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Ruth Watson

@ruthwatson.eurosky.social
25K followers 2.5K following 15K posts

Journalist. Activist. Working for a better tomorrow today. Political perspectives. Sustainability. Resilience. Food security. Social justice. Scottish. Irish. Algerian. Kabyl. There is no Planet B.

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Reposted by Ruth Watson
alexvonwitzleben.bsky.social @alexvonwitzleben.bsky.social · 14h
One of the largest Dutch eyewear retail chains said on Friday it had suspended sales of Meta's smart glasses in the Netherlands ​and Belgium amid growing privacy concerns. following the questions being raised about the conditions under which they can be used www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
reuters.com
Dutch eyewear chain Hans Anders halts sale of Meta glasses, citing privacy concerns
One of the largest Dutch eyewear retail chains said on Friday it had suspended sales of Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses in the Netherlands ​and Belgium amid growing privacy concerns, in one of the first ...
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Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 6h
this reveals SO MUCH about legacy media
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Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 6h
Maria Ressa was awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize (with Dmitry Muratov) for "their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for #democracy and lasting peace." She is the first Nobel laureate from the Philippines. Happy birthday @mariaressa.bsky.social 🥳
A color photograph of Maria Ressa, born October 2, 1963, the pioneering Filipino journalist, co-founder of Rappler, and co-recipient of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. She is standing at a dark wooden podium, captured from the chest up. Smiling broadly with an expression of joy and animation, she looks slightly to the right of the frame. She wears thin, rimless eyeglasses, a black turtleneck, and a textured, patterned blazer in shades of cream and light pink or soft orange. Her right hand is raised forward with her palm open and fingers extended in a welcoming, expressive gesture, while her left hand grips the flexible neck of a black microphone attached to the podium. The warm, soft-focus background suggests a grand indoor lecture hall or auditorium with architectural details. The bright, direct lighting emphasizes her optimistic and commanding presence, reflecting her historical significance as a fearless champion of freedom of expression and democratic resilience.
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Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 11h
Poland’s Defence Ministry is drafting a law to prepare the state for a “pre-war” or full defence-readiness phase before martial law is formally declared, Rzeczpospolita reports.
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The New Arab @thenewarab.bsky.social · 13h
Egypt is building a railway stretching more than 500 kilometres from the Suez Canal to Taba, near the Israeli border, as Cairo accelerates plans to develop the Sinai Peninsula. The project has drawn concern in Israeli media over its potential economic and strategic impact
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Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 14h
Today, 8 years ago, my friend, Saudi Journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered.
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derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 12h
These victories were achieved through the efforts of Civil Rights activists, along with support from Neiman Marcus president Stanley Marcus, who was an early advocate for desegregation. The Neiman Marcus Dallas store manager purportedly warned Marcus that he would destroy his business this way.
A Black man protesting in front of a department store in San Diego, California. He's wearing a suit and holding a sign that says "We March Protesting the Indignity and Humility of Jim Crow." There are some people behind him. Stanley Marcus smoking a pipe. He's wearing a striped suit.
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derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 12h
The downtown Neiman Marcus flagship was one of the first major Dallas businesses that broke with these practices. In 1961, the company desegregated its Zodiac Room, a swanky lunch spot frequented by Dallas elites. Later, they welcomed Black shoppers to come and buy clothes without restrictions.
The Zodiac Room restaurant on the sixth floor of Neiman Marcus in Dallas. The photo shows a bunch of tables covered in white tablecloth and leather covered seats.
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Reposted by Ruth Watson
derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 12h
For instance, they had to try on clothes over their clothes, put on protective covers when trying on hats, or weren't allowed to make returns once they brought the clothes home. These policies stemmed from racist fears that white customers would refuse merchandise previously worn by Black shoppers.
Department Store, Mobile, Alabama, 1956

By Gordon Parks

Promised gift of The Gordon Parks FoundationJoanne Wilson, one of the Thorntons’ daughters, is shown standing with her niece in front of a department store in downtown Mobile. The pair is impeccably dressed in light, summery frocks. The jarring neon of the “Colored Entrance” sign looming above them clashes with the two young women’s elegant appearance, transforming a casual afternoon outing into an example of overt discrimination. Notice the fallen strap of Wilson’s slip. Though this detail might appear discordant with the rest of the picture, its inclusion may have been strategic: it allowed Parks to emphasize the humanity of his subjects.
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Reposted by Ruth Watson
derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 12h
Neiman Marcus closed its downtown Dallas flagship on Wednesday. The store played a notable role in the history of desegregation in Dallas. Previously, Black shoppers across the US could enter department stores, but they weren't allowed to try on clothes without adhering to certain conditions. 🧵
A notice about the Neiman Marcus store opening in downtown Dallas.An old photo of the Dallas flagship.
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Mike Berners-Lee @mikebernerslee.bsky.social · 19h
Delighted to welcome Scotland’s First Minister, @johnswinney.bsky.social to deliver a keynote at a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing at Holyrood yesterday. He committed in his address to working collaboratively to ensure the film is “𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝”.
Mike Berners-Lee shaking hands with John Swinney, First Minister for Scotland.A seated audience with John Swinney at a lecturn, and the People's Emergency Briefing logo being shown on two large TVsMike Berners-Lee speaking with a microphone, behind him is a slide showing a map of the UK colour coded in shades of red.A panel with Mike Berners-Lee, David Barratt MSP, Claire Baker MSP, Dr Kate Donovan as panel Chair, Ariane Burgess MSP and Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP.
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Parkscope Joe @parkscopejoe.bsky.social · 16h
This is insane.
Christopher Hale w @ChristopherHale
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NEW: According to a bombshell report in the New York Times, Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah threatened to walk out of Pope Leo XIV's Al encyclical launch in May because the pope rejected the idea that machines can be conscious.
Olah's team then privately lobbied the pope's advisers "to take the possibility of model consciousness seriously." Pope Leo XIV held firm.
For months, Anthropic has wined and dined theologians and religious scholars under nondisclosure agreements, hoping they would bless the idea that Claude has moral standing.
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Ruth Watson @ruthwatson.eurosky.social · 12h
Awful.
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Ruth Watson @ruthwatson.eurosky.social · 16h
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HOPE not hate @hopenothate.org.uk · 18h
🚨 BREAKING: HOPE not hate has uncovered plans by neo-Nazis to disrupt an anti-racist demo in Birmingham this Sunday. On the 90th anniversary of Cable Street, they claim they will mobilise dozens of masked neo-Nazis. hopenothate.org.uk/2026/10/02/n...
hopenothate.org.uk
National Socialist Collective exposed: Nazi militants set to target anti-racists on Cable Street anniversary – HOPE not hate
HOPE not hate blows the lid on a new outfit uniting some of the most active and extreme neo-Nazis in the country. The National Socialist...
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UNICEF @unicef.org · 16h
“I love studying a lot,” says ten-year-old Aya as she returns to learning in Gaza. UNICEF is directly supporting more than 335,000 children across 203 learning centres. #ForEveryChild, education in safety.
Young girl attentively writing in a notebook during a classroom lesson with other children in the background.Teacher  explaining a lesson on a whiteboard to attentive young students raising their hands in a classroom.Five children walk down a street wearing matching blue UNICEF backpacks
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Bob Berwyn @bberwyn.bsky.social · 18h
I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that there are mass climate casualties in one of the richest, most developed regions of the world. So many of the people that died had no way to help themselves.
insideclimatenews.org
Mass Heat Wave Deaths in Europe Show Climate Extremes Are Outpacing Adaptation Efforts - Inside Climate News
As preparedness lags, many regions around the world could be overwhelmed by rising temperatures, climate experts warn.
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Miranda Dickinson @wurdsmyth.bsky.social · 19h
Oh HELL no, #Audible. So you're going to not only steal my characters, infringing my copyright and IP, but you're also going to steal the voices of my brilliant audiobook narrators for your utterly crap AI chatbot? Get - and I say this with my whole heart - IN THE SEA! #NoAI
A headline from an online news article that reads: "Audible will soon let you talk to audiobook characters with a new AI feature."
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The New Arab @thenewarab.bsky.social · 19h
The National Network for the Protection of Libraries, Archives and Cultural Heritage in Lebanon (TALID) brings together voices exploring how loss and destruction are documented.
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National Emergency Briefing @nebriefing.bsky.social · 21h
📣 The first screening of the People's Emergency Briefing in a national parliament! The film was shown at Holyrood last night. Grateful to First Minister John Swinney for committing to helping ensure it is “shared and understood very widely within Scotland”. #TimeToStepUp #NationalEmergencyBriefing
The First Minister John Swinney with Gillian Martin msp cabinet secretary for climate and rural affairs, and Prof Mike Berners-LeeThe First Minister giving an address next to a large screen about to show the Peoples Emergency Briefing A packed room of MSPs and staff watching the film
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Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 19h
New GB News accounts are out. Here are their losses to date. Or "spent political donations" if you prefer
Line chart titled 'GB News has lost £142m to date', showing cumulative losses in pounds rising steadily from around £3m in 2020/1 to £142m by 2025. The red line climbs most steeply between 2021/2 and 2023/4, reaching roughly £110m, then flattens as growth slows towards £142m. A note states the latest figures cover the seven-month period to 31 December 2025. Chart by Press Gazette, source: Companies House
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Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 19h
That’s not the right way to think about it. Putting a Brit label on it but doing the same things that Palantir does is still wrong. We need a rethink of *what* as well as *who*.
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Aberlour Children's Charity @aberlourcharity.bsky.social · 19h
Recently we responded to Scot Gov's consultation on improving protection in the justice system for women & girls. Vast improvements to the justice system are required to ensure all women & children can access justice, safety & recovery from all forms of violence against women & girls.
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Ruth Watson @ruthwatson.eurosky.social · 19h
More of this, please. Make hating Nazis normal again. Anti-fascist beer from #ParticipationTrophyBrewing @ptbrewco.bsky.social
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 21h
Support our work with a year-long subscription for just £20 🚨 Get our limited-time September offer here 👉 www.thenational.scot/subscribe
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James Murray @james-bg.bsky.social · 21h
It's very easy to ignore them, but it's notable how so many of the people within industries who are tasked with understanding supply chain risk and resilience are just very worried right now. www.businessgreen.com/news/4536592...
businessgreen.com
'There will be growing disruption': Food industry insiders raise alarm over supply chain resilience
Unnamed executives issue memo warning their companies are defaulting to 'quick fixes' to tackle climate impacts, while failing to invest sufficiently in building supply chain resilience
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Michael Warburton @michaelwarburton.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
“Such a fine line between stupid and clever” THIS IS SPINAL TAP (1984) Comedy genius. #MichaelMcKean #ChristopherGuest #TonyHendra
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The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com · 20h
DOGE thought it could just walk in and take over the United States Institute of Peace—until chief security officer Colin O’Brien decided to block their way. on.wsj.com/4zdItIM
on.wsj.com
DOGE thought it could just walk in and take over the United States Institute of Peace—until chief security officer Colin O’Brien decided to block their way.
The inside story of the high-stakes D.C. standoff where security chief Colin O’Brien fought off DOGE operatives to protect an independent agency.
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Irish Independent @independent.ie · 20h
‘Total ban’ on commercial sunbeds would breach EU rules, Government is warned www.independent.ie/irish-news/t...
independent.ie
‘Total ban’ on commercial sunbeds would breach EU rules, Government is warned
European Commission writes to ministers, while working group advises services should be stopped rather than products
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The New Arab @thenewarab.bsky.social · 20h
Israel's Supreme Court has signalled that it is likely to uphold a decision barring Palestinian politician Sami Abu Shehadeh from the 27 October Knesset elections over a single opinion article, while far-right Israeli politicians accused of inciting violence against Palestinians remain free to stand
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Reuters @reuters.com · 19h
Nepal plans to drain four glacial lakes after deadly floods reut.rs/4z85TiD
reut.rs
Nepal plans to drain four glacial lakes after deadly floods
Nepal will ​kick off a high-stakes effort this fiscal year to drain four glacial lakes perched high in the mountains, as it ‌scrambles to reduce flood risks, officials said, after a recent disaster that killed more than 1,400.
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Dr Mary McAuliffe @drmarymcauliffe.bsky.social · 20h
Cornell shows us we cannot keep telling our girls to be careful while teaching boys to be entitled jrnl.ie/7179130
jrnl.ie
Cornell shows us we cannot keep telling our girls to be careful while teaching boys to be entitled
The rape allegations emerging from Cornell University in the US are raising the question about what we are teaching young men about consent, violence and women.
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Liz Saville Roberts AS / MP @lsrplaid.bsky.social · 19h
I like Andy Burnham, but I didn’t become an MP to make friends. Plaid Cymru is ready to work constructively with the PM to ensure that we are given the tools to improve people’s lives in Wales and to hold him to his word on devolution. Rydyn ni yma i fynnu gwell i Gymru.
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Médias 🇫🇷 @mediasfr.skyfleet.blue · 19h
Le Paraguay, paradis fiscal et politique pour l’extrême droite brésilienne
france24.com
Le Paraguay, paradis fiscal et politique pour l’extrême droite brésilienne
Comment le Paraguay est-il devenu la destination préférée des Brésiliens partisans des Bolsonaro ? En 2025, ce petit pays coincé entre l'Argentine et le Brésil a battu un record en délivrant 40 600 titres de séjour à des ressortissants étrangers, dont plus de la moitié à des Brésiliens. Et ce chiffre augmentera en 2026, les Bolsonaristes craignant une victoire aux présidentielles d'octobre de l'actuel chef d'État Lula, accusé de faire plonger leur pays dans une crise économique sans précédent.
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Ruth Watson @ruthwatson.eurosky.social · 19h
Sweden has in the past five years developed infrastructure, market and supply in an initiative driven and supported by its government. The Give Peas A Chance project offers a clear direction which, in my view, Scotland’s leaders have to seize. www.thenational.scot/politics/259...
thenational.scot
Peas could be our secret weapon in a world of food insecurity
THE price of fuel has shot up since America and Israel went to war on Iran, raising huge concerns globally over the implications for food production and the transport of goods, not to mention the impa...
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Ruth Watson @ruthwatson.eurosky.social · 20h
January the 6th showed a shocked World who the enemy within America is.
static.klipy.com
Donald Trump at RNC 2016
ALT: Donald Trump at RNC 2016
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Ruth Watson @ruthwatson.eurosky.social · 20h
Use the principles behind the David Bellamy Blooming Marvellous Award to create a policy which could make a big difference to green spaces in domestic and business settings @gillianamartin.bsky.social @ross-greer.bsky.social @gillianmackaygreen.bsky.social
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Ruth Watson @ruthwatson.eurosky.social · 20h
I hated Thatcher. Still do. I thought she was the most right-wing Prime Minister I ever would endure. Shockingly, I was wrong. In recent years, even Labour PMs have echoed Thatcher. Meanwhile, Farage, Tice, Braverman, Yusuf are falling over themselves to be the new Enoch Powell. Hell, no.
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David Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 22h
History is written by the victors. Thatcher broke the power of trade unions by mass unemployment, industrial restructuring, frittered away N Sea Oil, laid the foundations for the current housing crisis, decimated local bus services, hollowed out local government and introduced the poll tax.
Simon Clarke 

Andy Burnham seems to remember a different 1970s to the rest of us. Britain in 1979 was utterly broken - ravaged by unaccountable trade union power, economically stagnant, the sick man of Europe.
The 1980s saw a remarkable national recovery based on free enterprise, the rule of law and championing Western values. And it is this that our Prime Minister rails against...
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Hisham Zerriffi @hishamzerriffi.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Pew tested AI synthetic surveys against actual survey data. Conclusion: “This experiment taught us that, at this time, AI models are not an adequate replacement for traditional polling on topics of broad public importance.” This is an all time bad idea. No need to hedge with “at this time.”
pewresearch.org
Can AI Stand In for Human Survey-Takers? Not Really
Synthetic surveys using digital twins do a poor job estimating the public mood and are especially error-prone for some subgroups, including Republicans and Black adults.
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Samantha Asumadu @samanthaasumadu.substack.com · 22h
The Belgian Equal Opportunities Institute, Unia is to take 'race realist' researcher Nathan Cofnas to court over remarks it believes repeatedly breached the country’s anti-racism law. www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2341...
brusselstimes.com
Unia to take 'race realist' researcher Nathan Cofnas to court
Unia said the US philosopher was spreading ideas in Belgium that rank people in a hierarchy on the basis of supposed scientific knowledge.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 21h
UK airlines to be banned from charging parents to sit with children. Some people charged up to £104 extra. Neoliberals routinely moan about regulation but are silent on customer rip-off schemes. If businesses were ethical we wouldn't need regulation.
theguardian.com
UK airlines to be banned from charging parents to sit with children
Planned rule change forms part of Burnham’s bid to crack down on the ‘little charges that add up’
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Christopher Miller @christopherjm.ft.com · 23h
NEW: Yesterday I interviewed President Zelenskyy. Speaking at a school that had just been hit by a Russian jet drone, he said Ukrainian spy agencies had obtained intel that Putin told his military to remove all constraints that governed earlier air campaigns. “He said there are no rules now.”
ft.com
Putin has told military leaders to abandon rules of war, Zelenskyy says
Ukrainian leader tells FT his Russian counterpart has given the order that ‘there are no rules now’
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Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 21h
Today we remember Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi eight years after his murder. A critic of the regime, Khashoggi was brutally killed at the Saudi consulate in Turkey. Justice has still not been served.
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Ruth Watson @ruthwatson.eurosky.social · 20h
I would like to see an eco rating for gardens and outdoor spaces as part of property valuation surveys. Paved front spaces rate poorly, spaces which are nature friendly (fruiting trees, gaps below fences for hedgehogs, etc.) rate highly. Normalise Nature having worth.
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Biological Recording Company @biologicalrecording.co.uk · 21h
🌱 Are we actually helping wildlife in our gardens? Join the Wildlife Gardening Virtual Symposium 2027 to explore the latest research and make evidence-based decisions for wildlife. 📅 13 Jan | 💻 Online | 🎟️ £30 or pay what you can More info & booking: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1992304412...
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Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 01/10/2026
Solid chance Openai goes belly up and takes softbank and oracle with it. Couldn't happen to more deserving companies.
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Ember @ember-energy.org · 23h
Which parts of Britain are benefiting most from electrotech? 👀 Wales is leading on rooftop solar, batteries and heat pumps. Scotland’s a close second 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 By playing to local strengths, Britain can electrify faster and benefit sooner. ember-energy.org/lat...
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John M 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺 @drjohnm61.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Trump threatens export ban of diesel www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... In other news, Grangemouth Refinery produced 36,000 barrels per day (2.4 million tonnes per year) of diesel before it ceased crude oil processing in April 2025. 12% of UK consumption Not rescued
bbc.co.uk
US pressures Europe over diesel reserves as Trump threatens export ban
President Donald Trump has threatened to ban diesel exports in a bid to ease prices in the US ahead of the November elections.
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Greenpeace International 🌍 @greenpeace.org · 21h
Our hearts go out to Nigerians affected by extreme climate impacts. We need urgent climate action to curb extreme weather around the world.
Image highlighting two devastating news stories about Nigeria that broke in the same week
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