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The US, UK and Australia say they will develop underwater drone technology to protect undersea cables and boost defence, under their military alliance known as Aukus.

The uncrewed undersea vehicle (UUV) technology is expected to be ready by next year. While the project's total cost was not stated, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said his nation would contribute £150m ($201m).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y8wjvd1ypo

"The announcement, made by the countries' defence ministers at a security summit in Singapore, follows claims of slow progress in Aukus's projects.

Acknowledging the criticism, Healey said "for too long in Aukus, we talked too much and delivered too little", adding "that has now changed under our three governments"."

Translation: the multi tens of billions submarine project is stuck in the mud, so here's something shiny that's 50 times cheaper. It's a success!

You say that like it's a bad thing..

I guess back in the 70s for all the talk of decline, Britain is finished, there was still a belief that things could be turned around. I just don't see it happening now.

Its complete bollocks of course. Britain is neither finished nor in serious decline.

In almost all respects Britain is a far better country than it was in the 70's.

The 70's were awesome

Oh, I enjoyed them, but by all reasonable measures such as like life expectancy, cardiac and stroke deaths, education, opportunities to travel, rights for women and minorities etc things are better now. Average earnings are 50% higher in real terms for example:

https://www.measuringworth.com/datasets/ukearncpi/result2.php

12 days to the World Cup.
Can anyone ever recall less excitement?

Reasons? Possibles:

It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away.
The sense that it's a rip off for those who go.
The USA hasn't got any interest in football
The time difference problem.
The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars.
Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality.
Cape Verde are there and Italy are not.
According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable.
You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.

Football was more exciting when you went with your Dad at 3pm on a Saturday to watch your local team, with local men playing in the team.

Still very possible in the Conference League, or even lower leagues. Leicester City will be playing the Academy kids at 3PM with no VAR next season.

Its just if you want to follow the international mercenaries in the Prem that you won't, though that is its own form of entertainment.

Enjoy the new season, with the opportunity to visit new grounds and the chance of promotion.

I enjoyed the last season in League One, but not convinced that we will be Promotion contenders this season. Maybe we might win a few more games.

Amongst the "Sack the Board" and "You're not fit to wear the shirt" chants at the last home match we sang the Que sera sera song, but rather than "we're on our way to Wembley", the lyric was "we're on our way to Bromley"

Every Saturday will feel like the third round of the cup.

Except for the first round of the cup.

12 days to the World Cup.
Can anyone ever recall less excitement?

Reasons? Possibles:

It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away.
The sense that it's a rip off for those who go.
The USA hasn't got any interest in football
The time difference problem.
The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars.
Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality.
Cape Verde are there and Italy are not.
According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable.
You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.

Football was more exciting when you went with your Dad at 3pm on a Saturday to watch your local team, with local men playing in the team.

https://youtu.be/3NeRoSFZWbs?si=3nY5Dl9a42llnROv

In the 1950's my late dad used to take me to watch Berwick Rangers complete with travel blanket and thermos

It was my first experience of regular Saturday football

Caught a few games there when there was a Speedway match after the football.