Fergus Ryan
@fergus.bsky.social
Wordcel, aspiring prompt engineer & China analyst.
📨 Tips & anon feedback: https://www.admonymous.co/fergus-ryan
🧧 Read my newsletter: http://redpacket.substack.com
📱 Signal: fergus.99
📨 Tips & anon feedback: https://www.admonymous.co/fergus-ryan
🧧 Read my newsletter: http://redpacket.substack.com
📱 Signal: fergus.99
Pinned
Fergus Ryan
@fergus.bsky.social
· Dec 2
Our new ASPI report 'The Party’s AI' is out now. It shows how China’s LLMs, vision models and “AI+” governance architecture are hard-coding censorship and control into the future of AI.
www.aspi.org.au/repo...
www.aspi.org.au/repo...
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
January 16, 2026 at 2:36 AM
McDonald’s China put out an ad that borrowed so heavily from CCP propaganda aesthetics it accidentally became a razor-sharp parody, prompting the company to quietly delete it before anyone in the system decided it crossed a line. 🤡🥚🇨🇳
January 15, 2026 at 4:23 AM
McDonald’s China put out an ad that borrowed so heavily from CCP propaganda aesthetics it accidentally became a razor-sharp parody, prompting the company to quietly delete it before anyone in the system decided it crossed a line. 🤡🥚🇨🇳
Smart. She has a strong case.
Breaking: Randa Abdel-Fattah launches defamation proceedings against SA Premier
Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah says her lawyers have launched defamation proceedings against South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, following his public commentary about her scheduled appearance at Adelaide Writers' Week.
www.abc.net.au
January 13, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Smart. She has a strong case.
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
Want to make a submission into the inquiry on the "Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill that was released yesterday?
You got till 4pm Thursday (ie TOMORROW)
That is quite disgraceful
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
You got till 4pm Thursday (ie TOMORROW)
That is quite disgraceful
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
Review of the Exposure Draft Legislation: Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026
The Minister for Home Affairs, Hon Tony Burke MP, wrote to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (the Committee) on 12 January 2026 to refer an Exposure Draft of the Combattin...
www.aph.gov.au
January 13, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Want to make a submission into the inquiry on the "Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill that was released yesterday?
You got till 4pm Thursday (ie TOMORROW)
That is quite disgraceful
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
You got till 4pm Thursday (ie TOMORROW)
That is quite disgraceful
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
Greenland PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen:
"If we have to choose between the US & Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU."
"Greenland does not want to be owned by the US. Greenland does not want to be governed by the US" he later added.
"If we have to choose between the US & Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU."
"Greenland does not want to be owned by the US. Greenland does not want to be governed by the US" he later added.
January 13, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Greenland PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen:
"If we have to choose between the US & Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU."
"Greenland does not want to be owned by the US. Greenland does not want to be governed by the US" he later added.
"If we have to choose between the US & Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU."
"Greenland does not want to be owned by the US. Greenland does not want to be governed by the US" he later added.
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
In Albo's new antisemitism bill, the definition of "hate crime", which underpins the new regime to proscribe "hate groups" like the Nazis, specifically excludes "advocating genocide". That is, advocating genocide is treated as not being a racist hate crime. Now, why would that be?
January 13, 2026 at 10:41 PM
In Albo's new antisemitism bill, the definition of "hate crime", which underpins the new regime to proscribe "hate groups" like the Nazis, specifically excludes "advocating genocide". That is, advocating genocide is treated as not being a racist hate crime. Now, why would that be?
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
We're living in a time where British voters have to beg their elected leaders to please stop using a child porn generator site.
In the past, any remote link to such a site would have been career-ending.
In the past, any remote link to such a site would have been career-ending.
January 13, 2026 at 10:36 AM
We're living in a time where British voters have to beg their elected leaders to please stop using a child porn generator site.
In the past, any remote link to such a site would have been career-ending.
In the past, any remote link to such a site would have been career-ending.
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
As we get into 2026, it is worth remembering that we now have only 2 months until we are at war with China.
January 12, 2026 at 10:09 PM
As we get into 2026, it is worth remembering that we now have only 2 months until we are at war with China.
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
I would be more inclined to believe that Netanyahu cares about anti-semitism on American campuses if he wasn't endorsing anti-semitic government leaders elsewhere www.theguardian.com/world/2023/n...
Yesterday, Netanyahu joined Hungarian extremist PM Viktor Orbán's re-election launch via video, alongside German & Austrian far-right parties AfD & FPÖ, which are officially boycotted by Israel over their antisemitism
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Netanyahu joins Germany's AfD, far-right Europeans in backing Orbán as campaign begins
The AfD and Austria's FPÖ Are Boycotted by Israel Over Their Antisemitic Roots and Members. Launching an Uphill Re-election Bid, Orbán Invited International Far-right Allies to His Illiberal Fidesz Pa...
www.haaretz.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:41 PM
I would be more inclined to believe that Netanyahu cares about anti-semitism on American campuses if he wasn't endorsing anti-semitic government leaders elsewhere www.theguardian.com/world/2023/n...
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
Good example of the fact that while we all love to bitch about the NYT, the underlying issue is that there are some bedrock conventions of classic journalism that are just not suited to calling bullshit bullshit. Not a reason to toss them out so much as it's a reason to also read independent media.
This piece is very well reported and written. It’s clear-eyed, precise and gives important context. And yet it’s a great illustration that there’s this fundamental, unbridgeable formal constraint that makes it essentially impossible to plainly call this what it is.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
Federal Prosecutors Are Said to Have Opened Inquiry Into Fed Chair Powell
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:57 AM
Good example of the fact that while we all love to bitch about the NYT, the underlying issue is that there are some bedrock conventions of classic journalism that are just not suited to calling bullshit bullshit. Not a reason to toss them out so much as it's a reason to also read independent media.
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
Destroying the independence of the Federal Reserve at home (which helped make us rich) while destroying its most important security alliance abroad (which helped make us the most powerful nation on earth)
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Statement by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell
YouTube video by Federal Reserve
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:43 AM
Destroying the independence of the Federal Reserve at home (which helped make us rich) while destroying its most important security alliance abroad (which helped make us the most powerful nation on earth)
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
With almost no exceptions, America's leading executives have either toadied up to Trump or kept silent. Will Trump's political witch hunt against Jay Powell hit the markets? That's about the only language CEOs understand.
January 12, 2026 at 1:58 AM
With almost no exceptions, America's leading executives have either toadied up to Trump or kept silent. Will Trump's political witch hunt against Jay Powell hit the markets? That's about the only language CEOs understand.
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
I think it’s more likely than not that we see the end of Fed independence and NATO this year.
January 12, 2026 at 12:46 AM
I think it’s more likely than not that we see the end of Fed independence and NATO this year.
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
MALAYSIA BECOMES SECOND COUNTRY TO BLOCK ACCESS TO GROK, AFTER INDONESIA
‘Preventive and proportionate’: MCMC temporarily restricts Grok AI over concerns about harmful content
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 — Malaysia has temporarily restricted access to X’s Grok artificial intelligence tool after regulators said the platform had failed to implement adequate...
www.malaymail.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:56 PM
MALAYSIA BECOMES SECOND COUNTRY TO BLOCK ACCESS TO GROK, AFTER INDONESIA
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
'The BBC counted about 180 body bags in footage from near Tehran. The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) says it has verified the deaths of 495 protesters and 48 security personnel nationwide.'
Iran warns it will retaliate if US attacks, as hundreds killed in protests
"It's like a war zone, the streets are full of blood," a source in the capital Tehran tells the BBC.
www.bbc.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:50 PM
'The BBC counted about 180 body bags in footage from near Tehran. The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) says it has verified the deaths of 495 protesters and 48 security personnel nationwide.'
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
The reason this infant and at least 17 other children have frozen to death in Gaza is because @POTUS (X), @jd-vance-1.bsky.social, @SteveWitkoff (X), and @SecRubio (X) are backing Netanyahu’s plan to force Palestinians out of Gaza by deliberately denying shelter & other life-essential aid to 2...
January 11, 2026 at 10:12 PM
The reason this infant and at least 17 other children have frozen to death in Gaza is because @POTUS (X), @jd-vance-1.bsky.social, @SteveWitkoff (X), and @SecRubio (X) are backing Netanyahu’s plan to force Palestinians out of Gaza by deliberately denying shelter & other life-essential aid to 2...
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
'Late on Sunday, the ABC exclusively confirmed that the board's chair, Tracey Whiting, had stepped down.
It has also been confirmed Daniela Ritorto, Donny Walford and Nicholas Linke have stepped down from their roles.'
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
It has also been confirmed Daniela Ritorto, Donny Walford and Nicholas Linke have stepped down from their roles.'
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Adelaide Festival board members, chair quit after author's cancellation from Writers' Week
The Adelaide Festival board's decision to cancel the appearance of Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah from this year's Adelaide Writers' Week has prompted further fallout, with several b...
www.abc.net.au
January 11, 2026 at 8:50 AM
'Late on Sunday, the ABC exclusively confirmed that the board's chair, Tracey Whiting, had stepped down.
It has also been confirmed Daniela Ritorto, Donny Walford and Nicholas Linke have stepped down from their roles.'
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
It has also been confirmed Daniela Ritorto, Donny Walford and Nicholas Linke have stepped down from their roles.'
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
The dust hasn’t settled on Trump’s attack on Venezuela. Now he is contemplating new strikes on Iran. The New Yorker is asking the right question: “Is Donald Trump creating the conditions for another world war?”
podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/t...
The Political Scene | The New Yorker
Politics Podcast · Updated weekly · Join The New Yorker’s writers and editors for reporting, insight, and analysis of the most pressing political issues of our time. On Mondays, David Remnick, the edi...
podcasts.apple.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:49 AM
The dust hasn’t settled on Trump’s attack on Venezuela. Now he is contemplating new strikes on Iran. The New Yorker is asking the right question: “Is Donald Trump creating the conditions for another world war?”
podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/t...
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
Exclusive: SBS News can confirm three board members resigned following a crisis meeting of the Adelaide Festival board on Saturday. www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
Board members quit from Adelaide festival as fallout from dropped author grows
SBS News can confirm three board members have now resigned from the Adelaide Festival, amid growing controversy over a decision to drop a Palestinian Australian author and academic.
www.sbs.com.au
January 11, 2026 at 6:05 AM
Exclusive: SBS News can confirm three board members resigned following a crisis meeting of the Adelaide Festival board on Saturday. www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
BREAKING: The UK Government is working with Canada and Australia to launch a coordinated ban on X, per the Telegraph
January 11, 2026 at 2:17 AM
BREAKING: The UK Government is working with Canada and Australia to launch a coordinated ban on X, per the Telegraph
Reposted by Fergus Ryan
i'm not against a regulatory response from the uk gov, but why don't they start by leaving twitter themselves?
Preventing the sharing of sexualised images of children is “censorship” according to Elon Musk.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Musk says X outcry is 'excuse for censorship'
The government is urging Ofcom to use all its powers – up to and including an effective ban – against X.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 12:49 PM
i'm not against a regulatory response from the uk gov, but why don't they start by leaving twitter themselves?
‘…a society that allows its politicians and special interest groups to decide who gets to speak and who doesn’t is on a dangerous path.‘
Politicians shouldn’t decide who appears at writers’ festivals. It’s a dangerous path
Australia’s best writers festival could collapse within days as international and local writers boycott it in protest at the removal of Randa Abdel-Fattah.
www.smh.com.au
January 10, 2026 at 12:33 AM
‘…a society that allows its politicians and special interest groups to decide who gets to speak and who doesn’t is on a dangerous path.‘
Anyone got a spare Tangle invite code?
January 8, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Anyone got a spare Tangle invite code?
It's time for Europe to remind Musk that market access is a privilege, not a right, and it can be withdrawn.
Musk Won’t Fix Grok’s Fake AI Nudes. A Ban Would
When Julie Yukari posted a New Year’s Eve photo in a red dress with her cat, she didn’t expect X users to tag Grok asking it to undress her. Within hours, nude AI-generated images of her had spread across the social-media website — without her consent and without consequences.
www.bloomberg.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:06 AM
It's time for Europe to remind Musk that market access is a privilege, not a right, and it can be withdrawn.
China called on the U.S. to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on Sunday, condemning the American military operation that detained the couple as a violation of international law.
China Demands U.S. Release Venezuelan President Maduro and Wife
Foreign ministry spokesperson says Washington violated international law and U.N. Charter in forcibly removing Venezuelan leader
www.caixinglobal.com
January 4, 2026 at 8:10 AM
China called on the U.S. to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on Sunday, condemning the American military operation that detained the couple as a violation of international law.