Craig Nicholson

Senior Editor at @ResearchEurope, editing and reporting R&D policy stories. Views own.

[Craig Nicholson @CLANicholson]

I'm thinking of having Simon Schama's and Richard Ford's answers tattooed onto my forearms as opposing guides to life

[FT Weekend @ftweekend]

Christine Lagarde wants to hug her baby grandson, Edward Enninful misses his sister's Sunday roast: here's what FT friends and public figures told us they are dreaming of doing after restrictions ease https://t.co/z1sd5G6ZaO

[Xiao Ma @maxiaoalex]

This isn't just about EVs. We find the same pattern in steel and pharma—central policy favors large SOEs, local governments ally with private firms to circumvent barriers, and private capital ends up dominating. It's a recurring structural logic in China's political economy.

[António Guterres @antonioguterres]

The past eleven years have been the hottest on record.

Every fraction of a degree brings greater harm – especially to the most vulnerable.

This #WorldEnvironmentDay, warning signals are everywhere.

This is the moment to act for our environment & for our future.

[Craig Nicholson @CLANicholson]

Finsbury Park turned out for the Arsenal Parade

[Donald Tusk @donaldtusk]

Long live the Polish-British alliance! The Northolt Treaty has been signed.

[Craig Nicholson @CLANicholson]

@__paleologo This explains all those people breaking up with me after 3-6 months without giving a reason

[Craig Nicholson @CLANicholson]

@viajoshhunt I had to look this up and discovered that I, a Londoner, own one

[Craig Nicholson @CLANicholson]

@sonnysehra Although Tom Noonan was oddly underused

[Craig Nicholson @CLANicholson]

@sonnysehra It is indeed excellent

[Research Fortnight @ResFortnight]

UKRI urged to be ‘transparent’ after adopting grant lotteries.

Funder’s quiet introduction of randomisation option across opportunities prompts questions, plus support for “innovative” action.

https://t.co/lxg6KgRfMz

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

For Orthodox Easter, Russia proposed a ceasefire. Only to intensify its brutal attacks on Ukraine - almost 8,000 violations of the ceasefire they proposed.

Now, a ceasefire proposed only to guarantee a pause for their Red Square celebrations.

Today’s air strikes on Ukraine once again show Russia is not serious when it talks of ceasefire or peace.

The only way to stop human suffering and allow space for meaningful peace talks is to stop the killing immediately and agree a long-term ceasefire.

[Craig Nicholson @CLANicholson]

"More flexible funding schemes, partial or exploratory funding...could help ensure that more good ideas can be developed"

[Research Europe @ResearchEurope]

Free-to-read opinion: "An increase in the number of proposals should not be seen as a negative," argues María Luisa Romero Romero, in light of ERC controversy

https://t.co/Q4sRl8O0pA

[Our World in Data @OurWorldInData]

Low-carbon electricity sources grew faster than demand in 2025, pushing fossil fuels into decline—

Solar and wind energy have grown quickly in recent years, but global electricity demand has grown faster. So while their share of electricity generation kept rising, it wasn't enough to push fossil fuels into absolute decline.

But in 2025, that changed. According to Ember's Global Electricity Review, low-carbon electricity sources grew faster than demand, pushing some fossil fuels out of the mix.

Global electricity generation increased by around 850 terawatt-hours (TWh) from 2024 to 2025.

As you can see in the chart, solar and wind accounted for nearly all of this growth. While the world still burned slightly more gas, this was more than offset by a decline in coal and oil.

To reduce carbon emissions, fossil fuel use needs to keep falling in absolute terms — not just in the power sector but also in other energy and industrial sectors.

(This Data Insight was written by @_HannahRitchie and Pablo Rosado.)

[Jan Rosenow @janrosenow]

Wow!

More than double the volume of gas cut off due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is being wasted each year because countries are failing to deal with methane leaks and unnecessary flaring, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says.

[Clash Report @clashreport]

Canadian PM Mark Carney:

It’s my strong personal view that the international order will be rebuilt — but it will be rebuilt out of Europe.

[Craig Nicholson @CLANicholson]

@BilgeEbiri Completely agree, but limited to Thief, Manhunter, Miami Vice and Collateral for me

[John Bistline @JEBistline]

If you think that’s impressive, zoom out 700 years. The cost of lighting in the UK has fallen from £35,000 per million lumen-hours in 1300 to essentially £0 today.

One of the most underrated progress charts ever made.

[EU EnvironmentAgency @EUEnvironment]

🌡️Record wildfire extent
🌊Record sea surface temperatures
❄️Snow cover 31% below average

The European State of the Climate 2025 report, published today by the #CopernicusClimate Change Service (@CopernicusECMWF) and the @WMO, documents a year of climate extremes.

(continues)

[Craig Nicholson @CLANicholson]

I saw an electric lorry on London roads for the first time today - the future is here, and it emits no noxious fumes

[Craig Nicholson @CLANicholson]

@IsabellaMWeber This shows 1,000 years of European expansion

[Craig Nicholson @CLANicholson]

Who sadly died halfway through the advert