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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 8h

I'm not sure of the timescale, but the government is edging closer to the EU.

On Johnson and Farage, I can only hope that the first stays out of UK politics forever and that Farage gets his fingers burnt in four years' time, hopefully much sooner.

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 9h

Rachel Reeves iis right to cite Brexit as one of the economic reasons that will affect her Budget decisions:

www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

Brexit has had ‘severe and long lasting’ impact on economy, says Reeves, as she confirms budget tax rises – UK politics live

Chancellor cites the UK’s exit from EU alongside austerity and Truss’s mini-budget as issues affecting economy

www.theguardian.com

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 9h

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Jeremy Bowen's current view:

Trump's role in Gaza ceasefire was decisive, but not a roadmap to peace

Trump's Middle East visit was a victory lap - but peace does not emerge just because a president decides it.

www.bbc.co.uk

C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 9h

Some sticking points during the delicate ceasefire are inevitable, as Jeremy Bowen has said on BBC Radio 4 this morning. He also had concerns about the rest of Trump's 20-point plan and achievability. These are some of the ceasefire concerns:

www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

Gaza ceasefire live: Israel says one of the bodies handed over by Hamas is not a hostage amid reports vital aid crossing to reopen

Israel previously said the flow of aid would be cut by half and Rafah crossing would not open as planned due to delay in returning bodies of hostages

www.theguardian.com

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 1d

www.soglos.com/news/culture...

Gloucester Library opening date at University of Gloucestershire City Campus revealed

Following its move to the brand-new university City Campus, Gloucester Library's brand-new facilities are set to start welcoming visitors this autumn.

www.soglos.com

C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 1d

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The war in Gaza is over, says Trump. Now who will be responsible for maintaining the peace? | Roy Schwartz

Israelis believe their interests are better served by Washington than Jerusalem. But will Trump and Netanyahu’s focus change now the hostages are home? asks Roy Schwartz, senior editor at Haaretz

www.theguardian.com

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 1d

The wild celebrations, as the Israel/Hamas war enters a ceasefire period, are totally understandable, but there are doubts about all of Trump's 20-point peace plan being feasible:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The Guardian view on peace in Gaza: the relief is real, but Trump’s promise of a ‘golden age’ rings hollow | Editorial

Editorial: Hostage and prisoner releases are bringing joy to families. But there is no guarantee that the ceasefire will end Palestinian suffering

www.theguardian.com

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 4d

My office as a Group Libarian was in the old building. All libraries in the Gloucester environs and those in the Forest of Dean, together with two mobile libraries, came under my leadership and management. This new library is a great development.

www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gcc-news/new...

‘Pass the Book’ – Gloucester’s library celebrates a historic day | Gloucestershire County Council

www.gloucestershire.gov.uk

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 5d

I agree about McSweeney, though he isn't a fool, but he does have an agenda. Elsewhere, I've expressed an alternative view to yours, and it may be with the new civil servants in place, McSweeney's time will be up soon, and I hope so.

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 5d

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

‘It’s over! It’s over!’ they shout, but people here in Gaza still fear what the future may bring | Hassan Abo Qamar

Phase one of Donald Trump’s peace plan has brought joy and relief, yet it’s hard to believe this fragile peace will last, says Palestinian writer and journalist Hassan Abo Qamar

www.theguardian.com

C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 5d

Yes, and I believe it will eventaully happen, but not in Starmer's first term. He.s doing all the ground work though.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

We all know Brexit’s to blame for the crisis facing UK steel – it’s time for politicians to be honest and reverse it | Simon Jenkins

With British industry faltering, the excuse that the public wants this is risible. Parliament must force Starmer to act, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins

www.theguardian.com

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 5d

Starmer is criticised for constanly improving the status quo in his government. In his first term he needs to represent a centrist position, whilst his policies are based on social cohesiveness. The two are not in opposition, but misunderstood by the media.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Starmer accused of pushing out some of last progressive allies in No 10 shake-up

Exclusive: PM reorganising key parts of government to give chief secretary Darren Jones more Whitehall control

www.theguardian.com

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 5d

Trump should now pivet towards Ukraine during the Zelenskyy meeting, together with those European leaders who have increased their own financial and security support. If he does that and succeeds, he may well get the peace prize he so craves, deserved or not.

www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

Power returns after Kyiv plunged into darkness by ‘massive’ Russian attack on Ukraine energy sector – Europe live

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia used over 450 drones and 30 missiles in a country-wide attack

www.theguardian.com

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 5d

Good that the Israeli government has approved the ceasefire but there's still a long way to go and patient determination from all those involved will be necessary.

www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

Gaza ceasefire has now come into effect, Israel’s military says – live

Ceasefire came into effect at midday local time

www.theguardian.com

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 6d

Ceasefire in Gaza. Not to get too relieved because it's a delicate situation, but at least the killing has stopped and the rest of the peace plancan now be discussed between all supportive partners in the Middle East and make it happen.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

‘First phase’ of ceasefire deal to end war in Gaza agreed by Israel and Hamas

Donald Trump announces that all hostages will be released ‘very soon’ and Israel will withdraw troops to an agreed upon line

www.theguardian.com

C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 7d

An incredibly hurtful figure 18, 457: the number of children killed in Gaza. It's almost unimaginable for Gazans, who are still suffering under Israel's attacks. And it's not about Jews. It's about raging politics from those in power on both sides of terrorism.

www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...

Young lives cut short on an unimaginable scale: the 18,457 children on Gaza’s list of war dead

Every name on a list compiled by health authorities in Gaza of the child victims of Israel’s offensive

www.theguardian.com

C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 7d

The American Internet Archive (IA) has been under attack from publishers and record labels because of its open access policies, but the Archive continues to flourish and a new European version, based in Amsterdam, is another healthy sign.
I've used the IA many times.

mailchi.mp/6727300b9f36...

Peek Behind the Shelves of the Internet Archive

mailchi.mp

C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 7d

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

I know the real Handsworth – it’s a far better place than Robert Jenrick’s toxic vision of Britain | Nazia Parveen

The shadow justice secretary complained of a lack of integration in an area that has shown, time and time again, that it is for everyone, says Nazia Parveen, an assistant managing editor at the Guardi...

www.theguardian.com

C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 7d

I watched this worrying documentary last night. As a retired librarian it made me shudder. McCarthyism applied to culture and just as brutal. On school libraries, but we know that Trump's culture wars include all libraries, archives and universities.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Storyville - The Librarians

A Storyville documentary that explores how librarians across the US are risking their safety to defend free speech as book bans and censorship threaten democracy from within.

www.bbc.co.uk

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 8d

The madness of Jenrick: is he now a Whig? The Whigs ran a one-party state, which he would love, but their politics would be too liberal for his far right views I suspect. He clearly admires Trump's views on judges and will add to the Tories' demise.

www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

Jenrick accused of racism over ‘no white faces’ comments and his attack on judges labelled ‘serious mistake’ – UK politics live

Labour mayor of the West Midlands says Jenrick’s comments about Handsworth were racist

www.theguardian.com

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 8d

Poppy Noor of the Guardian makes a crass distinction with regard to the Home Secretary: the freer responsibilities of a backbench MP cannot be compared with someone in a senior Government role.

www.jewishnews.co.uk/starmer-call...

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Starmer calls again for investigation into killings of Gaza medics as he is grilled by MPs - Jewish News

The PM told the Liaison Committee while moves towards a two-state solution seemed 'remote today' the UK 'needs to put our foot in the door for a process'

www.jewishnews.co.uk

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C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 9d

The 1979 TV mini-series with David Soul and James Mason was much better.

C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 9d

To be honest I much preferred the one with Jeff Goldblum which benefitted with enhanced special effects and some humour, always necessary in the best horrors.

C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 9d

To be honest I much preferred the TV mini-series with David Soul. The scene where the vampire boy is floating outside his friend's window was terrifying and James Mason was perfect as the horrific vampire Mr Barlow's helpmate.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem%2...

Salem's Lot (1979 miniseries) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

C John Hughes @pen0lver.bsky.social · 9d

The 1958 original was good with David/Al Hedison (Brundle) and Vincent Price, but the one with Jeff Goldblum as Brundle was much better:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fly...

The Fly (1986 film) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org