James Tapper
@jamestapper.bsky.social
Journalist at The Observer / observer.co.uk
I write about science, health and other things.
I write about science, health and other things.
I've seen a few posts snarking about the junk food ad ban because gambling ads are everywhere on TV. That's a reason to restrict gambling ads ofc, rather than wash our hands of restricting junk food commercials. Advertising works. Promoting a product makes more people want it.
January 5, 2026 at 2:15 PM
I've seen a few posts snarking about the junk food ad ban because gambling ads are everywhere on TV. That's a reason to restrict gambling ads ofc, rather than wash our hands of restricting junk food commercials. Advertising works. Promoting a product makes more people want it.
Reposted by James Tapper
My friends in Austria sent this and I can't stop watching...wait for the end. 🤗💜
January 3, 2026 at 11:38 AM
My friends in Austria sent this and I can't stop watching...wait for the end. 🤗💜
Still the greatest lyric in the history of hiphop. #WeeGooseLives youtu.be/mMEnqUDon4Y?...
Wee Goose - Belfast Mentality (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Wee Goose
youtu.be
December 11, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Still the greatest lyric in the history of hiphop. #WeeGooseLives youtu.be/mMEnqUDon4Y?...
Still struggling to get my head around just how fast gene editing research is going. This from @ucl.ac.uk and @greatormondst.bsky.social is another extraordinary step forward www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...
‘At 13, I thought my leukaemia was incurable. But new treatment made me cancer-free’
Almost two thirds of the patients involved in the study now remain disease free, researchers say
www.independent.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Still struggling to get my head around just how fast gene editing research is going. This from @ucl.ac.uk and @greatormondst.bsky.social is another extraordinary step forward www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...
Reposted by James Tapper
Around 15 million people worldwide have suffered some sort of injury that has broken the link between brain and body.
Could Prof Grégoire Courtine and his NeuroRestore clinic be the embodiment of hope for them?
Read more as @jamestapper.bsky.social explores:
https://bit.ly/4itcBIU
Could Prof Grégoire Courtine and his NeuroRestore clinic be the embodiment of hope for them?
Read more as @jamestapper.bsky.social explores:
https://bit.ly/4itcBIU
The ‘digital bridge’ that could help the paralysed walk again | The Observer
bit.ly
November 28, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Around 15 million people worldwide have suffered some sort of injury that has broken the link between brain and body.
Could Prof Grégoire Courtine and his NeuroRestore clinic be the embodiment of hope for them?
Read more as @jamestapper.bsky.social explores:
https://bit.ly/4itcBIU
Could Prof Grégoire Courtine and his NeuroRestore clinic be the embodiment of hope for them?
Read more as @jamestapper.bsky.social explores:
https://bit.ly/4itcBIU
I was lucky enough to meet Markus Klementz recently. He lost the use of his legs after an accident and hasn't walked for seven years. Spinal injuries used to be effectively untreatable. Now they aren't and Markus is learning to stand and take a few steps. More here:
observer.co.uk/news/science...
observer.co.uk/news/science...
The ‘digital bridge’ that could help the paralysed walk again | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I was lucky enough to meet Markus Klementz recently. He lost the use of his legs after an accident and hasn't walked for seven years. Spinal injuries used to be effectively untreatable. Now they aren't and Markus is learning to stand and take a few steps. More here:
observer.co.uk/news/science...
observer.co.uk/news/science...
Reposted by James Tapper
A business that wants to sack its employees within six months doesn’t exactly scream confidence and competence, does it? The claim is they don’t want to get stuck in tribunals. How about being better at recruitment? Or stop trying to make excuses for being bad bosses?
November 27, 2025 at 10:15 PM
A business that wants to sack its employees within six months doesn’t exactly scream confidence and competence, does it? The claim is they don’t want to get stuck in tribunals. How about being better at recruitment? Or stop trying to make excuses for being bad bosses?
Reposted by James Tapper
Reposted by James Tapper
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
Reposted by James Tapper
Wonderful tribute by @timadamswrites.bsky.social
Rachel was always a wonderful colleague and over the past 14 months, during we experienced a horrendous period at the Guardian together, she became a cherished friend…. /cont. 🧵
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Rachel was always a wonderful colleague and over the past 14 months, during we experienced a horrendous period at the Guardian together, she became a cherished friend…. /cont. 🧵
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Remembering Rachel Cooke | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Wonderful tribute by @timadamswrites.bsky.social
Rachel was always a wonderful colleague and over the past 14 months, during we experienced a horrendous period at the Guardian together, she became a cherished friend…. /cont. 🧵
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Rachel was always a wonderful colleague and over the past 14 months, during we experienced a horrendous period at the Guardian together, she became a cherished friend…. /cont. 🧵
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Re-upping this piece on why solar storms are not just about pretty lights observer.co.uk/news/science...
New satellites will give 30-minute warning of solar storm emergencies | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Re-upping this piece on why solar storms are not just about pretty lights observer.co.uk/news/science...
Reposted by James Tapper
As nations convene in Belém, @jamestapper.bsky.social explores many have withdrawn from funds for climate mitigation and biodiversity protection, leaving species at risk of extinction.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4hYntyn
Read more: https://bit.ly/4hYntyn
Conservation projects abandoned as rich countries retreat from climate fight | The Observer
bit.ly
November 12, 2025 at 9:34 AM
As nations convene in Belém, @jamestapper.bsky.social explores many have withdrawn from funds for climate mitigation and biodiversity protection, leaving species at risk of extinction.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4hYntyn
Read more: https://bit.ly/4hYntyn
Reposted by James Tapper
‘I don’t need a building named after me. I have the double helix’
✍️ James Tapper on James Watson, scientist who discovered the double helix
https://bit.ly/43koDy3
✍️ James Tapper on James Watson, scientist who discovered the double helix
https://bit.ly/43koDy3
Obituary: James Watson, scientist who discovered the double helix | The Observer
obituary
observer.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
‘I don’t need a building named after me. I have the double helix’
✍️ James Tapper on James Watson, scientist who discovered the double helix
https://bit.ly/43koDy3
✍️ James Tapper on James Watson, scientist who discovered the double helix
https://bit.ly/43koDy3
Reposted by James Tapper
Fowl play: smugglers cash in as dancing parrots go viral
A dark trade in exotic birds is flourishing, driven by avian social media stars
✍️ James Tapper
https://bit.ly/4nJRqDq
A dark trade in exotic birds is flourishing, driven by avian social media stars
✍️ James Tapper
https://bit.ly/4nJRqDq
Fowl play: smugglers cash in as dancing parrots go viral | The Observer
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Fowl play: smugglers cash in as dancing parrots go viral
A dark trade in exotic birds is flourishing, driven by avian social media stars
✍️ James Tapper
https://bit.ly/4nJRqDq
A dark trade in exotic birds is flourishing, driven by avian social media stars
✍️ James Tapper
https://bit.ly/4nJRqDq
Reposted by James Tapper
‘A process of intimidation that the BBC’s supporters have long feared has been playing out behind closed doors is now unfolding in plain sight’
The Observer view: political interference at the BBC
https://bit.ly/4qW3MeA
The Observer view: political interference at the BBC
https://bit.ly/4qW3MeA
The Observer view: political interference at the BBC | The Observer
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 8:30 PM
‘A process of intimidation that the BBC’s supporters have long feared has been playing out behind closed doors is now unfolding in plain sight’
The Observer view: political interference at the BBC
https://bit.ly/4qW3MeA
The Observer view: political interference at the BBC
https://bit.ly/4qW3MeA
Reposted by James Tapper
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
Reposted by James Tapper
I spoke to James Tapper of the Observer on whether the Conservatives realised that their deportation plan would deport most British Indians, who have been one of the the only groups of voters trending towards the party
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Tories realise deportation policy could lose them loyal v...
The draft ‘deportation bill’ may alienate South Asian voters, who have shifted to the Conservatives in recent years
observer.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 9:03 PM
I spoke to James Tapper of the Observer on whether the Conservatives realised that their deportation plan would deport most British Indians, who have been one of the the only groups of voters trending towards the party
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by James Tapper
The draft ‘deportation bill’ may alienate South Asian voters, who have shifted to the Conservatives in recent years, writes @jamestapper.bsky.social.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3JGwGyn
Read more: https://bit.ly/3JGwGyn
Tories realise deportation policy could lose them loyal v...
The draft ‘deportation bill’ may alienate South Asian voters, who have shifted to the Conservatives in recent years
bit.ly
November 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The draft ‘deportation bill’ may alienate South Asian voters, who have shifted to the Conservatives in recent years, writes @jamestapper.bsky.social.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3JGwGyn
Read more: https://bit.ly/3JGwGyn
Reposted by James Tapper
Some of London’s poorest areas could see their share of the children’s services funding formula halved under Labour’s plans to reform local government grants.
By me, for Politics Home: www.politicshome.com/news/article...
By me, for Politics Home: www.politicshome.com/news/article...
London Councils Face Losing Half Their Share Of Children's Services Funding
Some of London’s poorest areas could see their share of funding for children’s services halved under Labour’s plans to reform local government gran...
www.politicshome.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Some of London’s poorest areas could see their share of the children’s services funding formula halved under Labour’s plans to reform local government grants.
By me, for Politics Home: www.politicshome.com/news/article...
By me, for Politics Home: www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by James Tapper
A breakthrough in treating Huntington’s disease.
New hope for sufferers of Huntington’s disease after the discovery of a treatment which could radically slow the disease.
Listen to today's Sensemaker wherever you get your podcasts to learn more:
lnk.to/sb5T8tBS
New hope for sufferers of Huntington’s disease after the discovery of a treatment which could radically slow the disease.
Listen to today's Sensemaker wherever you get your podcasts to learn more:
lnk.to/sb5T8tBS
October 1, 2025 at 12:45 PM
A breakthrough in treating Huntington’s disease.
New hope for sufferers of Huntington’s disease after the discovery of a treatment which could radically slow the disease.
Listen to today's Sensemaker wherever you get your podcasts to learn more:
lnk.to/sb5T8tBS
New hope for sufferers of Huntington’s disease after the discovery of a treatment which could radically slow the disease.
Listen to today's Sensemaker wherever you get your podcasts to learn more:
lnk.to/sb5T8tBS
Reposted by James Tapper
The news came on my 21st birthday. It was crazy. He said: ‘That’s the way the universe works sometimes, isn’t it?’
A professor battling to slow the disease that killed writer Charlotte Raven shared his good news with her daughter
https://bit.ly/4pZjfdo
A professor battling to slow the disease that killed writer Charlotte Raven shared his good news with her daughter
https://bit.ly/4pZjfdo
Mum died of Huntington’s... this breakthrough changes eve...
A professor battling to slow the disease that killed writer Charlotte Raven shared his good news with her daughter
bit.ly
September 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM
The news came on my 21st birthday. It was crazy. He said: ‘That’s the way the universe works sometimes, isn’t it?’
A professor battling to slow the disease that killed writer Charlotte Raven shared his good news with her daughter
https://bit.ly/4pZjfdo
A professor battling to slow the disease that killed writer Charlotte Raven shared his good news with her daughter
https://bit.ly/4pZjfdo
I dont think I appreciated just how extraordinary the news about Huntington’s was until I started researching this - hopefully it comes across observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Mum died of Huntington’s... this breakthrough changes eve...
A professor battling to slow the disease that killed writer Charlotte Raven shared his good news with her daughter
observer.co.uk
September 28, 2025 at 4:50 PM
I dont think I appreciated just how extraordinary the news about Huntington’s was until I started researching this - hopefully it comes across observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Children from Gaza who need surgery have been taken to Jordan and Lebanon, but they can’t get surgery because they’re too malnourished to heal afterwards.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
August 17, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Children from Gaza who need surgery have been taken to Jordan and Lebanon, but they can’t get surgery because they’re too malnourished to heal afterwards.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
