James Middleton
@jaimiddleton.bsky.social
Freelance copy editor and proofreader working with authors, publishers and researchers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimiddleton
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimiddleton
Reposted by James Middleton
Huge news from the UK today: after UN climate talks in which there was a massive fight over language on fossil fuels, the UK government today announced that it will in fact be keeping many millions of barrels of oil & gas in the ground. Deeds rather than just words for a change! 🧵
November 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Huge news from the UK today: after UN climate talks in which there was a massive fight over language on fossil fuels, the UK government today announced that it will in fact be keeping many millions of barrels of oil & gas in the ground. Deeds rather than just words for a change! 🧵
Reposted by James Middleton
💥New: Creative commons licenses and copyright may not stop academic work being used to train AI
✍️ @eve.gd
#CreativeCommons #ScholComm #AcWri
✍️ @eve.gd
#CreativeCommons #ScholComm #AcWri
Creative commons licenses and copyright may not stop academic work being used to train AI - Impact of Social Sciences
Considering the legal standing of creative commons licenses & copyright, Martin Eve suggests legal protections for academic work are unlikely to be forthcoming.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 4:15 PM
💥New: Creative commons licenses and copyright may not stop academic work being used to train AI
✍️ @eve.gd
#CreativeCommons #ScholComm #AcWri
✍️ @eve.gd
#CreativeCommons #ScholComm #AcWri
Reposted by James Middleton
With almost no mental healthcare available, Sudanese women in Chad form their own support networks.
Sudanese women in Chad grapple with trauma of wartime violence
With almost no mental healthcare available, Sudanese women in Chad form their own support networks.
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
With almost no mental healthcare available, Sudanese women in Chad form their own support networks.
Reposted by James Middleton
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Around 10,000 wild horses roam freely in the hills and mountains of Galicia. The horses are known as engineers of the landscape, credited with boosting local flora and fauna, and helping to control forest fires. But they face a number of challenges, including habitat loss – and wolves
BBC World Service - The Documentary Podcast, Galicia’s wild horses in peril
Europe’s largest herd of wild horses, in north-west Spain, is under threat. Why?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Around 10,000 wild horses roam freely in the hills and mountains of Galicia. The horses are known as engineers of the landscape, credited with boosting local flora and fauna, and helping to control forest fires. But they face a number of challenges, including habitat loss – and wolves
Reposted by James Middleton
The Twitter/X account geolocation feature should be treated with scepticism (FREE TO READ!)
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/the-twitte...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/the-twitte...
The Twitter/X account geolocation feature should be treated with scepticism
And surely BBC Verify should actually... verify... things?
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 8:58 AM
The Twitter/X account geolocation feature should be treated with scepticism (FREE TO READ!)
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/the-twitte...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/the-twitte...
Reposted by James Middleton
L'SNCF ofereix classes de català gratuïtes durant els viatges amb TGV entre París i Barcelona. Professors de l'Institut Ramon Llull ensenyen paraules, expressions i nocions de cultura catalana. www.acn.cat/new/lsncf-of...
L'SNCF ofereix classes de català gratuïtes durant els viatges amb TGV entre París i Barcelona
Professors de l'Institut Ramon Llull ensenyen paraules, expressions i nocions de cultura catalana
www.acn.cat
November 26, 2025 at 10:25 AM
L'SNCF ofereix classes de català gratuïtes durant els viatges amb TGV entre París i Barcelona. Professors de l'Institut Ramon Llull ensenyen paraules, expressions i nocions de cultura catalana. www.acn.cat/new/lsncf-of...
Reposted by James Middleton
If you want to understand why British governments are so chaotic, be they Labour or Conservative, it's worth at least mentioning the fact that we run this country in a fundamentally irrational way.
"10 Downing Street works on a system of professionalised loitering ...
People just kind of hang around thinking 'How do I get the most facetime with the prime minister — and how do I act as a barricade to stop other people...'" — @iandunt.bsky.social
Full episode here: youtu.be/1Yfo1aS0O6s
People just kind of hang around thinking 'How do I get the most facetime with the prime minister — and how do I act as a barricade to stop other people...'" — @iandunt.bsky.social
Full episode here: youtu.be/1Yfo1aS0O6s
May 9, 2025 at 9:31 AM
If you want to understand why British governments are so chaotic, be they Labour or Conservative, it's worth at least mentioning the fact that we run this country in a fundamentally irrational way.
Reposted by James Middleton
Working with local lime in today's @theguardian.com country diary by @amyjanebeer.bsky.social
#countrydiary #naturewriting
#countrydiary #naturewriting
Country diary: Unlocking the magic of our local lime | Amy-Jane Beer
Welburn, North Yorkshire: Our house is made from the ground around us, so it’s only fitting that we fix it in the same spirit
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Working with local lime in today's @theguardian.com country diary by @amyjanebeer.bsky.social
#countrydiary #naturewriting
#countrydiary #naturewriting
Reposted by James Middleton
NEW: Nigel Farage is facing renewed calls to explain why he repeatedly aired tropes and conspiracy theories associated with antisemitism during interviews, after claims the Reform UK leader used racist language in his teens.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Farage urged to explain conspiracy theories linked to antisemitism he voiced in US media
Exclusive: The Reform UK leader discussed far-right talking points in web TV and radio appearances between 2009 and 2018
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:41 AM
NEW: Nigel Farage is facing renewed calls to explain why he repeatedly aired tropes and conspiracy theories associated with antisemitism during interviews, after claims the Reform UK leader used racist language in his teens.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by James Middleton
NEW There's no overstating how significant the Nathan Gill case is. On Friday, the close associate of Nigel Farage was jailed for over 10 years for taking bribes ultimately from a friend of Putin. It's a complex, detail-heavy story that raises questions about Farage’s claim Gill was ‘one bad apple’🧵
November 23, 2025 at 11:53 AM
NEW There's no overstating how significant the Nathan Gill case is. On Friday, the close associate of Nigel Farage was jailed for over 10 years for taking bribes ultimately from a friend of Putin. It's a complex, detail-heavy story that raises questions about Farage’s claim Gill was ‘one bad apple’🧵
Reposted by James Middleton
Moscow's guilty men in the White House are trying to destroy Ukraine and weaken Europe.
open.substack.com/pub/arthursn...
open.substack.com/pub/arthursn...
Another Day, Another Russian-US Attempt to Betray Ukraine and Destroy Europe
The Putin-Trump surrender plan will lay the groundwork for Russia to expand its attacks on other parts of Europe
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Moscow's guilty men in the White House are trying to destroy Ukraine and weaken Europe.
open.substack.com/pub/arthursn...
open.substack.com/pub/arthursn...
Reposted by James Middleton
Safe haven to sanctions: how Jersey sheltered Roman Abramovich’s billions
Safe haven to sanctions: how Jersey sheltered Roman Abramovich’s billions
Court papers show the island cautiously welcomed the oligarch – with London’s approval – before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Safe haven to sanctions: how Jersey sheltered Roman Abramovich’s billions
Reposted by James Middleton
Fascinating topic aired, here, by real linguists @gretchenmcc.bsky.social @dannybate.bsky.social
How are we still making discoveries about the 5000-year-old ancestor to English, Latin, Czech, Hindi and many other languages?
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about figuring out Proto-Indo-European with @dannybate.bsky.social!
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about figuring out Proto-Indo-European with @dannybate.bsky.social!
110: The history of the history of Indo-European - Interview with Danny Bate
Before there was English, or Latin, or Czech, or Hindi, there was a language that they all have in common, which we call Proto-Indo-European. Linguists have long been fascinated by the quest to get a
soundcloud.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Fascinating topic aired, here, by real linguists @gretchenmcc.bsky.social @dannybate.bsky.social
Reposted by James Middleton
Reporter: Are you affirming that you think the president is a fascist?
Mamdani: I've spoken about --
Trump: Just say yes, it's easier than explaining.
Mamdani: I've spoken about --
Trump: Just say yes, it's easier than explaining.
November 21, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Reporter: Are you affirming that you think the president is a fascist?
Mamdani: I've spoken about --
Trump: Just say yes, it's easier than explaining.
Mamdani: I've spoken about --
Trump: Just say yes, it's easier than explaining.
"For as long as there’s been wars and diplomacy, there have been spies. ... But from their peak during the Cold War until now have the West’s spying capabilities declined? And how is spying and subterfuge being used in the Ukraine War?"
Ep 134. Why Spying is vital in our age of Disorder
Episodio de podcast · Disorder · 05/08/2025 · 46 min
podcasts.apple.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:15 PM
"For as long as there’s been wars and diplomacy, there have been spies. ... But from their peak during the Cold War until now have the West’s spying capabilities declined? And how is spying and subterfuge being used in the Ukraine War?"
Reposted by James Middleton
I’m really surprised this isn’t bigger news. Just under 10 million people live in Tehran. Where can they go? Where else in Iran will have enough water? This will undoubtedly strain the country’s and the region’s politics, finances and governance capacity.
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Iran president says capital move now a necessity as water crisis deepens
Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has mad...
www.iranintl.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I’m really surprised this isn’t bigger news. Just under 10 million people live in Tehran. Where can they go? Where else in Iran will have enough water? This will undoubtedly strain the country’s and the region’s politics, finances and governance capacity.
Marco Pereira travels around Ukraine talking to Colombian soldiers to find out why they have chosen to fight in a punishing war so far from home
BBC World Service - Assignment, Ukraine's Colombian soldiers
From jungle guerrilla warfare to frozen trenches: why did they leave?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Marco Pereira travels around Ukraine talking to Colombian soldiers to find out why they have chosen to fight in a punishing war so far from home
Reposted by James Middleton
Russian influence operations aren’t always sophisticated. But they don’t have to be to do real damage.
Red Hands in Paris: A Small Act of Vandalism in a Big Russian Strategy
On the afternoon of May 11, 2024, two men arrived at a modest hotel in Paris. One of them, identifying himself as Mircho Angelov, presented a Bulgarian ID
warontherocks.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Russian influence operations aren’t always sophisticated. But they don’t have to be to do real damage.
"Traders said they had chosen Istanbul as a wholesale supply centre because of the high cost of travel to China and visa problems. In Istanbul, most Senegalese work as freight 'shippers' or gratis passengers and, by extension, carriers of tax-free parcels to Senegal and other west African countries"
Turkey’s charm offensive in Senegal: migration scholar unpacks the relationship
Ease of movement of people between Senegal and Turkiye has enabled goods from Turkiye to hold their own against Chinese imports into Senegal.
theconversation.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:51 AM
"Traders said they had chosen Istanbul as a wholesale supply centre because of the high cost of travel to China and visa problems. In Istanbul, most Senegalese work as freight 'shippers' or gratis passengers and, by extension, carriers of tax-free parcels to Senegal and other west African countries"
Reposted by James Middleton
Streets have been renamed, Ukrainian monuments removed, and murals painted over. Bellingcat investigates how apartment blocks in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol have been demolished to make way for a new Russian suburban utopia… www.bellingcat.com/uncategorize...
Building on Ruins: The Russification of Mariupol, One Apartment Block at a Time - bellingcat
Bellingcat has identified 23 multi-storey housing complexes being built in occupied Mariupol and advertised for sale to Russian citizens.
www.bellingcat.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Streets have been renamed, Ukrainian monuments removed, and murals painted over. Bellingcat investigates how apartment blocks in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol have been demolished to make way for a new Russian suburban utopia… www.bellingcat.com/uncategorize...
Reposted by James Middleton
Ethnocynology (HUMANS & DOGS THRU TIME) w/ @davidianhowe.bsky.social is up & it explains why you have a wolf in your bed.
Anthropology, archaeology, & fluffy babies all in one.
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Spotify:
open.spotify.com/episode/1PPL...
(Or wherever you get podcasts.)
Anthropology, archaeology, & fluffy babies all in one.
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Spotify:
open.spotify.com/episode/1PPL...
(Or wherever you get podcasts.)
January 16, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Ethnocynology (HUMANS & DOGS THRU TIME) w/ @davidianhowe.bsky.social is up & it explains why you have a wolf in your bed.
Anthropology, archaeology, & fluffy babies all in one.
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Spotify:
open.spotify.com/episode/1PPL...
(Or wherever you get podcasts.)
Anthropology, archaeology, & fluffy babies all in one.
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Spotify:
open.spotify.com/episode/1PPL...
(Or wherever you get podcasts.)
"Made in Syria – buried in Essex"
Where tourists seldom tread, part 14: three English towns form the unlikely end of the Silk Road
If you can’t make it to Samarkand or Xian, visit Jarrow, Lichfield or Southend at the other end of the historic trading route
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:35 AM
"Made in Syria – buried in Essex"
The internet has been on decline for years now. We all see it: bad Google search results, AI being forced into everything, and ads upon ads. But why did it get so bad? And what can we do about it? Cory Doctorow talks with Jared Henderson on The Honest Broker podcast
How the Internet Was Ensh*ttified | Cory Doctorow & Jared Henderson
YouTube video by The Honest Broker
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:49 AM
The internet has been on decline for years now. We all see it: bad Google search results, AI being forced into everything, and ads upon ads. But why did it get so bad? And what can we do about it? Cory Doctorow talks with Jared Henderson on The Honest Broker podcast
Reposted by James Middleton
One for #RachelReeves ?
"Measuring the monetary value of goods and services sold in the economy year on year is going to tell you far too little about whether people are thriving"
@kateraworth.bsky.social on Doughnut Economics @goldbergradio.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social
pod.fo/e/30c4c4
"Measuring the monetary value of goods and services sold in the economy year on year is going to tell you far too little about whether people are thriving"
@kateraworth.bsky.social on Doughnut Economics @goldbergradio.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social
pod.fo/e/30c4c4
Byline Podcast: Doughnut Economics with Kate Raworth
Adrian Goldberg to Kate Raworth about the philosophy of 'Doughnut Economics'.Recorded at the Byline Festival at Keele University in Juky 2025 by Sean Byrne-Roberts.Produced by Adrian Goldberg and H...
pod.fo
August 8, 2025 at 7:13 AM
One for #RachelReeves ?
"Measuring the monetary value of goods and services sold in the economy year on year is going to tell you far too little about whether people are thriving"
@kateraworth.bsky.social on Doughnut Economics @goldbergradio.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social
pod.fo/e/30c4c4
"Measuring the monetary value of goods and services sold in the economy year on year is going to tell you far too little about whether people are thriving"
@kateraworth.bsky.social on Doughnut Economics @goldbergradio.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social
pod.fo/e/30c4c4