Aileen Kitching

Skiers that look like musical notes… A magnificent photograph by Haukur Sigurdsson.

‘Sycophantic diplomacy’ is on the rise: it’s the abandonment of principles to placate #Washington and avoid backlash. But acquiescence enables “#AmericaFirst” to move from a domestic slogan to a global strategy. Events in #Venezuela yesterday are the latest case in point. In recent weeks, we have seen airstrikes in #Nigeria, now regime change in Venezuela, administrative control of #Gaza on behalf of a state that commits genocide, and sanctions against ICC judges and human rights advocates. At the same time, the only “refugees” publicly embraced by the US administration are white South Africans, while entire populations facing mass violence are managed through borders, blockades and trusteeship schemes imposed on their behalf. Racism. Imperialism. Supremacy. These are the words we once used, without hesitation, to describe similar acts carried out historically. Now, our recent experiences of neocolonialism - with its pretexts of legality - is reverting to unbridled colonialism. We are being gaslit by those who practice the diplomacy of sycophancy. Trump is recast as a peacemaker. His administration is to be thanked, indulged, deferred to, revered. Today, we see European states and others prioritize alliance management with linguistic gymnastics to accommodate unlawful US actions in Venezuela, while attempting - clumsily - to preserve the legitimacy of their opposition to Russia, a position already hollowed out by their unconditional support for Israel. From others we hear “concern.” We hear appeals for “restraint.” In this brave new world, peace deals look like pressure without justice. War is celebrated for what it delivers economically. And raw power play is relabeled as diplomacy. The Global South has always known that equality among nations was conditional. But international law, fragile and limited as it is, gave us tools to push back against total domination. Today, we are watching more nails being hammered into the coffin of multilateralism. Violations of #InternationalLaw are not new. Impunity is being normalized at an alarming rate. When even genocide slips through the shameless cracks of double standards, it’s clear that we are living in a world no longer beholden to pretenses of a rules based order. A lawless world, narrated through sycophantic diplomacy, leaves us all exposed. The solution? Coalitions of the willing that demand something simple yet revolutionary: the equal application of international law. #sycophanticdiplomacy

A transformative programme treats #knifecrime as a #PublicHealth problem with drivers and risk groups who can benefit from respectful interventions. Led by @martinpgriff @LDN_VRU londonviolencereduction.nhs.uk/fighting-knife… #BlackHistoryMonth2025

Francesca Albanese speaks for humanity when she speaks for Palestinians 🇵🇸: ‘It’s not 75 years since the Nakba. It’s 75 years OF the Nakba.’ It’s ethnic cleansing. It’s genocide.

@arisaqz1 .

Before they wipe out a people, they have to wipe out their history. Palestinians, have been in Palestine since ancient times and this excellent series on the Empire podcast by @DalrympleWill & @tweeter_anita dives deep into that very history! Give it a listen when you can!

Dr Chantal Migone’s passion for protecting children’s health is deeply personal, shaped by family experiences with preventable diseases. Now, she’s helping ensure children in Ireland are protected from chickenpox through a new vaccine programme. Read more: irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/heal…

#FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya #FreeThemAll

A first look at tomorrow's front page of The National 📰 How genocide happened

If you see hate speech or abuse targeting Romani (Gypsy), Roma, or Irish Traveller communities online: report it. Silence allows hate to grow. Action helps stop it. 🚫 We all have a role to play in stopping this hate! 🚩Report it ✊Speak out 🔄Reshare our Campaign and use our #OperationReportHate

The lack of pressure on Israel to release the thousands of Palestinian hostages (including CHILDREN) says a lot about what Peace that lays ahead, for the Palestinians. There cannot be peace without justice, human rights and dignity of ALL. Palestinian lives matter.

IF THIS IS NOT HOSTAGE TAKING, WHAT IS? Israel refuses to release Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya who insisted on staying with his patients in his bombed hospital even after his own son was murdered. Since then he has been held in one of Israel's torture facilities.

Free Them All #FreeDrMarwanAlHams #FreeDrHussamAbuSafia #FreeDrMuhammedAbuMusa #FreeThemAll @UN @amnesty @antonioguterres @WHO @CIJ_ICJ @IntlCrimCourt Post from @Call2actionnow

'We will not leave Gaza. Our only departure..is to the heavens.' Dr Muneer Al- Bursh. Director General of Health, Gaza. We send our solidarity to @Dr_Muneer1 and all our healthcare worker colleagues in Palestine. We will keep demanding justice for you all. We will not stop until Palestine is free 🇵🇸

Genocide is a process. The one against the besieged population of Gaza has reached a level of savagery that even those who have contributed to prepare the ground for it, cannot stay silent.

As it starves and bombs Palestinians, Israel is denying doctors access to Gaza. The WHO says that Israel has blocked over 100 health professionals, including surgeons and specialized doctors, from entering Gaza since March. This is genocide.

#FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya #FreeThemAll

@HSE_SI @gtmtrav @itmtrav @PaveePoint @ExchangeHouseIr @BrigidQuilligan

Listen to this @DavidLammy @Keir_Starmer I return to UK later this week and will be pleased to visit and brief you on what is happening in @gaza