Senior Editor at @ResearchEurope, editing and reporting R&D policy stories. Views own.
London
Joined April 2009
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I'm thinking of having Simon Schama's and Richard Ford's answers tattooed onto my forearms as opposing guides to life
Christine Lagarde wants to hug her baby grandson, Edward Enninful misses his sister's Sunday roast: here's what FT friends and public figures told us they are dreaming of doing after restrictions ease on.ft.com/2ynrydQ
Craig Nicholson retweeted
Why is Trump making so many concessions to Russia now?
I think it's three things.
#HighStakes
Craig Nicholson retweeted
The shifting explanations from Musk and the administration sound like Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First?” Except the consequences for Ukrainian civilians are deadly.
Musk says he didn’t do it. The administration says it didn’t either. Yet someone in the administration reportedly told Musk to undo it, and Ukraine reports only partial restoration.
Are we supposed to believe Hegseth and the Pentagon don’t know the status of a capability critical to U.S., Ukrainian and allied security?
Whoever is handing Putin the gift of a more vulnerable Ukraine should at least have the guts to put their name on it. Hiding behind denials while innocent people pay the price is cowardice.
Meanwhile, Putin keeps murdering civilians and trying to starve and freeze Ukraine into submission. Americans deserve answers. Ukrainians deserve the means to defend themselves.
Craig Nicholson retweeted
Three waves of ballistic missiles have been launched at Kyiv by Russian “humanitarians” since yesterday evening. They used 21 missiles. Unfortunately, numerous sites across the city have been hit and damaged: ordinary residential buildings, energy facilities, infrastructure at one of the railway stations and the metro, shopping malls, and businesses. Even a monastery is among the damaged sites. Our emergency services are working at all the affected locations. Twelve of our regions came under Russian attack overnight. In Kyiv and across the regions, 34 people were injured, including five children. As of now, two people have been confirmed killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones.
Almost immediately after another round of talks, Russia launched a pointed attack. This means there has been no real change in its attitude toward everything that is happening. It is important to keep trying to find the right solutions to end this war. But when Russia responds to negotiations with ballistic missiles, real pressure on Russia is needed to bring about different steps – steps toward ending the killing. Stronger air defenses and the rapid delivery of missiles, the ability to destroy ballistic missile launchers, sanctions over the war – all of this must be in place. I am grateful to everyone who sees the situation for what it is and acknowledges the reality. The aggressor deserves to be treated accordingly. Ukraine deserves support. People's lives deserve protection. Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine!
Craig Nicholson retweeted
Même si les assurances remboursaient chaque centime de perdu (ce qu'elles ne font pas) et même si on enlevait l'impact émotionnel de voir sa vie pro détruite (ce qui est une illusion), il reste deux choses que personne ne semble comprendre.
1) un commerce achète (matière première, stocks, etc.) et vend (produits finis). J'étais avec un cousin, artisan boulanger, ce week-end, qui a acheté 1,5 tonne de chocolat. Le tarif est négocié bien en amont pour préparer les fêtes de fin d'année et anticiper le besoin.
S'il avait à repasser commande aujourd'hui parce que sa matière a été détruite, déjà pas sûr que le fournisseur puisse prendre sa commande et ensuite, pas sûr qu'il l'ait ni au même prix, ni au bon moment.
Et la marge, c'est pas sale, c'est ce qui fait vivre une famille et des salariés. Vous pouvez retourner le problème dans tous les sens, si vous ne margez pas, vous faites pas une activité commerciale, vous faites du passage de plat. Et construire une marge, ça s'anticipe.
2) Chaque jour perdu à reconstruire ou retrouver un stock, c'est du manque à gagner. Vous êtes indé, vous ne vendez pas une journée, c'est une journée de perte sèche. Vous vous souvenez le "pognon de dingue" qui a été dépensé pour soutenir tous les commerces pendant le Covid ? C'est ça compenser le manque à gagner, c'est une logique que seul un État peut encaisser à moyen ou long terme, les assurances s'en fichent.
Je sais que la France est mal éduquée financièrement, mais ce qui s'est passé samedi, ce n'est pas « pas grave car de l'argent magique va aider à payer une baie vitrée ».
Cela étant dit, je suis convaincu qu'il y avait 3 phénomènes samedi : des manifestations légitimes parce que le pays va mal et les gens en souffrent - et elles se sont plutôt bien passées -, des débordements violents politisés, côté manifestants et FDO, dont l'ampleur reste à mesurer mais que vous avez toutes et tous vus sur les RS... et un pillage pur et simple qui n'avait ni rapport avec la première manif, ni avec la seconde, ni avec « l'ultra-gauche ».
Brouiller les pistes en mettant tout le monde dans le même sac, c'est du travail d'amateur de politicien ou de plateau TV et ça n'arrangera rien.
Pour ma part, je ne partagerai aucune image de destruction, ce n'est pas la violence que je veux pour mon pays : force au personnel qui est en première ligne pour nettoyer ce carnage et qu'on applaudit jamais.
🔴 "Saccager une vie en 5 minutes". Dalida est la gérante d'un commerce dans le 10e arrondissement de Paris. Son établissement a été ravagé par des casseurs le 17 octobre. Elle nous fait part de son désespoir. #canal16
Craig Nicholson retweeted
Another Russian ballistic missile attack came in several waves overnight, and once again, there was no early warning from our partners. They again targeted energy facilities and infrastructure, but a medical clinic, a school, a metro station, and ordinary residential buildings were also damaged. In total, the Russians launched 16 ballistic missiles in a deliberate attack on Kyiv and the Kyiv region. The Russians also launched more than 200 drones of various types, including jet-powered “shaheds,” with attacks spanning from the Kharkiv and Dnipro regions to the Volyn, Rivne, and Odesa regions. Sadly, there are casualties. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Those who were injured are receiving assistance. Overnight and this morning, Russia attacked energy facilities in the Vinnytsia, Volyn, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Kharkiv, Ternopil, Odesa, and Rivne regions. In this one night alone, more than 10 energy infrastructure facilities were damaged, and the lights went out for at least 550,000 families. Repair crews are working at the sites.
Ukraine never wanted this war, and we have welcomed literally EVERY attempt by our partners to bring this war to a dignified end. We have responded positively to EVERY ceasefire proposal. Russia's response, time and again, has been ballistic missiles, “shaheds,” and killings. Putin not only doesn't want to end this war – he doesn't even want to take any steps toward de-escalation. EVERY ONE of our partners has experienced this firsthand when they heard Russia's refusals. And it is crucial to call things what they are. To call the aggressor an aggressor and help Ukraine defend lives. When deliveries of missiles for Ukraine's air defense are blocked while Russia is granted relief or delays in sanctions, this is, unfortunately, a denial of reality on the part of our partners. The reality is that the war continues, and it continues solely because of Russian strikes and Russia's desire to drag this war out. I thank everyone who recognizes this reality and helps Ukraine!
Craig Nicholson retweeted
Since the American President announced the energy ceasefire a week ago, Russia has deliberately attacked Ukraine’s energy and oil and gas sectors 76 times. Last night alone, there were strikes on substations in the Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, and Odesa regions. Tens of thousands of families remain without power. Energy workers and repair crews are working virtually around the clock to restore electricity supply. Overnight, the Russians also struck residential buildings in our regions. As of now, 12 people have been reported injured, including two children. Two people have been killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones. This morning, there was a strike on an agricultural enterprise in Volyn. All necessary services are working at the site.
In total, over this past week, the Russians have attacked Ukraine with almost 2,700 attack drones, 1,700 aerial bombs, and 66 missiles, most of them ballistic. The main targets of these strikes are energy facilities – the Russians are trying to cause a blackout. And America should see that Russia is not taking any reciprocal steps in response to sanctions relief or agreements. On the contrary, they take every signal of an opportunity to make money as proof that their bet on war is paying off and they can keep fighting. It is because of this position of Russia’s that the war continues, not because Ukraine is rightfully defending itself. It is Russia that must face pressure for peace to have a chance. Thank you to everyone who understands this and helps.
Craig Nicholson retweeted
Trump just waived all of the sanctions on Russia provided for in the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia Act, just as I and others warned he would.
Trump’s latest surrender to Putin again betrays our Ukrainian partners and defies clear congressional intent of legislation designed to punish Russia for its illegal war of aggression.
Trump has proven he will twist this law and abuse the powers it conferred on him, and while he has let the tariff powers lie for the moment, the law as written also empowers Trump to weaponize new trade authorities against our allies and trading partners.
Congress must fix this flawed law to stop Trump from capitulating to Putin and ensure that it truly supports Ukraine.
Trump order just issued from the White House:
“I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties [on Russia] provided for in the Graham Act.”
whitehouse.gov/presidential-…
Craig Nicholson retweeted
I am grateful for your support for Ukraine. Thank you. We’ve been through a lot together – during these years of full-scale war.
None of us wanted this war, absolutely none of us. But it is us who have to deal with its brutality and all the instability it has caused.
Unity in defense is always built by many standing together. Without a determined European Union capable of making strong decisions Putin would have gone much further by now.
The European Union has not fallen apart. It has not backed down or given in to fear when it came to defending the European way of life. And that mattered just as much as the courage of Ukrainians.
From an address to the participants of the European Council meeting. (1/5)
Craig Nicholson retweeted
Vladimir Putin appears to have concluded that he cannot win the war in Ukraine on the battlefield. His strategy now is to grind Ukraine down. How scandalous that Donald Trump has become his best weapon bit.ly/4zTGUQH
Photo: AP
Craig Nicholson retweeted
This weekend, Trump announced Ukraine and Russia agreed to an “energy ceasefire,” which has turned out to be completely false. Neither side agreed to anything, and Russia attacked Ukraine’s energy infrastructure again.
He’s making up fake ceasefires because he wants Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries. Those strikes have been having a real impact in the war, and stopping them is a gift to Putin. It’s important to understand that any shortage of diesel fuel is because of Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran without understanding that they would shut down the Strait of Hormuz, which is perhaps one of the biggest geopolitical blunders in modern history. Instead of admitting that and trying to solve the problem he created, Trump is trying to put the blame on a country that’s literally fighting for its survival against Russia.
Siding with Putin and Russia seems to be a mainstay of this presidency. Even his supporters are piling on with Elon Musk tweeting that Zelenskyy has gone “too far.” Whose side are they on?
Regardless, the Ukrainians are making progress, and if things continue to go well, it’s a real possibility that Putin could be pressured to accept a deal that maintains Ukrainian sovereignty. Anyone who supports the Russians in this conflict will find themselves on the wrong side of history and the wrong side of America’s interests. Trump, Elon, etc. should try to avoid being this century’s Neville Chamberlain.
Craig Nicholson retweeted
Overnight, the Russians used 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 attack drones and loitering munitions against our energy and critical infrastructure in Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and Kharkiv. A targeted Russian ballistic missile strike specifically against energy infrastructure – the very infrastructure covered by the ceasefire announced by the American President. The strike was entirely deliberate and demonstrative in its scale – Russia has never before shown such ostentatious disrespect toward the United States. Russia does not consider the American President’s statements strong. Unfortunately, at least 600,000 people are now without power. Outages could become even more widespread. Unfortunately, there is significant damage to facilities and equipment – at 26 facilities of our power system and four facilities in the oil and gas sector. I am grateful to the repair crews, all Ukrainian energy workers, and the personnel of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine for all their efforts to address the aftermath of this Russian strike. Tragically, there have been fatalities and injuries.
We ask America and EVERYONE in the world who does not turn a blind eye to reality to respond – and to respond forcefully. Russia has squandered the opportunity for de-escalation and has clearly chosen to continue its insane war of annihilation. We ask President Trump to impose STRONG sanctions on Russia, especially since the Lindsey Graham bill, which was recently passed and signed into law, authorizes and regulates such measures. The American President has all the effective and necessary tools to bring peace closer through strength, justice, and pressure on the aggressor. We ask for additional packages of Patriot missile interceptors for Ukraine. It is entirely fair for us to tell the United States, Europe, and all our partners that no country in the world should be left alone to face such a deranged and pro-war actor as Russia. I am grateful to everyone who helps Ukraine! Peace can only come through strength, and we ask America to remember this principle of Reagan’s. Glory to Ukraine!
Craig Nicholson retweeted
A Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv. Once again, no early warning from our partners. The main target was energy infrastructure, specifically CHPP-4. Unfortunately, it was hit. A residential building was also damaged, and rescuers are currently putting out a fire there. Our systems detected these missiles only when they were already virtually on approach to Kyiv. CHPP-4 is one of Kyiv’s key energy facilities.
According to our intelligence, the Russians are preparing further ballistic missile launches. The facts show that the Russians do not consider themselves bound by what the President of the United States said. Ukraine supported an energy ceasefire. Russia is targeting yet another power plant and the lives of our people.
And this is absolutely unjust: when they are destroying our energy infrastructure, and Ukraine is not even receiving early warnings about ballistic missile launches. It is important that the world does not stay silent about this. And it is important that the United States really see what is happening and who is responsible for this war continuing.
Please stay safe tonight and tomorrow. We are working to replenish our air defenses with anti-ballistic missiles.
Craig Nicholson retweeted
Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski with the absolute truth:
“We appreciate President Trump’s involvement in trying to end the Russia Ukraine war.
But in Poland, we believe that it will bear fruit if you put pressure on the aggressor and not on the victim of the aggressor.”
Craig Nicholson retweeted
They only do the right thing when they get caught doing the wrong thing.
Just like his son is now paying for the wedding party that Putin's friend originally paid for.
Hats off to our independent media!
And that's, of course, why Trump doesn't want them around.
President Trump announced that he will begin paying for the controversial slate of promotional ad spots — which had previously been funded by U.S. taxpayers — using his own money or funds raised by a pro-Trump super PAC. washingtonsun.com/whitehouse…
The Zohran Mamdani approach to government
You know that feeling when you book a flight for 50 quid and somehow it ends up costing 100?
Getting seats together, correcting a typo, another charge here and there, it all adds up.
When the cost of living is already squeezing people, those endless extras can feel relentless.
So we're changing the rules for you.
Parents won't need to pay a penny extra just to sit next to their own children.
You'll be able to fix any name errors on your booking free of charge.
And because the last thing you want once you're on the plane is more stress, we're working with the industry to make sure that disruptive passengers who have been banned from one airline can be banned from flying with other airlines too.
I know holidays are expensive and these are small things, but hopefully they'll make your trip just that little bit cheaper and easier.
That's exactly the kind of thing I want this government to keep on fixing.
Craig Nicholson retweeted
This is an extraordinary development. Only a few years ago, the car makers were saying it would not be impossible in the near future to make electric trucks. We must never underestimate the extent to which vested interest is putting the brakes on the Climate revolution
Craig Nicholson retweeted
The UK is not a country that has borrowed and spent too freely. Had the UK invested at OECD-average levels and G7-average levels over the past three decades, an additional £500 billion of public money and £350 billion of private money would have flowed into the economy, respectively. It is a country that has underinvested for a generation, and is now paying for it through exactly the weak productivity that makes gilt investors nervous in the first place.
New Mission Economics piece linked in replies.
Craig Nicholson retweeted
NEW BRIGHT SPOTS: "Just build more solar and batteries" I see this comment many times in my social media feed.
The problem: The slogan undersells the problem. It also undersells the solution.
The good news: we already have most of the tools we need.
janrosenow.substack.com/p/th…
