Claude Forthomme
@claudeforth.bsky.social
Economist, aid expert (25 years at UN), and now journalist, writer, artist, dog-lover, nature fan - I live in Italy & work at Impakter as Senior Editor/Columnist
Pinned
Happy to be here, it feels so nice and right, nobody hurling insults at anyone! And I'm also very happy to follow everyone who follows me but with one proviso: I don't like to follow back people who don't bother to describe themselves in their profile. I hope you can understand that!😉
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b... My reading list for 2025...Oops! The year is nearly ended: So, Ok, this is my Catching Up Reading List a.k.a. CURL (in bed, of course, with a good book)
100 Notable Books of 2025
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:23 PM
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b... My reading list for 2025...Oops! The year is nearly ended: So, Ok, this is my Catching Up Reading List a.k.a. CURL (in bed, of course, with a good book)
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
A year ago, Spain was hit by deadly floods
They were supercharged by climate change
Yet in their wake, climate-denying politicians gained influence - which risks undermining climate action, making people less safe
Today we publish new research on this troubling dynamic🧵
www.scri.org.uk/derailment
They were supercharged by climate change
Yet in their wake, climate-denying politicians gained influence - which risks undermining climate action, making people less safe
Today we publish new research on this troubling dynamic🧵
www.scri.org.uk/derailment
Welcome to the Strategic Climate Risk Initiative
How can we stop the consequences of climate change from undermining climate action?
www.scri.org.uk
October 28, 2025 at 8:21 AM
A year ago, Spain was hit by deadly floods
They were supercharged by climate change
Yet in their wake, climate-denying politicians gained influence - which risks undermining climate action, making people less safe
Today we publish new research on this troubling dynamic🧵
www.scri.org.uk/derailment
They were supercharged by climate change
Yet in their wake, climate-denying politicians gained influence - which risks undermining climate action, making people less safe
Today we publish new research on this troubling dynamic🧵
www.scri.org.uk/derailment
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
COMMENTARY: France seems to have avoided the threat of a snap parliamentary election ... for now.
But the budget crisis is far from resolved — and it'll lead to intense haggling between the governing center, a divided left and a bloody-minded far right.
But the budget crisis is far from resolved — and it'll lead to intense haggling between the governing center, a divided left and a bloody-minded far right.
Lecornu buys time — but to what end?
The French prime minister has set aside his guillotine powers at the expense of endless complications — though he has one more constitutional weapon in his arsenal.
www.politico.eu
October 28, 2025 at 8:47 AM
COMMENTARY: France seems to have avoided the threat of a snap parliamentary election ... for now.
But the budget crisis is far from resolved — and it'll lead to intense haggling between the governing center, a divided left and a bloody-minded far right.
But the budget crisis is far from resolved — and it'll lead to intense haggling between the governing center, a divided left and a bloody-minded far right.
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
The West Bank is crying out for urgent international intervention no less than the Strip is. Soldiers — American, European, Emirati or even Turkish — someone must protect their helpless residents from the IDF. #auspol #westbank
It's no longer possible to be a Palestinian in the West Bank
In the West Bank, no one has heard about the ceasefire in Gaza: not the army, not the settlers, not the Civil Administration and, of course, not the three million Palestinians who live under their tyr...
johnmenadue.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
BREAKING: Our client Mario Guevara, an Emmy-winning journalist detained by ICE in retaliation for livestreaming law enforcement activity, will be deported tomorrow to El Salvador.
Mario and his family are being punished for his reporting. This cruelty is meant to stifle our free press.
Mario and his family are being punished for his reporting. This cruelty is meant to stifle our free press.
October 2, 2025 at 10:42 PM
BREAKING: Our client Mario Guevara, an Emmy-winning journalist detained by ICE in retaliation for livestreaming law enforcement activity, will be deported tomorrow to El Salvador.
Mario and his family are being punished for his reporting. This cruelty is meant to stifle our free press.
Mario and his family are being punished for his reporting. This cruelty is meant to stifle our free press.
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
Photo Challenge #9/Tree
Oak tree On my recent adventure hunting for wild mushrooms, I stumbled upon a majestic oak tree, which I presume must have been at least 60-years-old. Feeling an instant connection, I hugged it, hoping that this beautiful giant would never be cut down. This tree is not just…
Oak tree On my recent adventure hunting for wild mushrooms, I stumbled upon a majestic oak tree, which I presume must have been at least 60-years-old. Feeling an instant connection, I hugged it, hoping that this beautiful giant would never be cut down. This tree is not just…
Photo Challenge #9/Tree
Oak tree On my recent adventure hunting for wild mushrooms, I stumbled upon a majestic oak tree, which I presume must have been at least 60-years-old. Feeling an instant connection, I hugged it, hoping that this beautiful giant would never be cut down. This tree is not just a remarkable sight; it plays a vital role in supporting biodiversity within its ecosystem.
eleanorannpeterson.com
September 27, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Photo Challenge #9/Tree
Oak tree On my recent adventure hunting for wild mushrooms, I stumbled upon a majestic oak tree, which I presume must have been at least 60-years-old. Feeling an instant connection, I hugged it, hoping that this beautiful giant would never be cut down. This tree is not just…
Oak tree On my recent adventure hunting for wild mushrooms, I stumbled upon a majestic oak tree, which I presume must have been at least 60-years-old. Feeling an instant connection, I hugged it, hoping that this beautiful giant would never be cut down. This tree is not just…
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
Five corporations control 90% of the US media market.
Airlines merged from 12 major carriers in 1980 to 4 today.
Four giants control 80% of meat processing.
A handful of companies control the pharmaceutical industry.
The evidence of corporate concentration is everywhere.
Airlines merged from 12 major carriers in 1980 to 4 today.
Four giants control 80% of meat processing.
A handful of companies control the pharmaceutical industry.
The evidence of corporate concentration is everywhere.
September 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Five corporations control 90% of the US media market.
Airlines merged from 12 major carriers in 1980 to 4 today.
Four giants control 80% of meat processing.
A handful of companies control the pharmaceutical industry.
The evidence of corporate concentration is everywhere.
Airlines merged from 12 major carriers in 1980 to 4 today.
Four giants control 80% of meat processing.
A handful of companies control the pharmaceutical industry.
The evidence of corporate concentration is everywhere.
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
It’ll always be disgusting to me that a convicted criminal was given the power to issue pardons to his fellow criminals so that he can illegally buy their complete loyalty.
I’ll never regret voting for the intelligent successful black female prosecutor.
I’ll never regret voting for the intelligent successful black female prosecutor.
August 14, 2025 at 4:24 AM
It’ll always be disgusting to me that a convicted criminal was given the power to issue pardons to his fellow criminals so that he can illegally buy their complete loyalty.
I’ll never regret voting for the intelligent successful black female prosecutor.
I’ll never regret voting for the intelligent successful black female prosecutor.
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
So hang on…. Trump is going to offer to open up FUKKIN ALASKA TO THE RUSSIANS??
Wow. Let’s see republicans defend this
Wow. Let’s see republicans defend this
August 14, 2025 at 12:30 AM
So hang on…. Trump is going to offer to open up FUKKIN ALASKA TO THE RUSSIANS??
Wow. Let’s see republicans defend this
Wow. Let’s see republicans defend this
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
A late night message from Gavin Newsom
August 14, 2025 at 4:18 AM
A late night message from Gavin Newsom
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
Remember what Scotland thinks of Trump. Janey Godley got into some “good trouble” back in the day with a sign that said it all.
July 26, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Remember what Scotland thinks of Trump. Janey Godley got into some “good trouble” back in the day with a sign that said it all.
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
We are seven months in, and the speed with which vital civic institutions are capitulating to authoritarian demands we once would have regarded as inconceivable in an established liberal democracy is jawdropping. I hadn't thought I was polyannaish about America, but it's really stunning.
July 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
We are seven months in, and the speed with which vital civic institutions are capitulating to authoritarian demands we once would have regarded as inconceivable in an established liberal democracy is jawdropping. I hadn't thought I was polyannaish about America, but it's really stunning.
Stop the big corporations fueling Gaza’s destruction.
action.eko.org/a/stop-fuell...
action.eko.org/a/stop-fuell...
Stop fuelling the “economy of genocide”
A historic new UN report just did what the UN almost never does — it named dozens of global corporations fuelling Israel’s “economy of genocide”. They’re helping bomb Gaza and steal Palestinian land f
action.eko.org
July 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Stop the big corporations fueling Gaza’s destruction.
action.eko.org/a/stop-fuell...
action.eko.org/a/stop-fuell...
Entirely expected result!
The early results suggest that not only have President Trump's tariffs failed to inspire a hiring boom, but the chaotic policy rollout is paralyzing businesses: cnn.it/4lqHDBZ
Why the US is losing manufacturing jobs amid Trump’s shock-and-awe tariffs | CNN Business
President Donald Trump’s shock-and-awe tariff campaign is off to a slow start when it comes to reviving American manufacturing jobs.
cnn.it
July 11, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Entirely expected result!
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
Russia likely wants to militarize space, while its undersea activity is also “extremely worrying,” a top French general said during a rare press conference today.
France warns of ‘extremely worrying’ Russian activity underwater and in space
Moscow is a “lasting threat,” says top French general.
www.politico.eu
July 11, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Russia likely wants to militarize space, while its undersea activity is also “extremely worrying,” a top French general said during a rare press conference today.
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
In London, a city well-known for political theater, audiences are reenacting the events of Jan. 6, 2021 in an interactive show. It’s a strategy game and political experiment, aimed to spark reflection on political polarization.
In London, theatergoers reenact storming of the U.S. Capitol
In the interactive game “Fight for America,” audience members on Team Blue and Team Red reenact the Jan. 6 riot, an exercise intended to force reflection on mob mentality.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
In London, a city well-known for political theater, audiences are reenacting the events of Jan. 6, 2021 in an interactive show. It’s a strategy game and political experiment, aimed to spark reflection on political polarization.
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
If Dems can't make hay on this one then get out of the business. You got a clear connect the dots situation here.
NEW: FEMA records show Kerr County officials did not use FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert & Warning System to send warnings with safety instructions to all mobile phones in the affected area during critical hours as the flooding began.
FEMA records show Kerr County didn't alert all cell phones as flooding began
FEMA records show Kerr County officials did not use FEMA’s system to send warnings to phones in the critical hours as the flooding began on July 4.
nbcnews.to
July 11, 2025 at 3:25 PM
If Dems can't make hay on this one then get out of the business. You got a clear connect the dots situation here.
Getting ever more ridiculous..
President Trump said he plans to nominate Nick Adams, a former Australian politician and controversial MAGA influencer, to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Malaysia.
Trump names self-styled ‘alpha male’ influencer ambassador to Malaysia
President Donald Trump said he will nominate Nick Adams, a former Australian politician and controversial MAGA influencer, as ambassador to the Southeast Asian nation.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Getting ever more ridiculous..
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
The first time Charlie Chaplin used his voice in a film, he wielded it to forcefully condemn the rising forces of fascism around the globe.
Will we listen to his words today?
Will we listen to his words today?
July 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The first time Charlie Chaplin used his voice in a film, he wielded it to forcefully condemn the rising forces of fascism around the globe.
Will we listen to his words today?
Will we listen to his words today?
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
Companies since 2020 have added more details about the race, ethnicity and gender of their boardrooms, but the trends reversed this year amid anti-DEI pressure from #Trump and other factors. Here's my writeup for my @reuters.com #sustainablefinance newsletter - tinyurl.com/3sf6hwu8
The not-so-mysterious case of disappearing boardroom diversity stats
With U.S. President Donald Trump railing against corporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and axing government ones, it may come as no surprise that U.S. companies are reporting fewer race and gender details about their directors.
tinyurl.com
May 8, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Companies since 2020 have added more details about the race, ethnicity and gender of their boardrooms, but the trends reversed this year amid anti-DEI pressure from #Trump and other factors. Here's my writeup for my @reuters.com #sustainablefinance newsletter - tinyurl.com/3sf6hwu8
May 8, 2025
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc.... Insightful!
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc.... Insightful!
May 8, 2025
Today, on the second day of the papal conclave, the cardinal electors—133 members of the College of Cardinals who were under the age of 80 when Pope Francis died on April 21—elected a new pope.
open.substack.com
May 9, 2025 at 6:16 AM
May 8, 2025
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc.... Insightful!
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc.... Insightful!
Reposted by Claude Forthomme
Analysis by Aaron Blake: The administration has suggested it couldn’t get Abrego García returned even if it wanted to, because he’s in El Salvador. Trump just blew that up.
Analysis | Trump’s big admission about the Kilmar Abrego García deportation case
The administration has suggested it couldn’t get Abrego García returned even if it wanted to. Trump just blew that up.
wapo.st
April 30, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Analysis by Aaron Blake: The administration has suggested it couldn’t get Abrego García returned even if it wanted to, because he’s in El Salvador. Trump just blew that up.
UNACCEPTABLE! Trump is clueless about History and Diplomacy: JD Vance today called on Ukraine to accept an American peace proposal that mirrors exactly Russian demands: (1)a “freeze” of territorial lines, (2) Russia annexes Crimea, (3) Ukraine cannot join NATO www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/w...
Vance Outlines U.S. Plan for Ukraine That Sharply Favors Russia
Vice President JD Vance said the cease-fire plan would freeze territory along the current front lines of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and that the U.S. would “walk away” if both parties did not agree.
www.nytimes.com
April 23, 2025 at 4:09 PM
UNACCEPTABLE! Trump is clueless about History and Diplomacy: JD Vance today called on Ukraine to accept an American peace proposal that mirrors exactly Russian demands: (1)a “freeze” of territorial lines, (2) Russia annexes Crimea, (3) Ukraine cannot join NATO www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/w...