Reposted by Phil OrchardYour Local Epidemiologist @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social · 05/10/20261/ Over the weekend, there was a reported case of plague in Russia. I’m seeing a lot of rumors about the event being spread without facts to back it up, so I wanted to jump on here to break down what we do and don’t know about this situation and whether or not you should be concerned. 419076
Phil Orchard @philorchard.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Powerful piece in the Guardian about the 25 years of policy missteps 9/11 triggered for the United States: www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...theguardian.comMistakes, mistrust and misdirection: 25 years after 9/11, its dark legacy continues to unfoldThe world’s most powerful country responded to the worst terrorist attack in its history by inflicting terror of its own – around the world, and at home 011
Reposted by Phil OrchardYael Schacher @yaelschacher.bsky.social · 05/09/2026The attempt to frame this whole process as somehow voluntary when it involves forced deportation of Afghans from U.S. and only temporary stay in Guyana is Orwellian. newsroom.gy/2026/09/05/g...newsroom.gyGuyana to temporarily accept third-country nationals from US - News Room GuyanaThe Government of Guyana has confirmed the conclusion of a migration cooperation framework with the United States of America, under which Guyana will receive a limited, vetted number of skilled and no... 12113
Reposted by Phil OrchardEliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Incredible war crimes, Incredible assassinations. 871968509
Reposted by Phil OrchardLeroy @leroylynch.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Social media companies would be required to give users a choice to turn off their algorithm through pop-up messages, under draft laws to be unveiled by the government later this week. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09... #auspol #auslawabc.net.auSocial media platforms to be forced to offer algorithm opt-outSocial media companies would be required to give users a choice to turn off their algorithm through pop-up messages, under draft laws to be unveiled by the government later this week. 24514
Reposted by Phil OrchardClimateFran @climatefran.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Also will note that the new, narrower 2100 warming range of 1.6 - 3.3 degrees is remarkably similar to the 1.8 - 3.3 degree range we estimated using our climate-social model www.nature.com/articles/s41...nature.comDeterminants of emissions pathways in the coupled climate–social system - NatureA stylized model of the climate–social system could help to understand policy and emissions futures. 182
Reposted by Phil OrchardZeke Hausfather @zekehausfather.com · 01/09/2026The emissions scenarios underlying the next generation of climate model runs that will be featured in the upcoming IPCC 7th Assessment Report are officially out! I have a big new explainer over at Carbon Brief taking an in-depth look at what they mean and whats changed: www.carbonbrief.org/... 7235115
Reposted by Phil OrchardMike Jensen @mikejjensen.bsky.social · 14/08/2026US policy change in support for Ukraine since the full-scale invasion www.stateoig.gov/uploads/repo... 001
Reposted by Phil Orcharde.w. niedermeyer @niedermeyer.online · 13/08/202614 million souls ended in a single year by Elon Musk's cruelty and stupidity Here are some of the comparisons: Rwandan genocide: 800k dead Cambodian genocide: 3 million dead The Holocaust: 7 million dead 7236341377
Reposted by Phil OrchardKevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 13/08/2026The president is refusing to spend taxpayer money assisting Americans suffering from natural disasters solely because their states didn't vote for him. I know there are a thousand scandals at the moment, but this one deserves some more oxygen at every level. 17962972421
Reposted by Phil OrchardRichard Heppner 🤷🏼♂️ @rlheppner.bsky.social · 14/08/2026This feels like the unlikely fulfillment of a prophecy. 17122
Reposted by Phil OrchardAnjali Dayal @anjalikdayal.bsky.social · 14/08/2026“One baby at a time, the world is marching toward a grim milestone: Because of global cuts to foreign aid, the Gates Foundation has predicted that 2025 will be the first year this century where child deaths will increase.” apnews.com/article/usai...apnews.comUSAID fallout: In Nepal, when the aid workers stopped coming, the women and babies started dyingThe Associated Press has found that the decision by the United States to slash its foreign aid funding last year has increased pregnancy complications and deaths in Nepal. 8320183
Phil Orchard @philorchard.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Very pleased to have this new piece with @brosinsm.bsky.social up on @opiniojuris.bsky.social on universal jurisdiction as a way to respond to forced displacement in Myanmar: opiniojuris.org/2026/08/11/s...opiniojuris.orgSymposium on Prosecuting Asia-Pacific Crimes: Examining the Utility of Universal Jurisdiction Efforts to Address Forced Displacement in Myanmar[Phil Orchard is Professor in International Relations, Head of Discipline, Politics and International Studies and Co-Director of the Future of Rights Centre in the School of Social Sciences at the … 011
Phil Orchard @philorchard.bsky.social · 11/08/2026"We have crossed into the era where large-scale AI-driven catastrophes are possible" A chilling discussion of the OpenAI AI directed attack against Hugging Face: pauseai.substack.com/p/into-the-e...pauseai.substack.comInto the endgameThe catastrophic threats we predicted are no longer speculative, and we are all in danger. A message to the world on what must happen now. 000
Reposted by Phil OrchardPolling Canada @canadianpolling.bsky.social · 10/08/2026Canadians still consider America as an enemy or a potential threat 66821
Reposted by Phil OrchardHeather Cox Richardson (TDPR) @hcrichardson.bsky.social · 10/08/2026August 9, 2026heathercoxrichardson.substack.comAugust 9, 2026On August 9, 1974, Richard M. 831892503
Reposted by Phil OrchardAndrea Woo @andreawoo.bsky.social · 10/08/2026“Severe drought and more frequent heat waves are hemispheric in scale, and the evacuated B.C. towns of Summerland and Peachland are just the latest to experience the conditions that produce fast-expanding infernos...” www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...theglobeandmail.comOkanagan fires offer a glimpse of a worsening wildfire crisisExperts say Canadian wildfires are part of a much larger problem connected to the burning of fossil fuels 32912
Reposted by Phil OrchardSimon Frankel Pratt @simonpratt.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Interceptors are expensive and generally slow to manufacture because they are extremely high-tech. It's probable that the US will restock over the next year or two, but what happens if during that time, a war against a more dangerous adversary than Iran breaks out? 173
Reposted by Phil OrchardKees van der Leun @sustainable2050.bsky.social · 06/08/2026The El Niño event developing now is entering uncharted territory. Sea surface temperatures in the central tropical Pacific, indicative of its strength, are already 2.6°C above normal, while a peak above 2°C is seen as a super El Niño! The main effect of such an event is .. 1/ 13824
Reposted by Phil OrchardGreg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 30/07/2026We're running a policy school on 19 August I'll be chatting about "What makes you feel like you're losing in this economy? (and what to do about it) nb.australiainstitute.org.au/policy_schoo...nb.australiainstitute.org.auPolicy School - What makes you feel like you're losing in this economy? 14525
Reposted by Phil OrchardJoe Cirincione @joecirin.bsky.social · 22/07/2026"President Trump’s reported concessions to Saudi Arabia raise legitimate concerns and unless addressed could lead to a Middle East filled with nuclear weapons programs." Analysis from one of the top experts in the field, @jonatomic.bsky.social newrepublic.com/article/2133... via @newrepublic.comnewrepublic.comTrump’s Nuclear Deal With Saudi Arabia Looks More Like a FavorThe agreement includes a number of worrying U.S. concessions, raising concerns that Saudi Arabia is taking advantage of its close financial ties to the Trump family. 2149
Reposted by Phil Orchardpublic health guy @publichealthguy1.bsky.social · 22/07/2026it does actually sound like taylor farms and the white house teamed up to try and blame taco bell for the outbreak. unprecedented corruption 245109954412
Reposted by Phil OrchardBetcy Jose @betcy.bsky.social · 22/07/2026What trying to preserve the global human rights regime and rule of law looks like 012
Reposted by Phil OrchardTim Lyons @picketer.bsky.social · 22/07/2026This is about 12% of Venezuela's nominal GDP. 3125
Reposted by Phil OrchardStephanie Carvin @stephaniecarvin.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Okay, non-economist here but the new US tariffs on Canada are just… kinda weird? Like they picked weird things to target (we have a Canadian tequila industry?!?) to go after slightly more than 5% of our trade. It is like they wanted 50% headlines but it is… targeting our honey industry? 2021661
Reposted by Phil OrchardChabeli Carrazana @chabeli.bsky.social · 20/07/2026The world may have moved on from Minneapolis but its immigrant community continues to struggle. We spoke to single mothers who hid from ICE for months, ran through their savings, and now can’t pay to renew their DACA applications. At least dozens are in this situation. 19thnews.org/2026/07/ice-...19thnews.orgSingle mothers lost months of income hiding from ICE — and now can’t afford to renew immigration papersThey survived ICE's takeover in Minneapolis. But now their DACA protections are set to expire, leaving dozens scrambling to afford hundreds of dollars in fees to maintain their legal status. 8616359
Reposted by Phil OrchardAdam Bonica @adambonica.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Serbian President Vucic announced he’ll resign after 18 months of student protests. That’s Bangladesh, Nepal, Madagascar, Bulgaria, Hungary, and now Serbia, all in the past two years. Anti-corruption is the most potent force for positive political change right now. The US remains ripe.reuters.comSerbian President Vucic says he will resign within weeksSerbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday he would resign within weeks and the country will hold early presidential and parliamentary elections, following 18 months of anti-government prote... 211585537
Reposted by Phil OrchardRick Perlstein @rickperlstein.bsky.social · 05/07/2026Fun fact: about a year after 9/11, George W. Bush gave a speech at Mt. Rushmore with his podium angled so he would look like the fifth face. 79616
Reposted by Phil OrchardStanimir Dobrev @delfoo.bsky.social · 28/06/2026Updated map of the regions of Russia where there are shortages of gasoline or diesel. As always it's worse in the occupied territories. Added 2 regions. Ingushetia and Ugra ( ХМАО ). Over 90% of Russia's regions have fuel shortages and population wise well over 95%. 58719
Reposted by Phil OrchardAnjali Dayal @anjalikdayal.bsky.social · 05/05/2026I just want to add, since this is breaking containment, that this can't be made right. these people, each one a whole universe, are gone. there can only be justice for the perpetrators; public remorse & restitution; & reform to ensure future aid systems are more just and less prone to imperial whims 4840721744
Reposted by Phil OrchardDara Lind @daralind.bsky.social · 21/06/2026Unfortunately this is the sickest possible burn Britain could give us on this year of all years 1162894
Reposted by Phil OrchardJudah Grunstein @judah-grunstein.bsky.social · 16/06/2026The follow-up deal won't get done, so this basically locks both sides into a protracted non-aggression pact stalemate. The US pockets the one-off damage it did to Iran's infrastructure. Iran pockets a one-off show of strength that will be hard to repeat against a competent administration. 1/2 712026
Reposted by Phil OrchardStacy VanDeveer @stacydvandeveer.bsky.social · 30/05/2026Scientists have scrapped the worst-case climate scenario – because action is making a difference theconversation.com/scientists-h...theconversation.comScientists have scrapped the worst-case climate scenario – because action is making a differenceRemoving the worst-case climate future for Earth isn’t failed science, as climate sceptic Donald Trump claims. It’s a sign climate action has made a difference. 031
Reposted by Phil OrchardAaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 30/05/2026Great news: the courts will have a chance to rein in the abuses at Camp East Montana, the infamous tent camp built on Fort Bliss in El Paso. I have known seasoned veterans of this field who visited the camp and came away saying it was one of the worst ICE detention centers they’d ever been to.texastribune.orgICE sued over “inhumane” conditions at Camp East MontanaThe El Paso tent camp has seen at least three detainee deaths, a measles outbreak and nearly 50 detention standards violations in less than a year of operation. 15752652122
Phil Orchard @philorchard.bsky.social · 31/05/2026‘Dire’ conditions at ICE facility severely violate human rights, lawsuit claims www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...theguardian.com‘Dire’ conditions at ICE facility severely violate human rights, lawsuit claimsAt US’s largest immigration center, Texas’s Camp East Montana, plaintiffs allege ‘dangerous and abusive’ situation 000
Reposted by Phil OrchardJane McAdam @profjmcadam.bsky.social · 06/05/2026A little reminder about why national security concerns do not provide a carte blanche to disregard human rights obligations womensagenda.com.au/latest/why-a...womensagenda.com.auWhy Australia needs a plan to repatriate citizens detained in SyriaAustralia’s refusal to repatriate 34 women and children detained in Syria’s al-Roj camp raises serious human rights concerns. 163
Reposted by Phil OrchardAaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 06/05/2026Mike Waltz brags that thanks to the Trump administration, the UN is cutting "25 percent of their peacekeepers" 59672170
Reposted by Phil OrchardCheryl Rofer @cherylrofer.bsky.social · 05/05/2026And 30 members of Congress would like to know about them. 13112
Phil Orchard @philorchard.bsky.social · 05/05/2026Text of the draft UNGA resolution on "Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change" includes specific language on non-refoulement. The resolution is due to be voted on 20 May. www.pisfcc.org/news/final-t... 082
Reposted by Phil Orchardpw-portal @pw-portal.bsky.social · 24/04/2026Internationale #Normen, wie etwa das Folter- oder #Gewaltverbot, werden regelmäßig angefochten. Johanna Speyer @prif.org hat für uns zum Phänomen die Sammelbände „Contestation in Prism“ @springernature.com & „Contesting the World“ @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org nebeneinander gelesen und besprochen.pw-portal.dePortal für Politikwissenschaft – Alle Farben des Regenbogens gegen die Krise der Weltordnung? 175
Phil Orchard @philorchard.bsky.social · 03/05/2026Blistering column by Zoe Daniel in the @GuardianAus today about Liberals & One Nation’s policies: “(Angus)Taylor has voted with One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce 99.8% of the time and the Liberals vote with Pauline Hanson as much as 90% of the time in the Senate.” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comThe Coalition is nailing its own coffin shut in Farrer. It should have had the courage to put One Nation lastBy directing preferences to Pauline Hanson’s party, the Coalition may deliver One Nation its first election win in the lower house 100
Reposted by Phil OrchardG Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 19/04/2026FWIW, the answer to this question is “no” 412173400
Reposted by Phil OrchardRyan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 17/04/2026OMG Kash Patel appears to be a drunken national security threat "Meetings and briefings had to be rescheduled for later in the day as a result of his alcohol-fueled nights." "A request for 'breaching equipment' ... was made last year because Patel had been unreachable behind locked doors."theatlantic.comThe FBI Director Is MIAKash Patel has alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences. 1351830674
Reposted by Phil OrchardWeedle @weedle.bsky.social · 17/04/2026Exactly one year ago today: 448280329336
Reposted by Phil OrchardGillian Brockell @gillianbrockell.com · 17/04/2026BREAKING: An ICE charter landed in the Democratic Republic of Congo minutes ago following third-country deportation deal with the Trump administration. gillianbrockell.com/breaking-ice...gillianbrockell.comBREAKING: ICE charter lands in Congo following third-country deportation dealThe likely ICE flight landed in Kinshasa in the early morning hours Friday, and a second ICE charter aircraft appeared to also be bound for central Africa. 3282172
Reposted by Phil OrchardBrian Finucane @bcfinucane.bsky.social · 16/04/2026Despite the administration’s rhetoric and bogus legal theories, the supposed armed conflict with “narco-terrorists” appears to be entirely make believe. Murder is the general term for premeditated killing outside of armed conflict. 551545506
Reposted by Phil OrchardHolly Cullen @hollycullenfreo.bsky.social · 14/04/2026'For the families who lived through these events, nothing can bring back what they lost. But being recognised, being heard and having their stories taken seriously still matters. Because in the end, justice is not only about punishment. It is also about acknowledgement.'theguardian.comBen Roberts-Smith’s arrest won’t erase the pain for Afghans – but it shows Australia is willing to face uncomfortable truths | Shadi Khan SaifIn the context of the Afghanistan war, this kind of accountability is rare, and it matters 021
Reposted by Phil OrchardYael Schacher @yaelschacher.bsky.social · 10/04/2026If SCOTUS takes this, and they rules as I think it will in Noem v. AOL, it will completely upend the 1980 Refugee Act and IIRIRA and make both basically laws that say refugees are to be turned away and turn the US into an immigrant gulag 1116