Ben Titford

Nearly three-quarters of England’s woods inaccessible to public, study finds Exclusive: Campaigners call for government to introduce right-to-roam bill that allows people to walk around their local woodlands

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Doctors warn of a deadly complication from measles outbreaks U.S. doctors are getting the word out about how to spot a rare measles complication that had been a relic of the past: subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

“Relatives described the unicorn-loving child as smart, affectionate and occasionally rascally…
But then her limbs started jerking. A spinal tap revealed measles…The virus she probably had as an infant had secretly made its way to her brain. Now 8 years old, Deepanwita is paralyzed, unable to talk.”

Palantir’s NHS England contract ‘opens door to government abuse of power’, health bosses told Health justice charity Medact says data-sharing potential could be used for UK version of US immigration raids

www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

E-Bikers Ride Much Farther and More Frequently Than Regular Bikers They are not 'cheating,' but are serious transportation.

What is “the E-Bike Effect?”

“Those who bought e-bikes increased their average daily bicycle use from 2.1km (1.3 miles) to 9.2km (5.7 miles), a 340% increase. The e-bike share of all their transportation increased dramatically too; from 17% to 49%.”

Fewer car trips.

Via @lloydalter.bsky.social

Reaching net zero by 2050 ‘cheaper for UK than one fossil fuel crisis’ Climate change committee finds move to renewable energy would also bring health, economic and security benefits

Achieving UK’s net zero target by 2050 will cost less than a single oil shock and bring health and economic benefits while insulating the country against future costs, says CCC:

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

This is great I love the quote “To tell you the truth,” replied Hill, “we don’t do it because it is useful but because it’s amusing.”

Or am I mourning an era that is past and fading in an era of change?

It’s interesting that people trust the person they last saw, but were dissatisfied with how long it took to get an appointment. I wonder if, counterintuitively one of the reasons for the delay is the pressure to provide same day appointments- forcing us to sacrifice continuity for access…

Among many other gems

In fact, on discussion with colleagues- the other thing many of us were (weirdly?) nourished by was the statement “help isn’t coming” (you probably had to be there!)
The power for this to be transformational…

I really appreciated the wit, wisdom and humanity in the opening lecture at the Peninsula Trainers’ Conference by @lucygobag.bsky.social - it was blistering! I particularly valued learning new words and the richness of their specific meanings thank you!

If you care about people and have questions about the motives behind some of the organisations providing AI - read this (and act if it applies to you!)

I’ve seen some bizarre exercises online. If I were an influencer, this is the one workout I’d recommend | Devi Sridhar Forget snake yoga. All it takes to increase your life expectancy is factoring a set of simple exercises into your weekly routine, says Prof Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the Universit...

Sensible, evidence based advice here from Devi.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

I’m reading @davidmcraney.bsky.social s excellent “how mind change” and this seems like a perfect example of brains doubling down and avoiding change…

I’m fascinated by the apparent level of self-delusion in some of the defeated leaders /politicians) recent statements (Badenoch, Starmer and Goodwin) about why they lost. There is no self reflection. It’s all the fault of the voters and the party that won…Do you think they really believe this?

Cover of The Lancet, 28 February 2026 issue. The quote: “The destruction that Kennedy has wrought in 1 year might take generations to repair, and there is little hope for US health and science while he remains at the helm.”

On the cover of The Lancet:
Editorial — “Robert F Kennedy Jr: 1 year of failure”

Read the latest issue: spkl.io/63327Aa31W

Such great, positive hopeful news
Well done Greens!

Is there a way of correcting the over 50% of hospital letters (my estimate) addressed to the wrong GP?
I appreciate there are bigger issues in the world- but thinking about this illustrates many problems with our relationship with IT (and power in healthcare systems)

What conservatives did to Bud Light in 2023, that's what progressives should do to ChatGPT in 2026.

OpenAI is so vulnerable right now. With enough pressure, I think it's actually possible to take the whole company down.

quitgpt.org

Mind launches inquiry into AI and mental health after Guardian investigation Exclusive: England and Wales charity to examine safeguards after Guardian exposed ‘very dangerous’ advice on Google AI Overviews

www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Fast-spreading measles outbreak takes hold among under-10s in north London UK Health Security Agency urges parents in Enfield to get their children vaccinated as Easter holiday travels approach

www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

the loss of the World Service would be a tragedy and huge lost of soft power for Britain

‘We almost lost you in the night’ - the life-threatening rise of measles in the UK It is one of the most infectious diseases around, and can cause blindness and hearing loss – and can also be fatal. Why are cases now soaring and what can be done about it?

Case descriptions of really sad experiences of this preventable disease www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

UK migration could be negative this year – how will that hit the economy? Universities, builders and health trusts are feeling the squeeze, as thinktank says effect of zero net migration could be similar to Brexit

The answer to this headline is “badly”.. so why is the government still validating a narrative that reducing migration is a desirable goal? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Arundhati Roy is right, not Wim Wenders – here are eight films that have changed politics From ‘honour’ killings to nuclear war, some screen works have led directly legislative action – despite what jury head Wenders suggested at the Berlin film festival

Arundhati Roy is right, not Wim Wenders – here are eight films that have changed politics

Healthcare group urges RFK Jr to resign after remarks on cocaine and toilet seats President of Protect Our Care issues one-word statement to US health and human services secretary: ‘Resign’

This man needs to resign. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

If you want to know what Reform would be like in power, look at how it threatened Bangor University | Gaby Hinsliff A debating society didn’t want to invite two figures connected to the party to speak. Cue an authoritarian response, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff

This is great by @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social - the telling sentence “if they had just filed the letter in the bin” ..
it’s a strong opening bid for a professorship in political game theory www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Stop Palantir taking over our public services! Our public services aren’t for a secretive profit-hungry US tech firm. Sign the petition to tell the Government to scrap all contracts with secretive US tech firm Palantir.

Our public services aren’t for a secretive profit-hungry US tech firm. Sign the petition to tell the Government to scrap all contracts with secretive US tech firm Palantir. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...

And always remember to ask- Have you as a professional, actually clarified what they want /wanted from you to start with before you say they aren’t engaged?
If you don’t agree on what is important and relevant, to them, you can both end up building castles of misunderstanding and frustration

Medical student funding in England is broken. We’re campaigning to #FixOurFunding, so students retain their entitlement to full student finance maintenance funding throughout their years of study.

Support for our future doctors is vital.

www.bma.org.uk/our-campaign...