Nerys Avery
@nerysonchina.bsky.social
China watcher, journalist with 25 years covering the Middle Kingdom. Now back in UK and increasingly worried about where we’re headed under Labour
Reposted by Nerys Avery
In his acclaimed 'Breakneck', Dan Wang frames China as a fast-moving technocratic 'engineering state' and the US as a rule-bound 'lawyerly society'. In this review, Clark Aoqi Wu argues the contrast is overly simplistic, substituting a memorable slogan for historical explanation.
Engineers, Lawyers, and the Costs of ‘Building’ | Made in China Journal
Today there are two great peoples on earth who, starting from different points, seem to advance toward the same goal … —Alexis de Tocqueville (2012: 655) In 1919, after visiting Bolshevik Russia, th...
madeinchinajournal.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:08 PM
In his acclaimed 'Breakneck', Dan Wang frames China as a fast-moving technocratic 'engineering state' and the US as a rule-bound 'lawyerly society'. In this review, Clark Aoqi Wu argues the contrast is overly simplistic, substituting a memorable slogan for historical explanation.
Reposted by Nerys Avery
“The only way that we’re able to win against a company that has as much power and influence as Palantir, is if as many people get involved as possible."
Who takes Palantir's money? A new tracker finds out.
ICE relies on the firm for deportation tech—and its PAC pays it forward to Congress.
www.motherjones.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:41 PM
“The only way that we’re able to win against a company that has as much power and influence as Palantir, is if as many people get involved as possible."
Reposted by Nerys Avery
Dramatic fall in knife crime as Labour policing chief hails 'real results'
Data shows a 23% drop in knife homicides in England and Wales in 2025, with overall knife crime falling by 9%.
Policing minister Sarah Jones said a policing shake-up will help drive down knife crime further. #UKNews
Data shows a 23% drop in knife homicides in England and Wales in 2025, with overall knife crime falling by 9%.
Policing minister Sarah Jones said a policing shake-up will help drive down knife crime further. #UKNews
January 29, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Dramatic fall in knife crime as Labour policing chief hails 'real results'
Data shows a 23% drop in knife homicides in England and Wales in 2025, with overall knife crime falling by 9%.
Policing minister Sarah Jones said a policing shake-up will help drive down knife crime further. #UKNews
Data shows a 23% drop in knife homicides in England and Wales in 2025, with overall knife crime falling by 9%.
Policing minister Sarah Jones said a policing shake-up will help drive down knife crime further. #UKNews
Reposted by Nerys Avery
Exclusive: The Trump administration has held covert meetings with fringe separatists from the oil-rich Canadian province as a rift deepens between Washington and Ottawa. ft.trib.al/zYlleOJ
January 29, 2026 at 6:12 AM
Exclusive: The Trump administration has held covert meetings with fringe separatists from the oil-rich Canadian province as a rift deepens between Washington and Ottawa. ft.trib.al/zYlleOJ
Reposted by Nerys Avery
What does the future of Apple look like? How will they fare against fast technological developments of Chinese and other tech companies? Guests Jianggan Li and @patrickmcgee.bsky.social weigh in with opposing views.
Listen to the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...
Listen to the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...
January 29, 2026 at 7:02 AM
What does the future of Apple look like? How will they fare against fast technological developments of Chinese and other tech companies? Guests Jianggan Li and @patrickmcgee.bsky.social weigh in with opposing views.
Listen to the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...
Listen to the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...
Reposted by Nerys Avery
Pay attention to this. The purpose of these investigations is not just to manufacture evidence to support Trump’s 2020 “voter fraud” accusations, but also to set the stage for another round of efforts to suppress votes and delegitimize election results in 2026 (which the GOP is likely to lose).
1/ NEW: @propublica.org has obtained a search warrant that the FBI is executing for records related to the contested 2020 election in Fulton County, Ga., which has not yet been widely shared. It’s an extraordinary document.
Link: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Link: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
1-28-26 Fulton Warrant
www.documentcloud.org
January 28, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Pay attention to this. The purpose of these investigations is not just to manufacture evidence to support Trump’s 2020 “voter fraud” accusations, but also to set the stage for another round of efforts to suppress votes and delegitimize election results in 2026 (which the GOP is likely to lose).
Reposted by Nerys Avery
This is what Starmer asks for in return for the mega-embassy? Weird use of leverage
PM to strike border security pact in China to disrupt supply of small boat engines. Over half small boat engines used by people smugglers in English Channel made in China
PM to strike border security pact in China to disrupt supply of small boat engines. Over half small boat engines used by people smugglers in English Channel made in China
UK-China border security deal to help disrupt small boat supply lines
People smuggling gangs will be dealt a further blow with the Prime Minister expected to launch a border security agreement with China to tackle the flow of Chinese made small boat parts.
www.gov.uk
January 29, 2026 at 7:17 AM
This is what Starmer asks for in return for the mega-embassy? Weird use of leverage
PM to strike border security pact in China to disrupt supply of small boat engines. Over half small boat engines used by people smugglers in English Channel made in China
PM to strike border security pact in China to disrupt supply of small boat engines. Over half small boat engines used by people smugglers in English Channel made in China
Reposted by Nerys Avery
Labour steps in to save jobs and support the green energy industry!
A £20m grant to the Vestas factory on the Isle of Wight will save 300 jobs and help it transition from producing off-shore turbines to on-shore turbines.
The future of the factor was in doubt following a drop in demand for...
1/2
A £20m grant to the Vestas factory on the Isle of Wight will save 300 jobs and help it transition from producing off-shore turbines to on-shore turbines.
The future of the factor was in doubt following a drop in demand for...
1/2
January 29, 2026 at 7:20 AM
Labour steps in to save jobs and support the green energy industry!
A £20m grant to the Vestas factory on the Isle of Wight will save 300 jobs and help it transition from producing off-shore turbines to on-shore turbines.
The future of the factor was in doubt following a drop in demand for...
1/2
A £20m grant to the Vestas factory on the Isle of Wight will save 300 jobs and help it transition from producing off-shore turbines to on-shore turbines.
The future of the factor was in doubt following a drop in demand for...
1/2
Reposted by Nerys Avery
Layoffs in the past year:
• Dell: 13,000
• Intel: 27,000
• Meta: 11,000
• UPS: 48,000
• FedEx: 12,000
• Boeing: 17,000
• Verizon: 15,000
• Walmart: 12,000
• Amazon: 30,000
• Microsoft: 15,000
• Citigroup: 20,000
Job security is a myth.
• Dell: 13,000
• Intel: 27,000
• Meta: 11,000
• UPS: 48,000
• FedEx: 12,000
• Boeing: 17,000
• Verizon: 15,000
• Walmart: 12,000
• Amazon: 30,000
• Microsoft: 15,000
• Citigroup: 20,000
Job security is a myth.
January 28, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Layoffs in the past year:
• Dell: 13,000
• Intel: 27,000
• Meta: 11,000
• UPS: 48,000
• FedEx: 12,000
• Boeing: 17,000
• Verizon: 15,000
• Walmart: 12,000
• Amazon: 30,000
• Microsoft: 15,000
• Citigroup: 20,000
Job security is a myth.
• Dell: 13,000
• Intel: 27,000
• Meta: 11,000
• UPS: 48,000
• FedEx: 12,000
• Boeing: 17,000
• Verizon: 15,000
• Walmart: 12,000
• Amazon: 30,000
• Microsoft: 15,000
• Citigroup: 20,000
Job security is a myth.
Reposted by Nerys Avery
I have considerable issues with big tech leading the adult AI education conversation on this. But if they are going to be involved in basically a massive ad campaign then they should put their money where their mouth is and collectively fund universal basic income across the UK.
January 28, 2026 at 1:29 PM
I have considerable issues with big tech leading the adult AI education conversation on this. But if they are going to be involved in basically a massive ad campaign then they should put their money where their mouth is and collectively fund universal basic income across the UK.
Reposted by Nerys Avery
3/ The FBI is seeking to seize numerous records from the 2020 election, including ballots, tabulator tapes, digital data and voter rolls.
The warrant alleges that these may constitute “evidence of the commission of a criminal offense.”
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
The warrant alleges that these may constitute “evidence of the commission of a criminal offense.”
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
1-28-26 Fulton Warrant
www.documentcloud.org
January 28, 2026 at 10:56 PM
3/ The FBI is seeking to seize numerous records from the 2020 election, including ballots, tabulator tapes, digital data and voter rolls.
The warrant alleges that these may constitute “evidence of the commission of a criminal offense.”
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
The warrant alleges that these may constitute “evidence of the commission of a criminal offense.”
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Reposted by Nerys Avery
Every political leader in the UK has condemned what Trump said last night about the role of UK troops and Nato in Afghanistan, except one. This is what Nigel Farage has tweeted since Trump spoke
@mrjamesob.bsky.social @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social
@mrjamesob.bsky.social @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social
January 23, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Every political leader in the UK has condemned what Trump said last night about the role of UK troops and Nato in Afghanistan, except one. This is what Nigel Farage has tweeted since Trump spoke
@mrjamesob.bsky.social @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social
@mrjamesob.bsky.social @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social
Reposted by Nerys Avery
Board of Peace - Season 1
January 24, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Board of Peace - Season 1
Reposted by Nerys Avery
24% of people who voted Labour at the last general election now plan to
vote Green or Lib Dem.
0% of those who voted Reform at the last election now plan to vote Labour.
vote Green or Lib Dem.
0% of those who voted Reform at the last election now plan to vote Labour.
January 21, 2026 at 10:05 PM
24% of people who voted Labour at the last general election now plan to
vote Green or Lib Dem.
0% of those who voted Reform at the last election now plan to vote Labour.
vote Green or Lib Dem.
0% of those who voted Reform at the last election now plan to vote Labour.
Reposted by Nerys Avery
If "Made in China" still means cheap gadgets from a Shenzhen factory, what should we call the cutting-edge battery manufacturing facilities that are being built by Chinese companies across the world?
You can read more about the trend and interact with our data here. www.wired.com/story/chines...
You can read more about the trend and interact with our data here. www.wired.com/story/chines...
Chinese EV Batteries Are Eating the World
China’s lithium batteries aren’t always “made in China.” Companies like BYD and CATL are building factories on nearly every continent.
www.wired.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:40 PM
If "Made in China" still means cheap gadgets from a Shenzhen factory, what should we call the cutting-edge battery manufacturing facilities that are being built by Chinese companies across the world?
You can read more about the trend and interact with our data here. www.wired.com/story/chines...
You can read more about the trend and interact with our data here. www.wired.com/story/chines...
Reposted by Nerys Avery
Harry Enten: “Wanna know how poorly Trump buying Greenland polls? Worse than the Epstein files. Seriously, Trump's net approval rating on any attempt to buy Greenland (-40 pts) is lower than his net approval on the Epstein files (-38 pts). Greenland is arguably Trump's worst polling issue.”
January 21, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Harry Enten: “Wanna know how poorly Trump buying Greenland polls? Worse than the Epstein files. Seriously, Trump's net approval rating on any attempt to buy Greenland (-40 pts) is lower than his net approval on the Epstein files (-38 pts). Greenland is arguably Trump's worst polling issue.”
Read it 👇https://open.substack.com/pub/kyla/p/the-great-entertainment?r=7dja&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
The Great Entertainment
Can you govern the world like a reality TV show?
open.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Read it 👇https://open.substack.com/pub/kyla/p/the-great-entertainment?r=7dja&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
Reposted by Nerys Avery
Reform leader Nigel Farage committed 17 breaches of Parliamentary Standards by late-registering payments from GB News, Direct Bullion, Baron App/others totaling £384,000
He got no punishment
Imagine how you would be punished if your tax returns on £384,000 were 120 days late
He got no punishment
Imagine how you would be punished if your tax returns on £384,000 were 120 days late
January 21, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Reform leader Nigel Farage committed 17 breaches of Parliamentary Standards by late-registering payments from GB News, Direct Bullion, Baron App/others totaling £384,000
He got no punishment
Imagine how you would be punished if your tax returns on £384,000 were 120 days late
He got no punishment
Imagine how you would be punished if your tax returns on £384,000 were 120 days late
Reposted by Nerys Avery
There is no coming back from this for the US. Ever. The era of US prominence is over. All we can do going forward is, first, get rid of Trump and Trumpism, and then humbly start to rebuild what good we can. But it will never be about US leadership or prestige. Ever. All that is over.
January 21, 2026 at 2:53 PM
There is no coming back from this for the US. Ever. The era of US prominence is over. All we can do going forward is, first, get rid of Trump and Trumpism, and then humbly start to rebuild what good we can. But it will never be about US leadership or prestige. Ever. All that is over.
Reposted by Nerys Avery
One reason I am gloomy about Britain’s ability to rise to this geopolitical moment is the sheer parochialism and unseriousness of much of its media. The Times, which used to be a serious paper, does not have a single comment piece today on the gravest international crisis in 80 years
January 21, 2026 at 10:21 AM
One reason I am gloomy about Britain’s ability to rise to this geopolitical moment is the sheer parochialism and unseriousness of much of its media. The Times, which used to be a serious paper, does not have a single comment piece today on the gravest international crisis in 80 years
Reposted by Nerys Avery
Mark Carney's speech really is terrific: full text is here and very much worth your time.
The Carney doctrine
Open comment thread on the PM's Davos speech
paulwells.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Mark Carney's speech really is terrific: full text is here and very much worth your time.
Reposted by Nerys Avery
In a remarkable court filing, DOJ also revealed that DOGE employees traded Social Security data on an unapproved third party server — Cloudflare — and may have sent private SSA info to a top DOGE adviser. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 20, 2026 at 6:53 PM
In a remarkable court filing, DOJ also revealed that DOGE employees traded Social Security data on an unapproved third party server — Cloudflare — and may have sent private SSA info to a top DOGE adviser. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Nerys Avery
NEWS: The Social Security Administration has referred two DOGE employees for Hatch Act violations after discovering contacts with a political group seeking SSA data to overturn election results. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 20, 2026 at 6:53 PM
NEWS: The Social Security Administration has referred two DOGE employees for Hatch Act violations after discovering contacts with a political group seeking SSA data to overturn election results. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Nerys Avery
NEW: NEW: Standards commissioner finds Nigel Farage committed seventeen breaches of MPs code of conduct.
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
January 21, 2026 at 8:48 AM
NEW: NEW: Standards commissioner finds Nigel Farage committed seventeen breaches of MPs code of conduct.
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
Reposted by Nerys Avery
Reminder that Farage's friend, whose donation to him here was initially undeclared, is a convicted fraudster
… including payments for promoting gold, presenting on GB News and from his friend George Cottrell, within 28 days.
Reform UK leader apologised for what he described as administrative errors by his team.
Reform UK leader apologised for what he described as administrative errors by his team.
January 21, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Reminder that Farage's friend, whose donation to him here was initially undeclared, is a convicted fraudster