ProfGB
@profgbarrett.bsky.social
Pinned
ProfGB
@profgbarrett.bsky.social
· Dec 13
Happy to see the publication of this volume on the legal dimension of European sovereignty, which I co-edited with Peter-Christian Müller-Graff, Jean-Philippe Rageade and Viktor Vadász, in addition to contributing a chapter of my own on EU fiscal policy. link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
Reposted by ProfGB
EU(27) moving towards adoption of mandates for negotiations on SPS and ETS agreements with the UK.
data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
November 11, 2025 at 7:12 AM
EU(27) moving towards adoption of mandates for negotiations on SPS and ETS agreements with the UK.
data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
Reposted by ProfGB
NEWS: The UK 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, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
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 ...
edition.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
NEWS: The UK 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, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Just to point out, legally, it is far from clear that Trump was actually libelled. Libel requires more than a false statement: it involves one's reputation being lowered in the minds of right thinking people. 1/2
Jacob-Rees Mogg supports President Trump's right to sue the BBC
He then repeatedly asks Gillian Tett questions but doesn't let her reply, so Victoria Derbyshire has to step in and tell him off
He then repeatedly asks Gillian Tett questions but doesn't let her reply, so Victoria Derbyshire has to step in and tell him off
November 10, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Just to point out, legally, it is far from clear that Trump was actually libelled. Libel requires more than a false statement: it involves one's reputation being lowered in the minds of right thinking people. 1/2
Reposted by ProfGB
Solar’s price drop is astonishing: panels are now 98% cheaper than when I first analyzed them in 2004.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
November 10, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Solar’s price drop is astonishing: panels are now 98% cheaper than when I first analyzed them in 2004.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
International leadership, Trump-style.
Trump said the U.S. is no longer spending money on Ukraine, but earning from it, saying NATO allies are now footing the bill for weapons sent to Kyiv.
November 10, 2025 at 9:54 PM
International leadership, Trump-style.
Worth asking.
What is American Catholicism in this moment of political crisis? www.ncronline.org/opinion/edit... @usccbofficial.bsky.social #USCCB25
What is American Catholicism in this moment of political crisis?
U.S. bishops have spent untold millions to influence national politics on abortion, but their response to real terror in our streets and government-driven deprivation of basic needs has been embarrass...
www.ncronline.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Worth asking.
Reposted by ProfGB
One nice detail that can easily be lost in this graph - even right wingers trust the BBC more than the right wing tabloids
Here’s the same data, but with trust broken down by political views (circles are trust among people on the left, +s the right).
It’s not just that the BBC is widely consumed — it also has solid trust on both left & right, whereas trust in the biggest US media brands is hugely polarised.
It’s not just that the BBC is widely consumed — it also has solid trust on both left & right, whereas trust in the biggest US media brands is hugely polarised.
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
One nice detail that can easily be lost in this graph - even right wingers trust the BBC more than the right wing tabloids
Reposted by ProfGB
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
Reposted by ProfGB
This as not simply populism, it's an extreme assault on public institutions and structures. The last week has been about the BBC, but comes alongside mounting attacks on judicial independence/the European Court of Human Rights. Treating each issue in isolation will see them killed off one by one.
What you’re witnessing is a populist assault on the BBC.
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
November 10, 2025 at 11:32 AM
This as not simply populism, it's an extreme assault on public institutions and structures. The last week has been about the BBC, but comes alongside mounting attacks on judicial independence/the European Court of Human Rights. Treating each issue in isolation will see them killed off one by one.
Reposted by ProfGB
Reposted by ProfGB
#PopeLeo calls for 'deep reflection' about treatment of detained migrants in the United States religionnews.com/2025/11/06/p...
Pope Leo calls for 'deep reflection' about treatment of detained migrants in the United States
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Chicago-born pope was responding Tuesday to a range of geopolitical questions from reporters outside the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, including what kind of spiritual righ...
religionnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:16 PM
#PopeLeo calls for 'deep reflection' about treatment of detained migrants in the United States religionnews.com/2025/11/06/p...
Reposted by ProfGB
Hundreds of thousands of people, dead because of a decision made by the world's richest man
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Hundreds of thousands of people, dead because of a decision made by the world's richest man
Reposted by ProfGB
It was wonderful to have been able to do the honours as 'introducer' for my former lecturer and old friend @ucddublin.bsky.social
www.ucd.ie/spire/newsan...
www.ucd.ie/spire/newsan...
National University of Ireland Awards an Honorary Doctorate to Maurice Manning
www.ucd.ie
November 7, 2025 at 3:54 PM
It was wonderful to have been able to do the honours as 'introducer' for my former lecturer and old friend @ucddublin.bsky.social
www.ucd.ie/spire/newsan...
www.ucd.ie/spire/newsan...
Wow. Nobody offering that in Ireland, that's for sure.
Australia has so much electricity from solar power that it is going to start offering free electricity to everyone for at least three hours during the day as the wholesale price of power goes negative
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
Australia has so much solar that it's offering everyone free electricity
Australia's extensive solar power penetration makes so much energy that the government wants to offer free electricity at peak hours.
electrek.co
November 6, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Wow. Nobody offering that in Ireland, that's for sure.
What strikes me the most about Mamdani's win is that he had to win the race uphill against a torrent of money allowed by the Citizens United ruling. This time, big money didn't prevail. But often it does. And it always makes a huge difference. And that doesn't seem fair.
Zohran Mamdani took New York City by storm last night, with over 50 percent of the vote — despite a torrent of corporate money for Andrew Cuomo.
I was pleased to speak with the new mayor-elect just the other day about his vision for the future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqU0DAjg0RA
I was pleased to speak with the new mayor-elect just the other day about his vision for the future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqU0DAjg0RA
A Conversation with Zohran Mamdani
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:18 AM
What strikes me the most about Mamdani's win is that he had to win the race uphill against a torrent of money allowed by the Citizens United ruling. This time, big money didn't prevail. But often it does. And it always makes a huge difference. And that doesn't seem fair.
Reposted by ProfGB
Two men convicted for misuse of funds regarding Farage-linked thinktank - case against Farage's partner is dismissed - www.euractiv.com/news/belgian...
Belgian court convicts two for EU funds misuse linked to Nigel Farage's Brexit group | Euractiv
Verdict ends decade-long probe into alleged misuse of EU funds by associates of top Brexit campaigner
www.euractiv.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Two men convicted for misuse of funds regarding Farage-linked thinktank - case against Farage's partner is dismissed - www.euractiv.com/news/belgian...
Remarkable. More broadly, it seems astonishing (and, I suppose, positive) that the government can just shut down and yet the country keeps functioning (although one has the impression that in reality it is just a partial shutdown). Is there any other country in which this happens?
US Army removes food bank guidance for its soldiers after Euronews report
US Army removes food bank guidance for soldiers after Euronews report
The US Army removed guidance directing soldiers to food banks during the government shutdown after Euronews reported it. Soldiers await mid-November pay.
www.euronews.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Remarkable. More broadly, it seems astonishing (and, I suppose, positive) that the government can just shut down and yet the country keeps functioning (although one has the impression that in reality it is just a partial shutdown). Is there any other country in which this happens?
A new form of China syndrome?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
A cultural revolution? Trump’s America feels oddly familiar to those watching from China
Demands of absolute loyalty and attacks on institutions have raised memories of Mao-style chaos from US watchers in China
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:16 AM
A new form of China syndrome?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by ProfGB
The EU Commission envisages its rule-of-law report as a buffer against authoritarianism and a tool to strengthen democracy in the EU. In theory, this sounds promising (and desperately needed). But in practice, the commission’s reporting cycle risks becoming ornate window dressing.
Why the EU's rule-of-law report is toothless
The EU Commission envisages its rule-of-law report as a buffer against authoritarianism and a tool to strengthen democracy in the EU. In theory, this sounds promising (and desperately needed). But in practice, the commission’s reporting cycle risks becoming ornate window dressing.
euobserver.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:07 AM
The EU Commission envisages its rule-of-law report as a buffer against authoritarianism and a tool to strengthen democracy in the EU. In theory, this sounds promising (and desperately needed). But in practice, the commission’s reporting cycle risks becoming ornate window dressing.
Genuinely astonishing.
www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
US accused of threatening EU diplomats during bid to kill green shipping rules
Negotiators at shipping talks in London were told both they and their countries could be punished unless they voted with the U.S.
www.politico.eu
November 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Genuinely astonishing.
www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
Reposted by ProfGB
As the Netherlands moves to the center, Brussels is watching
As the Netherlands moves to the center, Brussels is watching
It seems the Euroskepticism that once dominated the political mood has given way to a quiet mandate for cooperation and reform.
www.politico.eu
November 3, 2025 at 4:01 AM
As the Netherlands moves to the center, Brussels is watching
A remarkable statistic. I wonder what the position in Ireland is?
The 400 richest Americans are now worth a record $6.6 trillion.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
November 3, 2025 at 12:58 PM
A remarkable statistic. I wonder what the position in Ireland is?