Sam Lawrence

@govpritzker.illinois.gov - investigate and prosecute them under State laws - no White House pardons for State convictions.

French police raid X offices in Paris as Musk summoned to hearing A widening probe into the platform is investigating alleged abuse of algorithms and fraudulent data extraction.

Heartening to see France’s public prosecutor doing their job without fear or favour. I can’t wait to see M. Musk in the dock ⚖️ Chances of US sanctions on France ahead of that eventuality? 80%? #StopElon

UN risks 'imminent financial collapse', secretary general warns António Guterres says the international body could run out of money by July due to members' unpaid fees.

“Never let a good crisis go to waste”. An opportunity to overhaul the UN Security Council for the 21st century: no more vetoes and a removal of states non-compliant with the UN Charter and financial commitments. #un #uncrisis

Trump tariff threat over Greenland 'unacceptable', European leaders say The US president says several European allies opposed to his plans to buy Greenland will face 10% tariffs from February.

The US is a clear security threat. When will Europe collectively meet the US’ crazed bullying with reciprocal sanctions and asset freezes? DJTs Scottish golf courses could be a start. @kajakallas.bsky.social Switch from dollar denominated payments to Euros and Sterling @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social

Louise Adler unloads over reputationally 'trashed' Adelaide Writers' Week The former Adelaide Writers' Week director takes aim at lobby groups and the SA premier during an intense appearance on 7.30 in which she says the event's reputation has been "trashed".

Very interested in your views on this debacle @georginagodwin.bsky.social (a Monocle radio feature perhaps?) and the excellent interview given by the superb Louise Adler to the ABC. @louiseadler1.bsky.social

Randa Abdel-Fattah: How Adelaide Writers' Week imploded after axing Palestinian author Some 180 writers, including former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, have withdrawn from the event.

Australia’s Adelaide Writers Week “destroyed by the Zionist lobby” (Yanis Varoufakis) with esteemed Jewish board director Louise Adler resigning on principle: “I could not be party to silencing writers… writing matters, even when they are presenting ideas that discomfort and challenge us”. #auspol

I can’t wait to see what deliciousness results from this! 😋

America is now in fascism’s legal phase | Jason Stanley The US’s history of racism is fertile ground for fascism. Attacks on the courts, education, voting rights and women’s rights are steps to toppling democracy

I recommend rereading this article by Yale Professor Jason Stanley (since fled to Canada) writing in @theguardian.com in 2021. An update to this article would be both fascinating and devastatingly damning on the descent of Canada’s southern neighbour into neo-fascism.

You Don’t Get to Break the Constitution Just Because the Bastard Had It Coming Because “he deserved it” has never been a constitutional argument

share.google/MJEFT8sTWM8c...

When can we expect EU sanctions on the violent, rogue criminal-led regime in the Americas that breaks international law (UN Charter Article 2(4)) and attempts to overturn democratic elections? Plus its oddly orange-hued Floridian leader? Or does realpolitik Trump EU values? @kajakallas.bsky.social

When can we expect EU sanctions on the violent, rogue criminal-led regime in the Americas that breaks international law (UN Charter Article 2(4)) and attempts to overturn democratic elections? Plus its oddly orange-hued Floridian leader? Or does realpolitik Trump EU values? @kajakallas.bsky.social

Venezuela latest: Trump says US has 'captured' President Maduro in strikes on country - latest The US president says Maduro and his wife have been

President of Peace. Someone should check on how Greenland and Panama are sleeping.

@zackpolanski.bsky.social - can a scaled levy on the assets of foreign billionaires and multi-millionaires be considered as Greens policy? Their assets can help pay for British health, social and community services.

Yep - to which ABC journos regularly respond.

@abc-news.bsky.social - are you SERIOUSLY advocating for Australians to censor themselves to comply with a foreign governments’ invasive policies? #auspol @larissawaters.bsky.social @mehreenfaruqi.bsky.social

Privacy concerns over US proposing travellers reveal social media history Australians travelling to the United States could soon face an unprecedented invasion of privacy, an international law expert has warned.

Was in die Stasi ist das?! “Applicants could be asked to supply all phone numbers they have used in the past five years, all email addresses from the past 10 years, and detailed information about immediate family members, including their names, dates and places of birth, and current addresses.”

Ireland among countries boycotting Eurovision after Israel allowed to compete There had been calls for Israel's exclusion over the war in Gaza, as well as unfair voting accusations.

🇮🇪+🇪🇸 demonstrated principled leadership, yet again, on the issue of Israeli genocide. The EuSoCo is and always has been political. Countries including 🇬🇧🇫🇷🇩🇪🇮🇹 hiding behind a charade of neutrality to avoid a tough decision (which should be easy) is an abdication of moral responsibility. #eurovision

It’s so telling that the G20 is far more effective on climate without certain destructive elements present. A permanent G18 (sans the two pariahs across the Bering strait) could be a great option.

COP30 sidesteps fossil fuels, boosts climate aid for poor nations Denial and division have been highlighted in the COP30 deal that makes no mention of cutting fossil fuels but boosts climate aid for developing nations.

COP30 was a failure. When a coalition of petro states led by Saudi Arabia and Russia red-line mention of fossil fuels, and the outcome is treating the symptom not the cause, it’s a failure. This jamboree needs massive overhaul. Much like the UN itself.

Australia hands COP31 to Türkiye but Bowen to lead negotiations Adelaide will not host next year's COP summit, but Australia's Energy Minister Chris Bowen will lead the negotiations, and a pre-event will be hosted by a Pacific Island nation.

As predicted, and incredibly smart diplomacy: Australia controls the negotiations, gets moral praise from the Pacific for ‘trying’ to host COP, and incurs none of the costs. Well played. #auspol

Wong says Australia the 'architect' in the region after 'landmark' achievements The foreign minister has used a major speech to celebrate the government's string of security agreements, saying Labor has helped build a region more stable and less deferential to authoritarian power...

Reports of the death of democracy are, happily, greatly exaggerated. Australia’s principled and proactive approach to securing democratic norms in the Pacific is a tremendous tribute to quiet, effective middle power diplomacy. #auspol

New 'Lucifer' bee with devil-like horns found in Australia The native bee was found near a rare wildflower, prompting scientists to call for the area to be protected.

🐝 Pretty cool / un-bee-lievable🐝 #bee #conservation #australia

Elon Musk's $1tn pay deal approved by Tesla shareholders The richest man in the world will get hundreds of millions of new shares if he hits his targets.

This is grotesque in a world with malnutrition and environmental degradation. 12.5% could fund the entirety of global tropical forests protection. A single figure %’age could rebuild Gaza. No one deserves $1 TRILLION. Shareholders should be ashamed. @teslatakedown.com @lilyjamali.bsky.social

Saint Michael's line - Wikipedia

Have you heard of the line of St Michael? It’s even more intriguing, and begins even before St Michael’s island in Cornwall. 🪽

'Climate trigger' formally ruled out of environment laws A "climate trigger" that could be used to block coal and gas projects has been formally excluded from the government's overhaul of Australia's environment laws, minister Murray Watt confirms.

A perfect example of why the Australian government cannot be trusted on climate - it fails at every step. And that’s both sides of the aisle - for decades. Pacific nations are right to call out Australia’s hypocrisy in seeking to host a climate COP while actively undermining climate progress.

An excellent decision. It’s heartening to see the Nobel Committee upholding its high standards.

To Survive, the United Nations Must Leave America Carl Bildt sees a change in headquarters as an unfortunate but necessary step for the embattled institution.

“To survive, the United Nations must leave America” - a short essay by Carl Bildt @cbildt.bsky.social

The @theguardian.com cartoonist @bjennings90.bsky.social absolutely nails it. Highly recommend his piercing observations 👌🏻

“All States are under a legal obligation to use all means that are reasonably available to them to stop the genocide in Gaza … and take action on accountability through investigations and legal proceedings against individuals or corporations that are involved … directly or indirectly”- Navi Pillay.

Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, UN Commission finds GENEVA – Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, a...

The UN concludes that Israel is committing genocide. “Israel is responsible for genocide in Gaza…there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention” - Navi Pillay, Chair of UN Commission. #ohchr #israel #genocide