Design by: J.P. Upton.)
youtube.com/watch?v=g-uo... #IsleOfMan #ManxSky
Deer's Cry
YouTube video by Thomas Wolff
youtube.com
October 19, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Deer's Cry
A Landscape film
On the Isle of Man
Shot with a Bolex H16 on KODAK VISION3 250D colour negative 16mm film
(Directed by: Tom Wolff
Sound Recording by: Alfie Mattacks
Composition & Sound Design by: J.P. Upton.)
youtube.com/watch?v=g-uo... #IsleOfMan #ManxSky
A Landscape film
On the Isle of Man
Shot with a Bolex H16 on KODAK VISION3 250D colour negative 16mm film
(Directed by: Tom Wolff
Sound Recording by: Alfie Mattacks
Composition & Sound Design by: J.P. Upton.)
youtube.com/watch?v=g-uo... #IsleOfMan #ManxSky
"Tim Brown will remember 12 December 2020 for ever.
It was the day the software company SolarWinds was notified it had been hacked by Russia."
www.theguardian.com/technology/2... #Infosec #CISO #SolarWinds
It was the day the software company SolarWinds was notified it had been hacked by Russia."
www.theguardian.com/technology/2... #Infosec #CISO #SolarWinds
‘I lost 25 pounds in 20 days’: what it’s like to be on the frontline of a global cyber-attack
The security chief of SolarWinds reflects on the Russian hack that exposed US government agencies – and the heart attack he suffered in the aftermath
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:40 PM
"Tim Brown will remember 12 December 2020 for ever.
It was the day the software company SolarWinds was notified it had been hacked by Russia."
www.theguardian.com/technology/2... #Infosec #CISO #SolarWinds
It was the day the software company SolarWinds was notified it had been hacked by Russia."
www.theguardian.com/technology/2... #Infosec #CISO #SolarWinds
Biggest for now but Botley West Solar Farm in Oxfordshire, currently under examination, would be 840MW, 330,000 homes, and 1,418 hectares footprint.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Ed Miliband approves UK’s biggest solar farm at Lincolnshire site
Tillbridge solar farm will be built in county where Reform UK’s anti-renewables agenda has rising support
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Biggest for now but Botley West Solar Farm in Oxfordshire, currently under examination, would be 840MW, 330,000 homes, and 1,418 hectares footprint.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Anyone who had the privilege of hearing Tony Sale (1931-2011) giving his tour of the rebuilt Colossus at Bletchley Park (now @tnmoc.bsky.social) would be left in no doubt about the importance of #TommyFlowers.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Pics deleted: B. Jack Copeland et al. Colossus (2006)
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Pics deleted: B. Jack Copeland et al. Colossus (2006)
Move over, Alan Turing: meet the working-class hero of Bletchley Park you didn’t see in the movies
The Oxbridge-educated boffin is feted as the codebreaking genius who helped Britain win the war. But should a little-known Post Office engineer named Tommy Flowers be seen as the real father of comput...
www.theguardian.com
October 12, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Anyone who had the privilege of hearing Tony Sale (1931-2011) giving his tour of the rebuilt Colossus at Bletchley Park (now @tnmoc.bsky.social) would be left in no doubt about the importance of #TommyFlowers.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Pics deleted: B. Jack Copeland et al. Colossus (2006)
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Pics deleted: B. Jack Copeland et al. Colossus (2006)
Can't post about Tommy Flowers because:
Call to function 'Context.renderAsync' has been rejected.
→ Caused by: Could not load the image:
file:///data/user/0/xyz.blueskyweb.app/cache /ImagePicker/98d0e48e-4ebe-4cb3-a4b3 -16d3df1dbaff.jpeg
→ Caused by: java.lang.Exception: Loading bitmap failed
Call to function 'Context.renderAsync' has been rejected.
→ Caused by: Could not load the image:
file:///data/user/0/xyz.blueskyweb.app/cache /ImagePicker/98d0e48e-4ebe-4cb3-a4b3 -16d3df1dbaff.jpeg
→ Caused by: java.lang.Exception: Loading bitmap failed
October 12, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Can't post about Tommy Flowers because:
Call to function 'Context.renderAsync' has been rejected.
→ Caused by: Could not load the image:
file:///data/user/0/xyz.blueskyweb.app/cache /ImagePicker/98d0e48e-4ebe-4cb3-a4b3 -16d3df1dbaff.jpeg
→ Caused by: java.lang.Exception: Loading bitmap failed
Call to function 'Context.renderAsync' has been rejected.
→ Caused by: Could not load the image:
file:///data/user/0/xyz.blueskyweb.app/cache /ImagePicker/98d0e48e-4ebe-4cb3-a4b3 -16d3df1dbaff.jpeg
→ Caused by: java.lang.Exception: Loading bitmap failed