Dessy Pontikos
@mouseinlondon.bsky.social
Here’s hoping…
“But what Trump does not yet understand is that von der Leyen holds the US economy and his presidency in her hands.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“But what Trump does not yet understand is that von der Leyen holds the US economy and his presidency in her hands.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This is Europe's secret weapon against Trump: it could burst his AI bubble | Johnny Ryan
Growth in the US economy – and the president’s political survival – rest on AI. The EU must use its leverage and stand up to him, says the Irish Council for Civil Liberties’ Johnny Ryan
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Here’s hoping…
“But what Trump does not yet understand is that von der Leyen holds the US economy and his presidency in her hands.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“But what Trump does not yet understand is that von der Leyen holds the US economy and his presidency in her hands.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Perhaps the Beeb needs a proofreader.
October 31, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Perhaps the Beeb needs a proofreader.
And the world is much poorer for it.
Jane Goodall, who made startling discoveries about chimpanzee behavior and worked tirelessly to protect their habitats, has died. She was 91.
Jane Goodall, Who Befriended and Studied Chimpanzees, Dies at 91
Jane Goodall, who made startling discoveries about chimpanzee behavior and worked tirelessly to protect their habitats during a life dedicated to animals and environmental conservation, has died. She was 91.
bloom.bg
October 1, 2025 at 6:30 PM
And the world is much poorer for it.
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
At this exact time and date — 14:19 Eastern US time on September 22, 2025 — the center of the Sun is directly over Earth's equator (in technical terms, it has a declination of 0°), marking the moment of the September equinox.
Happy equinox!
Happy equinox!
September 22, 2025 at 6:19 PM
At this exact time and date — 14:19 Eastern US time on September 22, 2025 — the center of the Sun is directly over Earth's equator (in technical terms, it has a declination of 0°), marking the moment of the September equinox.
Happy equinox!
Happy equinox!
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
In one of our archive strong rooms there is a shelf. The shelf does not contain the most exciting or interesting item in the archive but it does contain something amazing.
Read this short thread to find out more. 🧵👇
Read this short thread to find out more. 🧵👇
August 28, 2025 at 9:56 AM
In one of our archive strong rooms there is a shelf. The shelf does not contain the most exciting or interesting item in the archive but it does contain something amazing.
Read this short thread to find out more. 🧵👇
Read this short thread to find out more. 🧵👇
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
The Trump admin declares open season for imperialist conquest. Conquer as much as you can and you can keep your loot if you promise to stop.
NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker on Ukraine's territorial concessions: "No big chunks or sections are going to be just given that haven't been fought for or earned on the battlefield."
August 10, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The Trump admin declares open season for imperialist conquest. Conquer as much as you can and you can keep your loot if you promise to stop.
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
Open this photo up and look for the small, white dot just left of centre.
It looks like Venus, shining brightly in the twilight sky.
But it's us.
It's Earth.
From Mars.
It looks like Venus, shining brightly in the twilight sky.
But it's us.
It's Earth.
From Mars.
November 24, 2024 at 3:19 AM
Open this photo up and look for the small, white dot just left of centre.
It looks like Venus, shining brightly in the twilight sky.
But it's us.
It's Earth.
From Mars.
It looks like Venus, shining brightly in the twilight sky.
But it's us.
It's Earth.
From Mars.
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
American journalist, historian, and author Anne Applebaum on the West's biggest mistake in Russia's war against #Ukraine:
"The West doesn't understand the extremism of Putinism. They keep imagining that there's a deal to be done, that if we just give Crimea to Russia, then he'll stop fighting.⤵️
"The West doesn't understand the extremism of Putinism. They keep imagining that there's a deal to be done, that if we just give Crimea to Russia, then he'll stop fighting.⤵️
August 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM
American journalist, historian, and author Anne Applebaum on the West's biggest mistake in Russia's war against #Ukraine:
"The West doesn't understand the extremism of Putinism. They keep imagining that there's a deal to be done, that if we just give Crimea to Russia, then he'll stop fighting.⤵️
"The West doesn't understand the extremism of Putinism. They keep imagining that there's a deal to be done, that if we just give Crimea to Russia, then he'll stop fighting.⤵️
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
1 in 3 doctors were born overseas.
1 in 2 builders were born overseas.
1 in 6 nurses were born overseas.
1 in 4 transport workers were born overseas.
1 in 7 UK business founders were born overseas.
1 in 5 university academics were born overseas.
The UK would be screwed without them.
1 in 2 builders were born overseas.
1 in 6 nurses were born overseas.
1 in 4 transport workers were born overseas.
1 in 7 UK business founders were born overseas.
1 in 5 university academics were born overseas.
The UK would be screwed without them.
August 1, 2025 at 8:40 AM
1 in 3 doctors were born overseas.
1 in 2 builders were born overseas.
1 in 6 nurses were born overseas.
1 in 4 transport workers were born overseas.
1 in 7 UK business founders were born overseas.
1 in 5 university academics were born overseas.
The UK would be screwed without them.
1 in 2 builders were born overseas.
1 in 6 nurses were born overseas.
1 in 4 transport workers were born overseas.
1 in 7 UK business founders were born overseas.
1 in 5 university academics were born overseas.
The UK would be screwed without them.
Interesting. And rather cute.
“Maybe with more examples we'll get a better understanding of how dinosaurs really sounded.”
“Maybe with more examples we'll get a better understanding of how dinosaurs really sounded.”
‘Despite what the movies tell us, dinosaurs probably didn't roar at their prey. It's more likely that they chirped like birds, based on a well-preserved new fossil with an intact voice box’ www.sciencealert.com/ancient-voic...
Ancient Voice Box Finally Reveals How Dinosaurs May Have Sounded
Despite what the movies tell us, dinosaurs probably didn't roar at their prey.
www.sciencealert.com
July 27, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Interesting. And rather cute.
“Maybe with more examples we'll get a better understanding of how dinosaurs really sounded.”
“Maybe with more examples we'll get a better understanding of how dinosaurs really sounded.”
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
If you time it right during a Partridge Island Beach tour you can see the bubbling tide and learn the Mi’Kmaq legend of Glooscap Grandmother's cooking pot. This is Fundy Geological Museum’s Regan Maloney.
July 25, 2025 at 11:39 AM
If you time it right during a Partridge Island Beach tour you can see the bubbling tide and learn the Mi’Kmaq legend of Glooscap Grandmother's cooking pot. This is Fundy Geological Museum’s Regan Maloney.
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
Scientists don’t say this.
Finding molecules in space that are biomolecules in living organisms only shows that the universe finds chemistry much easier to do than biochemists.
Finding molecules in space that are biomolecules in living organisms only shows that the universe finds chemistry much easier to do than biochemists.
July 25, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Scientists don’t say this.
Finding molecules in space that are biomolecules in living organisms only shows that the universe finds chemistry much easier to do than biochemists.
Finding molecules in space that are biomolecules in living organisms only shows that the universe finds chemistry much easier to do than biochemists.
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
Worth your time
www.channel4.com/programmes/t...
www.channel4.com/programmes/t...
Trump: Moscow’s Man in the White House?
What’s the truth about Trump and Putin’s relationship?
www.channel4.com
July 18, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Worth your time
www.channel4.com/programmes/t...
www.channel4.com/programmes/t...
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
😂 "Russian aircraft were not destroyed, but damaged in the attack - they will be restored," - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergei Ryabkov
June 5, 2025 at 7:14 AM
😂 "Russian aircraft were not destroyed, but damaged in the attack - they will be restored," - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergei Ryabkov
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
You’re allowed to argue that black people and women are genetically inferior. But you’re NOT allowed to argue they are NOT inferior because that’s divisive. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/u...
May 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM
You’re allowed to argue that black people and women are genetically inferior. But you’re NOT allowed to argue they are NOT inferior because that’s divisive. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/u...
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
I so enjoyed talking to Nasa and the ESA for this story on reinventing the wheel for the moon and Mars.
If journalists like me don’t write stories about space, schoolkids won’t want to grow up to be astronauts. And what a very sad world that would be.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
If journalists like me don’t write stories about space, schoolkids won’t want to grow up to be astronauts. And what a very sad world that would be.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Moon missions: How to avoid a puncture on the Moon
Giant tyre firms are testing tyres that can survive conditions on the Moon and Mars.
www.bbc.com
May 13, 2025 at 6:11 AM
I so enjoyed talking to Nasa and the ESA for this story on reinventing the wheel for the moon and Mars.
If journalists like me don’t write stories about space, schoolkids won’t want to grow up to be astronauts. And what a very sad world that would be.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
If journalists like me don’t write stories about space, schoolkids won’t want to grow up to be astronauts. And what a very sad world that would be.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
russia won't give up its goal of taking control of Ukr any time soon whtr this war ends or not. For that, they need deimperialization and there's no sign anyone in Ru wants to pursue it. This means the "root of the conflict " which Pu talked abt can't be solved. Ru can only be stopped not satisfied
March 11, 2025 at 12:18 PM
russia won't give up its goal of taking control of Ukr any time soon whtr this war ends or not. For that, they need deimperialization and there's no sign anyone in Ru wants to pursue it. This means the "root of the conflict " which Pu talked abt can't be solved. Ru can only be stopped not satisfied
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
Please share this fact sheet on Ukraine with anyone who needs it
understandingwar.org/backgrounder...
understandingwar.org/backgrounder...
February 23, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Please share this fact sheet on Ukraine with anyone who needs it
understandingwar.org/backgrounder...
understandingwar.org/backgrounder...
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
Watching 'Brief Encounter' (1945) again, one of my favourite films of all time.
I found this little clip to be both comforting and depressing at the same time.
So some of you may need it.
Enjoy... sort of, ish.
I found this little clip to be both comforting and depressing at the same time.
So some of you may need it.
Enjoy... sort of, ish.
February 9, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Watching 'Brief Encounter' (1945) again, one of my favourite films of all time.
I found this little clip to be both comforting and depressing at the same time.
So some of you may need it.
Enjoy... sort of, ish.
I found this little clip to be both comforting and depressing at the same time.
So some of you may need it.
Enjoy... sort of, ish.
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
Do yourself a favour and open up this photo.
Indulge in the absurd beauty of comets.
This is Comet C/2021 A1 Leonard, photographed by Michael Jäger in 2021. The tail, millions of km long, shows a region of greater density from when part of the comet nucleus disintegrated about 10 days before.
Indulge in the absurd beauty of comets.
This is Comet C/2021 A1 Leonard, photographed by Michael Jäger in 2021. The tail, millions of km long, shows a region of greater density from when part of the comet nucleus disintegrated about 10 days before.
January 30, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Do yourself a favour and open up this photo.
Indulge in the absurd beauty of comets.
This is Comet C/2021 A1 Leonard, photographed by Michael Jäger in 2021. The tail, millions of km long, shows a region of greater density from when part of the comet nucleus disintegrated about 10 days before.
Indulge in the absurd beauty of comets.
This is Comet C/2021 A1 Leonard, photographed by Michael Jäger in 2021. The tail, millions of km long, shows a region of greater density from when part of the comet nucleus disintegrated about 10 days before.
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
Bilingualism is associated with a bigger brain. Similar to other cognitively demanding skills, it leads to dynamic subcortical structural adaptations which can be nonlinear, in line with expansion-renormalisation models of experience-dependent neuroplasticity. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Dynamic effects of bilingualism on brain structure map onto general principles of experience-based neuroplasticity - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - Dynamic effects of bilingualism on brain structure map onto general principles of experience-based neuroplasticity
www.nature.com
January 24, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Bilingualism is associated with a bigger brain. Similar to other cognitively demanding skills, it leads to dynamic subcortical structural adaptations which can be nonlinear, in line with expansion-renormalisation models of experience-dependent neuroplasticity. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
“Tweaks in DNA caused by somatic mutations mean that we have not just one genome, perfectly replicated in every cell of our body. […] we each have closer to 30 trillion genomes, dispersed across our many cells.”
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
Doctors Thought They Knew What a Genetic Disease Is. They Were Wrong.
Mutations that happen throughout a person’s life may contribute to disease more than we realized.
www.theatlantic.com
January 5, 2025 at 11:10 PM
“Tweaks in DNA caused by somatic mutations mean that we have not just one genome, perfectly replicated in every cell of our body. […] we each have closer to 30 trillion genomes, dispersed across our many cells.”
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
Some people in recent days have alleged a ‘cover-up’ over the grooming & rape of hundreds of young girls in predominantly northern UK towns, leading to calls for a ‘national’ public inquiry into child sexual exploitation
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
January 4, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Some people in recent days have alleged a ‘cover-up’ over the grooming & rape of hundreds of young girls in predominantly northern UK towns, leading to calls for a ‘national’ public inquiry into child sexual exploitation
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
Former President Jimmy Carter saved NASA’s space shuttle program — giving the U.S. perhaps its most iconic and recognizable space vehicle.
What spaceflight owes to Jimmy Carter: The president's little-known NASA legacy
Carter saved NASA’s space shuttle program — giving the country perhaps its most iconic and recognizable space vehicle.
www.nbcnews.com
December 30, 2024 at 11:39 AM
Former President Jimmy Carter saved NASA’s space shuttle program — giving the U.S. perhaps its most iconic and recognizable space vehicle.
Reposted by Dessy Pontikos
When a partial meltdown of Ontario's Chalk River Nuclear Power Plant occurred in 1952, one of the 150 Americans brought in to help dismantle the parts of the reactor was Jimmy Carter.
He was lowered into the reactor in 90 second shifts, which was enough time to remove one bolt.
He was lowered into the reactor in 90 second shifts, which was enough time to remove one bolt.
December 29, 2024 at 9:33 PM
When a partial meltdown of Ontario's Chalk River Nuclear Power Plant occurred in 1952, one of the 150 Americans brought in to help dismantle the parts of the reactor was Jimmy Carter.
He was lowered into the reactor in 90 second shifts, which was enough time to remove one bolt.
He was lowered into the reactor in 90 second shifts, which was enough time to remove one bolt.