Richard Branson

As much of the world is focused on other crises, Russia continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the midst of a bitter winter: ft.com/content/ec1b12…

Awful to see Russia's lawless military abuse its own troops: nytimes.com/interactive/20…

1. 46 years after I was held hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, I have never seen protests against the Islamic Republic like this—so profound, powerful, and sustained. Thirteen days and counting, nationwide. 2. These protests are remarkable not just for their scale, but for where they began: the bazaar—once the clergy’s strongest ally. Rampant inflation, a moribund economy, corruption, and mismanagement have fractured the country. 3. The regime has cut off the internet to contain the outrage. Yet videos continue to emerge, showing chants calling for the end of the Islamic Republic and “Death to the Dictator (Khamenei).” 4. Iranians are also protesting catastrophic mismanagement: stolen public funds, systemic corruption, and a country literally drying up—running out of water. 5. Beneath it all is something deeper: a people who have had enough of a brutal authoritarian state that murders innocents, imprisons human rights activists, and has destroyed civil society 6. The chant says it all: “Poverty, corruption, rising prices—we will continue until overthrow.”

In isolation, we’ll never flourish’. An insightful read on what Iranians think about the protests and bringing an end to the Islamic Republic: theguardian.com/global-develop…

The Lion of Iran has awakened. Iranians are rejecting Islam, the Islamic Republic, and Sharia Law en masse. I've never been more proud to be Iranian. ❤️

The great unravelling of the post-WWII international order is in full swing. First it happens gradually, then suddenly. A reminder on why humanity must not let this happen: nytimes.com/2026/01/06/opi…

A powerful thread of verified content from the #IranProtests

Imagine fearing and hating your own people so much that you have to stop them from communicating with the rest of the world. The mullah regime is finished. #Iran #IranProtests

Internet shutdown continues! So does our concern about the authorities increasing brutality against the protesters! Countries with diplomatic relations with IRI must send a strong signal to the Islamic Republic authorities that shooting at protesters will not be tolerated! #IranProtests

We’re only a few days in, but 2026 already feels like a year of potentially momentous shifts and changes. Of course, much of the global news cycle has focused on developments in Venezuela, following the US intervention to remove dictator Nicolas Maduro from power. Toppling Maduro seemed like the easy part – almost too easy. Managing a just and peaceful transition to democracy and economic renewal is the hard part, and things are not looking great. But leaving all public muscle-flexing aside, Venezuela is still a sovereign nation, and those with a clear popular mandate to lead, notably the widely recognised winners of the rigged 2024 elections, must be given the opportunity to do so. Venezuelans deserve to be free and to prosper – on their own terms. Similarly, the US campaign to annex Greenland – whether by economic means or by force - has startled America’s allies, foreshadowing greater rifts to emerge in the coming months. It’s a move that threatens to unravel NATO and do irreparable damage to vital strategic relationships the US has spent decades to build. The truth is that President Trump already holds many cards: he can increase his US military presence in Greenland to Cold War levels if he’s inclined to do so, and there is openness by both Greenland and Denmark to deepen commercial ties with the US, including the extraction of natural resources. None of this requires a land grab like the one being bandied about now. Who treats a loyal ally like that? While the Greenland fracas is creating headlines, I wish the same attention were given to the wave of popular protests that have been spreading rapidly across Iran over the last few days. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians have been taking to the streets in frustration over the dreadful state of their nation’s economy and the crushing impact of soaring inflation resulting in dramatic cost-of-living increases. The discontent is reminiscent of the “Woman. Life. Freedom.” uprising spurred by the brutal police murder of Kurdish-Iranian Mahsa Amini in 2022, but it is also now a struggle for survival and dignity. Angrier than perhaps ever before, ordinary Iranians have had enough – of a government incapable of governing, and of a totalitarian establishment that seems to care more about regional power dynamics than about its own people. The corrupt and self-serving mullah regime, not known for empathy, nor for its economic prowess, is responding to the protests in the way it always does – with more repression and violence. As far as we know, the crackdown on demonstrators has already cost dozens of lives, likely even more. Yet the more Khamenei and his cabal prioritise self-preservation and the defence of an untenable status quo, the stronger this revolution will grow. I have no doubt that the masses in the streets, led and buoyed by a fearless generation of young women and men, will ultimately prevail. To paraphrase Rumi, one of Persia’s most beloved poets: Iranians know they were born with wings, and so they are no longer willing to crawl through life. We should use every opportunity to put a spotlight on Iran, amplify the voices of dissent and document the regime’s crimes.

Nicolás Maduro’s corrupt and inept reign has caused endless suffering for the Venezuelan people and brought this beautiful country to the verge of economic and social collapse. He will not be missed. But a just and fair transition means handing power to Venezuelans, and especially to those with a clear mandate to lead. By many accounts, Edmundo González won the 2024 Presidential election by a wide margin. He and the Plataforma Unitaria Democrática under Maria Corina Machado have the support and the respect of most Venezuelans. They must be given the opportunity to lead their nation into a better future. washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/…

In awe of the extraordinary bravery of Maria Corina Machado to make a daring escape from Venezuela and travel to Oslo, arriving just hours after her daughter accepted this year’s Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. This is her moment to openly speak about Venezuelans’ desire for freedom and democracy. For the first time in 18 months, she doesn’t have to fear arrest or worse. I am reminded of the concert for Venezuela we helped organise almost seven years ago in Colombia. Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans showed up for a joyful day of music and dance, hoping for a better future. Millions more are now spread around the world, waiting for the day the regime falls and Maduro steps down, so they can return to a free country. Maria Corina embodies all their hopes and aspirations. I have seen few leaders more capable of uniting and leading a nation. On this day, my heart goes out to @MariaCorinaYA and all Venezuelans. Congratulations! bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

@Lord_Sugar Thank you for these kind words, Alan.

Sincere condolences @richardbranson on the passing of his wife may she rest in peace.

This is not a peace plan for Ukraine virgin.com/branson-family…

The suffering in Sudan is unbearable... millions displaced, famine looming, and horrific atrocities continuing unchecked. Grassroots groups are doing heroic work, but they need urgent support. Regional and global leaders must step up now to help end the violence and get aid flowing. virgin.com/branson-family…

Keir Starmer is right. The death penalty is never the answer for any country. It’s inhumane, costly & doesn’t deter crime. It has no place in the civilised world. Most of Europe abolished the death penalty decades ago & has been better, safer without it, while many countries that retain the death penalty continue to suffer high crime rates regardless. independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/…

4 former Alabama Supreme Court Justices 2 former State Governors 1 former State Attorney General 1 former Alabama Senator The District Attorney The Original Trial Prosecutor are all calling for a new trial for Toforest Johnson Why is Alabama still trying to execute him? toforestjohnson.com

I join with @TheElders in calling for the release of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison. This is as an important step towards reviving a lasting two-state solution: theelders.org/news/elders-ca…

Such a powerful interview with the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk on the risk of a permanent forever war in Ukraine, unless the world steps up. Ukraine is prepared to keep fighting for another two or three years, but no country should have to face a decade of war. As Tusk said, the real question is not whether Ukraine will survive, but how many lives will be lost along the way. Where do you draw the line on human lives. He also warned that complacency in the West is dangerous. Russian cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation are already happening across Europe. The idea that this is “someone else’s war” must end. As I have said countless times: freedom anywhere depends on defending it everywhere. It’s a stark truth: peace, democracy, and security can’t be taken for granted. They demand courage, unity, and sacrifice. These are values that Ukraine shows every day on the frontlines. As Tusk put it: “You have no chance to win if you are not ready to fight or at least to sacrifice something.”We must all stay awake, stay united - and never give up on peace: thetimes.com/world/europe/a… @donaldtusk