Nick Dearden
@nickdearden.bsky.social
š¤ 1286
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Director of Global Justice Now. Author of Pharmanomics. Opinions my own.
#FreePalestine
pinned post!
Big pharma is at war with the UK. If we want to save the NHS, we canāt back down. By me š
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
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Big pharma is at war with the UK, and the government canāt back down now | Nick Dearden
The industry has always wanted the NHS to pay more for its drugs; now it is pulling research and investment out of Britain, says director of Global Justice Now Nick Dearden
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/01/big-pharma-war-uk-government-nhs-drugs
3 months ago
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The governmentās strategy of dealing with Trump is a humiliating failure. But theyāre unable to recalibrate, to recognise their policy lacks both principle and tactical sense, and so they try the same, failed trick once again. It wonāt work.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
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King Charles and Prince William expected to visit US in 2026 to revitalise trade deal
Royals are reported to plan separate trips, after Donald Trump paused implementation of agreement
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/dec/27/king-charles-prince-william-expected-to-visit-us-in-2026-to-revitalise-trade-deal
2 days ago
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Itās a freezing cold night, 2 days before Xmas but thereās a lot of very angry people outside the ministry of justice to show solidarity with the hunger strikers whoāve become a focal point of opposition to this governmentās shocking, inhuman response to genocide.
6 days ago
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After Gretaās arrest yesterday, thereās quite a crowd outside the ministry of justice tonight to show solidarity with the hunger strikers.
#FreePalestine
6 days ago
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A US corporation, backed by the US development budget, built social housing in Honduras falsely promising there was no flood risk. It flooded. The company refused to pay compensation and is now challenging Honduras via ISDS for Ā āmoral damagesā
fpif.org/u-s-backed-h...
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U.S.-Backed Housing Scandals Threaten to Rip Off Honduras and Panama - FPIF
Miami-based investors are suing Honduras after their own false promises left families picking up the pieces.
https://fpif.org/u-s-backed-housing-scandals-threaten-to-rip-off-honduras-and-panama/
7 days ago
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Israel shoots a child dead at point blank range in the West Bank. Itās just another ordinary day in Palestine. Not even a murmur from western governments.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
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Israel kills 16-year-old Palestinian at āpoint-blankā range in West Bank
Israeli forces kill two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank amid continued violence against Palestinians.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/21/israel-kills-two-palestinians-including-16-year-old-in-west-bank
7 days ago
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The government is ready to give big pharma a massive pay rise, but doctors only deserve abuse it seems. My colleague Tim Bierley š
www.lbc.co.uk/article/gove...
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The government is ready to give big pharma a pay rise, but not doctors | LBC
The government has shown astonishing double standards by giving in quickly to big pharmaās demands, writes Tim Bierley
https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/government-big-pharma-doctors-opinion-5HjdPfk_2/
7 days ago
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reposted by
Nick Dearden
James OāNions
10 days ago
If you're wondering why Trump is trying to force us to eat chlorinated chicken, check out chapter two of Nick's book Trade Secrets!
tradesecrets.globaljustice.org.uk/ch2/
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Nick Dearden
London Mining Network
11 days ago
š£Alongside 49 signatories worldwide, we condemn the attack on the life of Misael SocarrĆ”s Ipuana - a WayĆŗu Indigenous defender of the Arroyo Bruno in La Guajira, Colombia. Read our statement:
londonminingnetwork.org/2025/12/inte...
@terrajusta.bsky.social
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International statement in solidarity with Misael SocarrƔs Ipuana and defenders of land, the environment and human rights in La Guajira, Colombia - London Mining Network
London Mining Network - Holding the Mining Industry to Account
https://londonminingnetwork.org/2025/12/international-statement-in-solidarity-with-misael-socarras-ipuana-and-defenders-of-land-the-environment-and-human-rights-in-la-guajira-colombia/
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Chi Onwurah to Wes Streeting: ā[Your] letter was riddled with errors & withheld vital information⦠Thereās very little information on how much the [pharma] deal will cost & how much will be taken from the NHSās stretched budgetā Ā Concern is building
committees.parliament.uk/committee/13...
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Life sciences: Science and Tech Committee presses government for details on US trade deal - Committees - UK Parliament
The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Chair, Dame Chi Onwurah, has written to Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health, and Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Science and Technology, f...
https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/135/science-innovation-and-technology-committee/news/211038/life-sciences-science-and-tech-committee-presses-government-for-details-on-us-trade-deal
10 days ago
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White House demands British supermarkets stock chlorinated chicken
www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025...
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White House demands British supermarkets stock chlorinated chicken
White House pushing Sir Keir Starmer to make concessions on food standards
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/12/17/trump-demands-british-supermarkets-chlorinated-chicken/
10 days ago
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reposted by
Nick Dearden
Global Justice Now
10 days ago
"If the government wants to show it cares about our nationās health, investing in the staff that help keep the NHS running looks a better bet than bulking up the profit margins of corporate giants." Our campaign manager Tim for
@lbc.co.uk
šš½
www.lbc.co.uk/article/gove...
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The government is ready to give big pharma a pay rise, but not doctors | LBC
The government has shown astonishing double standards by giving in quickly to big pharmaās demands, writes Tim Bierley
https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/government-big-pharma-doctors-opinion-5HjdPfk_2/
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reposted by
Nick Dearden
Trade Justice Movement
10 days ago
š¢ 56 academics warn corporate lawsuits threaten UK climate action As the UK is sued over the blocked West Cumbria coal mine, academics warn that ISDS lets investors challenge climate action in private tribunals. š Read the open letter š
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The trade ādealsā with the US are based on nothing more than Trumpās word, which means nothing at all. They are a tool for repeatedly bullying us. And they exist in a democratic vacuum. š§µ
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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MPs warn that UK agreements with Donald Trump are ābuilt on sandā
Exclusive: Health select committee chair says UK governmentās ānaive beliefā Trump is a good faith actor ācould cost UK taxpayer billionsā
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/17/mps-warn-that-uk-agreements-with-donald-trump-are-built-on-sand
12 days ago
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reposted by
Nick Dearden
Global Justice Now
12 days ago
"Starmer's desire to appease Washington means heās handing over our sovereignty and eroding our rights. "Unless we stop it, weāll become no more than a US vassal state." Our director
@nickdearden.bsky.social
in
@theguardian.com
today
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Deals put UK-US trade relationship in the spotlight | Letters
Letters: Richard Torbett and Nick Dearden respond to an article by Aditya Chakrabortty on Keir Starmerās medicines agreement with Donald Trump
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/16/deals-put-uk-us-trade-relationship-in-the-spotlight
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My letter in the Guardian today š The Pharma deal is just latest example of of Starmerās submission to Trump. His desire to appease Washington means heās handing over our sovereignty & eroding our rights. Weāre becoming no more than a US vassal state.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Deals put UK-US trade relationship in the spotlight | Letters
Letters: Richard Torbett and Nick Dearden respond to an article by Aditya Chakrabortty on Keir Starmerās medicines agreement with Donald Trump
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/16/deals-put-uk-us-trade-relationship-in-the-spotlight?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
12 days ago
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reposted by
Nick Dearden
Global Justice Now
13 days ago
Trump is pushing for more and more concessions from the UK. It's time we stand up to Trump! Take action now:
act.globaljustice.org.uk/node/4305
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reposted by
Nick Dearden
Tax Justice UK
13 days ago
šØBREAKING šØ Trump has put previously-agreed investment in the UK tech industry on hold. Why? Likely to strong-arm the UK into dropping taxes on US big tech firms. š§µHereās what you need to know about the tax Trump wants scrapped & why we need to hold firmā¦
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First take on the S Korea deal: itās great for big business. Of particular concern: Thereās a new ISDS! In the year the UK gets sued *twice* under ISDS, the government is busy creating new ways to get sued in these secretive corporate courts š¤¦āāļø 1/2
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
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UK and South Korea sign new trade deal aimed at cars, salmon and Guinness
Government says arrangement will bring in extra £400m on top of more than £15bn of existing annual trade with Korea
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/15/uk-south-korea-sign-new-trade-deal-cars-food-drink-pharmaceutical-exports
13 days ago
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Nick Dearden
Els Torreele
24 days ago
If you are in doubt about who's going to benefit most from this (still unpublished) UK-US deal, a comparison between the narratives in the UK and US governmentsā press releases is revealing:
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Nick Dearden
Els Torreele
24 days ago
As feared, the UK government remained blind and deaf to warnings from health advocates and scientific community to not give into US and Pharma demands for higher drug prices.
@martinmckee.bsky.social
and I explain how bad this surrender is for public health
@bmj.com
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
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Who are the winners and losers of the UK-US pharma dealāit depends which side you believe
Behind the UKās ālandmarkā pharma deal with the US lies a costly surrender, with higher drug prices, weaker safeguards, and vague promises of investment, write Els Torreele and Martin McKee When the...
https://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj.r2571
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My letter in the FT today on the US-UK Pharma deal: The government has made an open-ended commitment to gradually dismantle the price control system put in place from the late 1990s. MPs need to ask ministers some hard questions.
www.ft.com/content/884c...
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Letter: NHS drug prices and what US deal really portends
From Nick Dearden, Director of Global Justice Now
https://www.ft.com/content/884ca128-9262-462a-8b5b-87d52f4f5171
13 days ago
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Starmer has been played for an absolute fool by Donald Trump. We said all along you canāt negotiate a serious deal with this guy. But Starmer was trumpeted by the political class for his skill. Now⦠stop giving away our economy. Stand up to him!
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
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US puts Ā£31bn tech āprosperity dealā with Britain on ice
Pledge to invest billions in UK paused, with Washington citing lack of progress on trade barriers across pond
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/15/us-pauses-tech-prosperity-deal-britain-donald-trump-keir-starmer
14 days ago
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As we said, this was never a finished trade deal, simply a vehicle for Trump to continue bullying us. Britain has not given enough on food or tech. And so Trump comes back for more. A damning indictment of Starmerās strategy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/13/b...
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https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/13/business/economy/trump-uk-trade-deal-tariffs.html
14 days ago
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āI feel nauseated with such dishonesty, such inhumanityā East Timorās president on the West & Gaza is šÆ āI am thoroughly disillusioned with the so-called international community⦠that entertain themselves lecturing Third World countries on democracyā
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
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Q&A: āNauseating hypocrisyā: East Timorās Ramos-Horta on Gaza and the West
'I am thoroughly disillusioned with the so-called international community': East Timor's President Jose Ramos-Horta.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/12/qa-east-timors-president-ramos-horta-on-diplomacy-gaza-and-the-west
16 days ago
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Pleased to sign this. We need to do everything we can to stop Trumpās rampage through Latin America. Hands off Venezuela.
notrumpwaronvenezuela.carrd.co
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No Trump War on Venezuela
More than 20 British parliamentarians have condemned Donald Trumpās apparent plans for war on Venezuela, following the announcement by Trumpās US Secretary of War of a new military operation, Southern...
https://notrumpwaronvenezuela.carrd.co
17 days ago
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āBritainās trade department is more accountable to the big businesses driving the climate crisis than it is to the MPs we electā Brilliant piece by
@adamramsay.bsky.social
on the colonial nature of our trade policy and the scandal of ISDS!
substack.com/home/post/p-...
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āāHow British undemocracy lets big oil shape our trade policy - and drive climate crisis
Long read: British trade deals are being used to protect fossil fuel company assets around the world, and MPs barely get a say
https://substack.com/home/post/p-181403901
17 days ago
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My reading of this is that ministers didnāt have the power to give away NHS drug price controls in a trade deal with Trump. So now they *are* giving themselves that power. This šwould allow the government to turn NHS pricing into a bargaining chip.. 1/2
www.gov.uk/government/c...
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Changes to NICE regulations: cost-effectiveness threshold
Consultation seeking views on proposals to give ministers limited powers to direct the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in setting the standard cost-effectiveness threshold.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-nice-regulations-cost-effectiveness-threshold
17 days ago
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NHS budgets already being cut in ways that delay treatments and risk lives. Thatās before weāve started paying billions more to wealthy pharma companies because Trump told us too. Weāve got to stop the US-UK Pharma Deal.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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NHS orders hospitals to cut back on treating patients
Documents seen by BBC show hospitals being ordered to slow down on activity to help balance the books.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crrkervnxvqo
17 days ago
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reposted by
Nick Dearden
The Guardian
18 days ago
Eurovision winner Nemo to return trophy in protest at Israel taking part in 2026
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Eurovision winner Nemo to return trophy in protest at Israel taking part in 2026
āClear conflictā between Eurovision ideals of āinclusion and dignity for allā and decision to let Israel compete, says 2024 winner Nemo, the Swiss singer who won the 2024 Eurovision song contest, has said they are handing back their trophy in protest over Israelās participation in next yearās event. The 26-year-old, the first non-binary winner of the contest, said on Thursday there was āa clear conflictā between the Eurovision ideals of āunity, inclusion and dignity for allā and the decision to allow Israel to compete. Continue reading...
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/11/nemo-eurovision-winner-2024-hand-back-trophy-protest-israel-taking-part-2025?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky&CMP=bsky_gu
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reposted by
Nick Dearden
Sky News
19 days ago
Iceland to boycott Eurovision over Israel's participation
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Iceland to boycott Eurovision over Israel's participation
Iceland has announced it is boycotting Eurovision over Israel's participation in the competition.
https://news.sky.com/story/bluesky-13481807
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Nick Dearden
Nadia Whittome MP
18 days ago
I'm deeply concerned about the wellbeing of prisoners who were involved in Palestine Action protests, and are currently on hunger strike. Some have not eaten for six weeks. A number have been hospitalised. They are all being held on remand - without trial or conviction.
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Nick Dearden
The National
19 days ago
Tomorrow's front page š° 'The UK is letting these people die'
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Britainās critical mineral strategy is based on the idea that we can continue to take far more than our fair share of the worldās resources for the rest of time. We canāt. Letās start planning a future which isnāt based on grabbing whatever we can. Ā
theecologist.org/2025/dec/11/...
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Britain 'seeking a quarterĀ of global lithium'
Britain's Critical Minerals Strategy fails on its own terms ā and on the necessity of global resource justice.
https://theecologist.org/2025/dec/11/britain-seeking-quarter-global-lithium
18 days ago
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I just donāt believe Wes Streeting on the Trump- Starmer Pharma deal. Hereās some fact checking:
add a skeleton here at some point
18 days ago
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As predicted, the money which weāve been told the US Pharma deal will cost the NHS is only the start. It seems the government is dismantling the NHS price controls set up from the late 90s. If MPs want to stop this, they need to stand up now.
www.ft.com/content/19b0...
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UK pledges to spend extra £1.5bn on NHS medicines as part of Trump tariff deal
Outlay over next 3 years is in return for the US exempting British pharmaceutical imports from tariffs
https://www.ft.com/content/19b0e69f-3a06-4db1-94a9-f3fa6f59feff
18 days ago
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reposted by
Nick Dearden
Global Justice Now
18 days ago
"An organisation devoted to saving lives is now being used as part of trade deals, its precious resources and structural integrity haggled away to multinational companies and foreign bullies." Brilliant and harrowing from Aditya Chakrabortty in
@theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
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What will be the cost of Keir Starmerās new medicines deal with Donald Trump? British lives | Aditya Chakrabortty
More than £3bn that could have been used for UK patients will go to big pharma for its branded products, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/11/keir-starmer-medicines-deal-donald-trump-cost-british-lives
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reposted by
Nick Dearden
Global Justice Now
18 days ago
NEW: 200+ health and economic experts have written to the prime minister to warn that the UK's decision to funnel billions to big pharma would be a "catastrophe for all NHS patients" We need transparency - and a change of course NOW.
www.globaljustice.org.uk/news/nhs-pha...
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NHS pharma deal a ācatastropheā for all NHS patients, over 200 health and economic experts state - Global Justice Now
Transparency needed around deal to increase amount paid to pharmaceutical sector, signatories state in open letter to prime minister OVER 200 leading figures across healthcare, academia and civil soci...
https://www.globaljustice.org.uk/news/nhs-pharma-deal-a-catastrophe-for-all-nhs-patients-over-200-health-and-economic-experts-state/
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The Starmer-Trump Pharma deal is a ācatastropheā for all NHS patients, over 200 health and economic experts state Ā
www.globaljustice.org.uk/news/nhs-pha...
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NHS pharma deal a ācatastropheā for all NHS patients, over 200 health and economic experts state - Global Justice Now
Transparency needed around deal to increase amount paid to pharmaceutical sector, signatories state in open letter to prime minister OVER 200 leading figures across healthcare, academia and civil soci...
https://www.globaljustice.org.uk/news/nhs-pharma-deal-a-catastrophe-for-all-nhs-patients-over-200-health-and-economic-experts-state/
18 days ago
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āMore than Ā£3bn that could have been used for UK patients will go to big pharma for its branded products ā money for care siphoned off for profitā A MUST READ by @chakrabortty 1/2
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
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What will be the cost of Keir Starmerās new medicines deal with Donald Trump? British lives | Aditya Chakrabortty
More than £3bn that could have been used for UK patients will go to big pharma for its branded products, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/11/keir-starmer-medicines-deal-donald-trump-cost-british-lives
18 days ago
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Hands off Venezuela. Hands off Latin America.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
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Trump administration says it seized oil tanker off Venezuela coast
The seizure is set to escalate tensions between the US and Venezuela, both of which have surged military assets nearby.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/10/trump-admin-seizes-oil-tanker-off-venezuela-coast-reports
19 days ago
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Why is British aid money being used to back new fossil fuel power in Ghana when it could be used to support green energy? Because, yet again, itās being used to bolster corporate interests. Great piece on the ongoing scandal that is BII.
inews.co.uk/news/environ...
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Revealed: Britain bankrolling fossil fuel projects in Africa despite UK's net-zero pledges
British aid is funding polluting schemes in Africa and Asia. The i Paper exposes the impact in Ghana - from soaring energy bills to claims of 'carbon colonialism'
https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/revealed-britain-bankrolled-fossil-fuel-projects-devastated-ghana-4035823
19 days ago
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Not only are Starmerās disastrous trade deals with Trump going to do significant damage to the NHS, itās now limiting Britainās ability to take fundamental economic decisions (regardless of whether you thinking joining the customs union is a good idea or not)
19 days ago
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At least someone is pushing back on Trumpās bullying. Handing over your sovereignty to the US is a very bad idea. Starmer should learn from Indonesia.
www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
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US trade deal with Indonesia at risk of collapse, US official says
Jakarta has backtracked on several commitments it made as part of the deal, a U.S. official said.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-trade-deal-with-indonesia-risk-collapse-us-official-says-2025-12-10/
19 days ago
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Trump is on the ropes, so he threatens more attacks on Latin America, & to destabilise Europe⦠and makes racist comments about Sadiq Khan. Ā Yet our government is still crawling to this fascist, signing away NHS protections. WHY? Stand up to Trump. Ā
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
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Full transcript: POLITICO's interview with Donald Trump
The president sat for an in-depth interview with POLITICO's Dasha Burns.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/09/donald-trump-full-interview-transcript-00681693
20 days ago
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How Russian oligarchs are using the corporate court system to sue European countries over sanctions. And btw it gives the same power to American oligarchs too ā itās a parallel legal system for the superrich. Ā End ISDS
europeantradejustice.org/wp-content/u...
20 days ago
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Struggle against data centres making inroads into Trumpās base, as they intensify the cost of living crisis. This is hopeful - but why has Starmer tied himself so tightly to Trump on this?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
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More than 200 environmental groups demand halt to new US datacenters
Exclusive: Congress urged to act against energy-hungry facilities blamed for increasing bills and worsening climate crisis
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/08/us-data-centers
21 days ago
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Official US policy towards Europe includes blatant interference in our politics, pushing us in a far right direction, opening our markets, destroying our regulations and controls. Why would you sign a deal with this guy? Resist Trump.
24 days ago
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Who would have guessed? Massively increasing the price the NHS promises to pay for new drugs hasnāt unlocked Big Pharma investment. Because it was never a genuine problem. It was a shakedown.
www.ft.com/content/0701...
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Eli Lilly not yet ready to unfreeze UK investments, says pharma boss
US drugmaker wants changes to types of drugs approved in Britain
https://www.ft.com/content/07013a8c-ba7a-4863-9c32-569bcdb9179c
24 days ago
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reposted by
Nick Dearden
The National
24 days ago
Our front page looks a little different this morning, and thatās because we have decided to publish a timeline of the so-called 'ceasefire' in Gaza, as Benjamin Netanyahuās brutal apartheid regime continues to claim lives š
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A full timeline of Israel's repeated Gaza ceasefire violations
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25673550.nationals-front-page-details-israels-gaza-ceasefire-violations/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Bluesky#Echobox=1764922669-3
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āāā And if our government wonāt join them, we can. Boycott Eurovision 2026.
add a skeleton here at some point
24 days ago
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