A good news round-up to start the week: www.positive.news/society/good...

(1/2)Time is running out to save an innocent father. Texas has set an Oct. 16 execution date for Robert Roberson, who has spent more than 20 years on death row for a crime that never occurred. bit.ly/48Qkdzj

The ‘war on drugs’ has failed. There’s another way to solve the US fentanyl crisis: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

How to arm Ukraine for negotiations, and finally bring Russia’s devastating invasion to an end: www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/how-a... @foreignaffairs.com

This year alone, Iran has executed at least 841 people already. Signs of a corrupt and inept regime in fear of its own people. The mullahs’ brutality knows no bounds. www.ohchr.org/en/press-bri...

Poignant analysis by Lord Hague. Whatever you think of John Bolton – he knows Trump, and he knows Putin. And he was targeted for his sharp criticism of the current US approach to Russia. Americans should be able to agree to disagree without fear of retribution: www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...

Brilliant to see Senegal eliminate eye disease trachoma as a public health issue. Sightsavers (a Virgin Unite partner) worked with Senegal’s ministry of health to deliver 4.2mil doses of antibiotics & provide 30k operations for patients with advanced trachoma: www.sightsavers.org/news/2025/07...

The death penalty is bad business for California. Very compelling piece by Matthew Stepka highlighting why Governor Newsom should commute his state’s death sentences: www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-e...

(1/5) The humanitarian response movement is underfunded, overstretched and under attack: www.unocha.org/news/world-h...

Encouraging to see the UK government plan to bring more Gazan children to the UK for treatment. Immensely proud of Project Pure Hope (which we support through Virgin Unite) for helping to bring more Gazan children to the UK for urgent medical care: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Important read on the forgotten war in Sudan and the breakdown of the international order: www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...

A persuasive look at why A Land For All offers the most compelling pathway to peace in Palestine and Israel: www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...

Russia and Ukraine must seek a proper framework for talks, says Juan Manuel Santos, chair of @theelders.bsky.social economist.com/by-invitatio...

(1/2) The latest round of US tariffs imposed on Brazil is a blatant example of wielding economic power as a blunt instrument to pervert the course of justice. Coupled with sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes - a direct attack on Brazil’s sovereignty.

(1/3) Only 10 days left for Putin to act. On Monday, President Trump announced he would shorten the deadline for Putin to come to the negotiating table over Ukraine to 10 to 12 days. If Putin doesn’t respond, the US would introduce steep tariffs on nations buying Russian oil, gas, & other resources.

The two-state solution needs global affirmation, says Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein theelders.org/news/two-sta... @theelders.bsky.social

There must be a ceasefire. Remaining hostages must be returned. The killing of civilians must end. And Israelis and Palestinians must come together to speak about two states on one homeland - the only option for lasting peace and long-term prosperity www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYxC...

The UK & 27 other countries rightly call for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. Our screens are filled with horror day in, day out. Enough is enough. Where is the humanity? Where is the basic decency? Civilians must never be a target in a conflict. The killing must stop www.bbc.com/news/article...

Deeply alarming to see a range of human rights abuses (including slavery, human trafficking, child labour and torture) being carried out on a vast scale in Cambodian compounds that organise online scams. Another cruel facet of the scamming world: www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne... @amnesty.org

Measles cases hit highest total since US eliminated the disease. Through its self-inflicted drop in vaccination rates, the US is putting its people and the rest of the world at deadly risk: www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/w...

Over recent months, the situation in #Gaza has gone from dire to unimaginable. Project Pure Hope provides a way to respond to the immediate need of innocent children: virg.in/3TU8nyp

To mark the upcoming 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, members of The Elders and its Advisory Council joined other world leaders, nuclear disarmament advocates, and survivors (hibakusha) in honouring victims & renewing a shared commitment to a world free from nuclear weapons.

A new report from Human Rights Watch spotlights the widespread discrimination and violence unleashed upon LGBTQ+ people since Uganda enacted the world’s harshest anti-gay laws two years ago. You should never be outlawed or abused for loving who you love: www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

(1/3) The Elders never fail to inspire all of us with their moral courage and leadership. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is now stepping down as Deputy Chair after eight years with this wonderful collective, really embodies the best of what The Elders stand for.

Heading to Japan with The Elders, commemorating 80 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Here’s a crucial reminder on the enduring threat posed by nuclear weapons – and what must be done to reduce the risk: theelders.org/news/nuclear...

Inspiring celebration of David Attenborough from Kate Winslet and many others - and a much-needed reminder to stand with science www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Cayman Islands voters pass referendum approving marijuana decriminalisation - a great step forwards. www.marijuanamoment.net/cayman-islan...

Today, May 1st, was the hottest May Day on record in the UK. Another reminder why it’s so important to trust science and challenge politicians who deny climate change www.yahoo.com/news/uk-reco...

(1/4) It was America and Britain that guaranteed the sovereignty of Ukraine and its borders in return for persuading them to give up their nuclear weapons.

Amber was a treasure - radiating joy, love, and purpose wherever she went. I feel so lucky to have called her a friend. Her legacy lives on in the millions of lives she touched: www.virgin.com/virgin-unite...

“Since Putin is clearly set on continuing the war while dividing the West…threats (by America) to walk away only incentivise him to carry on. It is a counter-productive approach in defiance of all recent experience of bringing peace talks to a successful conclusion.” A must-read: virg.in/4jCtvUE

"A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else." - John Burroughs

"The security of the world is at stake." Well worth watching President Zelenskyy's interview on 60 Minutes www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine...

Well worth listening to @barackobama.bsky.social's words this week on leadership, democracy and resilience barackobama.medium.com/conversation...

An interesting piece from Virgin Unite, about how philanthropy must evolve from charity to strategic investment: virgin.com/virgin-unite...

"So many children died." - If one of Ukraine's allies (America) shows weakness to Russia, they’ll just carry on their outrageous and unjust war. The only way to negotiate with Russia is from a position of strength. www.france24.com/en/video/202...

(1/4) The ongoing market response to last week’s US tariff announcement was both predictable and preventable. Even if you agree with the premise of these tariffs, every reasonable effort should be made to give US companies sufficient time to adapt.

(1/4) Strong leadership means taking risks and trying things - but when it doesn’t work, realising your mistake and correcting it. Quickly.

Very sad to see this www.economist.com/graphic-deta...

The fight to end the #deathpenalty needs more business engagement. Airgas should be applauded for standing up against the misuse of its products in executions: www.nola.com/gambit/news/... #BizVsDP

This is a mission everyone should be able to get behind. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been torn from their families. No effort must be spared to bring them home:https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-halts-program-track-abducted-ukrainian-children-lawmakers-2025-03-18/

“The US spent 8 decades building an international system of rules, norms and values that has produced the longest period of great power peace and global prosperity in human history.” Fareed Zakaria on how upending the world order will only weaken America: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

In grim contrast to the red carpet, Soheila Golestani faces 74 lashes for her Oscar-nominated film, The Seed of the Sacred Fig. Watch this film to understand the repression of Iran’s theocratic regime &why the #WomenLifeFreedom movement is so important: www.thetimes.com/culture/film...

Horrifying to see South Carolina preparing for its first execution by firing squad. The inmate, Brad Sigmon, will have a hood placed over his head and a target pinned over his heart before a three-person squad fire their rifles. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

(1/3) It needs repeating: in 1994, Ukraine was persuaded to give up its nuclear weapons to Russia in return for the US, the UK, and Russia guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.

Whenever you welcome guests, treat them with kindness, grace and respect. Simple as that.

Have you noticed a growing skills gap? According to Hays research, 85% of hiring managers are struggling to find the right talent. It's time to rethink hiring practices & focus on skills-based hiring to create more inclusive companies. Here's how businesses can lead this change: virg.in/3X8FNvn

After 27 years on Oklahoma’s death row, Richard Glossip gets another day in court to prove his innocence. Today’s decision by the Supreme Court is right, just, and fair: edition.cnn.com/2025/02/25/p...

For the US to side with Russia and North Korea to oppose a UN resolution condemning the illegal invasion of Ukraine defies all common sense and adds insult to the countless injuries suffered by the brave Ukrainian people. edition.cnn.com/2025/02/24/p...

Research shows that LGBTQ+ inclusion can drive economic activity. Open For Business’ latest report shows the economic case for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Poland: open-for-business.org/poland