Mark Seddon

In September 2024, the now UN Secretary-General candidate La #Nusseibeh said in a letter to the editor of @TheEconomist that, “[T]he UAE is not providing weapons or any other support to the Rapid Support Forces or any of the warring parties in Sudan.” The letter followed the publication of the first #UN Panel of Experts on #Sudan’s report, which included conclusions of “credible allegations” that the #UAE was providing military support to the RSF through Chad. hrw.org/news/2026/10/28/uae-…

BREAKING NEWS: We're extremely disappointed to learn that DCMS has turned down C20's listing application for the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, and has instead issued a COI (Certificate of Immunity from Listing). Designed by Gollifer Associates and opened in 1998, the Millennium-era centre closed in July 2026 after Sunderland University claimed it needed significant remedial work, with widely disputed figures varying between £14m and £45m. Crucially the building crossed the 30 year threshold earlier this year (from the date construction commenced) and so was eligible for consideration at Grade II. Historic England’s list assessment describes the National Glass Centre as ‘a complex, ambitious, and visually bold building’ and draws favourable comparison with the works of Rem Koolhaas, Will Alsop and Enric Miralles. The early use of emerging glass technology used for the roof plateau and front elevation, developed by Ove Arup, is also credited. It commends the building as one that had ‘a clear social significance in that it attempted to enhance and preserve Sunderland’s glass-making heritage in a building that was intended to bring the community together. It is one of the last physical links to glassmaking in Sunderland…the constructional materials of glass and steel with a walk-on glass roof, reflect its intended function.’ However, the case for listing was apparently weakened by the removal of key design elements, which has sadly ‘eroded the interest of the original design concept’ - yet another damning indictment of the University of Sunderland and their custodianship of the building. Sunderland Council recently served an Article 4 directive on centre, removing certain permitted development rights and preventing prevent a potentially unlawful demolition. For a building this young and a cultural landmark of the city to even be facing demolition is shameful. The National Glass Centre should still be welcoming visitors through the doors and supporting glassmakers from across the region in the purpose-built facilities. The @SaveTheNGC campaign will continue undimmed. ✍🏼 Join 42,000+ people by signing and sharing the @Change petition! ➡️change.org/p/save-glass-blow…

Trump: "We took over Venezuela very successfully, and they've sent me as a gift a boatload of a million barrels of oil"

🚨 NEW: John Healey has announced Ukraine will receive £10bn in additional economic and military support "We called him this morning... he told us we made his day" #Budget

Labour is giving you breathing space this winter.

UN General Assembly approves its annual resolution to lift the US embargo on Cuba

NEW: State department will issue visas to Flavio Bolsanaro and his family and allow them entry into the US - a State dept official tells me. Here is more on @Channel4News ⬇️

Sudan asks Lana Nusseibeh: Would you back an independent investigation of your country supplying weapons in Sudan's civil war & its mass rapes? Doesn't answer but reiterates a commitment to Art 100 of UN Charter & that she has left UAE foreign ministry. Says to refer Qs to them [no acknowledgment of UAE's documented role in the war & resulting humanitarian crisis]