Andy Brockman
@andybrockman.bsky.social
Reporting from where politics and money meet archaeology and heritage at http://thepipeline.info/
YouTube: Watching Brief
Co-Author: The Buried Spitfires of Burma-A fake history
Tips/Gossip/Commissions: PipeLineNews@protonmail
Signal: AndyBrockman.25
YouTube: Watching Brief
Co-Author: The Buried Spitfires of Burma-A fake history
Tips/Gossip/Commissions: PipeLineNews@protonmail
Signal: AndyBrockman.25
Emeritus Professor Chris Grey on the links between the Prescott memo which brought down the BBC's DG and Head of News, the History Reclaimed lobby group which is associated with the Tufton Street linked, Telegraph boosted, would be entryists Restore Trust and the wider world of "Brexitism".
I'm not sure if others have noticed this, but interesting that one of the Prescott criticisms of the BBC is based on those of the 'History Reclaimed' group, which is also associated with the 'Restore Trust' group's attacks on & so far unsuccessful attempts to take control of the National Trust. 1/3
November 11, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Emeritus Professor Chris Grey on the links between the Prescott memo which brought down the BBC's DG and Head of News, the History Reclaimed lobby group which is associated with the Tufton Street linked, Telegraph boosted, would be entryists Restore Trust and the wider world of "Brexitism".
#LetsJustBuildTowers News
The extremely controversial redesign of the redesign of London's historic Liverpool Street station, which is opposed by a number of significant heritage bodies on account of its alleged impact on listed elements, has been kicked into the long (ish) grass of Spring 2026.
The extremely controversial redesign of the redesign of London's historic Liverpool Street station, which is opposed by a number of significant heritage bodies on account of its alleged impact on listed elements, has been kicked into the long (ish) grass of Spring 2026.
Decision on Network Rail’s updated Liverpool Street station scheme pushed back to spring
Acme-designed £1bn redevelopment had been expected to reach committee by end of this year
www.bdonline.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 2:06 PM
#LetsJustBuildTowers News
The extremely controversial redesign of the redesign of London's historic Liverpool Street station, which is opposed by a number of significant heritage bodies on account of its alleged impact on listed elements, has been kicked into the long (ish) grass of Spring 2026.
The extremely controversial redesign of the redesign of London's historic Liverpool Street station, which is opposed by a number of significant heritage bodies on account of its alleged impact on listed elements, has been kicked into the long (ish) grass of Spring 2026.
"In a landmark case for Danish courts and internationally, a man was sentenced to seven months’ suspended imprisonment and 120 hours of community service for posting nude scenes from copyrighted films."
Meanwhile the creators of AI, erotica talking, copyright theft bots get...
Meanwhile the creators of AI, erotica talking, copyright theft bots get...
A man running a Danish copycat of the r/WatchItForThePlot subreddit was assured of posting no less than 347 nude scenes from films, and downloading over 25 terabytes of data from copyrighted works.
Danish Redditor Charged for Posting Nude Scenes from Films
A man running a Danish copycat of the r/WatchItForThePlot subreddit was assured of posting no less than 347 nude scenes from films, and downloading over 25 terabytes of data from copyrighted works.
www.404media.co
November 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
"In a landmark case for Danish courts and internationally, a man was sentenced to seven months’ suspended imprisonment and 120 hours of community service for posting nude scenes from copyrighted films."
Meanwhile the creators of AI, erotica talking, copyright theft bots get...
Meanwhile the creators of AI, erotica talking, copyright theft bots get...
Out of time to bring a case in the UK,
US Courts may not have Jurisdiction
The Mango Mussolini has no reputation to damage.
Thus, facing attempted extortion, the BBC should tell POTUS they've already apologised for the edit.
It follows Private Eye's legendary
Arkell v Pressdram
now applies.
US Courts may not have Jurisdiction
The Mango Mussolini has no reputation to damage.
Thus, facing attempted extortion, the BBC should tell POTUS they've already apologised for the edit.
It follows Private Eye's legendary
Arkell v Pressdram
now applies.
Here's Why Donald Trump's Bid To Sue The BBC For $1 Billion May Already Be Doomed
The US president has given the corporation until Friday night to respond to his legal threat.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Out of time to bring a case in the UK,
US Courts may not have Jurisdiction
The Mango Mussolini has no reputation to damage.
Thus, facing attempted extortion, the BBC should tell POTUS they've already apologised for the edit.
It follows Private Eye's legendary
Arkell v Pressdram
now applies.
US Courts may not have Jurisdiction
The Mango Mussolini has no reputation to damage.
Thus, facing attempted extortion, the BBC should tell POTUS they've already apologised for the edit.
It follows Private Eye's legendary
Arkell v Pressdram
now applies.
With the independence of the BBC under threat this...
"We think Google’s decisions, and those of other big US tech companies, are influenced by the perceived need to please the current US administration, feeding a harmful new narrative that attacks fact checking and all it stands for."
"We think Google’s decisions, and those of other big US tech companies, are influenced by the perceived need to please the current US administration, feeding a harmful new narrative that attacks fact checking and all it stands for."
Google cuts funding to Full Fact... – Full Fact
The company has been one of our biggest funders over the last three years, helping us build some of the best AI tools for fact checking in the world. But things have now changed abruptly.
share.google
November 10, 2025 at 10:52 AM
With the independence of the BBC under threat this...
"We think Google’s decisions, and those of other big US tech companies, are influenced by the perceived need to please the current US administration, feeding a harmful new narrative that attacks fact checking and all it stands for."
"We think Google’s decisions, and those of other big US tech companies, are influenced by the perceived need to please the current US administration, feeding a harmful new narrative that attacks fact checking and all it stands for."
Reposted by Andy Brockman
Michael Prescott and Sir Robbie Gibb both bailed out of journalism years ago, and enjoy lucrative careers in corporate PR. And now they are the arbiters of BBC editorial standards. Go figure www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
The BBC has bigger impartiality problems than its coverage of Trump
It is the BBC’s entire governance structure–rather than individual stories–that should cause most concern
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Michael Prescott and Sir Robbie Gibb both bailed out of journalism years ago, and enjoy lucrative careers in corporate PR. And now they are the arbiters of BBC editorial standards. Go figure www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
#WhoWouldHaveGuessedIt? News
He (BBC critic Michael Prescott) cites a 2022 report by History Reclaimed, also published in the Telegraph, which highlights four BBC programmes with “an overly simplistic and distorted narrative about British colonial racism, slave-trading and its legacy”.
He (BBC critic Michael Prescott) cites a 2022 report by History Reclaimed, also published in the Telegraph, which highlights four BBC programmes with “an overly simplistic and distorted narrative about British colonial racism, slave-trading and its legacy”.
The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it has given in | Jane Martinson
The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold, says Jane Martinson, professor of financial journalism
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:35 PM
#WhoWouldHaveGuessedIt? News
He (BBC critic Michael Prescott) cites a 2022 report by History Reclaimed, also published in the Telegraph, which highlights four BBC programmes with “an overly simplistic and distorted narrative about British colonial racism, slave-trading and its legacy”.
He (BBC critic Michael Prescott) cites a 2022 report by History Reclaimed, also published in the Telegraph, which highlights four BBC programmes with “an overly simplistic and distorted narrative about British colonial racism, slave-trading and its legacy”.
“It feels like a coup,” one said. “This is the result of a campaign by political enemies of the BBC.”
Tim Davie resigns as BBC director general after accusations of ‘serious and systemic’ bias in coverage
Davie says departure is ‘my own decision’, while head of news also quits. Insiders say it ‘feels like a coup’ by broadcaster’s enemies
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:14 PM
“It feels like a coup,” one said. “This is the result of a campaign by political enemies of the BBC.”
From page 52 of the Senate January 6 Report.
BBC News seems to have been guilty of, at worst, a clumsy video edit.
The story about President Trump's unconstitutional conduct inciting the attack on the Capitol was and remains, correct and what has happened in the past week is a Right wing hit job.
BBC News seems to have been guilty of, at worst, a clumsy video edit.
The story about President Trump's unconstitutional conduct inciting the attack on the Capitol was and remains, correct and what has happened in the past week is a Right wing hit job.
November 9, 2025 at 9:58 PM
From page 52 of the Senate January 6 Report.
BBC News seems to have been guilty of, at worst, a clumsy video edit.
The story about President Trump's unconstitutional conduct inciting the attack on the Capitol was and remains, correct and what has happened in the past week is a Right wing hit job.
BBC News seems to have been guilty of, at worst, a clumsy video edit.
The story about President Trump's unconstitutional conduct inciting the attack on the Capitol was and remains, correct and what has happened in the past week is a Right wing hit job.
Nostalgia News
Dating from the time Erich von Daniken launched the modern Ancient Aliens grift, a reminder of what might be a golden age of conspiracy theories.
Now, about the cover of the Abbey Road album, have you spotted that Paul...
Dating from the time Erich von Daniken launched the modern Ancient Aliens grift, a reminder of what might be a golden age of conspiracy theories.
Now, about the cover of the Abbey Road album, have you spotted that Paul...
Ah, 9 November – a sad one, this: 59th anniversary of the day Paul McCartney died, forcing the other Beatles to replace him with an orphan they had trained to impersonate him, and then (obviously) put clues in songs and on album covers so people could find out anyway
November 9, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Nostalgia News
Dating from the time Erich von Daniken launched the modern Ancient Aliens grift, a reminder of what might be a golden age of conspiracy theories.
Now, about the cover of the Abbey Road album, have you spotted that Paul...
Dating from the time Erich von Daniken launched the modern Ancient Aliens grift, a reminder of what might be a golden age of conspiracy theories.
Now, about the cover of the Abbey Road album, have you spotted that Paul...
Reports OpenAI's theft bot was not intelligent enough to realise it needed cover up its activities by deleting its database of stolen intellectual property, so the humans in charge did it and now could face charges of intentionally destroying evidence.
OpenAI in Danger After Authors Suing It Gain Access to Its Internal Slack Messages
Authors and publishers, who are suing OpenAI, secured access to internal Slack messages and emails discussing the deletion of pirated books.
futurism.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Reports OpenAI's theft bot was not intelligent enough to realise it needed cover up its activities by deleting its database of stolen intellectual property, so the humans in charge did it and now could face charges of intentionally destroying evidence.
Diwali, Halloween, Bonfire Night, and now the newest, great celebration of the Autumn, the slate of candidates put up by the opaquely funded, Tufton Street adjacent, would be entryists of Restore Trust being handed their backsides and a vegan scone wrapped in a road map by National Trust members.
National Trust council elections saw a defeat for the Restore Trust campaign.
35k members voted to re-elect a slate of council candidates endorsed by the nominations committee
12k - 13.5k voted for candidates on Restore Trust slate
Non-slate candidated
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
35k members voted to re-elect a slate of council candidates endorsed by the nominations committee
12k - 13.5k voted for candidates on Restore Trust slate
Non-slate candidated
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
Voting results from the AGM
Read about the National Trust's 2025 Annual General Meeting and the results from the day.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
November 9, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Diwali, Halloween, Bonfire Night, and now the newest, great celebration of the Autumn, the slate of candidates put up by the opaquely funded, Tufton Street adjacent, would be entryists of Restore Trust being handed their backsides and a vegan scone wrapped in a road map by National Trust members.
When you read predictions like this remember that a large AI data centre can use as much water per day for cooling its hardware generating crusader avatars and slop videos as a new town with 50k homes.
The discussion about the environmental impact of the rush to adopt AI just isn't being had.
The discussion about the environmental impact of the rush to adopt AI just isn't being had.
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:51 PM
When you read predictions like this remember that a large AI data centre can use as much water per day for cooling its hardware generating crusader avatars and slop videos as a new town with 50k homes.
The discussion about the environmental impact of the rush to adopt AI just isn't being had.
The discussion about the environmental impact of the rush to adopt AI just isn't being had.
After #EAA2025, with the #EAA apparently kicking the can down the road, the issue of how to respond to archaeology and archaeologists, linked to the Occupied Territories, has once again been highlighted, this time by calls to boycott the Islamic Archaeology Conference in Warsaw, which ends today.
Palestinians Urge Boycott of 2025 Islamic Archaeology Conference Normalizing Israeli Apartheid and Genocide
Once again, the Islamic Archaeology Conference is in violation of the BDS movement’s anti-normalization guidelines. Furthermore, it includes speakers from Israeli institutions illegally based on occup...
bdsmovement.net
November 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Absolutely this.
Why would anyone with any self respect want their voice homogenized to enrich the likes of Sam Altman and Elon Musk.
Besides which LLM's are now increasingly flakey, even dangerous, based on theft and driven by the entitlement of a few men who believe they should be above the law.
Why would anyone with any self respect want their voice homogenized to enrich the likes of Sam Altman and Elon Musk.
Besides which LLM's are now increasingly flakey, even dangerous, based on theft and driven by the entitlement of a few men who believe they should be above the law.
I get this a lot too. I don't use ChatGPT or any LLMs in my work because I want my writing to sound like me, not like the averaged-out voice of the internet. But also, writing is thinking, and thinking is a habit. I don't want to get out of that habit.
A friend recently texted me the same thing. “Do you really not use ChatGPT?!” It was a sign of where we are culturally on this. People are compelled to use it but also starting to question the normalcy?
November 8, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Absolutely this.
Why would anyone with any self respect want their voice homogenized to enrich the likes of Sam Altman and Elon Musk.
Besides which LLM's are now increasingly flakey, even dangerous, based on theft and driven by the entitlement of a few men who believe they should be above the law.
Why would anyone with any self respect want their voice homogenized to enrich the likes of Sam Altman and Elon Musk.
Besides which LLM's are now increasingly flakey, even dangerous, based on theft and driven by the entitlement of a few men who believe they should be above the law.
What links...
The Epstein Memorial Ballroom,
The Historic England #BuildingsAtRisk register 2025,
and Archaeology having its day(s) in court, or did it?
A: They are topics in this month's #WatchingBrief, out soon.
Meanwhile here is our back catalogue.
Please Like, Share and Subscribe.
The Epstein Memorial Ballroom,
The Historic England #BuildingsAtRisk register 2025,
and Archaeology having its day(s) in court, or did it?
A: They are topics in this month's #WatchingBrief, out soon.
Meanwhile here is our back catalogue.
Please Like, Share and Subscribe.
The Watching Brief
Together Marc Barkman-Astles of Archaeosoup and & Andy Brockman of thePipeLine website, (Where history is tomorrow's news) and their guests continue their on-going Watching Brief:
The Watching Brief...
youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:01 AM
What links...
The Epstein Memorial Ballroom,
The Historic England #BuildingsAtRisk register 2025,
and Archaeology having its day(s) in court, or did it?
A: They are topics in this month's #WatchingBrief, out soon.
Meanwhile here is our back catalogue.
Please Like, Share and Subscribe.
The Epstein Memorial Ballroom,
The Historic England #BuildingsAtRisk register 2025,
and Archaeology having its day(s) in court, or did it?
A: They are topics in this month's #WatchingBrief, out soon.
Meanwhile here is our back catalogue.
Please Like, Share and Subscribe.
In the case of James Watson much of the Internet seems to have understandably waived the convention of not speaking ill of the, recently, dead.
One very good joke is also doing the rounds...
Q: What did Watson and Crick discover?
A: Rosalind Franklin's notes.
One very good joke is also doing the rounds...
Q: What did Watson and Crick discover?
A: Rosalind Franklin's notes.
Rosalind Franklin knew DNA was a helix before Watson and Crick, unpublished material reveals
A new paper based on long-lost documents confirms that DNA discoverer Rosalind Franklin should be credited for discovering the double helix.
www.livescience.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:03 AM
In the case of James Watson much of the Internet seems to have understandably waived the convention of not speaking ill of the, recently, dead.
One very good joke is also doing the rounds...
Q: What did Watson and Crick discover?
A: Rosalind Franklin's notes.
One very good joke is also doing the rounds...
Q: What did Watson and Crick discover?
A: Rosalind Franklin's notes.
#BonfireOfTheHumanities News
Leicester University consults on redundancies to academics and professional services in chemistry, film studies, geography, geology & the environment, history, modern languages and operations, with the closure of modern languages and film studies from 2026/2027.
Leicester University consults on redundancies to academics and professional services in chemistry, film studies, geography, geology & the environment, history, modern languages and operations, with the closure of modern languages and film studies from 2026/2027.
University of Leicester to consult on redundancies - BBC News
University bosses are also planning to stop a number of courses.
share.google
November 8, 2025 at 12:12 AM
#BonfireOfTheHumanities News
Leicester University consults on redundancies to academics and professional services in chemistry, film studies, geography, geology & the environment, history, modern languages and operations, with the closure of modern languages and film studies from 2026/2027.
Leicester University consults on redundancies to academics and professional services in chemistry, film studies, geography, geology & the environment, history, modern languages and operations, with the closure of modern languages and film studies from 2026/2027.
@drhannahrobbins.bsky.social of Nottingham University on the wider impact of the cuts, especially to music, which the University announced yesterday.
Again we ask how much longer will small groups of people, with no accountability, be allowed to make such damaging and culturally stategic decisions?
Again we ask how much longer will small groups of people, with no accountability, be allowed to make such damaging and culturally stategic decisions?
Devastated to share the news that was broken to colleagues in Music (and other departments) at the University of Nottingham yesterday. This is obviously a very difficult time for us and our students.
Please contact us on protectuonmusic@gmail.com if you would like to be involved.
Please contact us on protectuonmusic@gmail.com if you would like to be involved.
November 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
@drhannahrobbins.bsky.social of Nottingham University on the wider impact of the cuts, especially to music, which the University announced yesterday.
Again we ask how much longer will small groups of people, with no accountability, be allowed to make such damaging and culturally stategic decisions?
Again we ask how much longer will small groups of people, with no accountability, be allowed to make such damaging and culturally stategic decisions?
Happy #HeritageAtRisk Register Day to all who celebrate it, that is neglectful owners, dodgy developers, kick the can into the long grass officials and don't give a f*ck its the past not the future politicians.
This year 129 entries were removed in a good way, however 138 entries were added.
This year 129 entries were removed in a good way, however 138 entries were added.
Heritage at Risk: Latest Findings | Historic England
Explore key trends revealed in our latest Heritage at Risk Register and explore the latest news on Heritage at Risk in your region.
historicengland.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Happy #HeritageAtRisk Register Day to all who celebrate it, that is neglectful owners, dodgy developers, kick the can into the long grass officials and don't give a f*ck its the past not the future politicians.
This year 129 entries were removed in a good way, however 138 entries were added.
This year 129 entries were removed in a good way, however 138 entries were added.
#BonfireOfTheHumanities "they're turning it into the University of Little England." News
Nottingham University UCU says redundancies are clearly on the agenda as the University SMT suspends recruitment to all modern language and music courses.
Nottingham University UCU says redundancies are clearly on the agenda as the University SMT suspends recruitment to all modern language and music courses.
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 12:53 PM
#BonfireOfTheHumanities "they're turning it into the University of Little England." News
Nottingham University UCU says redundancies are clearly on the agenda as the University SMT suspends recruitment to all modern language and music courses.
Nottingham University UCU says redundancies are clearly on the agenda as the University SMT suspends recruitment to all modern language and music courses.
It is on the Historic England "At Risk" register & Mayor Ben Houchen suggests a replica, but Middlesborough MP Andy McDonald says,
"We’ve got to do whatever it takes to restore the Transporter Bridge and get it functioning again. That’s what we should do. It’s too important to let go to the wall."
"We’ve got to do whatever it takes to restore the Transporter Bridge and get it functioning again. That’s what we should do. It’s too important to let go to the wall."
We must restore our Transporter Bridge
"The Transporter Bridge has to be restored and put back into full working action - whatever it takes" - Andy McDonald MP
northeastbylines.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 12:45 PM
It is on the Historic England "At Risk" register & Mayor Ben Houchen suggests a replica, but Middlesborough MP Andy McDonald says,
"We’ve got to do whatever it takes to restore the Transporter Bridge and get it functioning again. That’s what we should do. It’s too important to let go to the wall."
"We’ve got to do whatever it takes to restore the Transporter Bridge and get it functioning again. That’s what we should do. It’s too important to let go to the wall."
"For nine months, Sky News' Data and Forensics team has been investigating whether X's algorithm amplifies right-wing and extreme content. It does."
The Sky Data and Forensics team with important research demonstrating how Elon Musk uses X-Twitter to promote the Far Right in Britain.
The Sky Data and Forensics team with important research demonstrating how Elon Musk uses X-Twitter to promote the Far Right in Britain.
How the world's richest man is boosting the British right
How the world's richest man is boosting the British right
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:32 PM
"For nine months, Sky News' Data and Forensics team has been investigating whether X's algorithm amplifies right-wing and extreme content. It does."
The Sky Data and Forensics team with important research demonstrating how Elon Musk uses X-Twitter to promote the Far Right in Britain.
The Sky Data and Forensics team with important research demonstrating how Elon Musk uses X-Twitter to promote the Far Right in Britain.
#SoThatsAllRight News
"...there is no specific duty on owners to keep a building in a good state of repair", adding local authorities have the power to "take action where a listed building may be at risk".
Culture Minister Ian Murray tells local MP Liz Twist who asks about listed Shotley Park fire
"...there is no specific duty on owners to keep a building in a good state of repair", adding local authorities have the power to "take action where a listed building may be at risk".
Culture Minister Ian Murray tells local MP Liz Twist who asks about listed Shotley Park fire
Shotley Park fire: MP seeks better listed building protection - BBC News
Liz Twist asks the government how listed buildings can be better protected from damage.
share.google
November 4, 2025 at 8:24 PM
#SoThatsAllRight News
"...there is no specific duty on owners to keep a building in a good state of repair", adding local authorities have the power to "take action where a listed building may be at risk".
Culture Minister Ian Murray tells local MP Liz Twist who asks about listed Shotley Park fire
"...there is no specific duty on owners to keep a building in a good state of repair", adding local authorities have the power to "take action where a listed building may be at risk".
Culture Minister Ian Murray tells local MP Liz Twist who asks about listed Shotley Park fire
13th Century Torre dei Conti in central Rome partially collapsed Monday while under renovation.
Workers trapped with at least one reported injured and in hospital.
Workers trapped with at least one reported injured and in hospital.
Rome's medieval Torre dei Conti tower partially collapses during renovation work, reportedly injuring a worker
The 13th century Torre dei Conti in Rome partially collapsed during renovation work, reportedly leaving at least one worker seriously injured.
www.cbsnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:04 PM
13th Century Torre dei Conti in central Rome partially collapsed Monday while under renovation.
Workers trapped with at least one reported injured and in hospital.
Workers trapped with at least one reported injured and in hospital.