Richard Branson

We are only protected by law if we abide by it Juan Manuel Santos delivered a video address at the UN Association’s event marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly.

Powerful words from Juan Manuel Santos on why we must protect international law. To ignore it would be "a dangerous race to the bottom – toward a world in which nobody is protected, where there are no rules and no order.” A timely reminder: theelders.org/news/we-are-...

Minnesota’s Biggest Companies Call for ‘De-escalation’ of Tensions | Paul Polman | 20 comments https://lnkd.in/eXp-_JxU Fear and moral paralysis is not a strategy. For the second time in a month, the city is mourning a civilian killed by federal agents, and the atmosphere is thick with grief...

"Fear and moral paralysis is not a strategy.” Powerful words from Paul Polman: www.linkedin.com/posts/paulpo...

CNN video analysis sheds new light on killing of Alex Pretti | CNN CNN analyzed cellphone footage of immigration officers fatally shooting Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Taken together, they appear at odds with the Department of Homeland Security’s claims about the kill...

Absolutely horrified by the brutal killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. There is no justification, no excuse for a government to unleash this kind of violence on its own citizens. Those responsible must be held to account. This is not a partisan question, but a matter of decency and equal justice.

(6/6) This is the moment for Europe to act together, truly collaborate, and draw strength from the realisation that it has the power to bring this war to a conclusion on Ukraine’s terms.

(5/6) European nations haven't even been invited to be part of these negotiations, despite the fact this war is taking place in Europe. But what European leaders can and must do is up their support for Ukraine even further and tighten economic pressure on Russia to bring its war economy to its knees

(4/6) Putin has no interest in peace on any other terms than his own. And this current US administration does not have the willpower to help Europe to force Russia to the table as Ukraine’s equal.

(3/6) Today, officials from Ukraine, Russia, and the US are meeting in Abu Dhabi for yet another round of negotiations. I am not holding my breath.

(2/6) Now, everyone’s attention must turn to Ukraine. An enormous war, almost forgotten in recent months, continues to rage in Europe, killing many Ukrainians and even more Russian troops every day.

(1/6) Relieved to see some form of consensus emerge to take the heat out of the US Government’s brazen attempt to seize Greenland.

Trump claims Nato troops avoided Afghan front line Labour minister calls US president’s comments ‘deeply disappointing’ and ‘plainly wrong’

(3/3) An apology to America's NATO allies and the families of the fallen and injured is the least they should expect. It’s just so sad and sets such a bad example that for this ‘leader’, "sorry" seems to be the hardest word: www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...

(2/3) Good to see so many speaking out against these disgraceful falsehoods. If this was a genuine mistake, the right thing to do would be to apologise – as all good leaders do.

Trump claims Nato troops avoided Afghan front line Labour minister calls US president’s comments ‘deeply disappointing’ and ‘plainly wrong’

(1/3) Few things stir up anger and indignation like defiling the memory of those who have given their lives for their country and their allies. And rightly so. www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...

Davos LIVE: Canadian PM Mark Carney speaks at World Economic Forum YouTube video by Associated Press

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech today is one of the most insightful, albeit sobering, political speeches in a long time. Carney tells it as it is: "If you're not at the table you'll be on the menu."

Well worth finding the time to watch: www.youtube.com/live/dE981Z_...

AI won't define our future, how we choose to make decisions will | Virgin Highlights from Humanity in the Age of AI, exploring how leaders can protect human skills and work with AI to shape the future of work.

AI can do amazing things, but leadership still depends on human judgment.” Well said. Here’s a closer look at how the decisions we make will define our futures, more than AI alone: www.virgin.com/virgin-unite...

#AI #leadership #decisions

Russia unleashes ‘energy terror’ in bitter Ukrainian winter Moscow targets energy system as Kyiv suffers minus 20C temperatures

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: www.ft.com/content/ec1b...

Iran report says 16,500 dead in ‘genocide under digital darkness’ Witnesses tell of the brutality inflicted on those taking part in anti-regime protests

“You have 10 minutes to cry.” Some estimates say up to 16,500 people have now been killed in Iran’s brutal crackdown on ongoing protests. Some harrowing stories from people on the ground: www.thetimes.com/world/middle...

How Russia’s War Machine Brutalizes and Exploits Its Own Soldiers Confidential complaints filed by troops and their families reveal patterns of wrongdoing in the ranks that are hidden from the Russian public.

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

Bonkers. Just completely bonkers. www.bbc.com/news/live/c1...

Iranian protester faces 'imminent' execution, claims human rights group Donald Trump has urged Iranians to "keep protesting" and cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the "senseless killings" stop, as the death toll surpasses 2000.

(2/2) The ruthless theocrats responsible for this carnage must be stopped and held responsible for the horrors they’ve brought upon their own people: news.sky.com/story/irania...

(1/2) Executing the young on trumped-up charges just shows Iranians and the world why this mullah regime must fall. And the sooner it falls, the better. According to authorities, at least 2,000 protesters have been killed. Probably many more.

Trump to meet Venezuela's María Corina Machado on Thursday Machado, the winner of 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, had offered to share the honour with Trump, an award the president has long coveted.

(3/3) The US should then push for a peaceful transition from the current regime to those elected to lead. It’s the only way for Venezuela to find peace, freedom and democracy: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

(2/3) As President Trump is scheduled to meet opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at the White House this week, he should use the opportunity to recognise the result of the 2024 presidential elections, which opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez won decisively.

(1/3) In recent days, Venezuela has released just a fraction of the estimated 800 to 1,000 political prisoners being held by the regime. The US Government should push for the release of all political prisoners in Venezuela as a matter of priority.

Starmer rejects MP’s call for referendum on death penalty for criminals

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:
www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/new...

Justice For Toforest Johnson For 24 years, Toforest Johnson has been on Alabama’s death row for a crime he did not commit. The State’s lawyers continue to seek his execution.

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?
www.toforestjohnson.com

The Elders call for Marwan Barghouti’s release to spur moves to two-state solution The Elders call for the release of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison as an important step towards reviving a lasting two-state solution.

I join with The Elders 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-...

(3/3) The death penalty for drug offences is no deterrent. Singapore would be better off without it: www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/10/13/i...

(2/3) His open letter to Singapore’s President and Home Affairs Minister raises all the right questions: “What does this serve? What do the authorities actually want to achieve?” Hamzah deserves clemency.

If disruption is the goal, why execute me? A final letter from death row Scheduled for execution on 15 October 2025, Hamzah bin Ibrahim accepts responsibility but questions the justice of his sentence. He cooperated with authorities, received a Certificate of Substantive A...

(1/3) Hamzah bin Ibrahim is scheduled to be hanged in Singapore tomorrow for a non-violent drug offence, despite giving substantive assistance to investigating authorities: www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/10/13/i...

A Land for All is possible | Virgin Richard Branson discusses 'A Land for All' - a bold and audacious vision that would enable both Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs to flourish and prosper on a common understanding of the ground benea...

A wonderful day for the hostages & prisoners on both sides being released. Now all parties must do their best to keep the peace. A fair, collaborative two-state solution will be critical to that. A Land For All’s pragmatic framework is the best way to get there: www.virgin.com/branson-fami...