Skerral
@snoopdougiedoig.bsky.social
Politics, science, economics, cross-Europe holidays by train and ferry, beer, bread, and regrettably life-altering Long Covid (3.5yrs).
🏡🌐🏴 Crieff/ Glasgow/ Bute
🏡🌐🏴 Crieff/ Glasgow/ Bute
Reposted by Skerral
I know it’s always like this. But one striking thing from the budget kite flying and kite pulling back in, is how major policy decisions are constantly being buffeted around by iterative forecast changes.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
November 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM
I know it’s always like this. But one striking thing from the budget kite flying and kite pulling back in, is how major policy decisions are constantly being buffeted around by iterative forecast changes.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
Reposted by Skerral
I truly believe that Wes Streeting has the ideas, the charisma, and the likeability to be an even more historically hated Prime Minister than Keir Starmer
November 13, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I truly believe that Wes Streeting has the ideas, the charisma, and the likeability to be an even more historically hated Prime Minister than Keir Starmer
Reposted by Skerral
It's hard for outsiders to quantify the horrific or fraudulent social media content.
Well:
Meta shows an "estimated 15 billion 'higher risk' scam" ads with signs of fraud daily.
"Meta earns about $7 billion in annualized revenue" from this scam ad category www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Well:
Meta shows an "estimated 15 billion 'higher risk' scam" ads with signs of fraud daily.
"Meta earns about $7 billion in annualized revenue" from this scam ad category www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:07 PM
It's hard for outsiders to quantify the horrific or fraudulent social media content.
Well:
Meta shows an "estimated 15 billion 'higher risk' scam" ads with signs of fraud daily.
"Meta earns about $7 billion in annualized revenue" from this scam ad category www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Well:
Meta shows an "estimated 15 billion 'higher risk' scam" ads with signs of fraud daily.
"Meta earns about $7 billion in annualized revenue" from this scam ad category www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Skerral
The reason for this is multi-factorial, but the fact that Long Covid is not mentioned once is extremely telling. Especially since the article makes an explicit comparison with 2019.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Britain sliding 'into economic crisis' over £85bn sickness bill, ex-John Lewis boss warns
The number of people who are out of work for health reasons has grown by 800,000 since 2019.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 11:17 AM
The reason for this is multi-factorial, but the fact that Long Covid is not mentioned once is extremely telling. Especially since the article makes an explicit comparison with 2019.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Skerral
Here's a Milky Way shot from a Joshua Tree forest in Death Valley back in July. Already dreaming about next season! #Photography
November 4, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Here's a Milky Way shot from a Joshua Tree forest in Death Valley back in July. Already dreaming about next season! #Photography
Reposted by Skerral
Acute and chronic viral infections, including Herpes Zoster (Shingles), Hepatitis C, HIV, CMV, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, are linked with a substantial increased risk of cardiovascular events, from a systematic review. Figure for SARS-CoV-2 below
newsroom.heart.org/news/some-ac...
newsroom.heart.org/news/some-ac...
October 29, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Acute and chronic viral infections, including Herpes Zoster (Shingles), Hepatitis C, HIV, CMV, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, are linked with a substantial increased risk of cardiovascular events, from a systematic review. Figure for SARS-CoV-2 below
newsroom.heart.org/news/some-ac...
newsroom.heart.org/news/some-ac...
Reposted by Skerral
Killer chart from Gregor Semeiniuk and co-authors showing where in the income distribution pandemic windfall oil profits ended up.
October 24, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Killer chart from Gregor Semeiniuk and co-authors showing where in the income distribution pandemic windfall oil profits ended up.
Reposted by Skerral
That scene of the Welsh BBC correspondent being the only person interviewing Caerphilly's new Plaid AM while the rest of the media interviewed Reform's loser in the background was far too on the nose.
October 24, 2025 at 1:34 AM
That scene of the Welsh BBC correspondent being the only person interviewing Caerphilly's new Plaid AM while the rest of the media interviewed Reform's loser in the background was far too on the nose.
Reposted by Skerral
Every islander on Orkney expected to benefit from a major windfarm built and owned by the local council after it won £62m from the UK’s national wealth fund 👇🏴 #Orkney #windpower #renewable #climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
All profits from Orkney windfarm project will go to local services, says council
Construction due to begin in 2027 on what is expected to be UK’s largest publicly owned windfarm
www.theguardian.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Every islander on Orkney expected to benefit from a major windfarm built and owned by the local council after it won £62m from the UK’s national wealth fund 👇🏴 #Orkney #windpower #renewable #climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Skerral
Scoop: Trump has started demolishing the White House's East Wing facade to build his ballroom. The president had claimed construction of the $250 million building wouldn’t ‘interfere’ with the existing White House structure. /W @ddiamond.bsky.social wapo.st/4hqBNiU
White House begins demolishing East Wing facade to build Trump’s ballroom
The president had claimed construction of the $250 million ballroom wouldn’t ‘interfere’ with the existing White House structure.
wapo.st
October 20, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Scoop: Trump has started demolishing the White House's East Wing facade to build his ballroom. The president had claimed construction of the $250 million building wouldn’t ‘interfere’ with the existing White House structure. /W @ddiamond.bsky.social wapo.st/4hqBNiU
Reposted by Skerral
So, another week when we'll continue to ignore the increasingly obvious issue of political radicalisation via social media? And indeed the tied issue of the large tech companies who promote this, and the tech bros who see this as some sort of move to a utopian paradise governed by them?
October 20, 2025 at 6:32 AM
So, another week when we'll continue to ignore the increasingly obvious issue of political radicalisation via social media? And indeed the tied issue of the large tech companies who promote this, and the tech bros who see this as some sort of move to a utopian paradise governed by them?
They don't look like this. This is some AI pish, particularly the reflection.
This is what they actually look like
This is what they actually look like
October 19, 2025 at 12:06 AM
They don't look like this. This is some AI pish, particularly the reflection.
This is what they actually look like
This is what they actually look like
Sigh.
Every once in a while I run into a COVID zero type dead ender, and the more time goes by, the more their claims get unhinged and frankly crossbred with antivax conspiracy theories. Just saw one in Jamelle’s replies saying vaccines are good but COVID itself causes “turbo cancer.”
October 16, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Sigh.
Reposted by Skerral
Cardiff will be the first UK city to introduce a surcharge for oversized SUVs and trucks, "while very large vehicles – those over 3,500kg – will be excluded from residential permits entirely."
Cardiff set to tackle SUV 'carspreading' in UK first
Cardiff Council is set to become the first local authority in the UK to introduce higher parking charges for SUVs and other heavy vehicles, in a move campaigners say will make city streets safer and f...
nation.cymru
October 16, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Cardiff will be the first UK city to introduce a surcharge for oversized SUVs and trucks, "while very large vehicles – those over 3,500kg – will be excluded from residential permits entirely."
I'm often surprised how many people don't know that Covid infection damages your immune system (for between 8 to 12 months estimated), making you much more vulnerable to infections immediately after.
See all the mostly older people who "have a cold", then follow that up with sepsis and pneumonia.
See all the mostly older people who "have a cold", then follow that up with sepsis and pneumonia.
The two new variants aren’t considered to be very concerning, and we’ll all have resistance built up enough to make it not much worse than a bad cold. Appreciate that a week off when you’re freelance makes paying worthwhile, but in most cases it probably isn’t.
I’m 73, but not panicking.
I’m 73, but not panicking.
October 11, 2025 at 11:12 AM
I'm often surprised how many people don't know that Covid infection damages your immune system (for between 8 to 12 months estimated), making you much more vulnerable to infections immediately after.
See all the mostly older people who "have a cold", then follow that up with sepsis and pneumonia.
See all the mostly older people who "have a cold", then follow that up with sepsis and pneumonia.
Reposted by Skerral
Israel Agrees To Go Back To Killing Palestinians On Less Frequent Basis
Israel Agrees To Go Back To Killing Palestinians On Less Frequent Basis
CAIRO—As part of a historic ceasefire agreement with Hamas following two years of war, the Israeli government reportedly agreed Thursday to go back to killing Palestinians on a less frequent basis. “I...
theonion.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Israel Agrees To Go Back To Killing Palestinians On Less Frequent Basis
Reposted by Skerral
Just seen a headline which asks "Thatcher was born 100 years ago and her reign feels a lifetime away. Why is her effect on the country still so huge?"
It's because she was a massive bastard. Hope that helps x
It's because she was a massive bastard. Hope that helps x
October 9, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Just seen a headline which asks "Thatcher was born 100 years ago and her reign feels a lifetime away. Why is her effect on the country still so huge?"
It's because she was a massive bastard. Hope that helps x
It's because she was a massive bastard. Hope that helps x
Reposted by Skerral
The stupidity of British authoritarianism.
Imagine the despotic state of the UK if such protesters as the Suffragettes, Chartists, anti-slavery campaigners, LGBT community and equal pay advocates had restricted themselves to making their point on one occasion.
Imagine the despotic state of the UK if such protesters as the Suffragettes, Chartists, anti-slavery campaigners, LGBT community and equal pay advocates had restricted themselves to making their point on one occasion.
Home Secretary tells Sky News that “there is a gap in the law” when it comes to frequent, repeated protests on the same issue. Hence she will be giving police greater powers to move them to another location or time.
October 7, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The stupidity of British authoritarianism.
Imagine the despotic state of the UK if such protesters as the Suffragettes, Chartists, anti-slavery campaigners, LGBT community and equal pay advocates had restricted themselves to making their point on one occasion.
Imagine the despotic state of the UK if such protesters as the Suffragettes, Chartists, anti-slavery campaigners, LGBT community and equal pay advocates had restricted themselves to making their point on one occasion.
Reposted by Skerral
This article manages to name her husband before it names… her.
October 3, 2025 at 11:15 AM
This article manages to name her husband before it names… her.
Reposted by Skerral
UK Biobank study of 54,757 adults aged 50+ found that COVID-19 survivors had a 41% higher risk of dementia and a 77% higher risk of vascular dementia after two years, especially in those unvaccinated or with mental illness.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
COVID-19 infection associated with increased risk of new-onset vascular dementia in adults ≥50 years - npj Dementia
npj Dementia - COVID-19 infection associated with increased risk of new-onset vascular dementia in adults ≥50 years
www.nature.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:32 PM
UK Biobank study of 54,757 adults aged 50+ found that COVID-19 survivors had a 41% higher risk of dementia and a 77% higher risk of vascular dementia after two years, especially in those unvaccinated or with mental illness.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Reposted by Skerral
BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c9...
Jane Goodall, chimpanzee expert and animal rights campaigner, dies age 91 - follow live - BBC News
Jane Goodall, chimpanzee expert and animal rights campaigner, dies age 91 - follow live - BBC News
Jane Goodall, chimpanzee expert and animal rights campaigner, dies age 91 - follow live
The primatologist was a
www.bbc.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 7:01 PM
BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c9...
Jane Goodall, chimpanzee expert and animal rights campaigner, dies age 91 - follow live - BBC News
Jane Goodall, chimpanzee expert and animal rights campaigner, dies age 91 - follow live - BBC News
Reposted by Skerral
“Israeli Forces Kill 198 Palestinians in Gaza Over Three Days”
It’s a genocide. Daily endless massacres, largely ignored in the West.
It’s a genocide. Daily endless massacres, largely ignored in the West.
Israeli Forces Kill 198 Palestinians in Gaza Over Three Days - News From Antiwar.com
Israeli attacks have killed at least 198 Palestinians and wounded 786 in the Gaza Strip over 72 hours, according to death toll updates released by Gaza's Health Ministry, as Israel continues its US-ba...
news.antiwar.com
September 29, 2025 at 3:42 AM
“Israeli Forces Kill 198 Palestinians in Gaza Over Three Days”
It’s a genocide. Daily endless massacres, largely ignored in the West.
It’s a genocide. Daily endless massacres, largely ignored in the West.
Reposted by Skerral
Compulsory 'voluntary work' is just unpaid Labour.
Effectively they want to make migrants do community service for the crime of wanting to live in the UK
Effectively they want to make migrants do community service for the crime of wanting to live in the UK
September 29, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Compulsory 'voluntary work' is just unpaid Labour.
Effectively they want to make migrants do community service for the crime of wanting to live in the UK
Effectively they want to make migrants do community service for the crime of wanting to live in the UK
30% threshold for Reform winning everywhere under FPTP. Just as you were saying the other day @markmcgeoghegan.bsky.social
The Swingometer is back up and running today after an extended book writing hiatus. I've taken a long look at Reform's May local elections performance, how FPP is now Farage's friend, and why it may get even better for Reform (& worse for Lab & Con) next May:
open.substack.com/pub/swingome...
open.substack.com/pub/swingome...
September 23, 2025 at 10:04 AM
30% threshold for Reform winning everywhere under FPTP. Just as you were saying the other day @markmcgeoghegan.bsky.social