Pat
@patelsmie.bsky.social
More curious now than ever. Life, Love, the whole damned thing.
Ribbon: for Peace and Compassion.
*We are where we are because of where we have been. Each choice, each decision rolls us forward. But each moment has its own Choice.*
Ribbon: for Peace and Compassion.
*We are where we are because of where we have been. Each choice, each decision rolls us forward. But each moment has its own Choice.*
Talk about #tippingpoints!
“…the law is going to be the power that forces us in the direction that we need to go.”
#COP30 must be the nudge forward. It’s time to move #climateaction on!
Read @ninalakhani.bsky.social for @theguardian.com 👇🏼
“…the law is going to be the power that forces us in the direction that we need to go.”
#COP30 must be the nudge forward. It’s time to move #climateaction on!
Read @ninalakhani.bsky.social for @theguardian.com 👇🏼
‘Existential and urgent’: what impact will ICJ climate ruling have on #COP30?
- Decision by international court of justice hailed as a gamechanger for climate justice and accountability
Story by @ninalakhani.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- Decision by international court of justice hailed as a gamechanger for climate justice and accountability
Story by @ninalakhani.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Existential and urgent’: what impact will ICJ climate ruling have on Cop30?
Decision by international court of justice hailed as a gamechanger for climate justice and accountability
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Talk about #tippingpoints!
“…the law is going to be the power that forces us in the direction that we need to go.”
#COP30 must be the nudge forward. It’s time to move #climateaction on!
Read @ninalakhani.bsky.social for @theguardian.com 👇🏼
“…the law is going to be the power that forces us in the direction that we need to go.”
#COP30 must be the nudge forward. It’s time to move #climateaction on!
Read @ninalakhani.bsky.social for @theguardian.com 👇🏼
This afternoon an incredibly important principle is being debated in the House of Lords
We know people die at our border & in our asylum system at a horrifying rate, but shockingly the govt does not record how many, who, or how.
@asylummatters.bsky.social are campaigning to #KnowTheirNames
We know people die at our border & in our asylum system at a horrifying rate, but shockingly the govt does not record how many, who, or how.
@asylummatters.bsky.social are campaigning to #KnowTheirNames
November 5, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Reposted by Pat
A landmark year for #HumanRights.
75 years of the European Convention on Human Rights and 25 years of the EU's Fundamental Rights Charter!!!
See also 🔗https://fra.europa.eu/en/news-and-events/stories/charter-anniversary
75 years of the European Convention on Human Rights and 25 years of the EU's Fundamental Rights Charter!!!
See also 🔗https://fra.europa.eu/en/news-and-events/stories/charter-anniversary
Happy Birthday to the European Convention on Human Rights, which has helped to protect #OurRightsAndFreedoms for 75 years.
Here are more than 200 examples, from across the continent👇
🔗 www.coe.int/ECHR
There are thousands more.
#ECHR #ECHR75 @coe.int @echr.coe.int
Here are more than 200 examples, from across the continent👇
🔗 www.coe.int/ECHR
There are thousands more.
#ECHR #ECHR75 @coe.int @echr.coe.int
November 4, 2025 at 7:51 AM
A landmark year for #HumanRights.
75 years of the European Convention on Human Rights and 25 years of the EU's Fundamental Rights Charter!!!
See also 🔗https://fra.europa.eu/en/news-and-events/stories/charter-anniversary
75 years of the European Convention on Human Rights and 25 years of the EU's Fundamental Rights Charter!!!
See also 🔗https://fra.europa.eu/en/news-and-events/stories/charter-anniversary
Reposted by Pat
Happy Birthday to the European Convention on Human Rights, which has helped to protect #OurRightsAndFreedoms for 75 years.
Here are more than 200 examples, from across the continent👇
🔗 www.coe.int/ECHR
There are thousands more.
#ECHR #ECHR75 @coe.int @echr.coe.int
Here are more than 200 examples, from across the continent👇
🔗 www.coe.int/ECHR
There are thousands more.
#ECHR #ECHR75 @coe.int @echr.coe.int
November 4, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Happy Birthday to the European Convention on Human Rights, which has helped to protect #OurRightsAndFreedoms for 75 years.
Here are more than 200 examples, from across the continent👇
🔗 www.coe.int/ECHR
There are thousands more.
#ECHR #ECHR75 @coe.int @echr.coe.int
Here are more than 200 examples, from across the continent👇
🔗 www.coe.int/ECHR
There are thousands more.
#ECHR #ECHR75 @coe.int @echr.coe.int
Reposted by Pat
The International Criminal Court (ICC) will switch its internal work environment away from Microsoft Office to Open Desk, a European open source alternative, the institution confirmed to Euractiv.
www.euractiv.com/news/interna...
www.euractiv.com/news/interna...
International Criminal Court to ditch Microsoft Office for European open source alternative | Euractiv
The court will move its internal work environment to Open Desk, a German-developed open source software
www.euractiv.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:25 AM
The International Criminal Court (ICC) will switch its internal work environment away from Microsoft Office to Open Desk, a European open source alternative, the institution confirmed to Euractiv.
www.euractiv.com/news/interna...
www.euractiv.com/news/interna...
Action. Reaction. Consequences.
Choices matter.
Choices matter.
Net migration to the UK is falling rapidly. But how far will it fall? A new, detailed estimate by @jamesbowes01.bsky.social projects net migration in 2026 will be 70K to 170K.
This will have significant consequences, both economic and political.
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-coming-c...
This will have significant consequences, both economic and political.
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-coming-c...
October 30, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Action. Reaction. Consequences.
Choices matter.
Choices matter.
This. Is what we’ve become.
It doesn’t resolve anything; but, our open and unreserved admittance of our innermost views, using hurtful, demeaning, racially-toned language, can be seen as a step forward for humanity.
After all, Naming our fears should be the start of *internalising* Difference.
>>
It doesn’t resolve anything; but, our open and unreserved admittance of our innermost views, using hurtful, demeaning, racially-toned language, can be seen as a step forward for humanity.
After all, Naming our fears should be the start of *internalising* Difference.
>>
No shame, no opprobrium: racism is priced in now. Of all the right’s victories, this one has been critical | Jason Okundaye
No shame, no opprobrium: racism is priced in now. Of all the right’s victories, this one has been critical | Jason Okundaye
In this age of Tory nativism and Faragist populism, the question isn’t ‘is this person a bigot’? Now it is ‘does that matter at all?’ says Guardian writer Jason Okundaye
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:46 AM
This. Is what we’ve become.
It doesn’t resolve anything; but, our open and unreserved admittance of our innermost views, using hurtful, demeaning, racially-toned language, can be seen as a step forward for humanity.
After all, Naming our fears should be the start of *internalising* Difference.
>>
It doesn’t resolve anything; but, our open and unreserved admittance of our innermost views, using hurtful, demeaning, racially-toned language, can be seen as a step forward for humanity.
After all, Naming our fears should be the start of *internalising* Difference.
>>
Well. Some people can still think for themselves.
Germany saw its second-highest participation ever in an onshore wind auction, as firms rushed to lock in projects ahead of the government’s plan to cut subsidies .
German Wind Firms Rush Bids in Onshore Tender Before Subsidy Cut
Germany saw its second-highest participation ever in an onshore wind auction, as firms rushed to lock in projects ahead of the government’s plan to cut subsidies for the renewables sector.
bloom.bg
September 24, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Well. Some people can still think for themselves.
Will political powerplayers ever connect the dots? Selective theorising is a deeply flawed and harmful gamble with lives.
Then again the lemming behaviour is an exceptional response that may just prove the myth in our human context.
Then again the lemming behaviour is an exceptional response that may just prove the myth in our human context.
If the Reform Party plan to abolish indefinite leave to remain also abolishes settled status for EU citizens, that would be a breach of the withdrawal agreement, liable to lead to the EU retaliating by removing trade preferences.
September 22, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Will political powerplayers ever connect the dots? Selective theorising is a deeply flawed and harmful gamble with lives.
Then again the lemming behaviour is an exceptional response that may just prove the myth in our human context.
Then again the lemming behaviour is an exceptional response that may just prove the myth in our human context.
Extraordinary piece from @yangyangcheng.bsky.social.
So grateful to write for @dissentmag.bsky.social's Fall 2025 issue "Authoritarianism and Resistance." I drafted the piece in June with the new school year in mind, as an immigrant scholar severed from her homeland: What can we teach the young about how to exist and persist at this historic juncture?
To Outlive Tyranny - Dissent Magazine
Flesh and blood alone cannot halt the advance of iron and steel. To stop the tanks, we need people to place blocks on the road and throw sand into the gears.
www.dissentmagazine.org
September 11, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Extraordinary piece from @yangyangcheng.bsky.social.
Indeed. But does anyone have the courage or dare I say decency, to give it a try?
For decades, the HO has not risen to its purpose, rather it’s fallen to the self-interested of all political hues, mostly the “blame Outsiders” brigade who haven’t been able to devise a fair balance of needs/concerns.
For decades, the HO has not risen to its purpose, rather it’s fallen to the self-interested of all political hues, mostly the “blame Outsiders” brigade who haven’t been able to devise a fair balance of needs/concerns.
The Chancellor wants (rightly) to reduce regulatory burdens, boost growth *and* dampen inflation.
Most obvious way to do all these is a liberal, flexible immigration system that encourages work migrants and international students.
So she should start with Home Office
www.ft.com/content/7732...
Most obvious way to do all these is a liberal, flexible immigration system that encourages work migrants and international students.
So she should start with Home Office
www.ft.com/content/7732...
Rachel Reeves to tell ministers to prioritise fight against UK inflation
Labour MPs increasingly concerned about ‘straitjacket’ imposed on economic policy
www.ft.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Indeed. But does anyone have the courage or dare I say decency, to give it a try?
For decades, the HO has not risen to its purpose, rather it’s fallen to the self-interested of all political hues, mostly the “blame Outsiders” brigade who haven’t been able to devise a fair balance of needs/concerns.
For decades, the HO has not risen to its purpose, rather it’s fallen to the self-interested of all political hues, mostly the “blame Outsiders” brigade who haven’t been able to devise a fair balance of needs/concerns.
The carbon bully www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
US tells countries to reject UN ship fuel emissions deal or face tariffs, sources say
The United States has told countries to reject a United Nations' marine fuel emissions-cutting deal or face tariffs, visa restrictions and port levies, U.S. and European officials and sources told Reuters.
www.reuters.com
September 4, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Taking profit to new heights of the art of the dice, and the dying #WorldAsWeveKnownIt
Too good to miss a trick. #LifeIsAGamble and do we know it!
Lloyd’s of London U-turns on fossil fuels
Too good to miss a trick. #LifeIsAGamble and do we know it!
Lloyd’s of London U-turns on fossil fuels
September 4, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Taking profit to new heights of the art of the dice, and the dying #WorldAsWeveKnownIt
Too good to miss a trick. #LifeIsAGamble and do we know it!
Lloyd’s of London U-turns on fossil fuels
Too good to miss a trick. #LifeIsAGamble and do we know it!
Lloyd’s of London U-turns on fossil fuels
🤨 #potandkettle
Hugely anticipating how the world’s nations including the peer review group will grill the USA about its record of human rights behaviours at November’s Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights HQ in Geneva.
Pre-sessions kicking off 26/08: upr-info.org/en/review/un...
Hugely anticipating how the world’s nations including the peer review group will grill the USA about its record of human rights behaviours at November’s Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights HQ in Geneva.
Pre-sessions kicking off 26/08: upr-info.org/en/review/un...
A bit rich for the State Department—which is locking up and trying to deport students because of their political views—to feign concern for freedom of expression abroad.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. escalates human rights criticism of South Africa and Brazil
Leaked draft reports on South Africa and Brazil lean into President Donald Trump’s contested claims, fueling disputes at the State Department.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
🤨 #potandkettle
Hugely anticipating how the world’s nations including the peer review group will grill the USA about its record of human rights behaviours at November’s Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights HQ in Geneva.
Pre-sessions kicking off 26/08: upr-info.org/en/review/un...
Hugely anticipating how the world’s nations including the peer review group will grill the USA about its record of human rights behaviours at November’s Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights HQ in Geneva.
Pre-sessions kicking off 26/08: upr-info.org/en/review/un...
What would Aesop say, I wonder? Or Hans Christian Andersen?
O, the lessons we learn.
And, Dr Seuss!
@davidallengreen.bsky.social
O, the lessons we learn.
And, Dr Seuss!
@davidallengreen.bsky.social
August 11, 2025 at 10:06 AM
What would Aesop say, I wonder? Or Hans Christian Andersen?
O, the lessons we learn.
And, Dr Seuss!
@davidallengreen.bsky.social
O, the lessons we learn.
And, Dr Seuss!
@davidallengreen.bsky.social
It is shocking and diabolical that people choose to be swayed by bigoted tropes and anti-Other sentiment. That they continue to be swayed even after years of easier global communications, access, travel, food, technology, community-led outreach, cultural and humanistic approaches, laws!
Says a lot.
Says a lot.
The narrative has rapidly escalated from ‘We don’t know who these people are’ to ‘We know who these people are and they’re evil’.
The societal consequences of this racism cannot be controlled.
The manufactured public paranoia of ‘brown boat men’ will threaten all people of colour in our country.
The societal consequences of this racism cannot be controlled.
The manufactured public paranoia of ‘brown boat men’ will threaten all people of colour in our country.
August 10, 2025 at 9:25 AM
It is shocking and diabolical that people choose to be swayed by bigoted tropes and anti-Other sentiment. That they continue to be swayed even after years of easier global communications, access, travel, food, technology, community-led outreach, cultural and humanistic approaches, laws!
Says a lot.
Says a lot.
Now here’s the kicker.
Shortterm politicking frequently and even deliberately masks the reality, leading to forward planning left off the table or at back of a deep shelf.
EPI report👇🏼has clear recommendations on falling popln and roll numbers!
But it’s all a game for politicians. And we let them!
Shortterm politicking frequently and even deliberately masks the reality, leading to forward planning left off the table or at back of a deep shelf.
EPI report👇🏼has clear recommendations on falling popln and roll numbers!
But it’s all a game for politicians. And we let them!
The impact of falling school rolls - Education Policy Institute (2024). This big demographic change tends to be ignored in all of the reporting, commentary on VAT on private fees.
(It is counterintuitive due to media assumptions about immigration + population)
epi.org.uk/publications...
(It is counterintuitive due to media assumptions about immigration + population)
epi.org.uk/publications...
School funding model: Effect of falling school rolls - Education Policy Institute
This report is the first to use EPI’s new school funding model, which replicates the Department for Education’s own national funding formula (NFF) and allows us to analyse the impact of potential fund...
epi.org.uk
August 4, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Now here’s the kicker.
Shortterm politicking frequently and even deliberately masks the reality, leading to forward planning left off the table or at back of a deep shelf.
EPI report👇🏼has clear recommendations on falling popln and roll numbers!
But it’s all a game for politicians. And we let them!
Shortterm politicking frequently and even deliberately masks the reality, leading to forward planning left off the table or at back of a deep shelf.
EPI report👇🏼has clear recommendations on falling popln and roll numbers!
But it’s all a game for politicians. And we let them!
Reposted by Pat
Our government and media are complicit in enabling racist violence, our latest report shows.
One year since the racist riots broke out across the UK, violence which has continued since, those in power cannot continue to deny their enabling role.
Read the report here 👉 www.runnymedetrust.o...
One year since the racist riots broke out across the UK, violence which has continued since, those in power cannot continue to deny their enabling role.
Read the report here 👉 www.runnymedetrust.o...
A hostile environment: language, race, surveillance and the media
A hostile environment: language, race, surveillance and the media is the second of two reports analysing parliamentary and media debates from 2010-2024, and shows how large sections of these debates encouraged widespread hostility to migrants.
www.runnymedetrust.org
August 2, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Our government and media are complicit in enabling racist violence, our latest report shows.
One year since the racist riots broke out across the UK, violence which has continued since, those in power cannot continue to deny their enabling role.
Read the report here 👉 www.runnymedetrust.o...
One year since the racist riots broke out across the UK, violence which has continued since, those in power cannot continue to deny their enabling role.
Read the report here 👉 www.runnymedetrust.o...
“Advisory opinions are technically non-binding but are considered authoritative because they summarise existing law rather than create laws.”
They at least give credit to reason and just regard for the rule of law, the least we can expect of a civilised society.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
They at least give credit to reason and just regard for the rule of law, the least we can expect of a civilised society.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Nations who fail to curb fossil fuels could be ordered to pay reparations, top UN court rules
Landmark opinion says those that fail to prevent climate harm could be liable for compensation and restitution
www.theguardian.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
“Advisory opinions are technically non-binding but are considered authoritative because they summarise existing law rather than create laws.”
They at least give credit to reason and just regard for the rule of law, the least we can expect of a civilised society.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
They at least give credit to reason and just regard for the rule of law, the least we can expect of a civilised society.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Like the conundrum of the song,
And the circles in the spiral,
Life has its own momentum
Working towards completion,
That ever advancing loci
Of its own time and space.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
And the circles in the spiral,
Life has its own momentum
Working towards completion,
That ever advancing loci
Of its own time and space.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Fossil Fool
How Europe took Trump for a ride
open.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Like the conundrum of the song,
And the circles in the spiral,
Life has its own momentum
Working towards completion,
That ever advancing loci
Of its own time and space.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
And the circles in the spiral,
Life has its own momentum
Working towards completion,
That ever advancing loci
Of its own time and space.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
The knife edge just got sharper.
Donald Trump blocks Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te from New York stopover
Donald Trump blocks Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te from New York stopover
July 29, 2025 at 7:55 AM
The knife edge just got sharper.
Donald Trump blocks Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te from New York stopover
Donald Trump blocks Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te from New York stopover
We live on a floating rock. Just get in with it!
Bravo, this young woman!
Bravo, this young woman!
Skegness, one of your absolute finest people right here. Buy her a drink whenever you see her.
July 28, 2025 at 11:31 AM
We live on a floating rock. Just get in with it!
Bravo, this young woman!
Bravo, this young woman!
Against all the odds, there is still a recognition that something must be done in the face of human created climate disruption.
How much will it hold back the greatest losses of Life and Planet? ⏳
#BlowingInTheWind
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/c...
How much will it hold back the greatest losses of Life and Planet? ⏳
#BlowingInTheWind
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/c...
As U.S. Retreats on Climate, China and Europe Pledge to Go Green Together
www.nytimes.com
July 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Against all the odds, there is still a recognition that something must be done in the face of human created climate disruption.
How much will it hold back the greatest losses of Life and Planet? ⏳
#BlowingInTheWind
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/c...
How much will it hold back the greatest losses of Life and Planet? ⏳
#BlowingInTheWind
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/c...
There will be much to say during the upcoming Universal Periodic Review of the United States by its peers at the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva this Nov. Still some months away but reactions will be on show — a further reckoning of global power levers, for better or worse.
“What government wants to do is send the eight noncitizens it illegally removed from US from Djibouti to South Sudan, where they will be turned over to local authorities without regard for likelihood they will face torture or death"
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/03/u...
Supreme Court Lets Trump Deport Eight Migrants to South Sudan
www.nytimes.com
July 6, 2025 at 8:34 AM
There will be much to say during the upcoming Universal Periodic Review of the United States by its peers at the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva this Nov. Still some months away but reactions will be on show — a further reckoning of global power levers, for better or worse.