Helen McCarthy
@glider.bsky.social
Glider in the night, dancer in the dark, lover of lost rivers and paths in the woods and libraries and half-open doors. Moonlights as a writer.
All images and poems mine unless credited elsewise. AI is only acceptable if it's consensual.
All images and poems mine unless credited elsewise. AI is only acceptable if it's consensual.
What do a top Goldman Sachs lawyer and a multimillionaire sultan have in common? Well, it looks as though neither of them stick to their publicly proclaimed religious and moral principles in private, and at least one of them sent Jeffrey Epstein a "torture video".
Boss of P&O Ferries owner DP World leaves over Jeffrey Epstein links
Boss of P&O Ferries owner DP World leaves over Jeffrey Epstein links
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem’s exit as group chair and CEO follows pressure after publication of emails
The boss of P&O Ferries owner, DP World, has left the company after revelations over his ties with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein forced the ports and logistics company to take action.
Dubai-based DP World, which is ultimately owned by Dubai’s royal family, announced Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem’s departure as the group’s chair and chief executive on Friday. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:44 PM
What do a top Goldman Sachs lawyer and a multimillionaire sultan have in common? Well, it looks as though neither of them stick to their publicly proclaimed religious and moral principles in private, and at least one of them sent Jeffrey Epstein a "torture video".
Dear Customs & Immigration staff, if you get that Dyson guy coming in waving his knighthood, or any other rich entitled expat for that matter, do us all a huge favour and turn them away at the gate. They don't want to pay taxes and support the community here? Then they can go somewhere else.
Dual nationals to be denied entry to UK from 25 February unless they have British passport
Dual nationals to be denied entry to UK from 25 February unless they have British passport
New border controls require ‘certificate of entitlement’ to attach to second nationality passport that costs £589
Dual British nationals have been warned they may be denied boarding a flight, ferry or train to the UK after 25 February unless they carry a valid British passport.
The warning by the Home Office comes amid scores of complaints from British people living or travelling abroad who have suddenly found themselves at risk of not being allowed into the country.
If you are affected by the change and want to share your story, email lisa.ocarroll@theguardian.com Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Dear Customs & Immigration staff, if you get that Dyson guy coming in waving his knighthood, or any other rich entitled expat for that matter, do us all a huge favour and turn them away at the gate. They don't want to pay taxes and support the community here? Then they can go somewhere else.
My cold is now officially epic and Steve's is catching up. My nose and throat are disgustingly productive, the rest not so much. But this evening I'm recording a US podcast to promote #TheMangaBible so I'll try for Garbo rather than gargle.
Tickets tinyurl.com/2u9pcjfr
Tickets tinyurl.com/2u9pcjfr
February 13, 2026 at 11:59 AM
My cold is now officially epic and Steve's is catching up. My nose and throat are disgustingly productive, the rest not so much. But this evening I'm recording a US podcast to promote #TheMangaBible so I'll try for Garbo rather than gargle.
Tickets tinyurl.com/2u9pcjfr
Tickets tinyurl.com/2u9pcjfr
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
I have a friend who said, of Starfleet Academy, that this took them out of it - that seeing a person in a wheelchair in the 32nd century seemed unrealistic, since medicine in Star Trek "should be able to cure whatever was wrong with them."
That's not the case, for any number of possible reasons.
That's not the case, for any number of possible reasons.
February 12, 2026 at 9:52 PM
I have a friend who said, of Starfleet Academy, that this took them out of it - that seeing a person in a wheelchair in the 32nd century seemed unrealistic, since medicine in Star Trek "should be able to cure whatever was wrong with them."
That's not the case, for any number of possible reasons.
That's not the case, for any number of possible reasons.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Mark Jorg & The Jorgs - Summer Man [US, Moody Outsider Psych Folk Loner] (1975)
https://redd.it/whqeoq
https://youtu.be/cooPJVoXRKg
https://redd.it/whqeoq
https://youtu.be/cooPJVoXRKg
Mark Jorg & The Jorgs - Summer Man [US, Moody Outsider Psych Folk Loner] (1975)
youtu.be
February 13, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Mark Jorg & The Jorgs - Summer Man [US, Moody Outsider Psych Folk Loner] (1975)
https://redd.it/whqeoq
https://youtu.be/cooPJVoXRKg
https://redd.it/whqeoq
https://youtu.be/cooPJVoXRKg
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
A. Wilbur Meshel- Today’s Been Canceled [USA, Loner Rock/OutsiderMusic Classic] (1969)
https://redd.it/golw05
https://youtu.be/hsmV08768K0
https://redd.it/golw05
https://youtu.be/hsmV08768K0
A. Wilbur Meshel- Today’s Been Canceled [USA, Loner Rock/OutsiderMusic Classic] (1969)
youtu.be
February 13, 2026 at 11:16 AM
A. Wilbur Meshel- Today’s Been Canceled [USA, Loner Rock/OutsiderMusic Classic] (1969)
https://redd.it/golw05
https://youtu.be/hsmV08768K0
https://redd.it/golw05
https://youtu.be/hsmV08768K0
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Wonderful news! India Crawford has a new frog video out!
Frog's Duvet Day 🌧️🐸📚☕ #knittedfrog #miniature #rainyday #cosy
YouTube video by India Rose Crawford
youtube.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Wonderful news! India Crawford has a new frog video out!
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
The fact Wes Streeting was warned by his own officials that the toxicity of Palantir made the contract less likely to succeed raises, yet again, the question why Government granted it the contract in the first place?
NHS deal with AI firm Palantir called into question after officials’ concerns revealed
Exclusive: in 2025 briefing to Wes Streeting, officials warned reputation of tech firm behind US ICE operations would hinder rollout of data system in UK
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:29 AM
The fact Wes Streeting was warned by his own officials that the toxicity of Palantir made the contract less likely to succeed raises, yet again, the question why Government granted it the contract in the first place?
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Montage - I Shall Call Her Mary [US, Psych Pop, Baroque Pop] (1969)
https://redd.it/1qo0z8g
https://youtu.be/tyCah2FZqCg
https://redd.it/1qo0z8g
https://youtu.be/tyCah2FZqCg
Montage - I Shall Call Her Mary [US, Psych Pop, Baroque Pop] (1969)
youtu.be
February 13, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Montage - I Shall Call Her Mary [US, Psych Pop, Baroque Pop] (1969)
https://redd.it/1qo0z8g
https://youtu.be/tyCah2FZqCg
https://redd.it/1qo0z8g
https://youtu.be/tyCah2FZqCg
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
On this day in 1988 we lost the artist who impacted a lot of childhoods - Ron Embleton. #comicart #captainscarlet
February 13, 2026 at 10:51 AM
On this day in 1988 we lost the artist who impacted a lot of childhoods - Ron Embleton. #comicart #captainscarlet
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Farid Atrache - Cairo (Arabic Disco, Egypt & Lebanon, 1974)
https://redd.it/dbbper
https://youtu.be/iclSYILIFT0
https://redd.it/dbbper
https://youtu.be/iclSYILIFT0
Farid Atrache - Cairo (Arabic Disco, Egypt & Lebanon, 1974)
youtu.be
February 13, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Farid Atrache - Cairo (Arabic Disco, Egypt & Lebanon, 1974)
https://redd.it/dbbper
https://youtu.be/iclSYILIFT0
https://redd.it/dbbper
https://youtu.be/iclSYILIFT0
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
It was believed in medieval times that hedgehogs had spikes so they could roll over fruit to carry home to their children, which is not true but is a really cute idea
February 13, 2026 at 11:26 AM
It was believed in medieval times that hedgehogs had spikes so they could roll over fruit to carry home to their children, which is not true but is a really cute idea
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Babylon 5 (1993-1998): Mk2 SA-23E Mitchell-Hyundyne Starfury, art by Steve Burg
February 13, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Babylon 5 (1993-1998): Mk2 SA-23E Mitchell-Hyundyne Starfury, art by Steve Burg
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
There are some Star Trek fans weirdly obsessed with “decorum” and they really fixate on how Holly Hunter sits in the captain’s chair on STARFLEET ACADEMY. One guy left a comment on the official FB whining about it and so Captain Janeway herself responded to drop the hammer
February 13, 2026 at 5:21 AM
There are some Star Trek fans weirdly obsessed with “decorum” and they really fixate on how Holly Hunter sits in the captain’s chair on STARFLEET ACADEMY. One guy left a comment on the official FB whining about it and so Captain Janeway herself responded to drop the hammer
Why would anyone be worried about having their personal data handed over to a company that works directly with ICE and the Israeli military? Well, I'd rather not be worried about people of colour, left wingers and members of protest groups being disappeared from NHS premises.
NHS deal with AI firm Palantir called into question after officials’ concerns revealed
NHS deal with AI firm Palantir called into question after officials’ concerns revealed
Exclusive: in 2025 briefing to Wes Streeting, officials warned reputation of tech firm behind US ICE operations would hinder rollout of data system in UK
Health officials fear Palantir’s reputation will hinder the delivery of a “vital” £330m NHS contract, according to briefings seen by the Guardian, sparking fresh calls for the deal to be scrapped.
In 2023, ministers selected Palantir, a US surveillance technology company that also works for the Israeli military and Donald Trump’s ICE operation, to build an AI-enabled data platform to connect disparate health information across the NHS. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Why would anyone be worried about having their personal data handed over to a company that works directly with ICE and the Israeli military? Well, I'd rather not be worried about people of colour, left wingers and members of protest groups being disappeared from NHS premises.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Seed Talks are bringing my Studio Ghibli talk back to beautiful Belfast on 24 March! Tickets here: tinyurl.com/3s9ue5w2
If any NI journos, bloggers or podcasters want to talk to me, about Ghibli, Seed Talks or my new book The Manga Bible, get in touch in good time so we can arrange something.
If any NI journos, bloggers or podcasters want to talk to me, about Ghibli, Seed Talks or my new book The Manga Bible, get in touch in good time so we can arrange something.
February 12, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Seed Talks are bringing my Studio Ghibli talk back to beautiful Belfast on 24 March! Tickets here: tinyurl.com/3s9ue5w2
If any NI journos, bloggers or podcasters want to talk to me, about Ghibli, Seed Talks or my new book The Manga Bible, get in touch in good time so we can arrange something.
If any NI journos, bloggers or podcasters want to talk to me, about Ghibli, Seed Talks or my new book The Manga Bible, get in touch in good time so we can arrange something.
"I had so very little to do with Epstein, in fact hardly knew him" say all the prominent respectable men who were on close terms with him for years after he was a convicted paedophile and child trafficker.
Ex-Barclays boss Jes Staley was trustee of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate until 2015, files say
Ex-Barclays boss Jes Staley was trustee of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate until 2015, files say
Information appears to contradict court testimony by banker in 2025 over nature of ties to convicted sex offender
The former Barclays boss Jes Staley was named as a trustee of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate until at least May 2015, according to documents that appear to contradict court testimony given by the banker.
Earlier this month the Guardian revealed that US prosecutors had reviewed allegations of rape and bodily harm against Staley, who denies any wrongdoing. He has never been charged with a crime related to the allegations. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:06 PM
"I had so very little to do with Epstein, in fact hardly knew him" say all the prominent respectable men who were on close terms with him for years after he was a convicted paedophile and child trafficker.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
@alexpodyssey.bsky.social is clearly our very own modern-day Prometheus. Repeatedly flaying himself (sometimes until 4:00am, I hear😉) to exhaustion, to spread his exquisite knowledge.
Μπράβο.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Μπράβο.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
PROMETHEUS: I Don't Want to Set The World On Fire
Podcast Episode · Alex Andreou's Podyssey · 08/02/2026 · 1h 28m
podcasts.apple.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:41 AM
@alexpodyssey.bsky.social is clearly our very own modern-day Prometheus. Repeatedly flaying himself (sometimes until 4:00am, I hear😉) to exhaustion, to spread his exquisite knowledge.
Μπράβο.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Μπράβο.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
New Osaka omiyage killed me
January 7, 2026 at 11:17 AM
New Osaka omiyage killed me
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Fantastic essay on politics, life, and the apocalypse.
‘If we believe we are on the road to cataclysm, what happens to politics?’
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
‘If we believe we are on the road to cataclysm, what happens to politics?’
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Geoff Mann · Good Failures: With a Whimper
Does anything matter if we’re done for? We are not the first to wonder. Contemporary fictions are preoccupied with...
www.lrb.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Fantastic essay on politics, life, and the apocalypse.
‘If we believe we are on the road to cataclysm, what happens to politics?’
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
‘If we believe we are on the road to cataclysm, what happens to politics?’
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
6. Say hi to this Buff Ermine Moth I met last summer. They did not name it that for nothing. I mean, holy shit, have you seen how fucking buff it is?
February 12, 2026 at 12:23 PM
6. Say hi to this Buff Ermine Moth I met last summer. They did not name it that for nothing. I mean, holy shit, have you seen how fucking buff it is?
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
When Lucy from Compass Books in Dartmouth, Devon, was victim to shoplifting people told her to install CCTV. Instead she put this ancient book thief curse on the wall from the Monastery of San Pedro in Barcelona so book stealers would be consumed by "the flames of hell" with "their members blasted".
November 11, 2025 at 7:59 AM
When Lucy from Compass Books in Dartmouth, Devon, was victim to shoplifting people told her to install CCTV. Instead she put this ancient book thief curse on the wall from the Monastery of San Pedro in Barcelona so book stealers would be consumed by "the flames of hell" with "their members blasted".
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
“If Britain is ever to give up clutching at Uncle Sam’s coattails, it must change its partner for upgrading its nuclear deterrent from America to France, and use that cooperation to present Vladimir Putin with a combined European nuclear deterrent that should keep him honest.”
Escaping the special relationship: How Britain can leave its dangerous dependency on Trump’s America – European Council on Foreign Relations
The British prime minister has long said the UK does not need to choose between the US and Europe. The time has come for him to admit he is wrong
ecfr.eu
February 12, 2026 at 12:01 PM
“If Britain is ever to give up clutching at Uncle Sam’s coattails, it must change its partner for upgrading its nuclear deterrent from America to France, and use that cooperation to present Vladimir Putin with a combined European nuclear deterrent that should keep him honest.”
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Some scenes in the film "A New Dawn" use a multiplane camera and many traditional animation techniques ♡
Backlit effects, resin filter, powdered pastel, bubbles made of clear gel...
natalie.mu/comic/news/6...
Backlit effects, resin filter, powdered pastel, bubbles made of clear gel...
natalie.mu/comic/news/6...
February 12, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Some scenes in the film "A New Dawn" use a multiplane camera and many traditional animation techniques ♡
Backlit effects, resin filter, powdered pastel, bubbles made of clear gel...
natalie.mu/comic/news/6...
Backlit effects, resin filter, powdered pastel, bubbles made of clear gel...
natalie.mu/comic/news/6...
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
“I’ve reviewed over 50 sticky toffee puddings” is an incredibly powerful way to begin a video
February 11, 2026 at 5:15 PM
“I’ve reviewed over 50 sticky toffee puddings” is an incredibly powerful way to begin a video