Stanley Pignal
@spignal.bsky.social
Charlemagne columnist & Brussels bureau chief, The Economist.
Past stints in Paris, Mumbai, London. Français. Personal feed.
Bio 👇. https://medium.com/@spignal/stanley-pignal-bio-2acd9b705ceb
Charlemagne@economist.com
Past stints in Paris, Mumbai, London. Français. Personal feed.
Bio 👇. https://medium.com/@spignal/stanley-pignal-bio-2acd9b705ceb
Charlemagne@economist.com
Brussels has an unemployment rate of over 15%. At the same time the city is plastered with ads from companies advertising themselves as great employers (Amazon, postal system, telcos, trams, etc)
Just a very odd dissonance between on one hand high unemployment vs companies finding it hard to hire.
Just a very odd dissonance between on one hand high unemployment vs companies finding it hard to hire.
January 8, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Brussels has an unemployment rate of over 15%. At the same time the city is plastered with ads from companies advertising themselves as great employers (Amazon, postal system, telcos, trams, etc)
Just a very odd dissonance between on one hand high unemployment vs companies finding it hard to hire.
Just a very odd dissonance between on one hand high unemployment vs companies finding it hard to hire.
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
There is about 20g of #silver in a 1 kW solar panel.
The price of 20 g silver has tripled from €14 to €40 in the last two years.
-> At a module cost of 100€/kW silver would be about 40% of the module cost.
Good news: most silver in new PV can be replaced by copper
www.pv-tech.org/wp-content/u...
The price of 20 g silver has tripled from €14 to €40 in the last two years.
-> At a module cost of 100€/kW silver would be about 40% of the module cost.
Good news: most silver in new PV can be replaced by copper
www.pv-tech.org/wp-content/u...
January 8, 2026 at 8:13 AM
There is about 20g of #silver in a 1 kW solar panel.
The price of 20 g silver has tripled from €14 to €40 in the last two years.
-> At a module cost of 100€/kW silver would be about 40% of the module cost.
Good news: most silver in new PV can be replaced by copper
www.pv-tech.org/wp-content/u...
The price of 20 g silver has tripled from €14 to €40 in the last two years.
-> At a module cost of 100€/kW silver would be about 40% of the module cost.
Good news: most silver in new PV can be replaced by copper
www.pv-tech.org/wp-content/u...
Whatever weakening of societal fabric Europe may be experiencing from waves of migration, it is *nothing* compared to what is happening in America.
This statement from the Department of Homeland Security is chilling.
This statement from the Department of Homeland Security is chilling.
January 7, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Whatever weakening of societal fabric Europe may be experiencing from waves of migration, it is *nothing* compared to what is happening in America.
This statement from the Department of Homeland Security is chilling.
This statement from the Department of Homeland Security is chilling.
Me: can Atlas make my bed?
Boston Dynamics: look how Atlas does the macarena!
Me: can it unload the dishwasher?
Boston Dynamics: it does backflips! ...
Me: can it shift the load of clothes to the dryer?
Boston Dynamics: .... and see how it stands up!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrUH...
Boston Dynamics: look how Atlas does the macarena!
Me: can it unload the dishwasher?
Boston Dynamics: it does backflips! ...
Me: can it shift the load of clothes to the dryer?
Boston Dynamics: .... and see how it stands up!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrUH...
Atlas | Product Features | Boston Dynamics
YouTube video by Boston Dynamics
www.youtube.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Me: can Atlas make my bed?
Boston Dynamics: look how Atlas does the macarena!
Me: can it unload the dishwasher?
Boston Dynamics: it does backflips! ...
Me: can it shift the load of clothes to the dryer?
Boston Dynamics: .... and see how it stands up!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrUH...
Boston Dynamics: look how Atlas does the macarena!
Me: can it unload the dishwasher?
Boston Dynamics: it does backflips! ...
Me: can it shift the load of clothes to the dryer?
Boston Dynamics: .... and see how it stands up!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrUH...
More fun and games.
I suppose this could be construed as... good news? "We will always be there for NATO"
I suppose this could be construed as... good news? "We will always be there for NATO"
January 7, 2026 at 3:06 PM
More fun and games.
I suppose this could be construed as... good news? "We will always be there for NATO"
I suppose this could be construed as... good news? "We will always be there for NATO"
Trying to think when the last time a piece of NATO territory was threatened with invasion. Genuinely, don't think it has ever happened?
'President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday. ft.trib.al/Ws0kQMK
January 6, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Trying to think when the last time a piece of NATO territory was threatened with invasion. Genuinely, don't think it has ever happened?
It's just a very odd newscycle when Europeans are working alongside America to offer security guarantees in Ukraine while also wondering if America is going to invade Greenland. The whole thing makes no sense.
January 6, 2026 at 5:47 PM
It's just a very odd newscycle when Europeans are working alongside America to offer security guarantees in Ukraine while also wondering if America is going to invade Greenland. The whole thing makes no sense.
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
The Trump administration’s strategy for Greenland appears to be two-pronged
After Venezuela, Donald Trump points a finger at Greenland
Leaders in Greenland and Denmark are in shock. Is the president serious?
econ.st
January 6, 2026 at 4:20 PM
The Trump administration’s strategy for Greenland appears to be two-pronged
The four lifts in my Brussels office building have been under refurbishment for coming up to two years.
My guess is if this were China the job would have taken, what, a week?
My guess is if this were China the job would have taken, what, a week?
January 6, 2026 at 12:59 PM
The four lifts in my Brussels office building have been under refurbishment for coming up to two years.
My guess is if this were China the job would have taken, what, a week?
My guess is if this were China the job would have taken, what, a week?
All the coverage of the "digital euro" drives me nuts. The idea that we need "an electronic equivalent to cash: a digital currency that works in stores, online and in peer-to-peer transactions" sounds novel until you realise... we already have it! WE HAVE DIGITAL EUROS PEOPLE! THEY EXIST!
January 5, 2026 at 8:38 AM
All the coverage of the "digital euro" drives me nuts. The idea that we need "an electronic equivalent to cash: a digital currency that works in stores, online and in peer-to-peer transactions" sounds novel until you realise... we already have it! WE HAVE DIGITAL EUROS PEOPLE! THEY EXIST!
Ah wait it turns out that Germany was tapping Obama... just as it was complaining vociferously about America tapping Merkel.
(Not clear who authorised what, mind you).
(Not clear who authorised what, mind you).
German intelligence for years intercepted Obama's calls from Air Force One, @holgerstark.bsky.social reveals.
So Germany has been a more mature country than it pretended to be ("Ausspähen unter Freunden geht gar nicht"). A pity we didn't have grown-up debate on the Snowden stuff back then.
So Germany has been a more mature country than it pretended to be ("Ausspähen unter Freunden geht gar nicht"). A pity we didn't have grown-up debate on the Snowden stuff back then.
January 4, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Ah wait it turns out that Germany was tapping Obama... just as it was complaining vociferously about America tapping Merkel.
(Not clear who authorised what, mind you).
(Not clear who authorised what, mind you).
Now that's what is called a "pivot"
Elon Musk, Feb 2025: "America should mind its own business rather than push for regime change all over the place.”
Elon Musk now:
Elon Musk now:
January 4, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Now that's what is called a "pivot"
"We will not be anyone's colony" says the Venezuelan regime's new spokesman, Comical Ali
‘We will not be anyone’s colony’: Caracas government seeks to reassert control ft.trib.al/Y7Pzkaz
‘We will not be anyone’s colony’: Caracas government seeks to reassert control
Maduro regime maintains grip on streets of capital after US raid
ft.trib.al
January 4, 2026 at 12:42 PM
"We will not be anyone's colony" says the Venezuelan regime's new spokesman, Comical Ali
Here's a post of mine from two days ago that has aged... oddly
Spare a thought for duty editors at news organisations as they enter the last weekend of the new year break. All the "2025 in review" pieces ran long ago. No articles left by correspondents in December remain unused. There is little fresh news. It's the grimmest weekend of the year.
January 4, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Here's a post of mine from two days ago that has aged... oddly
EU is recycling language used after coup d'états. "Support a peaceful and democratic transition" in Venezuela... without noting the circumstances in which the transition has happened.
Rather odd to talk about a "solution" without commenting on, you know, "the problem"?
Rather odd to talk about a "solution" without commenting on, you know, "the problem"?
Following very closely the situation in Venezuela.
We stand by the people of Venezuela and support a peaceful and democratic transition.
Any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter.
We stand by the people of Venezuela and support a peaceful and democratic transition.
Any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter.
January 3, 2026 at 1:24 PM
EU is recycling language used after coup d'états. "Support a peaceful and democratic transition" in Venezuela... without noting the circumstances in which the transition has happened.
Rather odd to talk about a "solution" without commenting on, you know, "the problem"?
Rather odd to talk about a "solution" without commenting on, you know, "the problem"?
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
You want answers? This week, we're watching A Few Good Men, and asking the big questions: did Lieutenant Kendrick's podcasting career get him the job of Secretary of War, and is Col Jessup now a White House adviser, or a Fox News talking head?
champ.ly/1X717cOc
champ.ly/1X717cOc
January 3, 2026 at 9:47 AM
You want answers? This week, we're watching A Few Good Men, and asking the big questions: did Lieutenant Kendrick's podcasting career get him the job of Secretary of War, and is Col Jessup now a White House adviser, or a Fox News talking head?
champ.ly/1X717cOc
champ.ly/1X717cOc
Nicolas Maduro didn't need ammo, he went for an involuntary taxi ride instead.
January 3, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Nicolas Maduro didn't need ammo, he went for an involuntary taxi ride instead.
Spare a thought for duty editors at news organisations as they enter the last weekend of the new year break. All the "2025 in review" pieces ran long ago. No articles left by correspondents in December remain unused. There is little fresh news. It's the grimmest weekend of the year.
January 2, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Spare a thought for duty editors at news organisations as they enter the last weekend of the new year break. All the "2025 in review" pieces ran long ago. No articles left by correspondents in December remain unused. There is little fresh news. It's the grimmest weekend of the year.
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
"When contacted by Reuters for comment by email, xAI replied with the message 'Legacy Media Lies'."
Grok says safeguard lapses led to images of 'minors in minimal clothing' on X reut.rs/498SoUk
Grok says safeguard lapses led to images of 'minors in minimal clothing' on X
Elon Musk's xAI artificial intelligence chatbot Grok said on Friday lapses in safeguards had resulted in "images depicting minors in minimal clothing" on social media platform X and that improvements were being made to prevent this.
reut.rs
January 2, 2026 at 2:47 PM
"When contacted by Reuters for comment by email, xAI replied with the message 'Legacy Media Lies'."
Good FT story on Christine Lagarde’s pay, which is 50% higher than disclosed by ECB.
I don't think Lagarde earns too much - she's on par with a Big 4 audit firm partner. But it is crazy that ECB pay disclosures are well short of what any listed company has to report.
www.ft.com/content/c7cd...
I don't think Lagarde earns too much - she's on par with a Big 4 audit firm partner. But it is crazy that ECB pay disclosures are well short of what any listed company has to report.
www.ft.com/content/c7cd...
Christine Lagarde’s pay is 50% higher than disclosed by ECB
Europe’s top central banker earns almost four times more than Fed chair Jay Powell, FT analysis shows
www.ft.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Good FT story on Christine Lagarde’s pay, which is 50% higher than disclosed by ECB.
I don't think Lagarde earns too much - she's on par with a Big 4 audit firm partner. But it is crazy that ECB pay disclosures are well short of what any listed company has to report.
www.ft.com/content/c7cd...
I don't think Lagarde earns too much - she's on par with a Big 4 audit firm partner. But it is crazy that ECB pay disclosures are well short of what any listed company has to report.
www.ft.com/content/c7cd...
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
Spain and Portugal joined the European Community 40 years ago today. Feliz aniversario!
Hard as it is to believe, France said for years flatly that they would never join: they were too poor, and would undercut European (read "French") workers and farmers. They had some support from Italy and Greece
Hard as it is to believe, France said for years flatly that they would never join: they were too poor, and would undercut European (read "French") workers and farmers. They had some support from Italy and Greece
January 1, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Spain and Portugal joined the European Community 40 years ago today. Feliz aniversario!
Hard as it is to believe, France said for years flatly that they would never join: they were too poor, and would undercut European (read "French") workers and farmers. They had some support from Italy and Greece
Hard as it is to believe, France said for years flatly that they would never join: they were too poor, and would undercut European (read "French") workers and farmers. They had some support from Italy and Greece
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
I had a family friend who was, shall we say, serious about his drinking, probably saved a couple of local bars just by himself. And he flatly refused to go out on New Year's Eve. He called it "amateur night". The true measure of a dedicated drinker was being at the bar on 1 January.
December 30, 2025 at 2:16 PM
I had a family friend who was, shall we say, serious about his drinking, probably saved a couple of local bars just by himself. And he flatly refused to go out on New Year's Eve. He called it "amateur night". The true measure of a dedicated drinker was being at the bar on 1 January.
Some American news makes zero sense to Europeans. What is this "medical debt" you speak of?
Arizona cancels medical debt for almost half-a-million residents
www.knau.org/knau-and-ari...
www.knau.org/knau-and-ari...
Arizona cancels medical debt for almost half-a-million residents
Gov. Katie Hobbs' office says it's partnered with a nonprofit to erase $642 million in medical debt owed by almost half-a-million Arizonans.
www.knau.org
December 30, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Some American news makes zero sense to Europeans. What is this "medical debt" you speak of?
What is the best alternative to Spotify? Need good selection, ok pricing and interface. I am guessing it is a pain to switch but now properly fed up.
December 29, 2025 at 8:29 PM
What is the best alternative to Spotify? Need good selection, ok pricing and interface. I am guessing it is a pain to switch but now properly fed up.