Fionna O’Leary
@fascinatorfun.bsky.social
Retired Lawyer, cook, Europhile, books, music, good conversations, gardens, walking. Bird site refugee 🇬🇧 🇮🇪
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
“UK Government racks up £100m bill responding to Covid inquiry”
- by contrast,
Australian “Robo-debt” Royal Commission took under a year to produce devastating findings, refer 7 top officials to police and auditors, & force federal govt to reply $1.4 bn. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- by contrast,
Australian “Robo-debt” Royal Commission took under a year to produce devastating findings, refer 7 top officials to police and auditors, & force federal govt to reply $1.4 bn. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Government racks up £100m bill responding to Covid inquiry
BBC analysis shows cost to taxpayer is 50% higher than thought, with inquiry's own costs at £192m.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 10:46 AM
“UK Government racks up £100m bill responding to Covid inquiry”
- by contrast,
Australian “Robo-debt” Royal Commission took under a year to produce devastating findings, refer 7 top officials to police and auditors, & force federal govt to reply $1.4 bn. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- by contrast,
Australian “Robo-debt” Royal Commission took under a year to produce devastating findings, refer 7 top officials to police and auditors, & force federal govt to reply $1.4 bn. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
UK resettled just 7,271 refugees this year — a 26% drop. Safe routes are shrinking, while Ministers promise “new” schemes for only a few hundred people. When legal pathways vanish, desperation grows. Families deserve safety, not slogans. #UKPolitics #AsylumSystem #HumanRights
December 2, 2025 at 10:38 PM
UK resettled just 7,271 refugees this year — a 26% drop. Safe routes are shrinking, while Ministers promise “new” schemes for only a few hundred people. When legal pathways vanish, desperation grows. Families deserve safety, not slogans. #UKPolitics #AsylumSystem #HumanRights
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
💥 A section of Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline has exploded again, sources in Ukraine’s military intelligence say, per Hromadske.
The blast was caused by a remotely detonated explosive device enhanced with incendiary compounds to intensify the fire.
The blast was caused by a remotely detonated explosive device enhanced with incendiary compounds to intensify the fire.
December 3, 2025 at 10:30 AM
💥 A section of Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline has exploded again, sources in Ukraine’s military intelligence say, per Hromadske.
The blast was caused by a remotely detonated explosive device enhanced with incendiary compounds to intensify the fire.
The blast was caused by a remotely detonated explosive device enhanced with incendiary compounds to intensify the fire.
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
🦾 Ukrainian volunteers are taking robotics to the front lines.
One of the units ran 34 missions in November using unmanned ground vehicles, hauling more than 7,000 kilos of ammo and gear to units under fire.
🔗 united24media.com/latest-news/...
One of the units ran 34 missions in November using unmanned ground vehicles, hauling more than 7,000 kilos of ammo and gear to units under fire.
🔗 united24media.com/latest-news/...
December 3, 2025 at 10:10 AM
🦾 Ukrainian volunteers are taking robotics to the front lines.
One of the units ran 34 missions in November using unmanned ground vehicles, hauling more than 7,000 kilos of ammo and gear to units under fire.
🔗 united24media.com/latest-news/...
One of the units ran 34 missions in November using unmanned ground vehicles, hauling more than 7,000 kilos of ammo and gear to units under fire.
🔗 united24media.com/latest-news/...
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
There will come a point where Farage realises he needs non-dregs defectors to look vaguely respectable and Tory frontbenchers realise a pact is the only way they get to carry on being MPs. Then there will be deal.
FT Exclusive: The Reform UK leader told donors he expects a deal or merger between his party and the Conservatives ahead of the next general election, suggesting he does not believe he can sweep to power alone. on.ft.com/44xlHi0
December 2, 2025 at 10:12 PM
There will come a point where Farage realises he needs non-dregs defectors to look vaguely respectable and Tory frontbenchers realise a pact is the only way they get to carry on being MPs. Then there will be deal.
Apparently she’s selling it for £2 million as she doesn’t want to paint over it and wants it preserved.
Who’s going to break it to her?
Who’s going to break it to her?
December 3, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Apparently she’s selling it for £2 million as she doesn’t want to paint over it and wants it preserved.
Who’s going to break it to her?
Who’s going to break it to her?
This is another Tory defect to ReFuk.
You have to dig through two stories to identify the “racist slur”.
“No chinky spies for me!" in WhatsApp messages.
You have to dig through two stories to identify the “racist slur”.
“No chinky spies for me!" in WhatsApp messages.
Somewhat depressing to read a story about someone using a “racial slur” which does not say what the slur was. BBC might think they are being sensitive, but what they are actually doing is letting the Reform member off the hook. Tell us what she said.
Just shows Reform are not capable of behaving like adults
Reform would be an economic disaster for this country as well making us a pariah
Reform creates division and hatred just like the Nazis from the 1930s
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform would be an economic disaster for this country as well making us a pariah
Reform creates division and hatred just like the Nazis from the 1930s
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
December 3, 2025 at 9:47 AM
This is another Tory defect to ReFuk.
You have to dig through two stories to identify the “racist slur”.
“No chinky spies for me!" in WhatsApp messages.
You have to dig through two stories to identify the “racist slur”.
“No chinky spies for me!" in WhatsApp messages.
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
Half the world's population live in South, South East, and East Asia. The world's economic centre of gravity has changed. Europe locking itself away from this reality is to render absolute decline utterly inevitable.
There is a better way. ecipe.org/blog/rethink...
There is a better way. ecipe.org/blog/rethink...
Rethinking Europe in a New Global Economic Landscape: Finding Answers Must Start by Reflecting Our Own Position
Fear of China and despair at US unreliability extending into coercion can be felt across Europe. At worst this extends to the scenario of economic destruction through systematic cheating accompanied b
ecipe.org
December 3, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Half the world's population live in South, South East, and East Asia. The world's economic centre of gravity has changed. Europe locking itself away from this reality is to render absolute decline utterly inevitable.
There is a better way. ecipe.org/blog/rethink...
There is a better way. ecipe.org/blog/rethink...
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
It's all bad but hadn't seen the bit where Farage says:
"The European Union is the prototype for the New World Order."
That is a seriously, deeply problematic term that taps into Illuminati and antisemitic conspiracy theories.
How the fuck did this man direct the course of our politics?
"The European Union is the prototype for the New World Order."
That is a seriously, deeply problematic term that taps into Illuminati and antisemitic conspiracy theories.
How the fuck did this man direct the course of our politics?
We kept the receipts. These comments, taken together, paint a picture of the man he is today.
December 3, 2025 at 8:01 AM
It's all bad but hadn't seen the bit where Farage says:
"The European Union is the prototype for the New World Order."
That is a seriously, deeply problematic term that taps into Illuminati and antisemitic conspiracy theories.
How the fuck did this man direct the course of our politics?
"The European Union is the prototype for the New World Order."
That is a seriously, deeply problematic term that taps into Illuminati and antisemitic conspiracy theories.
How the fuck did this man direct the course of our politics?
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
#Butterflies a useful thing to remember...
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire.
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire.
a man with a white wig and beard is standing in front of a sign that says " wise words "
ALT: a man with a white wig and beard is standing in front of a sign that says " wise words "
media.tenor.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:05 PM
#Butterflies a useful thing to remember...
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire.
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire.
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
First three words superfluous.
This framing of unlawful things as a mere matter of legal opinion sadly not limited to US press.
This framing of unlawful things as a mere matter of legal opinion sadly not limited to US press.
Legal experts say there is no basis in the US Constitution for a president to revoke pardons.
Trump says he has revoked Biden’s autopen pardons: But can he do it?
Legal experts say there is no basis in the US Constitution for a president to revoke pardons.
bit.ly
December 3, 2025 at 6:29 AM
First three words superfluous.
This framing of unlawful things as a mere matter of legal opinion sadly not limited to US press.
This framing of unlawful things as a mere matter of legal opinion sadly not limited to US press.
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
'The funders of the programme include some of the founding university partners from the Civic University Network including Birmingham, Newcastle and Queen Mary, alongside regional research organisation Midlands Innovation.' lpiphub.bham.ac.uk/civic-20/ 2/3
Civic 2:0 – LPIP
Civic 2:0 is a programme to engage national and regional policymakers in the economic and social role higher education institutions play in their towns, cities and regions.
lpiphub.bham.ac.uk
December 3, 2025 at 9:30 AM
'The funders of the programme include some of the founding university partners from the Civic University Network including Birmingham, Newcastle and Queen Mary, alongside regional research organisation Midlands Innovation.' lpiphub.bham.ac.uk/civic-20/ 2/3
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
'A new national initiative, Civic 2.0, has been launched to strengthen the role of universities in their towns, cities and regions – building on the legacy of UPP Foundation’s Civic University Commission and the Civic University Network.' 1/3
Civic engagement a ‘licence to practise’ for universities
New initiative launched to strengthen the role of universities in their towns, cities and regions
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:30 AM
'A new national initiative, Civic 2.0, has been launched to strengthen the role of universities in their towns, cities and regions – building on the legacy of UPP Foundation’s Civic University Commission and the Civic University Network.' 1/3
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
Last week's Budget will ease cost of living pressures next year – but it backloads the fiscal repair job to eve of next election ⤵️
buff.ly/PBAWLKZ
buff.ly/PBAWLKZ
December 3, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Last week's Budget will ease cost of living pressures next year – but it backloads the fiscal repair job to eve of next election ⤵️
buff.ly/PBAWLKZ
buff.ly/PBAWLKZ
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
The hypocrisy 👀
"'Tories will always let you down’ says Farage, as his party collects more Tories.'"
And just last year, Gullis insisted there was “not a cat’s chance in hell.”
https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-jonathan-gullis-reforms-defective-defector/
"'Tories will always let you down’ says Farage, as his party collects more Tories.'"
And just last year, Gullis insisted there was “not a cat’s chance in hell.”
https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-jonathan-gullis-reforms-defective-defector/
Jonathan Gullis, Reform's defective defector
‘Tories will always let you down' says Farage, as his party collects more Tories
www.thenewworld.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 9:09 AM
The hypocrisy 👀
"'Tories will always let you down’ says Farage, as his party collects more Tories.'"
And just last year, Gullis insisted there was “not a cat’s chance in hell.”
https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-jonathan-gullis-reforms-defective-defector/
"'Tories will always let you down’ says Farage, as his party collects more Tories.'"
And just last year, Gullis insisted there was “not a cat’s chance in hell.”
https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-jonathan-gullis-reforms-defective-defector/
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
Good news!
Earlier this year I shared reports that the land around the Cerne Abbas Giant was up for sale
I’m delighted that, after lots of conversations, the land has now been bought by the National Trust (who already own the Giant): www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
bsky.app/profile/guys...
Earlier this year I shared reports that the land around the Cerne Abbas Giant was up for sale
I’m delighted that, after lots of conversations, the land has now been bought by the National Trust (who already own the Giant): www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
bsky.app/profile/guys...
December 3, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Good news!
Earlier this year I shared reports that the land around the Cerne Abbas Giant was up for sale
I’m delighted that, after lots of conversations, the land has now been bought by the National Trust (who already own the Giant): www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
bsky.app/profile/guys...
Earlier this year I shared reports that the land around the Cerne Abbas Giant was up for sale
I’m delighted that, after lots of conversations, the land has now been bought by the National Trust (who already own the Giant): www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
bsky.app/profile/guys...
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
This is truly inexplicable. This and the way the BBC has been run into the ground. And this in a country that see itself as a service-driven economy. We have one key advantage over all the competition: we are the home of the world's lingua franca. Use that? No, kill it! Madness.
December 3, 2025 at 8:27 AM
This is truly inexplicable. This and the way the BBC has been run into the ground. And this in a country that see itself as a service-driven economy. We have one key advantage over all the competition: we are the home of the world's lingua franca. Use that? No, kill it! Madness.
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
If it were steel works we would have a government bailout plan, yet losing thousands of jobs at unis is met with a shrug. & unlike steelworks universities were profitable when they had foreign students.
You are killing the golden goose… one of our best exports…
HOW IS THIS HELPING GROWTH?!
You are killing the golden goose… one of our best exports…
HOW IS THIS HELPING GROWTH?!
Every sympathy for University of Essex (and pressures facing them) but this is very bad news for Southend.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Essex university to cut 400 jobs as overseas student numbers plummet
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Essex university to cut 400 jobs as overseas student numbers plummet
Essex university to cut 400 jobs as overseas student numbers plummet
Roles to be lost are part of wave of redundancy programmes across UK’s higher education sector
giftarticle.ft.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:14 AM
If it were steel works we would have a government bailout plan, yet losing thousands of jobs at unis is met with a shrug. & unlike steelworks universities were profitable when they had foreign students.
You are killing the golden goose… one of our best exports…
HOW IS THIS HELPING GROWTH?!
You are killing the golden goose… one of our best exports…
HOW IS THIS HELPING GROWTH?!
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
As we head towards winter & another Dr's strike.
Nursing recruitment is frozen.
www.rcn.org.uk/magazines/Ac...
Nursing recruitment is frozen.
www.rcn.org.uk/magazines/Ac...
Newly registered nurse jobs crisis: ‘Use us or lose us’ | RCN Magazine | Royal College of Nursing
Alex, a final year student nurse, has worked so hard to be a part of the nursing profession, but is facing the prospect of not getting a job
www.rcn.org.uk
December 3, 2025 at 8:43 AM
As we head towards winter & another Dr's strike.
Nursing recruitment is frozen.
www.rcn.org.uk/magazines/Ac...
Nursing recruitment is frozen.
www.rcn.org.uk/magazines/Ac...
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
David Zinn at 3:32 am. Good start
December 3, 2025 at 8:32 AM
David Zinn at 3:32 am. Good start
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
Good morning on Day 1379 of the war in Europe.
The day after the 'crunch' Moscow talks and... nothing's changed. Ukraine wants peace. Russia refuses.
Strangely, still no post from Trump on Putin's latest humiliation of US 'power'
It's the daily thread - still never missed a day!
The day after the 'crunch' Moscow talks and... nothing's changed. Ukraine wants peace. Russia refuses.
Strangely, still no post from Trump on Putin's latest humiliation of US 'power'
It's the daily thread - still never missed a day!
December 3, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Good morning on Day 1379 of the war in Europe.
The day after the 'crunch' Moscow talks and... nothing's changed. Ukraine wants peace. Russia refuses.
Strangely, still no post from Trump on Putin's latest humiliation of US 'power'
It's the daily thread - still never missed a day!
The day after the 'crunch' Moscow talks and... nothing's changed. Ukraine wants peace. Russia refuses.
Strangely, still no post from Trump on Putin's latest humiliation of US 'power'
It's the daily thread - still never missed a day!
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
Russian strikes on Odesa were confirmed. More infrastructure (inc energy) has been damaged and one person seriously injured.
Ukraine is not permitting photos directly from the site yet.
bsky.app/profile/twmc...
Ukraine is not permitting photos directly from the site yet.
bsky.app/profile/twmc...
December 3, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Russian strikes on Odesa were confirmed. More infrastructure (inc energy) has been damaged and one person seriously injured.
Ukraine is not permitting photos directly from the site yet.
bsky.app/profile/twmc...
Ukraine is not permitting photos directly from the site yet.
bsky.app/profile/twmc...
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
One naive, reckless or stupid comment from Rubio was "Right now they are literally fighting over a territory of 30-50km, the remaining 20% of Donetsk region"
No, Marco, we're fighting for justice, order, world peace. To finally stop the Moscow tyrant at the 4th time of asking
No, Marco, we're fighting for justice, order, world peace. To finally stop the Moscow tyrant at the 4th time of asking
December 3, 2025 at 8:32 AM
One naive, reckless or stupid comment from Rubio was "Right now they are literally fighting over a territory of 30-50km, the remaining 20% of Donetsk region"
No, Marco, we're fighting for justice, order, world peace. To finally stop the Moscow tyrant at the 4th time of asking
No, Marco, we're fighting for justice, order, world peace. To finally stop the Moscow tyrant at the 4th time of asking
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
Getting big Solovyov vibes here. This is like watching his shows about the Ukraine war
December 3, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Getting big Solovyov vibes here. This is like watching his shows about the Ukraine war
Reposted by Fionna O’Leary
Fox’s Greg Gutfeld on double tap boat strike: “It's just better for us to kill them in the ocean, make them shark feed, be done with it”
December 3, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Fox’s Greg Gutfeld on double tap boat strike: “It's just better for us to kill them in the ocean, make them shark feed, be done with it”