two images of the human body's circulatory system. One of them with good cable management

The human circulatory system, before and after proper cable management.

Announcing Our 2026 Local Election Candidates From Abbey to Whitley, the Reading Liberal Democrats are standing up for you in Reading.

We are proud to announce a full slate of #LibDems candidates in this year's elections to Reading Borough Council. Wherever you are, from Abbey to Whitley, from Abbatoirs Road to Zinzan Street, help us demand a fair deal for Reading #rdguk. 👇

Earthset. High Res picture from NASA taken from Artemis 2 of the Earth setting behind the moon)

Love my new phone background (thanks NASA)

Come on in. The rats are lovely #MERLRatTrail

Why do some killer motorists get short prison sentences? UK road safety laws are letting them off the hook | Sally Kyd Two court cases last month illustrate how confusion over legal definitions are feeding into a culture of poor driving standards, says law professor Sally Kyd

This is a good piece. We simply accept 1000s of unnecessary deaths because we won't force all of us who drive to accept we have a dangerous machine in our hands.

And then fail to enforce that fact as police have basically stopped policing the roads.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

A stylised graphic featuring three young people smiling and embracing each other, overlaid with the colours of the transgender pride flag (blue, pink and white). Text reads “Transgender Day of Visibility”

On #TransDayOfVisibility we celebrate trans people and stand with the trans community against hatred and discrimination.

To all our trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming members, supporters, friends and followers: We respect you, we value you - today and every day.

Not too bad here as it's quite a snug theatre, but I have def been places where I wondered how often people tripped on the stairs and had nasty falls

Picture of the safety curtain and stage at a London production of John Proctor is the Villain, at Royal Court Theatre

Not sure about chess but I have seen this in other board games, where it can be more difficult to play against someone less familiar with the strategies, as they are likely to be less predictable

AI Perfected Chess. Humans Made It Unpredictable Again Artificial intelligence drove chess toward perfect play, leading to more draws at top tournaments. Now grandmasters are winning by making less optimal moves.

For 20 years, AI pushed chess toward perfect play, leading to more draws at elite tournaments. Now players are winning by being less optimal — and more human.

Fun fact about the IOC's one time only, all or nothing, SRY gene test 'to identify men'. It's entirely possible to test positive after being pregnant with a boy. Fetal DNA can cross the placental barrier and linger in the maternal bloodstream for decades.

Colourful flower beds in front of palm house at kew

Japanese lady looking at cherry blossom at Kew gardens

Bed of beautiful pink and yellow flowers

Day out at Kew Gardens

A picture of a grinning group of eight people holding orange, white and blue 'Council Topics' leaflets on a sunny day with a blue sky, on a suburban road.

Absolutely wonderful reception for us and @rwmblibdems.bsky.social in Tilehurst on a sunny spring day. Thanks to everyone who turned out. Very clear that residents know who does the hard work! 🧡

One-off £2,000 cash grant gives care leavers head start, study finds Participants were less likely to become homeless or spend time in hospital or prison, researchers say.

“Care leavers who were given a one-off, no strings attached £2,000 grant were less likely to become homeless or spend time in hospital or prison, according to a new study”

The BBC reports on the results of our landmark trial with @homelessnessimpact.bsky.social

Liverpool and Manchester United want offensive posts on X by the AI chatbot Grok that reference Hillsborough, the Munich air disaster and Diogo Jota's death to be removed.

Full story from @dansheldon.bsky.social ⬇️

🔗www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

It’s time to end Britain’s first-past-the-post election lottery The Gorton and Denton by-election confirmed just how capricious our electoral system has become

I think there is a vg case for the Alternative Vote (pluralist majoritarianism) UK's evolving party system - not least as of balanced use for voters on different sides of political spectrum. It allows sincere voting by every voter + strategic choices by those who care
www.ft.com/content/38d8...

Azerbaijan accuses Iran of drone attack on airport that injured two people Tehran denies responsibility but strike raises prospect of US-Israel war on Iran spreading beyond Middle East * Middle East crisis – live updates Azerbaijan has accused Iran of a drone attack that struck the region of Nakhchivan, hitting an airport and injuring two civilians. The strike would be the first Iranian attack on a Caucasus state since the start of the US-Israel war on the country, and raises the prospect of the conflict spreading beyond the Middle East. Continue reading...

Azerbaijan accuses Iran of drone attack on airport that injured two people

Happy first day of meteological spring (northern hemisphere)

I never realised curling was so exciting!

Sue Donald Trump for tariff damage Davey urges Starmer | LBC The UK Government should sue US President Donald Trump for the damage caused to the UK by trade tariffs, Sir Ed Davey has told LBC.

Starmer should sue Trump over tariff damage, claims Ed Davey
www.lbc.co.uk/article/star...

At long last, we’re launching in Leeds! Ever since I started The Mill, people have asked us to create a publication across the Pennines.

If 500 people pledge to become members, we’re going to hire two journalists and do it. Please share with Leeds friends.

leeds.ghost.io

A Reform UK graphic announcing the defection of Cllr. Clarence Mitchell, from the Conservatives.

We see that Reform UK continues to be a retirement home for failed Conservatives, as erstwhile RBC Tory leader Clarence Mitchell defects to them.

A shameful, if predictable, move for the former press spokesperson for Cambridge Analytica. We wonder how long his Ukraine lapel pin will last?

For those joining Bluesky from the Bad Place: welcome.

Yes, you could/should have made the decision sooner, but it is never too late to make a good decision.

And there is a lot on this site which will remind you of the Bad Place before it was bad.

New Blue Check, last 90 days:

@bskycheck.com presents a different picture.

There is an unprecedented surge of verifications over the weekend, and their data shows that the vast majority of the newly verified are British, German, and Canadian elected officials/ political organizations, plus European agencies

Sure but you're stuck talking to the other people who didn't quit

Defend the BBC. It’s not perfect. But it’s worth fighting for, iv said many times, we would be so much poorer without it.

Urge to hibernate increasing

Social media algorithms can alter political views, study says A browser extension powered by AI can reduce how people feel about opposing political views, according to new research that looked into the 2024 US presidential election.

www.euronews.com/next/2025/11...

STV News. Hundreds of care homes 'sold up or collapsed' in past decade, Lib-Dems reveal. 16 Nov 2025.

Care providers feel like they’re on their own.

The SNP wasted four years and £30 million on a bureaucratic takeover of social care that they ultimately had to ditch.

Meanwhile, the UK Labour Government only made things worse by clobbering providers with a cruel tax hike.