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How anti-Reform tactical voting could deny the SNP a majority – politicalbetting.com

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  • eek said:

    Why, I would have thought the contracts are both time and mileage related, so if flight time doesn't get you, the passage of time does anyway...

    Most of RR's engines are on 'power by the hour' contracts, where the airline pays per flight hour. No flights = no revenue, as the company found out during COVID.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 58,549
    https://x.com/visegrad24/status/2039009438443438563

    BREAKING:

    Israel ends all defense deals with France

    The Israeli Ministry of Defense has suspended all defense procurement from France and terminated existing contracts.

    This decision follows Paris's refusal to allow U.S. aircraft carrying military supplies for Israel to transit French airspace.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 87,712
    Leon said:

    Nigelb said:

    Leon said:

    kinabalu said:

    eek said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @TerryMoran

    Trump at war:

    1. Start war. Do not tell allies.

    2. Blow stuff up.

    3. Demand regime change.

    4. Blow up more stuff.

    5. Demand unconditional surrender.

    6. Get angry when enemy fights back.

    7. Make threats.

    8. Back down. Repeat.

    9. Demand allies finish war.

    10. Walk away.

    https://x.com/TerryMoran/status/2038955268491321740?s=20

    No Global Superpower has ever lost this hard, this fast.

    Terry did an interview with Trump - this comment immediately below that covers a question regarding what Trump is like

    Sure. He seemed to me to be a guy who has two ways of dealing with people. Charm or fury. You get the charm if you kiss his a** or he needs something from you. And you get the fury if you don't kiss his a*** and challenge him.

    The key thing is that in the second case, he wants a fight on his terms. He wants you to take him on at his level of rage and insults and hollering. His tactic is to to tear you apart verbally, wound you, so that your blood boils and you try to fight back on his level, get down in the muck with him.

    But what if you're respectful--while still challenging him? What if you treat him in a calm, polite way, while standing up to him? He has no idea what to do with that. He's counting on his opponents to fight on his level.

    Think of Mark Carney. Trump hates that guy. Because Carney pushes back--hard. Stands up for himself and his country--very, very calmly. Still very tough. And Trump cannot deal with that.

    My goal in that interview was not to fight with him, but to confront him respectfully and forcefully with legitimate questions I thought people would want answered. I could tell it flummoxed him. At one point, Trump threatened to cut off the interview. I gave him no reason to do so. I simply told him we were going to finish. He sagged back in his chair. You can see it in the video; go look.

    At he end of the interview, Trump stormed out. ABC had arranged for a walk through the Rose Garden Concrete Patio. "NOT AFTER THAT INTERVIEW!" he barked. Stormed out. Susie Wiles and a Disney VP who was there had to beg him to come back--because ABC had booked an hour of prime time, and we were short. That's when he sat at the Resolute Desk and babbled about the Declaration of Independence. He wouldn't look at me. Still rattled.

    In the middle of the interview, as he got angrier and angrier at me, I remember looking into his eyes--narrowed and flashing with his emotion, a little bloodshot from all the makeup--and I thought, he's mean. But he's not tough.

    I think that's what we are seeing in this war.

    https://x.com/TerryMoran/status/2038983208855859577?s=20
    The other thing Trump can't remotely handle is being laughed at. Bursting his pompous bubble is very effective.

    He must be hating the trolling coming out of Tehran.
    It is but I hope he isn't trolled out of TACO. Him *not* doing things is always the better outcome. That's a good general rule.
    i really hope he hurries up and TACOs, coz this is getting messy and is going to ruin my plans


    "Excl: German airport hub Frankfurt, along with Delhi, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Manila, Melbourne airports are now ‘high risk’ for jet fuel shortage in April 🚨 - set to declare a jet fuel supply emergency to airlines in April, as US-Israel war on Iran continues."

    https://x.com/AlexInAir/status/2038984052921741571?s=20

    This could basically end air travel worldwide, very soon, because fuel will be so expensive tickets will triple in price, which no one can afford. So the planes don't fly

    The second third and fourth order effects of this STUPID war get progressively worse and wilder, once you think them through. Truly Armageddony shit is possible
    Trump seems quite likely to TACO now (and will say the US has won and it's our problem).
    But it's still going to take weeks for (checks notes) China and Pakistan to sort out..

    What's your timeframe ?
    I've got trips to Japan and China in the summer. Nice, lovely trips. Sigh. Also Rwanda at some point. eeek
    Summer ?

    You'll either be absolutely fine, or completely screwed.

    Chatting with a few people, some were almost completely unaware there was anything going on in Iran. A surprising number of folk don't follow the news at all (and who can really blame them ?).
  • isamisam Posts: 43,918
    More in Common poll about the theft of Morgan McSweeney’s phone


  • LeonLeon Posts: 67,443
    Nigelb said:

    Leon said:

    Nigelb said:

    Leon said:

    kinabalu said:

    eek said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @TerryMoran

    Trump at war:

    1. Start war. Do not tell allies.

    2. Blow stuff up.

    3. Demand regime change.

    4. Blow up more stuff.

    5. Demand unconditional surrender.

    6. Get angry when enemy fights back.

    7. Make threats.

    8. Back down. Repeat.

    9. Demand allies finish war.

    10. Walk away.

    https://x.com/TerryMoran/status/2038955268491321740?s=20

    No Global Superpower has ever lost this hard, this fast.

    Terry did an interview with Trump - this comment immediately below that covers a question regarding what Trump is like

    Sure. He seemed to me to be a guy who has two ways of dealing with people. Charm or fury. You get the charm if you kiss his a** or he needs something from you. And you get the fury if you don't kiss his a*** and challenge him.

    The key thing is that in the second case, he wants a fight on his terms. He wants you to take him on at his level of rage and insults and hollering. His tactic is to to tear you apart verbally, wound you, so that your blood boils and you try to fight back on his level, get down in the muck with him.

    But what if you're respectful--while still challenging him? What if you treat him in a calm, polite way, while standing up to him? He has no idea what to do with that. He's counting on his opponents to fight on his level.

    Think of Mark Carney. Trump hates that guy. Because Carney pushes back--hard. Stands up for himself and his country--very, very calmly. Still very tough. And Trump cannot deal with that.

    My goal in that interview was not to fight with him, but to confront him respectfully and forcefully with legitimate questions I thought people would want answered. I could tell it flummoxed him. At one point, Trump threatened to cut off the interview. I gave him no reason to do so. I simply told him we were going to finish. He sagged back in his chair. You can see it in the video; go look.

    At he end of the interview, Trump stormed out. ABC had arranged for a walk through the Rose Garden Concrete Patio. "NOT AFTER THAT INTERVIEW!" he barked. Stormed out. Susie Wiles and a Disney VP who was there had to beg him to come back--because ABC had booked an hour of prime time, and we were short. That's when he sat at the Resolute Desk and babbled about the Declaration of Independence. He wouldn't look at me. Still rattled.

    In the middle of the interview, as he got angrier and angrier at me, I remember looking into his eyes--narrowed and flashing with his emotion, a little bloodshot from all the makeup--and I thought, he's mean. But he's not tough.

    I think that's what we are seeing in this war.

    https://x.com/TerryMoran/status/2038983208855859577?s=20
    The other thing Trump can't remotely handle is being laughed at. Bursting his pompous bubble is very effective.

    He must be hating the trolling coming out of Tehran.
    It is but I hope he isn't trolled out of TACO. Him *not* doing things is always the better outcome. That's a good general rule.
    i really hope he hurries up and TACOs, coz this is getting messy and is going to ruin my plans


    "Excl: German airport hub Frankfurt, along with Delhi, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Manila, Melbourne airports are now ‘high risk’ for jet fuel shortage in April 🚨 - set to declare a jet fuel supply emergency to airlines in April, as US-Israel war on Iran continues."

    https://x.com/AlexInAir/status/2038984052921741571?s=20

    This could basically end air travel worldwide, very soon, because fuel will be so expensive tickets will triple in price, which no one can afford. So the planes don't fly

    The second third and fourth order effects of this STUPID war get progressively worse and wilder, once you think them through. Truly Armageddony shit is possible
    Trump seems quite likely to TACO now (and will say the US has won and it's our problem).
    But it's still going to take weeks for (checks notes) China and Pakistan to sort out..

    What's your timeframe ?
    I've got trips to Japan and China in the summer. Nice, lovely trips. Sigh. Also Rwanda at some point. eeek
    Summer ?

    You'll either be absolutely fine, or completely screwed.

    Chatting with a few people, some were almost completely unaware there was anything going on in Iran. A surprising number of folk don't follow the news at all (and who can really blame them ?).
    AIUI even if the Straits totally reopened this evening, we would still face months of disruption, because of the current fuel shortages, and the damage to ME infra

    However, Hornuz is not going to reopen this evening, maybe not for weeks or months

    I have psychologically written off any planned trips past May, if they do eventuate, it will be a nice surprise
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 55,839
    MattW said:

    On the Hegseth point on the previous thread, it is not about who they detest, it's about their personal fear, and their need to express loathing
    for something, anything.

    I ran across this at the weekend; it is from an article about Chinatown in the Evening Standard when owned by the 1st Viscount Rothermere:

    The Rothermere newspapers promoted a narrative of 'national degeneration'. A typical story in the Evening Standard, headlined in capital letters "WHITE GIRLS 'HYPNOTISED' BY YELLOW MEN", recounted what it called the "alarming facts" of London's Chinatown, warning in lurid detail of "the degradation of young white girls" at the hands of Chinese men: "Englishwomen are selling themselves to Chinamen; they are seeking out Asiatics in the streets where before the war no white women walked. The evil is baffling to the police and social workers. Women who have been 'rescued' and given a fresh start have relapsed and returned to their foreign masters, and have sunk even lower than before. The unmarried mother with a half-caste child is only one of the several problems arising. And obviously this cheapening of the white women among men who go down to the sea in ships must have reactions in the East and in every part of the world where colored and white races dwell side by side".

    (That's from his Wikipedia article, I was looking into how the values of the Daily Mail newspapers have changed over the years since 1896 Or not.)

    How little has the Daily Mail changed!
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,969
    edited 4:52PM
    Leon said:

    Nigelb said:

    Leon said:

    Nigelb said:

    Leon said:

    kinabalu said:

    eek said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @TerryMoran

    Trump at war:

    1. Start war. Do not tell allies.

    2. Blow stuff up.

    3. Demand regime change.

    4. Blow up more stuff.

    5. Demand unconditional surrender.

    6. Get angry when enemy fights back.

    7. Make threats.

    8. Back down. Repeat.

    9. Demand allies finish war.

    10. Walk away.

    https://x.com/TerryMoran/status/2038955268491321740?s=20

    No Global Superpower has ever lost this hard, this fast.

    Terry did an interview with Trump - this comment immediately below that covers a question regarding what Trump is like

    Sure. He seemed to me to be a guy who has two ways of dealing with people. Charm or fury. You get the charm if you kiss his a** or he needs something from you. And you get the fury if you don't kiss his a*** and challenge him.

    The key thing is that in the second case, he wants a fight on his terms. He wants you to take him on at his level of rage and insults and hollering. His tactic is to to tear you apart verbally, wound you, so that your blood boils and you try to fight back on his level, get down in the muck with him.

    But what if you're respectful--while still challenging him? What if you treat him in a calm, polite way, while standing up to him? He has no idea what to do with that. He's counting on his opponents to fight on his level.

    Think of Mark Carney. Trump hates that guy. Because Carney pushes back--hard. Stands up for himself and his country--very, very calmly. Still very tough. And Trump cannot deal with that.

    My goal in that interview was not to fight with him, but to confront him respectfully and forcefully with legitimate questions I thought people would want answered. I could tell it flummoxed him. At one point, Trump threatened to cut off the interview. I gave him no reason to do so. I simply told him we were going to finish. He sagged back in his chair. You can see it in the video; go look.

    At he end of the interview, Trump stormed out. ABC had arranged for a walk through the Rose Garden Concrete Patio. "NOT AFTER THAT INTERVIEW!" he barked. Stormed out. Susie Wiles and a Disney VP who was there had to beg him to come back--because ABC had booked an hour of prime time, and we were short. That's when he sat at the Resolute Desk and babbled about the Declaration of Independence. He wouldn't look at me. Still rattled.

    In the middle of the interview, as he got angrier and angrier at me, I remember looking into his eyes--narrowed and flashing with his emotion, a little bloodshot from all the makeup--and I thought, he's mean. But he's not tough.

    I think that's what we are seeing in this war.

    https://x.com/TerryMoran/status/2038983208855859577?s=20
    The other thing Trump can't remotely handle is being laughed at. Bursting his pompous bubble is very effective.

    He must be hating the trolling coming out of Tehran.
    It is but I hope he isn't trolled out of TACO. Him *not* doing things is always the better outcome. That's a good general rule.
    i really hope he hurries up and TACOs, coz this is getting messy and is going to ruin my plans


    "Excl: German airport hub Frankfurt, along with Delhi, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Manila, Melbourne airports are now ‘high risk’ for jet fuel shortage in April 🚨 - set to declare a jet fuel supply emergency to airlines in April, as US-Israel war on Iran continues."

    https://x.com/AlexInAir/status/2038984052921741571?s=20

    This could basically end air travel worldwide, very soon, because fuel will be so expensive tickets will triple in price, which no one can afford. So the planes don't fly

    The second third and fourth order effects of this STUPID war get progressively worse and wilder, once you think them through. Truly Armageddony shit is possible
    Trump seems quite likely to TACO now (and will say the US has won and it's our problem).
    But it's still going to take weeks for (checks notes) China and Pakistan to sort out..

    What's your timeframe ?
    I've got trips to Japan and China in the summer. Nice, lovely trips. Sigh. Also Rwanda at some point. eeek
    Summer ?

    You'll either be absolutely fine, or completely screwed.

    Chatting with a few people, some were almost completely unaware there was anything going on in Iran. A surprising number of folk don't follow the news at all (and who can really blame them ?).
    AIUI even if the Straits totally reopened this evening, we would still face months of disruption, because of the current fuel shortages, and the damage to ME infra

    However, Hornuz is not going to reopen this evening, maybe not for weeks or months

    I have psychologically written off any planned trips past May, if they do eventuate, it will be a nice surprise
    Trump's gonna end up getting Musk to fund 100s of private planes to bring World Cup teams and fans over at this rate.
  • TazTaz Posts: 26,417
    CatMan said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Here's wishing the Artemis II mission well.

    (FWIW, the ChiComs are competing with us, and doing the things that lead me to conclude they plan to build a base on the moon.)

    Things like officially announcing it ?

    China plans to build moon base at the lunar south pole by 2035
    https://www.space.com/china-moon-base-south-pole-2035

    I wish Artemis well too, but I doubt it will ever land astronauts on the moon.
    Wouldn't it be great if they found a flying pig round the dark side of the moon
    It's the far side, not the dark side. (Yes I know about Pink Floyd!)
    Hence the pig reference too.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 59,001
    Sign of the times? Sainsbury's had neither petrol nor diesel in Dartmouth today.

    Prices switched off.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 59,001

    Leon said:

    Nigelb said:

    Leon said:

    Nigelb said:

    Leon said:

    kinabalu said:

    eek said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @TerryMoran

    Trump at war:

    1. Start war. Do not tell allies.

    2. Blow stuff up.

    3. Demand regime change.

    4. Blow up more stuff.

    5. Demand unconditional surrender.

    6. Get angry when enemy fights back.

    7. Make threats.

    8. Back down. Repeat.

    9. Demand allies finish war.

    10. Walk away.

    https://x.com/TerryMoran/status/2038955268491321740?s=20

    No Global Superpower has ever lost this hard, this fast.

    Terry did an interview with Trump - this comment immediately below that covers a question regarding what Trump is like

    Sure. He seemed to me to be a guy who has two ways of dealing with people. Charm or fury. You get the charm if you kiss his a** or he needs something from you. And you get the fury if you don't kiss his a*** and challenge him.

    The key thing is that in the second case, he wants a fight on his terms. He wants you to take him on at his level of rage and insults and hollering. His tactic is to to tear you apart verbally, wound you, so that your blood boils and you try to fight back on his level, get down in the muck with him.

    But what if you're respectful--while still challenging him? What if you treat him in a calm, polite way, while standing up to him? He has no idea what to do with that. He's counting on his opponents to fight on his level.

    Think of Mark Carney. Trump hates that guy. Because Carney pushes back--hard. Stands up for himself and his country--very, very calmly. Still very tough. And Trump cannot deal with that.

    My goal in that interview was not to fight with him, but to confront him respectfully and forcefully with legitimate questions I thought people would want answered. I could tell it flummoxed him. At one point, Trump threatened to cut off the interview. I gave him no reason to do so. I simply told him we were going to finish. He sagged back in his chair. You can see it in the video; go look.

    At he end of the interview, Trump stormed out. ABC had arranged for a walk through the Rose Garden Concrete Patio. "NOT AFTER THAT INTERVIEW!" he barked. Stormed out. Susie Wiles and a Disney VP who was there had to beg him to come back--because ABC had booked an hour of prime time, and we were short. That's when he sat at the Resolute Desk and babbled about the Declaration of Independence. He wouldn't look at me. Still rattled.

    In the middle of the interview, as he got angrier and angrier at me, I remember looking into his eyes--narrowed and flashing with his emotion, a little bloodshot from all the makeup--and I thought, he's mean. But he's not tough.

    I think that's what we are seeing in this war.

    https://x.com/TerryMoran/status/2038983208855859577?s=20
    The other thing Trump can't remotely handle is being laughed at. Bursting his pompous bubble is very effective.

    He must be hating the trolling coming out of Tehran.
    It is but I hope he isn't trolled out of TACO. Him *not* doing things is always the better outcome. That's a good general rule.
    i really hope he hurries up and TACOs, coz this is getting messy and is going to ruin my plans


    "Excl: German airport hub Frankfurt, along with Delhi, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Manila, Melbourne airports are now ‘high risk’ for jet fuel shortage in April 🚨 - set to declare a jet fuel supply emergency to airlines in April, as US-Israel war on Iran continues."

    https://x.com/AlexInAir/status/2038984052921741571?s=20

    This could basically end air travel worldwide, very soon, because fuel will be so expensive tickets will triple in price, which no one can afford. So the planes don't fly

    The second third and fourth order effects of this STUPID war get progressively worse and wilder, once you think them through. Truly Armageddony shit is possible
    Trump seems quite likely to TACO now (and will say the US has won and it's our problem).
    But it's still going to take weeks for (checks notes) China and Pakistan to sort out..

    What's your timeframe ?
    I've got trips to Japan and China in the summer. Nice, lovely trips. Sigh. Also Rwanda at some point. eeek
    Summer ?

    You'll either be absolutely fine, or completely screwed.

    Chatting with a few people, some were almost completely unaware there was anything going on in Iran. A surprising number of folk don't follow the news at all (and who can really blame them ?).
    AIUI even if the Straits totally reopened this evening, we would still face months of disruption, because of the current fuel shortages, and the damage to ME infra

    However, Hornuz is not going to reopen this evening, maybe not for weeks or months

    I have psychologically written off any planned trips past May, if they do eventuate, it will be a nice surprise
    Trump's gonna end up getting Musk to fund 100s of private planes to bring World Cup teams and fans over at this rate.
    Or....we hold it Europe, where at least fans can get there by train.

    Assuming the trains have power.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,969
    Barnesian said:

    eek said:


    🚨 JUST IN — IT’S OFFICIAL: Palm Beach International Airport is now Donald J. Trump International Airport, following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature on HB919

    The name change goes into effect on July 1st.

    As well as the greed and vindictiveness, I think Trump has two main drivers:
    Short term it is being in the limelight. Dominating the news. In this he is very successful.
    Longer term it is his legacy. The naming, the portraits, the buildings etc.
    In this he is not going to be so successful. He will have a legacy but not the one he craves.
    Everyone of these name changes will be reversed once he's gone.

    I doubt his presidential library will even ever be built.
  • CatManCatMan Posts: 3,725
    Taz said:

    CatMan said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Here's wishing the Artemis II mission well.

    (FWIW, the ChiComs are competing with us, and doing the things that lead me to conclude they plan to build a base on the moon.)

    Things like officially announcing it ?

    China plans to build moon base at the lunar south pole by 2035
    https://www.space.com/china-moon-base-south-pole-2035

    I wish Artemis well too, but I doubt it will ever land astronauts on the moon.
    Wouldn't it be great if they found a flying pig round the dark side of the moon
    It's the far side, not the dark side. (Yes I know about Pink Floyd!)
    Hence the pig reference too.
    #pedanticbetting
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 62,037

    isam said:

    Been a bit windy recently, but if they say so…

    The gangs have been smashed. It’s over

    Reform have stopped making noise about the small boat crossing..why? Because Labour have smashed the gangs.

    Illegal Channel crossings have collapsed. See for yourself.

    Promise made. Promise delivered. Labour is securing our borders.


    https://x.com/ashfordlabour/status/2038919231920558237?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    More than 2,600 in the four weeks prior to last week.
    You’d think that by now the episodic nature of the crossing would have impinged.

    I am interested - is this the level of information that the top of government receives?

    Yes, this is propaganda. But given the ignorance of basics in politics, I wonder.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 22,727
    MattW said:

    On the Hegseth point on the previous thread, it is not about who they detest, it's about their personal fear, and their need to express loathing
    for something, anything.

    I ran across this at the weekend; it is from an article about Chinatown in the Evening Standard when owned by the 1st Viscount Rothermere:

    The Rothermere newspapers promoted a narrative of 'national degeneration'. A typical story in the Evening Standard, headlined in capital letters "WHITE GIRLS 'HYPNOTISED' BY YELLOW MEN", recounted what it called the "alarming facts" of London's Chinatown, warning in lurid detail of "the degradation of young white girls" at the hands of Chinese men: "Englishwomen are selling themselves to Chinamen; they are seeking out Asiatics in the streets where before the war no white women walked. The evil is baffling to the police and social workers. Women who have been 'rescued' and given a fresh start have relapsed and returned to their foreign masters, and have sunk even lower than before. The unmarried mother with a half-caste child is only one of the several problems arising. And obviously this cheapening of the white women among men who go down to the sea in ships must have reactions in the East and in every part of the world where colored and white races dwell side by side".

    (That's from his Wikipedia article, I was looking into how the values of the Daily Mail newspapers have changed over the years since 1896 Or not.)

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AgffJhyzaH4
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 87,712

    Sign of the times? Sainsbury's had neither petrol nor diesel in Dartmouth today.

    Prices switched off.

    Same for one of then up here in W Yorks (another was open).

    The tell will be how soon they reopen.

    First wave of panic buying emptying one of the cheaper options in town isn't a massive surprise, but if they're not quickly back up, then...
  • LeonLeon Posts: 67,443

    Sign of the times? Sainsbury's had neither petrol nor diesel in Dartmouth today.

    Prices switched off.

    River Dart, o River Dart, once a year you break a heart
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 62,037

    I'd quite like to fly a cargo plane full of rubber dog shit out of Hong Kong.

    Obvious reference - https://youtu.be/vPB2g1y2VFk?si=aEplPw2v5dRMGQmy
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 78,372
    Nigelb said:

    Sign of the times? Sainsbury's had neither petrol nor diesel in Dartmouth today.

    Prices switched off.

    Same for one of then up here in W Yorks (another was open).

    The tell will be how soon they reopen.

    First wave of panic buying emptying one of the cheaper options in town isn't a massive surprise, but if they're not quickly back up, then...
    The Sainsbury's in both Cheltenham and Gloucester had run out on Friday because they were 6p a litre cheaper than anywone else.

    Every other filling station still had fuel.
  • isamisam Posts: 43,918
    Taz said:

    CatMan said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Here's wishing the Artemis II mission well.

    (FWIW, the ChiComs are competing with us, and doing the things that lead me to conclude they plan to build a base on the moon.)

    Things like officially announcing it ?

    China plans to build moon base at the lunar south pole by 2035
    https://www.space.com/china-moon-base-south-pole-2035

    I wish Artemis well too, but I doubt it will ever land astronauts on the moon.
    Wouldn't it be great if they found a flying pig round the dark side of the moon
    It's the far side, not the dark side. (Yes I know about Pink Floyd!)
    Hence the pig reference too.
    Haha charade you are
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 78,372

    Barnesian said:

    eek said:


    🚨 JUST IN — IT’S OFFICIAL: Palm Beach International Airport is now Donald J. Trump International Airport, following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature on HB919

    The name change goes into effect on July 1st.

    As well as the greed and vindictiveness, I think Trump has two main drivers:
    Short term it is being in the limelight. Dominating the news. In this he is very successful.
    Longer term it is his legacy. The naming, the portraits, the buildings etc.
    In this he is not going to be so successful. He will have a legacy but not the one he craves.
    Everyone of these name changes will be reversed once he's gone.

    I doubt his presidential library will even ever be built.
    I hope it is, because it would be good to see from the documentation just how mad he was and how many changes are needed in the US to forestall somebody like him getting back to power.

    He's bad enough. Imagine if it was somebody intelligent, energetic and with a modicum of focus rather than a dementia addled pervert with a social media addiction. If Stephen Miller were the head honcho rather than having to work round Trump's inanities, say.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 55,839

    Barnesian said:

    eek said:


    🚨 JUST IN — IT’S OFFICIAL: Palm Beach International Airport is now Donald J. Trump International Airport, following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature on HB919

    The name change goes into effect on July 1st.

    As well as the greed and vindictiveness, I think Trump has two main drivers:
    Short term it is being in the limelight. Dominating the news. In this he is very successful.
    Longer term it is his legacy. The naming, the portraits, the buildings etc.
    In this he is not going to be so successful. He will have a legacy but not the one he craves.
    Everyone of these name changes will be reversed once he's gone.

    I doubt his presidential library will even ever be built.
    Surely the Donald Trump library would be compact and bijoux?
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 23,003

    isam said:

    Been a bit windy recently, but if they say so…

    The gangs have been smashed. It’s over

    Reform have stopped making noise about the small boat crossing..why? Because Labour have smashed the gangs.

    Illegal Channel crossings have collapsed. See for yourself.

    Promise made. Promise delivered. Labour is securing our borders.


    https://x.com/ashfordlabour/status/2038919231920558237?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    More than 2,600 in the four weeks prior to last week.
    You’d think that by now the episodic nature of the crossing would have impinged.

    I am interested - is this the level of information that the top of government receives?

    Yes, this is propaganda. But given the ignorance of basics in politics, I wonder.
    Wind in channel, migrants stuck in France.

    I'm these times of fake news a politician might see it as an advantage not to know the truth.

    I'm sure they'll post all over social media that the gangs have been smashed on every windy week until the election.
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 2,808
    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.
    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
  • TazTaz Posts: 26,417
    isam said:

    Taz said:

    CatMan said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Here's wishing the Artemis II mission well.

    (FWIW, the ChiComs are competing with us, and doing the things that lead me to conclude they plan to build a base on the moon.)

    Things like officially announcing it ?

    China plans to build moon base at the lunar south pole by 2035
    https://www.space.com/china-moon-base-south-pole-2035

    I wish Artemis well too, but I doubt it will ever land astronauts on the moon.
    Wouldn't it be great if they found a flying pig round the dark side of the moon
    It's the far side, not the dark side. (Yes I know about Pink Floyd!)
    Hence the pig reference too.
    Haha charade you are
    Give us a clue ?
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 65,907

    Sign of the times? Sainsbury's had neither petrol nor diesel in Dartmouth today.

    Prices switched off.

    That will be a sign of unusual buying habits, in other words demand not supply.
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 1,807
    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    Sign of the times? Sainsbury's had neither petrol nor diesel in Dartmouth today.

    Prices switched off.

    Same for one of then up here in W Yorks (another was open).

    The tell will be how soon they reopen.

    First wave of panic buying emptying one of the cheaper options in town isn't a massive surprise, but if they're not quickly back up, then...
    The Sainsbury's in both Cheltenham and Gloucester had run out on Friday because they were 6p a litre cheaper than anywone else.

    Every other filling station still had fuel.
    This is more down to cheap fuel funding apps than any shortage.

    It becomes a self inflicted disaster. Unnecessary journeys to save a few quid, people see false queues and panic sets in.

    May be wise to block these apps and everyone goes to their usual outlet.
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 601
    PaulM said:

    The idea that 42% of Scots would prefer a Reform first minister to a Labour one is startling in a centre left country where at the last election Reform and the Tories combined were below 20%.

    Can only assume there must be a huge amount of anyone but Labour bad blood in the SNP voting base. But still....

    Yes, but remember quite a number of Reform votes will come from the centre left, and working class voters who are not enthused with the choice put in front of them. I think Reform will do ok in seats with ex mining towns, for example.

    Reform are definitely on the slide, however it may come too late for Sarwar to give him a serious tilt at becoming FM. John Swinney's not so secret weapon just now is to talk up Reform chances of doing a deal woth Labour, to boost his own vote

    Turnout will be down at this election, possibly quite a bit, so there is a plague on all your houses effect. Some similarities with the 2001 GE when we already knew who the winner would be, mind you we are still needing a Prescott style punch up to liven up this campaign
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 8,609
    Brixian59 said:

    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    Sign of the times? Sainsbury's had neither petrol nor diesel in Dartmouth today.

    Prices switched off.

    Same for one of then up here in W Yorks (another was open).

    The tell will be how soon they reopen.

    First wave of panic buying emptying one of the cheaper options in town isn't a massive surprise, but if they're not quickly back up, then...
    The Sainsbury's in both Cheltenham and Gloucester had run out on Friday because they were 6p a litre cheaper than anywone else.

    Every other filling station still had fuel.
    This is more down to cheap fuel funding apps than any shortage.

    It becomes a self inflicted disaster. Unnecessary journeys to save a few quid, people see false queues and panic sets in.

    May be wise to block these apps and everyone goes to their usual outlet.
    Your friends in Labour enabled this:

    https://www.facebook.com/labourparty/posts/the-governments-fuel-finder-is-now-making-sure-that-uk-petrol-stations-report-th/1506063714224971/

    It's a good thing, by the way.
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 1,807
    ydoethur said:

    Leon said:

    Nigelb said:

    Leon said:

    kinabalu said:

    eek said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @TerryMoran

    Trump at war:

    1. Start war. Do not tell allies.

    2. Blow stuff up.

    3. Demand regime change.

    4. Blow up more stuff.

    5. Demand unconditional surrender.

    6. Get angry when enemy fights back.

    7. Make threats.

    8. Back down. Repeat.

    9. Demand allies finish war.

    10. Walk away.

    https://x.com/TerryMoran/status/2038955268491321740?s=20

    No Global Superpower has ever lost this hard, this fast.

    Terry did an interview with Trump - this comment immediately below that covers a question regarding what Trump is like

    Sure. He seemed to me to be a guy who has two ways of dealing with people. Charm or fury. You get the charm if you kiss his a** or he needs something from you. And you get the fury if you don't kiss his a*** and challenge him.

    The key thing is that in the second case, he wants a fight on his terms. He wants you to take him on at his level of rage and insults and hollering. His tactic is to to tear you apart verbally, wound you, so that your blood boils and you try to fight back on his level, get down in the muck with him.

    But what if you're respectful--while still challenging him? What if you treat him in a calm, polite way, while standing up to him? He has no idea what to do with that. He's counting on his opponents to fight on his level.

    Think of Mark Carney. Trump hates that guy. Because Carney pushes back--hard. Stands up for himself and his country--very, very calmly. Still very tough. And Trump cannot deal with that.

    My goal in that interview was not to fight with him, but to confront him respectfully and forcefully with legitimate questions I thought people would want answered. I could tell it flummoxed him. At one point, Trump threatened to cut off the interview. I gave him no reason to do so. I simply told him we were going to finish. He sagged back in his chair. You can see it in the video; go look.

    At he end of the interview, Trump stormed out. ABC had arranged for a walk through the Rose Garden Concrete Patio. "NOT AFTER THAT INTERVIEW!" he barked. Stormed out. Susie Wiles and a Disney VP who was there had to beg him to come back--because ABC had booked an hour of prime time, and we were short. That's when he sat at the Resolute Desk and babbled about the Declaration of Independence. He wouldn't look at me. Still rattled.

    In the middle of the interview, as he got angrier and angrier at me, I remember looking into his eyes--narrowed and flashing with his emotion, a little bloodshot from all the makeup--and I thought, he's mean. But he's not tough.

    I think that's what we are seeing in this war.

    https://x.com/TerryMoran/status/2038983208855859577?s=20
    The other thing Trump can't remotely handle is being laughed at. Bursting his pompous bubble is very effective.

    He must be hating the trolling coming out of Tehran.
    It is but I hope he isn't trolled out of TACO. Him *not* doing things is always the better outcome. That's a good general rule.
    i really hope he hurries up and TACOs, coz this is getting messy and is going to ruin my plans


    "Excl: German airport hub Frankfurt, along with Delhi, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Manila, Melbourne airports are now ‘high risk’ for jet fuel shortage in April 🚨 - set to declare a jet fuel supply emergency to airlines in April, as US-Israel war on Iran continues."

    https://x.com/AlexInAir/status/2038984052921741571?s=20

    This could basically end air travel worldwide, very soon, because fuel will be so expensive tickets will triple in price, which no one can afford. So the planes don't fly

    The second third and fourth order effects of this STUPID war get progressively worse and wilder, once you think them through. Truly Armageddony shit is possible
    Trump seems quite likely to TACO now (and will say the US has won and it's our problem).
    But it's still going to take weeks for (checks notes) China and Pakistan to sort out..

    What's your timeframe ?
    I've got trips to Japan and China in the summer. Nice, lovely trips. Sigh. Also Rwanda at some point. eeek
    Rwanda's a safe country. There's a law that says so.
    Yeah tell them your from the UK

    There is a £400m luxury hotel that the UK Government funded. They even arranged 3 flights and will give you 10k for the pleasure.

    Oh hang on

    Offer Closed July 2024

    Tory Free Holidays (Rwanda) Ltd bankrupted the Country

  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 7,766
    Brixian59 said:

    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    Sign of the times? Sainsbury's had neither petrol nor diesel in Dartmouth today.

    Prices switched off.

    Same for one of then up here in W Yorks (another was open).

    The tell will be how soon they reopen.

    First wave of panic buying emptying one of the cheaper options in town isn't a massive surprise, but if they're not quickly back up, then...
    The Sainsbury's in both Cheltenham and Gloucester had run out on Friday because they were 6p a litre cheaper than anywone else.

    Every other filling station still had fuel.
    This is more down to cheap fuel funding apps than any shortage.

    It becomes a self inflicted disaster. Unnecessary journeys to save a few quid, people see false queues and panic sets in.

    May be wise to block these apps and everyone goes to their usual outlet.
    It’s the government’s only “solution”
  • TazTaz Posts: 26,417
    This Kristi Noem husband story is quite something

    https://x.com/nypost/status/2039006843763044817?s=61
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 1,807
    carnforth said:

    Brixian59 said:

    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    Sign of the times? Sainsbury's had neither petrol nor diesel in Dartmouth today.

    Prices switched off.

    Same for one of then up here in W Yorks (another was open).

    The tell will be how soon they reopen.

    First wave of panic buying emptying one of the cheaper options in town isn't a massive surprise, but if they're not quickly back up, then...
    The Sainsbury's in both Cheltenham and Gloucester had run out on Friday because they were 6p a litre cheaper than anywone else.

    Every other filling station still had fuel.
    This is more down to cheap fuel funding apps than any shortage.

    It becomes a self inflicted disaster. Unnecessary journeys to save a few quid, people see false queues and panic sets in.

    May be wise to block these apps and everyone goes to their usual outlet.
    Your friends in Labour enabled this:

    https://www.facebook.com/labourparty/posts/the-governments-fuel-finder-is-now-making-sure-that-uk-petrol-stations-report-th/1506063714224971/

    It's a good thing, by the way.
    In normal times yes.

    When greedy cnuts take leave of their senses

    Turn it off

    BTW I'm not a Tribal Tory tosser, when I disagree with Labour I will say so


  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,969
    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Apple up nearly 3% despite Iran threatening it and other tech companies.

    Markets are mad.

    Even if Trump TACOs and walks on Friday leaving Straits unsolved the world economy will be battered.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 34,564
    kinabalu said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Karl Turner has Labour whip suspended after criticism of Starmer and No 10"

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/31/karl-turner-labour-whip-suspended

    Turner projects as a 'character'. You're meant to hear him and think "terrific, we need more like this in public life". And I imagine some people do think that when they hear him.
    He was an assiduously loyal Labour MP until Starmer enshittified your party.

    You can sharpen your claws all you like, but basically, Turner has the balls to call out the authoritarian gaslighting bucket of affronted lard your party has put in charge of the country, and you don't.
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 1,807
    edited 5:22PM

    Sign of the times? Sainsbury's had neither petrol nor diesel in Dartmouth today.

    Prices switched off.

    That will be a sign of unusual buying habits, in other words demand not supply.
    Plenty in Brixham

    Come on over

    Oh hang on £15 ferry return doh!!

    The predicted Grockle influx

    Filling up to drive round Monday
    Full up to go home Friday
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 62,037

    isam said:

    Been a bit windy recently, but if they say so…

    The gangs have been smashed. It’s over

    Reform have stopped making noise about the small boat crossing..why? Because Labour have smashed the gangs.

    Illegal Channel crossings have collapsed. See for yourself.

    Promise made. Promise delivered. Labour is securing our borders.


    https://x.com/ashfordlabour/status/2038919231920558237?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    More than 2,600 in the four weeks prior to last week.
    You’d think that by now the episodic nature of the crossing would have impinged.

    I am interested - is this the level of information that the top of government receives?

    Yes, this is propaganda. But given the ignorance of basics in politics, I wonder.
    Wind in channel, migrants stuck in France.

    I'm these times of fake news a politician might see it as an advantage not to know the truth.

    I'm sure they'll post all over social media that the gangs have been smashed on every windy week until the election.
    The problem it’s all reactive.

    The new news is an update on the care home visa fraud. This was where care homes were found to be selling visas for bum wiping jobs that don’t exist.

    The latest version is that you sell visas for fake jobs that pay enough to get round the wage criteria.

    So Malmesbury Technologies recruits lots of programmers at £100k. “Recruitment costs” = a payment of 5 figures from each applicant.

    When investigated it turns out that Malmesbury Technolgies is a PO Box. The owners are stolen identities. The investigation goes nowhere.
  • TazTaz Posts: 26,417

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Apple up nearly 3% despite Iran threatening it and other tech companies.

    Markets are mad.

    Even if Trump TACOs and walks on Friday leaving Straits unsolved the world economy will be battered.
    Markets replying to this

    ‘ BREAKING: Iran's President Pezeshkian says Iran is ready to end the war with the US but wants guarantees.

    US stocks are surging on the news.


    https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2039021177385975981?s=61
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 62,037
    Taz said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Apple up nearly 3% despite Iran threatening it and other tech companies.

    Markets are mad.

    Even if Trump TACOs and walks on Friday leaving Straits unsolved the world economy will be battered.
    Markets replying to this

    ‘ BREAKING: Iran's President Pezeshkian says Iran is ready to end the war with the US but wants guarantees.

    US stocks are surging on the news.


    https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2039021177385975981?s=61
    If the earlier reports are accurate, the IRGC think they are running things, not Pezeshkian.
  • ScarpiaScarpia Posts: 99

    Barnesian said:

    eek said:


    🚨 JUST IN — IT’S OFFICIAL: Palm Beach International Airport is now Donald J. Trump International Airport, following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature on HB919

    The name change goes into effect on July 1st.

    As well as the greed and vindictiveness, I think Trump has two main drivers:
    Short term it is being in the limelight. Dominating the news. In this he is very successful.
    Longer term it is his legacy. The naming, the portraits, the buildings etc.
    In this he is not going to be so successful. He will have a legacy but not the one he craves.
    Everyone of these name changes will be reversed once he's gone.

    I doubt his presidential library will even ever be built.
    You don't need much space for two-and-a-half completed colouring-in books
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 17,041
    Farage is in my lovely Norfolk tonight at a rally not at all far from my old stomping grounds as a miniature Woolie. I havent gone to listen due to not wanting to. The Blues are not letting you have Norfolk, Nigel. We talked about it and i'm afraid it just doesn't work for us.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 78,372

    Taz said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Apple up nearly 3% despite Iran threatening it and other tech companies.

    Markets are mad.

    Even if Trump TACOs and walks on Friday leaving Straits unsolved the world economy will be battered.
    Markets replying to this

    ‘ BREAKING: Iran's President Pezeshkian says Iran is ready to end the war with the US but wants guarantees.

    US stocks are surging on the news.


    https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2039021177385975981?s=61
    If the earlier reports are accurate, the IRGC think they are running things, not Pezeshkian.
    Bizarrely, much the best outcome all around would be for Trump and Netanyahu to bail and the Iranian government to collapse into infighting that causes it to collapse.

    But I don't quite see that happening. The IRGC from the outside at least to be too firmly dug in now.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 87,712
    Taz said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Apple up nearly 3% despite Iran threatening it and other tech companies.

    Markets are mad.

    Even if Trump TACOs and walks on Friday leaving Straits unsolved the world economy will be battered.
    Markets replying to this

    ‘ BREAKING: Iran's President Pezeshkian says Iran is ready to end the war with the US but wants guarantees.

    US stocks are surging on the news.


    https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2039021177385975981?s=61
    Israel still going full steam ahead.
    Here dispossessing/ethnic cleansing over half a million people.

    March 31 (Reuters) - Israel will destroy all homes in Lebanese villages near the border and 600,000 people who fled the south will not be allowed home until northern Israel is secure, the defence minister said on ‌Tuesday, vowing to inflict Gaza-like destruction in the area.
    https://x.com/idreesali114/status/2038986884689371582
  • glwglw Posts: 10,867
    Barnesian said:

    eek said:


    🚨 JUST IN — IT’S OFFICIAL: Palm Beach International Airport is now Donald J. Trump International Airport, following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature on HB919

    The name change goes into effect on July 1st.

    As well as the greed and vindictiveness, I think Trump has two main drivers:
    Short term it is being in the limelight. Dominating the news. In this he is very successful.
    Longer term it is his legacy. The naming, the portraits, the buildings etc.
    In this he is not going to be so successful. He will have a legacy but not the one he craves.
    50 years from now:

    Why's nobody called Donald anymore?
  • TazTaz Posts: 26,417

    Taz said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Apple up nearly 3% despite Iran threatening it and other tech companies.

    Markets are mad.

    Even if Trump TACOs and walks on Friday leaving Straits unsolved the world economy will be battered.
    Markets replying to this

    ‘ BREAKING: Iran's President Pezeshkian says Iran is ready to end the war with the US but wants guarantees.

    US stocks are surging on the news.


    https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2039021177385975981?s=61
    If the earlier reports are accurate, the IRGC think they are running things, not Pezeshkian.
    Indeed but this does appear to be the reason the market has moved
  • TazTaz Posts: 26,417
    edited 5:42PM
    Nigelb said:

    Taz said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Apple up nearly 3% despite Iran threatening it and other tech companies.

    Markets are mad.

    Even if Trump TACOs and walks on Friday leaving Straits unsolved the world economy will be battered.
    Markets replying to this

    ‘ BREAKING: Iran's President Pezeshkian says Iran is ready to end the war with the US but wants guarantees.

    US stocks are surging on the news.


    https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2039021177385975981?s=61
    Israel still going full steam ahead.
    Here dispossessing/ethnic cleansing over half a million people.

    March 31 (Reuters) - Israel will destroy all homes in Lebanese villages near the border and 600,000 people who fled the south will not be allowed home until northern Israel is secure, the defence minister said on ‌Tuesday, vowing to inflict Gaza-like destruction in the area.
    https://x.com/idreesali114/status/2038986884689371582
    I posted about this possibly happening a few days ago after the far right cabinet Minister Smotrich spoke about them annexing
    Lebanon south of the Litani river.

    Greater Israel is on.

    They are happy to leave the idiot Trump to deal with the mess created, partly due to being egged on by them, in Iran.
  • MonkeysMonkeys Posts: 859
    Is everything market manipulation at this point
  • TazTaz Posts: 26,417
    Monkeys said:

    Is everything market manipulation at this point

    And the GOP had the cheek to criticise Pelosi.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 58,549
    Taz said:

    This Kristi Noem husband story is quite something

    https://x.com/nypost/status/2039006843763044817?s=61

    He was never the same after meeting Zack Polanski.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 65,907
    All our deployable military assets must essentially be in Cyprus right now:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vq76g45rvo
  • Clutch_BromptonClutch_Brompton Posts: 853
    OT - Interesting polling but exactly where are these clear Lab-Ref contests in Scotland? Similar polling on clear SNP-Ref contests might be rather more to the point
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 65,907
    PS. Wherever the deployable Trident sub "is" I bet it's making sure Iran is well within range.
  • MelonBMelonB Posts: 16,992
    ydoethur said:

    Taz said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Apple up nearly 3% despite Iran threatening it and other tech companies.

    Markets are mad.

    Even if Trump TACOs and walks on Friday leaving Straits unsolved the world economy will be battered.
    Markets replying to this

    ‘ BREAKING: Iran's President Pezeshkian says Iran is ready to end the war with the US but wants guarantees.

    US stocks are surging on the news.


    https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2039021177385975981?s=61
    If the earlier reports are accurate, the IRGC think they are running things, not Pezeshkian.
    Bizarrely, much the best outcome all around would be for Trump and Netanyahu to bail and the Iranian government to collapse into infighting that causes it to collapse.

    But I don't quite see that happening. The IRGC from the outside at least to be too firmly dug in now.
    Best best outcome is:

    - Trump and Netanyahu bail. US and Israeli administrations collapse into infighting and get trounced in elections
    - A few months later, long enough that Trump can’t claim any credit, Iranians stage an uprising and turf out the regime after being covertly armed by Ukraine, Denmark, the UK and Canada.
  • isamisam Posts: 43,918
    Taz said:

    isam said:

    Taz said:

    CatMan said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Here's wishing the Artemis II mission well.

    (FWIW, the ChiComs are competing with us, and doing the things that lead me to conclude they plan to build a base on the moon.)

    Things like officially announcing it ?

    China plans to build moon base at the lunar south pole by 2035
    https://www.space.com/china-moon-base-south-pole-2035

    I wish Artemis well too, but I doubt it will ever land astronauts on the moon.
    Wouldn't it be great if they found a flying pig round the dark side of the moon
    It's the far side, not the dark side. (Yes I know about Pink Floyd!)
    Hence the pig reference too.
    Haha charade you are
    Give us a clue ?
    It’s from the song ‘Pigs (Three Different Ones) by Pink Floyd. It was written about Mary Whitehouse and politicians from the seventies, but nowadays Roger Waters sings it about Donald Trump
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 601

    OT - Interesting polling but exactly where are these clear Lab-Ref contests in Scotland? Similar polling on clear SNP-Ref contests might be rather more to the point

    Could be wrong but I think the SNP are either 1st or 2nd in every seat, and if not, very close to it. Lab/Ref battles in Scotland will principally be for 2nd place

    It may be that Reforms rise in some seats overtakes a static or dropping Lab vote, many variables and unknowns at this stage. I'm expecting rural NE Scotland to be the clearest ground for an SNP/Ref contest. I'll hopefully write something on it in the coming days
  • TazTaz Posts: 26,417
    isam said:

    Taz said:

    isam said:

    Taz said:

    CatMan said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Here's wishing the Artemis II mission well.

    (FWIW, the ChiComs are competing with us, and doing the things that lead me to conclude they plan to build a base on the moon.)

    Things like officially announcing it ?

    China plans to build moon base at the lunar south pole by 2035
    https://www.space.com/china-moon-base-south-pole-2035

    I wish Artemis well too, but I doubt it will ever land astronauts on the moon.
    Wouldn't it be great if they found a flying pig round the dark side of the moon
    It's the far side, not the dark side. (Yes I know about Pink Floyd!)
    Hence the pig reference too.
    Haha charade you are
    Give us a clue ?
    It’s from the song ‘Pigs (Three Different Ones) by Pink Floyd. It was written about Mary Whitehouse and politicians from the seventies, but nowadays Roger Waters sings it about Donald Trump
    Yup, mine was an oblique reference to the charades quiz show from the same time 😉

    Dogs is my favourite track on Animals. The guitar work around 3 and a half minutes in is just ace.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 62,037
    edited 5:56PM

    PS. Wherever the deployable Trident sub "is" I bet it's making sure Iran is well within range.

    U.K. trident was downloaded to single warheads at the end of the Cold War. They still have MIRV as an option.

    They had an enhanced FUFO implemented, with a lower bound of 0.3Kt - at which point you have a tactical ERW.

    It depends how you run the numbers, but a Trident II carrying one warhead could probably reach all the way round the world. As in hit anywhere that isn’t inside minimum range.

    You could definitely hit Iran from anywhere on the U.K. coast.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 17,041
    https://x.com/i/status/2039028850261164444

    Thomas Cook ad with that energy gameshow bloke in a puffer jacket
  • stodgestodge Posts: 16,384
    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Pezeshkian claimed all this a fortnight or more ago not long after Khamanei had been killed at the start of the conflict.

    It soon became clear he had little or no power in Iran and the IRGC ignored him completely.

    Yet it seems people are so desperate for even a hint of optimism they will buy on any silly rumour and the sheep all follow as no one wants to be behind the rumour curve.

    Likewise the China-Pakistan initiative which is platitudinous nonsense. The Chinese get 50% or more of their oil from the Gulf so are particularly vulnerable to a prolonged closure of Hormuz.
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 27,080
    carnforth said:

    Brixian59 said:

    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    Sign of the times? Sainsbury's had neither petrol nor diesel in Dartmouth today.

    Prices switched off.

    Same for one of then up here in W Yorks (another was open).

    The tell will be how soon they reopen.

    First wave of panic buying emptying one of the cheaper options in town isn't a massive surprise, but if they're not quickly back up, then...
    The Sainsbury's in both Cheltenham and Gloucester had run out on Friday because they were 6p a litre cheaper than anywone else.

    Every other filling station still had fuel.
    This is more down to cheap fuel funding apps than any shortage.

    It becomes a self inflicted disaster. Unnecessary journeys to save a few quid, people see false queues and panic sets in.

    May be wise to block these apps and everyone goes to their usual outlet.
    Your friends in Labour enabled this:

    https://www.facebook.com/labourparty/posts/the-governments-fuel-finder-is-now-making-sure-that-uk-petrol-stations-report-th/1506063714224971/

    It's a good thing, by the way.
    One of the amazing things about this Labour government is on the (rare/not enough) occasions they do something good, like this, they don't really bother to tell anyone or claim credit.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 87,712

    All our deployable military assets must essentially be in Cyprus right now:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vq76g45rvo

    There's some in Kuwait.
    But close.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,758
    stodge said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Pezeshkian claimed all this a fortnight or more ago not long after Khamanei had been killed at the start of the conflict.

    It soon became clear he had little or no power in Iran and the IRGC ignored him completely.

    Yet it seems people are so desperate for even a hint of optimism they will buy on any silly rumour and the sheep all follow as no one wants to be behind the rumour curve.

    Likewise the China-Pakistan initiative which is platitudinous nonsense. The Chinese get 50% or more of their oil from the Gulf so are particularly vulnerable to a prolonged closure of Hormuz.
    Chinese tankers have been allowed to pass.
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 27,690
    Lots of Spurs fans deleting tweets right now…

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c0mjrnr4ld3o

    Opposition is growing among official Tottenham fans' groups to Roberto de Zerbi being named manager because of his controversial support of Mason Greenwood.
    The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust held an emergency board meeting on Monday night and has now contacted the club to say it cannot support the appointment.
  • stodgestodge Posts: 16,384

    stodge said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Pezeshkian claimed all this a fortnight or more ago not long after Khamanei had been killed at the start of the conflict.

    It soon became clear he had little or no power in Iran and the IRGC ignored him completely.

    Yet it seems people are so desperate for even a hint of optimism they will buy on any silly rumour and the sheep all follow as no one wants to be behind the rumour curve.

    Likewise the China-Pakistan initiative which is platitudinous nonsense. The Chinese get 50% or more of their oil from the Gulf so are particularly vulnerable to a prolonged closure of Hormuz.
    Chinese tankers have been allowed to pass.
    Are we then saying Hormuz is closed only to ships going to countries Iran doesn't like and everyone else is getting free passage?

    Are the Chinese ships paying a toll to Tehran?
  • MattWMattW Posts: 32,806
    edited 6:08PM
    A fortnight ago a dozen drones were observed flying over Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

    That is where a wing of B52s lives.

    https://abcnews.com/International/multiple-waves-unauthorized-drones-spotted-strategic-us-air/story?id=131245527
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 22,444
    Brixian59 said:

    carnforth said:

    Brixian59 said:

    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    Sign of the times? Sainsbury's had neither petrol nor diesel in Dartmouth today.

    Prices switched off.

    Same for one of then up here in W Yorks (another was open).

    The tell will be how soon they reopen.

    First wave of panic buying emptying one of the cheaper options in town isn't a massive surprise, but if they're not quickly back up, then...
    The Sainsbury's in both Cheltenham and Gloucester had run out on Friday because they were 6p a litre cheaper than anywone else.

    Every other filling station still had fuel.
    This is more down to cheap fuel funding apps than any shortage.

    It becomes a self inflicted disaster. Unnecessary journeys to save a few quid, people see false queues and panic sets in.

    May be wise to block these apps and everyone goes to their usual outlet.
    Your friends in Labour enabled this:

    https://www.facebook.com/labourparty/posts/the-governments-fuel-finder-is-now-making-sure-that-uk-petrol-stations-report-th/1506063714224971/

    It's a good thing, by the way.
    In normal times yes.

    When greedy cnuts take leave of their senses

    Turn it off

    BTW I'm not a Tribal Tory tosser, when I disagree with Labour I will say so


    Just lucky so far that you have never disagreed with labour so far then!
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 23,003

    All our deployable military assets must essentially be in Cyprus right now:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vq76g45rvo

    How many air defence systems are left in Britain?
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,758
    stodge said:

    stodge said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Pezeshkian claimed all this a fortnight or more ago not long after Khamanei had been killed at the start of the conflict.

    It soon became clear he had little or no power in Iran and the IRGC ignored him completely.

    Yet it seems people are so desperate for even a hint of optimism they will buy on any silly rumour and the sheep all follow as no one wants to be behind the rumour curve.

    Likewise the China-Pakistan initiative which is platitudinous nonsense. The Chinese get 50% or more of their oil from the Gulf so are particularly vulnerable to a prolonged closure of Hormuz.
    Chinese tankers have been allowed to pass.
    Are we then saying Hormuz is closed only to ships going to countries Iran doesn't like and everyone else is getting free passage?

    Are the Chinese ships paying a toll to Tehran?
    https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-container-ships-pass-through-strait-hormuz-second-attempt-data-shows-2026-03-30/
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 65,907

    All our deployable military assets must essentially be in Cyprus right now:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vq76g45rvo

    How many air defence systems are left in Britain?
    Enough, probably.

    But it's logical to fortress Cyprus. It's the outer bulwark of our defences.
  • stodgestodge Posts: 16,384

    stodge said:

    stodge said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Pezeshkian claimed all this a fortnight or more ago not long after Khamanei had been killed at the start of the conflict.

    It soon became clear he had little or no power in Iran and the IRGC ignored him completely.

    Yet it seems people are so desperate for even a hint of optimism they will buy on any silly rumour and the sheep all follow as no one wants to be behind the rumour curve.

    Likewise the China-Pakistan initiative which is platitudinous nonsense. The Chinese get 50% or more of their oil from the Gulf so are particularly vulnerable to a prolonged closure of Hormuz.
    Chinese tankers have been allowed to pass.
    Are we then saying Hormuz is closed only to ships going to countries Iran doesn't like and everyone else is getting free passage?

    Are the Chinese ships paying a toll to Tehran?
    https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-container-ships-pass-through-strait-hormuz-second-attempt-data-shows-2026-03-30/
    The reports I'm seeing suggest three ships transited the Straits of Hormuz today out of a normal one hundred and forty.

    On the wider politics, the schism between the Trump Administration and Europe seems to be widening. The usual undiplomatic verbosity from the White House notwithstanding, there seems a lack of coherent thinking in the administration over how this ends.

    Could Europe approach Iran directly with a proposal or proposals?

    Yet who in Iran would want to deal with Europe or indeed anyone else when they seem, to use the vernacular "to hold all the cards" in respect of Hormuz and to have paralysed American thinking.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 78,372
    stodge said:

    stodge said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Pezeshkian claimed all this a fortnight or more ago not long after Khamanei had been killed at the start of the conflict.

    It soon became clear he had little or no power in Iran and the IRGC ignored him completely.

    Yet it seems people are so desperate for even a hint of optimism they will buy on any silly rumour and the sheep all follow as no one wants to be behind the rumour curve.

    Likewise the China-Pakistan initiative which is platitudinous nonsense. The Chinese get 50% or more of their oil from the Gulf so are particularly vulnerable to a prolonged closure of Hormuz.
    Chinese tankers have been allowed to pass.
    Are we then saying Hormuz is closed only to ships going to countries Iran doesn't like and everyone else is getting free passage?

    Are the Chinese ships paying a toll to Tehran?
    Yes.

    And possibly, but it's probably mostly Iranian oil anyway.

    China would not enjoy a prolonged shutdown, but there is another consideration. They have around 300 days of reserves they can draw on so the situation isn't critical for them.

    Taiwan has three months of oil reserves. After that, it is fucked. It only has gas for 11 days - which is even more alarming given that's how it generates much of its electricity.

    China may actually see mileage in keeping the straits closed...it's already offered to give Taiwan oil and gas in exchange for reunification.

    https://bisi.org.uk/reports/china-energy-diplomacy-toward-taiwan-its-strategic-advantage-amid-renewed-energy-instability
  • isamisam Posts: 43,918
    Taz said:

    isam said:

    Taz said:

    isam said:

    Taz said:

    CatMan said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Here's wishing the Artemis II mission well.

    (FWIW, the ChiComs are competing with us, and doing the things that lead me to conclude they plan to build a base on the moon.)

    Things like officially announcing it ?

    China plans to build moon base at the lunar south pole by 2035
    https://www.space.com/china-moon-base-south-pole-2035

    I wish Artemis well too, but I doubt it will ever land astronauts on the moon.
    Wouldn't it be great if they found a flying pig round the dark side of the moon
    It's the far side, not the dark side. (Yes I know about Pink Floyd!)
    Hence the pig reference too.
    Haha charade you are
    Give us a clue ?
    It’s from the song ‘Pigs (Three Different Ones) by Pink Floyd. It was written about Mary Whitehouse and politicians from the seventies, but nowadays Roger Waters sings it about Donald Trump
    Yup, mine was an oblique reference to the charades quiz show from the same time 😉

    Dogs is my favourite track on Animals. The guitar work around 3 and a half minutes in is just ace.
    Oh of course! 🙈

    Pigs is my favourite
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 62,037
    stodge said:

    stodge said:

    stodge said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Pezeshkian claimed all this a fortnight or more ago not long after Khamanei had been killed at the start of the conflict.

    It soon became clear he had little or no power in Iran and the IRGC ignored him completely.

    Yet it seems people are so desperate for even a hint of optimism they will buy on any silly rumour and the sheep all follow as no one wants to be behind the rumour curve.

    Likewise the China-Pakistan initiative which is platitudinous nonsense. The Chinese get 50% or more of their oil from the Gulf so are particularly vulnerable to a prolonged closure of Hormuz.
    Chinese tankers have been allowed to pass.
    Are we then saying Hormuz is closed only to ships going to countries Iran doesn't like and everyone else is getting free passage?

    Are the Chinese ships paying a toll to Tehran?
    https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-container-ships-pass-through-strait-hormuz-second-attempt-data-shows-2026-03-30/
    The reports I'm seeing suggest three ships transited the Straits of Hormuz today out of a normal one hundred and forty.

    On the wider politics, the schism between the Trump Administration and Europe seems to be widening. The usual undiplomatic verbosity from the White House notwithstanding, there seems a lack of coherent thinking in the administration over how this ends.

    Could Europe approach Iran directly with a proposal or proposals?

    Yet who in Iran would want to deal with Europe or indeed anyone else when they seem, to use the vernacular "to hold all the cards" in respect of Hormuz and to have paralysed American thinking.
    What could Iran get from Europe?

    Imagine you are an Iranian negotiator - what would you want that Europe has?
  • carnforth said:

    Brixian59 said:

    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    Sign of the times? Sainsbury's had neither petrol nor diesel in Dartmouth today.

    Prices switched off.

    Same for one of then up here in W Yorks (another was open).

    The tell will be how soon they reopen.

    First wave of panic buying emptying one of the cheaper options in town isn't a massive surprise, but if they're not quickly back up, then...
    The Sainsbury's in both Cheltenham and Gloucester had run out on Friday because they were 6p a litre cheaper than anywone else.

    Every other filling station still had fuel.
    This is more down to cheap fuel funding apps than any shortage.

    It becomes a self inflicted disaster. Unnecessary journeys to save a few quid, people see false queues and panic sets in.

    May be wise to block these apps and everyone goes to their usual outlet.
    Your friends in Labour enabled this:

    https://www.facebook.com/labourparty/posts/the-governments-fuel-finder-is-now-making-sure-that-uk-petrol-stations-report-th/1506063714224971/

    It's a good thing, by the way.
    One of the amazing things about this Labour government is on the (rare/not enough) occasions they do something good, like this, they don't really bother to tell anyone or claim credit.
    That's because they are very, very bad at politics.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 63,739
    Brixian59 said:

    Spurs hire De Zerbi

    How times change.

    When Brighton and Brentford are considered trendsetters and forefront of data driven analysis and a colossus like Tottenham (not) are left feeding off their scraps.

    If all the Clubs is Endland, what Brentford have achieved is frankly incredible and yet still massively under rated.
    Mathew Benham (Brentford) and Tony Bloom (Brighton) are two of the most successful sports bettors in the world. Is it any surprise that they are at the forefront of using data?
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 23,003
    stodge said:

    stodge said:

    stodge said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Pezeshkian claimed all this a fortnight or more ago not long after Khamanei had been killed at the start of the conflict.

    It soon became clear he had little or no power in Iran and the IRGC ignored him completely.

    Yet it seems people are so desperate for even a hint of optimism they will buy on any silly rumour and the sheep all follow as no one wants to be behind the rumour curve.

    Likewise the China-Pakistan initiative which is platitudinous nonsense. The Chinese get 50% or more of their oil from the Gulf so are particularly vulnerable to a prolonged closure of Hormuz.
    Chinese tankers have been allowed to pass.
    Are we then saying Hormuz is closed only to ships going to countries Iran doesn't like and everyone else is getting free passage?

    Are the Chinese ships paying a toll to Tehran?
    https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-container-ships-pass-through-strait-hormuz-second-attempt-data-shows-2026-03-30/
    The reports I'm seeing suggest three ships transited the Straits of Hormuz today out of a normal one hundred and forty.

    On the wider politics, the schism between the Trump Administration and Europe seems to be widening. The usual undiplomatic verbosity from the White House notwithstanding, there seems a lack of coherent thinking in the administration over how this ends.

    Could Europe approach Iran directly with a proposal or proposals?

    Yet who in Iran would want to deal with Europe or indeed anyone else when they seem, to use the vernacular "to hold all the cards" in respect of Hormuz and to have paralysed American thinking.
    The main thing the Iranians seem to want is for the US to withdraw its troops from bases in the region. So a separate deal with Europe doesn't really get them what they want, and it reduces the pressure on the US to make a deal to end the conflict.

    The consequence of the schism between Europe and the US seems most likely to find its expression over Russia and Ukraine. The possibility is growing that the US will come to terms with Russia and fully lift sanctions imposed after the Ukraine invasion.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,969
    John Bolton: "I don't think any negotiations that are passing messages through intermediaries is close to a solution"

  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 58,549
    https://x.com/ralakbar/status/2039031830276370653

    NEW!! U.S. confirms Belarus accession to Board of Peace charter
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,758
    stodge said:

    stodge said:

    stodge said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Pezeshkian claimed all this a fortnight or more ago not long after Khamanei had been killed at the start of the conflict.

    It soon became clear he had little or no power in Iran and the IRGC ignored him completely.

    Yet it seems people are so desperate for even a hint of optimism they will buy on any silly rumour and the sheep all follow as no one wants to be behind the rumour curve.

    Likewise the China-Pakistan initiative which is platitudinous nonsense. The Chinese get 50% or more of their oil from the Gulf so are particularly vulnerable to a prolonged closure of Hormuz.
    Chinese tankers have been allowed to pass.
    Are we then saying Hormuz is closed only to ships going to countries Iran doesn't like and everyone else is getting free passage?

    Are the Chinese ships paying a toll to Tehran?
    https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-container-ships-pass-through-strait-hormuz-second-attempt-data-shows-2026-03-30/
    The reports I'm seeing suggest three ships transited the Straits of Hormuz today out of a normal one hundred and forty.
    According to that Reuters report:

    * Three Chinese ships passed through Strait of Hormuz, China says
    * First non-Iranian container ships to leave Gulf since war began, Kpler says
    * Greek-operated tanker with Saudi crude for India also departed
    * Two Indian-flagged LPG tankers crossed strait ​on Saturday
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 55,839

    All our deployable military assets must essentially be in Cyprus right now:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vq76g45rvo

    How many air defence systems are left in Britain?
    Enough, probably.

    But it's logical to fortress Cyprus. It's the outer bulwark of our defences.
    Apart from a single Lebanese drone hit a month ago has there been any other threat to Cyprus?
  • GaussianGaussian Posts: 848

    https://x.com/ralakbar/status/2039031830276370653

    NEW!! U.S. confirms Belarus accession to Board of Peace charter

    Well qualified. Haven't allowed anyone to start an attack of another country from their territory for four years!
  • TazTaz Posts: 26,417

    John Bolton: "I don't think any negotiations that are passing messages through intermediaries is close to a solution"

    Bart will be pleased
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 65,907
    Foxy said:

    All our deployable military assets must essentially be in Cyprus right now:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vq76g45rvo

    How many air defence systems are left in Britain?
    Enough, probably.

    But it's logical to fortress Cyprus. It's the outer bulwark of our defences.
    Apart from a single Lebanese drone hit a month ago has there been any other threat to Cyprus?
    Yes.
  • eekeek Posts: 33,150

    https://x.com/ralakbar/status/2039031830276370653

    NEW!! U.S. confirms Belarus accession to Board of Peace charter

    Trump really is trolling the rest of the world
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,758

    Foxy said:

    All our deployable military assets must essentially be in Cyprus right now:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vq76g45rvo

    How many air defence systems are left in Britain?
    Enough, probably.

    But it's logical to fortress Cyprus. It's the outer bulwark of our defences.
    Apart from a single Lebanese drone hit a month ago has there been any other threat to Cyprus?
    Yes.
    Such as?
  • MattWMattW Posts: 32,806
    Ukraine the Latest: Leaked phone calls between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Hungarian Foreign Minister about Hungary manipulating the proceedings of the EU, this one including a section about removing a sister of Alisher Usmanov (used to own part of Arsenal) from the sanctions list.

    (Problems incoming: I don't know if the EU or NATO have ways to sanction a member.)

    https://youtu.be/ri-LbJpbl50?t=198

  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 4,592

    stodge said:

    stodge said:

    stodge said:

    Battlebus said:

    Seems it's all over according to the US. I get the feeling that the fog of war is particularly foggy this time round.

    Stocks surge to session highs on optimism that Iran may be ready to end war

    By Isabel Wang

    U.S. stocks were surging to their session highs in afternoon trading on Tuesday on optimism over an unconfirmed report said that Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian may be ready to end the war, but that guarantees are still wanted.
    Pezeshkian claimed all this a fortnight or more ago not long after Khamanei had been killed at the start of the conflict.

    It soon became clear he had little or no power in Iran and the IRGC ignored him completely.

    Yet it seems people are so desperate for even a hint of optimism they will buy on any silly rumour and the sheep all follow as no one wants to be behind the rumour curve.

    Likewise the China-Pakistan initiative which is platitudinous nonsense. The Chinese get 50% or more of their oil from the Gulf so are particularly vulnerable to a prolonged closure of Hormuz.
    Chinese tankers have been allowed to pass.
    Are we then saying Hormuz is closed only to ships going to countries Iran doesn't like and everyone else is getting free passage?

    Are the Chinese ships paying a toll to Tehran?
    https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-container-ships-pass-through-strait-hormuz-second-attempt-data-shows-2026-03-30/
    The reports I'm seeing suggest three ships transited the Straits of Hormuz today out of a normal one hundred and forty.

    On the wider politics, the schism between the Trump Administration and Europe seems to be widening. The usual undiplomatic verbosity from the White House notwithstanding, there seems a lack of coherent thinking in the administration over how this ends.

    Could Europe approach Iran directly with a proposal or proposals?

    Yet who in Iran would want to deal with Europe or indeed anyone else when they seem, to use the vernacular "to hold all the cards" in respect of Hormuz and to have paralysed American thinking.
    What could Iran get from Europe?

    Imagine you are an Iranian negotiator - what would you want that Europe has?
    It would be hilarious if it was nukes.
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 15,424
    Foxy said:

    All our deployable military assets must essentially be in Cyprus right now:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vq76g45rvo

    How many air defence systems are left in Britain?
    Enough, probably.

    But it's logical to fortress Cyprus. It's the outer bulwark of our defences.
    Apart from a single Lebanese drone hit a month ago has there been any other threat to Cyprus?
    Not since my stag night.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 23,003

    https://x.com/ralakbar/status/2039031830276370653

    NEW!! U.S. confirms Belarus accession to Board of Peace charter

    The US letting Belarus back in from the cold is a trial run for doing the same with Russia and there's basically been zero reaction from Europe.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,758
    Dura_Ace said:

    Foxy said:

    All our deployable military assets must essentially be in Cyprus right now:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vq76g45rvo

    How many air defence systems are left in Britain?
    Enough, probably.

    But it's logical to fortress Cyprus. It's the outer bulwark of our defences.
    Apart from a single Lebanese drone hit a month ago has there been any other threat to Cyprus?
    Not since my stag night.
    "We shall fight them on the beaches!"
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 58,549

    https://x.com/ralakbar/status/2039031830276370653

    NEW!! U.S. confirms Belarus accession to Board of Peace charter

    The US letting Belarus back in from the cold is a trial run for doing the same with Russia and there's basically been zero reaction from Europe.
    Kaja Kallas welcomed the deal that led to the release of 250 political prisoners.

    https://x.com/kajakallas/status/2034693979753652648
  • MattW said:

    A fortnight ago a dozen drones were observed flying over Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

    That is where a wing of B52s lives.

    https://abcnews.com/International/multiple-waves-unauthorized-drones-spotted-strategic-us-air/story?id=131245527

    Last week a pretty big drone flew right over my house, heading in the direction of HMNB Clyde which is a few miles away. I'm assuming it was British, as there were no reports of anything going boom. I hope this was an exercise and the powers that be have started trying to figure out how vulnerable our bases are to drone attack.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 62,037
    MattW said:

    Ukraine the Latest: Leaked phone calls between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Hungarian Foreign Minister about Hungary manipulating the proceedings of the EU, this one including a section about removing a sister of Alisher Usmanov (used to own part of Arsenal) from the sanctions list.

    (Problems incoming: I don't know if the EU or NATO have ways to sanction a member.)

    https://youtu.be/ri-LbJpbl50?t=198

    The EU has a variety of mechanisms they can use against members. They are loath to use them, because of concern it will feed the persecution mantra that Orban (like many populist demagogues) loves and depends on.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 55,839
    edited 6:41PM
    Taz said:

    This Kristi Noem husband story is quite something

    https://x.com/nypost/status/2039006843763044817?s=61

    It is a magnificent contribution of solidarity to mark Trans Day of Visibility.



    Incidentally we used to have a poster on PB who went by the name @byronic. I wonder if they are one and the same?
  • eekeek Posts: 33,150
    @FrancisUrquhart @rcs1000 will like this

    https://x.com/altryne/status/2039005970865516955?s=20

    If you, like me, just woke up, let me catch you up on the Claude Code Leak (I know nothing, all conjecture):

    > Someone inside Anthropic, got switched to Adaptive reasoning mode
    > Their Claude Code switched to Sonnet
    > Committed the .map file of Claude Code
    > Effectively leaking the ENTIRE CC Source Code
    >
    @realsigridjin
    was tired after running 2 south korean hackathons in SF, saw the leak
    > Rules in Korea are different, he cloned the repo, went to sleep
    > Wakes up to 25K stars, and his GF begging him to take it down (she's a copyright lawyer)
    > Their team decided - how about we have agents rewrite this in Python!? Surely... this is more legal
    > Rewrite in Py
    > Board a plane to SK🇰🇷
    > One of the guys decides python is slow, is now rewriting ALL OF CLAUDE CODE into Rust.
    > Anthropic cannot take down, cannot sue
    > Is this "fair use?"
    > TL;DR - we're about to have open source Claude Code in Rust
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 1,807
    Dura_Ace said:

    Foxy said:

    All our deployable military assets must essentially be in Cyprus right now:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vq76g45rvo

    How many air defence systems are left in Britain?
    Enough, probably.

    But it's logical to fortress Cyprus. It's the outer bulwark of our defences.
    Apart from a single Lebanese drone hit a month ago has there been any other threat to Cyprus?
    Not since my stag night.
    The one fired by the IDF you mean to try to stoke up war...

    Bit like leaving the gates open to Hamas
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,955
    Will lack of an SNP majority make that much difference to things? Slightly less bragging rights for the SNP I guess, but that seems about it.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 23,003
    Brixian59 said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    Foxy said:

    All our deployable military assets must essentially be in Cyprus right now:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vq76g45rvo

    How many air defence systems are left in Britain?
    Enough, probably.

    But it's logical to fortress Cyprus. It's the outer bulwark of our defences.
    Apart from a single Lebanese drone hit a month ago has there been any other threat to Cyprus?
    Not since my stag night.
    The one fired by the IDF you mean to try to stoke up war...

    Bit like leaving the gates open to Hamas
    Do you have a source for that conspiracy theory, or did you make it up yourself?
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 1,807
    rcs1000 said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Spurs hire De Zerbi

    How times change.

    When Brighton and Brentford are considered trendsetters and forefront of data driven analysis and a colossus like Tottenham (not) are left feeding off their scraps.

    If all the Clubs is Endland, what Brentford have achieved is frankly incredible and yet still massively under rated.
    Mathew Benham (Brentford) and Tony Bloom (Brighton) are two of the most successful sports bettors in the world. Is it any surprise that they are at the forefront of using data?
    You can have all the data in the world, you still have to have the right coaching, fitness and management to optimise it.

    Identifying players is one thing, analysing the opposition another but at the end of the day it's the blokes on the pitch who are human not bots
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,955
    MattW said:

    Ukraine the Latest: Leaked phone calls between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Hungarian Foreign Minister about Hungary manipulating the proceedings of the EU, this one including a section about removing a sister of Alisher Usmanov (used to own part of Arsenal) from the sanctions list.

    (Problems incoming: I don't know if the EU or NATO have ways to sanction a member.)

    https://youtu.be/ri-LbJpbl50?t=198

    If they could surely they'd have done it by now, so even if they technically could in practice they must feel they cannot, at least not in any meaningful way.
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