Alistair Hammond
@alistairhammond.bsky.social
Comms person. Writer. Former Indonesia correspondent for #Bloomberg, head of comms #Unilabs. Currently head of financial comms for the #CofE.
Petition to put @t0nyyates.bsky.social in charge for a memorable afternoon, no take-backsies
Today's Greenland letter provides Starmer with another opportunity like the Trump-Zelensky Oval Office spat.
January 19, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Petition to put @t0nyyates.bsky.social in charge for a memorable afternoon, no take-backsies
Reposted by Alistair Hammond
Iran!
Protests are spreading across Iran for a fourth day, with demonstrators calling for the end of the Islamic regime and demanding the return of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. A member of the Basij force was killed in Kouhdasht, Lorestan, and confrontations are flaring in Fars, Hamedan, and Tehran.
January 1, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Iran!
Reposted by Alistair Hammond
Know Your Time-Related Abbreviations
B.C. - before christ
A.D. - after dhrist
A.M. - after midnight
P.M. - pefore midnight
B.C. - before christ
A.D. - after dhrist
A.M. - after midnight
P.M. - pefore midnight
December 28, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Know Your Time-Related Abbreviations
B.C. - before christ
A.D. - after dhrist
A.M. - after midnight
P.M. - pefore midnight
B.C. - before christ
A.D. - after dhrist
A.M. - after midnight
P.M. - pefore midnight
This is very shrewd.
I think the best way to explain the X vs Bluesky preference is whether a person thinks the left is more annoying than the right is dangerous.
The reason so many Noah Smiths end up on the X side of that equation is that while the left annoys them personally, the right mostly endangers other people.
The reason so many Noah Smiths end up on the X side of that equation is that while the left annoys them personally, the right mostly endangers other people.
December 15, 2025 at 11:15 PM
This is very shrewd.
Reposted by Alistair Hammond
SKULL OF THOMAS AQUINAS: TAKE A LEFT NOW
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
'Skull of St. Thomas Aquinas being transported to Fossanova Abbey.'
Photograph by Daniel Ibanez
Photograph by Daniel Ibanez
December 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
SKULL OF THOMAS AQUINAS: TAKE A LEFT NOW
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
Reposted by Alistair Hammond
Quelle joie de recevoir ce coq, symbole de la résistance ukrainienne.
En 2022, une photo avait fait le tour du monde en montrant ce coq en céramique indemne après une attaque de missile russe contre un immeuble de la petite ville ukrainienne de Borodianka.
En 2022, une photo avait fait le tour du monde en montrant ce coq en céramique indemne après une attaque de missile russe contre un immeuble de la petite ville ukrainienne de Borodianka.
December 2, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Quelle joie de recevoir ce coq, symbole de la résistance ukrainienne.
En 2022, une photo avait fait le tour du monde en montrant ce coq en céramique indemne après une attaque de missile russe contre un immeuble de la petite ville ukrainienne de Borodianka.
En 2022, une photo avait fait le tour du monde en montrant ce coq en céramique indemne après une attaque de missile russe contre un immeuble de la petite ville ukrainienne de Borodianka.
Reposted by Alistair Hammond
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Reposted by Alistair Hammond
The Bishop of Norwich has taken aim at the Home Office’s asylum reforms, warning they’ll make integration harder and deepen division. A rare intervention – and a sharp one.
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
New: Bishop warns asylum plans will fuel division
A senior Church of England bishop has criticised government asylum reforms, warning they will make integration significantly harder
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The Bishop of Norwich has taken aim at the Home Office’s asylum reforms, warning they’ll make integration harder and deepen division. A rare intervention – and a sharp one.
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Reposted by Alistair Hammond
Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
In 2022, Artur and his father, Oleg, both took up arms.
But, while Artur went to fight for Ukraine, Oleg took the occupier's side.
Artur's sister discusses the messages her family sent when it was torn apart by Russia.
In 2022, Artur and his father, Oleg, both took up arms.
But, while Artur went to fight for Ukraine, Oleg took the occupier's side.
Artur's sister discusses the messages her family sent when it was torn apart by Russia.
Why the war won’t end anytime soon
The Russian invasion has turned once-close family members against each other. We take an inside look into one family’s texts, as the war tore them apart.
www.counteroffensive.news
November 18, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
In 2022, Artur and his father, Oleg, both took up arms.
But, while Artur went to fight for Ukraine, Oleg took the occupier's side.
Artur's sister discusses the messages her family sent when it was torn apart by Russia.
In 2022, Artur and his father, Oleg, both took up arms.
But, while Artur went to fight for Ukraine, Oleg took the occupier's side.
Artur's sister discusses the messages her family sent when it was torn apart by Russia.
Reposted by Alistair Hammond
Which ancient Egyptian was most modest about their views?
Imho tep
Imho tep
November 14, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Which ancient Egyptian was most modest about their views?
Imho tep
Imho tep
Reposted by Alistair Hammond
November 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Today in teenage I learnt 'chopped and also unc'
it means ugly and also old
it means ugly and also old
a man wearing a music band shirt is holding a skateboard over his shoulder
ALT: a man wearing a music band shirt is holding a skateboard over his shoulder
media.tenor.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Today in teenage I learnt 'chopped and also unc'
it means ugly and also old
it means ugly and also old
Reposted by Alistair Hammond
Dear GOD if you want to save money in the asylum system
1. LET ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK
2. FAST TRACK STATUS FOR EVERYONE FROM CLEARLY UNDAFE COUNTRIES like Sudan, Syria, etc
3. Run an asylum accommodation system that is NOT FOR PROFIT #r4today
1. LET ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK
2. FAST TRACK STATUS FOR EVERYONE FROM CLEARLY UNDAFE COUNTRIES like Sudan, Syria, etc
3. Run an asylum accommodation system that is NOT FOR PROFIT #r4today
November 7, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Dear GOD if you want to save money in the asylum system
1. LET ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK
2. FAST TRACK STATUS FOR EVERYONE FROM CLEARLY UNDAFE COUNTRIES like Sudan, Syria, etc
3. Run an asylum accommodation system that is NOT FOR PROFIT #r4today
1. LET ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK
2. FAST TRACK STATUS FOR EVERYONE FROM CLEARLY UNDAFE COUNTRIES like Sudan, Syria, etc
3. Run an asylum accommodation system that is NOT FOR PROFIT #r4today
Reposted by Alistair Hammond
House prices have gone up in the French town of Sauté since it's become gentlyfried.
November 6, 2025 at 11:28 AM
House prices have gone up in the French town of Sauté since it's become gentlyfried.
A masterclass in forensic examination of an argument by @alanlester.bsky.social. Worth reading in full. It's very good.
Oh and @ottoenglish.bsky.social might enjoy.
Oh and @ottoenglish.bsky.social might enjoy.
Most of the historical & moral arguments against reparations avoid the issue and revive justifications for colonialism instead: bellacaledonia.org.uk/2025/11/04/t...
The Empire is Alive and Kicking and its Legacy Still With Us
The Empire is Alive and Kicking and its Legacy Still With Us Nigel Biggar, Reparations: Slavery and the Tyranny of Imaginary Guilt, Forum, £20. Review by Alan Lester Nigel Biggar is the right-wing’…
bellacaledonia.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM
A masterclass in forensic examination of an argument by @alanlester.bsky.social. Worth reading in full. It's very good.
Oh and @ottoenglish.bsky.social might enjoy.
Oh and @ottoenglish.bsky.social might enjoy.
Oh London ...
The European Commission will propose a sweeping package of reforms in a bid to break down national boundaries and create a deeper financial market to rival that of the United States.
EU will move to take on Wall Street with major financial reform proposals
The Commission is planning to redraw rules for financial markets in a bid to boost the EU’s global competitiveness.
www.politico.eu
October 27, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Oh London ...
Klaus Doldinger! #legend
The composer of the ‘Das Boot’ movie soundtrack has died aged 89 on October 16th.
For us who grew up in the 1980s in West Germany, Das Boot was one of the defining movies of that era. Its haunting soundtrack must have been the first album that I owned.
🕯️ R.I.P. Klaus Doldinger (1936-2025).
For us who grew up in the 1980s in West Germany, Das Boot was one of the defining movies of that era. Its haunting soundtrack must have been the first album that I owned.
🕯️ R.I.P. Klaus Doldinger (1936-2025).
Das boot - Klaus Doldinger Soundtrack[HD]
YouTube video by Fillipp Tomsen
m.youtube.com
October 18, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Klaus Doldinger! #legend
Reposted by Alistair Hammond
My cartoon for this week’s @newscientist.com
October 12, 2025 at 9:25 AM
My cartoon for this week’s @newscientist.com
#Science = the best!
🧬 Universal kidney transplant breakthrough
Scientists transplanted the first kidney converted to a 'universal' type O organ using an enzyme to remove type-A antigens. This could ease donor shortages and reduce wait times.
🔗 doi.org/10.1038/d415...
#SciComm #Medicine 🧪
Scientists transplanted the first kidney converted to a 'universal' type O organ using an enzyme to remove type-A antigens. This could ease donor shortages and reduce wait times.
🔗 doi.org/10.1038/d415...
#SciComm #Medicine 🧪
First human transplant of kidney modified to have ‘universal’ blood type
Recipient diagnosed with brain death received a type-O organ, which is compatible with all blood types.
doi.org
October 6, 2025 at 9:04 AM
#Science = the best!
Reposted by Alistair Hammond
*Massive* protests in European Georgia. Demonstrators have attempted to storm the Presidential Palace.
The pro-Putin Georgian Dream party which stole the election and has sent out a new wave of riot police.
The pro-Putin Georgian Dream party which stole the election and has sent out a new wave of riot police.
October 4, 2025 at 4:27 PM
*Massive* protests in European Georgia. Demonstrators have attempted to storm the Presidential Palace.
The pro-Putin Georgian Dream party which stole the election and has sent out a new wave of riot police.
The pro-Putin Georgian Dream party which stole the election and has sent out a new wave of riot police.
This is very good
When I was a teenager there was a bus direct from my hometown in Germany to London - we had a British army base, and this direct bus connection was one of the benefits of that. One summer I went on that bus to go volunteer in an old people's home in Southend-on-Sea. I had just turned 18 and was... 🧵
September 29, 2025 at 12:55 PM
This is very good