Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

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Good Law Project @goodlawproject.bsky.social · 11h

“The UK stands at a crossroads. Are we going to be a nation that respects its human rights obligations, or are we going to abandon them whenever the rightwing press demands it? First immigrants, then trans people – who next, Sir Keir?” – Jo Maugham (@goodlawproject.org)
https://goodlaw.social/icp3

European human rights chief warns against trans exclusion in the UK

Human rights commissioner calls on parliament to make sure guidance following the Supreme Court’s decision in April promotes inclusion.

goodlaw.social

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Carole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 2d

My colleagues & I have taken a huge gamble to set up @thenerve.news We’re trying to build a new independent publication from the ground up. Social media is our only distribution for now.

Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏

Carole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 3d

NEW: The British politician, his Russian intelligence handler & a Kremlin plot against the US & Ukraine.

My new piece about Nathan Gill and Nigel Farage for @thenerve_news in which we ask:

Why, even now, is no-one asking questions?

t.co/BUTtpK9C4S

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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 1d

To be effective, protest must be noisy, obstructive, annoying. No longer is this allowed. Now the last attribute of effective dissent – persistence – is also to be banned. But the moment protest ceases to be effective is the moment democracy dies. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Here’s what you need to know about Starmer’s illiberal protest curbs: they would have killed the Labour party at birth | George Monbiot

The rights we enjoy in the UK, and the movement the PM purports to lead, were built on protest. Those rights are in dire peril, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

www.theguardian.com

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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 1d

Noticed a lot of acorns recently? This year is what is known as a ‘mast year’, where trees produce a large number of seeds. In this case, oak trees are producing huge numbers of acorns, more than could possibly be eaten by the local wildlife, meaning more acorns successfully turn into oak saplings.

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Scottish Council on Archives @scotsarchives.bsky.social · 2d

The programme for this years annual conference Scotland's Archives and Records: Celebrating Success is now live!

Join us to hear an inspiring lineup of speakers from across the sector as they share their achievements on a range of exciting topics.

View: www.scottisharchives.org.uk/latest/sca-a...

SCA Annual Conference 2025 Programme is Live - Scottish Council on Archives

13 October 2025

www.scottisharchives.org.uk

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The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · 2d

A number of organisations have launched the Libraries Alliance and called on the government to work with them to publish a new Vision for Libraries 👇 #BookSky

Library bodies form Libraries Alliance in 'pivotal' moment for sector

ebx.sh

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SGSAH @sgsah.bsky.social · 2d

PhDs — a quick reminder about this job opportunity! Applications are still open until Thursday 16th October, so there’s still time to apply. ⤵️

SGSAH @sgsah.bsky.social · 22d

🌍 We’re hiring! 🌍

SGSAH seeks a doctoral researcher in the Arts & Humanities to coordinate impact activities from the EARTH Scholarships (2023–25), incl. a 2026 symposium + report.

Apply by 16 Oct 👉 www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/sgsah-ea...

@britishcouncil.bsky.social

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Cambridge University Library @theul.bsky.social · 2d

Celebrating archival collections in Cambridge and beyond, join us for the 2025 Sandars Lecture Series by Joan Winterkorn MBE.
11 & 12 November, 5-6pm.
🎟️ Book your free tickets: https://loom.ly/Du7jSUs

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The Edinburgh Reporter @edinreporter.bsky.social · 2d

Petition to make Edinburgh Council plant-based

A petition to make all food at council events and meetings plant-based is set to be considered by councillors. In 2023, the council voted to sign a ‘plant-based treaty’, which supports moving towards plant-based food and ‘awareness raising’ around the…

Petition to make Edinburgh Council plant-based

A petition to make all food at council events and meetings plant-based is set to be considered by councillors. In 2023, the council voted to sign a ‘plant-based treaty’, which supports moving towards plant-based food and ‘awareness raising’ around the climate impact of meat. But campaigners say that it does not go far enough, and that the council should move to plant-based meals entirely in some areas.

theedinburghreporter.co.uk

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Good Law Project @goodlawproject.bsky.social · 3d

“The UK’s net zero economy grew by 10 percent in 2024, employing almost a million people in full-time jobs.”

Reform want to ditch renewables for fossil fuels. Not even the oil & gas industry thinks it’s a good idea:
https://bit.ly/46LOfGc

Oil and Gas Trade Group Blasts Reform’s Anti-Renewables Agenda

LIVERPOOL – The UK’s largest oil and gas trade body has criticised Reform UK’s plans to “turn off the tap” on renewable energy. Nigel Farage’s party has tried to present itself as the oil and gas indu...

www.desmog.com

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The Ferret @theferret.scot · 3d

“We just need to turn off the tap of these chemicals”
theferret.scot/orkne...

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BHL Australia @bhl-au.bsky.social · 3d

It’s #WorldAlgaeDay! What better day to celebrate the work of Irish phycologist William Henry Harvey. These images are drawn from the first volume of Harvey’s “Phycologia Australica”. To compile his works, Harvey travelled the world collecting specimens.

www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/3809423

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Botanical Society of Scotland @botsocscot.bsky.social · 3d

Enjoy and evening out at the BSS Lecture Series 2025 with Prof. Spencer Barrett...

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Natalie Bennett @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social · 3d

Reminder: no one is safe until everyone is safe. And Americans are now significantly less safe

Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 4d

They have fired the staff of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and 70 Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, who are disease detectives that respond to outbreaks around the world.

I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous it is to dismantle our disease surveillance infrastructure.

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Michael Spicer @michaelspicer.bsky.social · 4d

stop thinking right now

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The British Academy @britishacademy.bsky.social · 5d

Bringing together stories of environment and Empire, genocide and ecocide, war and peace – Sunil Amrith's The Burning Earth is a razor-sharp study of accountability for the climate crisis.

The Burning Earth is shortlisted for the British Academy Book Prize. Learn more here https://bit.ly/3WsTunW

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The Linnean Society of London @linneansociety.bsky.social · 5d

Step inside the world of green careers: from hidden paths you’ve never considered, to hands-on roles shaping the future of our planet. Talk to the people already out there and hear how they got their start. Build practical skills that help you move forward and look great on your CV.

buff.ly/jnpm93w

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Curlew Action @curlewaction.bsky.social · 5d

Today (date), the Slender-billed Curlew was declared extinct. The first bird extinction on mainland Europe in 500 years — on our watch. Extinction is final. No going back. Think about that.

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Biodiversity Heritage Library @biodivlibrary.bsky.social · 5d

Devastating news: the Slender-billed Curlew has just been declared extinct. This Slender-billed Curlew is from "A history of the birds of Europe, not observed in the British Isles" (1863). #SciArt by Benjamin Fawcett #ExtinctionIsForever www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42530095

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Good Law Project @goodlawproject.bsky.social · 5d

Rather than investing in our recycling industry – which could create 5,000 jobs, as well as having an environmental benefit – the UK is dumping more and more plastic waste on other countries.

It’s shortsighted, it’s irresponsible, and it’s immoral.
https://bit.ly/437k75H

Britain missing out on potential £2bn recycling industry by exporting plastic waste

Exclusive: Government failure to close loophole allows 600,000 tonnes to be shipped elsewhere each year

www.theguardian.com

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Trees for Life @treesforlife.bsky.social · 5d

Spending time in nature isn’t just good for our bodies - it’s great for our minds too. 💚 On #WorldMentalHealthDay, take a moment to step outside: listen to the birds, wander through your local woods, or simply pause and breathe.

When we notice & care for nature, we all benefit. 🌱
#NatureConnection

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SW20ed #Edinburgh @sw20.info · 6d

When telling motorists they can’t pass is so important, you block the only pavement for anyone else who wants to get past too!

#motornormativity in action @ianwalker.bsky.social!

“Road ahead closed” sign blocking the only pavement on a street.

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Mark Nesbitt @marknesbitt.bsky.social · 5d

Interesting, free online meeting on Sustainability in Archives, Heritage and Research Organisations, 22nd October 2025. Book by 17/10: url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/bI7iCLvRZH...

‘Places, Plants and People’ an event from PPPAN and ARA ESG

Discussions exploring how archives, heritage, and research organisations are addressing sustainability and environmental engagement.

url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com

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WeDigBio @wedigbio.bsky.social · 6d

Plants to Pixels is an initiative to preserve herbariums around the world! With the help of volunteers like you, we can provide essential data to conservationists. Head to wedigbio.org for more

#conservation #botany #wedigbio #notesfromnature

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Edinburgh Journal of Botany @ejbotany.bsky.social · 7d

Marking 125 years of #EJBotany #OpenAccess and its forerunner, Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, we are delighted to announce that ALL content is now freely available at journals.rbge.org.uk/notes and journals.rbge.org.uk/ejb

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