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John Simpson

@johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social

37K followers 29 following 450 posts

BBC lifer since 1966, international affairs editor since 1982. Presenter of ‘Unspun World’ on BBC Two, BBC World & World Service. Two daughters, one son, six grandchildren, a loving wife, lots of books, and an Irish terrier. Defender of the Oxford comma.

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 8h

On tonight’s Unspun World on BBC Two I talk to the great Steve Rosenberg about what it’s really like to be the BBC Russia editor — how do ordinary Russians react to him? Is he in danger? What’s going to happen there? Unmissable!

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 1d

Very sad to hear of the death of the charming Sir John Gurdon, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, who in 2001 conferred an honorary fellowship on Nelson Mandela. At Eton, Gurdon was told he’d never make a scientist. He went on to win the Nobel Prize for physiology.

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Reposted by John Simpson

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 3d

China threatened to retaliate against UK over foreign influence rules

Exclusive: Chinese officials warned that targeting its security apparatus would have negative consequences for relations China threatened to retaliate against the UK government if ministers targeted parts of its security apparatus under foreign influence rules, the Guardian can disclose. Chinese officials warned the Foreign Office that the move would have negative consequences for relations soon after the Guardian reported it was under consideration, according to two government sources with knowledge of the discussions. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 3d

Mikhail Bulgakov’s wonderful, savage, laugh-out-loud funny ‘Heart of a Dog’ was written 100 years ago and seems as fresh as yesterday. It wasn’t published in his lifetime, of course, as with his other novels. But he was lucky that Stalin liked him and didn’t murder him…

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 5d

I’m already missing dear Jane Goodall so much.

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 5d

There I was, doing my live review of the week for @BBCNews, when Hamas’s acceptance of some of the Gaza peace plan broke. Those news gallery people have nerves of steel —presenter Lewis Vaughan-Jones too. They even let me pay my respects to Jane Goodall. Chapeau, News Channel!

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 7d

It was a great privilege to know Jane Goodall and work with her. A major loss to us all.

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 7d

So very sorry to hear that the lovely Dame Jane Goodall has died. She was a charming, hugely intelligent person who achieved so much both in science and in teaching us to think about our world. A sad, sad loss.

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 7d

Thank you, dear Ljubomir.

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 7d

Filming tonight’s Unspun World headlines for BBC Two, iPlayer etc with Ben Watt, Dave Murphy, Sharam Heidari & Kate Cornell: ‘eternal peace in the Middle East’ — really? Plus, are we already at war with Russia without realising? And Trump’s own war with his domestic enemies. Worth a watch!

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Reposted by John Simpson

Pooh 🇬🇧 🇺🇦 🇪🇺 🇨🇦 🇩🇰 @poohbearcorner.bsky.social · 8d

Has anyone told Farage, Trump and Vance how safe London is?

Quite a low rate of mass shootings this year.....

Meanwhile, in America.....

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Reposted by John Simpson

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 8d

Last week I spoke to @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social on BBC2's Unspun World about Ahmed al-Sharaa's appearance at the UN, #Syria's reintegration into the international and MENA regional community, and prospects for the future Syrian social contract

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 9d

Data from the Office of National Statistics shows Londoners are less likely to be violent crime victims (26.4 offences per 1,000 pop) than the rest of England & Wales (31.9 offences). Violent crime has fallen in every London borough in the past year.

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 14d

Lyse Doucet interviewed by me about Gaza & Palestinian recognition for tonight’s ’Unspun World’ on BBC Two & iPlayer. Plus Syria’s new leader at the UN, the Taliban’s war on Afghan women, & the US-Venezuela dispute. If you’re interested in the world around us, this is for you.

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 15d

On the issue of Pres Trump allegation that paracetamol can cause autism, it’s worth noting that, as the Health Secretary Wes Streeting says, a major study carried out last year in Sweden, involving 2.4 million children, didn’t support this suggestion.

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 16d

First Peter and Barbie Reynolds, the British couple held by the Taliban, are freed, and now Alaa Abd El-Fattah, the British/Egyptian rights campaigner, is freed by Egypt. If only China will now free my friend, the British Hong Kong media baron Jimmy Lai!

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 18d

I’ve read and admired Mick Herron’s unmatchable ‘Slow Horses’ novels for years, and now I’m re-bingeing them on tv. The characterisation of Jackson Lamb and the others is as good as anything in British spy/crime fiction since the days of Conan Doyle.

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 19d

Thank you! Yes, it’s something I’m really keen to report on.

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 20d

In the lobby of the hotel I’m staying in here in Lisbon. The hotel is called ‘Wine and Books’. Hard to think of anything better.

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 21d

Thank you so much!

John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 21d

Dear Rusty — really kind of you. Thanks so much.

John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 21d

Thank you, dear Bob!

John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 21d

Thank you, David.

John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 21d

Me in full ‘Unspun World’ flow for tonight’s programme on BBC Two, the News Channel & BBC World Service, being filmed by Dave Wilkins. Ben Watt, exec producer, on the right. Subjects: gloomy Britain greets Trump/Israel accused of genocide/Russia tests NATO. Worth a watch.

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John Simpson @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social · 23d

New Home Office figures show a rise of 50% in citizenship applications from Americans – putting it at the highest since records began. In my view, you can’t have too many open-minded Americans in your country — they’re the best of the best.

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