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Simon Allison

@simonallison.bsky.social

Newspaper person. Co-founder @thecontinent.org

82 Posts1978 Follower513 Folgt
Tereza Pultarova@terezapultarova.bsky.social · 3d ago

Thank you, @simonallison.bsky.social for quoting me in your great article on the unbridled plans to turn the night sky into one light-polluting mess. As a society, we have a chance, for once, to do something differently. We only must wake up quickly this time.

Simon Allison@simonallison.bsky.social · 5d ago

On Space.com, @terezapultarova.bsky.social put it like this: "...spend some time outdoors after dark and enjoy the view of the Milky Way and the constellations that have inspired awe since humankind woke to consciousness. Chances are those views are not here to stay forever.” 15/

Tereza Pultarova@terezapultarova.bsky.social · 3d ago

I agree. It is one of the most important stories on the planet. We let them poison our waters and soil with forever chemicals, and fill oceans with microplastics; it is making us all ill. We let them trigger a climate crisis. Do we have a chance to do it differently now?

atlasnewspaper.bsky.social@atlasnewspaper.bsky.social · 5d ago

1/ Astronomers fear the end of the night sky as we know it. That's this month's cover story in The Atlas. From 50,000 mirrors headed to orbit, to villagers in India fighting a $5-billion dam, to clothes designed to confuse facial recognition — reported from a dozen countries.

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Sebphilatelie@sebphilatelie.bsky.social · last wk.

'The Continent' 246, 25 juillet 2026: -art sud-afr.: 'Elegy' de Gabrielle Goliath & entretien avec Zanele Muholi. -Pouvoir familial et policier au Togo. -Environnement: Littoraux du golfe de Guinée: Freetown. Chasse "Miss de Diobaye" au Sénégal. -Du roman à la série : 'The Polygamist'. #Afrique

The Continent@thecontinent.org · 2w ago

All Protocol Observed Welcome to Issue 246 of The Continent. We’ve been around for a while. But nowhere near as long as the family ruling Togo. Our investigation found what was covered as a constitutional power-grab last year came at a devastating human cost. bit.ly/246_TC

This is the cover of Issue 246 of The Continent. It is designed like an investigator's evidence board pinned over a map of Togo. A warm brown background resembles aged paper, with the long, narrow outline of the country running vertically down the right side. Red string stretches across the map, connecting blue drawing pins and yellow sticky notes, creating the impression of a conspiracy or criminal investigation. The notes mark key moments and locations, including "May 2024", "June 2025", "Jan 2026", "No term limits", "Takes power 2005", "Civil prison", "Main square", "Djidjolé gendarmerie", "Sylvanus Olympio hospital" and the capital, Lomé. The strings suggest these events and places are linked. Pinned over the map is a torn newspaper clipping from *The Continent* about unofficial militias in Togo. In front of it stands an illustration of a masked gendarme in riot gear, holding a baton. His face is completely covered by a black balaclava, making him anonymous and intimidating. He wears body armour labelled "Gendarmerie", reinforcing the theme of state force and secrecy. Partly hidden beneath the newspaper is a faded photograph of a grand colonial-era building, hinting at political power and the state. Running down the map itself is the word "TOGO" in large, faded letters. At the top, the masthead *The Continent* appears in large white type, while a banner above it reads: "African Journalism | 25 July 2026 | Issue 246."
The Continent@thecontinent.org · 2w ago

All Protocol Observed Welcome to Issue 246 of The Continent. We’ve been around for a while. But nowhere near as long as the family ruling Togo. Our investigation found what was covered as a constitutional power-grab last year came at a devastating human cost. bit.ly/246_TC

This is the cover of Issue 246 of The Continent. It is designed like an investigator's evidence board pinned over a map of Togo. A warm brown background resembles aged paper, with the long, narrow outline of the country running vertically down the right side. Red string stretches across the map, connecting blue drawing pins and yellow sticky notes, creating the impression of a conspiracy or criminal investigation. The notes mark key moments and locations, including "May 2024", "June 2025", "Jan 2026", "No term limits", "Takes power 2005", "Civil prison", "Main square", "Djidjolé gendarmerie", "Sylvanus Olympio hospital" and the capital, Lomé. The strings suggest these events and places are linked. Pinned over the map is a torn newspaper clipping from *The Continent* about unofficial militias in Togo. In front of it stands an illustration of a masked gendarme in riot gear, holding a baton. His face is completely covered by a black balaclava, making him anonymous and intimidating. He wears body armour labelled "Gendarmerie", reinforcing the theme of state force and secrecy. Partly hidden beneath the newspaper is a faded photograph of a grand colonial-era building, hinting at political power and the state. Running down the map itself is the word "TOGO" in large, faded letters. At the top, the masthead *The Continent* appears in large white type, while a banner above it reads: "African Journalism | 25 July 2026 | Issue 246."A poster with a warm cream background features the words "Reading is resistance." in large, bold black lettering at the top. Below the text is a colourful illustration of a person lying on their stomach reading a newspaper. Their elbows rest on the pages while their head is propped up in their hands. They wear a pink shirt and a cap, with a pair of shoes on their raised feet behind them. The reader is sheltered beneath a roof made from the open pages of a giant book. The book is supported by two oversized upright books on either side, creating the shape of a small house or tent. The books are illustrated in soft blues, purples, greens and yellow, giving the image a warm, inviting feel. At the bottom, the poster invites people to subscribe to The Continent for free by messaging a South African phone number on WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram, or by emailing read@thecontinent.org. The Continent appears in bold black type at the very bottom.
daily dose of estragon@craigburley.bsky.social · 3w ago

Extremely engrossing issue this week and what I found particularly troubling was the brief report from South Africa about the ongoing situation with March and March.

The Continent@thecontinent.org · 3w ago

All Protocol Observed Welcome to Issue 245 of The Continent. What happens when a liberation movement delays succession for too long? Muhoozi Kainerugaba is more than an Uganda's chief internet provocateur and the president’s son. He's the heir apparent, maybe. bit.ly/245_TC

This is the cover of The Continent (Issue 245, dated 18 July 2026) featuring a satirical illustration of Uganda's General Muhoozi Kainerugaba reimagined as the Joker. The headline reads: "The heir apparent, maybe." Muhoozi lounges casually in a large presidential-style chair beneath the Ugandan coat of arms. He wears an exaggerated Joker-inspired outfit: a purple suit, bright green shirt, oversized green bow tie, purple gloves and a light green military helmet instead of the Joker's trademark green hair. His face has been painted with a wide, unsettling red grin and heavy eye makeup, giving him the Joker's manic smile while remaining recognisably Muhoozi. He reclines with one leg draped over the arm of the chair, projecting supreme confidence. In one gloved hand he casually twirls a revolver with a white flag tied to the barrel reading "BANG" in red letters, referencing the Joker's trick weapon. In the other hand he fans a set of playing cards, another Joker motif.
Sebphilatelie@sebphilatelie.bsky.social · 2w ago

'The Continent' 245, 18 juillet 2026: -Du président ougandais : vers la retraite ? -Pas de cannabis pour les rites Rastafari au Kenya. -Entretien: pharmacologie. -Photos: football junior et féminin au Cap-Vert. -'Grace' de Chika Unigwe : un roman sur les grossesses adolescentes. #Afrique

The Continent@thecontinent.org · 3w ago

All Protocol Observed Welcome to Issue 245 of The Continent. What happens when a liberation movement delays succession for too long? Muhoozi Kainerugaba is more than an Uganda's chief internet provocateur and the president’s son. He's the heir apparent, maybe. bit.ly/245_TC

This is the cover of The Continent (Issue 245, dated 18 July 2026) featuring a satirical illustration of Uganda's General Muhoozi Kainerugaba reimagined as the Joker. The headline reads: "The heir apparent, maybe." Muhoozi lounges casually in a large presidential-style chair beneath the Ugandan coat of arms. He wears an exaggerated Joker-inspired outfit: a purple suit, bright green shirt, oversized green bow tie, purple gloves and a light green military helmet instead of the Joker's trademark green hair. His face has been painted with a wide, unsettling red grin and heavy eye makeup, giving him the Joker's manic smile while remaining recognisably Muhoozi. He reclines with one leg draped over the arm of the chair, projecting supreme confidence. In one gloved hand he casually twirls a revolver with a white flag tied to the barrel reading "BANG" in red letters, referencing the Joker's trick weapon. In the other hand he fans a set of playing cards, another Joker motif.
The Continent@thecontinent.org · 3w ago

All Protocol Observed Welcome to Issue 245 of The Continent. What happens when a liberation movement delays succession for too long? Muhoozi Kainerugaba is more than an Uganda's chief internet provocateur and the president’s son. He's the heir apparent, maybe. bit.ly/245_TC

This is the cover of The Continent (Issue 245, dated 18 July 2026) featuring a satirical illustration of Uganda's General Muhoozi Kainerugaba reimagined as the Joker. The headline reads: "The heir apparent, maybe." Muhoozi lounges casually in a large presidential-style chair beneath the Ugandan coat of arms. He wears an exaggerated Joker-inspired outfit: a purple suit, bright green shirt, oversized green bow tie, purple gloves and a light green military helmet instead of the Joker's trademark green hair. His face has been painted with a wide, unsettling red grin and heavy eye makeup, giving him the Joker's manic smile while remaining recognisably Muhoozi. He reclines with one leg draped over the arm of the chair, projecting supreme confidence. In one gloved hand he casually twirls a revolver with a white flag tied to the barrel reading "BANG" in red letters, referencing the Joker's trick weapon. In the other hand he fans a set of playing cards, another Joker motif.A poster with a warm cream background features the words "Reading is resistance." in large, bold black lettering at the top. Below the text is a colourful illustration of a person lying on their stomach reading a newspaper. Their elbows rest on the pages while their head is propped up in their hands. They wear a pink shirt and a cap, with a pair of shoes on their raised feet behind them. The reader is sheltered beneath a roof made from the open pages of a giant book. The book is supported by two oversized upright books on either side, creating the shape of a small house or tent. The books are illustrated in soft blues, purples, greens and yellow, giving the image a warm, inviting feel. At the bottom, the poster invites people to subscribe to The Continent for free by messaging a South African phone number on WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram, or by emailing read@thecontinent.org. The Continent appears in bold black type at the very bottom.
The Continent@thecontinent.org · 2mo ago

All Protocol Observed Welcome to Issue 243 of The Continent Sport is supposed to rise above politics, but this year’s Fifa World Cup has become a showcase for just the opposite: the arbitrary exercise of political power. bit.ly/243_TC

This is the cover of Issue 243 of The Continent. It is illustrated by Gado. North America is shown from above as a map. Sitting on top of the continent is a football stadium shaped like a heavily fortified fortress. Thick concrete walls surround the stadium, and armed guards wearing uniforms marked “ICE” are stationed in watchtowers around the perimeter, holding rifles and facing outward. Inside the walls, a football match is taking place on a bright green pitch. A giant football is suspended above the stadium, appearing to rocket upward from the centre circle like a missile launch, leaving a white trail behind it. At the top is The Continent masthead. The headline at the bottom reads: “Making football political again.” BildA stylised illustration on a beige background with the large headline: “Reading is resistance.” Below the text is a stack of colourful books arranged like a small structure. Inside the “frame” of the books, a person with short pink hair reclines comfortably while reading a newspaper, one leg stretched upward against the books. The figure is drawn in a simple, graphic style with bold outlines and muted colours. At the bottom, there’s text inviting people to subscribe to The Continent for free via WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, or email, followed by the publication’s name.
The Continent@thecontinent.org · 2mo ago

All Protocol Observed Welcome to Issue 242 of The Continent. The conventional explanation for South Africa’s recurring waves of xenophobic violence is now familiar: a stagnant economy, high unemployment, and migrants cast as convenient scapegoats. But that’s not the whole story. bit.ly/242_TC

This is the cover of Issue 242 of The Continent. It shows a large crowd of protesters occupying a city street in South Africa. The headline reads: “South Africa: The hidden calculus of xenophobia.” In the foreground, dozens of people crouch or kneel on the road, shouting and gesturing towards the camera. Some hold sticks, while others raise clenched fists or point upwards. A man in a bright red jacket stands out near the centre, holding a mobile phone aloft. The crowd appears predominantly male, dressed in winter clothing such as beanies, hooded tops and jackets. Behind them, hundreds more people fill the street, stretching into the distance. The atmosphere is tense and confrontational. The sky is grey and overcast, and the background is softened by haze. Tall apartment buildings line one side of the road, while trees and utility poles run along the other. Image credit: Wikus de Wet/AFP A stylised illustration on a beige background with the large headline: “Reading is resistance.” Below the text is a stack of colourful books arranged like a small structure. Inside the “frame” of the books, a person with short pink hair reclines comfortably while reading a newspaper, one leg stretched upward against the books. The figure is drawn in a simple, graphic style with bold outlines and muted colours. At the bottom, there’s text inviting people to subscribe to The Continent for free via WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, or email, followed by the publication’s name.Bild