Paul Cowling
@picowlo.bsky.social
Far from the madding crowds... Politics, society, culture and stuff. Views from the shores of the Baltic
Pinned
Paul Cowling
@picowlo.bsky.social
· Nov 12
What this site needs is more posts on wooden boatbuilding...... 😉 #clinkerboat #Boat #boatbuilding #sailing
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Deep breath, once more for those at the back, seeking asylum is not illegal. No matter route used, which considering Labour has closed pretty much all the last remaining alternatives means irregular ones.
Anti-immigration sentiments are stoked by politicians like Mahmood, not people seeking safety.
Anti-immigration sentiments are stoked by politicians like Mahmood, not people seeking safety.
November 16, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Deep breath, once more for those at the back, seeking asylum is not illegal. No matter route used, which considering Labour has closed pretty much all the last remaining alternatives means irregular ones.
Anti-immigration sentiments are stoked by politicians like Mahmood, not people seeking safety.
Anti-immigration sentiments are stoked by politicians like Mahmood, not people seeking safety.
Reposted by Paul Cowling
“Someone with a 1-hr car commute needs to earn 40% more to be as happy as someone with a short walk to work. On the other hand, if someone shifts from a long commute to a walk, their happiness increases as much as if they’d fallen in love.” #CityMakingMath
50 reasons to want more walkable cities.
50 reasons to want more walkable cities.
50 Reasons Why Everyone Should Want More Walkable Streets
From making you live longer to making cities more resilient: If you want a reason to make your city more walkable, it's in here.
www.fastcompany.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:40 AM
“Someone with a 1-hr car commute needs to earn 40% more to be as happy as someone with a short walk to work. On the other hand, if someone shifts from a long commute to a walk, their happiness increases as much as if they’d fallen in love.” #CityMakingMath
50 reasons to want more walkable cities.
50 reasons to want more walkable cities.
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Refuge isn’t weakness. It’s an investment. And the returns are human, immeasurable, and generational.
Britain once understood that. It can again.
8/8
Britain once understood that. It can again.
8/8
November 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Refuge isn’t weakness. It’s an investment. And the returns are human, immeasurable, and generational.
Britain once understood that. It can again.
8/8
Britain once understood that. It can again.
8/8
North America -take a look at yourself....
This is interesting — a recent study of mode share (the % share of transportation trips by car, transit, walking, biking etc) relative to city size and income levels in almost 800 cities in 61 countries. Interesting results. HT @davidzipper.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
November 15, 2025 at 8:57 PM
North America -take a look at yourself....
Reposted by Paul Cowling
På någon sorts metaplan, visst är man så trött på negativ politik nu? Släng ut dom, lås in dom, sänk ersättningsnivåerna, hårda tag, nej till allt - jag orkar fan inte?
Jag vill säga ja, jag vill höra politiker säga ja, det här ska vi GÖRA. Inte ”det här ska vi förstöra”. Det är så himla deppigt?
Jag vill säga ja, jag vill höra politiker säga ja, det här ska vi GÖRA. Inte ”det här ska vi förstöra”. Det är så himla deppigt?
November 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
På någon sorts metaplan, visst är man så trött på negativ politik nu? Släng ut dom, lås in dom, sänk ersättningsnivåerna, hårda tag, nej till allt - jag orkar fan inte?
Jag vill säga ja, jag vill höra politiker säga ja, det här ska vi GÖRA. Inte ”det här ska vi förstöra”. Det är så himla deppigt?
Jag vill säga ja, jag vill höra politiker säga ja, det här ska vi GÖRA. Inte ”det här ska vi förstöra”. Det är så himla deppigt?
Sweden.... Fossil fuel lobbyists are part of the delegation to COP30 🙄
Skandal att regeringen låter fossillobbyister ingå i Sveriges delegation på klimattoppmötet. Fyra representanter från energibolaget Siemens Energy, som producerar fossilgasturbiner i Finspång, är med i Sveriges delegation till klimatmötet COP30. #klimat #bytregering www.dn.se/varlden/foss...
Fossillobbyister i Sveriges delegation på klimatmötet i Brasilien
Fyra representanter från energibolaget Siemens Energy, som producerar fossilgasturbiner i Finspång, är med i Sveriges delegation till…
www.dn.se
November 15, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Sweden.... Fossil fuel lobbyists are part of the delegation to COP30 🙄
Reposted by Paul Cowling
This is as bad as anything proposed by Reform.
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 6:43 AM
This is as bad as anything proposed by Reform.
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Paul Cowling
EU och Sverige har förlorat initiativet och trovärdighet i klimatpolitiken. Kina är världsledande när det gäller solel, batterier och elfordon. De gör enorma investeringar i vindkraft, järnväg och tunnelbanor. Där skapas framtidens jobb medan vi halkar efter.
www.folkbladet.nu/2025-11-15/e...
www.folkbladet.nu/2025-11-15/e...
Krönika: ”EU backar om klimatet”
Kina är världsledande när det gäller solel, batterier och elfordon. De gör enorma investeringar i vindkraft, järnväg och tunnelbanor. Där skapas framtidens jobb medan vi halkar efter, skriver Jonas Sj...
www.folkbladet.nu
November 15, 2025 at 7:58 AM
EU och Sverige har förlorat initiativet och trovärdighet i klimatpolitiken. Kina är världsledande när det gäller solel, batterier och elfordon. De gör enorma investeringar i vindkraft, järnväg och tunnelbanor. Där skapas framtidens jobb medan vi halkar efter.
www.folkbladet.nu/2025-11-15/e...
www.folkbladet.nu/2025-11-15/e...
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Why! Sorry, but why? Labour's anti-asylum, anti-immigration, policies are the antithesis of anything anyone who genuinely supports human rights should be defending. They're absolutely inhumane and condemnable. Anyone supporting them can't claim to be "progressive"
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
No 10 tells Labour MPs it expects support for tough new asylum policies
Some backbenchers already opposing planned immigration crackdown seen as ‘economically and culturally illiterate’
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Why! Sorry, but why? Labour's anti-asylum, anti-immigration, policies are the antithesis of anything anyone who genuinely supports human rights should be defending. They're absolutely inhumane and condemnable. Anyone supporting them can't claim to be "progressive"
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Paul Cowling
NEW via CNN: “The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal”
Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break | CNN Politics
The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes ...
www.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:17 PM
NEW via CNN: “The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal”
Reposted by Paul Cowling
It is unacceptable that members of congress in response to a President repeatedly ignoring Congress is to give him political cover to keep doing that. Appeasement doesn’t work with wannabe strongmen, they know you’ll cave so they’ll do it again. Have some dignity and stand for something
November 10, 2025 at 5:27 AM
It is unacceptable that members of congress in response to a President repeatedly ignoring Congress is to give him political cover to keep doing that. Appeasement doesn’t work with wannabe strongmen, they know you’ll cave so they’ll do it again. Have some dignity and stand for something
Reposted by Paul Cowling
The BBC should serve as an example to all that there is nothing you can give the far rabid right that will satisfy it.
It has simpered, pandered, soft-balled and fluff-jobbed, both-sidesed and debased itself into being a platform for liars to look down the camera and lie on, & it still gets fucked.
It has simpered, pandered, soft-balled and fluff-jobbed, both-sidesed and debased itself into being a platform for liars to look down the camera and lie on, & it still gets fucked.
November 9, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The BBC should serve as an example to all that there is nothing you can give the far rabid right that will satisfy it.
It has simpered, pandered, soft-balled and fluff-jobbed, both-sidesed and debased itself into being a platform for liars to look down the camera and lie on, & it still gets fucked.
It has simpered, pandered, soft-balled and fluff-jobbed, both-sidesed and debased itself into being a platform for liars to look down the camera and lie on, & it still gets fucked.
While Americans face 50 year mortgages ...
in Sweden the average rate of repayment in equates to 140 years.
(Once the loan gets below 75% of the value of the property a lot of people just pay the interest and don't pay down the capital - and you get tax relief on the interest :).
in Sweden the average rate of repayment in equates to 140 years.
(Once the loan gets below 75% of the value of the property a lot of people just pay the interest and don't pay down the capital - and you get tax relief on the interest :).
Amorteringstakten på bottenlån är runt 140 år, enligt FI. Detta är en av orsakerna till Sveriges ohemula bopriser, och byggsektorns dåliga produktivitet - de behöver inte, vi lånar till vilket pris de än sätter. www.placera.se/nyheter/lane...
Lånetrenden är bruten - Placera.se
Bolånetaket har haft effekt. Vi lånar inte längre upp över taknocken och allt fler med stora lån amorterar. Det konstaterar Finansinspektionen. Men när vi amorterat ned lånet till 75 procent avtar amo...
www.placera.se
November 9, 2025 at 3:14 PM
While Americans face 50 year mortgages ...
in Sweden the average rate of repayment in equates to 140 years.
(Once the loan gets below 75% of the value of the property a lot of people just pay the interest and don't pay down the capital - and you get tax relief on the interest :).
in Sweden the average rate of repayment in equates to 140 years.
(Once the loan gets below 75% of the value of the property a lot of people just pay the interest and don't pay down the capital - and you get tax relief on the interest :).
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Denmark steals possessions of people seeking asylum, as policy. It returns people to situations where they are killed.
Mahmood is copying some of the worst policies going.
Labour once again showing it's just another anti-asylum, anti-human rights, government. #r4today
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Mahmood is copying some of the worst policies going.
Labour once again showing it's just another anti-asylum, anti-human rights, government. #r4today
www.bbc.com/news/article...
UK seeks inspiration from Denmark to shake up immigration system
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is taking cues from some of the toughest migration laws in Europe.
www.bbc.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Denmark steals possessions of people seeking asylum, as policy. It returns people to situations where they are killed.
Mahmood is copying some of the worst policies going.
Labour once again showing it's just another anti-asylum, anti-human rights, government. #r4today
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Mahmood is copying some of the worst policies going.
Labour once again showing it's just another anti-asylum, anti-human rights, government. #r4today
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Paul Cowling
“When American organisations with annual budgets in the hundreds of millions fund UK litigation, there are legitimate questions about whether this serves British democratic interests”
cc @goodlawproject.org @goodlawproject.bsky.social
cc @goodlawproject.org @goodlawproject.bsky.social
Who's Funding the War on Trans Inclusion?
A 40-fold surge in cases and the litigation infrastructure behind it
ajustsociety.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM
“When American organisations with annual budgets in the hundreds of millions fund UK litigation, there are legitimate questions about whether this serves British democratic interests”
cc @goodlawproject.org @goodlawproject.bsky.social
cc @goodlawproject.org @goodlawproject.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Varför ska vi försöka bli av med våra grannar, vänner och arbetskamrater? Det är personer som våra samhällen verkligen behöver.
Det är som om Jokkmokks kommunalråd öppnade ett fönster och släppte in frisk luft i samhällsdebatten.
www.folkbladet.nu/2025-11-08/n...
Det är som om Jokkmokks kommunalråd öppnade ett fönster och släppte in frisk luft i samhällsdebatten.
www.folkbladet.nu/2025-11-08/n...
Krönika: ”Ni är inte välkomna”
Svensk politik har fastnat i en budgivning i hårdhet, där symboler går före resultat. SD-regeringens återvandringsbidrag blev droppen – från Jokkmokk spreds ett kommunalt uppror, skriver Jonas Sjösted...
www.folkbladet.nu
November 8, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Varför ska vi försöka bli av med våra grannar, vänner och arbetskamrater? Det är personer som våra samhällen verkligen behöver.
Det är som om Jokkmokks kommunalråd öppnade ett fönster och släppte in frisk luft i samhällsdebatten.
www.folkbladet.nu/2025-11-08/n...
Det är som om Jokkmokks kommunalråd öppnade ett fönster och släppte in frisk luft i samhällsdebatten.
www.folkbladet.nu/2025-11-08/n...
Trump here, sanctions breaking on behalf of Putin
⚡ Hungary has achieved an exemption from US sanctions and will continue to purchase energy resources from russia
This was stated by Viktor Orban following the meeting.
🤮😡
This was stated by Viktor Orban following the meeting.
🤮😡
November 8, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Trump here, sanctions breaking on behalf of Putin
Reposted by Paul Cowling
I really don't care if people are still on TwiXter for whatever reasons, I just don't want to see the screenshots of "can you believe someone said this hateful crap over on the hell site!" posts.
Literally, nobody cares. If I wanted to see it, I'd go over. I don't.
Literally, nobody cares. If I wanted to see it, I'd go over. I don't.
November 6, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I really don't care if people are still on TwiXter for whatever reasons, I just don't want to see the screenshots of "can you believe someone said this hateful crap over on the hell site!" posts.
Literally, nobody cares. If I wanted to see it, I'd go over. I don't.
Literally, nobody cares. If I wanted to see it, I'd go over. I don't.
Reposted by Paul Cowling
X is designed to radicalise people.
The algorithm promotes Elon Musk's agenda to promote racists and people who want violence bought - specifically - to the streets of Britain.
Members of Parliament, major institutions and the media should not be there.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
The algorithm promotes Elon Musk's agenda to promote racists and people who want violence bought - specifically - to the streets of Britain.
Members of Parliament, major institutions and the media should not be there.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:53 AM
X is designed to radicalise people.
The algorithm promotes Elon Musk's agenda to promote racists and people who want violence bought - specifically - to the streets of Britain.
Members of Parliament, major institutions and the media should not be there.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
The algorithm promotes Elon Musk's agenda to promote racists and people who want violence bought - specifically - to the streets of Britain.
Members of Parliament, major institutions and the media should not be there.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Thoughts and prayers for any Border Patrol agents who have to share a home with a toddler without the benefit of their ballistic vest
🙄
🙄
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
November 4, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Thoughts and prayers for any Border Patrol agents who have to share a home with a toddler without the benefit of their ballistic vest
🙄
🙄
In a sane world, civilians that throw sandwiches would not end up in court, while officers that assault civilians and lob tear gas grenades into peaceful protestors would be sent down.
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
November 4, 2025 at 4:22 PM
In a sane world, civilians that throw sandwiches would not end up in court, while officers that assault civilians and lob tear gas grenades into peaceful protestors would be sent down.
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Their emissions grew last year by 9% to 16 million tonnes of CO2, the most polluting airline in Europe.
Media organisations make a choice to highlight their financials, but not their destruction of our stable climate.
Media organisations make a choice to highlight their financials, but not their destruction of our stable climate.
Ryanair profits surge 42% to €2.54bn as airline manages to increase fares 13% over last year
Ryanair profits surge 42% to €2.54bn as airline manages to increase fares 13% over last year
Michael O’Leary launches attack on departure of DAA’s Kenny Jacobs but ‘never more confident’ on airline’s growth trajectory
www.irishtimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Their emissions grew last year by 9% to 16 million tonnes of CO2, the most polluting airline in Europe.
Media organisations make a choice to highlight their financials, but not their destruction of our stable climate.
Media organisations make a choice to highlight their financials, but not their destruction of our stable climate.
Necessity is the mother of invention
‘We’re Building Our Own Arsenal’: Zelensky Says Ukraine Making ‘Very Good’ Progress on Missile, Drone Production
https://www.europesays.com/2544197/
‘We’re Building Our Own Arsenal’: Zelensky Says Ukraine Making ‘Very Good’ Progress on Missile, Drone Production …
https://www.europesays.com/2544197/
‘We’re Building Our Own Arsenal’: Zelensky Says Ukraine Making ‘Very Good’ Progress on Missile, Drone Production …
‘We’re Building Our Own Arsenal’: Zelensky Says Ukraine Making ‘Very Good’ Progress on Missile, Drone Production - EUROPE SAYS
‘We’re Building Our Own Arsenal’: Zelensky Says Ukraine Making ‘Very Good’ Progress on Missile, Drone Production https://www.kyivpost.com/post/63549 by Barch3
www.europesays.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Necessity is the mother of invention
Reposted by Paul Cowling
European negotiators were personally targeted by their American counterparts during a brutal negotiation over green shipping rules, @ec.europa.eu officials told @politico.eu — a highly unusual gambit that left diplomats shaken after the meeting. /2
November 3, 2025 at 12:08 PM
European negotiators were personally targeted by their American counterparts during a brutal negotiation over green shipping rules, @ec.europa.eu officials told @politico.eu — a highly unusual gambit that left diplomats shaken after the meeting. /2
Capitalism is almost by definition trickle up. Every time someone buys a product or service someone is slicing off a cut for profit. It's money taken out of circulation going upwards toward the wealthy.
It'll go to rich people eventually but at least it will circulate first
November 3, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Capitalism is almost by definition trickle up. Every time someone buys a product or service someone is slicing off a cut for profit. It's money taken out of circulation going upwards toward the wealthy.