Ian Banks
@atolluk.bsky.social
"...all good things-trout as well as eternal salvation-come by grace and grace comes by art and art does not come easy": Norman Maclean
National disgrace of “Trump & Mr Bone-Saw stage love-in as Saudi’s $1tn wipes the bloody slate clean” bolstered by business with Trump friends & family in Saudi, UAE & Qatar - including nearly $5bn invested in fund managed by Trump’s own son-in-law Jared Kushner! www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump and Mr Bone Saw stage love-in as Saudi’s $1tn wipes the bloody slate clean
In the Oval Office the US president dismissed the murder of the columnist Jamal Khashoggi, saying: ‘things happen’
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:22 AM
National disgrace of “Trump & Mr Bone-Saw stage love-in as Saudi’s $1tn wipes the bloody slate clean” bolstered by business with Trump friends & family in Saudi, UAE & Qatar - including nearly $5bn invested in fund managed by Trump’s own son-in-law Jared Kushner! www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
What’s not to love about the World’s 1st ‘Carbon Negative Nation’ Bhutan - Let alone it’s ‘Gross National Happiness’ policy and wonderful star Amber Kumar Gurung in the sublime film ‘Agent of Happiness’ youtu.be/JFyJaql9R_Y
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Bhutan PM on leading the first carbon-negative nation: ‘The wellbeing of our people is at the centre of our agenda’
Exclusive: Tshering Tobgay says his country is doing ‘a lot more than our fair share’ on climate and west must step up ‘for the happiness of your people’
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
What’s not to love about the World’s 1st ‘Carbon Negative Nation’ Bhutan - Let alone it’s ‘Gross National Happiness’ policy and wonderful star Amber Kumar Gurung in the sublime film ‘Agent of Happiness’ youtu.be/JFyJaql9R_Y
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Trump says "a lot of people didn't like" journalist Jamal Khashoggi? Does he mean at Washington Post where he worked; those affected by his criticism of MBS’s crack down on dissent; or those left behind in 2017 fleeing Saudi Arabia into self-imposed exile in Virginia? www.axios.com/2025/11/18/t...
Trump with MBS on Khashoggi: "A lot of people didn't like" him
"You're mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial," Trump said in the Oval Office.
www.axios.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Trump says "a lot of people didn't like" journalist Jamal Khashoggi? Does he mean at Washington Post where he worked; those affected by his criticism of MBS’s crack down on dissent; or those left behind in 2017 fleeing Saudi Arabia into self-imposed exile in Virginia? www.axios.com/2025/11/18/t...
Get-out-of-jail fake news on Khashoggi extrajudicial murder?: Trump ignores 2019 Callamard UN report of credible evidence; US agency links to MBS bodyguard; Turkish bugging near death (“take this bag off my head”); or forensic pathologist talking of dismemberment? www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing, claiming he ‘knew nothing about it’ and ‘things happen’ - live
President contradicts US intelligence over killing of regime critic with remarks during Oval Office meeting with Mohammed bin Salman
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Get-out-of-jail fake news on Khashoggi extrajudicial murder?: Trump ignores 2019 Callamard UN report of credible evidence; US agency links to MBS bodyguard; Turkish bugging near death (“take this bag off my head”); or forensic pathologist talking of dismemberment? www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Sadly ironic environmental disaster on Camber Sands caused by failure at Southern Water Wastewater Treatment Works spaffing millions of plastic bio-beads used to clean wastewater. But let’s not forget too the invisible micro-beads from body scrubs & air-blasting www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘We feel we’re fighting a losing battle’: the race to remove millions of plastic beads from Camber Sands
A huge cleanup effort has seen volunteers working to remove beads by hand and machine. They can only wait and see the extent of damage to wildlife and dune habitat
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Sadly ironic environmental disaster on Camber Sands caused by failure at Southern Water Wastewater Treatment Works spaffing millions of plastic bio-beads used to clean wastewater. But let’s not forget too the invisible micro-beads from body scrubs & air-blasting www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Storm Claudia may have caused havoc with Avanti West Coast trains getting home on Friday, but I did still make most of The Riverfly Partnership Conference at Flett Theatre, Natural History Museum, including Joshua Cohen’s fascinating talk on River Kinship www.tickettailor.com/events/theri...
November 15, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Storm Claudia may have caused havoc with Avanti West Coast trains getting home on Friday, but I did still make most of The Riverfly Partnership Conference at Flett Theatre, Natural History Museum, including Joshua Cohen’s fascinating talk on River Kinship www.tickettailor.com/events/theri...
Busy last day in a rainy London on Friday started with a visit to Imperial War Museum Research Rooms to view our families donated WWII RAF pilot logbook from my maternal grandfather Reg Worth.
November 15, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Busy last day in a rainy London on Friday started with a visit to Imperial War Museum Research Rooms to view our families donated WWII RAF pilot logbook from my maternal grandfather Reg Worth.
Great time today mudlarking the Thames with Steve Brooker the self styled “Mud God”. Fabulous day!
November 13, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Great time today mudlarking the Thames with Steve Brooker the self styled “Mud God”. Fabulous day!
Ironic given 70s Wylfa came from aluminium smelting energy requirements & Harold Wilson’s famous speech that if country was to prosper, a "new Britain" be forged in “white heat" of “scientific revolution". After Hitachi pull out had hoped Anglesey could be left in peace www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Wylfa nuclear power plant plans go ahead, creating Anglesey jobs
Three small modular reactors are confirmed for the site, with the potential for up to eight.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Ironic given 70s Wylfa came from aluminium smelting energy requirements & Harold Wilson’s famous speech that if country was to prosper, a "new Britain" be forged in “white heat" of “scientific revolution". After Hitachi pull out had hoped Anglesey could be left in peace www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
£1m of “money for old rope” indeed: With his pile of gathered jetsam & flotsam, David Shrigley has either hit hard times & needs cash or is making an ironic statement on our ever-disposable world, sea pollution & proliferation of micro plastics. Think I know the answer www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
David Shrigley Proves You Can Get Money for Old Rope
The renowned British artist David Shrigley has launched a new exhibition featuring 10 tonnes of discarded rope. The price - £1 million.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 8:13 AM
£1m of “money for old rope” indeed: With his pile of gathered jetsam & flotsam, David Shrigley has either hit hard times & needs cash or is making an ironic statement on our ever-disposable world, sea pollution & proliferation of micro plastics. Think I know the answer www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Wonderful afternoon yesterday getting to know the beautiful Cutty Sark in Greenwich, followed by a lovely pint in the Gypsy Moth.
November 13, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Wonderful afternoon yesterday getting to know the beautiful Cutty Sark in Greenwich, followed by a lovely pint in the Gypsy Moth.
Hopefully, with this news, today could be an auspicious day to be trying out ‘mudlarking’ for the first time today on the Thames foreshore at Cutty Sark, Greenwich with the so-called ‘mud hunter’ Steve Brooker www.bbc.com/news/article...
Treasure finds in England reach record high
Treasure finds in England have reached a record high according to provisional government figures.
www.bbc.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Hopefully, with this news, today could be an auspicious day to be trying out ‘mudlarking’ for the first time today on the Thames foreshore at Cutty Sark, Greenwich with the so-called ‘mud hunter’ Steve Brooker www.bbc.com/news/article...
What a fascinating enigma remains Chris Eubank Senior. Not in doubt is his love for son Junior & mutual love back (despite family idiosyncrasies, feuds & boxing differences). Nearly missed my train tuning in to watch all of this on iPlayer. Wonderful documentary www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
The Eubanks: Like Father, Like Son review – a family boxing tale so unexpectedly moving it’ll leave you in tears
Chris Eubank Jnr hadn’t spoken to his father in four years. This documentary about his fight with Conor Benn – the son of his dad’s great rival – charts a reunion. It’s heart-pulverising stuff
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:21 AM
What a fascinating enigma remains Chris Eubank Senior. Not in doubt is his love for son Junior & mutual love back (despite family idiosyncrasies, feuds & boxing differences). Nearly missed my train tuning in to watch all of this on iPlayer. Wonderful documentary www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
As price of success, failure to comply with UEFA rules & Financial Fair Play bad enough if legally proven - but what of UAE sponsor of Rapid Support Forces militia in Sudan being sportswashed right in front of us whilst wearing the faded colours of Manchester City www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Silence over Sudan: why do Manchester City’s owners get away with so much?
Two midweek matches in England had a backdrop of war and geopolitics, but only one drew large protests
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM
As price of success, failure to comply with UEFA rules & Financial Fair Play bad enough if legally proven - but what of UAE sponsor of Rapid Support Forces militia in Sudan being sportswashed right in front of us whilst wearing the faded colours of Manchester City www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Time for the so-called “communist” (or “socialist” by anyone else’s definition) new mayor of NYC Zohran Mamdani to join with London mayor Sadiq Khan in standing up with their citizens to Trump and his far right MAGA fakery and lack of common sense in world economics www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cg...
Live updates: Trump says it's 'communism or common sense' after Mamdani wins election
Democrats have swept the first major elections of Donald Trump's second term, with the US president saying the ongoing government shutdown is a
www.bbc.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Time for the so-called “communist” (or “socialist” by anyone else’s definition) new mayor of NYC Zohran Mamdani to join with London mayor Sadiq Khan in standing up with their citizens to Trump and his far right MAGA fakery and lack of common sense in world economics www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cg...
Watching Liverpool v Real Madrid build up. Heard waft of Van Dijk chant sung to tune of Dirty Old Town. Someone should tell VVD the classic folk song made famous by Dubliners & Pogues is actually an old Salford folk song by Ewan MacColl since adopted by FC United www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/...
How to watch Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Live streams, TV details, preview as Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to Anfield in the Champions League
Two European titans clash at Anfield – here's how to watch their game online and on TV
www.fourfourtwo.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Watching Liverpool v Real Madrid build up. Heard waft of Van Dijk chant sung to tune of Dirty Old Town. Someone should tell VVD the classic folk song made famous by Dubliners & Pogues is actually an old Salford folk song by Ewan MacColl since adopted by FC United www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/...
Probably the most cozy, intimate live music venue ever gor me in Cafe#9 Sheffield. Lookin forward to seeing Holly Carter and Joe Wilkins play tonight www.hollycartermusic.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Probably the most cozy, intimate live music venue ever gor me in Cafe#9 Sheffield. Lookin forward to seeing Holly Carter and Joe Wilkins play tonight www.hollycartermusic.com
Happy 40th Wayne Rooney! www.skysports.com/football/vid...
Wayne Rooney turns 40! | Watch his greatest Manchester United moments
On his 40th birthday, take a look at some of Wayne Rooneys greatest moments for Manchester United.
www.skysports.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Happy 40th Wayne Rooney! www.skysports.com/football/vid...
From a moral perspective (if nothing else), it ought to be imperative that Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips be allowed to stay in post www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
PM determined to keep Phillips in job as grooming inquiry row grows
Ministers are also expecting it to be months before they appoint a chair, amid disagreements among abuse survivors.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 6:46 PM
From a moral perspective (if nothing else), it ought to be imperative that Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips be allowed to stay in post www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Glory be to Trump U.S.A: You get what you deserve with your President turning his kitsch: “Oval Office into wrestler’s changing room”…..and a “place so gilded Nero would feel at home. Why did he pick an architect whose speciality is Catholic churches?” www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
‘Dictator-for-life vibes’: our architecture critic on Trump’s bulletproof ballroom bling
He has already turned the Oval Office into a wrestler’s changing room. Now the president is building a place so gilded Nero would feel at home. Why did he pick an architect whose speciality is Catholi...
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Glory be to Trump U.S.A: You get what you deserve with your President turning his kitsch: “Oval Office into wrestler’s changing room”…..and a “place so gilded Nero would feel at home. Why did he pick an architect whose speciality is Catholic churches?” www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
“God Exists. He Lives in Belgium”….if you love oddball films like Amelie you should love ‘The Brand New Testament’ . Worth it alone for 5th disciple Catherine Deneuve’s love afair with an urbane and sensitive circus Gorilla www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_brand_...
The Brand New Testament | Rotten Tomatoes
Discover reviews, ratings, and trailers for The Brand New Testament on Rotten Tomatoes. Stay updated with critic and audience scores today!
www.rottentomatoes.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:01 PM
“God Exists. He Lives in Belgium”….if you love oddball films like Amelie you should love ‘The Brand New Testament’ . Worth it alone for 5th disciple Catherine Deneuve’s love afair with an urbane and sensitive circus Gorilla www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_brand_...
Starting new BFIPlayer subs watched Karan Kandhari’s surreally funny & feral ‘Sister Midnight’ last night. Darkly visual portrait of ill-suited bride Uma played by a wonderful Radhika Apte. Great comedy reviews of her with comparisons to Buster Keaton no less www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sister_mid...
Sister Midnight | Rotten Tomatoes
Discover reviews, ratings, and trailers for Sister Midnight on Rotten Tomatoes. Stay updated with critic and audience scores today!
www.rottentomatoes.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Starting new BFIPlayer subs watched Karan Kandhari’s surreally funny & feral ‘Sister Midnight’ last night. Darkly visual portrait of ill-suited bride Uma played by a wonderful Radhika Apte. Great comedy reviews of her with comparisons to Buster Keaton no less www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sister_mid...
“…Steller’s sea cow, which went extinct 27 years after its discovery by science. There are only three to four skeletons that remain of this animal.” Lida Turpeinen’s novel ‘Beasts of the Sea’ sounds a must-read. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Beasts of the Sea: the tragic story of how the ‘gentle, lovable’ sea cow became the perfect victim
Iida Turpeinen’s novel has been a sensation in her native Finland. On the eve of its UK publication, she talks about her compulsion to tell of the sociable giant’s plight
www.theguardian.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:18 AM
“…Steller’s sea cow, which went extinct 27 years after its discovery by science. There are only three to four skeletons that remain of this animal.” Lida Turpeinen’s novel ‘Beasts of the Sea’ sounds a must-read. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Good to question established thinking, but some hints still there on ground in places like Ancoats (like ghosts of many pubs) of a more multi-layered, complex city. Elizabeth Gaskell’s industrial novels illustrate similar overlapping domestic & industrial scenes. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Friedrich Engels ‘took creative liberties’ with descriptions of class divides in Manchester
Cambridge historian Emily Chung finds philosopher’s blistering depictions of segregation may have been exaggerated
www.theguardian.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Good to question established thinking, but some hints still there on ground in places like Ancoats (like ghosts of many pubs) of a more multi-layered, complex city. Elizabeth Gaskell’s industrial novels illustrate similar overlapping domestic & industrial scenes. www.theguardian.com/education/20...