Sara Rich Dorman
@srd.bsky.social
Edinburgh. Newfoundland. Canada. Political Scientist. I curate the afripolsky feed for those studying or interested in African Politics (broadly conceived). Previously @srdorman and @afr_pol
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
African Cycling Contracts Update:
Two more African athletes sign with 2026 UCI Conti teams:
🇿🇦 Brendon Davids - Team Brennan
🇲🇺 Daniel Yon Hin - 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines
You can see all the info, and each rider’s bio, on @procyclingstats.com here:
teamafricarising.org/2026-contrac...
Two more African athletes sign with 2026 UCI Conti teams:
🇿🇦 Brendon Davids - Team Brennan
🇲🇺 Daniel Yon Hin - 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines
You can see all the info, and each rider’s bio, on @procyclingstats.com here:
teamafricarising.org/2026-contrac...
2026 Contracts & Transfers Tracker – African Riders (Men & Women) - Team Africa Rising
Alongside our grass-roots development work, it is vital we at Africa Rising Cycling always talk about and promote the many African riders riding in the professional peloton. These men and women are th...
teamafricarising.org
February 16, 2026 at 12:09 PM
African Cycling Contracts Update:
Two more African athletes sign with 2026 UCI Conti teams:
🇿🇦 Brendon Davids - Team Brennan
🇲🇺 Daniel Yon Hin - 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines
You can see all the info, and each rider’s bio, on @procyclingstats.com here:
teamafricarising.org/2026-contrac...
Two more African athletes sign with 2026 UCI Conti teams:
🇿🇦 Brendon Davids - Team Brennan
🇲🇺 Daniel Yon Hin - 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines
You can see all the info, and each rider’s bio, on @procyclingstats.com here:
teamafricarising.org/2026-contrac...
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
Anyone aged 16 or over in Scotland can vote in Scottish Parliament elections. For the election on 7 May, register to vote by 20 April: gov.uk/register-to-vote
February 15, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Anyone aged 16 or over in Scotland can vote in Scottish Parliament elections. For the election on 7 May, register to vote by 20 April: gov.uk/register-to-vote
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
I don't think Starmer has any conception of the "teaching" role of the premiership: the responsibility (& opportunity) to talk to the public, to shape how they understand the world & the choices before them.
All the most impactful PMs have been teachers. Starmer seems actively to repudiate the role
All the most impactful PMs have been teachers. Starmer seems actively to repudiate the role
I simply do not understand why the PM himself is not banging on about this. Planned increases in defence expenditure are going to necessitate some hideous fiscal trade offs. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Top British and German military chiefs press ‘moral’ case for rearmament
Defence leaders write joint appeal urging public on need to be prepared for war with Russia and resulting costs
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:01 PM
I don't think Starmer has any conception of the "teaching" role of the premiership: the responsibility (& opportunity) to talk to the public, to shape how they understand the world & the choices before them.
All the most impactful PMs have been teachers. Starmer seems actively to repudiate the role
All the most impactful PMs have been teachers. Starmer seems actively to repudiate the role
The UK’s great exports? Education, Culture and the World Service. All neglected by governments on the right and the left. Such a waste, and just one more case of our diplomatic presence in the world being undercut and diminished.
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:37 PM
The UK’s great exports? Education, Culture and the World Service. All neglected by governments on the right and the left. Such a waste, and just one more case of our diplomatic presence in the world being undercut and diminished.
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 3:40 PM
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
A case where dentists who took £16k with a commitment to stay in Scotland and do 80% NHS dentistry are fighting the government reclaiming the money because they either did not stay in Scotland or do 80% NHS dentistry
Government sues dentists for not treating enough NHS patients
More than 250 dentists are understood to be facing legal action as ministers look to reclaim bursary funding.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 8:21 AM
A case where dentists who took £16k with a commitment to stay in Scotland and do 80% NHS dentistry are fighting the government reclaiming the money because they either did not stay in Scotland or do 80% NHS dentistry
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
The other day Manchester United’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said the UK had been "colonised by immigrants"….today there’s this billboard outside of Old Trafford 🔥….way to go Manchester 💪!
February 13, 2026 at 9:33 PM
The other day Manchester United’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said the UK had been "colonised by immigrants"….today there’s this billboard outside of Old Trafford 🔥….way to go Manchester 💪!
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
Eliot Jacobson: Here's an update on global sea surface temperatures, through Feb 12, 2026. The last time a year started out with a La Niña and transitioned to an El Niño was 2023. Will we see new record SST's later this year?
February 13, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Eliot Jacobson: Here's an update on global sea surface temperatures, through Feb 12, 2026. The last time a year started out with a La Niña and transitioned to an El Niño was 2023. Will we see new record SST's later this year?
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
Fantastic opportunities here for anyone looking to pursue a PhD in Nigerian history!
Two more PhD scholarships at @kingshistory.bsky.social: focussing on different aspects of Nigerian history, and working with my excellent colleague @bixhiribarren.bsky.social :
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQM397/p...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQM397/p...
PhD Studentships at King's College London
At jobs.ac.uk, you can apply for a PhD Studentships. Explore our diverse range of PhD opportunities today.
www.jobs.ac.uk
February 13, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Fantastic opportunities here for anyone looking to pursue a PhD in Nigerian history!
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
Mainers - how have your senate candidates responded to ICE invading Maine?
February 13, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Mainers - how have your senate candidates responded to ICE invading Maine?
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
'Taken together, government policies lead to a worsening of universities’ aggregate financial position in every year to 2028-29.'
In a word, 'Yikes'. In 3 words, 'Yet more yikes'.
In a word, 'Yikes'. In 3 words, 'Yet more yikes'.
The financial impact of government policy decisions on universities
Our analysis shows that government policy decisions lead to an estimated £3.7 billion reduction in funding to higher education providers in England from 2024-25 to 2029-30.
www.universitiesuk.ac.uk
February 13, 2026 at 12:08 PM
'Taken together, government policies lead to a worsening of universities’ aggregate financial position in every year to 2028-29.'
In a word, 'Yikes'. In 3 words, 'Yet more yikes'.
In a word, 'Yikes'. In 3 words, 'Yet more yikes'.
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
Wow!
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule
Protest group’s co-founder wins legal challenge against decision to proscribe it under anti-terrorism laws
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Wow!
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
Australia need 29 runs, off the last over, as their last batsman strides forward.
A historic win for Zimbabwe beckons.
A historic win for Zimbabwe beckons.
February 13, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Australia need 29 runs, off the last over, as their last batsman strides forward.
A historic win for Zimbabwe beckons.
A historic win for Zimbabwe beckons.
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
The Aberdeen Breviary Vol. I - Pars Hiemalis, ‘winter part’, was printed in Edinburgh #OTD in 1509/10. Completed by Vol. II - Pars Aestivalis, ‘summer part’, it is Scotland’s first printed book and the first to chronicle the Scottish saints’ lives. 📸National Library of Scotland #medievalsky
February 13, 2026 at 8:23 AM
The Aberdeen Breviary Vol. I - Pars Hiemalis, ‘winter part’, was printed in Edinburgh #OTD in 1509/10. Completed by Vol. II - Pars Aestivalis, ‘summer part’, it is Scotland’s first printed book and the first to chronicle the Scottish saints’ lives. 📸National Library of Scotland #medievalsky
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
I don't want self-driving cars. I want cars with speed governors and doors that won't open when cyclists are approaching.
February 12, 2026 at 3:33 PM
I don't want self-driving cars. I want cars with speed governors and doors that won't open when cyclists are approaching.
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
On the face of it, this sacking is at least as significant as the sacking of Tom Scholar as head of the Treasury by Truss/Kwarteng, but it seems to making fewer ripples.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
February 12, 2026 at 5:01 PM
On the face of it, this sacking is at least as significant as the sacking of Tom Scholar as head of the Treasury by Truss/Kwarteng, but it seems to making fewer ripples.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
Military aid to Ukraine in 2025:
🟧United States - decreased by 99%
🟦Europe - increased by 67%
🟧United States - decreased by 99%
🟦Europe - increased by 67%
February 12, 2026 at 4:16 AM
Military aid to Ukraine in 2025:
🟧United States - decreased by 99%
🟦Europe - increased by 67%
🟧United States - decreased by 99%
🟦Europe - increased by 67%
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
It is so embarrassing that it has taken nearly a decade for a British minister to say this, a statement of the absolute bloody obvious
February 11, 2026 at 7:40 AM
It is so embarrassing that it has taken nearly a decade for a British minister to say this, a statement of the absolute bloody obvious
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
This is an extraordinary interview in which the former FCDO perm sec basically tells No 10 not to appoint Antonia Romeo to be cab sec, and that they should talk to him about her record.
‘Due diligence vitally important’ in next top civil servant appointment – Lord McDonald
www.channel4.com/news/due-dil...
www.channel4.com/news/due-dil...
‘Due diligence vitally important’ in next top civil servant appointment – Lord McDonald
Another high profile departure from No 10 in the wake of the Mandelson scandal is due to be Britain's top civil servant.
www.channel4.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:42 PM
This is an extraordinary interview in which the former FCDO perm sec basically tells No 10 not to appoint Antonia Romeo to be cab sec, and that they should talk to him about her record.
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
We review our 2022 article on the Indo-Russian defense relationship. It includes mea culpa: we thought India would be way more successful in defense indigenization.
As Moscow struggles to meet export commitments, New Delhi faces hard choices about how fast it can diversify. (Members Only)
Why Russia’s Export Failures Matter For India
In 2022, Vasabjit Banerjee and Benjamin Tkach wrote, “After Ukraine, Where Will India Buy Its Weapons,” where they explore India’s various defense systems
warontherocks.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:45 PM
We review our 2022 article on the Indo-Russian defense relationship. It includes mea culpa: we thought India would be way more successful in defense indigenization.
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
Today I was the first woman to brew at The All Nations Inn brewhouse since Mrs Eliza Lewis herself.
We brewed Eliza Lewis 4.3% pale in her honour. Oh, but #iwcbd is cool.
#belonging
We brewed Eliza Lewis 4.3% pale in her honour. Oh, but #iwcbd is cool.
#belonging
February 11, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Today I was the first woman to brew at The All Nations Inn brewhouse since Mrs Eliza Lewis herself.
We brewed Eliza Lewis 4.3% pale in her honour. Oh, but #iwcbd is cool.
#belonging
We brewed Eliza Lewis 4.3% pale in her honour. Oh, but #iwcbd is cool.
#belonging
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
Sir Jim Ratcliffe lives in Monaco, which has been colonised by immigrant tax dodgers.
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Britain has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of the country's richest and most influential men, has told Sky News.
news.sky.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Sir Jim Ratcliffe lives in Monaco, which has been colonised by immigrant tax dodgers.
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
FWIW: Nearly every candidate in here that has the juice (so to speak) is a @runforsomething.net alum. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
The Democrats Aren’t Built for This
They say they want to save democracy. First they’ll need to get out of their own way.
www.theatlantic.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:58 PM
FWIW: Nearly every candidate in here that has the juice (so to speak) is a @runforsomething.net alum. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
Israel is increasingly using glyphosate herbicide against Lebanese and Syrian agricultural lands, threatening food security, water supplies, and long-term soil fertility in both countries ⬇️
Israeli chemical attacks devastates Lebanese, Syrian farms
Glyphosate is a non-selective, systemic herbicide that attacks plant roots, preventing regrowth for two to three years.
www.newarab.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Israel is increasingly using glyphosate herbicide against Lebanese and Syrian agricultural lands, threatening food security, water supplies, and long-term soil fertility in both countries ⬇️
Reposted by Sara Rich Dorman
Really enjoyed this conversation about lobbying, influence and money in politics with James and Ethan on @lrb.co.uk podcast
The Mandelson story is a rare glimpse into the private life of power, and the extent of state capture by unconstrained wealth. @petergeoghegan.bsky.social & @ethanshone.bsky.social joined me on @lrb.co.uk ON POLITICS to lay out just what that corruption means: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
On Politics: Mandelson and the Private Life of Power
Podcast Episode · The LRB Podcast · 02/11/2026 · 1h 7m
podcasts.apple.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Really enjoyed this conversation about lobbying, influence and money in politics with James and Ethan on @lrb.co.uk podcast