Shimmin Beg
@shimminbeg.bsky.social
ESOL teacher, ex-library, RPG amateur, Gaelgeyr, ace.
Gaelg / Cymraeg / Deutsch / 中文 / 日本語
TTRPGs at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/17395/librarians-leviathans
Proofreading at https://restharrow.carrd.co/
Gaelg / Cymraeg / Deutsch / 中文 / 日本語
TTRPGs at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/17395/librarians-leviathans
Proofreading at https://restharrow.carrd.co/
Any time university executives propose this, they should automatically lose their jobs and any accrued benefits.
“Union-Busting Tactic”
The University of Sheffield argues staff who do not replace missed teaching due to strike action are in breach of contract, and so should forfeit an *additional* two weeks of pay.
#UKHE #AcademicSky
The University of Sheffield argues staff who do not replace missed teaching due to strike action are in breach of contract, and so should forfeit an *additional* two weeks of pay.
#UKHE #AcademicSky
University of Sheffield staff 'intimidated' by pay forfeit warning
University of Sheffield to withhold pay if staff do not make up for teaching missed while striking.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Any time university executives propose this, they should automatically lose their jobs and any accrued benefits.
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
Context for this (b/c most ppl don't know how it works but still seem to have opinions(tm)): Unis now have a goal of fewer than 1 in 20 student visas being rejected. Given Unis don't control visa decisions, and visa decisions can be... inconsistent, it's shifting pre-screening labour burden to unis.
UK universities restricting recruitment of Bangladeshi and Pakistani students on.ft.com/3Y3vHfg
UK universities restricting recruitment of Bangladeshi and Pakistani students
At least nine higher education institutions have stopped applications due to tougher Home Office rules and concerns over visa abuse
on.ft.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Context for this (b/c most ppl don't know how it works but still seem to have opinions(tm)): Unis now have a goal of fewer than 1 in 20 student visas being rejected. Given Unis don't control visa decisions, and visa decisions can be... inconsistent, it's shifting pre-screening labour burden to unis.
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
I just don't need to know what the Telegraph has written about Dungeons & Dragons. It's a newspaper for people who are frightened of samosas.
November 30, 2025 at 12:15 PM
I just don't need to know what the Telegraph has written about Dungeons & Dragons. It's a newspaper for people who are frightened of samosas.
Here is what I want to see:
A cricketer, a baseball player, and a doctor of modern arts analyse each example of throwing things at politicians we can evidence. One blogpost per incident.
Somebody please make this happen.
A cricketer, a baseball player, and a doctor of modern arts analyse each example of throwing things at politicians we can evidence. One blogpost per incident.
Somebody please make this happen.
France’s far-right leader hit by egg, days after flour attack
French far-right leader hit on the head with an egg
Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, was hit on the head with an egg Saturday, just days after another incident in which a protester threw flour at him.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 30, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Here is what I want to see:
A cricketer, a baseball player, and a doctor of modern arts analyse each example of throwing things at politicians we can evidence. One blogpost per incident.
Somebody please make this happen.
A cricketer, a baseball player, and a doctor of modern arts analyse each example of throwing things at politicians we can evidence. One blogpost per incident.
Somebody please make this happen.
Can anyone recommend free Excel courses for people who:
- Have literally no idea what a spreadsheet is, I mean this very sincerely
- have limited English
- have never had a job
- are not remotely computer-savvy
Just absolute basics of open document, put in information, maybe sort/make a total
- Have literally no idea what a spreadsheet is, I mean this very sincerely
- have limited English
- have never had a job
- are not remotely computer-savvy
Just absolute basics of open document, put in information, maybe sort/make a total
November 29, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Can anyone recommend free Excel courses for people who:
- Have literally no idea what a spreadsheet is, I mean this very sincerely
- have limited English
- have never had a job
- are not remotely computer-savvy
Just absolute basics of open document, put in information, maybe sort/make a total
- Have literally no idea what a spreadsheet is, I mean this very sincerely
- have limited English
- have never had a job
- are not remotely computer-savvy
Just absolute basics of open document, put in information, maybe sort/make a total
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
Hong Kong fire and Grenfell are just alike. Fire spreading through unsafe building materials installed due to penny-pinching, killing dozens. One difference: before the HK fire is even out three executives at contractors have been arrested, eight years after Grenfell no-one has been arrested.
November 27, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Hong Kong fire and Grenfell are just alike. Fire spreading through unsafe building materials installed due to penny-pinching, killing dozens. One difference: before the HK fire is even out three executives at contractors have been arrested, eight years after Grenfell no-one has been arrested.
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
November 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
Language courses seem to have moved towards only providing audio via streaming or downloading to proprietary apps.
Any recs for Urdu courses which let you get actual audio files you can put on a device of choice?
Any recs for Urdu courses which let you get actual audio files you can put on a device of choice?
November 27, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Language courses seem to have moved towards only providing audio via streaming or downloading to proprietary apps.
Any recs for Urdu courses which let you get actual audio files you can put on a device of choice?
Any recs for Urdu courses which let you get actual audio files you can put on a device of choice?
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
Immigration creates jobs, supports public services, & drives growth.
These are economic facts.
How is it that the only days we *dont* have the media banging on about immigration is on the days we’re handed the budget? #r4today
These are economic facts.
How is it that the only days we *dont* have the media banging on about immigration is on the days we’re handed the budget? #r4today
November 27, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Immigration creates jobs, supports public services, & drives growth.
These are economic facts.
How is it that the only days we *dont* have the media banging on about immigration is on the days we’re handed the budget? #r4today
These are economic facts.
How is it that the only days we *dont* have the media banging on about immigration is on the days we’re handed the budget? #r4today
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
Our conversation about immigration is framed entirely on Nigel Farage’s terms.
Labour has completely capitulated the ground to the far right, the racism & the hate.
We no longer have a conversation AT ALL about how we need immigration & when we cut it, we pay the price. #r4today
Labour has completely capitulated the ground to the far right, the racism & the hate.
We no longer have a conversation AT ALL about how we need immigration & when we cut it, we pay the price. #r4today
November 27, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Our conversation about immigration is framed entirely on Nigel Farage’s terms.
Labour has completely capitulated the ground to the far right, the racism & the hate.
We no longer have a conversation AT ALL about how we need immigration & when we cut it, we pay the price. #r4today
Labour has completely capitulated the ground to the far right, the racism & the hate.
We no longer have a conversation AT ALL about how we need immigration & when we cut it, we pay the price. #r4today
What is actually inside a coffee kiosk, like the ones you see at the station? Hygiene stations, there's food on display, presumably some amount of coffee/tea/milk/syrup supplies, bags and stuff. Any former baristas willing to tell me? I promise to use it only for good*.
*RPGs
*RPGs
November 26, 2025 at 10:52 PM
What is actually inside a coffee kiosk, like the ones you see at the station? Hygiene stations, there's food on display, presumably some amount of coffee/tea/milk/syrup supplies, bags and stuff. Any former baristas willing to tell me? I promise to use it only for good*.
*RPGs
*RPGs
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
Labour is turning Britain into an authoritarian state.
That’s bad enough now.
But imagine what a Nigel Farage government will build on all these authoritarian foundations.
That’s bad enough now.
But imagine what a Nigel Farage government will build on all these authoritarian foundations.
Justice secretary wants most jury trials scrapped
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Labour is turning Britain into an authoritarian state.
That’s bad enough now.
But imagine what a Nigel Farage government will build on all these authoritarian foundations.
That’s bad enough now.
But imagine what a Nigel Farage government will build on all these authoritarian foundations.
This is very much a case where the protest should not be permitted on site, or within a mile of it.
It makes me so upset to see this at a primary school. These are children and their parents being targeted. I’ve taught kids who have had to flee their countries. Most people couldn’t survive what these kids have been through in their short lives.
NEW: Protesters targeted a Scottish primary school on Monday as English classes were put on for mothers
Signs read 'protect our schools' and 'Glasgow City Council protect our kids'
Signs read 'protect our schools' and 'Glasgow City Council protect our kids'
November 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
This is very much a case where the protest should not be permitted on site, or within a mile of it.
UK question:
I have some students (mature) who are interested in learning to use tools and do DIY, possibly as a route to work. They are short on both money and time. Any ideas where they could find opportunities to learn and improve skills? I couldn't find a local maker space.
I have some students (mature) who are interested in learning to use tools and do DIY, possibly as a route to work. They are short on both money and time. Any ideas where they could find opportunities to learn and improve skills? I couldn't find a local maker space.
November 24, 2025 at 1:06 PM
UK question:
I have some students (mature) who are interested in learning to use tools and do DIY, possibly as a route to work. They are short on both money and time. Any ideas where they could find opportunities to learn and improve skills? I couldn't find a local maker space.
I have some students (mature) who are interested in learning to use tools and do DIY, possibly as a route to work. They are short on both money and time. Any ideas where they could find opportunities to learn and improve skills? I couldn't find a local maker space.
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
The “Pathways” trial is, IMO on more than one level, a thoroughly unethical piece of “research” to be carrying out on children, especially children who are part of a marginalised minority.
November 22, 2025 at 12:59 PM
The “Pathways” trial is, IMO on more than one level, a thoroughly unethical piece of “research” to be carrying out on children, especially children who are part of a marginalised minority.
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
A grim story
The life and limbo of a UK asylum seeker: one man’s harrowing 17-year wait for leave to remain
Ussu fled imprisonment and torture, only to find himself treated like a liar and outcast in the UK. Here’s how he survived homelessness and horrific injury in almost two decades without a decision
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:28 AM
A grim story
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
First off, credit where credit is due. Right at the start of their term in government Labour cancelled both the Rwanda policy and the Bibby Stockholm policy. No-one is denying that. It doesn't balance out what they have done since though I would argue. 5/
October 16, 2025 at 10:33 AM
First off, credit where credit is due. Right at the start of their term in government Labour cancelled both the Rwanda policy and the Bibby Stockholm policy. No-one is denying that. It doesn't balance out what they have done since though I would argue. 5/
USA really needs to ensure the next government officially rescinds qualified immunity and retrospectively review every single case where it was used. Every stolen item recovered, every dollar repaid, every act of violence published to the hilt.
November 23, 2025 at 1:49 PM
USA really needs to ensure the next government officially rescinds qualified immunity and retrospectively review every single case where it was used. Every stolen item recovered, every dollar repaid, every act of violence published to the hilt.
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
"nodded through for any reason" is an obvious tell that Stock's main sources of information on this are the US right since it absolutely does not tally with UK abortion law at all
No way I’m sharing Stock’s UnHerd article. But I am going to point to this bit which amply demonstrates the anti-trans=>anti-women’s rights pipeline. “Abortions should only be done for a highly restricted set of reasons. They should not be just nodded through for any reason a pregnant woman likes.”
November 21, 2025 at 11:48 AM
"nodded through for any reason" is an obvious tell that Stock's main sources of information on this are the US right since it absolutely does not tally with UK abortion law at all
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
Linsey, who was wearing the jumper, has been incredibly kind and supportive, and we’ve been laughing about the incident for the last couple of days.
Read the whole story here:
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Read the whole story here:
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘Demonic’ Wind in the Willows jumper banned from Westminster Abbey
Woman told to remove or cover up garment featuring 1908 illustration of Pan lest it offend worshippers
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Linsey, who was wearing the jumper, has been incredibly kind and supportive, and we’ve been laughing about the incident for the last couple of days.
Read the whole story here:
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Read the whole story here:
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
UK Labour want everyone to know that their new asylum policies, inc stealing the valuables of asylum seekers, were inspired by the Danish Social Democrats.
In Denmark's local elections yesterday the Soc Dems took a hammering, losing Copenhagen for the first time in 122 years. The new mayor? Green.
In Denmark's local elections yesterday the Soc Dems took a hammering, losing Copenhagen for the first time in 122 years. The new mayor? Green.
👏 Congratulations to @sissemariewe.bsky.social who was just elected as the new mayor of Copenhagen.
💚Congratulations to all of the SF members re-elected or newly elected and for the incredible 17.9% of votes across the country.
🌻Denmark’s people and nature will have a Greener future.
💚Congratulations to all of the SF members re-elected or newly elected and for the incredible 17.9% of votes across the country.
🌻Denmark’s people and nature will have a Greener future.
November 19, 2025 at 11:13 AM
UK Labour want everyone to know that their new asylum policies, inc stealing the valuables of asylum seekers, were inspired by the Danish Social Democrats.
In Denmark's local elections yesterday the Soc Dems took a hammering, losing Copenhagen for the first time in 122 years. The new mayor? Green.
In Denmark's local elections yesterday the Soc Dems took a hammering, losing Copenhagen for the first time in 122 years. The new mayor? Green.
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
A question to Labour's few remaining supporters.
Is kicking pensioners, disabled people and now asylum seekers what you voted for?
Really?
New column 👇
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Is kicking pensioners, disabled people and now asylum seekers what you voted for?
Really?
New column 👇
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A question to the few remaining Labour supporters: is this refugee-bashing what you voted for? | Owen Jones
The government’s callousness has won it respect – from Tommy Robinson and the hard right, says Guardian columnist Owen Jones
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A question to Labour's few remaining supporters.
Is kicking pensioners, disabled people and now asylum seekers what you voted for?
Really?
New column 👇
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Is kicking pensioners, disabled people and now asylum seekers what you voted for?
Really?
New column 👇
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
"World's first potential trillionaire has killed 600,000 people, including 400,000 children" is the only headline that anyone should ever read about Elon Musk
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 1:33 AM
"World's first potential trillionaire has killed 600,000 people, including 400,000 children" is the only headline that anyone should ever read about Elon Musk
Reposted by Shimmin Beg
Remember: they used thousands of academic books too! If you’re a scholar, check for your books too. This isn’t just novelists and pop writers, it’s academic books too!
AI advocates have warned that if every author in the class action filed a claim, it would "financially ruin" the entire industry.
Authors celebrate “historic” settlement coming soon in Anthropic class action
Advocates fear such settlements will “financially ruin” the AI industry.
arstechnica.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Remember: they used thousands of academic books too! If you’re a scholar, check for your books too. This isn’t just novelists and pop writers, it’s academic books too!