tomcrackers
@tomcrackers.bsky.social
You'll have to speak up, I'm wearing a towel.
Reposted by tomcrackers
They did, and you can read the letters written by Roman aristocrats living in Gaul who had basically given up on trying to fix anything and retreated to a comfortable self-exile on their vast estates
I wonder if Roman elites watching the fall of their empire also thought: “This is so stupid.”
April 17, 2025 at 2:13 PM
They did, and you can read the letters written by Roman aristocrats living in Gaul who had basically given up on trying to fix anything and retreated to a comfortable self-exile on their vast estates
Making it even clearer how much of a loss she is to the BBC. I hope we still get to see her Bloomberg interviews in some shape or form.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...
Mishal Husain criticises ‘bombastic’ presenting after BBC departure
Former Today host speaks to British Vogue about changes to radio show and shift towards personality-led media
www.theguardian.com
April 17, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Making it even clearer how much of a loss she is to the BBC. I hope we still get to see her Bloomberg interviews in some shape or form.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...
Reposted by tomcrackers
You may be fearing your 401k is no longer enough for you to retire. But with all the cuts to NIH and Medicare you also won't live as long. So the policies are integrated.
April 7, 2025 at 1:20 AM
You may be fearing your 401k is no longer enough for you to retire. But with all the cuts to NIH and Medicare you also won't live as long. So the policies are integrated.
Reposted by tomcrackers
takes a special kind of genius to win an election on the back of unpopular price rises and then instigate a policy that will inevitably create more unpopular price rises
April 2, 2025 at 9:40 PM
takes a special kind of genius to win an election on the back of unpopular price rises and then instigate a policy that will inevitably create more unpopular price rises
Reposted by tomcrackers
The standout madness in the general madness are the enormous tariffs on South East Asia which, if these stick, is going to magnify China's sphere of influence. Geopolitical lunacy.
April 2, 2025 at 8:59 PM
The standout madness in the general madness are the enormous tariffs on South East Asia which, if these stick, is going to magnify China's sphere of influence. Geopolitical lunacy.
Reposted by tomcrackers
I know news coverage of benefit cuts can be distressing. So, I wanted to do something for readers.
If you click on a Guardian news story, you’ll see a “drop box” of signposted mental health support as well as benefits advice. Please do share. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
If you click on a Guardian news story, you’ll see a “drop box” of signposted mental health support as well as benefits advice. Please do share. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Which benefits is Keir Starmer’s government planning to cut and why?
PM is under increasing pressure over targeting of incapacity and disability benefits. We look at some key questionsUK politics live – latest updates
www.theguardian.com
March 17, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I know news coverage of benefit cuts can be distressing. So, I wanted to do something for readers.
If you click on a Guardian news story, you’ll see a “drop box” of signposted mental health support as well as benefits advice. Please do share. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
If you click on a Guardian news story, you’ll see a “drop box” of signposted mental health support as well as benefits advice. Please do share. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by tomcrackers
Why do all these people have depression we ask as we create systems designed to make their lives as insecure as possible.
March 17, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Why do all these people have depression we ask as we create systems designed to make their lives as insecure as possible.
Reposted by tomcrackers
Last government cut payments for those looking for work, which created an incentive to get placed in the "no sanctions" group. So then this government cuts funding for that group to try and reduce the incentive.
MP gets in touch and sums up it up pretty succinctly - "Everyone understands PIP needs reform. Everyone understands there are too many signed-off sick who get no help. No one gets why - if true - we seems to be cutting incomes for those too disabled to ever work."
March 17, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Last government cut payments for those looking for work, which created an incentive to get placed in the "no sanctions" group. So then this government cuts funding for that group to try and reduce the incentive.
Reposted by tomcrackers
This is the kind of take that you can only produce by not actually talking to any of the people you’re writing about.
The explanation for me is this: Bluesky generates better traffic and engagement than X does. Even with half as many followers. It’s that simple.
The explanation for me is this: Bluesky generates better traffic and engagement than X does. Even with half as many followers. It’s that simple.
Thought I'd seen the dumbest, most ignorant take on Bluesky last year, but I was wrong. This person is living in a world that only exists in their own mind.
As far as I can tell, the author is not even on Bluesky, so they've just fantasized what must be happening here.
As far as I can tell, the author is not even on Bluesky, so they've just fantasized what must be happening here.
March 16, 2025 at 10:50 PM
This is the kind of take that you can only produce by not actually talking to any of the people you’re writing about.
The explanation for me is this: Bluesky generates better traffic and engagement than X does. Even with half as many followers. It’s that simple.
The explanation for me is this: Bluesky generates better traffic and engagement than X does. Even with half as many followers. It’s that simple.
Reposted by tomcrackers
Democrats think tariffs help American workers but don’t support them because of higher prices.
Republicans think tariffs *don’t* help American workers, but support them anyway.
God knows what anyone is supposed to do with that ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Republicans think tariffs *don’t* help American workers, but support them anyway.
God knows what anyone is supposed to do with that ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
March 13, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Democrats think tariffs help American workers but don’t support them because of higher prices.
Republicans think tariffs *don’t* help American workers, but support them anyway.
God knows what anyone is supposed to do with that ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Republicans think tariffs *don’t* help American workers, but support them anyway.
God knows what anyone is supposed to do with that ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Reposted by tomcrackers
My favourite week of the year - the week I am finally reassured that finding it impossible to wake up in the mornings didn’t mean I was dying, it has just been VERY DARK for about 27 months. Easy mistake to make!
March 12, 2025 at 7:16 AM
My favourite week of the year - the week I am finally reassured that finding it impossible to wake up in the mornings didn’t mean I was dying, it has just been VERY DARK for about 27 months. Easy mistake to make!
Reposted by tomcrackers
Exclusive: The government is cutting all funding from the Islamophobia reporting service Tell Mama, leaving it facing closure weeks after revealing a record number of anti-Muslim hate incidents in Britain
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ma...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ma...
Islamophobia charity Tell Mama facing closure after funding pulled by government
Police sources raise alarm over cut as anti-Muslim hate incidents in Britain hit record high
www.theguardian.com
March 8, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Exclusive: The government is cutting all funding from the Islamophobia reporting service Tell Mama, leaving it facing closure weeks after revealing a record number of anti-Muslim hate incidents in Britain
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ma...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ma...
Reposted by tomcrackers
Great, troubling scoop. The point of a public service broadcaster is that it’s NOT personalised, IMV.
SCOOP: BBC News to create a new department using AI to help give the public more personalised content.
In a note to staff seen by the Guardian, Deborah Turness, CEO of BBC News, says the corporation has been “defying gravity” in reaching audiences amid seismic changes in the way news is consumed.
In a note to staff seen by the Guardian, Deborah Turness, CEO of BBC News, says the corporation has been “defying gravity” in reaching audiences amid seismic changes in the way news is consumed.
BBC News to create AI department to offer more personalised content
Boss says BBC News’s reach is ‘defying gravity’ and it must use AI to ‘support and accelerate our growth’
www.theguardian.com
March 6, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Great, troubling scoop. The point of a public service broadcaster is that it’s NOT personalised, IMV.
Reposted by tomcrackers
Our CEO, Ciara Bergman, spoke to The Observer about the closure of two Rape Crisis centres and how other centres are reducing services because of acute and chronic underfunding.
📰 Please read and share: www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
📰 Please read and share: www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘Criminals will go unpunished’ after victim services cuts, Reeves warned
Victims commissioner tells chancellor cutbacks and national insurance hike creating ‘existential crisis’ for abuse charities
www.theguardian.com
March 3, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Our CEO, Ciara Bergman, spoke to The Observer about the closure of two Rape Crisis centres and how other centres are reducing services because of acute and chronic underfunding.
📰 Please read and share: www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
📰 Please read and share: www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by tomcrackers
Exclusive: The government has cut millions in funding for victims’ services, prompting warnings that criminals will go unpunished
In a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the Victims' Commissioner says the "cost of inaction is a price this nation can ill afford"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
In a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the Victims' Commissioner says the "cost of inaction is a price this nation can ill afford"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘Criminals will go unpunished’ after victim services cuts, Reeves warned
Victims commissioner tells chancellor cutbacks and national insurance hike creating ‘existential crisis’ for abuse charities
www.theguardian.com
March 2, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Exclusive: The government has cut millions in funding for victims’ services, prompting warnings that criminals will go unpunished
In a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the Victims' Commissioner says the "cost of inaction is a price this nation can ill afford"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
In a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the Victims' Commissioner says the "cost of inaction is a price this nation can ill afford"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by tomcrackers
Buy a copy of The Observer for:
🗞 a scoop on the Victims Commissioner's warning to the Treasury over funding cuts to support services
📰 a deep dive into the growth of school shooting plots in the UK and what is inspiring them
...and of course much more great stuff not by me
🗞 a scoop on the Victims Commissioner's warning to the Treasury over funding cuts to support services
📰 a deep dive into the growth of school shooting plots in the UK and what is inspiring them
...and of course much more great stuff not by me
March 1, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Buy a copy of The Observer for:
🗞 a scoop on the Victims Commissioner's warning to the Treasury over funding cuts to support services
📰 a deep dive into the growth of school shooting plots in the UK and what is inspiring them
...and of course much more great stuff not by me
🗞 a scoop on the Victims Commissioner's warning to the Treasury over funding cuts to support services
📰 a deep dive into the growth of school shooting plots in the UK and what is inspiring them
...and of course much more great stuff not by me
Reposted by tomcrackers
Deafening silence from Obama, Clinton, Bush, Biden so far…
March 1, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Deafening silence from Obama, Clinton, Bush, Biden so far…
Reposted by tomcrackers
At this rate you wouldn’t bank on a “full turnout” at the 2028 LA Olympics
February 28, 2025 at 7:35 PM
At this rate you wouldn’t bank on a “full turnout” at the 2028 LA Olympics
Reposted by tomcrackers
a regular bugbear of mine - when something goes over budget on costs by 50% it's the end of the world, but you can underestimate the benefits massively and people treat it like a success story. Crossrail was arguably built 20 years too late because of these errors
"TfL’s analysis shows that within a km of an Elizabeth line station in London, the number of new houses is 8-14% higher, and nearly 400,000 jobs have been created since 2015."
A smashing success: it's carried half a billion passengers since opening in 2022.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
A smashing success: it's carried half a billion passengers since opening in 2022.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
February 28, 2025 at 7:56 AM
a regular bugbear of mine - when something goes over budget on costs by 50% it's the end of the world, but you can underestimate the benefits massively and people treat it like a success story. Crossrail was arguably built 20 years too late because of these errors
Reposted by tomcrackers
Darren Grimes was born in 1993
February 24, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Darren Grimes was born in 1993
Reposted by tomcrackers
Defence spending per head (current US$, 2023, SIPRI numbers):
USA: $2,694.2
UK: $1,106.4
France: $946.6
Germany:$802.3
Italy:$603.5
Canada: $701.9
Russia: $757.8
China: $207.9
www.sipri.org/databases/mi...
USA: $2,694.2
UK: $1,106.4
France: $946.6
Germany:$802.3
Italy:$603.5
Canada: $701.9
Russia: $757.8
China: $207.9
www.sipri.org/databases/mi...
December 20, 2024 at 5:20 PM
Defence spending per head (current US$, 2023, SIPRI numbers):
USA: $2,694.2
UK: $1,106.4
France: $946.6
Germany:$802.3
Italy:$603.5
Canada: $701.9
Russia: $757.8
China: $207.9
www.sipri.org/databases/mi...
USA: $2,694.2
UK: $1,106.4
France: $946.6
Germany:$802.3
Italy:$603.5
Canada: $701.9
Russia: $757.8
China: $207.9
www.sipri.org/databases/mi...
Reposted by tomcrackers
where to even start with this
February 14, 2025 at 6:04 PM
where to even start with this
Reposted by tomcrackers
Kemi Badenoch’s spokesman has decided to give the usual Tory post-PMQs briefing a miss.
Keir Starmer’s (political) spox tells waiting reporters: “I’m not sure I’d want to follow that either”.
Keir Starmer’s (political) spox tells waiting reporters: “I’m not sure I’d want to follow that either”.
February 12, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Kemi Badenoch’s spokesman has decided to give the usual Tory post-PMQs briefing a miss.
Keir Starmer’s (political) spox tells waiting reporters: “I’m not sure I’d want to follow that either”.
Keir Starmer’s (political) spox tells waiting reporters: “I’m not sure I’d want to follow that either”.
Why have we, as a society, not solved the problem that is January?
January 28, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Why have we, as a society, not solved the problem that is January?
Reposted by tomcrackers
Additional bit of context: social housing waiting lists are almost back at 2013 levels. The fall in between was not down to more social homes being built (there are now fewer) but because coalition 'reforms' allowed councils to cut people off the lists
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
London's social housing waiting lists at 10-year high
Data shows 336,366 households were on social housing waiting lists in 2024 across London's 32 boroughs.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 23, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Additional bit of context: social housing waiting lists are almost back at 2013 levels. The fall in between was not down to more social homes being built (there are now fewer) but because coalition 'reforms' allowed councils to cut people off the lists
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...