Ben Parker
@benparker140.bsky.social
Humanitarian policy and practice, news, data and tech. Previous: UN South Sudan, CEO at The New Humanitarian, Chief of Staff at the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Reposted by Ben Parker
Exclusive: First interview with negotiator in the room in Geneva. Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya tells me the US and Ukraine drafted a new peace deal but left the most politically sensitive elements to be decided by the countries’ presidents. www.ft.com/content/883e...
US and Ukraine draft new 19-point peace plan but defer biggest decisions
The most politically sensitive elements are left for Trump and Zelenskyy to discuss
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Exclusive: First interview with negotiator in the room in Geneva. Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya tells me the US and Ukraine drafted a new peace deal but left the most politically sensitive elements to be decided by the countries’ presidents. www.ft.com/content/883e...
This “counter-proposal” incudes this clause on “grain shipments”. Noting the Black Sea Grain Initiative, this is a red flag.
Ukraine, like Russia, is entitled to use the Black Sea. There is no need for a special agreement, nor for that to be limited to grain. www.reuters.com/business/fin...
Ukraine, like Russia, is entitled to use the Black Sea. There is no need for a special agreement, nor for that to be limited to grain. www.reuters.com/business/fin...
November 23, 2025 at 10:08 PM
This “counter-proposal” incudes this clause on “grain shipments”. Noting the Black Sea Grain Initiative, this is a red flag.
Ukraine, like Russia, is entitled to use the Black Sea. There is no need for a special agreement, nor for that to be limited to grain. www.reuters.com/business/fin...
Ukraine, like Russia, is entitled to use the Black Sea. There is no need for a special agreement, nor for that to be limited to grain. www.reuters.com/business/fin...
Reposted by Ben Parker
I see a lot of Paidchecks on X didn’t realize that a whole lot of people on social media lie about their location to grift off the naïveté of the rage-addled American right.
Turns out this problem is real and it’s a thing those of us who worked on “disinformation” pointed out.
Turns out this problem is real and it’s a thing those of us who worked on “disinformation” pointed out.
November 23, 2025 at 5:11 AM
I see a lot of Paidchecks on X didn’t realize that a whole lot of people on social media lie about their location to grift off the naïveté of the rage-addled American right.
Turns out this problem is real and it’s a thing those of us who worked on “disinformation” pointed out.
Turns out this problem is real and it’s a thing those of us who worked on “disinformation” pointed out.
Reposted by Ben Parker
I'm less confident I understand what's happening with this Peace Proposal Saga than I was three episodes into Severence season 1.
Perhaps because like in that show, several of the key protagonists appear to be operating on about half a brain.
Perhaps because like in that show, several of the key protagonists appear to be operating on about half a brain.
What the actual fuck is going on.
America put forward a nearly carbon copy version of the Russian plan for Ukrainian conquest, admitted it and backtracked, then doubles down.
America put forward a nearly carbon copy version of the Russian plan for Ukrainian conquest, admitted it and backtracked, then doubles down.
November 23, 2025 at 10:45 AM
I'm less confident I understand what's happening with this Peace Proposal Saga than I was three episodes into Severence season 1.
Perhaps because like in that show, several of the key protagonists appear to be operating on about half a brain.
Perhaps because like in that show, several of the key protagonists appear to be operating on about half a brain.
Reposted by Ben Parker
this week's newsletter is titled "aren't you tired of feeling insane all the time?" and I think it speaks for itself
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
November 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
this week's newsletter is titled "aren't you tired of feeling insane all the time?" and I think it speaks for itself
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
Reposted by Ben Parker
Sudan's war has caused a humanitarian crisis, but a video of a woman pleading for help as she holds her two children is AI-generated. Published on Instagram, the post also appeals for donations on a crowdfunding page with question marks over its legitimacy u.afp.com/ShZm
November 21, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Sudan's war has caused a humanitarian crisis, but a video of a woman pleading for help as she holds her two children is AI-generated. Published on Instagram, the post also appeals for donations on a crowdfunding page with question marks over its legitimacy u.afp.com/ShZm
Reposted by Ben Parker
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 Ben Parker
Really looking forward to this today! #SFSCon
We're heading to #SFSCon
We're really excited to meet a community of people passionate about free software and, specifically, those who are making the trip to Bolzano for the Fediverse track, sponsored by #FediForum 🎉
Our talk is in the Fediverse track on Friday. We hope we'll see you there!
We're really excited to meet a community of people passionate about free software and, specifically, those who are making the trip to Bolzano for the Fediverse track, sponsored by #FediForum 🎉
Our talk is in the Fediverse track on Friday. We hope we'll see you there!
November 7, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Really looking forward to this today! #SFSCon
Starting now. What questions should I ask?
There's still time to register for this event THIS WEEK 👇👇👇
Funding crisis, UN reform and the future of humanitarian work, Thursday 6 November, 6pm-7pm, Bloomsbury Room, G35, Ground Floor, Senate House, London WC1E 7HU
rli.sas.ac.uk/events/fundi...
#FundingCrisis #Displacement #Refugees #IDPs
Funding crisis, UN reform and the future of humanitarian work, Thursday 6 November, 6pm-7pm, Bloomsbury Room, G35, Ground Floor, Senate House, London WC1E 7HU
rli.sas.ac.uk/events/fundi...
#FundingCrisis #Displacement #Refugees #IDPs
Register now for our next seminar:
Funding crisis, UN reform and the future of humanitarian work, 6 November, 6pm-7pm, Bloomsbury Room, G35, Ground Floor, Senate House
rli.sas.ac.uk/events/fundi...
#Funding #FundingCrisis #UN80 #IOM #UNHCR #Displacement #Refugees #IDPs #InternallyDisplacedPeople
Funding crisis, UN reform and the future of humanitarian work, 6 November, 6pm-7pm, Bloomsbury Room, G35, Ground Floor, Senate House
rli.sas.ac.uk/events/fundi...
#Funding #FundingCrisis #UN80 #IOM #UNHCR #Displacement #Refugees #IDPs #InternallyDisplacedPeople
November 6, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Starting now. What questions should I ask?
Reposted by Ben Parker
Something intensely frustrating which I've seen across academia, NGOs, media orgs and corporations (I mean, just, every professional space in the world) is "WHAT IF WE JUST DIDN'T" is **never** considered an option, and it's the same for this report.
Error rates like that, 3 years in? Ditch it ffs
Error rates like that, 3 years in? Ditch it ffs
October 22, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Something intensely frustrating which I've seen across academia, NGOs, media orgs and corporations (I mean, just, every professional space in the world) is "WHAT IF WE JUST DIDN'T" is **never** considered an option, and it's the same for this report.
Error rates like that, 3 years in? Ditch it ffs
Error rates like that, 3 years in? Ditch it ffs
Reposted by Ben Parker
Rebeca Grynspan stepping down from @unctad.bsky.social while she campaigns for UN SecGen
www.letemps.ch/suisse/genev...
www.letemps.ch/suisse/genev...
Rebeca Grynspan quitte ses fonctions pour la campagne de succession d’Antonio Guterres à la tête de l’ONU - Le Temps
La secrétaire générale de l’ONU pour le Commerce et le développement (CNUCED) a annoncé ce lundi quitter provisoirement son poste le temps de la campagne pour succéder au numéro 1 des Nations unis en ...
www.letemps.ch
October 14, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Rebeca Grynspan stepping down from @unctad.bsky.social while she campaigns for UN SecGen
www.letemps.ch/suisse/genev...
www.letemps.ch/suisse/genev...
“ UN80, Secretary-General António Guterres’s reform initiative, has been criticized for focusing on cost-cutting rather than on fundamental changes. Cosmetic surgery, or even amputating some limbs, is insufficient to make the UN the body the world needs.”
The UN Needs a Major Reset. A Charter Review Could Make It Happen. passblue.com/2025/10/15/t...
The UN Needs a Major Reset. A Charter Review Could Make It Happen.
passblue.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:17 AM
“ UN80, Secretary-General António Guterres’s reform initiative, has been criticized for focusing on cost-cutting rather than on fundamental changes. Cosmetic surgery, or even amputating some limbs, is insufficient to make the UN the body the world needs.”
Testing : I’m connecting my Mastodon and BlueSky accounts but now I have to change my handle ?
October 15, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Testing : I’m connecting my Mastodon and BlueSky accounts but now I have to change my handle ?
Reposted by Ben Parker
INSO endure une situation épouvantable au Burkina depuis juillet, qui empire encore aujourd'hui. Soutien et courage à leurs équipes
Déclaration d’INSO concernant nos activités au Burkina Faso et la détention continue de notre personnel. | International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO)
ngosafety.org
October 7, 2025 at 9:47 PM
INSO endure une situation épouvantable au Burkina depuis juillet, qui empire encore aujourd'hui. Soutien et courage à leurs équipes
Reposted by Ben Parker
Positive Deviance and Anticipatory Action (PD–AA) in Risk Communication Community Engagement Solution Design
www.nrc.no
September 25, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Divisions in Tigray relished by others: www.thenewhumanitarian.org/opinion/firs...
I don’t want to fight again in another Tigray war
Tigray’s political class is split between support for Ethiopia or Eritrea, and Tigrayans fear they will pay the price.
www.thenewhumanitarian.org
August 5, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Divisions in Tigray relished by others: www.thenewhumanitarian.org/opinion/firs...
Reposted by Ben Parker
Reposted by Ben Parker
Inside the digital publishing industry, which I try to monitor closely, this is the big news. By Julia Alexander at Puck.
July 3, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Inside the digital publishing industry, which I try to monitor closely, this is the big news. By Julia Alexander at Puck.
Reposted by Ben Parker
Between 27 May and 19 June, the Red Cross field hospital in Rafah received 1,874 “weapon-wounded patients” and recorded 18 “mass casualty incidents”
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
‘A shell fell metres away’: one man’s attempt to reach GHF food hub in Gaza
Abdullah Ahmed was hit by shrapnel while on a desperate mission to feed his family
www.theguardian.com
June 22, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Between 27 May and 19 June, the Red Cross field hospital in Rafah received 1,874 “weapon-wounded patients” and recorded 18 “mass casualty incidents”
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Reposted by Ben Parker
After weeks of daily attempts, @UNOPS.org in #Gaza retrieved 280,000 litres of fuel from storage tanks last night. But this positive step covers only a day's worth of the most critical needs. To keep essential humanitarian work running, we need sustained access to fuel in Gaza and new supplies.
June 19, 2025 at 6:44 AM
After weeks of daily attempts, @UNOPS.org in #Gaza retrieved 280,000 litres of fuel from storage tanks last night. But this positive step covers only a day's worth of the most critical needs. To keep essential humanitarian work running, we need sustained access to fuel in Gaza and new supplies.
“The South Sudan contract is one of a growing list of business opportunities for Fogbow, an outfit of about a dozen people that first distributed food last year in Gaza and Sudan.“ www.reuters.com/world/middle...
From Gaza to South Sudan, private firms deliver aid and face questions
Fifty-kilo sacks of food hurtled out the open hatch of the cargo plane, scattering in the wind on their 1,000-foot descent to the northeastern flatlands of South Sudan.
www.reuters.com
June 14, 2025 at 3:48 AM
“The South Sudan contract is one of a growing list of business opportunities for Fogbow, an outfit of about a dozen people that first distributed food last year in Gaza and Sudan.“ www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Now @crisisgroup.org ponders the same: “The world, it seems, is witnessing an experiment: an attempt to indefinitely maintain Gaza’s population below the famine threshold while turning food into a weapon of war. “
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
June 9, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Now @crisisgroup.org ponders the same: “The world, it seems, is witnessing an experiment: an attempt to indefinitely maintain Gaza’s population below the famine threshold while turning food into a weapon of war. “
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
Reposted by Ben Parker
The scientific journals already have multiple articles talking about vegetative electron microscopy a thing that doesn't exist theconversation.com/a-weird-phra...
A weird phrase is plaguing scientific papers – and we traced it back to a glitch in AI training data
Once errors creep into the AI knowledge base, they can be very hard to get out.
theconversation.com
April 28, 2025 at 2:35 AM
The scientific journals already have multiple articles talking about vegetative electron microscopy a thing that doesn't exist theconversation.com/a-weird-phra...
Reposted by Ben Parker
Confirmed as the same plane N588AT and so far looks like same route back as over.
May 24, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Confirmed as the same plane N588AT and so far looks like same route back as over.