John Peters
@johnthejack.bsky.social
Unbeliever (political & religious), Wales rugby, #c4news, porridge, tea, #MEcfs
'Obvious but wrong'
Also JTJ on the other place
https://johnthejack.com
'Obvious but wrong'
Also JTJ on the other place
https://johnthejack.com
According to the Ukrainian military, Russian forces have used hazardous chemical agents more than 9,000 times since the war began — 6,540 times last year alone. Ukraine and European officials say Russian units have also resorted on occasion to chloropicrin.
(£) www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
(£) www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Russia still using chemical weapons in battle, experts say
Ukraine accuses Putin’s forces of using banned weapons thousands of times but there is now a threat of deadlier agents
www.thetimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 12:28 PM
According to the Ukrainian military, Russian forces have used hazardous chemical agents more than 9,000 times since the war began — 6,540 times last year alone. Ukraine and European officials say Russian units have also resorted on occasion to chloropicrin.
(£) www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
(£) www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Over the last 15 months, one at a time, the five-man central commission leadership fell. The only member left apart from Xi himself is General Zhang Shengmin, whom Xi placed there in October to oversee “internal discipline”.
(£) www.thetimes.com/world/asia/a...
(£) www.thetimes.com/world/asia/a...
China’s top general removed in Xi military purge
General Zhang Youxia, who grew up with President Xi and went on to be the highest-ranking general on the Central Military Commission, is under investigation
www.thetimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Over the last 15 months, one at a time, the five-man central commission leadership fell. The only member left apart from Xi himself is General Zhang Shengmin, whom Xi placed there in October to oversee “internal discipline”.
(£) www.thetimes.com/world/asia/a...
(£) www.thetimes.com/world/asia/a...
About eight minutes earlier, witnesses told me when I arrived, at about 9am, one of the agents had fired several shots at the chest of a man.
(£) www.thetimes.com/us/news-toda...
(£) www.thetimes.com/us/news-toda...
‘Protect us? You’re killing us’ — death stalks Minneapolis again
As another person is shot dead by federal agents, many in the city are afraid to leave home in fear of President Trump’s immigration crackdown
www.thetimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 12:07 PM
About eight minutes earlier, witnesses told me when I arrived, at about 9am, one of the agents had fired several shots at the chest of a man.
(£) www.thetimes.com/us/news-toda...
(£) www.thetimes.com/us/news-toda...
None of this is an argument for mass sackings or football manager turnover rates. Stability and institutional memory are important. But we accept a system in which officials are much more likely to die than be sacked for weak performance
(£) www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
By @tomcalver.bsky.social
(£) www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
By @tomcalver.bsky.social
How difficult is it to get sacked from a civil service job?
Whitehall is widely criticised as underperforming and oversized — yet just 0.76 per cent of civil servants were dismissed or made redundant in 2024-25
www.thetimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 11:56 AM
None of this is an argument for mass sackings or football manager turnover rates. Stability and institutional memory are important. But we accept a system in which officials are much more likely to die than be sacked for weak performance
(£) www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
By @tomcalver.bsky.social
(£) www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
By @tomcalver.bsky.social
Literally a boy scout, a choirboy, a nurse, someone caring for veterans and a gun owner.
(£) www.thetimes.com/us/news-toda...
Wonder which stage he'd be according to Niemöller
(£) www.thetimes.com/us/news-toda...
Wonder which stage he'd be according to Niemöller
Who is Alex Pretti? Minneapolis shooting victim
Alex Jeffrey Pretti’s parents said the 37-year-old nurse loved the outdoors and cared deeply about people and ‘what was happening’ in Minneapolis
www.thetimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Literally a boy scout, a choirboy, a nurse, someone caring for veterans and a gun owner.
(£) www.thetimes.com/us/news-toda...
Wonder which stage he'd be according to Niemöller
(£) www.thetimes.com/us/news-toda...
Wonder which stage he'd be according to Niemöller
Cost of deal is nugatory, strategic/defence claims overblown. Con (& Trump) objections to deal they instigated is posturing. But, never convinced by Mauritius's claim, based on colonial admin. Above all, once again/still the Chagossians being screwed.
(£) www.thetimes.com/world/africa...
(£) www.thetimes.com/world/africa...
In impoverished Mauritius, talk of a Chagos deal rings hollow
For many Chagossians who have ended up in Port Louis, Westminster’s deliberations carry little weight against the harsh reality of their living conditions
www.thetimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Cost of deal is nugatory, strategic/defence claims overblown. Con (& Trump) objections to deal they instigated is posturing. But, never convinced by Mauritius's claim, based on colonial admin. Above all, once again/still the Chagossians being screwed.
(£) www.thetimes.com/world/africa...
(£) www.thetimes.com/world/africa...
I'd rather the BBC pay Trump millions in damages than self-censor, using false equivalence for fear of being seen as biased against him.
Of course, better still would be to do neither.
Of course, better still would be to do neither.
January 25, 2026 at 11:41 AM
I'd rather the BBC pay Trump millions in damages than self-censor, using false equivalence for fear of being seen as biased against him.
Of course, better still would be to do neither.
Of course, better still would be to do neither.
Reposted by John Peters
Apropos of nothing in particular
www.bbc.co.uk/contact/comp...
www.bbc.co.uk/contact/comp...
Make A Complaint | Contact the BBC
www.bbc.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Apropos of nothing in particular
www.bbc.co.uk/contact/comp...
www.bbc.co.uk/contact/comp...
Reposted by John Peters
Some dogs can learn the names for things by eavesdropping on human conversations
go.nature.com/4bPn93D
go.nature.com/4bPn93D
Gifted dogs learn new words by overhearing humans
Nature - Particularly talented canines have sociolinguistic skills akin to those of young toddlers.
go.nature.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Some dogs can learn the names for things by eavesdropping on human conversations
go.nature.com/4bPn93D
go.nature.com/4bPn93D
Reposted by John Peters
GBNews has made a far-Right conspiracy theory into a current affairs documentary.
January 25, 2026 at 10:26 AM
GBNews has made a far-Right conspiracy theory into a current affairs documentary.
Reposted by John Peters
Thinking about the underlying notion of truth this morning. 🧵
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
January 25, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Thinking about the underlying notion of truth this morning. 🧵
Reposted by John Peters
Last night, I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face. He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested and I am okay.
variety.com/2026/film/ne...
variety.com/2026/film/ne...
Man Arrested at Sundance For Racially Motivated Incident at CAA Party
A man was arrested at CAA's Sundance party after he declared he was proud to be "white" and allegedly punched a person of color.
variety.com
January 25, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Last night, I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face. He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested and I am okay.
variety.com/2026/film/ne...
variety.com/2026/film/ne...
Reposted by John Peters
What Essex girls and boys discard on buses:
'Adult toys, bank cards, a pushchair, a stepladder, a fireguard, false teeth and garden furniture were among the approximately 5,000 items found by First Bus staff in Essex in 2025.'
'Adult toys, bank cards, a pushchair, a stepladder, a fireguard, false teeth and garden furniture were among the approximately 5,000 items found by First Bus staff in Essex in 2025.'
January 25, 2026 at 9:15 AM
What Essex girls and boys discard on buses:
'Adult toys, bank cards, a pushchair, a stepladder, a fireguard, false teeth and garden furniture were among the approximately 5,000 items found by First Bus staff in Essex in 2025.'
'Adult toys, bank cards, a pushchair, a stepladder, a fireguard, false teeth and garden furniture were among the approximately 5,000 items found by First Bus staff in Essex in 2025.'
Reposted by John Peters
OMG! I took a screenshot of the moment this regime went too far, even for the NRA…
January 25, 2026 at 8:29 AM
OMG! I took a screenshot of the moment this regime went too far, even for the NRA…
Reposted by John Peters
Reposted by John Peters
1/
Russia has forcibly deported ~20,000 Ukrainian children from occupied areas. They were taken to Russia or Russian-controlled zones, stripped of identity, re-educated, and in many cases illegally adopted.
This is a war crime.
Sources: UN, Ukraine gov, NGOs
Russia has forcibly deported ~20,000 Ukrainian children from occupied areas. They were taken to Russia or Russian-controlled zones, stripped of identity, re-educated, and in many cases illegally adopted.
This is a war crime.
Sources: UN, Ukraine gov, NGOs
January 25, 2026 at 5:16 AM
1/
Russia has forcibly deported ~20,000 Ukrainian children from occupied areas. They were taken to Russia or Russian-controlled zones, stripped of identity, re-educated, and in many cases illegally adopted.
This is a war crime.
Sources: UN, Ukraine gov, NGOs
Russia has forcibly deported ~20,000 Ukrainian children from occupied areas. They were taken to Russia or Russian-controlled zones, stripped of identity, re-educated, and in many cases illegally adopted.
This is a war crime.
Sources: UN, Ukraine gov, NGOs
Reposted by John Peters
I was a sensitive kid. I loved cats. I had OCD, undiagnosed.
When I was 9, a fraternity brother tortured a cat to death in my hometown. The details even now are beyond imagination. archive.is/xdmUL
I was traumatized for years from reading the news story.
The torturer? Now the head of the NRA.
When I was 9, a fraternity brother tortured a cat to death in my hometown. The details even now are beyond imagination. archive.is/xdmUL
I was traumatized for years from reading the news story.
The torturer? Now the head of the NRA.
January 25, 2026 at 4:55 AM
I was a sensitive kid. I loved cats. I had OCD, undiagnosed.
When I was 9, a fraternity brother tortured a cat to death in my hometown. The details even now are beyond imagination. archive.is/xdmUL
I was traumatized for years from reading the news story.
The torturer? Now the head of the NRA.
When I was 9, a fraternity brother tortured a cat to death in my hometown. The details even now are beyond imagination. archive.is/xdmUL
I was traumatized for years from reading the news story.
The torturer? Now the head of the NRA.
Reposted by John Peters
BREAKING - Iran update
As some Iranians have been able to use messaging apps, confirmed fatalities, arrests, etc have skyrocketed.
Currently 22,490 fatalities have been confirmed and are under investigation.
As some Iranians have been able to use messaging apps, confirmed fatalities, arrests, etc have skyrocketed.
Currently 22,490 fatalities have been confirmed and are under investigation.
January 25, 2026 at 5:10 AM
BREAKING - Iran update
As some Iranians have been able to use messaging apps, confirmed fatalities, arrests, etc have skyrocketed.
Currently 22,490 fatalities have been confirmed and are under investigation.
As some Iranians have been able to use messaging apps, confirmed fatalities, arrests, etc have skyrocketed.
Currently 22,490 fatalities have been confirmed and are under investigation.
Reposted by John Peters
The illiberal snake is now swallowing its own tail.
“Everyone should be allowed to carry a gun for their safety but the government can murder you in the street if you have a gun” is an incredible endpoint for the conservative moment
January 24, 2026 at 6:02 PM
The illiberal snake is now swallowing its own tail.
Reposted by John Peters
Dear history fans, what objects would you like to see in an exhibition on privateering & life at sea in the 18th century? Everyday objects, letters, navigational instruments, or something unexpected? It will also explore forced migration. I’d love to hear your thoughts #earlymodern #maritimehistory
January 25, 2026 at 8:42 AM
Dear history fans, what objects would you like to see in an exhibition on privateering & life at sea in the 18th century? Everyday objects, letters, navigational instruments, or something unexpected? It will also explore forced migration. I’d love to hear your thoughts #earlymodern #maritimehistory
Reposted by John Peters
Our initial analysis is up.
The video footage appears to show that the gun was taken away from the man before he was shot.
He was UNARMED before any of the shots were fired.
The video footage appears to show that the gun was taken away from the man before he was shot.
He was UNARMED before any of the shots were fired.
Federal law enforcement agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Jan. 24 according to local police officials. DHS told Fox News that the man was “armed with a gun”. A video of the shooting appears to show that a gun was taken from the man before the first shot was fired. x.com/BillMelugin_...
January 24, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Our initial analysis is up.
The video footage appears to show that the gun was taken away from the man before he was shot.
He was UNARMED before any of the shots were fired.
The video footage appears to show that the gun was taken away from the man before he was shot.
He was UNARMED before any of the shots were fired.
This is of course correct. I misstated lack of Labour majority in Lords as Con majority, which they do not have.
Conservatives don't have a majority in the House of Lords. But the Lib Dems have also opposed the deal in the present form and Labour backbenchers are avoiding showing up to support the deal.
January 24, 2026 at 7:05 PM
This is of course correct. I misstated lack of Labour majority in Lords as Con majority, which they do not have.
'Sir Keir Starmer has been forced to delay a debate in the House of Lords on Monday of a Bill that would hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, after the Conservatives tabled a wrecking amendment.' #c4news
Conservatives abusing majority in HoL to impress Trump.
Conservatives abusing majority in HoL to impress Trump.
January 24, 2026 at 6:56 PM
'Sir Keir Starmer has been forced to delay a debate in the House of Lords on Monday of a Bill that would hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, after the Conservatives tabled a wrecking amendment.' #c4news
Conservatives abusing majority in HoL to impress Trump.
Conservatives abusing majority in HoL to impress Trump.