Val Aston
@valaston.bsky.social
Criminal law lecturer, protest law researcher, long covid sufferer.
Reposted by Val Aston
I was also one of the legal experts but have ended up on the sub editor’s floor.I’d suggest three cumulative reasons…
1. If Parliament had meant that in 1986, it had ample opportunity to make it clear
2. The introduction of ‘clarifying’ Regs suggests they did not then, that power was never there
1. If Parliament had meant that in 1986, it had ample opportunity to make it clear
2. The introduction of ‘clarifying’ Regs suggests they did not then, that power was never there
Met using outdated powers to police pro-Palestine protests, say legal experts
Lawyers argue ‘cumulative disruption’ regulations were quashed in May and should therefore not be used
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:59 AM
I was also one of the legal experts but have ended up on the sub editor’s floor.I’d suggest three cumulative reasons…
1. If Parliament had meant that in 1986, it had ample opportunity to make it clear
2. The introduction of ‘clarifying’ Regs suggests they did not then, that power was never there
1. If Parliament had meant that in 1986, it had ample opportunity to make it clear
2. The introduction of ‘clarifying’ Regs suggests they did not then, that power was never there
Sadly unable to get to this - but if you are in London would recommend. Excitedly awaiting delivery of the book.
A couple weeks until this event at @housmansbookshop.bsky.social on Jan 21st – I'll be chatting to @katrinanavickas.bsky.social about her fantastic new book *Contested Commons* (@reaktionbooks.bsky.social). Really looking forward to it!
Get your tickets here: housmans.com/event/book-t...
Get your tickets here: housmans.com/event/book-t...
Book Talk: CONTESTED COMMONS: A History of Protest and Public Space in England
Proffessor Katrina Navickas In Conversation with Daniel Frost For our first event of the year we welcome Proffessor Katrina Navickas to the shop to discuss what is an increasingly urgent political …
housmans.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Sadly unable to get to this - but if you are in London would recommend. Excitedly awaiting delivery of the book.
Reposted by Val Aston
“the principles of international law” rather prohibit bombing countries because their leaders “lack legitimacy”.
I have spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.
The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. (1/2)
The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. (1/2)
January 3, 2026 at 11:47 AM
“the principles of international law” rather prohibit bombing countries because their leaders “lack legitimacy”.
Reposted by Val Aston
This is a statement
"Mexico strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally ... by armed forces of the United States of America against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in clear violation of Article 2 of the [UN] Charter"
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
January 3, 2026 at 1:15 PM
This is a statement
Reposted by Val Aston
Reposted by Val Aston
Tomorrow's front page 📰
Barclays made crackdown call to FM over Palestine Action
Barclays made crackdown call to FM over Palestine Action
December 22, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Tomorrow's front page 📰
Barclays made crackdown call to FM over Palestine Action
Barclays made crackdown call to FM over Palestine Action
Reposted by Val Aston
One of the reasons why I go so hard on science misinformation/disinformation, is that as a working scientist it is frustrating to see your research misreported to push an agenda.
For example, consider this piece of right-wing propaganda from The Telegraph that was just published
For example, consider this piece of right-wing propaganda from The Telegraph that was just published
December 20, 2025 at 10:49 PM
One of the reasons why I go so hard on science misinformation/disinformation, is that as a working scientist it is frustrating to see your research misreported to push an agenda.
For example, consider this piece of right-wing propaganda from The Telegraph that was just published
For example, consider this piece of right-wing propaganda from The Telegraph that was just published
Reposted by Val Aston
So, to those who say "masks don't work", cite the flawed Cochrane report, insist upon an unfeasible RCT, accuse folks of panic, and undermine public health on social and mainstream media during a flu/RSV epidemic...
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
December 12, 2025 at 11:07 AM
So, to those who say "masks don't work", cite the flawed Cochrane report, insist upon an unfeasible RCT, accuse folks of panic, and undermine public health on social and mainstream media during a flu/RSV epidemic...
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
Reposted by Val Aston
Tomorrow's front page 📰
'The UK is letting these people die'
'The UK is letting these people die'
December 10, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Tomorrow's front page 📰
'The UK is letting these people die'
'The UK is letting these people die'
Reposted by Val Aston
Reposted by Val Aston
While focus is often solely on asylum, and small boat crossings in particular, it's important to remember that Labour's hostililty against all migrants is harming not only individuals, but the whole country, with an estimated loss of £10.8billion, and zero actual benefits.
www.ft.com/content/2b60...
www.ft.com/content/2b60...
Tighter visa rules will cost UK up to £10.8bn
Home Office assessment shows impact of latest changes to immigration regime over next five years
www.ft.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:05 AM
While focus is often solely on asylum, and small boat crossings in particular, it's important to remember that Labour's hostililty against all migrants is harming not only individuals, but the whole country, with an estimated loss of £10.8billion, and zero actual benefits.
www.ft.com/content/2b60...
www.ft.com/content/2b60...
Francis states that he had infiltrated "a political party which was operating entirely openly". Francis's reporting on Militant Labour described as 'extremely valuable' by security service (MI5).
December 3, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Francis states that he had infiltrated "a political party which was operating entirely openly". Francis's reporting on Militant Labour described as 'extremely valuable' by security service (MI5).
Extraordinary testimony by Peter Francis talking candidly how he infiltrated and reported on trade union activity for the Security Services, including holding positions - eg branch secretary - in the organisations he infiltrated.
Instant report from lunchtime at the Undercover Policing Inquiry where whistleblower #spycops officer Peter Francis has a 3rd day of questioning, talking about his infiltration of antifascist groups & trade unions in the mid 1990s
Tom Fowler is joined by Kate Wilson of @spiesoutoflives.bsky.social
Tom Fowler is joined by Kate Wilson of @spiesoutoflives.bsky.social
Spycops inquiry reaction: lunchtime of 3 Dec 2025 - Peter Francis evidence, day 3
YouTube video by Cops Campaign
www.youtube.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Extraordinary testimony by Peter Francis talking candidly how he infiltrated and reported on trade union activity for the Security Services, including holding positions - eg branch secretary - in the organisations he infiltrated.
Reposted by Val Aston
So this figure is actually strong evidence that most work of executives is just substance-less illusion building. Tricking people into think there is something there.
And *finally* we have a good use case for AI. Let's sack all executives!
And *finally* we have a good use case for AI. Let's sack all executives!
November 30, 2025 at 12:06 AM
So this figure is actually strong evidence that most work of executives is just substance-less illusion building. Tricking people into think there is something there.
And *finally* we have a good use case for AI. Let's sack all executives!
And *finally* we have a good use case for AI. Let's sack all executives!
Reposted by Val Aston
AI usage: 87% of executives use AI for work; 57% managers; 27% of employees.
This is both easy to believe and easy to misinterpret. AI is *genuinely* useful if what matters is FORM. Terrible at SUBSTANCE.
If useful for your job = your job just form.
A 🧵
www.businessinsider.com/executives-a...
This is both easy to believe and easy to misinterpret. AI is *genuinely* useful if what matters is FORM. Terrible at SUBSTANCE.
If useful for your job = your job just form.
A 🧵
www.businessinsider.com/executives-a...
Execs are embracing AI more than their employees are, new research suggests
Research from HR software company Dayforce suggests that executives are leaning into AI far more than their employees.
www.businessinsider.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:06 AM
AI usage: 87% of executives use AI for work; 57% managers; 27% of employees.
This is both easy to believe and easy to misinterpret. AI is *genuinely* useful if what matters is FORM. Terrible at SUBSTANCE.
If useful for your job = your job just form.
A 🧵
www.businessinsider.com/executives-a...
This is both easy to believe and easy to misinterpret. AI is *genuinely* useful if what matters is FORM. Terrible at SUBSTANCE.
If useful for your job = your job just form.
A 🧵
www.businessinsider.com/executives-a...
Reposted by Val Aston
Genuinely one of the greatest derelictions of core duty by western governments of our time - not pushing for the provision of adequate ventilation and/or HEPA filters in most public buildings and settings to curb spread of all airborne pathogens
My hotel in Hong Kong, where people understand airborne transmission of respiratory viruses, has HEPA filters everywhere
November 27, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Genuinely one of the greatest derelictions of core duty by western governments of our time - not pushing for the provision of adequate ventilation and/or HEPA filters in most public buildings and settings to curb spread of all airborne pathogens
There is so much to love about the BBC, including - especially - its Welsh language programming. A publicly, collectively owned, not-for-profit broadcaster is the institution we need right now. But it hurts the profits of Netflix, Prime and Sky, so the knives are out.
"For a century, the BBC has been our classroom, our concert hall, our stage, our storyteller and our window on the world. Politicians need reminding: its much more than a news channel."
Defending our national treasure: the voice of the nation
Politicians see the BBC through the lens of TV news, but those who want to undermine it threaten a central plank of our national culture
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 12:28 PM
There is so much to love about the BBC, including - especially - its Welsh language programming. A publicly, collectively owned, not-for-profit broadcaster is the institution we need right now. But it hurts the profits of Netflix, Prime and Sky, so the knives are out.
Reposted by Val Aston
1/ The UK Covid-19 Inquiry published its Module 2 report on Thursday.
This report examines how the UK’s four governments made decisions during the pandemic, and its conclusions are stark:
“Too little, too late.”
🧵👇
This report examines how the UK’s four governments made decisions during the pandemic, and its conclusions are stark:
“Too little, too late.”
🧵👇
November 24, 2025 at 3:40 PM
1/ The UK Covid-19 Inquiry published its Module 2 report on Thursday.
This report examines how the UK’s four governments made decisions during the pandemic, and its conclusions are stark:
“Too little, too late.”
🧵👇
This report examines how the UK’s four governments made decisions during the pandemic, and its conclusions are stark:
“Too little, too late.”
🧵👇
Anyone out there have experience of using KEATH.ai for marking? Am hugely concerned that this whole process treats marking as just a repeatable admin task, rather than an integral part of teaching and learning. But genuinely curious as to how it 'advances academic integrity' as it claims.
November 24, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Anyone out there have experience of using KEATH.ai for marking? Am hugely concerned that this whole process treats marking as just a repeatable admin task, rather than an integral part of teaching and learning. But genuinely curious as to how it 'advances academic integrity' as it claims.
Reposted by Val Aston
The second problem with this — after the fact that it will bankrupt a bunch of institutions — is that the government doesn’t seem to know if it wants to a) raise lots of money from intentional students or b) discourage universities from relying on international students. You can’t have both!!
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
November 24, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The second problem with this — after the fact that it will bankrupt a bunch of institutions — is that the government doesn’t seem to know if it wants to a) raise lots of money from intentional students or b) discourage universities from relying on international students. You can’t have both!!
Reposted by Val Aston
🧵 Thread: The Economic Cost of Long Covid – new 2025 study in Nature
1/ A new paper has modelled the economic burden of Long Covid in the U.S. and globally. Spoiler: it’s massive. Here’s a breakdown. 👇
1/ A new paper has modelled the economic burden of Long Covid in the U.S. and globally. Spoiler: it’s massive. Here’s a breakdown. 👇
November 22, 2025 at 5:08 PM
🧵 Thread: The Economic Cost of Long Covid – new 2025 study in Nature
1/ A new paper has modelled the economic burden of Long Covid in the U.S. and globally. Spoiler: it’s massive. Here’s a breakdown. 👇
1/ A new paper has modelled the economic burden of Long Covid in the U.S. and globally. Spoiler: it’s massive. Here’s a breakdown. 👇
Reposted by Val Aston
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry confirms what our communities have lived for years: the government’s pandemic response wasn’t just a failure - it was a historic abandonment. “Too little, too late” doesn’t capture the scale of the harm. /1
November 20, 2025 at 5:43 PM
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry confirms what our communities have lived for years: the government’s pandemic response wasn’t just a failure - it was a historic abandonment. “Too little, too late” doesn’t capture the scale of the harm. /1
Reposted by Val Aston
The second report of the UK COVID Inquiry is out. The two volumes are here: covid19.public-inquiry.uk/documents/mo...
The section on "The focus on handwashing over ventilation" begins in section 12.32 of the second volume (page 167 in the PDF of voume 2).
#itsairborne #COVID #longCOVID #aerosol
The section on "The focus on handwashing over ventilation" begins in section 12.32 of the second volume (page 167 in the PDF of voume 2).
#itsairborne #COVID #longCOVID #aerosol
Module 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Report - Core decision-making and political governance UK Covid-19 Inquiry Archives
A report by The Rt Hon the Baroness Hallett DBE, Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on the core decision-making and political governance, dated 20 November 2025.
covid19.public-inquiry.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:09 PM
The second report of the UK COVID Inquiry is out. The two volumes are here: covid19.public-inquiry.uk/documents/mo...
The section on "The focus on handwashing over ventilation" begins in section 12.32 of the second volume (page 167 in the PDF of voume 2).
#itsairborne #COVID #longCOVID #aerosol
The section on "The focus on handwashing over ventilation" begins in section 12.32 of the second volume (page 167 in the PDF of voume 2).
#itsairborne #COVID #longCOVID #aerosol
Reposted by Val Aston
Reform's former Leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, a 10.5 year jail term for taking bribes from the Kremlin.
Cosied up to authoritarian powers & traded principles for payoffs. Reform's leadership laughably claimed they barely knew Gill.
Will all this be on tomorrow's front pages?
Cosied up to authoritarian powers & traded principles for payoffs. Reform's leadership laughably claimed they barely knew Gill.
Will all this be on tomorrow's front pages?
November 21, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reform's former Leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, a 10.5 year jail term for taking bribes from the Kremlin.
Cosied up to authoritarian powers & traded principles for payoffs. Reform's leadership laughably claimed they barely knew Gill.
Will all this be on tomorrow's front pages?
Cosied up to authoritarian powers & traded principles for payoffs. Reform's leadership laughably claimed they barely knew Gill.
Will all this be on tomorrow's front pages?