René Smits
@rs-lawsociety.bsky.social
EU law and integration, sustainable finance, central banking, financial sanctions, rule of law, societal connection
Pinned
René Smits
@rs-lawsociety.bsky.social
· Jan 19
Federal Reserve Board announces it has withdrawn from the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS)
The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced it has withdrawn from the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). Whi
www.federalreserve.gov
bending knees even before the climate change denying president takes office www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/p...
Trump’s America and a clash of civilisations with Europe
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
by @gideonrachman.bsky.social
“there is now a battle under way between two different versions of the west — which pits the US and Europe against each other”
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
by @gideonrachman.bsky.social
“there is now a battle under way between two different versions of the west — which pits the US and Europe against each other”
Trump’s America and a clash of civilisations with Europe
The White House sees mass immigration as a bigger threat than Russia — and it is pressuring Europe to agree
giftarticle.ft.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Trump’s America and a clash of civilisations with Europe
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
by @gideonrachman.bsky.social
“there is now a battle under way between two different versions of the west — which pits the US and Europe against each other”
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
by @gideonrachman.bsky.social
“there is now a battle under way between two different versions of the west — which pits the US and Europe against each other”
prachtig inzichtgevend boek van
@diederiksamsom.bsky.social over de voortrekkersrol van de EU bij de groene transitie, de noodzaak biodiversiteit mee te nemen in de Green Deal en de urgentie van sociale rechtvaardigheid - met Sinterklaas gekregen van mijn jongste kleinzoon en in een ruk uitgelezen
@diederiksamsom.bsky.social over de voortrekkersrol van de EU bij de groene transitie, de noodzaak biodiversiteit mee te nemen in de Green Deal en de urgentie van sociale rechtvaardigheid - met Sinterklaas gekregen van mijn jongste kleinzoon en in een ruk uitgelezen
December 7, 2025 at 7:16 PM
prachtig inzichtgevend boek van
@diederiksamsom.bsky.social over de voortrekkersrol van de EU bij de groene transitie, de noodzaak biodiversiteit mee te nemen in de Green Deal en de urgentie van sociale rechtvaardigheid - met Sinterklaas gekregen van mijn jongste kleinzoon en in een ruk uitgelezen
@diederiksamsom.bsky.social over de voortrekkersrol van de EU bij de groene transitie, de noodzaak biodiversiteit mee te nemen in de Green Deal en de urgentie van sociale rechtvaardigheid - met Sinterklaas gekregen van mijn jongste kleinzoon en in een ruk uitgelezen
Reposted by René Smits
Read this: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
December 7, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Read this: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Reposted by René Smits
A new study finds the Zambezi River starts not in Zambia but in Angola’s highlands, adding 342 km to its length. Rivers there supply ~70% of the water that feeds Victoria Falls, underscoring the need to protect the Upper Zambezi Basin, where forest loss is rising.
Scientists chart a new source, and length, for Africa’s famous Zambezi River
A new study suggests that the Zambezi River, Africa’s fourth-longest, is 11% longer than previously thought, with its most distant source lying in Angola, not Zambia. While the finding leaves the…
news.mongabay.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:00 AM
A new study finds the Zambezi River starts not in Zambia but in Angola’s highlands, adding 342 km to its length. Rivers there supply ~70% of the water that feeds Victoria Falls, underscoring the need to protect the Upper Zambezi Basin, where forest loss is rising.
Reposted by René Smits
What impact has Brexit had on the UK economy?
This summary of the new NBER working paper argues that "there is compelling evidence that Brexit has indeed had a large and persistent negative impact on
1️⃣ GDP
2️⃣ output
3️⃣ productivity
🔗 https://ukandeu.ac.uk/brexits-impact-on-the-uk-economy/
This summary of the new NBER working paper argues that "there is compelling evidence that Brexit has indeed had a large and persistent negative impact on
1️⃣ GDP
2️⃣ output
3️⃣ productivity
🔗 https://ukandeu.ac.uk/brexits-impact-on-the-uk-economy/
Brexit’s impact on the UK economy - UK in a changing Europe
Nicholas Bloom, Philip Bunn, Paul Mizen, Pawel Smietanka, and Gregory Thwaites argue that there is evidence that Brexit has had a large and persistent negative impact on GDP, output and productivity in their new NBER working paper.
ukandeu.ac.uk
December 7, 2025 at 9:10 AM
What impact has Brexit had on the UK economy?
This summary of the new NBER working paper argues that "there is compelling evidence that Brexit has indeed had a large and persistent negative impact on
1️⃣ GDP
2️⃣ output
3️⃣ productivity
🔗 https://ukandeu.ac.uk/brexits-impact-on-the-uk-economy/
This summary of the new NBER working paper argues that "there is compelling evidence that Brexit has indeed had a large and persistent negative impact on
1️⃣ GDP
2️⃣ output
3️⃣ productivity
🔗 https://ukandeu.ac.uk/brexits-impact-on-the-uk-economy/
Reposted by René Smits
Bénin : des militaires annoncent à la télévision publique « démettre de ses fonctions » le président Patrice Talon
Bénin : des militaires annoncent à la télévision publique « démettre de ses fonctions » le président Patrice Talon
« Des coups de feu ont été signalés à Camp Guezo, à proximité du domicile du président de la République, M. Patrice Talon », a prévenu l’ambassade de France au Bénin, invitant les ressortissants français à rester chez eux.
www.lemonde.fr
December 7, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Bénin : des militaires annoncent à la télévision publique « démettre de ses fonctions » le président Patrice Talon
foreign profiteers negotiating ‘peace’ in Ukraine:
“Ukraine is left negotiating a peace shaped by the forces [of corruption] it has been fighting against.” “What claims to be diplomacy looks like a marketplace.” www.ft.com/content/fb80... The marketplace has superseded diplomacy in Ukraine talks
“Ukraine is left negotiating a peace shaped by the forces [of corruption] it has been fighting against.” “What claims to be diplomacy looks like a marketplace.” www.ft.com/content/fb80... The marketplace has superseded diplomacy in Ukraine talks
The marketplace has superseded diplomacy in Ukraine talks
Kyiv is having to deal with actors who treat reconstruction as a money grab
www.ft.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:53 PM
foreign profiteers negotiating ‘peace’ in Ukraine:
“Ukraine is left negotiating a peace shaped by the forces [of corruption] it has been fighting against.” “What claims to be diplomacy looks like a marketplace.” www.ft.com/content/fb80... The marketplace has superseded diplomacy in Ukraine talks
“Ukraine is left negotiating a peace shaped by the forces [of corruption] it has been fighting against.” “What claims to be diplomacy looks like a marketplace.” www.ft.com/content/fb80... The marketplace has superseded diplomacy in Ukraine talks
if not illegal, plainly inhuman this deportation of a Honduran student on the eve of Thanksgiving
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Student describes ‘horror show’ ICE deportation to Honduras at Thanksgiving
Any Lucia López Belloza, 19, was detained at Boston airport while on the way to see family in Austin for a surprise trip
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:26 PM
if not illegal, plainly inhuman this deportation of a Honduran student on the eve of Thanksgiving
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by René Smits
Geen biefstuk, wel hummus. Natuurlijk!
Niet alleen voor de dieren, maar ook voor gezondheid, klimaat en milieu 🌱
Niet alleen voor de dieren, maar ook voor gezondheid, klimaat en milieu 🌱
December 4, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Geen biefstuk, wel hummus. Natuurlijk!
Niet alleen voor de dieren, maar ook voor gezondheid, klimaat en milieu 🌱
Niet alleen voor de dieren, maar ook voor gezondheid, klimaat en milieu 🌱
Reposted by René Smits
"How long shall America continue to be the garbage can and the dumping ground of the world?"
…asked Rep. John Robsion [sic] in our Congress, 1921
There's nothing new about politicians calling immigrants garbage.
What's new? The people they called garbage then are now the ancestors of ~90% of us.
…asked Rep. John Robsion [sic] in our Congress, 1921
There's nothing new about politicians calling immigrants garbage.
What's new? The people they called garbage then are now the ancestors of ~90% of us.
December 3, 2025 at 2:27 PM
"How long shall America continue to be the garbage can and the dumping ground of the world?"
…asked Rep. John Robsion [sic] in our Congress, 1921
There's nothing new about politicians calling immigrants garbage.
What's new? The people they called garbage then are now the ancestors of ~90% of us.
…asked Rep. John Robsion [sic] in our Congress, 1921
There's nothing new about politicians calling immigrants garbage.
What's new? The people they called garbage then are now the ancestors of ~90% of us.
Reposted by René Smits
This is an entirely preventable attack on our democracy.
A £9m donation from a man based on the other side of the world is illegitimate interference that will distort and unbalance our political system.
I'm deeply disturbed by Labour's failure to insulate UK democracy.
www.ft.com/content/db73...
A £9m donation from a man based on the other side of the world is illegitimate interference that will distort and unbalance our political system.
I'm deeply disturbed by Labour's failure to insulate UK democracy.
www.ft.com/content/db73...
Reform UK gets record £9mn donation from Christopher Harborne
Nigel Farage’s party attracts far more funding than both Labour and the Conservatives
www.ft.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:42 PM
This is an entirely preventable attack on our democracy.
A £9m donation from a man based on the other side of the world is illegitimate interference that will distort and unbalance our political system.
I'm deeply disturbed by Labour's failure to insulate UK democracy.
www.ft.com/content/db73...
A £9m donation from a man based on the other side of the world is illegitimate interference that will distort and unbalance our political system.
I'm deeply disturbed by Labour's failure to insulate UK democracy.
www.ft.com/content/db73...
Reposted by René Smits
Kiezen voor een minderheidskabinet is een cruciale fout zegt @jesseklaver.groenlinkspvda.nl Als je de blokkade van de #VVD zou accepteren. Het is de arrogantie van de macht en daar moet je mee breken. Als je echt doorbraken in Nederland wil realiseren dan is een stabiel meerderheidskabinet nodig.
December 4, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Kiezen voor een minderheidskabinet is een cruciale fout zegt @jesseklaver.groenlinkspvda.nl Als je de blokkade van de #VVD zou accepteren. Het is de arrogantie van de macht en daar moet je mee breken. Als je echt doorbraken in Nederland wil realiseren dan is een stabiel meerderheidskabinet nodig.
Reposted by René Smits
This timing makes a lot more sense now, doesn’t it?
Adm. Alvin Holsey resigned in October as commander of U.S. Southern Command right after flagging concerns about those U.S. military strikes on “suspected” drug boats in the Caribbean.
He served for 37 years.
Adm. Alvin Holsey resigned in October as commander of U.S. Southern Command right after flagging concerns about those U.S. military strikes on “suspected” drug boats in the Caribbean.
He served for 37 years.
December 3, 2025 at 2:14 PM
This timing makes a lot more sense now, doesn’t it?
Adm. Alvin Holsey resigned in October as commander of U.S. Southern Command right after flagging concerns about those U.S. military strikes on “suspected” drug boats in the Caribbean.
He served for 37 years.
Adm. Alvin Holsey resigned in October as commander of U.S. Southern Command right after flagging concerns about those U.S. military strikes on “suspected” drug boats in the Caribbean.
He served for 37 years.
Reposted by René Smits
Ossoff says Trump administration blocked visit to ICE detention center www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
Ossoff says Trump administration blocked visit to ICE detention center
Ossoff, Warnock and other Dems have launched an inquiry into the Department of Homeland Security’s new restrictions on congressional visits to detention facilities.
www.ajc.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Ossoff says Trump administration blocked visit to ICE detention center www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
"It has almost as many pigs and cows — about 15mn — as people" - (dis)qualifying The Netherlands spot-on: a small state with intense 'animal farming' leading to suffering for fellow sentient beings and excess nitrogen emission, with exemption from EU rules blocked giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Brussels rejects Dutch request to dump manure on fields
EU regulations limit the amount of nitrates that can be deposited by the country’s livestock sector
giftarticle.ft.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:40 PM
"It has almost as many pigs and cows — about 15mn — as people" - (dis)qualifying The Netherlands spot-on: a small state with intense 'animal farming' leading to suffering for fellow sentient beings and excess nitrogen emission, with exemption from EU rules blocked giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by René Smits
Reposted by René Smits
1 hour ago
- Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was released from prison in the United States on Monday, where he was serving a 45-year prison sentence for drug trafficking and firearms charges
Criminal helps criminal 💯
- Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was released from prison in the United States on Monday, where he was serving a 45-year prison sentence for drug trafficking and firearms charges
Criminal helps criminal 💯
December 2, 2025 at 1:34 PM
1 hour ago
- Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was released from prison in the United States on Monday, where he was serving a 45-year prison sentence for drug trafficking and firearms charges
Criminal helps criminal 💯
- Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was released from prison in the United States on Monday, where he was serving a 45-year prison sentence for drug trafficking and firearms charges
Criminal helps criminal 💯
Reposted by René Smits
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by René Smits
Another reason the damage from this administration will long outlive it.
Jay Bhattacharya and Matthew Memoli aren't bringing "gold standard science" to the #NIH, they are gutting research slowly but surely. When this time is over, they should be hauled before Congress, and shunned for the rest of their lives. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The U.S. Is Funding Fewer Grants in Every Area of Science and Medicine (Gift Article)
A quiet policy change means the government is making fewer bets on long-term science.
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Another reason the damage from this administration will long outlive it.
Reposted by René Smits
Russian propaganda in full force for the Witkoff visit: Putin is claiming to have captured Ukrainian cities that he doesn't control, and having himself photographed in military uniform
kyivindependent.com/putin-claims...
kyivindependent.com/putin-claims...
Putin claims Russian capture of Pokrovsk, Vovchansk as Kyiv warns of Kremlin propaganda blitz amid peace talks
"All of this is done exclusively for Western audiences and to raise the stakes in diplomacy," said Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation.
kyivindependent.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Russian propaganda in full force for the Witkoff visit: Putin is claiming to have captured Ukrainian cities that he doesn't control, and having himself photographed in military uniform
kyivindependent.com/putin-claims...
kyivindependent.com/putin-claims...
Reposted by René Smits
Honored to be quoted here by @jenrubin.bsky.social alongside Gene Fidell, @rgoodlaw.bsky.social, and @jacklgoldsmith.bsky.social.
contrarian.substack.com/p/war-crimeo...
contrarian.substack.com/p/war-crimeo...
War Crime...or Murder?
Killing shipwreck survivors is patently illegal and morally abhorrent
contrarian.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Honored to be quoted here by @jenrubin.bsky.social alongside Gene Fidell, @rgoodlaw.bsky.social, and @jacklgoldsmith.bsky.social.
contrarian.substack.com/p/war-crimeo...
contrarian.substack.com/p/war-crimeo...
Reposted by René Smits
Gevoelige gegevens van het ministerie van Justitie, het Openbaar Ministerie en de rechtspraak vallen binnenkort mogelijk in Amerikaanse handen. Dit komt door de aanstaande overname van de IT-dienstverlener achter DigiD. En dat zou onze digitale veiligheid flink in gevaar kunnen brengen.
Niet alleen DigiD: ook geheime info rechtspraak en Justitie in geding bij overname IT-leverancier
Er is onrust ontstaan over de aangekondigde overname van IT-dienstverlener Solvinity – leverancier van DigiD – door een Amerikaans bedrijf. Door de systemen van Solvinity lopen uiterst gevoelige data ...
www.ftm.nl
December 1, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Gevoelige gegevens van het ministerie van Justitie, het Openbaar Ministerie en de rechtspraak vallen binnenkort mogelijk in Amerikaanse handen. Dit komt door de aanstaande overname van de IT-dienstverlener achter DigiD. En dat zou onze digitale veiligheid flink in gevaar kunnen brengen.
Reposted by René Smits
Een nieuwe mijlpaal: Oekraïne en Nederland gaan samen drones produceren in beide landen.
Met mijn Oekraïense collega Denys Shmyhal teken ik een overeenkomst voor co-productie (‘Build With Ukraine’).
Dit versterkt onze gezamenlijke veiligheid, weerbaarheid én innovatie. 🇳🇱🇺🇦
Met mijn Oekraïense collega Denys Shmyhal teken ik een overeenkomst voor co-productie (‘Build With Ukraine’).
Dit versterkt onze gezamenlijke veiligheid, weerbaarheid én innovatie. 🇳🇱🇺🇦
December 1, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Een nieuwe mijlpaal: Oekraïne en Nederland gaan samen drones produceren in beide landen.
Met mijn Oekraïense collega Denys Shmyhal teken ik een overeenkomst voor co-productie (‘Build With Ukraine’).
Dit versterkt onze gezamenlijke veiligheid, weerbaarheid én innovatie. 🇳🇱🇺🇦
Met mijn Oekraïense collega Denys Shmyhal teken ik een overeenkomst voor co-productie (‘Build With Ukraine’).
Dit versterkt onze gezamenlijke veiligheid, weerbaarheid én innovatie. 🇳🇱🇺🇦
Reposted by René Smits
EU citizens: you still have 12 days to have your say on the modernisation of the EU’s animal welfare legislation.
Here @humaneworldeurope.bsky.social explains why participation in the @ec.europa.eu’s consultation is so important. www.humaneworld.org/europe/en/ca...
Here @humaneworldeurope.bsky.social explains why participation in the @ec.europa.eu’s consultation is so important. www.humaneworld.org/europe/en/ca...
Have your say: Why your voice matters for farmed animals in the EU
Now's our chance to help animals raised for food
www.humaneworld.org
December 1, 2025 at 10:58 AM
EU citizens: you still have 12 days to have your say on the modernisation of the EU’s animal welfare legislation.
Here @humaneworldeurope.bsky.social explains why participation in the @ec.europa.eu’s consultation is so important. www.humaneworld.org/europe/en/ca...
Here @humaneworldeurope.bsky.social explains why participation in the @ec.europa.eu’s consultation is so important. www.humaneworld.org/europe/en/ca...
Reposted by René Smits
Nieuws
De overheidsafhankelijkheid van Solvinity gaat veel verder dan DigiD.
De diensten van het bedrijf dat in Amerikaanse handen dreigt te vallen zijn van “vitaal” belang voor het functioneren van de gehele justitiële keten, van het ministerie, tot het OM tot de IND:
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/ni...
De overheidsafhankelijkheid van Solvinity gaat veel verder dan DigiD.
De diensten van het bedrijf dat in Amerikaanse handen dreigt te vallen zijn van “vitaal” belang voor het functioneren van de gehele justitiële keten, van het ministerie, tot het OM tot de IND:
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/ni...
Niet alleen DigiD: ook geheime info rechtspraak en Justitie in geding bij overname IT-leverancier
Er is onrust ontstaan over de aangekondigde overname van IT-dienstverlener Solvinity – leverancier van DigiD – door een Amerikaans bedrijf. Door de systemen van Solvinity lopen uiterst gevoelige data ...
www.ftm.nl
December 1, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Nieuws
De overheidsafhankelijkheid van Solvinity gaat veel verder dan DigiD.
De diensten van het bedrijf dat in Amerikaanse handen dreigt te vallen zijn van “vitaal” belang voor het functioneren van de gehele justitiële keten, van het ministerie, tot het OM tot de IND:
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/ni...
De overheidsafhankelijkheid van Solvinity gaat veel verder dan DigiD.
De diensten van het bedrijf dat in Amerikaanse handen dreigt te vallen zijn van “vitaal” belang voor het functioneren van de gehele justitiële keten, van het ministerie, tot het OM tot de IND:
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/ni...