Mike Scialom
@mikescialom.bsky.social
Journalist, blogger, Cambridge resident, human bioprocessor
Pinned
COP30 ‘a sustained exercise in suicidal fantasy’ says Jonathon Porritt at Cambridge book launch
Author and campaigner in blistering form at Department of Engineering.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
“A form of systemic madness is now at play in global politics,” said Jonathon Porritt at the Department of Engineering this evening www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cop30-a...
It's an absolute scandal this sustainable alternative to the plastic coating used in takeaway boxes isn't being used by every UK diner and food franchise - WHEN ARE WE GOING TO PRIORITISE OUR RESPONSE TO THE INCOMING DISASTER OF AN UNLIVEABLE PLANET? www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/xam...
Xampla-fication as plant-based plastic substitute breaks into crucial Asian market
Morro takeaway box coatings start journey in Japan….
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 1:46 PM
It's an absolute scandal this sustainable alternative to the plastic coating used in takeaway boxes isn't being used by every UK diner and food franchise - WHEN ARE WE GOING TO PRIORITISE OUR RESPONSE TO THE INCOMING DISASTER OF AN UNLIVEABLE PLANET? www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/xam...
Ukraine deputy minister says in visit to Cambridge that any conclusion to the war Russia started must punish the aggressor, otherwise every state in the world will know that aggression pays off www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/ukraine...
Ukraine deputy minister for reconstruction visits Cambridge to highlight ongoing costs of war
Alyona Shkrum in conversation with Gillian Tett, Provost of King’s College.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Ukraine deputy minister says in visit to Cambridge that any conclusion to the war Russia started must punish the aggressor, otherwise every state in the world will know that aggression pays off www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/ukraine...
Crowd sings while Lift The Ban protester is arrested for supporting Palestine Action in the centre of Cambridge yesterday www.youtube.com/shorts/-Lab6...
Lift The Ban protester being arrested outside Guildhall, Cambridge, 29 November 2025
YouTube video by Mike Scialom
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Crowd sings while Lift The Ban protester is arrested for supporting Palestine Action in the centre of Cambridge yesterday www.youtube.com/shorts/-Lab6...
Multiple Lift The Ban arrests in Cambridge market square for bearing placards www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/multipl...
Multiple arrests as Palestine Action supporters join Lift The Ban protest in Cambridge
Estimated 16 protesters detained at event organised by Defend Our Juries.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Multiple Lift The Ban arrests in Cambridge market square for bearing placards www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/multipl...
“A form of systemic madness is now at play in global politics,” said Jonathon Porritt at the Department of Engineering this evening www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cop30-a...
COP30 ‘a sustained exercise in suicidal fantasy’ says Jonathon Porritt at Cambridge book launch
Author and campaigner in blistering form at Department of Engineering.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 11:51 PM
“A form of systemic madness is now at play in global politics,” said Jonathon Porritt at the Department of Engineering this evening www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cop30-a...
Silicon Valley is a rogue state www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/half-of...
Half of UK’s published novelist fear AI will take over their work, University of Cambridge research finds
And many say their work has already been used to train models without their permission.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Silicon Valley is a rogue state www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/half-of...
Quantum progress is very exciting, but - just like AI - the enthusiasm shuts down realistic appraisals. Eg quantum systems capable of cracking Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography will emerge, turning Bitcoin values to dust. But is anyone listening? www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/qua...
Quantum leaps as Cambridge companies gear up for new era
Riverlane reports on progress, Nu Quantum adds Amazon architect.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Quantum progress is very exciting, but - just like AI - the enthusiasm shuts down realistic appraisals. Eg quantum systems capable of cracking Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography will emerge, turning Bitcoin values to dust. But is anyone listening? www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/qua...
What does this mean for the build-out of Cambridge? www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Flooded and forgotten: the UK’s waters are rising and we’re being kept in the dark | John Harris
Rescue operations in Wales, submerged railway lines in Cornwall – these events are ever more common. So why have we utterly failed to prepare, asks Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:39 PM
What does this mean for the build-out of Cambridge? www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Sir Jonathon Porritt in town later this month for talk on book - 'Love, Anger and Betrayal' - which features 26 climate activists writing about why they are on the front line of change www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/whats-on/jon...
Jonathon Porritt due in city to discuss latest book on climate activism
‘Love, Anger and Betrayal’ written with 26 activist co-authors.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Sir Jonathon Porritt in town later this month for talk on book - 'Love, Anger and Betrayal' - which features 26 climate activists writing about why they are on the front line of change www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/whats-on/jon...
Ground-breaking musical adventure takes Baroque music to Ukraine www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/ground-...
November 7, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Ground-breaking musical adventure takes Baroque music to Ukraine www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/ground-...
Welch Group has really got a handle on delivering freight by drone www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/wel...
Welch Group demonstrates freight deliveries by drone service
Autonomous IONA model can carry up to 15k of goods.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Welch Group has really got a handle on delivering freight by drone www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/wel...
Christ's Lane library plan given go-ahead after Cambridge City Council planning meeting countered by legal move to block it www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/christ-...
Christ’s Lane Action Group calls for proposed library pause after planning go-ahead
Group asks secretary of state to intervene.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Christ's Lane library plan given go-ahead after Cambridge City Council planning meeting countered by legal move to block it www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/christ-...
Funny how they tell you the actual cost was HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of pounds more than the price they told the public. Makes you wonder about the true cost of the futile Coton Busway project, surely? www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/why-cam...
Why Cambridge sewage works move went down the pan - amid spiralling £700m cost
Government withdrew its support - but city council urges it to reconsider.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Funny how they tell you the actual cost was HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of pounds more than the price they told the public. Makes you wonder about the true cost of the futile Coton Busway project, surely? www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/why-cam...
Pro-Palestine speaker says 'justice has not been served' in Hamas-Israel agreement at start of city centre 'Shut It Down' march www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cambrid...
Cambridge pro-Palestine supporters march through city centre streets during rush hour
‘Shut It Down’ rally held on as Hamas-Israel peace plan commences.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
October 11, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Pro-Palestine speaker says 'justice has not been served' in Hamas-Israel agreement at start of city centre 'Shut It Down' march www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cambrid...
Cambridge-based healthcare professionals describe working in Gaza hospitals www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/nothing...
‘Nothing can prepare you for the destruction’: Healthcare professionals describe working in Gaza’s hospitals
Testimony reveals scale of horror faced by Cambridge-based duo.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
October 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Cambridge-based healthcare professionals describe working in Gaza hospitals www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/nothing...
The government took £64m in fines from Anglian Water and paid back just £180k to fix the Cam - truly, this is trickle-down economics in action www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/180k-go...
£180k government funding to restore River Cam criticised as ‘tiny’
Cam Valley Forum questions where £64m Anglian Water fines went.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The government took £64m in fines from Anglian Water and paid back just £180k to fix the Cam - truly, this is trickle-down economics in action www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/180k-go...
Am I the only one who's infuriated that the government is spaffing £330m Palantir's way for questionable software while this service is being cut for want of £829k? www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/hundred...
‘Devastating’ £829,000 NHS funding cut for Arthur Rank Hospice means hundreds more will die in hospital
An appeal, called Protect Our Care, has been launched by the hospice and is being backed by the Cambridge Independent.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Am I the only one who's infuriated that the government is spaffing £330m Palantir's way for questionable software while this service is being cut for want of £829k? www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/hundred...
Cambridge protest against costs of warfare www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/multipl...
Multiple Cambridge groups at ‘No More Warfare’ protest outside Guildhall
Anti-austerity, pro-education, pro ‘Earthcare’.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Cambridge protest against costs of warfare www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/multipl...
Finally, a world-first test to establish for plastic in materials www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/xam...
Xampla materials help National Physical Laboratory’s first-ever test of plastic-free claims
Boost for Morro, the alternative for fast food packaging.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
September 30, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Finally, a world-first test to establish for plastic in materials www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/xam...
Midsummer Energy fundraising helps Ukrainian hospital's resilience with solar power installation www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/midsumm...
Midsummer Energy’s 1,900-mile charity run boosts Ukraine hospital’s power resilience
Solar PV and battery storage system installed by Ukrainian teams.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
September 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Midsummer Energy fundraising helps Ukrainian hospital's resilience with solar power installation www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/midsumm...
Sad to see Thrive winding down, it's part of the glue that keeps the community in Cambridge in good spirits www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/thrive-...
Thrive prepares to wind down ahead of November close
After five years, ‘the world has changed and it’s not viable any more’.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Sad to see Thrive winding down, it's part of the glue that keeps the community in Cambridge in good spirits www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/thrive-...
And here we have it - clear evidence Cambridge has been captured as a vehicle for investors. And those investors don't give diddly-squat about anything except their dividend. So if ancient trees must be felled, if we live in a dead zone,THEY DON'T CARE! www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/failing...
‘Failing to approve Cambourne to Cambridge busway would send a poor signal to investors’ says Growth Company chair
Peter Freeman was speaking at the public inquiry into the £200m proposals.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
September 22, 2025 at 10:09 AM
And here we have it - clear evidence Cambridge has been captured as a vehicle for investors. And those investors don't give diddly-squat about anything except their dividend. So if ancient trees must be felled, if we live in a dead zone,THEY DON'T CARE! www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/failing...
Islam and Christianity's shared roots reassessed by Cambridge author Elizabeth Drayson www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/crucibl...
‘Crucible of Light’ by Cambridge academic is a tour de force reassessment of Islam and Christianity
Elizabeth Drayson book is epic study of two neighbouring empires.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
September 19, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Islam and Christianity's shared roots reassessed by Cambridge author Elizabeth Drayson www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/crucibl...
Terrible news for Cambridge life sciences, that £200m represented 1,000 jobs, investment in UK life sciences sector, backing for NHS model, and a huge wealth-creating - and indeed life-saving - pharma giant is now losing patience with UK government www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/ast...
AstraZeneca pauses £200m expansion in Cambridge
Move is latest setback for government bidding to boost growth.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
September 13, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Terrible news for Cambridge life sciences, that £200m represented 1,000 jobs, investment in UK life sciences sector, backing for NHS model, and a huge wealth-creating - and indeed life-saving - pharma giant is now losing patience with UK government www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/ast...
In-depth update on the roll-out of Palantir's NHS software in the region and indeed in the UK www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/nhs-rol...
NHS rollout of US military tech firm’s data platform under scrutiny in Cambridge
CUH Trust to install Optica, one part of Panantir’s FDP software, by end of year.
www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk
September 12, 2025 at 6:46 AM
In-depth update on the roll-out of Palantir's NHS software in the region and indeed in the UK www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/nhs-rol...