Sarah
@sarahhopkins.bsky.social
Nature, books and the arts, current affairs and social justice. Disabled, chronic illness and housebound, sustained by a curious mind.
No DMs please.
No DMs please.
Reposted by Sarah
‘They can’t take away your imagination and creativity’: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on how sewing helped her in Iran jail
‘They can’t take away your imagination and creativity’: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on how sewing helped her in Iran jail
Zaghari-Ratcliffe made clothes for her daughter while waiting for her eventual release. Now, the idea of creativity as a form of resistance is the theme of a new collaboration between London’s Imperial War Museum and the fabric department of Liberty.
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:30 AM
‘They can’t take away your imagination and creativity’: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on how sewing helped her in Iran jail
Reposted by Sarah
Greetings from Kyiv.
Ukraine was under a massive russian attack last night.
The target was critical infrastructure.
No power at home (rolling outages).
So, warcoffee time
Ukraine was under a massive russian attack last night.
The target was critical infrastructure.
No power at home (rolling outages).
So, warcoffee time
December 6, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Greetings from Kyiv.
Ukraine was under a massive russian attack last night.
The target was critical infrastructure.
No power at home (rolling outages).
So, warcoffee time
Ukraine was under a massive russian attack last night.
The target was critical infrastructure.
No power at home (rolling outages).
So, warcoffee time
Reposted by Sarah
The Sixth Window. The Morning of the Feast of Saint Nicholas. The turret clock in St Thomas's had just rung five, and everyone in Watercress Lane was still asleep, apart from a young mouse in Medewort Cottage.
December 6, 2025 at 9:36 AM
The Sixth Window. The Morning of the Feast of Saint Nicholas. The turret clock in St Thomas's had just rung five, and everyone in Watercress Lane was still asleep, apart from a young mouse in Medewort Cottage.
Reposted by Sarah
This is important.
russia’s full-scale war has already caused over UAH 6 trillion (about $144 billion) in environmental damage to Ukraine.
It’s the largest ecological destruction in Europe in modern history.
russia’s full-scale war has already caused over UAH 6 trillion (about $144 billion) in environmental damage to Ukraine.
It’s the largest ecological destruction in Europe in modern history.
December 5, 2025 at 9:38 PM
This is important.
russia’s full-scale war has already caused over UAH 6 trillion (about $144 billion) in environmental damage to Ukraine.
It’s the largest ecological destruction in Europe in modern history.
russia’s full-scale war has already caused over UAH 6 trillion (about $144 billion) in environmental damage to Ukraine.
It’s the largest ecological destruction in Europe in modern history.
Reposted by Sarah
#Kyiv after Russian attack
"This Saturday morning I could have spent with my children at the playground or at the cinema. Instead, after 10 hours in a bomb shelter due to a massive air attack on Kyiv, I came to my son’s school to collect the shattered glass",Veronika Velch said
📹Veronika Velch
"This Saturday morning I could have spent with my children at the playground or at the cinema. Instead, after 10 hours in a bomb shelter due to a massive air attack on Kyiv, I came to my son’s school to collect the shattered glass",Veronika Velch said
📹Veronika Velch
November 29, 2025 at 5:59 PM
#Kyiv after Russian attack
"This Saturday morning I could have spent with my children at the playground or at the cinema. Instead, after 10 hours in a bomb shelter due to a massive air attack on Kyiv, I came to my son’s school to collect the shattered glass",Veronika Velch said
📹Veronika Velch
"This Saturday morning I could have spent with my children at the playground or at the cinema. Instead, after 10 hours in a bomb shelter due to a massive air attack on Kyiv, I came to my son’s school to collect the shattered glass",Veronika Velch said
📹Veronika Velch
Reposted by Sarah
Less than 1000 signatures to go
Just 13k more signatures and the call for a public inquiry into Russian interference has to be debate in Parliament
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Less than 1000 signatures to go
Reposted by Sarah
Mornin’.
Spend a minute or so with this little dude.
You’ll be better for it.
No bullshit.
No pretence.
No ego.
No lies.
No violence.
No AI.
No scams.
No sides.
A robin taking a bath.
Pure.
Simple.
Beautiful.
Nature.
Something we can all agree on?
#nature
#robin
#WorldBeeSanctuary
#saturday
Spend a minute or so with this little dude.
You’ll be better for it.
No bullshit.
No pretence.
No ego.
No lies.
No violence.
No AI.
No scams.
No sides.
A robin taking a bath.
Pure.
Simple.
Beautiful.
Nature.
Something we can all agree on?
#nature
#robin
#WorldBeeSanctuary
#saturday
November 29, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Mornin’.
Spend a minute or so with this little dude.
You’ll be better for it.
No bullshit.
No pretence.
No ego.
No lies.
No violence.
No AI.
No scams.
No sides.
A robin taking a bath.
Pure.
Simple.
Beautiful.
Nature.
Something we can all agree on?
#nature
#robin
#WorldBeeSanctuary
#saturday
Spend a minute or so with this little dude.
You’ll be better for it.
No bullshit.
No pretence.
No ego.
No lies.
No violence.
No AI.
No scams.
No sides.
A robin taking a bath.
Pure.
Simple.
Beautiful.
Nature.
Something we can all agree on?
#nature
#robin
#WorldBeeSanctuary
#saturday
This thread 🧵
Hard-hitting truth-telling from UCL Prof Anthony Costello….
“The Covid Public Inquiry is a devastating critique of medical advisers, civil servants and politicians who led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century. More than 230,000 deaths.”
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
“The Covid Public Inquiry is a devastating critique of medical advisers, civil servants and politicians who led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century. More than 230,000 deaths.”
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
230,000 Deaths and the ‘Calculated Silence’ of the Medical Establishment About the COVID Inquiry
The Covid Inquiry Report is a devastating critique of the medical establishment which led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century, argues Anthony Costello
www.bylinesupplement.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:03 AM
This thread 🧵
Reposted by Sarah
I saw it today.
This painting was created by 🇺🇦 17-year-old Sofia Borozenets.
‘Never Again?’
2022
This painting was created by 🇺🇦 17-year-old Sofia Borozenets.
‘Never Again?’
2022
November 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I saw it today.
This painting was created by 🇺🇦 17-year-old Sofia Borozenets.
‘Never Again?’
2022
This painting was created by 🇺🇦 17-year-old Sofia Borozenets.
‘Never Again?’
2022
Reposted by Sarah
Kyiv today.
The harder the attack,
the more determined I am to look for something good.
Christmas magic in the windows of a central department store –
installations inspired by the works of Grasya Oliyko,
a Ukrainian illustrator.
The harder the attack,
the more determined I am to look for something good.
Christmas magic in the windows of a central department store –
installations inspired by the works of Grasya Oliyko,
a Ukrainian illustrator.
November 25, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Kyiv today.
The harder the attack,
the more determined I am to look for something good.
Christmas magic in the windows of a central department store –
installations inspired by the works of Grasya Oliyko,
a Ukrainian illustrator.
The harder the attack,
the more determined I am to look for something good.
Christmas magic in the windows of a central department store –
installations inspired by the works of Grasya Oliyko,
a Ukrainian illustrator.
Reposted by Sarah
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Sarah
First bird of my day: a rook in a muddy field, the long feathers on its legs like pantaloons blowing in the wind. #FirstBirdOfMyDay #WhatsYours
November 24, 2025 at 7:57 AM
First bird of my day: a rook in a muddy field, the long feathers on its legs like pantaloons blowing in the wind. #FirstBirdOfMyDay #WhatsYours
Reposted by Sarah
1) Start the worst European war since 1945 and commit every imaginable war crime
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
November 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
1) Start the worst European war since 1945 and commit every imaginable war crime
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
Please don’t look away.
Read this powerful poignant letter about the children of Ukraine.
Read this powerful poignant letter about the children of Ukraine.
You can read. Or scroll past.
You can stay. Or unfollow.
You can look into the eyes of truth. Or turn away.
Sunday Letter from Ukraine:
www.patreon.com/posts/144205...
You can stay. Or unfollow.
You can look into the eyes of truth. Or turn away.
Sunday Letter from Ukraine:
www.patreon.com/posts/144205...
November 23, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Please don’t look away.
Read this powerful poignant letter about the children of Ukraine.
Read this powerful poignant letter about the children of Ukraine.
Reposted by Sarah
On Holodomor Remembrance Day, Ukrainians light a candle at 4 pm
and place it on the windowsill to honor the millions who died in the 1932-1933 famine.
🕯️4 pm in Ukraine
and place it on the windowsill to honor the millions who died in the 1932-1933 famine.
🕯️4 pm in Ukraine
November 22, 2025 at 2:07 PM
On Holodomor Remembrance Day, Ukrainians light a candle at 4 pm
and place it on the windowsill to honor the millions who died in the 1932-1933 famine.
🕯️4 pm in Ukraine
and place it on the windowsill to honor the millions who died in the 1932-1933 famine.
🕯️4 pm in Ukraine
Good article except for the last point. I don’t think you should ever name a new law after a perpetrator.
“The heroes of the Covid story are science and the NHS (and immigration, as even Johnson attested to, given the international healthcare team who treated him for severe Covid in hospital),” writes @profdevisridhar.bsky.social. Wise words as always www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Vote for competent leaders, not entertainers – that’s what I wish the Covid report could say | Devi Sridhar
To prevent a future pandemic we’d need agile leadership, smart decision-making, humility and trustworthiness. How does one build those into a political system, asks Prof Devi Sridhar, chair of global ...
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Good article except for the last point. I don’t think you should ever name a new law after a perpetrator.
Reposted by Sarah
I don’t know what to say anymore other than to remind those in power that refugees are human beings with equal rights who, along with their children, deserve a safe, stable & integrated life in their communities and that what they’re breaking now with this performative cruelty can’t be fixed later.
The Labour government does not want to rule out deporting somebody once here as a refugee 16-19 years with a British-born 15 year old child
November 19, 2025 at 6:55 AM
I don’t know what to say anymore other than to remind those in power that refugees are human beings with equal rights who, along with their children, deserve a safe, stable & integrated life in their communities and that what they’re breaking now with this performative cruelty can’t be fixed later.
Reposted by Sarah
People of Scotland. Nature Needs You. And swift bricks could be mandated in Scotland if we work together now. The RSPB Scotland has this e-action for anyone based in Scotland action.rspb.org.uk/page/181323/...
Ask your MSP to act for Scotland's wildlife.
MSPs will debate one of the most important nature bills in a generation on the 19th of November.
Take action and make sure they back a strong Bill that protects wildlife, not weakens it.
action.rspb.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 8:03 AM
People of Scotland. Nature Needs You. And swift bricks could be mandated in Scotland if we work together now. The RSPB Scotland has this e-action for anyone based in Scotland action.rspb.org.uk/page/181323/...
Reposted by Sarah
The most differentiated and thoughtful write up of Labours new immigration policy by @stephenkb.bsky.social this morning.
#giftlink
#giftlink
Labour needs a way out of the infernal circle of immigration policy
Politics today is about ‘open vs closed’, but the UK government’s approach risks appeasing no one
on.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:58 AM
The most differentiated and thoughtful write up of Labours new immigration policy by @stephenkb.bsky.social this morning.
#giftlink
#giftlink
Reposted by Sarah
2015 Shabana Mahmood really needs to have a word with 2025 Shabana Mahmood
November 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
2015 Shabana Mahmood really needs to have a word with 2025 Shabana Mahmood
This is such a powerful thread.
‘You can’t build a future on a fault line’.
‘You can’t build a future on a fault line’.
I came to this country as a child refugee. No English, no certainty, no idea what my life could become. Britain gave me refuge.
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 7:28 PM
This is such a powerful thread.
‘You can’t build a future on a fault line’.
‘You can’t build a future on a fault line’.
Reposted by Sarah
Kyiv, Sophia Square today.
The annual “Empty Chairs” event –
in support of journalists, writers, and cultural figures
missing, imprisoned, or held captive
because of russia’s war against Ukraine.
I was there. I want the world to see.
The annual “Empty Chairs” event –
in support of journalists, writers, and cultural figures
missing, imprisoned, or held captive
because of russia’s war against Ukraine.
I was there. I want the world to see.
November 15, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Kyiv, Sophia Square today.
The annual “Empty Chairs” event –
in support of journalists, writers, and cultural figures
missing, imprisoned, or held captive
because of russia’s war against Ukraine.
I was there. I want the world to see.
The annual “Empty Chairs” event –
in support of journalists, writers, and cultural figures
missing, imprisoned, or held captive
because of russia’s war against Ukraine.
I was there. I want the world to see.
Reposted by Sarah
November 12, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Reposted by Sarah
BREAKING: Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden announces the government will reconsider whether to award compensation to Waspi women
He said new evidence has emerged as part of the legal proceedings challenging the government's decision
He said new evidence has emerged as part of the legal proceedings challenging the government's decision
November 11, 2025 at 6:27 PM
BREAKING: Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden announces the government will reconsider whether to award compensation to Waspi women
He said new evidence has emerged as part of the legal proceedings challenging the government's decision
He said new evidence has emerged as part of the legal proceedings challenging the government's decision
Reposted by Sarah
Absolutely disgusted to hear about the racism Wes Streeting mentions here directed at school children who were visiting Parliament.
He has taken the post down, rightly, to protect the children.
But it's wrong that he had to do it.
Disgusted with so many people in our country. Racism is never OK.
He has taken the post down, rightly, to protect the children.
But it's wrong that he had to do it.
Disgusted with so many people in our country. Racism is never OK.
November 11, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Absolutely disgusted to hear about the racism Wes Streeting mentions here directed at school children who were visiting Parliament.
He has taken the post down, rightly, to protect the children.
But it's wrong that he had to do it.
Disgusted with so many people in our country. Racism is never OK.
He has taken the post down, rightly, to protect the children.
But it's wrong that he had to do it.
Disgusted with so many people in our country. Racism is never OK.