Jessica Kingsley
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bluewoodsmoke.bsky.social
Jessica Kingsley
@bluewoodsmoke.bsky.social
Former publisher happy to have more time to spend on geeky interests. Pro Europe, Ukraine, anti populism. Interested in things medieval, early English, Byzantine, Daoist. Trying to learn to play the Qin. Live in London.
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
Question in Copenhagen: why is Trump focussed on a Russian threat that doesn't exist (in Greenland) as opposed to one where it does (Ukraine)?
January 19, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
I've just seen Starmer's press conference - and he did, I thought, pretty well.

There was a lot about NATO and the special relationship (ie 'special pleading') but also a lot about the architecture of international law.
January 19, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
The problem Republicans in Congress must now face is however difficult and embarrassing for them, the President is now waving matches round a barrel of gunpowder, (for the US as well) and only they can now take them away from him.
mad king moment

from the PBS Newshour correspondent
January 19, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
A source confirms to me that this disturbing letter from Trump to the Norwegian PM is real.
Not the sort of letter committed to paper by a well man. "Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace"
January 19, 2026 at 7:32 AM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
UK not in the room where it happens
Emergency meeting of EU Member States representatives 5pm today, to discuss relations with the US
January 18, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
He’s gone completely fucking mad
January 17, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
Labour introduce Armed Forces Bill to strengthening support for personnel, families and national security.

It creates the Defence Housing Service, sets the Armed Forces Covenant in law (delivering a manifesto committement), Strengthening the UK’s Strategic Reserve and much more!

Well done Labour!
Armed Forces Bill to strengthening support for personnel, families and national security
Today, the Labour government have introduced a new Armed Forces Bill to Parliament.
open.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
❗️From now on, Zelenskyy will hold daily morning meetings via secure selector with those responsible for restoring power supply in Ukraine and managing the energy sector.
January 15, 2026 at 10:48 PM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
⚡️Ukraine is launching a high-level energy Ramstein summit to mobilize urgent international aid as Russian strikes cripple the nations power grid.
Ukraine to Hold Energy Ramstein Meeting to Tackle Power Crisis
Amid ongoing attacks on its energy facilities, Ukraine is set to coordinate international aid through an upcoming energy “Ramstein” meeting, officials confirm.
united24media.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Machado presented Trump with her Nobel award at White House meeting. Presumably even Trump can see that this is not quite the real thing.
January 15, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
Russia is responsible for so much hurt & damage in Ukraine

..and also in other countries all over the world - and in Russia itself even.

Putin and his mates need to stop.

Wanna help?

Joining the Wild Hornets raffle is a *great* way to do so!
Thank you so much for sharing this, Maartje!🐝

ruzzia murders civilians nonstop with its barrages of up to 800+ drones

Join the Wild Hornets raffle to help the 3rd Assault Brigade keep crushing these terrorists

Epic prizes—gorgeous flag and handcrafted knife!
bsky.app/profile/wild...
January 11, 2026 at 5:39 AM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
Guess what: xAI has done even less to rein in Grok's nasty image generator than headlines suggest.

Turns out not many journalists bothered to do their homework, unlike the Verge, which actually TESTED Grok's restrictions rather than relying on xAI's statement.
In case you've seen the story about “grok now only generates images for paid users”, it's untrue. Apparently everyone just reported it because… it was what grok told them 🤦🏼
www.theverge.com/news/859309/...
No, Grok hasn’t paywalled its deepfake image feature
X’s sexual deepfake machine is still running, despite Grok saying otherwise.
www.theverge.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
Great discussion, lots of insights, from two leaders in their respective fields - economics & military science.

Highly recommended.
January 10, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
absolutely bizarre to see a violent, rogue american regime, which is threatening military attacks on a bunch of major trading partners and close allies, and openly fantasizing about hitler-style wars of territorial conquest, covered in the tone of horse-race political commentary
January 4, 2026 at 3:14 AM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
** My Top Ten Photos of the Year · #10 of 10**

Medieval Green Man at Norwich Cathedral.

I’ve visited many places that offer a captivating glimpse into the past, but few have made me feel like the past was gazing back at me.
December 29, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Peter Geoghegan speaking in parliament youtube.com/watch?v=wBTU...
I Warned Parliament: Trump, Musk & Billionaires Are Undermining Democracy - Here’s How We Stop Them
YouTube video by Democracy for Sale
youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The mess at the BBC - an excellent, clear analysis, well worth reading #BBC open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
Extra edition: The populist assault on the BBC
Johnson, Gibb and the Telegraph are trying to turn the BBC into GB News.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Fabulous exhibition on at the National Gallery - well worth a visit. Some lovely landscapes and tranquil images. +++ #postimpressionists #art #nationalgallery
November 8, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Defence spending - a grown up discussion open.substack.com/pub/htsf/p/z...
ZAPAD, Polish drone attack - why are we sleepwalking?
TUC votes against defence spending, while Kyiv burns...
open.substack.com
September 12, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Reposted by Jessica Kingsley
Could not agree more.
The fact that an anti-migrant politician, who tells us every single day that he doesn't like immigration, is saying it once again, is not in any way news
August 26, 2025 at 10:09 AM