Wessel Badenhorst
@wesselbadenhorst.bsky.social
Connecting the dots on what drives local economies. Facilitator of stakeholder collaboration in towns and small cities. Pro EU.
"The ascent of e-bikes encouraged activists and policymakers hoping to reduce emissions, enhance public health and repurpose street space. Now they might wonder if e-bikes, like e-scooters, are another transportation innovation that fails to live up to its hype." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
E-Bike Boosters Ask: Is It All Downhill From Here?
After a Covid-era boom, makers of battery-powered bikes are facing slowing sales, rising tariffs and a policy backlash. But these useful machines can still live up to their hype.
www.bloomberg.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:31 PM
"The ascent of e-bikes encouraged activists and policymakers hoping to reduce emissions, enhance public health and repurpose street space. Now they might wonder if e-bikes, like e-scooters, are another transportation innovation that fails to live up to its hype." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
Malaysia and Indonesia become the first countries to block Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, after authorities said it was being misused to generate sexually explicit and non-consensual images.
Malaysia, Indonesia become first to block Musk’s Grok over AI deepfakes
Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked access to Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok due to its misuse in generating explicit images.
bit.ly
January 12, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Malaysia and Indonesia become the first countries to block Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, after authorities said it was being misused to generate sexually explicit and non-consensual images.
The main factor to secure a future built on renewable energy? Courage.
“Uruguay did what most nations still call impossible: it built a power grid that runs almost entirely on renewables—at half the cost of fossil fuels. The physicist who led that transformation says the same playbook could work anywhere—if governments have the courage to change the rules.”
Uruguay’s Renewable Charge: A Small Nation, A Big Lesson For The World
Uruguay built a power grid that runs 99% on renewables—at half the cost of fossil fuels. Here’s how its bold energy overhaul became a global model.
www.forbes.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:50 AM
The main factor to secure a future built on renewable energy? Courage.
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
It is time we all join forces to put an end to the era of colonial rulers and superpowers dividing the world into spheres of influence.
Most people are fed up with this. We must continue to fight against this madness and the billionaires behind it!
#HandsOffGreenland
#FightTechnofascists
Most people are fed up with this. We must continue to fight against this madness and the billionaires behind it!
#HandsOffGreenland
#FightTechnofascists
January 11, 2026 at 8:48 PM
It is time we all join forces to put an end to the era of colonial rulers and superpowers dividing the world into spheres of influence.
Most people are fed up with this. We must continue to fight against this madness and the billionaires behind it!
#HandsOffGreenland
#FightTechnofascists
Most people are fed up with this. We must continue to fight against this madness and the billionaires behind it!
#HandsOffGreenland
#FightTechnofascists
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
A 38-year-old Russian journalist, identified as Yevgeny Safronov, was found dead after falling from his 7th-floor flat near Paris. Police are investigating, with “suicide considered”. He had fled Russia, faced threats, depression, and recent hacking by the Russian gov.
January 8, 2026 at 5:54 PM
A 38-year-old Russian journalist, identified as Yevgeny Safronov, was found dead after falling from his 7th-floor flat near Paris. Police are investigating, with “suicide considered”. He had fled Russia, faced threats, depression, and recent hacking by the Russian gov.
This thought below I think many people across the world are grappling with today.
The American institutions appear to be weak and leaderless: from the justice system to the mainstream media, to academia, to Congress, to civil society.
How we wish there were actually guardrails that can hold.
The American institutions appear to be weak and leaderless: from the justice system to the mainstream media, to academia, to Congress, to civil society.
How we wish there were actually guardrails that can hold.
I think we are past the point where we can rely on Americans to remove Trump and his regime.
I don’t know where that leaves us.
I don’t know where that leaves us.
January 4, 2026 at 2:59 PM
This thought below I think many people across the world are grappling with today.
The American institutions appear to be weak and leaderless: from the justice system to the mainstream media, to academia, to Congress, to civil society.
How we wish there were actually guardrails that can hold.
The American institutions appear to be weak and leaderless: from the justice system to the mainstream media, to academia, to Congress, to civil society.
How we wish there were actually guardrails that can hold.
👇
Obsessing over Congressional approval in this moment is a category error.
Trump invaded Venezuela, kidnapped its president, and bombed families to seize control of the country for his billionaire buddies.
The MAGA regime isn’t breaking the rules. It’s teaching people that rules no longer apply.
Trump invaded Venezuela, kidnapped its president, and bombed families to seize control of the country for his billionaire buddies.
The MAGA regime isn’t breaking the rules. It’s teaching people that rules no longer apply.
January 3, 2026 at 6:10 PM
👇
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
When asked about other states reacting to Trump's intervention and occupation in Venezuela, he was very sincere: we will now produce all the oil Venezuela was not producing and the rest of the world will happily buy it.
Imperialism is not just grabbing fossil fuels. It's also powered by it.
Imperialism is not just grabbing fossil fuels. It's also powered by it.
January 3, 2026 at 5:43 PM
When asked about other states reacting to Trump's intervention and occupation in Venezuela, he was very sincere: we will now produce all the oil Venezuela was not producing and the rest of the world will happily buy it.
Imperialism is not just grabbing fossil fuels. It's also powered by it.
Imperialism is not just grabbing fossil fuels. It's also powered by it.
👇💯
Terrible take. Literally every FIFA Peace Prize winner has done this.
No FIFA Peace Prize winner has ever done this before
January 3, 2026 at 5:17 PM
👇💯
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
You were saying?
January 3, 2026 at 12:15 PM
You were saying?
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
Kremlin-linked analysts admitted that even ending the war won't save Russia's economy, according to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence
An unavoidable recession will start by July 2026, the Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting warned
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/03/e...
An unavoidable recession will start by July 2026, the Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting warned
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/03/e...
Even ending war won’t save Russia’s economy. Recession by July 2026 “practically impossible to avoid,” Kremlin-linked analysts admit
War or peace, recession comes.
euromaidanpress.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Kremlin-linked analysts admitted that even ending the war won't save Russia's economy, according to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence
An unavoidable recession will start by July 2026, the Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting warned
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/03/e...
An unavoidable recession will start by July 2026, the Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting warned
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/03/e...
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
Timezones are so weird. Australia is in 2026, Canada is in 2025, and the United States is in 1939.
December 31, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Timezones are so weird. Australia is in 2026, Canada is in 2025, and the United States is in 1939.
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
Breakthrough of the year? Renewable energy www.science.org/content/arti...
December 21, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Breakthrough of the year? Renewable energy www.science.org/content/arti...
Every time you see pics showing some celebration or breakthrough at these COP conferences, you just get that sinking feeling caused by the degree of pretense and obfuscation involved. Simply because weeks after COP, countries willy-nilly change course or ignore commitments.
Many countries are frustrated with U.N. climate conferences. While some countries urgently want to transition away from fossil fuels — the main driver of global warming — others are blocking that language from climate agreements.
"A very, very big deal." Countries take on fossil fuels : Short Wave
Many countries are frustrated with U.N. climate conferences. While some countries urgently want to transition away from fossil fuels — the main driver of global warming — others are blocking that language from climate agreements. Today on the show, Emily talks with Julia Simon from NPR’s climate desk. She takes us to Brazil and introduces us to a group of countries that are trying something new.Interested in more science and climate related news? Email us your question at [email protected] to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
n.pr
December 21, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Every time you see pics showing some celebration or breakthrough at these COP conferences, you just get that sinking feeling caused by the degree of pretense and obfuscation involved. Simply because weeks after COP, countries willy-nilly change course or ignore commitments.
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
"p-hacking" is when dishonest scientists try multiple analytical paths to find one that finally indicates statistical significance. It's dishonest because it knowingly inflates or even manufactures effects.
Anti-vax "studies" do it all the time. One more reason EXPERTISE is needed to assess data.
Anti-vax "studies" do it all the time. One more reason EXPERTISE is needed to assess data.
December 19, 2025 at 3:32 PM
"p-hacking" is when dishonest scientists try multiple analytical paths to find one that finally indicates statistical significance. It's dishonest because it knowingly inflates or even manufactures effects.
Anti-vax "studies" do it all the time. One more reason EXPERTISE is needed to assess data.
Anti-vax "studies" do it all the time. One more reason EXPERTISE is needed to assess data.
Meanwhile outside the US...
EU Member States agree to defence procurement treaty with Canada 🇨🇦
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
SAFE: member states endorse agreement on the participation of Canada
Council endorsed the agreement for the participation of Canada in SAFE to further strengthen their joint defence cooperation.
www.consilium.europa.eu
December 19, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Meanwhile outside the US...
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
A president cannot defend a nation if he is not held accountable to its laws.
December 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
A president cannot defend a nation if he is not held accountable to its laws.
Western Balkans energy transition: "Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina still depend on Russian oil and gas, while Albania is the leader in the green transition, and Montenegro is relatively advanced." www.bruegel.org/working-pape...
The Western Balkan energy sector: between Russia, the European Union and the green transition
This paper analyses energy transitions in the Western Balkans, away from dependence on Russia and towards the EU electricity market
www.bruegel.org
December 19, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Western Balkans energy transition: "Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina still depend on Russian oil and gas, while Albania is the leader in the green transition, and Montenegro is relatively advanced." www.bruegel.org/working-pape...
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
A new World Bank report calls on governments to create dedicated Livable Streets Investment Programs, steadily scaling funding to 10% of road budgets by 2035.
Why? Because livable streets deliver some of the highest returns in transport investment—up to €16 per €1 spent: investinlivablestreets.info
Why? Because livable streets deliver some of the highest returns in transport investment—up to €16 per €1 spent: investinlivablestreets.info
December 19, 2025 at 9:15 AM
A new World Bank report calls on governments to create dedicated Livable Streets Investment Programs, steadily scaling funding to 10% of road budgets by 2035.
Why? Because livable streets deliver some of the highest returns in transport investment—up to €16 per €1 spent: investinlivablestreets.info
Why? Because livable streets deliver some of the highest returns in transport investment—up to €16 per €1 spent: investinlivablestreets.info
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
Everything about this wockaflocka is small. He makes everyone around his ass small. Ask yourself if he's made you smaller too. It ain't too late to stand.
December 15, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Everything about this wockaflocka is small. He makes everyone around his ass small. Ask yourself if he's made you smaller too. It ain't too late to stand.
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
Ireland is an outlier for houses. We need more three storey medium-density terraced housing as an alternative to semi-Ds or apartments. Here are examples from John Dobbins, and Amsterdam. ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web...
December 13, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Ireland is an outlier for houses. We need more three storey medium-density terraced housing as an alternative to semi-Ds or apartments. Here are examples from John Dobbins, and Amsterdam. ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web...
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
We’re going to build a high-speed rail network that will connect millions of Canadians, build our economy, and create thousands of high-paying careers.
December 13, 2025 at 4:50 PM
We’re going to build a high-speed rail network that will connect millions of Canadians, build our economy, and create thousands of high-paying careers.
Reposted by Wessel Badenhorst
Apparently we’ve established that if the US can seize the largest tanker off Venezuela, it can just as easily seize a small, alleged drug boat without murdering the occupants.
December 12, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Apparently we’ve established that if the US can seize the largest tanker off Venezuela, it can just as easily seize a small, alleged drug boat without murdering the occupants.