The conflict in Iran has severely disrupted conservation efforts for the Critically Endangered Asiatic Cheetah, raising fresh concerns for the survival of the world's rarest big cat:

Iran conflict threatens survival of Critically Endangered Asiatic Cheetah

Protection efforts for the world's rarest big cat have been severely impacted by war in the Middle East.

bit.ly

With all that’s going on in the world right now, I feel it’s really important to draw a distinction between ‘religion’ and ‘faith’. I’m not religious, but I have a humanist worldview which prioritises rational thought, empathy and kindness. I know many people of faith who hold similar values. 1/5

'Winter. Rooks and Rain'. Gertrude Hermes, print from a linocut, 1950.

Letter sent to my MP outlining my concern about the role of British bases in the war against Iran, and the escalating threats coming from the White House. @irenecampbellmp.bsky.social

"I don't want to happen but it probably will" is classic abuser language: "look what you made me do." Except it's not on the scale of a household, but of a nation of 90 million and millennia of civilization.....

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 4mo ago

Trump: “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will … We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end”

Make some noise. Share this post. 🚨 The Israeli government has granted itself another means to dehumanise, suppress, and kill Palestinians. Israel is violating international law.

My goodness it’s February tomorrow. I can only hope this late night Great Tit on a green shed softens the blow. xx

Smartphones and other gadgets are expensive but they really don't reflect the human cost. This is horrific. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

DR Congo: More than 200 killed in mine collapse

The mine gave way after heavy rains on Wednesday, a local rebel spokesman says.

bbc.co.uk

Yay swift bricks in Scotland! www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Swift bricks to be installed on all new buildings in Scotland as MSPs back law

Rest of UK has resisted calls to make builders install bricks that provide nesting for swifts and other endangered birds

theguardian.com

If you're dreaming not holidays again already after the most Monday of all Mondays, a quick reminder that we've got a special offer on for stays this quarter. If you've got any questions about Arran, or the house, just drop me a DM. #Arran #Holidays #ScottishTravel #RemoteWorking #BackToWork

Clyde House Arran Holiday Home@clydehouse.arranlets.com · 7mo ago

🌟Special offer🌟 40% off all winter breaks of 7 nights or longer. Stays from 2nd January to 26th March 2026. This sea view could be yours! (photo taken today) Booking details and availability here: www.arranlets.com/booking

Greenland seems to be in the news. Inuit people have lived there since around 2400 BCE and continue to do do. Our contributor Drew visited and has also posted photos of artefacts in Ilulissat Museum as well as other sites. 1/

"it’s going to be hard to figure out how to fight wars over sunshine."

Bill McKibben@billmckibben.bsky.social · 7mo ago

International law won't constrain Trump's thirst for oil. But every solar panel that goes up makes crude reserves that much less valuable billmckibben.substack.com/p/just-possi...

Wrote a thing: The carnage associated with fossil fuel is why speeding the transition to renewables is good for international stability as well as everything else. Fossil fuel is inseparable from violence, and dependence on it it has created a brutal world order....

Five Facets of the Attack on Venezuela by the Rogue Nation the US Has Become

1 They are saying it baldly: this is an oil grab. There is a history of oil grabs going back to British imperialism in the middle east in the late nineteenth century and murders of Osage Nation triba...

meditationsinanemergency.com

Imagine

Dreadnought Holiday@dreadships.bsky.social · 7mo ago

If he carries on like this it's going to make the FIFA Peace Prize look ridiculous

Amazing record for the FIFA

My new years wish didn't age well. 2026 is already more scary than 2025 and can get in the bin.

Lucy Wallace - arranwildwalks.com@snoweider.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Happy New Year! Let's hope its a good one. More peace, more empathy, less climate change and not so much bombing people, please. Nuis hopes that the year will have plenty of sandy beaches where he can dig holes and has started as he means to go on. Wishing everyone the very best. ❤️

Absolutely this.

Phil Harrison@mrpmharrison.bsky.social · 7mo ago

You've got to start wondering. #Traitors graziadaily.co.uk/life/tv-and-...

Loving the new series of the #Traitors. Secret plot twist is brilliantly dastardly, and the thing that I love the most is the "undercover" cop who literally couldn't be more like a retired DCI if she tried. Someone give her a job on The Bill.

Happy New Year! Let's hope its a good one. More peace, more empathy, less climate change and not so much bombing people, please. Nuis hopes that the year will have plenty of sandy beaches where he can dig holes and has started as he means to go on. Wishing everyone the very best. ❤️

Unimaginable horror in Crans this morning when there should be joy. Thoughts with the first responders and families. Many mountain folk will be affected by this blaze. A reminder that we are all connected. Hold your loved ones tight on this first day of 2026.

First blue skies over Edinburgh in what feels like ages, it’s been overcast & depressing for days. What a contrast today - great to see ☀️ but it was a cold one! ❄️❄️ Sunset in the Pentland hills.

My new years resolution last year was to floss every day- and I did!

In spring I'll be posting lots of photos from the Manaslu Circuit in Nepal. "When are you going again?" you'll ask. Well, our spring 2026 trek is a one-time only trek. This is your one and only chance to join us! grahamuneymountaineering.co.uk/nepal-trek-m...

Nepal Trek The Manaslu Circuit — Graham Uney Mountaineering

Trekking in Nepal. Trek the Manaslu Circuit. Guided by Graham Uney Mountaineering and Sherpa Khumbiyila Adventures

grahamuneymountaineering.co.uk

In a bit of a grump today after failing to find a rental road bike that will fit me properly for an upcoming trip to Tenerife. Reminding me of the 90s when I had to wear men's waterproofs for winter mountaineering. 😕

A new survey has revealed that conservation grazing by heritage Dartmoor ponies is delivering strong results, with several rare and vulnerable bird species now breeding on restored heathland:

Conservation grazing brings rare breeding birds back to Dartmoor

Grazing by Dartmoor ponies at Bellever Moor and Meadows reserve in Devon has helped revive rare heathland birds, with new breeding records of Tree Pipit, Whinchat, Eurasian Skylark and other Red- and Amber-listed species following habitat restoration.

bit.ly

That's great. I have a friend in Brodick and the quality of produce and services across Arran is fantastic. Onwards and upwards I say.

Completely agree and it's great that there are people taking advantage to provide for the local community (and visitors). I read a great story today about a community in Argyll that have re-opened their local pub. This community-minded spirit really makes places.

Just picked up some freshly dived scallops from the village pier, and also taken delivery of 6kg of local venison. This is how food should be.

It's not every day you find a new native species for Scotland! Day 22 of my botanical #adventcalendar is Shiny Glasswort - a nationally rare plant never recorded in Scotland before Growing in a salt pan on the Forth Estuary - branching pattern, colour and flower size the ID clues #wildflowerhour

Day twenty-three of #ArtAdventCalendar Here is a coloured pencil drawing of a mountain hare in the snow.