Ruth Watson
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ruthwatson.bsky.social
Ruth Watson
@ruthwatson.bsky.social
Journalist. Activist. Working for a better tomorrow today.

Political perspectives. Sustainability. Resilience. Food security. Social justice.

Scottish. Irish. Algerian. Kabyl.

There is no Planet B.
#Measles is a very dangerous, highly infectious disease

Babies can only get vaccinated against measles from 13 months of age

I have a pal whose wee baby caught measles. That child has spent years dealing with the impact measles left on her.

#GetVaccinated

The life you save might not be your own.
Pneumonia, blindness, hearing loss and brain inflammation are just some of the impacts measles can do and these are heartbreaking accounts shared here. Measles is extremely infectious but also preventable by the full course of the MMR vaccine #MMR #Measles
‘We almost lost you in the night’ - the life-threatening rise of measles in the UK
It is one of the most infectious diseases around, and can cause blindness and hearing loss – and can also be fatal. Why are cases now soaring and what can be done about it?
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 5:46 PM
'Casablanca' was filmed in 1942.

Remember that, when you watch it.

A truly superb piece of storytelling.

Ingrid Bergmann didn't know who she was going to choose, as the final script was still not decided.

French refugees were used as extras.

It cannot be watched too often.
You ever stop and think about CASABLANCA? You ever stop and think about "Welcome back to the fight, this time, I know our side will win?" You ever think about a bar full of people defiantly singing La Marseillaise, played by a soundstage full of Jewish refugees? You ever think about CASABLANCA??????
February 15, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
As a child protection professional, I can tell you the death penalty is NOT an awesome solution to child sexual abuse. Most children are abused by family members; they will not report if their family members will die as a result.
February 15, 2026 at 2:51 AM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
‘Policing is in crisis. The model is broken’

I talk to the Scottish Police Federation chief about the need for reform: from bringing back ‘bobbies in the beat’ and calls for more access to firearms, to the violence officers face and the epidemic of PTSD in the ranks

In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
'Every single police officer in Scotland will suffer post-traumatic stress disorder'
The Scottish Police Federation is demanding wholesale reform of policing as the Holyrood election approaches. Our Writer at Large speaks exclusively…
www.heraldscotland.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
Bande de Gaza : 11 morts dans des attaques israéliennes, annonce la défense civile
Bande de Gaza : 11 morts dans des attaques israéliennes, annonce la défense civile
www.lemonde.fr
February 15, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Measles can cause lifelong damage to the body, including blindness, damage to your gut, brain damage.

Measles can kill.

Get vaccinated.

The life you save might not be your own

#Measles
#VaccinesWork
February 15, 2026 at 11:07 AM
J.D. Vance is a danger to the free world.

A man without principles funded by a deeply cruel and vile billionaire: Peter Thiel.
For those unaware, a quick primer on perhaps the most dangerous of the oligarchs.

Peter Thiel.
February 15, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
For those unaware, a quick primer on perhaps the most dangerous of the oligarchs.

Peter Thiel.
February 15, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
Wow! This is some top-notch investigative journalism. The report claims the 3 million Epstein files released are only 2% of the total.

The massive scale of what’s still missing is hard to comprehend.
February 15, 2026 at 5:08 AM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
Barack Obama blasted Donald Trump and the administration in a new interview with Brian Tyler Cohen.
Obama Blasts ‘Clown Show’ Politics In Scathing Interview Scolding Trump
Barack Obama blasted Donald Trump and the administration in a new interview with Brian Tyler Cohen.
www.forbes.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
Greenland PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen: “Imagine a NATO country acquiring, taking, or threatening an ally. Where would the world stand if that happened?

“…what would prevent the United States, Russia, and China from splitting up the world into three big blocks if that were allowed?

“It’s outrageous.”
February 14, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
The Minister for Defence has said Ireland is considering boarding and inspecting Russian oil smuggling ships, known as the Shadow Fleet, as they pass through the seas off Ireland.
jrnl.ie/6957232t
Irish Defence Minister says Ireland considering boarding and inspecting Russian Shadow Fleet ships
Helen McEntee, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, was speaking to The Journal today as she attends meetings at the Munich Security Conference.
jrnl.ie
February 15, 2026 at 12:12 AM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
In November 2013 a Ukrainian protest comprising thousands of college students became a Euromaidan of millions.

Normal men and women without strong political views faced down paramilitary thugs in the freezing cold.

Asked why, they said the same thing he does.

"They're beating our children."
Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 7:20 PM
I miss the 'Special Relationship' being partnered by someone who was a grown-up.
@barackobama.bsky.social: "When I was POTUS, I suppose I could have simply unilaterally ordered the military to go into some red state and harass and intimidate a governor or cut off funding for states that didn't vote for me... but that is contrary to how I think our democracy is supposed to work."
February 14, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
@barackobama.bsky.social: "When I was POTUS, I suppose I could have simply unilaterally ordered the military to go into some red state and harass and intimidate a governor or cut off funding for states that didn't vote for me... but that is contrary to how I think our democracy is supposed to work."
February 14, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
Each week in Essential India our correspondents analyse the big Indian news and business developments, keeping you in the loop with everything from cricket to technology, social trends and electoral politics
Essential India Newsletter
Our India newsletter will help you understand a vast and complicated country that will increasingly shape the future. Sign up to Essential India today.
econ.st
February 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Best. Valentine's Day. Ever.

Hills.
Chocolate.
Rugby.

#SixNations
#CalcuttaCup
#Scotland
February 14, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Very competent refereeing which both allowed the game to flow, but also kept a tight rein to ensure fair play.

We thought #HollieDavidson did a solid job in last year's Autumn Nations.

Good to see her on the pitch at the #SixNations
Big respect and congratulations to Hollie Davidson, the first ever female referee in the six nations. She's had a brilliant game and hopefully she'll be called on for many more six nations games.
#IREvITA
February 14, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
This story keeps getting bigger.
🔴 SCOOP: Wife of Starmer’s comms chief had direct knowledge of Labour Together’s investigation into journalists, documents seen by D4S show

Revelation heaps more pressure on minister Josh Simons to explain why he paid a PR firm to dig dirt on reporters

democracyforsale.substack.com/p/starmer-al...
Starmer ally Josh Simons faces fresh questions about digging dirt on journalists
Tory and SNP chiefs call for Labour minister Simons to ‘come clean’ as we reveal new details of PR firm’s campaign to discredit journalists
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
Polish Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs Radek Sikorski: “Europe is now paying for this war. We are buying American weapons to deliver to Ukraine. US supplemental package ran out last year. We are paying, this is our security and therefore we deserve a seat at the negotiating table.”
February 14, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Fascinating.
February 14, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
Au Nigeria, au moins 46 personnes tuées par des hommes armés dans trois villages du Centre-Ouest
Au Nigeria, au moins 46 personnes tuées par des hommes armés dans trois villages du Centre-Ouest
www.lemonde.fr
February 14, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
Zelenskyy in Munich: “The Ukrainian Army is the strongest army in Europe, thanks to our heroes.

“And I think it is simply not smart to keep this army outside NATO.”
February 14, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
I prefer it when ‘Traitors’ describes the TV program, not the people potentially electing the next government.
2024 Reform UK voters are also less likely to describe themselves as anti-Russia (48%) than other voters (66-79%)

yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
February 14, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Reposted by Ruth Watson
NATO’s Mark Rutte on Russia at Munich: “They lost 65,000 people in December and January. They are not winning this…

“If there is a dictator in Moscow willing to do that…we have to take that seriously, because this is crazy behaviour.”
February 14, 2026 at 11:54 AM