Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 2h

Welcome news: a ceasefire in Gaza at last. My heart is full, knowing that the cost of these atrocities must still be tallied up.
There can be no long-lasting peace without justice for the war crimes & full self-determination for the Palestinian people in Gaza & the West Bank.

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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 8h

Stand down everybody. Dolly says she’s fine (with a small caveat). No prayers wasted though.

youtu.be/VYQol4eJXqE?...

I ain’t dead yet!

YouTube video by Dolly Parton

youtu.be

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Reposted by Nicola Spurr

Brick Lane Bookshop @bricklanebookshop.bsky.social · 10h

📚 @wasafirimag.bsky.social x Tagore’s Salon

Join us for Writing Through Pain: On Labour and Literature
with writers Dur e Aziz Amna & Farah Ali

Oct 15 | 7PM | Brick Lane Bookshop

A conversation on illness, survival, and the work of writing.
🎟️ bricklanebookshop.org/product/tago...

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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 18h

Hey Jim

Just read your piece on Lime bikes. You mistakenly name the leader of RBKC Council — her name is Elizabeth Campbell.

Cheers
Nicola

Reposted by Nicola Spurr

Lucy Popescu @lucyjpop.bsky.social · 2d

The Black British Book Festival 2025 is taking place at the Barbican Centre on Sun 19 October 2025. It features more than 80 authors & 30+ events; a full day of panels, workshops & family-friendly activities. Tix: £15 full festival pass – available www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/202... @BBBookFestival

Black British Book Festival 2025 | Barbican

Step into the heart of Black British storytelling. A space where culture, creativity and community collide.

www.barbican.org.uk

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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 5d

This is a cracking piece of investigative journalism.

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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 6d

If you’re interested in African wildlife, I recommend Kruger Park Sightings on YT too.

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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 8d

If you, like me, can’t be roused to watch Starmer’s conference speech, here’s a great alternative.

Cassette Boy has been awfully quiet for ages — good to see they haven’t totally gone away.

youtu.be/C8uOPrU4B9s?...

Cassetteboy vs Keir Starmer

YouTube video by cassetteboy

youtu.be

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Reposted by Nicola Spurr

Sharan Dhaliwal 🍉🏳️‍🌈 @sharandhaliwal.bsky.social · 8d

I'm looking for work!! 👀
- I'm a freelance editor for Metro UK and writer for newspapers.
- I'm a consultant for museums such as Horniman Museum and Kensington Palace.
- I'm a mentor for LGBTQ+ charity Just Like Us.
- I'm the founder of Burnt Roti magazine and Middlesex Pride.
sharandhaliwal.com

Sharan Dhaliwal

Founder of Burnt Roti magazine and Middlesex Pride

sharandhaliwal.com

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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 10d

I agree. Having same conversation with friends on ILR.

Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 10d

Shoutout to Westminster Council.
Builders started banging, shouting & drilling outside window at 2pm, breaking Sunday working rules. Lodged noise complaint, received follow up call & visit from Council within an hour. Now peace restored.
Thanks @citywestminster.bsky.social
@adamhug.bsky.social

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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 10d

Well this is just lovely 📚

www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...

NoViolet Bulawayo wins the Best of Caine award

The Zimbabwean writer – who has been twice nominated for the Booker – won the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2011, with her story Hitting Budapest

www.theguardian.com

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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 12d

Completely agree! Just rewatched it in anticipation of series 3 coming soon. It’s so good.

Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 12d

Rest in power Assata Shakur

Democracy Now! @democracynow.org · 12d

BREAKING: Black Liberation Activist Assata Shakur, 78, Dies in Cuba After Decades in Exile

Black Liberation Activist Assata Shakur, 78, Dies in Cuba After Decades in Exile

The Cuban government has announced Assata Shakur died in Havana on Thursday at the age of 78. Shakur was a legendary figure within the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army.

www.democracynow.org

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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 13d

Huge congratulations @nikitagill.bsky.social!

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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 13d

🤣

Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 13d

This is awesome! Congratulations @cardboardcitz.bsky.social 📚📚

Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 13d

“strengthening their relationship”

Angry People in Local Newspapers @apiln.bsky.social · 13d

“Stick it in first!”
“I did, but the car’s still going”

Facebook post by Derbyshire Police, shows a car on its side in a lane at night. Ill-advised coitus has occurred.

“At an undisclosed location in Derbyshire the couple occupying this Yaris had parked up and were strengthening their relationship. Whilst doing so the handbrake has become disengaged and it rolled down a hill before flipping on its side. No injuries. #DriveToArrive”

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Reposted by Nicola Spurr

Association for Scottish Literature @asls.org.uk · 13d

Calling Scottish #writers!

Apply for the 2026 Scottish Writing Fellowship at the @universityofotago.bsky.social’s Centre for Irish & Scottish Studies in Aotearoa New Zealand, from 1 Aug–30 Sept 2026. Includes flights, accommodation & stipend. Deadline 31 Oct!
#writing
www.otago.ac.nz/ciss

Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies

The Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies provides an opportunity to study the literature, history, politics and culture of Ireland and Scotland – and of the Irish and Scottish diasporas – over the pa...

www.otago.ac.nz

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Reposted by Nicola Spurr

Spread the Word @spread-the-word.bsky.social · 13d

There’s still time to apply!

Open to all London-based writers on low income, Free Reads offers you the chance to receive professional, 1:1 feedback on your manuscript with an editor.

Learn more and apply by 7 October: www.spreadtheword.org.uk/free-reads-2...

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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 14d

I dunno Roddy. Being disembowelled by an angry bird is a horrible way to go.

Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 14d

Ostrich makes a fine steak and the leather would provide very badass deluxe editions of the Booker shortlist.

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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 15d

Such lovely news!

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Nicola Spurr @nicolaspurr.bsky.social · 15d

Nice part-time job going here 👇

@royalhistsoc.org

Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 15d

VACANCY: we invite applications for a new job at the Society: Events and Academic Engagement Officer (0.6 FTE) bit.ly/3V8q5PC

The post-holder will join our professional Office to help us support history and historians. £36,433 pro rata.

Closing date: Sunday 5 October #Skystorians

Vacancy: the Society seeks to appoint an Events and Academic Engagement Officer - RHS

The Royal Historical Society seeks to appoint an Events and Academic Engagement Officer (0.6 FTE) to join its professional Office based at University College London. The post will help support and dev...

bit.ly

Reposted by Nicola Spurr

QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 16d

✊🏿 Paid opportunities for Black LGBTQIA+ writers and journalists!

The @thelovetankcic.bsky.social Phil Samba @idiosyncraticxl.bsky.social is joining @WeAreQueerAF.com as our Black History Month UK guest editor

Details in 🧵 or apply now 👇
www.wearequeeraf.com/black-histor...

OPPORTUNITIES FOR
Black LGBTQIA+ writers
Paid
wearequeeraf.com/pitch
Write an article for QueerAF’s UK Black History Month series, with guest editor Phil Samba
First round deadline Sep 28th. Final deadline Oct 5th 2025

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