Alastair Millar
@skriptorium.info
Translator & flash sf writer (BSFA); 🇨🇿/🇬🇧
Posts eclectically (archaeology, travel, current affairs, words)
❤️good coffee & bad puns; 🚫 genAI; unsolicited DM = block
Happily married; he/him; 🏳️🌈/🏳️⚧️ ally; #NAFO fella; 🇺🇦 🇬🇪
Links: https://linktr.ee/alastairmillar
Posts eclectically (archaeology, travel, current affairs, words)
❤️good coffee & bad puns; 🚫 genAI; unsolicited DM = block
Happily married; he/him; 🏳️🌈/🏳️⚧️ ally; #NAFO fella; 🇺🇦 🇬🇪
Links: https://linktr.ee/alastairmillar
Pinned
Alastair Millar
@skriptorium.info
· Jun 16
My flash science fiction collection, 'Mars & More', is still available!
If you'd like to get YOUR hands on some punchy, bite sized SF, you can find the ebook here: books2read.com/MarsMore
Or order in print (paperback) through your favourite bookstore: the ISBN is 979-8-227-17966-1
If you'd like to get YOUR hands on some punchy, bite sized SF, you can find the ebook here: books2read.com/MarsMore
Or order in print (paperback) through your favourite bookstore: the ISBN is 979-8-227-17966-1
This is what SHOULD happen if someone attempts a coup.
Not enough attention is being paid to reports that the US encouraged Bolsonaro's recent attempt to remove his tracker and flee to the US embassy for asylum, or that DJT's comments ("I expect to see him soon") suggest that he knew about this.
Not enough attention is being paid to reports that the US encouraged Bolsonaro's recent attempt to remove his tracker and flee to the US embassy for asylum, or that DJT's comments ("I expect to see him soon") suggest that he knew about this.
Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro begins 27-year prison sentence for coup plot
Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro begins 27-year prison sentence for coup plot
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has started to serve a 27-year prison sentence on Tuesday after he was convicted for leading a coup attempt following his 2022 presidential election loss, despite pressure and protest from US President Donald Trump.
l.euronews.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:20 AM
This is what SHOULD happen if someone attempts a coup.
Not enough attention is being paid to reports that the US encouraged Bolsonaro's recent attempt to remove his tracker and flee to the US embassy for asylum, or that DJT's comments ("I expect to see him soon") suggest that he knew about this.
Not enough attention is being paid to reports that the US encouraged Bolsonaro's recent attempt to remove his tracker and flee to the US embassy for asylum, or that DJT's comments ("I expect to see him soon") suggest that he knew about this.
Ok, I feel itchy now. And slightly revolted.
Malaysian scientists recruit bed bugs as crime scene sleuths.
Long-loathed as itchy household pests, blood-sucking bed bugs have revealed a darker, more intriguing potential as Malaysian scientists have discovered they can be turned into unlikely crime-busting allies
Long-loathed as itchy household pests, blood-sucking bed bugs have revealed a darker, more intriguing potential as Malaysian scientists have discovered they can be turned into unlikely crime-busting allies
November 26, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Ok, I feel itchy now. And slightly revolted.
The reality: civilians who are answering their country's need by becoming drone operators. Forget the image of remote warfare from a distant command post - these are women on the front lines.
Героям слава! 🇺🇦
Героям слава! 🇺🇦
‘Drone operators are hunted. You feel it from your first day’: the female pilots on Ukraine’s frontline
‘Drone operators are hunted. You feel it from your first day’: the female pilots on Ukraine’s frontline
As casualties mount, recruitment is expanding. Three women talk about life in a male-dominated combat environment
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:14 AM
The reality: civilians who are answering their country's need by becoming drone operators. Forget the image of remote warfare from a distant command post - these are women on the front lines.
Героям слава! 🇺🇦
Героям слава! 🇺🇦
Reposted by Alastair Millar
While Trump is ordering the FBI to investigate U.S. Senators over a video reminding military members they don’t have to follow illegal orders, it might be worth noting that “I was only following orders” was rejected as a defense at the Nuremberg Trials.
November 25, 2025 at 9:36 PM
While Trump is ordering the FBI to investigate U.S. Senators over a video reminding military members they don’t have to follow illegal orders, it might be worth noting that “I was only following orders” was rejected as a defense at the Nuremberg Trials.
Wow. Utter incompetence and (surely criminal?) negligence on full display here: the Louvre were warned of the specific vulnerability exploited in the recent heist SEVEN YEARS ago‼️
Forgotten Louvre security report highlighted specific balcony used by crown jewel thieves
Forgotten Louvre security report highlighted specific balcony used by crown jewel thieves
Le Monde has learned that a 2018 security audit explicitly identified the balcony used by the thieves as a point of vulnerability, even noting the possibility that a freight lift could be used to access it.
www.lemonde.fr
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Wow. Utter incompetence and (surely criminal?) negligence on full display here: the Louvre were warned of the specific vulnerability exploited in the recent heist SEVEN YEARS ago‼️
Reposted by Alastair Millar
Three things about the Witkoff tapes:
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg
November 25, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Three things about the Witkoff tapes:
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
Reposted by Alastair Millar
Hegseth is very very terrified, deep deep down of something to do with maleness www.npr.org/2025/11/25/n...
U.S. ready to cut support to Scouts, accusing them of attacking 'boy-friendly spaces'
Documents show the U.S. military is planning to sever all ties with the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts.
www.npr.org
November 25, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Hegseth is very very terrified, deep deep down of something to do with maleness www.npr.org/2025/11/25/n...
Yes indeed.
This is exactly why Ukraine has no reason to trust anyone else with its own security.
This is exactly why Ukraine has no reason to trust anyone else with its own security.
November 25, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Yes indeed.
This is exactly why Ukraine has no reason to trust anyone else with its own security.
This is exactly why Ukraine has no reason to trust anyone else with its own security.
Haha, nice try - but if I see that you only joined Bluesky 4 days ago, are already following 10K other people, and have a profile pic that is an attractive young woman while your bio says that you are a working dad of 2, you'll have to forgive me for being skeptical...
November 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Haha, nice try - but if I see that you only joined Bluesky 4 days ago, are already following 10K other people, and have a profile pic that is an attractive young woman while your bio says that you are a working dad of 2, you'll have to forgive me for being skeptical...
I'm astonished that this wasn't done years ago (irrespective of who was in power) - it's absolutely normal in Continental Europe. And of course, if a city thinks an additional levy will unaccep[tably reduce visitor numbers, they don't have to introduce one.
BREAKING | Labour announces ‘tourist tax’ to boost England’s cities
Labour announces ‘tourist tax’ to boost England’s cities
www.independent.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 3:09 PM
I'm astonished that this wasn't done years ago (irrespective of who was in power) - it's absolutely normal in Continental Europe. And of course, if a city thinks an additional levy will unaccep[tably reduce visitor numbers, they don't have to introduce one.
Good!
Note that this does NOT compel Poland to legalise same-sex marriage itself, but DOES require the country to recognise same-sex marriages made in other EU member states *even if between Polish citizens* - so Poles marrying abroad MUST be able to have that marriage recognised at home.
Note that this does NOT compel Poland to legalise same-sex marriage itself, but DOES require the country to recognise same-sex marriages made in other EU member states *even if between Polish citizens* - so Poles marrying abroad MUST be able to have that marriage recognised at home.
Same-sex marriage must be respected throughout EU, top court tells Poland
Same-sex marriage must be respected throughout EU, top court tells Poland
The ruling covers the case of a Polish couple who married in Berlin but Polish authorities refused to recognise their marriage.
www.bbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Good!
Note that this does NOT compel Poland to legalise same-sex marriage itself, but DOES require the country to recognise same-sex marriages made in other EU member states *even if between Polish citizens* - so Poles marrying abroad MUST be able to have that marriage recognised at home.
Note that this does NOT compel Poland to legalise same-sex marriage itself, but DOES require the country to recognise same-sex marriages made in other EU member states *even if between Polish citizens* - so Poles marrying abroad MUST be able to have that marriage recognised at home.
Because Russia does not seek peace, but Ukrainian capitulation and subsequent subjugation.
This should surprise absolutely no-one.
This should surprise absolutely no-one.
Russian officials have called the revised 19-point plan a failure, Bloomberg reports.
November 25, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Because Russia does not seek peace, but Ukrainian capitulation and subsequent subjugation.
This should surprise absolutely no-one.
This should surprise absolutely no-one.
Imagine if these numbers of drones and missiles had been aimed at any other European country: they wouldn't have been able to cope.
Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦
Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦
❗️During the night, the 🇺🇦Ukrainian military shot down 452 of 486 🇷🇺Russian air targets:
Shot down/Launched
📌 438/ 464 attack UAVs
📌 1/4 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles
📌 5/7 Iskander-K cruise missiles
📌 5/8 Kalibr cruise missiles
📌 3/3 Iskander-M ballistic missiles
Shot down/Launched
📌 438/ 464 attack UAVs
📌 1/4 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles
📌 5/7 Iskander-K cruise missiles
📌 5/8 Kalibr cruise missiles
📌 3/3 Iskander-M ballistic missiles
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Imagine if these numbers of drones and missiles had been aimed at any other European country: they wouldn't have been able to cope.
Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦
Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦
I mean, at this stage Ukraine has the most battle-hardened army in Europe, and understands the modern drone-based battlefield better than anyone - so if anything the training would be going other way!
First mention of Turkish forces being involved though, I think.
First mention of Turkish forces being involved though, I think.
❗️After the signing of a peace agreement, “assurance forces” will be deployed in Ukraine outside the front lines, in places such as Kyiv or Odesa, – Macron.
These will include British, French and Turkish troops whose role will be to train Ukrainian forces and assist in ensuring security.
These will include British, French and Turkish troops whose role will be to train Ukrainian forces and assist in ensuring security.
November 25, 2025 at 8:29 AM
I mean, at this stage Ukraine has the most battle-hardened army in Europe, and understands the modern drone-based battlefield better than anyone - so if anything the training would be going other way!
First mention of Turkish forces being involved though, I think.
First mention of Turkish forces being involved though, I think.
This an excellent description of how Moscow's hybrid campaigns in Europe work: non-Russians are hired to undertake relatively minor actions, which are then magnified to cause social disunity. This is an example of how Russia is actively trying to undermine Western cohesion through covert operations.
A late-night act of vandalism turned out to be something much bigger, and Moscow knew exactly what it was doing.
Red Hands in Paris: A Small Act of Vandalism in a Big Russian Strategy
On the afternoon of May 11, 2024, two men arrived at a modest hotel in Paris. One of them, identifying himself as Mircho Angelov, presented a Bulgarian ID
warontherocks.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:24 AM
This an excellent description of how Moscow's hybrid campaigns in Europe work: non-Russians are hired to undertake relatively minor actions, which are then magnified to cause social disunity. This is an example of how Russia is actively trying to undermine Western cohesion through covert operations.
Reposted by Alastair Millar
Bibliognost [BIB-lee-uh-nahst]
(n.)
- A well-read person with wide knowledge of books.
Use:
“Gerald soon discovered that his years as a quiet bibliognost had been unwitting training for his new post as head librarian, where every patron appeared to require the services of a human card catalog.”
(n.)
- A well-read person with wide knowledge of books.
Use:
“Gerald soon discovered that his years as a quiet bibliognost had been unwitting training for his new post as head librarian, where every patron appeared to require the services of a human card catalog.”
November 25, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Bibliognost [BIB-lee-uh-nahst]
(n.)
- A well-read person with wide knowledge of books.
Use:
“Gerald soon discovered that his years as a quiet bibliognost had been unwitting training for his new post as head librarian, where every patron appeared to require the services of a human card catalog.”
(n.)
- A well-read person with wide knowledge of books.
Use:
“Gerald soon discovered that his years as a quiet bibliognost had been unwitting training for his new post as head librarian, where every patron appeared to require the services of a human card catalog.”
Reposted by Alastair Millar
One of my favorite parts of the day is looking through all the comments on our Best Lit Mag Awards votes, like this super sweet one left for @okaydonkeymag.com!
Click here to show your favorite lit mags + editors some love <3: www.chillsubs.com/best-lit-mag...
#writing #writingcommunity #litmags
Click here to show your favorite lit mags + editors some love <3: www.chillsubs.com/best-lit-mag...
#writing #writingcommunity #litmags
November 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
One of my favorite parts of the day is looking through all the comments on our Best Lit Mag Awards votes, like this super sweet one left for @okaydonkeymag.com!
Click here to show your favorite lit mags + editors some love <3: www.chillsubs.com/best-lit-mag...
#writing #writingcommunity #litmags
Click here to show your favorite lit mags + editors some love <3: www.chillsubs.com/best-lit-mag...
#writing #writingcommunity #litmags
So reading between the lines, the Ukrainians (and supporting cast of Europeans) are basically having to reinvent the wheel, explaining *yet again* what the red lines are, and why they exist. Of course, this also means that any revised document will be rejected out of hand by the Russians.
The original 28-point peace plan no longer exists, according to Presidential Office adviser Oleksandr Bevz after the Geneva talks. He said some points were removed, others revised, and that every Ukrainian concern was addressed.
November 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
So reading between the lines, the Ukrainians (and supporting cast of Europeans) are basically having to reinvent the wheel, explaining *yet again* what the red lines are, and why they exist. Of course, this also means that any revised document will be rejected out of hand by the Russians.
Well that ain't so good.
November 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Well that ain't so good.
The Americans keep trying to persuade us that Russia isn't a threat to most of Europe. Here's the reality.
Divers Discover Russian Hydroacoustic Buoy off the Coast of Wales - Militarnyi
A team of volunteer divers discovered an unidentified object during a dive in the Skomer Marine Reserve off the coast of Pembrokeshire on November 15.
militarnyi.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The Americans keep trying to persuade us that Russia isn't a threat to most of Europe. Here's the reality.
Ooooo... An intact and unplundered Late Roman (4th century AD) sarcophagus has been presented to the public in Budapest 🇭🇺. Great stuff!
#archaeology
#archaeology
Ancient Roman sarcophagus unearthed intact in Budapest
The limestone coffin, sealed for nearly two millennia, contained a young woman's skeleton surrounded by treasures meant for her eternal journey.
www.euronews.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Ooooo... An intact and unplundered Late Roman (4th century AD) sarcophagus has been presented to the public in Budapest 🇭🇺. Great stuff!
#archaeology
#archaeology
Reposted by Alastair Millar
Previously unknown lineage of humans discovered in Argentina
Previously unknown lineage of humans discovered in Argentina
Previously unknown lineage of humans discovered in Argentina
www.independent.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Previously unknown lineage of humans discovered in Argentina
Reposted by Alastair Millar
The ‘Shell Mosaic’ from Verulamium - the third largest town in Roman Britain which is situated close to modern St. Albans. The mosaic is one of 49 discovered during excavations of the site and dates to around 150 AD. The mosaic is on display at Verulamium Museum. #MosaicMonday
November 24, 2025 at 7:53 AM
The ‘Shell Mosaic’ from Verulamium - the third largest town in Roman Britain which is situated close to modern St. Albans. The mosaic is one of 49 discovered during excavations of the site and dates to around 150 AD. The mosaic is on display at Verulamium Museum. #MosaicMonday
This is me most days, tbh.
Quanked [kwangkt]
(adj.)
- Overpowered by fatigue.
- Exhausted or reduced in strength, as by labor or exertion; fatigued; sleepy.
Origin uncertain
Used in a sentence:
“After sprunting all weekend, then frooncing to get to work on time, I’m well quanked.”
(adj.)
- Overpowered by fatigue.
- Exhausted or reduced in strength, as by labor or exertion; fatigued; sleepy.
Origin uncertain
Used in a sentence:
“After sprunting all weekend, then frooncing to get to work on time, I’m well quanked.”
November 24, 2025 at 5:47 AM
This is me most days, tbh.
Yes.
I am not a republican (small r) or anti-royalist, but the wealthy and the social 'elite' should in no way be insulated from the consequences of their actions by their social position.
I am not a republican (small r) or anti-royalist, but the wealthy and the social 'elite' should in no way be insulated from the consequences of their actions by their social position.
PM Starmer says Andrew should testify in US investigation into Epstein
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/0gpg
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/0gpg
November 24, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Yes.
I am not a republican (small r) or anti-royalist, but the wealthy and the social 'elite' should in no way be insulated from the consequences of their actions by their social position.
I am not a republican (small r) or anti-royalist, but the wealthy and the social 'elite' should in no way be insulated from the consequences of their actions by their social position.