David Youngs
@dbyoungs.bsky.social
Reposted by David Youngs
China is using surveillance technology - much of it originating in the U.S. - to cement its power at home and vastly amplify it abroad. The story of retired Chinese official Li Chuanliang, who now lives in Texas, shows how Beijing uses such tech overseas.
A Chinese whistleblower now living in the US is being hunted by Beijing with help from US tech
Retired Chinese official Li Chuanliang fled to the U.S. seeking asylum, fearing persecution from the Chinese government.
bit.ly
December 12, 2025 at 8:15 AM
China is using surveillance technology - much of it originating in the U.S. - to cement its power at home and vastly amplify it abroad. The story of retired Chinese official Li Chuanliang, who now lives in Texas, shows how Beijing uses such tech overseas.
Reposted by David Youngs
"Lamont has signaled his openness to new pipelines as part of a push to address Connecticut’s sky-high energy costs."
This is just wrongheaded in so many ways. There is no doubt that New England has high energy costs. I was recently visiting people in Massachusetts and they talked about this.
This is just wrongheaded in so many ways. There is no doubt that New England has high energy costs. I was recently visiting people in Massachusetts and they talked about this.
New England is on the brink of clean energy victories. Why are Democrats embracing gas?
Three of the nation’s largest carbon-free projects are being completed in a region whose progressive political leaders are shifting toward gas as
www.eenews.net
December 8, 2025 at 12:51 PM
"Lamont has signaled his openness to new pipelines as part of a push to address Connecticut’s sky-high energy costs."
This is just wrongheaded in so many ways. There is no doubt that New England has high energy costs. I was recently visiting people in Massachusetts and they talked about this.
This is just wrongheaded in so many ways. There is no doubt that New England has high energy costs. I was recently visiting people in Massachusetts and they talked about this.
Reposted by David Youngs
Justin wrote about California's abandoned well and oilfield liability issues here.
Learning from California As It Becomes An Orphan Petrostate
By 1910, California was producing roughly a fifth of the world’s crude oil. Today it is producing roughly a fifth of the oil consumed by the state.
Source
In addition to experiencing serious oil pr...
powering-the-planet.ghost.io
December 8, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Justin wrote about California's abandoned well and oilfield liability issues here.
Reposted by David Youngs
Though one should always be wary, the last few days have actually been better for Ukraine. Moves against corruption, possible changes mooted in Ukrainian high command, and signs that in Europe, ever so slightly, the gloves are coming off.
November 29, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Though one should always be wary, the last few days have actually been better for Ukraine. Moves against corruption, possible changes mooted in Ukrainian high command, and signs that in Europe, ever so slightly, the gloves are coming off.
Reposted by David Youngs
The owner of a major Chinese drone parts supplier has taken a stake in one of Russia’s leading drone companies, highlighting a deepening relationship between Moscow and Beijing’s military-industrial complexes.
www.ft.com/content/e907...
www.ft.com/content/e907...
November 30, 2025 at 3:11 AM
The owner of a major Chinese drone parts supplier has taken a stake in one of Russia’s leading drone companies, highlighting a deepening relationship between Moscow and Beijing’s military-industrial complexes.
www.ft.com/content/e907...
www.ft.com/content/e907...
Reposted by David Youngs
R.I.P. Tom Stoppard, playwright most famous for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
Born Tomas Straussler in Czechoslovakia he fled his home during the Nazi occupation and found refuge in Britain at the age of eight. He later discovered all four of his grandparents had died in the Holocaust.
Born Tomas Straussler in Czechoslovakia he fled his home during the Nazi occupation and found refuge in Britain at the age of eight. He later discovered all four of his grandparents had died in the Holocaust.
Sir Tom Stoppard, playwright famed for his wit and depth, dies at 88
Winning an Oscar for the screenplay for Shakespeare In Love, he captivated the hearts of audiences for more than six decades.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 9:13 PM
R.I.P. Tom Stoppard, playwright most famous for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
Born Tomas Straussler in Czechoslovakia he fled his home during the Nazi occupation and found refuge in Britain at the age of eight. He later discovered all four of his grandparents had died in the Holocaust.
Born Tomas Straussler in Czechoslovakia he fled his home during the Nazi occupation and found refuge in Britain at the age of eight. He later discovered all four of his grandparents had died in the Holocaust.
Reposted by David Youngs
Public man-made death: The dismantling of USAID “has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children.”
That’s 1000+ excess dead children every day. Every day.
hsph.harvard.edu/news/usaid-s...
That’s 1000+ excess dead children every day. Every day.
hsph.harvard.edu/news/usaid-s...
USAID shutdown has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
The Trump administration’s decision to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths from infectious diseases and malnutrition, accord...
hsph.harvard.edu
November 27, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Public man-made death: The dismantling of USAID “has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children.”
That’s 1000+ excess dead children every day. Every day.
hsph.harvard.edu/news/usaid-s...
That’s 1000+ excess dead children every day. Every day.
hsph.harvard.edu/news/usaid-s...
Reposted by David Youngs
If I achieved this level of petty supremacy I would immediately transcend these mortal shackles & thereafter exist only as an unburdened consciousness operating at the very highest levels of enlightenment
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 7:07 PM
If I achieved this level of petty supremacy I would immediately transcend these mortal shackles & thereafter exist only as an unburdened consciousness operating at the very highest levels of enlightenment
Reposted by David Youngs
Jokes aside, it’s just phenomenal how massively Russia has lost goodwill and influence in Armenia. In 2013, 82 percent of respondents thought Russia to be Armenia’s best friend and protector. In 2025 the number is 14 percent.
It’s a historic opportunity that we can’t miss in Europe
It’s a historic opportunity that we can’t miss in Europe
November 9, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Jokes aside, it’s just phenomenal how massively Russia has lost goodwill and influence in Armenia. In 2013, 82 percent of respondents thought Russia to be Armenia’s best friend and protector. In 2025 the number is 14 percent.
It’s a historic opportunity that we can’t miss in Europe
It’s a historic opportunity that we can’t miss in Europe
Reposted by David Youngs
Democrats just ran the table, winning the marquee races -- NJ and VA sweeps, NYC mayor, CA prop, PA Supreme Court -- and lower-profile races in red and purple states across the nation.
If the media you're reading or watching paints this as anything but a massive win, stop reading or watching them.
If the media you're reading or watching paints this as anything but a massive win, stop reading or watching them.
November 5, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Democrats just ran the table, winning the marquee races -- NJ and VA sweeps, NYC mayor, CA prop, PA Supreme Court -- and lower-profile races in red and purple states across the nation.
If the media you're reading or watching paints this as anything but a massive win, stop reading or watching them.
If the media you're reading or watching paints this as anything but a massive win, stop reading or watching them.
Reposted by David Youngs
"Renewables will never be able to supply as much energy as coal." Erm, actually they just did...
In September 2025, renewables supplied 48.8% of electricity on Australia’s National Electricity Market, surpassing coal’s share for the first time since records began.
https://f.mtr.cool/fxsbjdsxof
In September 2025, renewables supplied 48.8% of electricity on Australia’s National Electricity Market, surpassing coal’s share for the first time since records began.
https://f.mtr.cool/fxsbjdsxof
October 31, 2025 at 2:02 AM
"Renewables will never be able to supply as much energy as coal." Erm, actually they just did...
In September 2025, renewables supplied 48.8% of electricity on Australia’s National Electricity Market, surpassing coal’s share for the first time since records began.
https://f.mtr.cool/fxsbjdsxof
In September 2025, renewables supplied 48.8% of electricity on Australia’s National Electricity Market, surpassing coal’s share for the first time since records began.
https://f.mtr.cool/fxsbjdsxof
Reposted by David Youngs
And I would like to challenge this person to get a real job
October 28, 2025 at 12:03 AM
And I would like to challenge this person to get a real job
Reposted by David Youngs
Reposted by David Youngs
So this is what the USA is now under Trump. A nation which screws its democratic friends and allies by taking advantage of their Ukraine War and European fears. A disgrace. www.politico.eu/article/anto...
Costa breaks ranks on EU-US trade deal, fires warning shot at Trump
The European Council president appears to admit the war in Ukraine was a factor in accepting the bloc’s lopsided pact with Washington.
www.politico.eu
September 2, 2025 at 8:39 AM
So this is what the USA is now under Trump. A nation which screws its democratic friends and allies by taking advantage of their Ukraine War and European fears. A disgrace. www.politico.eu/article/anto...
Reposted by David Youngs
Europe needs to help its copper smelters by stemming “huge” flows of scrap metal to China, Germany’s Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said, potentially opening up a new front in trade tensions.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Germany Urges Europe to Stop China Buying So Much Copper Scrap
Europe needs to help its copper smelters by stemming “huge” flows of scrap metal to China, Germany’s Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said, potentially opening up a new front in trade tensions.
www.bloomberg.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Europe needs to help its copper smelters by stemming “huge” flows of scrap metal to China, Germany’s Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said, potentially opening up a new front in trade tensions.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by David Youngs
Green Party of England & Wales Leadership Election Result:
Zack Polanski: 84.6% ✅
E. Chowns & A. Ramsay: 15.4%
Turnout: 24,265 (37.6%)
Zack Polanski: 84.6% ✅
E. Chowns & A. Ramsay: 15.4%
Turnout: 24,265 (37.6%)
September 2, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Green Party of England & Wales Leadership Election Result:
Zack Polanski: 84.6% ✅
E. Chowns & A. Ramsay: 15.4%
Turnout: 24,265 (37.6%)
Zack Polanski: 84.6% ✅
E. Chowns & A. Ramsay: 15.4%
Turnout: 24,265 (37.6%)
Reposted by David Youngs
China's Heihe Rural Commercial Bank has stopped accepting payments from Russia after falling under European Union sanctions, Russian pro-government media outlet Vedomosti reported on Sept. 1.
kyivindependent.com/key-chinese-...
kyivindependent.com/key-chinese-...
Key Chinese bank reportedly halts Russia payments after EU sanctions
Heihe, a small rural lender, was one of the last Chinese banks willing to process transactions for Russian non-sanctioned credit organizations after larger Chinese banks cut off such services.
kyivindependent.com
September 1, 2025 at 11:20 AM
China's Heihe Rural Commercial Bank has stopped accepting payments from Russia after falling under European Union sanctions, Russian pro-government media outlet Vedomosti reported on Sept. 1.
kyivindependent.com/key-chinese-...
kyivindependent.com/key-chinese-...
Reposted by David Youngs
EU countries, led by Denmark, plan stricter rules to prevent Russian gas from entering the bloc via rerouting. Importers must prove gas origin, targeting pipelines like TurkStream, ahead of the 2027 Russian gas ban.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 AM
EU countries, led by Denmark, plan stricter rules to prevent Russian gas from entering the bloc via rerouting. Importers must prove gas origin, targeting pipelines like TurkStream, ahead of the 2027 Russian gas ban.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by David Youngs
From 24.02.2022 to 02.09.2025 (Day 1287), estimated losses #Russia suffered in #Ukraine.
Highlights:
+800 Personnel
+53 Artillery
+170 UAVs
+89 Other Vehicles
Statistics: redd.it/1n69v3e
#RussianLosses
Highlights:
+800 Personnel
+53 Artillery
+170 UAVs
+89 Other Vehicles
Statistics: redd.it/1n69v3e
#RussianLosses
September 2, 2025 at 4:12 AM
From 24.02.2022 to 02.09.2025 (Day 1287), estimated losses #Russia suffered in #Ukraine.
Highlights:
+800 Personnel
+53 Artillery
+170 UAVs
+89 Other Vehicles
Statistics: redd.it/1n69v3e
#RussianLosses
Highlights:
+800 Personnel
+53 Artillery
+170 UAVs
+89 Other Vehicles
Statistics: redd.it/1n69v3e
#RussianLosses
Reposted by David Youngs
Mexico's first elected Supreme Court is set to be seated, and observers are watching to see if it will assert independence from the governing party.
Mexico's first elected Supreme Court faces critical test of independence
Mexico's first elected Supreme Court is set to be seated, and observers are watching to see if it will assert independence from the governing party.
bit.ly
September 1, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Mexico's first elected Supreme Court is set to be seated, and observers are watching to see if it will assert independence from the governing party.
Reposted by David Youngs
Total Bluesky users: 38,626,467
September 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Total Bluesky users: 38,626,467
Reposted by David Youngs
In 2023, UK tax to GDP ratio was 35.4; 45.8% for France, 41.9% for Denmark, 42.8% for Italy.
Graph doesn't show inequities. The UK's poorest 20% pay a higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
Can't have European levels of welfare on USA levels of tax.
www.oecd.org/en/about/new...
Graph doesn't show inequities. The UK's poorest 20% pay a higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
Can't have European levels of welfare on USA levels of tax.
www.oecd.org/en/about/new...
August 31, 2025 at 12:50 PM
In 2023, UK tax to GDP ratio was 35.4; 45.8% for France, 41.9% for Denmark, 42.8% for Italy.
Graph doesn't show inequities. The UK's poorest 20% pay a higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
Can't have European levels of welfare on USA levels of tax.
www.oecd.org/en/about/new...
Graph doesn't show inequities. The UK's poorest 20% pay a higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
Can't have European levels of welfare on USA levels of tax.
www.oecd.org/en/about/new...
Reposted by David Youngs
Lucid, convincing case for a tax on high-value property, from the UK's most eminent housing economist, John Muellbauer.
Would raise revenue *and* be good for growth.
://www.ft.com/content/bb4e7566-4bc6-45c9-87e4-271cc40c66a5
Would raise revenue *and* be good for growth.
://www.ft.com/content/bb4e7566-4bc6-45c9-87e4-271cc40c66a5
Britain needs a wealth tax on property
Targeting expensive houses and non-residential land would leave the vast majority of homeowners and farmers untouched
www.ft.com
August 31, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Lucid, convincing case for a tax on high-value property, from the UK's most eminent housing economist, John Muellbauer.
Would raise revenue *and* be good for growth.
://www.ft.com/content/bb4e7566-4bc6-45c9-87e4-271cc40c66a5
Would raise revenue *and* be good for growth.
://www.ft.com/content/bb4e7566-4bc6-45c9-87e4-271cc40c66a5
Reposted by David Youngs
I take anti-immigration protests personally.
My family left the Balkans in January 1995 with nothing but suitcases. I was 12 and didn’t speak English.
I have been wearing the Australian flag on my shoulder since I was 18. Next January that will be 25 years of military service to this great land.
My family left the Balkans in January 1995 with nothing but suitcases. I was 12 and didn’t speak English.
I have been wearing the Australian flag on my shoulder since I was 18. Next January that will be 25 years of military service to this great land.
August 31, 2025 at 2:07 AM
I take anti-immigration protests personally.
My family left the Balkans in January 1995 with nothing but suitcases. I was 12 and didn’t speak English.
I have been wearing the Australian flag on my shoulder since I was 18. Next January that will be 25 years of military service to this great land.
My family left the Balkans in January 1995 with nothing but suitcases. I was 12 and didn’t speak English.
I have been wearing the Australian flag on my shoulder since I was 18. Next January that will be 25 years of military service to this great land.