Michael Bird
@michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social
Writer: Short Fiction on 💔 ⛧ 💀/ Journalist: Investigations on 🐻🤖💰 michaelbirdjournalist.com / Read 'Modern Gothic' out now https://shorturl.at/33aUY / Watch www.animalhustlers.com
Pinned
Thanks to the Mechanics Institute Review (MIR) Online for publishing my short story ‘sugar tiger’
Which introduces the hindolyne - a pet that only appears to its owner when it senses true affection
then tells the brutal truth of where it stays the rest of the time
mironline.org/fiction/suga...
Which introduces the hindolyne - a pet that only appears to its owner when it senses true affection
then tells the brutal truth of where it stays the rest of the time
mironline.org/fiction/suga...
🐯 A white tiger has died in Craiova Zoo in Romania after choking on a plastic bag thrown by visitors, reports the press today.
www.digi24.ro/stiri/actual...
www.digi24.ro/stiri/actual...
Un pui de tigru alb a murit la grădina zoologică din Craiova după ce a înghițit o pungă de plastic. Nu e primul incident de acest fel
Un pui de tigru alb de la grădina zoologică din Craiova a murit după ce ar fi înghițit o pungă de plastic aruncată de unul dintre vizitatori. Nu este prima oară când se întâmplă o astfel de tragedie a...
www.digi24.ro
December 30, 2025 at 2:32 PM
🐯 A white tiger has died in Craiova Zoo in Romania after choking on a plastic bag thrown by visitors, reports the press today.
www.digi24.ro/stiri/actual...
www.digi24.ro/stiri/actual...
Reposted by Michael Bird
7 reasons why The Thing (1982) is a Christmas film:
1) snow
2) bearded men concealing surprises
3) compulsory party games
4) introverts shunning group activities
5) digestive issues
6) revellers bursting open to reveal partially assimilated canine lifeforms
7) knitwear
1) snow
2) bearded men concealing surprises
3) compulsory party games
4) introverts shunning group activities
5) digestive issues
6) revellers bursting open to reveal partially assimilated canine lifeforms
7) knitwear
December 25, 2025 at 8:39 AM
7 reasons why The Thing (1982) is a Christmas film:
1) snow
2) bearded men concealing surprises
3) compulsory party games
4) introverts shunning group activities
5) digestive issues
6) revellers bursting open to reveal partially assimilated canine lifeforms
7) knitwear
1) snow
2) bearded men concealing surprises
3) compulsory party games
4) introverts shunning group activities
5) digestive issues
6) revellers bursting open to reveal partially assimilated canine lifeforms
7) knitwear
Reposted by Michael Bird
Europe’s wildlife trade isn’t what it seems.
Animal Hustlers uncovers the shadowy networks selling exotic animals legally… & illegally. 😔
‼️ The EU’s wildlife loopholes are fueling a silent crisis.
Explore the full investigation ⤵️ animalhustlers.com
Animal Hustlers uncovers the shadowy networks selling exotic animals legally… & illegally. 😔
‼️ The EU’s wildlife loopholes are fueling a silent crisis.
Explore the full investigation ⤵️ animalhustlers.com
Home - Animal Hustlers
Animal Hustlers reveals the illicit trade in exotic animals in Europe, a market sustained by legal loopholes, weak enforcement and a fetish for wild creatures.
animalhustlers.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Europe’s wildlife trade isn’t what it seems.
Animal Hustlers uncovers the shadowy networks selling exotic animals legally… & illegally. 😔
‼️ The EU’s wildlife loopholes are fueling a silent crisis.
Explore the full investigation ⤵️ animalhustlers.com
Animal Hustlers uncovers the shadowy networks selling exotic animals legally… & illegally. 😔
‼️ The EU’s wildlife loopholes are fueling a silent crisis.
Explore the full investigation ⤵️ animalhustlers.com
How much does a tiger cost in Romania? How much does a lion cost in Czechia? A macaque in Albania?
Our new video, website and reports 'Animal Hustlers' exposes the illicit trade in exotic animals in central and eastern Europe
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYaD...
Our new video, website and reports 'Animal Hustlers' exposes the illicit trade in exotic animals in central and eastern Europe
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYaD...
Animal Hustlers
YouTube video by Wild at Heart Investigates
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:11 AM
How much does a tiger cost in Romania? How much does a lion cost in Czechia? A macaque in Albania?
Our new video, website and reports 'Animal Hustlers' exposes the illicit trade in exotic animals in central and eastern Europe
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYaD...
Our new video, website and reports 'Animal Hustlers' exposes the illicit trade in exotic animals in central and eastern Europe
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYaD...
How much does a tiger cost in Romania or a monkey in Albania? Check out the trailer for our new investigation on animal traffic youtube.com/shorts/Ur0yg...
'Animal Hustlers' Trailer
YouTube video by Wild at Heart Investigates
youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
How much does a tiger cost in Romania or a monkey in Albania? Check out the trailer for our new investigation on animal traffic youtube.com/shorts/Ur0yg...
“He’s gonna sell Poland to Nazi Germany - that’s what a dealmaker does”
Q: Have you heard this audio that Bloomberg has of Witkoff coaching the Russians on how to appeal to you?
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
November 26, 2025 at 1:05 AM
“He’s gonna sell Poland to Nazi Germany - that’s what a dealmaker does”
Monkeys, snakes and baby caiman face abuse on Europe's beaches - will 2026 offer another season of animal suffering?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh-x...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh-x...
Monkey Hustlers of Montenegro
YouTube video by Wild at Heart Investigates
www.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Monkeys, snakes and baby caiman face abuse on Europe's beaches - will 2026 offer another season of animal suffering?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh-x...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh-x...
Reposted by Michael Bird
That’s one hell of a steel butt
russians published a video showing an FPV strike on Ukrainian soldiers.
The Ukrainian serviceman was extremely lucky cause the drone hit him right in the butt, but didn’t explode. The warhead and the fiber-optic cable separated from the drone.
russians published a video showing an FPV strike on Ukrainian soldiers.
The Ukrainian serviceman was extremely lucky cause the drone hit him right in the butt, but didn’t explode. The warhead and the fiber-optic cable separated from the drone.
October 24, 2025 at 9:03 AM
That’s one hell of a steel butt
russians published a video showing an FPV strike on Ukrainian soldiers.
The Ukrainian serviceman was extremely lucky cause the drone hit him right in the butt, but didn’t explode. The warhead and the fiber-optic cable separated from the drone.
russians published a video showing an FPV strike on Ukrainian soldiers.
The Ukrainian serviceman was extremely lucky cause the drone hit him right in the butt, but didn’t explode. The warhead and the fiber-optic cable separated from the drone.
Reposted by Michael Bird
EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR PRESS AND MEDIA FREEDOM: Car bomb attack on investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci rings alarm for media freedom in Italy www.ecpmf.eu/car-bomb-att... @ecpmf.bsky.social #photojournalism #journalism #journalismisnotacrime #pressfreedom
Car Bomb Attack on Investigative Journalist Sigfrido Ranucci
A car bomb targeting Italian journalist Sigfrido Ranucci exposes deepening threats to press freedom in Italy. Journalists and media freedom groups demand urgent protection and justice.
www.ecpmf.eu
October 17, 2025 at 12:29 PM
EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR PRESS AND MEDIA FREEDOM: Car bomb attack on investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci rings alarm for media freedom in Italy www.ecpmf.eu/car-bomb-att... @ecpmf.bsky.social #photojournalism #journalism #journalismisnotacrime #pressfreedom
Reposted by Michael Bird
There should be a high bar for politicians attacking the media, but maybe Ed Davey has half a point here?
For example, the first three paragraphs of this BBC story repeat Reform's £243bn figure without saying that the thinktank behind the estimate now disowns it. (This is mentioned in paragraph 35)
For example, the first three paragraphs of this BBC story repeat Reform's £243bn figure without saying that the thinktank behind the estimate now disowns it. (This is mentioned in paragraph 35)
September 22, 2025 at 4:46 PM
There should be a high bar for politicians attacking the media, but maybe Ed Davey has half a point here?
For example, the first three paragraphs of this BBC story repeat Reform's £243bn figure without saying that the thinktank behind the estimate now disowns it. (This is mentioned in paragraph 35)
For example, the first three paragraphs of this BBC story repeat Reform's £243bn figure without saying that the thinktank behind the estimate now disowns it. (This is mentioned in paragraph 35)
Reposted by Michael Bird
The deadline for the #AlgorithmicAccountability Reporting fellowship call is approaching. We have an upcoming Q&A session on September 8 at 18:00 CET. Join us to solve any questions you have before sending your application. Find all the information in our website: algorithmwatch.org/en/open-call....
September 6, 2025 at 6:12 AM
The deadline for the #AlgorithmicAccountability Reporting fellowship call is approaching. We have an upcoming Q&A session on September 8 at 18:00 CET. Join us to solve any questions you have before sending your application. Find all the information in our website: algorithmwatch.org/en/open-call....
Reposted by Michael Bird
The Industrial Revolution produced not only technical innovation, but also social disruption. What is the situation with the current “AI revolution”? This report by our fellows examines working conditions in this context:
EN: algorithmwatch.org/en/ai-revolu...
DE: algorithmwatch.org/de/die-ki-re...
EN: algorithmwatch.org/en/ai-revolu...
DE: algorithmwatch.org/de/die-ki-re...
August 9, 2025 at 7:26 AM
The Industrial Revolution produced not only technical innovation, but also social disruption. What is the situation with the current “AI revolution”? This report by our fellows examines working conditions in this context:
EN: algorithmwatch.org/en/ai-revolu...
DE: algorithmwatch.org/de/die-ki-re...
EN: algorithmwatch.org/en/ai-revolu...
DE: algorithmwatch.org/de/die-ki-re...
How the AI revolution is built on exploitation of workers in the west: my new investigation with Nathan Schepers for @algorithmwatch. algorithmwatch.org/en/ai-revolu...
The AI Revolution Comes With the Exploitation of Gig Workers - AlgorithmWatch
Business process outsourcing (BPO) companies manage the human work behind AI development. However, they face accusations of worker exploitation, underpayment and wage theft. Big tech companies benefit...
algorithmwatch.org
August 9, 2025 at 7:52 AM
How the AI revolution is built on exploitation of workers in the west: my new investigation with Nathan Schepers for @algorithmwatch. algorithmwatch.org/en/ai-revolu...
Bucharest Pride 2025 - record number of 30,000 attend diversity demo
June 7, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Bucharest Pride 2025 - record number of 30,000 attend diversity demo
Reposted by Michael Bird
After interviewing almost 50 clickworkers around the world, our Fellows @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social and Nathan Schepers encountered a sophisticated fraud starting in Facebook and WhatsApp, in which users are lured into buying and/or selling clickwork accounts… Read the full story: t1p.de/qbzjm 🇩🇪⬇️
May 23, 2025 at 6:23 AM
After interviewing almost 50 clickworkers around the world, our Fellows @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social and Nathan Schepers encountered a sophisticated fraud starting in Facebook and WhatsApp, in which users are lured into buying and/or selling clickwork accounts… Read the full story: t1p.de/qbzjm 🇩🇪⬇️
Reposted by Michael Bird
Zwei unserer aktuellen journalistischen Fellows, @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social & Nathan Schepers, sind in einer investigativen Recherche in einen besonderen Schwarzmarkt eingetaucht. Gehandelt wird dort nicht mit Drogen oder Waffen, sondern mit Clickwork-Accounts. Die Reportage auf 🇩🇪: t1p.de/1yhja
Gig Economy: Wie KI-Training einen globalen Schwarzmarkt für Clickwork-Jobs erschaffen hat - AlgorithmWatch
Unternehmen, die Daten für das Training von KI aufbereiten, überlassen ihr Personalrecruiting Kriminellen, die vom internationalen Lohndumping profitieren.
t1p.de
May 23, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Zwei unserer aktuellen journalistischen Fellows, @michaelbirdwrites.bsky.social & Nathan Schepers, sind in einer investigativen Recherche in einen besonderen Schwarzmarkt eingetaucht. Gehandelt wird dort nicht mit Drogen oder Waffen, sondern mit Clickwork-Accounts. Die Reportage auf 🇩🇪: t1p.de/1yhja
A black market is selling access to platforms that train AI models, and it’s out in the open
Our new report for AlgorithmWatch and taz in Berlin
algorithmwatch.org/en/scams-and...
German: taz.de/!6088209/
Our new report for AlgorithmWatch and taz in Berlin
algorithmwatch.org/en/scams-and...
German: taz.de/!6088209/
Scams and Shadow Workers: A Black Market is Selling European Accounts for AI Training - AlgorithmWatch
AI data annotation companies are losing control of their supply chain. Criminal networks are taking over the work account management.
algorithmwatch.org
May 23, 2025 at 5:16 AM
A black market is selling access to platforms that train AI models, and it’s out in the open
Our new report for AlgorithmWatch and taz in Berlin
algorithmwatch.org/en/scams-and...
German: taz.de/!6088209/
Our new report for AlgorithmWatch and taz in Berlin
algorithmwatch.org/en/scams-and...
German: taz.de/!6088209/
Thanks to @thecwa.bsky.social for shortlisting my crime story 'The Human Imperative' for the annual Margery Allingham Award - proud to be alongside a great list of writers for this prestigious prize
thecwa.co.uk/awards-and-c...
thecwa.co.uk/awards-and-c...
Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition - The Crime Writers’ Association
thecwa.co.uk
May 8, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Thanks to @thecwa.bsky.social for shortlisting my crime story 'The Human Imperative' for the annual Margery Allingham Award - proud to be alongside a great list of writers for this prestigious prize
thecwa.co.uk/awards-and-c...
thecwa.co.uk/awards-and-c...
Thanks to the Mechanics Institute Review (MIR) Online for publishing my short story ‘sugar tiger’
Which introduces the hindolyne - a pet that only appears to its owner when it senses true affection
then tells the brutal truth of where it stays the rest of the time
mironline.org/fiction/suga...
Which introduces the hindolyne - a pet that only appears to its owner when it senses true affection
then tells the brutal truth of where it stays the rest of the time
mironline.org/fiction/suga...
May 2, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Thanks to the Mechanics Institute Review (MIR) Online for publishing my short story ‘sugar tiger’
Which introduces the hindolyne - a pet that only appears to its owner when it senses true affection
then tells the brutal truth of where it stays the rest of the time
mironline.org/fiction/suga...
Which introduces the hindolyne - a pet that only appears to its owner when it senses true affection
then tells the brutal truth of where it stays the rest of the time
mironline.org/fiction/suga...
Reposted by Michael Bird
Journalist Antonina Favorskaya, accused of "extremism," along with journalists Konstantin Gabov, Sergey Karelin, and Artyom Kriger, has been sentenced to several years in prison by a Moscow court.
Nothing scares an authoritarian government more than true reporting.
corporate.dw.com/en/convictio...
Nothing scares an authoritarian government more than true reporting.
corporate.dw.com/en/convictio...
Conviction of former DW journalists in Russia
Journalist Antonina Favorskaya, accused of "extremism," along with fellow journalists Konstantin Gabov, Sergey Karelin, and Artyom Kriger, has been sentenced to several years in prison by a Moscow cou...
corporate.dw.com
April 17, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Journalist Antonina Favorskaya, accused of "extremism," along with journalists Konstantin Gabov, Sergey Karelin, and Artyom Kriger, has been sentenced to several years in prison by a Moscow court.
Nothing scares an authoritarian government more than true reporting.
corporate.dw.com/en/convictio...
Nothing scares an authoritarian government more than true reporting.
corporate.dw.com/en/convictio...
Very happy to have made the Longlist for the Margery Allingham Award for @thecwa.bsky.social and congratulations to all the writers here - I can't wait to read your work
thecwa.co.uk/awards-and-c...
thecwa.co.uk/awards-and-c...
Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition - The Crime Writers’ Association
thecwa.co.uk
April 12, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Very happy to have made the Longlist for the Margery Allingham Award for @thecwa.bsky.social and congratulations to all the writers here - I can't wait to read your work
thecwa.co.uk/awards-and-c...
thecwa.co.uk/awards-and-c...
Reposted by Michael Bird
It's with great sorrow that we announce the death of Romanian author Bogdan Teodorescu (1963-2025). Bogdan was not only a personal friend, but also the main reason why Corylus Books came into existence. His political thriller Sword was the first book we published back in 2020
April 9, 2025 at 10:21 AM
It's with great sorrow that we announce the death of Romanian author Bogdan Teodorescu (1963-2025). Bogdan was not only a personal friend, but also the main reason why Corylus Books came into existence. His political thriller Sword was the first book we published back in 2020
Reposted by Michael Bird
'The Others': A sweeping love story set against the fall of the Berlin Wall – where love, lies, and revolution collide. The fourth moving novel by Sheena Kalayil, out June 19. Avail for preorder from all bookshops now!
www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/product-page... #books📚💙 @inpressbooks.bsky.social
www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/product-page... #books📚💙 @inpressbooks.bsky.social
April 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM
'The Others': A sweeping love story set against the fall of the Berlin Wall – where love, lies, and revolution collide. The fourth moving novel by Sheena Kalayil, out June 19. Avail for preorder from all bookshops now!
www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/product-page... #books📚💙 @inpressbooks.bsky.social
www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/product-page... #books📚💙 @inpressbooks.bsky.social
Romanian far right candidate for Presidency Călin Georgescu cannot stand in elections in May, rules highest court in România, the Constitutional Court
hotnews.ro/calin-george...
hotnews.ro/calin-george...
BREAKING Călin Georgescu nu poate candida în alegerile prezidențiale. Decizia definitivă a fost dată de CCR - HotNews.ro
Contestația lui Călin Georgescu împotriva deciziei de invalidare a candidaturii la alegerile prezidențiale a fost respinsă de Curtea Constituțională, anunță
hotnews.ro
March 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Romanian far right candidate for Presidency Călin Georgescu cannot stand in elections in May, rules highest court in România, the Constitutional Court
hotnews.ro/calin-george...
hotnews.ro/calin-george...
“I don’t know if I’ll still be alive on the date of my MRI appointment” LB.UA in @n-ost.bsky.social show how Russia treats the most vulnerable in the occupied Ukrainian territories
n-ost.org/article/want...
n-ost.org/article/want...
Want an MRI? Go to Russia. How residents in temporarily-occupied Luhansk cope with the invader’s obstructions to healthcare
Find experts, fellow journalists and media organisations to collaborate with
n-ost.org
March 7, 2025 at 11:33 AM
“I don’t know if I’ll still be alive on the date of my MRI appointment” LB.UA in @n-ost.bsky.social show how Russia treats the most vulnerable in the occupied Ukrainian territories
n-ost.org/article/want...
n-ost.org/article/want...