Dr_Aust_PhD
@draustphd.bsky.social
Grumpy old lab scientist (retd.), Uni teacher & centrist dad. Irked by trendy nonsense, own waistline, hair 📉 etc. NOT a medic - other ½ of NHS doctor. Long-ago 70s punk rock fan/ guitarist. 2 kids & now no dog (RIP). Personal views.
Yup. See also the UK government's visa restrictions on overseas students, and baffling indifference to the fate of UK Universities
You'd have thought this might be a good time to maintain our still outsized global influence. But apparently not.
February 15, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Yup. See also the UK government's visa restrictions on overseas students, and baffling indifference to the fate of UK Universities
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Reminder that more networks, just like the Epstein network, exist, and you know exactly who they are.
February 15, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Reminder that more networks, just like the Epstein network, exist, and you know exactly who they are.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Honestly this is so depressing. Such incredibly important assets, such parts of maintaining the world's access to information and reasonably accurate news, such as mechanism of British soft power and an illustration of values we claim to hold dear, even more important today since the US backed away.
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Honestly this is so depressing. Such incredibly important assets, such parts of maintaining the world's access to information and reasonably accurate news, such as mechanism of British soft power and an illustration of values we claim to hold dear, even more important today since the US backed away.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Exactly. This is not a lot of money. And once destroyed you don’t get to rebuild it.
The entire UK diplomatic budget is about £1.4 billion a year. That’s pretty much precisely 0.1% of government spending.
BBC World Service is about £0.25 billion (it should be higher), or 0.02%.
These are rounding errors on rounding errors. Double each and public expenditure wouldn’t twitch.
Mad.
BBC World Service is about £0.25 billion (it should be higher), or 0.02%.
These are rounding errors on rounding errors. Double each and public expenditure wouldn’t twitch.
Mad.
February 15, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Exactly. This is not a lot of money. And once destroyed you don’t get to rebuild it.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
I can remember a time when a political party celebrating the launch of a book on how to launder money, written by a convicted fraudster who is also a long-term aide to the party leader, would have been seen as a rather large (& bizarre) red flag.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Senior Reform UK figures attend launch of How to Launder Money book
Co-author George Cottrell is close aide to party leader Nigel Farage and served several months in US prison
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 9:52 AM
I can remember a time when a political party celebrating the launch of a book on how to launder money, written by a convicted fraudster who is also a long-term aide to the party leader, would have been seen as a rather large (& bizarre) red flag.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
It is utterly extraordinary that one of the UK's greatest engines of soft power has to scrabble about with the begging bowl like this.
'With just seven wks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported.'
100% this.
'With just seven wks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported.'
100% this.
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:02 PM
It is utterly extraordinary that one of the UK's greatest engines of soft power has to scrabble about with the begging bowl like this.
'With just seven wks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported.'
100% this.
'With just seven wks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported.'
100% this.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
I know I’m ascribing way too much cognition here and defo wasting time on a pointless speculation but I do sometimes wonder at Musk’s endgame.
Unlike Trump, he’s unlikely to die soon. He can’t become president. I’d guess he knows that at some point it’ll all collapse.
Unlike Trump, he’s unlikely to die soon. He can’t become president. I’d guess he knows that at some point it’ll all collapse.
February 15, 2026 at 9:52 PM
I know I’m ascribing way too much cognition here and defo wasting time on a pointless speculation but I do sometimes wonder at Musk’s endgame.
Unlike Trump, he’s unlikely to die soon. He can’t become president. I’d guess he knows that at some point it’ll all collapse.
Unlike Trump, he’s unlikely to die soon. He can’t become president. I’d guess he knows that at some point it’ll all collapse.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Whether it’s Barack Obama, putting Dijon mustard on a hotdog or Vladimir Putin poisoning a political rival with frog toxins, both leaders have a colorful history of using strange substances.
February 15, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Whether it’s Barack Obama, putting Dijon mustard on a hotdog or Vladimir Putin poisoning a political rival with frog toxins, both leaders have a colorful history of using strange substances.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
"It has been an exercise in what economists call "comparative advantage" & "agglomeration"...Manchester has young people, workers, space & lots of globally important cultural assets, from music to football & cycling. Above all, it has long had Europe's biggest university campus"
Could Manchester be a model for the UK to kickstart growth?
With an annual growth rate of 3.1%, Manchester's economy has performed twice as well as that of the UK as a whole.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 4:09 PM
"It has been an exercise in what economists call "comparative advantage" & "agglomeration"...Manchester has young people, workers, space & lots of globally important cultural assets, from music to football & cycling. Above all, it has long had Europe's biggest university campus"
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Sometimes the Epstein Files appal simply by a revelation of timings. The MoS emailed the incendiary photo of Andrew with Virginia Giuffre on 26/2/2011, via his Press Sec, on agreed terms, strictly for ‘his eyes only’.
61 minutes later, he sent it to Epstein.
(www.justice.gov/epstein/file...)
61 minutes later, he sent it to Epstein.
(www.justice.gov/epstein/file...)
February 14, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Sometimes the Epstein Files appal simply by a revelation of timings. The MoS emailed the incendiary photo of Andrew with Virginia Giuffre on 26/2/2011, via his Press Sec, on agreed terms, strictly for ‘his eyes only’.
61 minutes later, he sent it to Epstein.
(www.justice.gov/epstein/file...)
61 minutes later, he sent it to Epstein.
(www.justice.gov/epstein/file...)
Long past time to boot 'Blue Labour' - and its partisans and proxies - to the kerb.
If you've seen the Sunday Times today you'll know Labour Together were secretly hiring people to investigate journalists.
Sadly you won't know that The National broke this story six months ago, since our work is not credited at all.
Here's the original 👇
www.thenational.scot/news/2550403...
Sadly you won't know that The National broke this story six months ago, since our work is not credited at all.
Here's the original 👇
www.thenational.scot/news/2550403...
Starmer allies hired investigators to look into author of McSweeney book
KEIR Starmer's allies hired private investigators to explore the background of an author whose book led to the resignation of the Prime Minister's…
www.thenational.scot
February 15, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Long past time to boot 'Blue Labour' - and its partisans and proxies - to the kerb.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
One of the morals of the Epstein story is that when governments stop funding research, foreign aid, and the arts, the void is filled with billionaires who use nonprofits as vehicles for political intrigue.
February 15, 2026 at 1:32 PM
One of the morals of the Epstein story is that when governments stop funding research, foreign aid, and the arts, the void is filled with billionaires who use nonprofits as vehicles for political intrigue.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Yes it doesn't matter if barely anyone shows up and what they're protesting is a nonsense. If they carry with them a soundbite message then it gives particular sections of the media to amplify, playing into the cause of those much bigger and more frightening. Same playbook as flags on lamp posts.
February 15, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Yes it doesn't matter if barely anyone shows up and what they're protesting is a nonsense. If they carry with them a soundbite message then it gives particular sections of the media to amplify, playing into the cause of those much bigger and more frightening. Same playbook as flags on lamp posts.
This actually concerns me more - the very deliberate over-reporting of fringe far-right outrage 'happenings' by right-wing outrage boosters in the right-partisan UK media. The regular diet of outrage porn is a major reason why the UK public's take on migration (& migration figures) is so inaccurate.
Worth noting in all this that barely anyone showed up in their protests against the RNLI yet certain sections of the media gave full coverage to it. Repeating the message someone's carefully constructed that lawful maritime rescue is a 'taxi service'. That part is concerning. Bears more scrutiny.
February 15, 2026 at 3:45 PM
This actually concerns me more - the very deliberate over-reporting of fringe far-right outrage 'happenings' by right-wing outrage boosters in the right-partisan UK media. The regular diet of outrage porn is a major reason why the UK public's take on migration (& migration figures) is so inaccurate.
I've been a regular donor ever since Ur-flagshagger Nigel Fartage started berating them some years back. F**k off Nigel.
Since a handful of hate filled people protested outside RNLI HQ yesterday because they're angry that crews don't discriminate in their rescues and work to save all lives at sea you might want to show your support with a one off or regular donation.
rnli.org/pages/ig/new...
rnli.org/pages/ig/new...
Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea
Your donations really make a difference. We depend on your generosity to educate people to stay safe and prevent tragedies on and offshore. Donate here.
rnli.org
February 15, 2026 at 3:39 PM
I've been a regular donor ever since Ur-flagshagger Nigel Fartage started berating them some years back. F**k off Nigel.
Display an album that was important to you when you were nineteen. (And is ageless. IMO.)
February 15, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Display an album that was important to you when you were nineteen. (And is ageless. IMO.)
Nope - it's not. And it doesn't make economic sense, either.
As lots of people said when fees were introduced.
Mrs A is German & regards Uni tuition fees as an anathema - hence we've paid upfront, currently looking a sensible strategy.
No Uni tuition fees in Germany NB. Seems to work for them.
As lots of people said when fees were introduced.
Mrs A is German & regards Uni tuition fees as an anathema - hence we've paid upfront, currently looking a sensible strategy.
No Uni tuition fees in Germany NB. Seems to work for them.
What a brilliant argument from Oli Dugmore – yet again!
👏👏👏
👏👏👏
“The combined tuition fees of the entire Question Time panel would not cover my cost for 1 year of uni. Is that fair?”
Oli Dugmore
It’s absolutely NOT fair. This outrageous scandal must end
Oli Dugmore
It’s absolutely NOT fair. This outrageous scandal must end
February 15, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Nope - it's not. And it doesn't make economic sense, either.
As lots of people said when fees were introduced.
Mrs A is German & regards Uni tuition fees as an anathema - hence we've paid upfront, currently looking a sensible strategy.
No Uni tuition fees in Germany NB. Seems to work for them.
As lots of people said when fees were introduced.
Mrs A is German & regards Uni tuition fees as an anathema - hence we've paid upfront, currently looking a sensible strategy.
No Uni tuition fees in Germany NB. Seems to work for them.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
A depressing read. Think the Uni is in the wrong here... but I've no doubt their budget is tight, they're probably running a yr-on-yr deficit, and they're doubtless bricking it over the impending drop in o/seas student enrolments & fees.
Perhaps time for govt to think about how UK HE is funded?
Perhaps time for govt to think about how UK HE is funded?
Indicative of a) how communities can come to rely on universities as provisioning community services b) how a prestige project can become a liability c) how positive heritage narratives don’t pay the bills d) abt what constitutes legit use of student fee income
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Shattered dreams: Why the battle for Sunderland’s glass centre has turned into a political flashpoint
Custodian University of Sunderland says renovation costs of £45m are too high and building must be pulled down. Not without a fight, say locals, who believe they’re being taken for fools
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 1:59 PM
A depressing read. Think the Uni is in the wrong here... but I've no doubt their budget is tight, they're probably running a yr-on-yr deficit, and they're doubtless bricking it over the impending drop in o/seas student enrolments & fees.
Perhaps time for govt to think about how UK HE is funded?
Perhaps time for govt to think about how UK HE is funded?
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
It *literally* does.
Thats what it is. A document which says youre British.
Thats what it is. A document which says youre British.
February 15, 2026 at 1:38 PM
It *literally* does.
Thats what it is. A document which says youre British.
Thats what it is. A document which says youre British.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Easy Kash Patel joke here. Or for a deeper cut, Maria Butina and NRA.
But the sad thing is, foreign intel agencies don’t need to honeypot lower level US personnel. The top people take bribes, use unsecure phones, put war plans in group chats, and the DNI is a foreign sympathizer, maybe even asset.
But the sad thing is, foreign intel agencies don’t need to honeypot lower level US personnel. The top people take bribes, use unsecure phones, put war plans in group chats, and the DNI is a foreign sympathizer, maybe even asset.
February 15, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Easy Kash Patel joke here. Or for a deeper cut, Maria Butina and NRA.
But the sad thing is, foreign intel agencies don’t need to honeypot lower level US personnel. The top people take bribes, use unsecure phones, put war plans in group chats, and the DNI is a foreign sympathizer, maybe even asset.
But the sad thing is, foreign intel agencies don’t need to honeypot lower level US personnel. The top people take bribes, use unsecure phones, put war plans in group chats, and the DNI is a foreign sympathizer, maybe even asset.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Measles is a bellwether. Because it’s the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, when vaccination rates drop, it’s the first to start spreading.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Maryland health officials warn providers about an upsurge in mumps cases
Maryland health officials are warning about an uptick in cases of mumps.
www.thebanner.com
February 14, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Measles is a bellwether. Because it’s the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, when vaccination rates drop, it’s the first to start spreading.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
"You do not exist."
Still, at least they've not indicated the best routes to move tanks into the city centre, like a 1960s Red Army war plan map of Manchester someone once posted online.
Still, at least they've not indicated the best routes to move tanks into the city centre, like a 1960s Red Army war plan map of Manchester someone once posted online.
A 1988 map that shows precisely what East Germany thought of West Berlin…
February 15, 2026 at 1:50 PM
"You do not exist."
Still, at least they've not indicated the best routes to move tanks into the city centre, like a 1960s Red Army war plan map of Manchester someone once posted online.
Still, at least they've not indicated the best routes to move tanks into the city centre, like a 1960s Red Army war plan map of Manchester someone once posted online.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Poverty is not real.
You should not be allowed to work from home.
Minimum wage is a bad idea.
Women need to stay at home and have kids.
Migrant workers are the problem.
I don’t know guys. It seems like Reform might not represent the working class at all?
You should not be allowed to work from home.
Minimum wage is a bad idea.
Women need to stay at home and have kids.
Migrant workers are the problem.
I don’t know guys. It seems like Reform might not represent the working class at all?
Reform have totally let the cat out of the bag about who they are.
Zia Yusuf lecturing that poverty and peoples everyday struggles with rising bills and rent is exaggerated.
A party of the failed status quo, funded and representing big corporate interests.
Zia Yusuf lecturing that poverty and peoples everyday struggles with rising bills and rent is exaggerated.
A party of the failed status quo, funded and representing big corporate interests.
February 15, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Poverty is not real.
You should not be allowed to work from home.
Minimum wage is a bad idea.
Women need to stay at home and have kids.
Migrant workers are the problem.
I don’t know guys. It seems like Reform might not represent the working class at all?
You should not be allowed to work from home.
Minimum wage is a bad idea.
Women need to stay at home and have kids.
Migrant workers are the problem.
I don’t know guys. It seems like Reform might not represent the working class at all?