Rebecca
@beantrees.bsky.social
Former migrant, proud European, podcast addict, likes a train ride. Krapfen officionado. Will travel for women's artistic gymnastics and 🏴 football. Bristol 🇬🇧 or sometimes Bavaria 🇩🇪. Know where my towel is.
Reposted by Rebecca
Mark Carney is explaining the new world in a way that is beyond any other leader I've heard speak. Hard to think of more than a handful of politicians with this level of awareness across Europe as a whole.
Mark Carney basically explaining that the US under Trump is destabilising the world and that a new world order for trade is being created
Don't Americans understand how much damage Trump is doing to the international world order, and that it'll take years to repair and rebuild relations of trust?
Don't Americans understand how much damage Trump is doing to the international world order, and that it'll take years to repair and rebuild relations of trust?
January 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Mark Carney is explaining the new world in a way that is beyond any other leader I've heard speak. Hard to think of more than a handful of politicians with this level of awareness across Europe as a whole.
Reposted by Rebecca
I am not remotely Blue Labour but it now feels like there is no one on BlueSky prepared to Stan for Starmer on anything. Can I just remind you all that, however lacking you think he is in political skill, he has actually rescued us from this shower of shit. We have a functioning government.
This intro to David Frost's Telegraph column sums up so much that is wrong with British politics.
January 16, 2026 at 11:05 AM
I am not remotely Blue Labour but it now feels like there is no one on BlueSky prepared to Stan for Starmer on anything. Can I just remind you all that, however lacking you think he is in political skill, he has actually rescued us from this shower of shit. We have a functioning government.
Reposted by Rebecca
None of the smokes and tear gases are anything close to nerve agents and this is dangerously bad disinformation
So... Some discussion about the Geneva Convention etc.
Really?
It's a carcinogenic nerve gas that just about every sane nation doesn't use. Yet in Trump's Excited States of Hysteria, the government gasses citizens who protest lawless violent secret police.
Stop quibbling over BS.
It's Nerve Gas.
Really?
It's a carcinogenic nerve gas that just about every sane nation doesn't use. Yet in Trump's Excited States of Hysteria, the government gasses citizens who protest lawless violent secret police.
Stop quibbling over BS.
It's Nerve Gas.
WTF
January 16, 2026 at 12:57 PM
None of the smokes and tear gases are anything close to nerve agents and this is dangerously bad disinformation
Don't think I need to hear anything from Jenrick thanks. Who cares?
January 16, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Don't think I need to hear anything from Jenrick thanks. Who cares?
Reposted by Rebecca
Starmer keeps using this line, & it's bonkers.
Most importantly, it's untrue: the party that ended Free Movement, ran the "hostile environment" & made Suella Braverman Home Sec did not run "an experiment in open borders".
It's also politically mad. Voters who believe this will not vote for Starmer
Most importantly, it's untrue: the party that ended Free Movement, ran the "hostile environment" & made Suella Braverman Home Sec did not run "an experiment in open borders".
It's also politically mad. Voters who believe this will not vote for Starmer
!["And this is what Keir Starmer’s press secretary has said about Robert Jenrick at the lobby briefing this morning.
[Highlighted] Robert Jenrick was the immigration minister in a government that presided over an open borders experiment [Highlighted], a health minister who left people stuck on waiting lists, and a Treasury minister during the worst decline in living standards on record.”
While Reform continues to welcome failed Tory retreads, this Labor government is putting the country back on track."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cixgmtrg7nzy4gkmyfeosaox/bafkreibe3jczrmbmzfnhj2adl4qe432lbpmcbn6m6qrentwih7vxj4fu7y@jpeg)
January 15, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Starmer keeps using this line, & it's bonkers.
Most importantly, it's untrue: the party that ended Free Movement, ran the "hostile environment" & made Suella Braverman Home Sec did not run "an experiment in open borders".
It's also politically mad. Voters who believe this will not vote for Starmer
Most importantly, it's untrue: the party that ended Free Movement, ran the "hostile environment" & made Suella Braverman Home Sec did not run "an experiment in open borders".
It's also politically mad. Voters who believe this will not vote for Starmer
Geordie music news.
‘A nasty little song, really rather evil’: how Every Breath You Take tore Sting and the Police apart
‘A nasty little song, really rather evil’: how Every Breath You Take tore Sting and the Police apart
Sting and his former bandmates go to the high court over a royalties dispute this week – the latest chapter in the song’s remarkably fractious story
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Geordie music news.
Reposted by Rebecca
Incredible scenes at Luton airport this morning: easyjet overbook flight, and there’s a family of 5 where 2 have assigned seats and 3 will be bumped if everyone turns up, and those 3 are children.
Gate closes, no available seats, so what do mum and dad do? Get on the flight and leave the kids
Gate closes, no available seats, so what do mum and dad do? Get on the flight and leave the kids
January 15, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Incredible scenes at Luton airport this morning: easyjet overbook flight, and there’s a family of 5 where 2 have assigned seats and 3 will be bumped if everyone turns up, and those 3 are children.
Gate closes, no available seats, so what do mum and dad do? Get on the flight and leave the kids
Gate closes, no available seats, so what do mum and dad do? Get on the flight and leave the kids
Reposted by Rebecca
When I stop laughing I'll provide some insightful analysis.
BREAKING Kemi Badenoch has sacked Robert Jenrick from the shadow cabinet, removed the whip and suspended his party membership.
She says she was "presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect" to Reform
She says she was "presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect" to Reform
January 15, 2026 at 11:16 AM
When I stop laughing I'll provide some insightful analysis.
Reposted by Rebecca
Politicians: don't use AI to make your maps.
January 14, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Politicians: don't use AI to make your maps.
Reposted by Rebecca
Fascinating graph from @data.ft.com giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
January 14, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Fascinating graph from @data.ft.com giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by Rebecca
BREAKING: James Rodden, an ICE prosecutor who the Observer identified last year as the operator of an X account that posted “America is a White nation," “‘Migrants’ are all criminals,” and apparent praise of Adolf Hitler, appeared to be back at work Tuesday.
www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecut...
www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecut...
ICE Prosecutor Who Runs Racist X Account Returns to Dallas Immigration Court
James Rodden, who the Observer identified last year as the operator of the account that routinely posted hateful statements, appeared to be back at work Tuesday.
www.texasobserver.org
January 14, 2026 at 12:43 AM
BREAKING: James Rodden, an ICE prosecutor who the Observer identified last year as the operator of an X account that posted “America is a White nation," “‘Migrants’ are all criminals,” and apparent praise of Adolf Hitler, appeared to be back at work Tuesday.
www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecut...
www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecut...
Reposted by Rebecca
A sobering thought: were Nigel Farage to become Prime Minister then the terrifying scenes from Minneapolis would become terrifying scenes here.
January 13, 2026 at 5:05 PM
A sobering thought: were Nigel Farage to become Prime Minister then the terrifying scenes from Minneapolis would become terrifying scenes here.
Reposted by Rebecca
Neighbors standing guard over churches so that parents can have secret meetings about how to keep daycares safe. This is what's happening in the Twin Cities right now.
January 14, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Neighbors standing guard over churches so that parents can have secret meetings about how to keep daycares safe. This is what's happening in the Twin Cities right now.
Reposted by Rebecca
‘I fell in love with him on the spot’: Alan Rickman remembered, 10 years after his death
‘I fell in love with him on the spot’: Alan Rickman remembered, 10 years after his death
On the anniversary of his death aged 69, stars from Sigourney Weaver to Sharleen Spiteri, Tom Felton to Harriet Walter, remember the wit, charm and endless generosity of one of Britain’s best-loved actors
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:51 AM
‘I fell in love with him on the spot’: Alan Rickman remembered, 10 years after his death
Reposted by Rebecca
"I feel the need! The NEED FOR SPEED!" yells Keir Starmer out of the window of his souped up drag racer. he grips the steering wheel as the lights change to green. the engine revs. the tyres spin. Starmer SCREAMS before beginning the first of twenty consecutive three point turns on the starting line
January 14, 2026 at 7:56 AM
"I feel the need! The NEED FOR SPEED!" yells Keir Starmer out of the window of his souped up drag racer. he grips the steering wheel as the lights change to green. the engine revs. the tyres spin. Starmer SCREAMS before beginning the first of twenty consecutive three point turns on the starting line
Reposted by Rebecca
For clarity, this government has so far:
- cancelled HS2 north of Birmingham (previous government hadn't actually done that formally)
- cancelled electrification of the Midland Main Line
- cancelled West Yorkshire mass transit
- cancelled the trans-Pennine high speed line
- cancelled HS2 north of Birmingham (previous government hadn't actually done that formally)
- cancelled electrification of the Midland Main Line
- cancelled West Yorkshire mass transit
- cancelled the trans-Pennine high speed line
January 14, 2026 at 7:23 AM
For clarity, this government has so far:
- cancelled HS2 north of Birmingham (previous government hadn't actually done that formally)
- cancelled electrification of the Midland Main Line
- cancelled West Yorkshire mass transit
- cancelled the trans-Pennine high speed line
- cancelled HS2 north of Birmingham (previous government hadn't actually done that formally)
- cancelled electrification of the Midland Main Line
- cancelled West Yorkshire mass transit
- cancelled the trans-Pennine high speed line
Reposted by Rebecca
The u-turn on mandatory digital ID was incredibly predictable.
I v much doubt scrapping jury trials will survive either.
Less positively prob not votes at 16 either.
If the far right oppose something, Starmer wont do it. Farage is already the Prime Minister rly #r4today
I v much doubt scrapping jury trials will survive either.
Less positively prob not votes at 16 either.
If the far right oppose something, Starmer wont do it. Farage is already the Prime Minister rly #r4today
January 14, 2026 at 6:46 AM
The u-turn on mandatory digital ID was incredibly predictable.
I v much doubt scrapping jury trials will survive either.
Less positively prob not votes at 16 either.
If the far right oppose something, Starmer wont do it. Farage is already the Prime Minister rly #r4today
I v much doubt scrapping jury trials will survive either.
Less positively prob not votes at 16 either.
If the far right oppose something, Starmer wont do it. Farage is already the Prime Minister rly #r4today
Reposted by Rebecca
I was 20 when HS2 was announced. Great to know i’ll probably be in my late 60s when the Birmingham-Manchester section starts work let alone finishes. Seems like a country doing things the right way!
January 14, 2026 at 7:55 AM
I was 20 when HS2 was announced. Great to know i’ll probably be in my late 60s when the Birmingham-Manchester section starts work let alone finishes. Seems like a country doing things the right way!
Chris Mason's opinion: yet another non-breaking news story.
January 14, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Chris Mason's opinion: yet another non-breaking news story.
Reposted by Rebecca
Public demand for night-trains in Europe is not a problem. So what is stalling the expansion of sleeper trains throughout the bloc. @jonworth.eu @seatsixtyone.bsky.social @europeansleeper.eu share their thoughts in my report on @theworld.org Listen here: theworld.org/segments/202...
Europe's night trains have made a comeback but face big challenges - The World from PRX
Europe’s night trains have been making a comeback in the last few years, with overnight sleeper services once again linking cities like Paris and Berlin, and Vienna and Amsterdam. But the revival has ...
theworld.org
January 13, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Public demand for night-trains in Europe is not a problem. So what is stalling the expansion of sleeper trains throughout the bloc. @jonworth.eu @seatsixtyone.bsky.social @europeansleeper.eu share their thoughts in my report on @theworld.org Listen here: theworld.org/segments/202...
Reposted by Rebecca
right so not just me there!!!! wtf is going on! bsky.app/profile/isnt...
January 13, 2026 at 9:06 PM
right so not just me there!!!! wtf is going on! bsky.app/profile/isnt...
Reposted by Rebecca
Tomorrow’s supposed to be a larger protest at the Iranian Embassy in Tbilisi. It’s the day when mass executions are to begin...
#FreeIran #GeorgiaProtests
#FreeIran #GeorgiaProtests
January 13, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Tomorrow’s supposed to be a larger protest at the Iranian Embassy in Tbilisi. It’s the day when mass executions are to begin...
#FreeIran #GeorgiaProtests
#FreeIran #GeorgiaProtests
Reposted by Rebecca
Dealing with post-Brexit paperwork ‘pure hell’, shipping head tells MPs
Dealing with post-Brexit paperwork ‘pure hell’, shipping head tells MPs
Toby Ovens of Broughton Transport called Brexit a nightmare, and said he hoped a reset with the EU would mean ‘light at the end of the tunnel’
British vets have been forced to chase lorries down the motorway on their way to Dover due to the “pure hell” of Brexit paperwork needed by inspectors in Calais, MPs have been told.
Toby Ovens of Broughton Transport told the business and trade committee that Brexit has been a costly and logistic nightmare and hopes of a reset with the EU represented “light at the end of the tunnel”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Dealing with post-Brexit paperwork ‘pure hell’, shipping head tells MPs
Reposted by Rebecca
Greenland PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen:
"If we have to choose between the US & Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU."
"Greenland does not want to be owned by the US. Greenland does not want to be governed by the US" he later added.
"If we have to choose between the US & Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU."
"Greenland does not want to be owned by the US. Greenland does not want to be governed by the US" he later added.
January 13, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Greenland PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen:
"If we have to choose between the US & Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU."
"Greenland does not want to be owned by the US. Greenland does not want to be governed by the US" he later added.
"If we have to choose between the US & Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU."
"Greenland does not want to be owned by the US. Greenland does not want to be governed by the US" he later added.
Oh good, Eurail has had a security breach. Add my passport data to the list of things freely available online.
January 13, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Oh good, Eurail has had a security breach. Add my passport data to the list of things freely available online.