Richard Bridge
@richardpbridge.bsky.social
current events and international affairs (esp. Russia), music (esp. flute), the novel, most sports (esp. OAFC & CPFC). Citizen of the UK of GB and NI.
Reposted by Richard Bridge
The one exception to this is murder, which is largely men killing their partners and children, or adults killing their elderly relatives.
February 11, 2026 at 4:46 PM
The one exception to this is murder, which is largely men killing their partners and children, or adults killing their elderly relatives.
Yes. The problem with reporting on negotiations is that the words and other signs mean nothing. Please report on talks only when a document is signed and implemented.
A spokesperson for Pres Zelenskyy has partially denied the FT story about an election announcement expected in the next 2 weeks.
"As long as there is no security, there will be no announcements about elections" - expect developments in Miami this weekend.
bsky.app/profile/twmc...
"As long as there is no security, there will be no announcements about elections" - expect developments in Miami this weekend.
bsky.app/profile/twmc...
First, news that Trump is bullying Ukraine to hold elections and a referendum by 15 May.
The US does still provide a lot of assistance: Trump's threatening to withdraw these and security guarantees if Zelenskyy doesn't comply
Ukraine's President will announce plans by February 24.
The US does still provide a lot of assistance: Trump's threatening to withdraw these and security guarantees if Zelenskyy doesn't comply
Ukraine's President will announce plans by February 24.
February 11, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Yes. The problem with reporting on negotiations is that the words and other signs mean nothing. Please report on talks only when a document is signed and implemented.
Excellent point. Redwood is certainly a "blithering idiot" (still, after many years). Although the House of Lords still does have a few good people in it, it looks nowadays like a collection of fools. Who would want to be in it?
One of the maddest elements of Brexit - and there are *many* - is the rewards that continue to be lavished on the blithering idiots who sold it & continue to be proved wrong about everything every day…
Ex Tory MP John Redwood has been made a peer, as Lord Redwood on 31 January, and was formally introduced in the Lords on Tuesday
February 11, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Excellent point. Redwood is certainly a "blithering idiot" (still, after many years). Although the House of Lords still does have a few good people in it, it looks nowadays like a collection of fools. Who would want to be in it?
Reposted by Richard Bridge
"China is saying it wants to be a stabilizing force in the global system. Practice what you preach. Let's see the 'stabilizing force' in the places we're working."
David Miliband (@rescue.org) on China's role in the international system.
Watch the event➡️ bit.ly/3Zmg837
David Miliband (@rescue.org) on China's role in the international system.
Watch the event➡️ bit.ly/3Zmg837
February 10, 2026 at 8:00 AM
"China is saying it wants to be a stabilizing force in the global system. Practice what you preach. Let's see the 'stabilizing force' in the places we're working."
David Miliband (@rescue.org) on China's role in the international system.
Watch the event➡️ bit.ly/3Zmg837
David Miliband (@rescue.org) on China's role in the international system.
Watch the event➡️ bit.ly/3Zmg837
Farage dresses up as Ralph (Charlie Higson) because he thinks his elctoral fodder like a fake toff. And the chips just underline what a performance this is.
Reform accused of ‘copying BNP campaign tactic’ – and now face police probe
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/ref...
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/ref...
Reform accused of 'copying BNP campaign tactic' - and now face police probe
A former leading strategist for the BNP has hit out at Reform, accusing them of lifting their infamous 'Granny Letter' campaign tactic.
www.thelondoneconomic.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Farage dresses up as Ralph (Charlie Higson) because he thinks his elctoral fodder like a fake toff. And the chips just underline what a performance this is.
Reposted by Richard Bridge
Sad outcome in an important case. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
Hong Kong democracy champion Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison
The heavy sentence for the 78-year-old Apple Daily founder and British citizen was imposed as Beijing seeks to wipe out the city’s remaining press freedoms.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:51 AM
Sad outcome in an important case. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
Exactly. How are people so easily gulled?
L’ampleur des connexions d’Epstein dans le monde interroge : une fois de plus les démocraties doivent s’interroger sur ces monstres qui prospèrent en leur sein et sur le comportement de certaines élites. Ma chronique géopolitique du 7/10 @franceinter www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/...
L’affaire Epstein alimente les clichés qui font le lit du populisme
L’onde de choc des révélations de l’affaire Epstein n’en finit pas de se faire ressentir au-delà des États-Unis, tant le réseau d'influence du pédocriminel est vaste. Ces révélations interrogent sur l...
www.radiofrance.fr
February 9, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Exactly. How are people so easily gulled?
bad move...
The surprise return of the Iraq's controversial former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki reveals Iraq is still a battleground for the US and Iran. https://bit.ly/4r2g9p7
What Nouri al-Maliki’s prime minister bid tells us about Iraq
The surprise return of the controversial former leader has revealed that Iraq is still a US–Iran battleground.
bit.ly
February 8, 2026 at 8:11 AM
bad move...
Scotland & England fans: the 2026 World Cup is set to be hosted in Trump’s USA. Sign the petition calling for a boycott. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/bo...
Boycott Trump's World Cup: Sign the petition to move the games now!
I am unbelievably chuffed that the Scottish Men's team, alongside England are qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Since childhood I have always loved a World Cup. My childish excitement however is bein...
you.38degrees.org.uk
February 7, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Scotland & England fans: the 2026 World Cup is set to be hosted in Trump’s USA. Sign the petition calling for a boycott. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/bo...
Reposted by Richard Bridge
Donald Trump and J.D. Vance have RUINED America's reputation on the global stage.
We are now BOOED and LAUGHED at by the world!
Total disgrace.
We are now BOOED and LAUGHED at by the world!
Total disgrace.
BREAKING: In a stunning moment, JD Vance was just booed relentlessly at the Olympics. Wow. The Trump-Vance admin is humiliating us on the world stage.
February 6, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Donald Trump and J.D. Vance have RUINED America's reputation on the global stage.
We are now BOOED and LAUGHED at by the world!
Total disgrace.
We are now BOOED and LAUGHED at by the world!
Total disgrace.
However much one might loathe Ernesto Guevara (pictured), the actions of the Trump Administration are typically abominable and cruel.
Cuba adopte un paquet de mesures pour faire face à la crise énergétique, dont la semaine de quatre jours
Cuba adopte un paquet de mesures pour faire face à la crise énergétique, dont la semaine de quatre jours
L’île s’inspire les directives prises par l’ancien dirigeant Fidel Castro durant les années de la « période spéciale », la grave crise économique qui avait suivi la chute en 1991 de l’URSS, alors principal allié de La Havane.
www.lemonde.fr
February 7, 2026 at 9:37 AM
However much one might loathe Ernesto Guevara (pictured), the actions of the Trump Administration are typically abominable and cruel.
Yes; but the Winter Olympics are on vulnerable ground (literally and metaphorically). See today's London Guardian (Andy Bull reporting from Milan).
JO 2026 : du stade San Siro de Milan jusqu’à Cortina, une cérémonie d’ouverture classique et policée
JO 2026 : du stade San Siro de Milan jusqu’à Cortina, une cérémonie d’ouverture classique et policée
Egalement organisée dans deux autres localités, l’œuvre pilotée par Marco Balich a revisité les classiques du « made in Italy », à l’aide de Mariah Carey et sous les yeux du vice-président américain, J. D. Vance.
www.lemonde.fr
February 7, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Yes; but the Winter Olympics are on vulnerable ground (literally and metaphorically). See today's London Guardian (Andy Bull reporting from Milan).
Muscadet since 1978...
For fashionable wine, look to the Loire ft.trib.al/z8gWoRa | opinion
For fashionable wine, look to the Loire
The region has everything that modern drinkers look for in a wine
ft.trib.al
February 7, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Muscadet since 1978...
If they were so crushed then why are they in Parliament now? The generation was asked to contribute to its own development and wellbeing.
Why is the student loan's system being criticised now? A new cohort of MPs has entered the Commons carrying student debt themselves
✏️ @zoegrunewald.bsky.social
✏️ @zoegrunewald.bsky.social
Student loan repayments are crushing an entire generation
If voting was compulsory, the interests of the young would get a lot more political attention. As it is, they are ignored, in favour of the old
www.thenewworld.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 9:12 AM
If they were so crushed then why are they in Parliament now? The generation was asked to contribute to its own development and wellbeing.
Hardly worked in her life: a couple of years as a care worker in Stockport. Then professional bureaucrat/politician, in unions and parliament/government. Time to drop the dead phrase "working class" - misleading and sentimental.
In a head-to-head leadership contest against a working-class hero such as Angela Rayner, Sir Keir Starmer would surely be toast
Who might succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Britain’s prime minister?
The odds in the betting market have shifted sharply
econ.st
February 7, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Hardly worked in her life: a couple of years as a care worker in Stockport. Then professional bureaucrat/politician, in unions and parliament/government. Time to drop the dead phrase "working class" - misleading and sentimental.
It is the same story: he threatens in order to make a (useless) "deal", and then he loses interest and backs down. "TACO" is not quite correct, but it is not far off...
The Middle East is still guessing if and when Donald Trump may fulfil his promise on striking Iran. After initially trying to dissuade him, one country changed its tune
How regional powers are thinking about a war in Iran
Further conflict could bring chaos—and opportunities
econ.st
February 7, 2026 at 9:04 AM
It is the same story: he threatens in order to make a (useless) "deal", and then he loses interest and backs down. "TACO" is not quite correct, but it is not far off...
Best songs. Meanwhile, violin sonata D574 is being played this morning at my local church - St John's Auckland Road London - by Alfie Weinberg and Qden Blaauw. It does not get better...
#A-Schubert-A-Day starts today. I am attempting to listen through the complete Hyperion Schubert Song edition, one song per day until there are no more. I have no idea how sustainable this will be, but I am going to give it a try.
February 7, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Best songs. Meanwhile, violin sonata D574 is being played this morning at my local church - St John's Auckland Road London - by Alfie Weinberg and Qden Blaauw. It does not get better...
Scotland & England fans: the 2026 World Cup is set to be hosted in Trump’s USA. We can’t stay silent. Sign the petition calling for a boycott unless it's move, to protect players & fans! you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/bo...
Boycott Trump's World Cup: Sign the petition to move the games now!
I am unbelievably chuffed that the Scottish Men's team, alongside England are qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Since childhood I have always loved a World Cup. My childish excitement however is bein...
you.38degrees.org.uk
February 7, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Scotland & England fans: the 2026 World Cup is set to be hosted in Trump’s USA. We can’t stay silent. Sign the petition calling for a boycott unless it's move, to protect players & fans! you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/bo...
Reposted by Richard Bridge
The “cost of living” lurks behind every one of Sir Keir Starmer’s decisions, whether on matters of state or factional infighting. That obsession is a gamble from a government suffering extinction-level polling econ.st/3M3rJkv
Illustration: Nate Kitch
Illustration: Nate Kitch
February 3, 2026 at 7:00 AM
The “cost of living” lurks behind every one of Sir Keir Starmer’s decisions, whether on matters of state or factional infighting. That obsession is a gamble from a government suffering extinction-level polling econ.st/3M3rJkv
Illustration: Nate Kitch
Illustration: Nate Kitch
I just took action with @theactionnetwork.bsky.social: Survey: Impact of social media on young people. I argued against a ban, but in favour of robust regulation. Take action here: actionnetwork.org/forms/survey...
Survey: Impact of social media on young people
What do you think of the impact of social media on young people? Share your views below!
actionnetwork.org
February 1, 2026 at 4:24 PM
I just took action with @theactionnetwork.bsky.social: Survey: Impact of social media on young people. I argued against a ban, but in favour of robust regulation. Take action here: actionnetwork.org/forms/survey...
Very good. But I think that the real problem is Christians pretending not to be Christians, and to fabricate concern over guardrails.
Britain’s assisted-dying bill has hit a wall in the House of Lords. Readers of our Blighty newsletter shared their opinions on the country’s most consequential social reform in decades: econ.st/4q2iWNx
January 30, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Very good. But I think that the real problem is Christians pretending not to be Christians, and to fabricate concern over guardrails.
Reposted by Richard Bridge
Wikipedia is humanity’s largest repository of knowledge. But it’s facing competition from large language models. Founder Jimmy Wales tells “Babbage” why he’s actually optimistic about AI
Jimmy Wales: Wikipedia’s founder on surviving AI
Our podcast on science and technology. Wikipedia is under threat. But the man who started the website is surprisingly optimistic
econ.st
January 30, 2026 at 7:20 AM
Wikipedia is humanity’s largest repository of knowledge. But it’s facing competition from large language models. Founder Jimmy Wales tells “Babbage” why he’s actually optimistic about AI
Living beyond our means
A form of “affluenza” is the malady of the age. Britain combines the obligations and expectations of a wealthy country with the means of one that is much less rich than it thinks
Affluenza: the new British disease
What happens when a country is not quite as rich as it thinks?
econ.st
January 27, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Living beyond our means
Reposted by Richard Bridge
I don't think this is the case. Many European security researchers are alarmed precisely because of their deep investment in US networks and communication with US colleagues, many of whom are telling us to be concerned and to seek out alternatives for the sake of our own security.
Those who never trusted the US are saying we should never trust the US again...
January 25, 2026 at 9:30 AM
I don't think this is the case. Many European security researchers are alarmed precisely because of their deep investment in US networks and communication with US colleagues, many of whom are telling us to be concerned and to seek out alternatives for the sake of our own security.
Reposted by Richard Bridge
"People in Tehran, including officials, say the real death toll may approach 20,000. In 1989 China’s leaders survived mass protests by killing thousands near Tiananmen Square. Iran appears to have followed that script." www.economist.com/middle-east-...
After Iran’s massacres, tensions grow inside the regime
Even as dissidents rally, rivalries may stymie their efforts
www.economist.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:32 AM
"People in Tehran, including officials, say the real death toll may approach 20,000. In 1989 China’s leaders survived mass protests by killing thousands near Tiananmen Square. Iran appears to have followed that script." www.economist.com/middle-east-...