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Germany is facing calls to withdraw its billions of euros’ worth of gold from US vaults, spurred on by the shift in transatlantic relations and the unpredictability of Donald Trump.

Germany holds the world’s second biggest national gold reserves after the US, of which approximately €164bn (£122bn) worth – 1,236 tonnes – is stored in New York.

Emanuel Mönch, a leading economist and former head of research at Germany’s federal bank, the Bundesbank, called for the gold to be brought home, saying it was too “risky” for it to be kept in the US under the current administration.

“Given the current geopolitical situation, it seems risky to store so much gold in the US,” he told the financial newspaper Handelsblatt. “In the interest of greater strategic independence from the US, the Bundesbank would therefore be well advised to consider repatriating the gold.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/24/repatriate-the-gold-german-economists-advise-withdrawal-from-us-vaults

Makes sense. Trump is basically Goldfinger.

I've never heard him say anything as funny as, "No Mr Bond, I expect you to die."

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/24/latest-chatgpt-model-uses-elon-musks-grokipedia-as-source-tests-reveal

"The latest model of ChatGPT has begun to cite Elon Musk’s Grokipedia as a source on a wide range of queries, including on Iranian conglomerates and Holocaust deniers, raising concerns about misinformation on the platform.

In tests done by the Guardian, GPT-5.2 cited Grokipedia nine times in response to more than a dozen different questions. These included queries on political structures in Iran, such as salaries of the Basij paramilitary force and the ownership of the Mostazafan Foundation, and questions on the biography of Sir Richard Evans, a British historian and expert witness against Holocaust denier David Irving in his libel trial."

He's awake, and cranky

‪@atrupar.com‬

Trump: “If Governor Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a ‘Drop Off Port’ for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken … If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products”

There doesn't seem to be any upsides to working with Trump, since he will alter his stance on a day by day basis.

Germany is facing calls to withdraw its billions of euros’ worth of gold from US vaults, spurred on by the shift in transatlantic relations and the unpredictability of Donald Trump.

Germany holds the world’s second biggest national gold reserves after the US, of which approximately €164bn (£122bn) worth – 1,236 tonnes – is stored in New York.

Emanuel Mönch, a leading economist and former head of research at Germany’s federal bank, the Bundesbank, called for the gold to be brought home, saying it was too “risky” for it to be kept in the US under the current administration.

“Given the current geopolitical situation, it seems risky to store so much gold in the US,” he told the financial newspaper Handelsblatt. “In the interest of greater strategic independence from the US, the Bundesbank would therefore be well advised to consider repatriating the gold.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/24/repatriate-the-gold-german-economists-advise-withdrawal-from-us-vaults

Makes sense. Trump is basically Goldfinger.

I am on a train. It was crowded so I went for the first-class upgrade. I'm in my first class seat. It is full of people in groups TALKING TO EACH OTHER. BASTARDS. Apparently Amy would like a cat. One couple are sitting in separate seats. LISA HAVE YOU GOT THE TICKETS. One guy asked if the other ever had a beard. I cannot use this information.

I'm sorry, this is unacceptable. I want studious young men on laptops. Middle aged men with nose hair and good suits who work in the City. Prissy older women who look like Theresa May and tut if somebody says something. England, you have disappointed me.

Came back from Japan to Heathrow before Christmas. V long flight, bit grumpy and tired. Booked 1st class upgrades on seatfrog for train out of Paddington to Exeter as thought it would be worth it on this occasion.

Board train:
- 1st class is rammed;
- there's a proper dining car, with space for standard class passengers. I could have sat in that and had lunch for the price of my upgrade;
- after a walk up and down the length of the train it becomes apparent that standard class is not only less busy but the carriages are also cooler, and the only 2 people talking self-importantly on their phones on the whole train are in first class.

FFAS !

Message to all; don’t travel by rail at weekends.