Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀

"Look at us, it says, aren’t we clever?” This is the end of a post on the 6,000 miles from civilisation blog I read in August 2016. It nicely wrapped up a spookily familiar-feeling discussion I'd had about the same topic. virologydownunder.com/and-you-dont...

"former military chief told the crowd it would be a mistake to hold a second election.." "..promising he can form a Zionist draft government" "Exit polls show his opposition bloc has won the most seats but without a clear majority" www.sbs.com.au/news/live-bl...

Fellow facist immigrants are fiiiiiiine

⚡️The President of Finland and the PM of Norway held a phone call with Putin-President Stubb's office The call was initiated by the European leaders themselves.The statement from the office emphasizes that Alexander Stubb&Jonas Gahr Støre spoke strictly on behalf of their respective countries,

UN Commission: "russia is committing crimes against humanity through attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure." Trump: "russia has been fine on Ukraine" 👌

The Ebola outbreak in the DRC has now crossed 10,000 cases and is getting close to 5,000 deaths. It is a staggeringly large outbreak and it continues to grow rapidly, with 96 new cases in the last 24 hours alone. #IDsky 🧪 insp.cd/sitrep-n164-...

It only took them 4 years and 8 months. A UN Commission of Inquiry says Russia’s systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, concluding they were intended to deprive civilians of essential services and cause suffering. #Ukraine

Russia is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity by intentionally attacking civilian infrastructure – including vital energy systems – in Ukraine, an independent UN investigations panel said on Monday. https://cnn.it/4zcHNnm

Israel committing crimes against humanity in occupied West Bank: UN https://aje.news/d7i8s0

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says it is the first time the deadly condition has accounted for more than 10 per cent of all Aussie deaths.

Australians should prepare for online services to go down unexpectedly as threats rise, cyber agency warns

I look at the abuse I get… and I shudder when I think it’s 10-100x for women.

I'm shocked he would say that.

Breaking News: Benjamin Netanyahu pushed for an attack on Iran ahead of Israel’s election, according to officials.

(US aid) Money can't buy you love, hut but I'm pretty sure it could help fund a better Ebola containment response.

Update of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in DRC - 26 Oct: DRC: On 25 Oct, DRC reported a total of 9 964 cases & 4 851 deaths. EU/EEA risk assessment remains VERY LOW. More info: bit.ly/ECDCEbolaDRC #Ebola #IDsky #EpiSky #PublicHealth

Attackers kill nurse, severely injure health worker responding to Ebola case in eastern Congo

Kenya reports 2nd Ebola death as Nigeria races to understand transmission of index patient The second patient to die in Kenya was a close relative of the index patient. Read more: https://bit.ly/4yIcsry 📷: World Bank / Vincent Tremeau

The Ebola outbreak that began in the Democratic Republic of Congo in May, now the fastest-growing and most widespread on record, has caused nearly 10,000 confirmed cases across Africa. ➡️ https://l.euronews.com/T6jy

A week from tomorrow is the beginning of the END of the Orange Atrocity! 🍊 💩 #voteVoteVOTE

The Election Decided by People Who Stayed Home via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/10...

My heart is heavy. Walter Koenig, our Ensign Pavel Chekov, passed away early today. Walter and I met on the bridge of the Enterprise in the 1960s, and we stayed friends for nearly six decades. When Brad and I married in 2008, Walter stood beside us as our best man.

I of course loved him as Chekov, but playing Bester on BABYLON 5 really showed his range. You really forgot the guy ever *was* Chekov in that role. RIP Walter Koenig.

Walter Koenig, Star Trek’s Beloved Chekov, Dies at 90 https://bit.ly/ripwalterkoenig

BREAKING: Actor Walter Koenig, known as Ensign Chekov on the original "Star Trek" series, has died at 90.

"For women the abuse is usually sexualised, a lot about physical harm that will be done to you or your children." www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10...

Australians should prepare for online services to go down unexpectedly as threats rise, cyber agency warns

In new study, we show that SARS-CoV-2 has evolved decreased inherent antigenicity in humans, as quantified by a ~3-fold decrease in the number of naïve human B cells that can bind the spike RBD. doi.org/10.64898/202...

Howard's starting a podcast?

Work begins on the biggest wind project to start construction in Australia for more than two years https://reneweconomy.com.au/construction-officially-starts-on-biggest-wind-farm-in-australia-for-two-years-and-largest-in-state/

In @nytopinion.nytimes.com President Trump seems not to understand that the global standing of the United States suffers when our leaders play into the stereotype of the ugly American, writes the Times editorial board.

Flavio Bolsonaro has called for the annulment of Brazil’s presidential runoff after losing the election to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a chaotic vote marred by allegations of suppression and a last-minute extension of voting hours

Way back, prior to working at Bluesky, I worked on Secure Scuttlebutt which allowed for thousands of characters. It was once described as "full contact blog hockey" and it is why I am confident that character limits are a good thing.

JUST IN: Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was elected to a fourth, nonconsecutive term in the nation's presidential election according to early results.

Perhaps Lula now needs to do more?

The presidential election in Bulgaria on Sunday ended inconclusively, with the next head of state to be picked in a runoff, according to election officials. https://to.pbs.org/3VT0a21

Please Advise! How Did Doerkson Win So Big? via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/Opinion/2026...

Translators and illustrators team up with the Australian Federal Police to create two picture books to teach parents and children about online safety.

They are all Republicans and any vote for them is a vote for the Trump regime. Simple.

The long-serving strongman leader of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, conceded defeat on Sunday in an election that pitted him and his right-wing party against a diverse student-led opposition movement that spent two years protesting his government.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic concedes defeat to student-led movement in election. -Well, that's calling an election a bit early! www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10...

And in Serbia...record turnout.. balkaninsight.com/2026/10/25/l...

“This isn’t apathy. It’s because I don’t feel there’s anyone qualified enough to earn my vote.” -33million didn't cast a vote! www.aljazeera.com/news/longfor...