‘This feels fragile’: how a satellite-smashing chain reaction could spiral out of control Today, the space around Earth can no longer be considered empty. More than 30,000 objects are in orbit, and that figure is rising exponentially

‘This feels fragile’: how a satellite-smashing chain reaction could spiral out of control

- More than 30,000 objects are now in orbit, and that figure is rising exponentially

Great animated article by @ashleyjkirk.bsky.social et al

www.theguardian.com/science/ng-i...

Visual investigation: How Rio’s deadliest police raid unfolded In October 2025, 122 people were killed in what would become Rio’s deadliest police operation. A team of journalists across the Guardian has pieced together police body-camera footage, satellite image...

At the Guardian we worked as a team to put together a visual investigation of everything we know so far about Rio's deadliest police operation. A story expertly reported by @tomphillips.bsky.social and @tiagorogero.com that I did OSINT and production for

Mapped: how the world is losing its forests to wildfires Wildfires now destroy twice as much tree cover per year as two decades ago – a crisis fuelled by climate change

"By the end of 2024, more than 134,000 square kilometres of forest had gone up in flames – an area greater than England."

www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...

A great article on the increasing threat of wildfires by @ashleyjkirk.bsky.social and @pablogutierrez.bsky.social

Ashley Kirk is giving a presentation in a conference room, gesturing with open arms beside a projector screen and a table with a water bottle.

Welcoming @ashleyjkirk.bsky.social from @theguardian.com back to City St George’s for an energetic guest talk on visual journalism.

I love bringing in expert guest speakers, but former students in particular. Even if it occasionally makes me feel old… http://ashleyjkirk.bsky.social

New visual story: Bird migration is one of nature’s greatest spectacles — and scientists are uncovering extraordinary insights into how new threats are reshaping these epic journeys. Follow the remarkable travels of three birds as they fly across the planet. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The boy who came back: the near-death, and changed life, of my son Max It was, we were told, a case of sudden infant death syndrome interrupted. What followed would transform my understanding of parenting, disability and the breadth of what makes a meaningful life

I wrote for the Guardian’s Saturday magazine about my son Max, who changed how I see the world. Took ages. More jokes after the first bit.

Thanks Merope Mills for being the most patient and generous editor.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

Reform's locals victory was no fluke To write up the election as a warped presentation of public opinion is more reach than reasoned analysis.

Reform's wins are not a consequence of low turnout.

@bwalker.uk writes 👉 www.newstatesman.com/politics/pol...

Visual analysis: How the markets boxed in Rachel Reeves The chancellor lacks room to manoeuvre before her spring statement thanks to the cost of debt interest payments

How the markets boxed in Rachel Reeves:

Before the spring statement, our visual analysis shows how the chancellor lacks room to manoeuvre relative to her predecessors - as rising borrowing costs hit an elevated debt stock, pushing up interest payments.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/ng-i...

Britain's poorest households worse off than those in Slovenia, think tank says Britain's poorest households are worse off than those in Slovenia and Malta after nearly two decades of stagnation in UK living standards, a think tank said, underscoring finance minister Rachel Reeves' challenge in this month's budget update.

Britain’s poorest households are now worse off than those in Slovenia and Malta after a decade of economic stagnation.

Rising inequality is “a stark indictment of the UK's economic social model,” says NIESR senior economist Max Mosley.

As countries scramble for minerals, the seabed beckons. Will mining it be a disaster? – visual explainer Mining companies are poised to mine the deep sea – but opposition is growing. What is the environmental cost, and are these metals actually needed?

Mining companies are poised to mine the deep sea – but opposition is growing. What is the environmental cost, and are these metals actually needed? www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The Guardian’s Ashley Kirk lecturing at City St George’s

A Guardian data visualisation.

Welcoming @ashleyjkirk.bsky.social of The Guardian back to @cityjournalism.bsky.social today, to talk visual journalism with our first year undergraduates.

It was great to speak about our team's work on 2024 elections at the @londondatavis.bsky.social meetup last night. Was interesting to hear about @aubergene.bsky.social and Meike Eijsberg and their work as well

Here are UK & US BlueSky numbers separately, to show what’s driving the trends:

• Aug 3rd: Musk says ‘civil war is inevitable’ in UK during far right riots

• Oct 17th: Musk changes the block function on X, prompting a massive exodus

• Nov 7th: thousands more migrate in aftermath of Trump victory

Graphic shows dramatic reduction in polio, rubella, mumps, measles, and hepatitis A cases after the introduction of vaccines for each disease.

Disease prevalence in US states before & after vaccine introduction

Graphic from Edward Tufte
More graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d... 🧪

It's NHS data day, so are things getting better under the new Labour government?

Well, yes and no, but it is early days.

41.9% of attendances at main A&Es in October saw the patient wait over four hours.
That's up from 40.2% in September, but is less than 44.1% in October 2023.

Our Guardian and Observer starter pack has passed the hundred mark! 🎂🎉🎊

now with journos from 🇺🇸🇦🇺🇬🇧🇪🇺incl @harryfoxdavies.bsky.social @phillipinman.bsky.social @hettieobrien.bsky.social @gsnowdon.bsky.social @bonniemalkin.bsky.social @lenoret.bsky.social @samwolfson.bsky.social 👇👇

go.bsky.app/B6CxPTX

A stacked bar chart showing the number of gifts, benefits and hospitality declarations by MPs each year, coloured by party. The chart slowly increases up to 2018, has a large drop during 2020 (Covid-19) and then massively shoots up to record levels post pandemic.

I counted MPs gifts hospitality and other benefits going back to 2010 and found they've grown significantly

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...