Norrette M.
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norrette.bsky.social
Norrette M.
@norrette.bsky.social
#UK West London Socialist (Uxb), interested in #art, #history, #gardening and #politics. Ex IT bod. Perpetual OU student for 20 odd years.
Here since Sept 2023
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

For some reason the Reichstag fire of convenience comes to mind...
Deadline nears for release of Epstein files – what we know so far
Justice department must release most documents by Friday, and failure to do so would provoke a firestorm
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Very odd to pre-announce what turned out to be a boring speech to the nation.

Did they block him from saying "and so, subsequently, this country is at war....with the rest of the world" or something?
December 18, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Reposted by Norrette M.
BREAKING: Quesser Zuhrah is taken to hospital after crowds gathered at HMP Bronzefield following her rapid health deterioration after 46days of hunger strike.

There are seven more hunger strikers currently facing critical health deterioration. Support them by visiting PrisonersForPalestine.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Reposted by Norrette M.
There ought to be an alternative World Cup next year. Held in the UK, with teams from all the countries Trump has pissed off.

Speaking of which, his expansion of Visa bans on various countries, means fans unable to visit US games.

#BritishWorldCup coverage by BBC.
December 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Reposted by Norrette M.
Prison denies ambulance to Palestine Action hunger striker in ‘life-threatening state’ - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/prison-denies-ambulance-palestine-action-hunger-striker-life-threatening
Prison denies ambulance to Palestine Action hunger striker in ‘life-threatening state’
<article data-history-node-id="432763" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/prison-denies-ambulance-palestine-action-hunger-striker-life-threatening" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/prison-denies-ambulance-palestine-action-hunger-striker-life-threatening" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Prison denies ambulance to Palestine Action hunger striker in ‘life-threatening state’ </span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>A Palestine Action-affiliated prisoner on hunger strike reported to be in “imminent danger” has been refused an ambulance by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/uk" target="_blank">British&nbsp;</a>prison staff.</p> <p>Friends report that Qesser Zuhrah, who has entered day 46 of her food refusal, is in “imminent danger” and no longer able to stand.&nbsp;</p> <p>But HMP Bronzefield has refused their repeated requests to call an ambulance. Her friends have repeatedly called the South East Coast Ambulance Service, but were told that if one were sent, the prison would turn it away.</p> <p>A spokesperson for the ambulance service told Middle East Eye that they would “not send an ambulance to attend a prison at the request of a third party but would instead work with the prison health team to establish if a response is required”.</p> <p>Ella Moulsdale, Zuhrah’s next of kin, told MEE that she has been on the phone to her since 5pm yesterday, “trying to help her breathe through the pain”.</p> <h3>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/prison-denies-ambulance-palestine-action-hunger-striker-life-threatening-state">Prison denies ambulance to Palestine Action hunger striker in ‘life-threatening state’&nbsp;</a></h3> <figure role="group" class="media-block"> <div class="group-inner"> <div alt="Qesser Zuhrah launched her hunger strike more than 40 days ago and has a family history of heart problems (Supplied)" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a0f975d9-1e93-4d32-8e1c-ebe261abb0c3" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/default/files/images-story/Qesser%20Zuhrah.jpg" width="1920" height="1080" alt="Qesser Zuhrah launched her hunger strike more than 40 days ago and has a family history of heart problems (Supplied)" typeof="foaf:Image" fetchpriority="high"> </div> <figcaption>Qesser Zuhrah launched her hunger strike more than 40 days ago and has a family history of heart problems (Supplied)</figcaption> </div> </figure> <p><span style="background: url(&quot;https://www.middleeasteye.net/modules/contrib/ckeditor/vendor/plugins/widget/images/handle.png&quot;) rgba(220, 220, 220, 0.5); top: -15px; left: 0px;"><img height="15" role="presentation" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" loading="lazy"></span></p> </div> </div> </article>
www.middleeasteye.net
December 17, 2025 at 12:57 PM
M.I.T. Professor Is Fatally Shot in His Home
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:56 AM
The Munroe Doctrine. reborn

Gift Article

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/o...
Opinion | Trump’s Dated Strategy Is Putting Us on a Path to World War III
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:50 AM
🤣😂🤣😂🤣
Monday’s got off to a great start with news that Tommy Robinson is suing Nigel Farage 🤣😂👌🏼

This is definitely a case of “may it be brutal, painful, drawn out, eye wateringly expensive and neither man win” 🍿🍿🍺😄
Tommy Robinson takes legal action against Nigel Farage over 'defamatory claims'
A far-right fall-out, you say? Tommy Robinson is pursuing a legal settlement from Nigel Farage following comments made in January.
www.thelondoneconomic.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:20 AM
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

@darrenpjones.bsky.social

Labour supporters have deserted X. Your stats there will be warped. You should bundle this place in with it.
Starmer’s communications chief to address cabinet on media strategy overhaul
Exclusive: David Dinsmore to advise ministers as they step up efforts to combat far-right rhetoric online
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Damage to Trump's reputation and personal brand occurs everytime he opens his mouth.
December 16, 2025 at 9:42 AM
It's time our governments started ignoring #Trump and working with the GOP direct.

Talk to the organ grinder, not the monkey.

No point wasting time negotiating with the reneger.
December 16, 2025 at 9:33 AM
"...sharp words for privileged resident doctors. “Not many have such a guaranteed very good job and pension for life, starting at £38,000, £109,000 once fully trained.” He thinks they forget their privileged state, out of touch with what others earn in the NHS."

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
‘Improve the NHS fast or people will fall for the charlatans’ – so says a departing trust head. We’d do well to listen | Polly Toynbee
In his 46 years of service, Nick Hulme has seen the best and the worst of the NHS. He issues a stark warning about its future, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Couldn't help counting in the piece from Prof Lynn Duffy re darts. 23 plus "y'know"s 🙂

#bbcR4
December 15, 2025 at 10:48 PM
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Remember back in 1948 at the birth of the NHS? it was the #BMA who DID NOT want a public health system. They'd like to see it die on it's feet.

Trouble is guys - we've all seen "NYE". Behave yourselves.
Resident doctors in England vote to go ahead with strike
Five-day strike to start on Wednesday as Wes Streeting’s offer is overwhelmingly rejected by BMA members
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Having just recovered from 6 days of this flu, I'd say it's almost as bad as Covid. It's NOT scaremongering #BMA
BMA warns of flu 'scaremongering' ahead of doctor strikes — The British Medical Association (BMA) has cautioned against public "scaremongering" regarding the current flu outbreak, as its members prepare to vote on p… https://ranked.news/eng/bma-warns-of-flu-scaremongering-ahead-of-doctor-strikes?u=b
December 13, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Not withstanding it may have been ISIS, pray tell me what US servicemen are doing in the centre of Syria???

Do they think they can prey the planet?
December 13, 2025 at 8:03 PM
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

I extend my sympathies to the winner of this job from hell.
Starmer to pick new US ambassador as relations with Trump tested
Exclusive: a trio of candidates have been interviewed by the PM, but he could still decide to directly appoint someone else
www.theguardian.com
December 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/w...

Do they not have the right to send it where they wish?

Why does America fear socialism so much?
Behind the Seized Venezuelan Tanker, Cuba’s Secret Lifeline
www.nytimes.com
December 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by Norrette M.
Murder rates in comparable US cities.

Look at London?

Anyone who spouts Trumps lies is a traitor.
December 12, 2025 at 12:24 PM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

"...what Trump and his acolytes really dislike about the EU is that it’s one of the few forces on the planet that can curb their power? The EU has muscle...Far better a loose grouping of 27 states he can divide and conquer than a mighty bloc working together."
Donald Trump is pursuing regime change – in Europe | Jonathan Freedland
The US made it clear this week that it plans to help the parties of the European far right gain power. Keir Starmer and his fellow leaders have to face this new reality, writes Guardian columnist Jona...
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:09 PM
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Start of @rutgerbregman.com 's Reith Lectures on the need for a "Moral Revolution"
The Reith Lectures - Rutger Bregman - Moral Revolution - 1. A Time of Monsters - BBC Sounds
Dutch historian Rutger Bregman delivers his first BBC Reith Lecture: Moral Revolution.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 5:27 PM