Patrick Owens
@paddyo53.bsky.social
Reposted by Patrick Owens
"It's a total mess here.We were just being killed,thrown into a meat grinder.Our entire company is completely wiped out.In two days, those f*ckers [Ukrainians] killed everyone."
A Russian soldier from the 27th Motor Rifle Brigade described the situation near Kupiansk, Donetsk region.
A Russian soldier from the 27th Motor Rifle Brigade described the situation near Kupiansk, Donetsk region.
December 15, 2025 at 4:15 PM
"It's a total mess here.We were just being killed,thrown into a meat grinder.Our entire company is completely wiped out.In two days, those f*ckers [Ukrainians] killed everyone."
A Russian soldier from the 27th Motor Rifle Brigade described the situation near Kupiansk, Donetsk region.
A Russian soldier from the 27th Motor Rifle Brigade described the situation near Kupiansk, Donetsk region.
Reposted by Patrick Owens
Too many people are stuck in hospital because there isn't the social care they need.
Our plan for a dedicated winter discharge unit would get thousands out of hospital and home in time for Christmas.
@alisonebennett.bsky.social
Our plan for a dedicated winter discharge unit would get thousands out of hospital and home in time for Christmas.
@alisonebennett.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Too many people are stuck in hospital because there isn't the social care they need.
Our plan for a dedicated winter discharge unit would get thousands out of hospital and home in time for Christmas.
@alisonebennett.bsky.social
Our plan for a dedicated winter discharge unit would get thousands out of hospital and home in time for Christmas.
@alisonebennett.bsky.social
Reposted by Patrick Owens
The King and Prince William must open the books on their enormous riches
The senior royals have amassed a great fortune without any scrutiny. For most of their subjects, these are testing financial times—we must have transparency
By Alan Rusbridger
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/monarc...
The senior royals have amassed a great fortune without any scrutiny. For most of their subjects, these are testing financial times—we must have transparency
By Alan Rusbridger
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/monarc...
The King and Prince William must open the books on their enormous riches
The senior royals have amassed a great fortune without any scrutiny. For most of their subjects, these are testing financial times—we must have transp...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 2:27 PM
The King and Prince William must open the books on their enormous riches
The senior royals have amassed a great fortune without any scrutiny. For most of their subjects, these are testing financial times—we must have transparency
By Alan Rusbridger
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/monarc...
The senior royals have amassed a great fortune without any scrutiny. For most of their subjects, these are testing financial times—we must have transparency
By Alan Rusbridger
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/monarc...
Reposted by Patrick Owens
Videos claiming that Sadiq Khan cancelled the King’s ‘garden bridge ceremony’, leading to a political row and protests have been viewed widely on Facebook.
But these are completely false. There was no such event, and it was never scrapped.
But these are completely false. There was no such event, and it was never scrapped.
False claims Sadiq Khan cancelled non-existent royal ‘garden bridge ceremony’ circulate online – Full Fact
Videos claiming that the Mayor of London has clashed with King Charles after the cancellation of an event has been viewed over 100,000 times on Facebook.
fullfact.org
December 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Videos claiming that Sadiq Khan cancelled the King’s ‘garden bridge ceremony’, leading to a political row and protests have been viewed widely on Facebook.
But these are completely false. There was no such event, and it was never scrapped.
But these are completely false. There was no such event, and it was never scrapped.
Reposted by Patrick Owens
I have been very puzzled by the behaviour expertly critiqued here.
There has been a strong reaction to the antisemitism allegations levelled at Nigel Farage - except from those you might have expected to condemn it most loudly. My piece for @jewishnews.bsky.social on a strange silence
www.jewishnews.co.uk/jonathan-fre...
www.jewishnews.co.uk/jonathan-fre...
JONATHAN FREEDLAND: Why Britain’s Jewish leaders are silent on Farage’s schoolyard antisemitism
While the Reform UK leader and his allies smear accusers as liars, the Board, JLC and HET remain mute, fearing the wrath of a rising politician
www.jewishnews.co.uk
December 13, 2025 at 11:31 AM
I have been very puzzled by the behaviour expertly critiqued here.
Reposted by Patrick Owens
Best two pieces I’ve read today are by @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social
(The other one precedes this in my feed.)
(The other one precedes this in my feed.)
Donald Trump is set on regime change - in Europe. Latest column www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Donald Trump is pursuing regime change – in Europe | Jonathan Freedland
The US made it clear this week that it plans to help the parties of the European far right gain power. Keir Starmer and his fellow leaders have to face this new reality, writes Guardian columnist Jona...
www.theguardian.com
December 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Best two pieces I’ve read today are by @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social
(The other one precedes this in my feed.)
(The other one precedes this in my feed.)
Reposted by Patrick Owens
The EU just decided to indefinitely immobilise Russian assets.
This ensures that up to €210 billion in Russian funds stay on EU soil, unless Russia fully pays reparations to Ukraine for the damage it has caused. (1/2)
This ensures that up to €210 billion in Russian funds stay on EU soil, unless Russia fully pays reparations to Ukraine for the damage it has caused. (1/2)
December 12, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The EU just decided to indefinitely immobilise Russian assets.
This ensures that up to €210 billion in Russian funds stay on EU soil, unless Russia fully pays reparations to Ukraine for the damage it has caused. (1/2)
This ensures that up to €210 billion in Russian funds stay on EU soil, unless Russia fully pays reparations to Ukraine for the damage it has caused. (1/2)
Reposted by Patrick Owens
It has become received wisdom in Brussels and Washington that there is a new “euro-sclerosis”: that the EU economy is lagging the US
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
December 12, 2025 at 12:32 PM
It has become received wisdom in Brussels and Washington that there is a new “euro-sclerosis”: that the EU economy is lagging the US
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
Reposted by Patrick Owens
@lordrickettsp.bsky.social "Ukrainians are right to be very wary of a plan that would mean them pulling back to create a ‘free zone’ in the part of the Donbass Russia has failed to occupy.. US might pledge to ensure that this w’d be demilitarised. But what would any ‘guarantee’ be worth in reality?"
December 12, 2025 at 12:35 PM
@lordrickettsp.bsky.social "Ukrainians are right to be very wary of a plan that would mean them pulling back to create a ‘free zone’ in the part of the Donbass Russia has failed to occupy.. US might pledge to ensure that this w’d be demilitarised. But what would any ‘guarantee’ be worth in reality?"
Reposted by Patrick Owens
@antoguerrera.bsky.social: ‘ #Trump has just posted this, a few hours after the #Starmer-Macron-Merz-Zelensky meeting...”
December 8, 2025 at 9:41 PM
@antoguerrera.bsky.social: ‘ #Trump has just posted this, a few hours after the #Starmer-Macron-Merz-Zelensky meeting...”
Reposted by Patrick Owens
Interesting article on why many in the West (& Russia) didn't expect Putin to invade Ukraine in 2022. I got that right, but was wrong in my expectation that the elite might subsequently act as a constraint on Putin, as the costs rose. This piece explains my mistake.
December 8, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Interesting article on why many in the West (& Russia) didn't expect Putin to invade Ukraine in 2022. I got that right, but was wrong in my expectation that the elite might subsequently act as a constraint on Putin, as the costs rose. This piece explains my mistake.
Reposted by Patrick Owens
On a purely factual point, Trevor Phillips’s column in the Times misrepresents our reporting in casting doubts on claims that there were more boys called Patel than Smith at Dulwich in 1980 (we did not report 1976 as the year it occurred). 1980 roll shows 13 Patels and 12 Smiths.
December 8, 2025 at 9:25 AM
On a purely factual point, Trevor Phillips’s column in the Times misrepresents our reporting in casting doubts on claims that there were more boys called Patel than Smith at Dulwich in 1980 (we did not report 1976 as the year it occurred). 1980 roll shows 13 Patels and 12 Smiths.
Reposted by Patrick Owens
Article 5 is now not just dead, but three times cremated and then buried at sea
🇺🇸🇺🇦🇷🇺"Now Putin has started making incursions into the NATO borders. The one thing I can tell you is the US is not going to get involved with troops or any of that. We will sell the Europeans weapons."
- Scott Bessent
United States Secretary of the Treasury
- Scott Bessent
United States Secretary of the Treasury
December 7, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Article 5 is now not just dead, but three times cremated and then buried at sea
Reposted by Patrick Owens
Kremlin says new US security strategy accords largely with Russia's view reut.rs/4qefvUL
Kremlin says new US security strategy accords largely with Russia's view
The U.S. National Security Strategy described Trump's vision as one of "flexible realism."
reut.rs
December 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Kremlin says new US security strategy accords largely with Russia's view reut.rs/4qefvUL
Reposted by Patrick Owens
The baroque corruption schemes playing out in America and Russia completely outclass the kickback scandal in Ukraine.
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Trumpian Corruption Is Worse Than Ukrainian Corruption
The people of Ukraine want an honest government, even as American and Russian kleptocrats circle their country.
www.theatlantic.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The baroque corruption schemes playing out in America and Russia completely outclass the kickback scandal in Ukraine.
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Reposted by Patrick Owens
Nobel Peace Prize laureat Matviichuk called on Germany to supply 🇺🇦with Taurus missiles:
"42sec-that’s how long it takes a Russian missile to reach a school in Kharkiv.In 42sec,children don’t have time to reach shelter.The only way to prevent this is to stop the missiles at the airfield in Russia"
"42sec-that’s how long it takes a Russian missile to reach a school in Kharkiv.In 42sec,children don’t have time to reach shelter.The only way to prevent this is to stop the missiles at the airfield in Russia"
December 7, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Nobel Peace Prize laureat Matviichuk called on Germany to supply 🇺🇦with Taurus missiles:
"42sec-that’s how long it takes a Russian missile to reach a school in Kharkiv.In 42sec,children don’t have time to reach shelter.The only way to prevent this is to stop the missiles at the airfield in Russia"
"42sec-that’s how long it takes a Russian missile to reach a school in Kharkiv.In 42sec,children don’t have time to reach shelter.The only way to prevent this is to stop the missiles at the airfield in Russia"
Reposted by Patrick Owens
Timothy Ash,Chatham House Associate Fellow,Russia&Eurasia Programme:
Putin wants the whole of #Ukraine.The answer is for the West to show strength to Putin,to arm Ukraine,to give Ukraine everything it needs to defend itself…that's the only way to stop Putin
The reality is,Putin's a spy mafia boss
Putin wants the whole of #Ukraine.The answer is for the West to show strength to Putin,to arm Ukraine,to give Ukraine everything it needs to defend itself…that's the only way to stop Putin
The reality is,Putin's a spy mafia boss
December 6, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Timothy Ash,Chatham House Associate Fellow,Russia&Eurasia Programme:
Putin wants the whole of #Ukraine.The answer is for the West to show strength to Putin,to arm Ukraine,to give Ukraine everything it needs to defend itself…that's the only way to stop Putin
The reality is,Putin's a spy mafia boss
Putin wants the whole of #Ukraine.The answer is for the West to show strength to Putin,to arm Ukraine,to give Ukraine everything it needs to defend itself…that's the only way to stop Putin
The reality is,Putin's a spy mafia boss
Reposted by Patrick Owens
Criminal gangs have built a mountain of illegal waste by the River Cherwell.
The police are calling the mega fly-tipping across the county ‘the new narcotics’. It’s time Labour clean this mess up in Oxfordshire and everywhere else.
The police are calling the mega fly-tipping across the county ‘the new narcotics’. It’s time Labour clean this mess up in Oxfordshire and everywhere else.
December 6, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Criminal gangs have built a mountain of illegal waste by the River Cherwell.
The police are calling the mega fly-tipping across the county ‘the new narcotics’. It’s time Labour clean this mess up in Oxfordshire and everywhere else.
The police are calling the mega fly-tipping across the county ‘the new narcotics’. It’s time Labour clean this mess up in Oxfordshire and everywhere else.
Reposted by Patrick Owens
New: Alleged traffickers killed by the US military in a strike on September 2 were not heading toward the US, Adm Bradley told lawmakers yesterday, per people briefed.
Instead they were heading to link up with another vessel that was bound for Suriname. www.cnn.com/2025/12/05/p...
Instead they were heading to link up with another vessel that was bound for Suriname. www.cnn.com/2025/12/05/p...
Exclusive: Boat at center of double-tap strike controversy was meeting vessel headed to Suriname, admiral told lawmakers | CNN Politics
The alleged drug traffickers killed by the US military in a strike on September 2 were heading to link up with another, larger vessel that was bound for Suriname — a small South American country east ...
www.cnn.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:08 PM
New: Alleged traffickers killed by the US military in a strike on September 2 were not heading toward the US, Adm Bradley told lawmakers yesterday, per people briefed.
Instead they were heading to link up with another vessel that was bound for Suriname. www.cnn.com/2025/12/05/p...
Instead they were heading to link up with another vessel that was bound for Suriname. www.cnn.com/2025/12/05/p...
Reposted by Patrick Owens
Starmer insists we can edge closer to Europe without a customs union. * A majority now prefer parties outside the Lab–Con duopoly. * Voters drift away from the big two.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/pecksniff/pe...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/pecksniff/pe...
Pecksniff : ‘Why is this bastard lying to me?’ The question on everybody’s lips this week
In which Mr Pecksniff lays before his readers for their approval certain observations and speculations reflecting on the political life
eastangliabylines.co.uk
December 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Starmer insists we can edge closer to Europe without a customs union. * A majority now prefer parties outside the Lab–Con duopoly. * Voters drift away from the big two.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/pecksniff/pe...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/pecksniff/pe...
Reposted by Patrick Owens
"The Trump administration has privately informed European allies that Washington will no longer remain NATO’s primary conventional defense provider beyond 2027, three people familiar with classified conversations this week told Kyiv Post."
US Promises Pre-Christmas Arms Boost for Ukraine, Pushes for Europe-Led NATO by 2027
Senior US defense officials warned European partners that while military aid to Kyiv is set to rise, Washington will no longer anchor NATO’s conventional defenses past 2027.
www.kyivpost.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:44 PM
"The Trump administration has privately informed European allies that Washington will no longer remain NATO’s primary conventional defense provider beyond 2027, three people familiar with classified conversations this week told Kyiv Post."
Reposted by Patrick Owens
OPINION: Putin Wants Ukraine, Not Witkoff and Kushner’s Business Deal
The Trump administration is caught in a trap of its own making. The desire for economic gain clouds Americans’ ability to understand Putin’s desire to control Ukraine.
www.kyivpost.com/opinion/65680
The Trump administration is caught in a trap of its own making. The desire for economic gain clouds Americans’ ability to understand Putin’s desire to control Ukraine.
www.kyivpost.com/opinion/65680
Opinion: Putin Wants Ukraine, Not Witkoff and Kushner’s Business Deal
The Trump administration is caught in a trap of its own making. The desire for economic gain clouds Americans’ ability to understand Putin’s desire to control Ukraine.
www.kyivpost.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:04 PM
OPINION: Putin Wants Ukraine, Not Witkoff and Kushner’s Business Deal
The Trump administration is caught in a trap of its own making. The desire for economic gain clouds Americans’ ability to understand Putin’s desire to control Ukraine.
www.kyivpost.com/opinion/65680
The Trump administration is caught in a trap of its own making. The desire for economic gain clouds Americans’ ability to understand Putin’s desire to control Ukraine.
www.kyivpost.com/opinion/65680
Reposted by Patrick Owens
The fact that four hostile drones tried to hit Zelenskyy’s plane & it’s barely a blip in the news cycle should terrify everyone. We’ve been dragged so deep into the chaos era that an attempted strike on a world leader doesn’t even break through. When this becomes normal, the world is in real danger.
Christ on a cracker — these seemingly hostile drones only missed Zelensky’s plane because he was unexpectedly early www.thejournal.ie/drones-dubli...
Four unidentified military-style drones breached no-fly zone to target Zelenskyy's arrival in Dublin
Gardaí are investigating whether the drones took off from land in Dublin or from an undetected ship.
www.thejournal.ie
December 5, 2025 at 2:04 AM
The fact that four hostile drones tried to hit Zelenskyy’s plane & it’s barely a blip in the news cycle should terrify everyone. We’ve been dragged so deep into the chaos era that an attempted strike on a world leader doesn’t even break through. When this becomes normal, the world is in real danger.
Reposted by Patrick Owens
😱 "For example, the release of The Beatles’ first UK number one, Love Me Do, is closer to the reign of Queen Victoria than it is to the present day." @jackkessler.bsky.social
Time catches up with us all
When your memories become someone else’s history
www.linestotake.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:13 AM
😱 "For example, the release of The Beatles’ first UK number one, Love Me Do, is closer to the reign of Queen Victoria than it is to the present day." @jackkessler.bsky.social