Happy that Mbappe is getting the Golden Boot . No one from that disgusting Argentina team should be winning anything . How shameful to turn up for a final and just play for penalties from the start .
"He said the fact the tax-free personal allowance has been frozen at £12,570 for five years was “the thing I heard the most on the doorsteps” while campaigning in the Makerfield by-election"
"He said the fact the tax-free personal allowance has been frozen at £12,570 for five years was “the thing I heard the most on the doorsteps” while campaigning in the Makerfield by-election"
Burnham's father is unaware he will become PM tomorrow
His father, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is in a care home, is unaware that he is about to become prime minister. “That’s a sadness because he would be [proud],” he said. “But the way I look at it, it’s his achievement as well. A whole family achievement although he doesn’t know it.”
"He said the fact the tax-free personal allowance has been frozen at £12,570 for five years was “the thing I heard the most on the doorsteps” while campaigning in the Makerfield by-election"
Well with his spending pledges and nationalisations it is unlikely he can fund it all with just higher taxes on the wealthy
"He said the fact the tax-free personal allowance has been frozen at £12,570 for five years was “the thing I heard the most on the doorsteps” while campaigning in the Makerfield by-election"
Burnham's father is unaware he will become PM tomorrow
His father, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is in a care home, is unaware that he is about to become prime minister. “That’s a sadness because he would be [proud],” he said. “But the way I look at it, it’s his achievement as well. A whole family achievement although he doesn’t know it.”
More than half of Burnham’s salary will be going on the care costs. From a family that has made a similar sacrifice for multiple of older relatives, I hope he can deliver some sort mandatory insurance scheme that makes it less of a lottery.
Anyway, football justice tonight. It’s not all bad.
Cannot believe we have to wait four years until the next World Cup.
We don't. The Euros are effectively the World Cup in terms of the major contenders, aside of course from Argentina (and even that is arguable given Messi's age; look how Ronaldo has faded). Euro 2028. Hosted in Britain.
Cannot believe we have to wait four years until the next World Cup.
We don't. The Euros are effectively the World Cup in terms of the major contenders, aside of course from Argentina (and even that is arguable given Messi's age; look how Ronaldo has faded). Euros 2028. Hosted in Britain.
Yes, Argentina are the only competitive New World team now, and how good will they be post Messi?
Cannot believe we have to wait four years until the next World Cup.
We don't. The Euros are effectively the World Cup in terms of the major contenders, aside of course from Argentina (and even that is arguable given Messi's age; look how Ronaldo has faded). Euros 2028. Hosted in Britain.
Yes, Argentina are the only competitive New World team now, and how good will they be post Messi?
Brazil not in the running any more.
It was eye opening how poor Brazil were technically and flair wise, that is their trademark. They have been beaten in the past by teams being more tactically aware, having better strategy, but Brazil players were generally just rather shit. Putting Vini aside, would any of the Brazilian midfield get in England team ahead of Rice and Bellingham?
Cannot believe we have to wait four years until the next World Cup.
We don't. The Euros are effectively the World Cup in terms of the major contenders, aside of course from Argentina (and even that is arguable given Messi's age; look how Ronaldo has faded). Euros 2028. Hosted in Britain.
Yes, Argentina are the only competitive New World team now, and how good will they be post Messi?
Brazil not in the running any more.
Some of the African countries, particularly North African countries look an awful lot closer to Jules Rimet than Brazil.
Cannot believe we have to wait four years until the next World Cup.
We don't. The Euros are effectively the World Cup in terms of the major contenders, aside of course from Argentina (and even that is arguable given Messi's age; look how Ronaldo has faded). Euros 2028. Hosted in Britain.
Yes, Argentina are the only competitive New World team now, and how good will they be post Messi?
Brazil not in the running any more.
Some of the African countries, particularly North African countries look an awful lot closer to Jules Rimet than Brazil.
One thing this WC showed, the gap across nations has narrowed significantly. Very few absolute push over teams these days. At worst, they are high organised and can frustrate for large periods of games. Shouldn't really be a surprise as so many of a wide range of nations play in top 5 leagues in Europe now.
While the result was fine, the game was rubbish, wasn't it?
It is more often than not the case. Knackered players, super high pressure. There was a run of Champions League finals that were dire as well.
And some that were definitely not. Istanbul 2005.
The 2019-2024 period wasn't great, but the worst ones were the later 90s / 2000s not including the Instanbul miracle. Lots of Italian teams doing what Argentina now do.
Cannot believe we have to wait four years until the next World Cup.
We don't. The Euros are effectively the World Cup in terms of the major contenders, aside of course from Argentina (and even that is arguable given Messi's age; look how Ronaldo has faded). Euros 2028. Hosted in Britain.
Yes, Argentina are the only competitive New World team now, and how good will they be post Messi?
Brazil not in the running any more.
Some of the African countries, particularly North African countries look an awful lot closer to Jules Rimet than Brazil.
One thing this WC showed, the gap across nations has narrowed significantly. Very few absolute push over teams these days. At worst, they are high organised and can frustrate for large periods of games. Shouldn't really be a surprise as so many of a wide range of nations play in top 5 leagues in Europe now.
We are spoilt in England. Even my shocking League 1 team had 3 players at the World Cup, and several more former players.
Burnham's father is unaware he will become PM tomorrow
His father, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is in a care home, is unaware that he is about to become prime minister. “That’s a sadness because he would be [proud],” he said. “But the way I look at it, it’s his achievement as well. A whole family achievement although he doesn’t know it.”
More than half of Burnham’s salary will be going on the care costs. From a family that has made a similar sacrifice for multiple of older relatives, I hope he can deliver some sort mandatory insurance scheme that makes it less of a lottery.
Anyway, football justice tonight. It’s not all bad.
Dilnot still sits on the shelf. An immediate plan to reduce the level of horrible lottery of social care.
Start with that whilst the next three years are spent sorting out a National Care Service whatever that is.
Cannot believe we have to wait four years until the next World Cup.
We don't. The Euros are effectively the World Cup in terms of the major contenders, aside of course from Argentina (and even that is arguable given Messi's age; look how Ronaldo has faded). Euros 2028. Hosted in Britain.
Yes, Argentina are the only competitive New World team now, and how good will they be post Messi?
Brazil not in the running any more.
Some of the African countries, particularly North African countries look an awful lot closer to Jules Rimet than Brazil.
One thing this WC showed, the gap across nations has narrowed significantly. Very few absolute push over teams these days. At worst, they are high organised and can frustrate for large periods of games. Shouldn't really be a surprise as so many of a wide range of nations play in top 5 leagues in Europe now.
We are spoilt in England. Even my shocking League 1 team had 3 players at the World Cup, and several more former players.
In the same ( but perhaps opposite direction ) vein Brazil had a 34 yr old who’s been far from stellar at Man U, an ex Wolves striker, and a bloke each playing at Brentford and Bournemouth.
Not exactly Pele, Tostao, Carlos Alberto, and Jairzinho is it?
I’m told that of the 80 students who graduated at Exeter university in computer science just two have found jobs as Labour tax policies and AI have killed the market. Feel desperate for the grads who have given 3 years of their life and £60K to discover they’re unwanted.
Putting aside his political rant, I would be interested to know if this is really true. Exeter is quite a highly ranked university. And those numbers feel so apocalyptic not to be believed.
80 responded to the survey and 2 reported having found a job, or 10 responded and 2 reported?
And department ranking and university ranking are different things.
I mean we should start with the person tweeting, has known once or twice to get the facts wrong or it could be my mate's son goes there and he says only 2 people he knows have a job (and he doesn't actually attend any lectures and knows f##k all people on the course but not going to admit to his parents he spent 3 years in his room playing FIFA). Universities are pretty hot these days on pestering students about their employment status as they want all the data, but it could be a dodgy survey.
From someone who did quite a few hiring rounds over the past couple of years - compsci students are a glut.
Every single one seems to have done the same course and acquired the same skills and been told to write their CV and cover letter the same way. At one point last year I was getting around 80 compsci masters students applying for each post we had open.
And you couldn't tell them apart. Totally generic "I gave institution N-thousand pounds and now I can say I did django, some jquery and can talk about microservices without really understanding them as that's what my lecturer said".
Once in a while I get an application from a somewhat self-taught kid who's done an HNC and fiddled about with raspberry pi's and some random tech sh*t and I couldn't hire them quick enough.
Anecdotally, there are a lot of unemployed graduates doubling down by doing their Masters. The jobs market is perhaps worse than post GFC when a lot of graduates were given offers to start a year from now. Many junior computing jobs have been passed to AI, and even mid-level jobs. As I may have mentioned, the young woman who serves my fish and chips has a degree.
I've still not come across any sign of the AI stuff affecting hiring. Aside from the fever dreams of middle-management (who are more at risk than the actual junior IT staff). I've seen a few people not having their contracts renewed - but it's been more in the (again) management and product/project management roles and 'technical documentation' side. But 'actual' on-the-ground IT staff still seem to be in demand - junior, mid or senior.
Where I am, the head of IT has taken the view that AI means every developer has a bunch of assistants. Assistants who are a very inexperienced, but have read a lot.
My head of IT thinks AI means you can double-click 'claude.exe' and then say 'solve all the problems. make no mistakes.'
Burnham's father is unaware he will become PM tomorrow
His father, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is in a care home, is unaware that he is about to become prime minister. “That’s a sadness because he would be [proud],” he said. “But the way I look at it, it’s his achievement as well. A whole family achievement although he doesn’t know it.”
More than half of Burnham’s salary will be going on the care costs. From a family that has made a similar sacrifice for multiple of older relatives, I hope he can deliver some sort mandatory insurance scheme that makes it less of a lottery.
Anyway, football justice tonight. It’s not all bad.
Dilnot still sits on the shelf. An immediate plan to reduce the level of horrible lottery of social care.
Start with that whilst the next three years are spent sorting out a National Care Service whatever that is.
The problem is that care homes are mostly rubbish, at least round here, because they are run at a level that the local council is prepared to pay for. I expect the situation is slightly better where there are more self-funders, but it shouldn't be just a case of finding a way of paying current costs, we probably need to pay more.
He should try looking after his father at home. That's even more of an eye opener.
I don't really care. It should have been England, and the FA needs to work out what went wrong. Squad selection, tactics, too heavy a domestic league programme, acclimatisation to heat and humidity? It was notable that Bellingham plays in Spain, for instance, both hotter and with a lighter league programme. Too many of our squad were carrying minor injuries; too many exhausted after 90 minutes or less in those conditions.
Cannot believe we have to wait four years until the next World Cup.
We don't. The Euros are effectively the World Cup in terms of the major contenders, aside of course from Argentina (and even that is arguable given Messi's age; look how Ronaldo has faded). Euros 2028. Hosted in Britain.
Yes, Argentina are the only competitive New World team now, and how good will they be post Messi?
Brazil not in the running any more.
Some of the African countries, particularly North African countries look an awful lot closer to Jules Rimet than Brazil.
One thing this WC showed, the gap across nations has narrowed significantly. Very few absolute push over teams these days. At worst, they are high organised and can frustrate for large periods of games. Shouldn't really be a surprise as so many of a wide range of nations play in top 5 leagues in Europe now.
Scotland has a real problem in that the quality of players coming through in recent times is nothing like the quality or quantity of previous times but our problems pale into insignificance with those of Brazil. What on earth has happened to what used to be the greatest footballing country on earth?
I think at least a part of the problem has to be that so many of their players now play in western Europe and are taught the western European way of playing. All of the spontaneity has been ground out of them. They are probably better athletes but they are definitely poorer footballers. I miss the old Brazil, the WC is not the same without them.
Good morning from El Campello in Spain as we prepare to drive north towards Bordeaux and home.
Some party here last night! Wifey is half Spanish, kids quarter Spanish so we joined in the fun.
Talking about fun, the briefings and counter-briefings on Burnham are getting silly.
I opined on Emergency Podcast that Mahmood as chancellor was kite-flying and I hope I'm right that it's Milliband. An Energy-driven recovery would be great! And will Burnham unlock the North Sea as briefed, or not as also briefed. And if not, why is he going to Aberdeen early doors? To say Fuck You as Sunak did in Manchester?
An American manufacturer of filtration equipment opines.
TL/DR; China's advantage is agglomeration, a clustering of different parts of the production chain, and not (any more) cheap labour. America's (and Britain's) problem is a loss of skills and component suppliers.
JD Vance breaks ranks in gamble for power US vice-president is positioning himself to lead the Maga movement – but must avoid becoming a political casualty ... However, others like Marc Short, a veteran Republican adviser, believe his political skills allow him to be “flexible on his convictions – if he has any”.
Mr Vance has detected a change in the Republican Party and the country at large.
Jury speech this morning. Hopefully will have the jury out for their deliberations by lunch time and I can then concentrate on the cabinet taking shape. So far Burnham has contrived to be all things to all people. Today he has to start making choices.
To be honest I am struggling to see why WildBerries is a legitimate target. The war is becoming ever more brutal and civilians on both sides suffer ever more.
Massive missile attack on Kyiv last night. Most of the drones stopped but most of the missiles got through because of the shortage of Patriots. I think the Ukrainians are trying to bring it home to Russians what a price they have to pay for Putin's madness in the hope that this triggers a coup or a collapse. It would save a lot of lives in the long run if it works but the attempt to have any rules of war is failing once again.
In other sports news of the day, a golfer at The Open Championship told officials he wanted to call Trump to ask him for assistance after he was penalized for breaking a rule
Cannot believe we have to wait four years until the next World Cup.
We don't. The Euros are effectively the World Cup in terms of the major contenders, aside of course from Argentina (and even that is arguable given Messi's age; look how Ronaldo has faded). Euros 2028. Hosted in Britain.
Yes, Argentina are the only competitive New World team now, and how good will they be post Messi?
Brazil not in the running any more.
Some of the African countries, particularly North African countries look an awful lot closer to Jules Rimet than Brazil.
One thing this WC showed, the gap across nations has narrowed significantly. Very few absolute push over teams these days. At worst, they are high organised and can frustrate for large periods of games. Shouldn't really be a surprise as so many of a wide range of nations play in top 5 leagues in Europe now.
Scotland has a real problem in that the quality of players coming through in recent times is nothing like the quality or quantity of previous times but our problems pale into insignificance with those of Brazil. What on earth has happened to what used to be the greatest footballing country on earth?
I think at least a part of the problem has to be that so many of their players now play in western Europe and are taught the western European way of playing. All of the spontaneity has been ground out of them. They are probably better athletes but they are definitely poorer footballers. I miss the old Brazil, the WC is not the same without them.
Scotland also failed to even pick their best centre back: Ryan Porteus.
He's one of the best defenders in MLS, and made Messi look very ordinary earlier this year.
The Open was won by Ryan Fox who touched 1,000 in-running on Betfair.
The 39-year-old New Zealander, who is the son of All Black rugby legend Grant, shot a two-under 68 to finish one ahead of American Cameron Young and lift the Claret Jug. ... Fox's career has often been overshadowed by his father Grant's achievements, given he helped the All Blacks win the 1987 World Cup and was once their record points scorer.
I don't really care. It should have been England, and the FA needs to work out what went wrong. Squad selection, tactics, too heavy a domestic league programme, acclimatisation to heat and humidity? It was notable that Bellingham plays in Spain, for instance, both hotter and with a lighter league programme. Too many of our squad were carrying minor injuries; too many exhausted after 90 minutes or less in those conditions.
Yes, in an alternative universe, England just lost to Spain in the final. That team would have run rings round our boys.
To be honest I am struggling to see why WildBerries is a legitimate target. The war is becoming ever more brutal and civilians on both sides suffer ever more.
Massive missile attack on Kyiv last night. Most of the drones stopped but most of the missiles got through because of the shortage of Patriots. I think the Ukrainians are trying to bring it home to Russians what a price they have to pay for Putin's madness in the hope that this triggers a coup or a collapse. It would save a lot of lives in the long run if it works but the attempt to have any rules of war is failing once again.
Except that Wildberries isn't "Russia's Amazon", it is integrated logistics with dual use, and the destruction of Russian logistics *is* a legitimate Ukrainian military target.
The Open was won by Ryan Fox who touched 1,000 in-running on Betfair.
The 39-year-old New Zealander, who is the son of All Black rugby legend Grant, shot a two-under 68 to finish one ahead of American Cameron Young and lift the Claret Jug. ... Fox's career has often been overshadowed by his father Grant's achievements, given he helped the All Blacks win the 1987 World Cup and was once their record points scorer.
To be honest I am struggling to see why WildBerries is a legitimate target. The war is becoming ever more brutal and civilians on both sides suffer ever more.
Massive missile attack on Kyiv last night. Most of the drones stopped but most of the missiles got through because of the shortage of Patriots. I think the Ukrainians are trying to bring it home to Russians what a price they have to pay for Putin's madness in the hope that this triggers a coup or a collapse. It would save a lot of lives in the long run if it works but the attempt to have any rules of war is failing once again.
"I am struggling to see why WildBerries is a legitimate target"
Because they are part of the infrastructure supplying the Russian miitary, from drones to uniforms.
To be honest I am struggling to see why WildBerries is a legitimate target. The war is becoming ever more brutal and civilians on both sides suffer ever more.
Massive missile attack on Kyiv last night. Most of the drones stopped but most of the missiles got through because of the shortage of Patriots. I think the Ukrainians are trying to bring it home to Russians what a price they have to pay for Putin's madness in the hope that this triggers a coup or a collapse. It would save a lot of lives in the long run if it works but the attempt to have any rules of war is failing once again.
WildBerries have been used by the Russians for the logistics of small drones. They’re shipping the parts from China to Russia, shipping them to the groups making the drones all over Russia, then shipping them to the military who send them the last few miles to the front lines. Not just the drones either, loads of other dual-use equipment such as night vision goggles and uniforms, shipped by the container-load from China. The Ukranians will argue that’s a legitimate target, especially given that the Russian missiles are raining down on apartment buildings and underground shelters in Kyiv
The problem with the Patriots is that there simply aren’t enough of the missiles out there, and the production time for each unit is around two years. Ukraine and Iran have consumed almost all of them. The Ukranians are working on a new interceptor solution themselves, and will shortly start on their own Patriot production, but will take time to set up. In the meantime they need to find the factories and supply lines for the Russian missiles, and take them out.
An American manufacturer of filtration equipment opines.
TL/DR; China's advantage is agglomeration, a clustering of different parts of the production chain, and not (any more) cheap labour. America's (and Britain's) problem is a loss of skills and component suppliers.
That's been true for quite a long time. The US has been making a decent start at re-industrialising since Biden's administration; Europe quite is some way behind, as are we.
An American manufacturer of filtration equipment opines.
TL/DR; China's advantage is agglomeration, a clustering of different parts of the production chain, and not (any more) cheap labour. America's (and Britain's) problem is a loss of skills and component suppliers.
This was true back when Apple tried to onshore production of the trashcan Mac and couldn't find a US supplier for the tiny screws they needed
Well done Spain but a failure of a world cup overall. Overshadowed by accusation of bias referees and federations.
Lots of empty seats we could all see on TV, but fifa wants us to believe people paying $100s of dollars were choosing to watch from the concourse.
I guess I'm getting old
It was a shambles , US should never ever get a world cup again , they have no clue on sporting events, just for money making and parading of sad loser celebrities to pad out for TV adverts. Worst world cup ever.
Jury speech this morning. Hopefully will have the jury out for their deliberations by lunch time and I can then concentrate on the cabinet taking shape. So far Burnham has contrived to be all things to all people. Today he has to start making choices.
Hard to not see it being the same old useless faces shuffled around a bit , talentless bunch who would struggle to run a bath, I am not optimistic that we will see anything different. Hopefully he will cut spending , welfare , etc but doubt it very much, IMF here we come with begging bowl is still more likely.
To be honest I am struggling to see why WildBerries is a legitimate target. The war is becoming ever more brutal and civilians on both sides suffer ever more.
Massive missile attack on Kyiv last night. Most of the drones stopped but most of the missiles got through because of the shortage of Patriots. I think the Ukrainians are trying to bring it home to Russians what a price they have to pay for Putin's madness in the hope that this triggers a coup or a collapse. It would save a lot of lives in the long run if it works but the attempt to have any rules of war is failing once again.
They should bomb everything and anything as the Russians do to Ukraine , show the thick idiot public what they are doing to Ukraine. Fight fire with fire.
An American manufacturer of filtration equipment opines.
TL/DR; China's advantage is agglomeration, a clustering of different parts of the production chain, and not (any more) cheap labour. America's (and Britain's) problem is a loss of skills and component suppliers.
That's been true for quite a long time. The US has been making a decent start at re-industrialising since Biden's administration; Europe quite is some way behind, as are we.
Also their attempts to weaponise their domination of strategic minerals production is starting to undermine that domination (in a mirror image of the US tech export restrictions).
Chinese export controls are starting to threaten China's own critical mineral monopolies. At the Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia, Alcoa has announced days ago a final investment decision on installation of gallium recovery circuits.
The project enjoys support from the Japanese and Australian governments through the Japan Australia Gallium Associates (JAGA) joint venture, as well as from the U.S. government. 🧵 https://x.com/wang_seaver/status/2078921749446488251
I don't really care. It should have been England, and the FA needs to work out what went wrong. Squad selection, tactics, too heavy a domestic league programme, acclimatisation to heat and humidity? It was notable that Bellingham plays in Spain, for instance, both hotter and with a lighter league programme. Too many of our squad were carrying minor injuries; too many exhausted after 90 minutes or less in those conditions.
Yes, in an alternative universe, England just lost to Spain in the final. That team would have run rings round our boys.
Maybe. Spain needed 120 minutes to out one past Argentina. We put 6 past France in 90.
Cannot believe we have to wait four years until the next World Cup.
We don't. The Euros are effectively the World Cup in terms of the major contenders, aside of course from Argentina (and even that is arguable given Messi's age; look how Ronaldo has faded). Euros 2028. Hosted in Britain.
Yes, Argentina are the only competitive New World team now, and how good will they be post Messi?
Brazil not in the running any more.
They are the usual thugs they have always been , always hope they win nothing.
Cannot believe we have to wait four years until the next World Cup.
We don't. The Euros are effectively the World Cup in terms of the major contenders, aside of course from Argentina (and even that is arguable given Messi's age; look how Ronaldo has faded). Euro 2028. Hosted in Britain.
Nations League first: England v Spain on 25th September.
To be honest I am struggling to see why WildBerries is a legitimate target. The war is becoming ever more brutal and civilians on both sides suffer ever more.
Massive missile attack on Kyiv last night. Most of the drones stopped but most of the missiles got through because of the shortage of Patriots. I think the Ukrainians are trying to bring it home to Russians what a price they have to pay for Putin's madness in the hope that this triggers a coup or a collapse. It would save a lot of lives in the long run if it works but the attempt to have any rules of war is failing once again.
They should bomb everything and anything as the Russians do to Ukraine , show the thick idiot public what they are doing to Ukraine. Fight fire with fire.
Disagree. This war clearly has a good side and a bad side, more than any other war in recent times.
But even ignoring that, why would you waste your weapons on civilians when there’s plenty of military targets to hit first.
To be honest I am struggling to see why WildBerries is a legitimate target. The war is becoming ever more brutal and civilians on both sides suffer ever more.
I reckon, on the basis of zero evidence, that Vladislav Bakalchuck paid the Ukrainians to do it. It would be very on brand for all concerned. WB is run by his ex Mrs and he is super salty about it. After being divorced and ousted from the company he tried to storm the offices with armed Chechnyan bastards resulting in a gunfight in reception. "The Office: Russia"
We're going to drone Moscow anyway so we might as well get a payday and hit WB, is archetypal thinking for the Kiev junta.
Legitimate or not, and really who gives a fuck any more, it's not a brilliant target for either disrupting the Russian military or bringing the war home to the Muscovites. Doing Sheremetovo, for example, would have been a much better PIRA style spectacular. So they picked WB for some other reason...
To be honest I am struggling to see why WildBerries is a legitimate target. The war is becoming ever more brutal and civilians on both sides suffer ever more.
I reckon, on the basis of zero evidence, that Vladislav Bakalchuck paid the Ukrainians to do it. It would be very on brand for all concerned. WB is run by his ex Mrs and he is super salty about it. After being divorced and ousted from the company he tried to storm the offices with armed Chechnyan bastards resulting in a gunfight in reception. "The Office: Russia"
We're going to drone Moscow anyway so we might as well get a payday and hit WB, is archetypal thinking for the Kiev junta.
Legitimate or not, and really who gives a fuck any more, it's not a brilliant target for either disrupting the Russian military or bringing the war home to the Muscovites. Doing Sheremetovo, for example, would have been a much better PIRA style spectacular. So they picked WB for some other reason...
It wouldn't have been a target if VVP hadn't launched his brilliant SMO...
I don't really care. It should have been England, and the FA needs to work out what went wrong. Squad selection, tactics, too heavy a domestic league programme, acclimatisation to heat and humidity? It was notable that Bellingham plays in Spain, for instance, both hotter and with a lighter league programme. Too many of our squad were carrying minor injuries; too many exhausted after 90 minutes or less in those conditions.
Yes, in an alternative universe, England just lost to Spain in the final. That team would have run rings round our boys.
Maybe. Spain needed 120 minutes to out one past Argentina. We put 6 past France in 90.
Comments
Y Viva Espana!
"He said the fact the tax-free personal allowance has been frozen at £12,570 for five years was “the thing I heard the most on the doorsteps” while campaigning in the Makerfield by-election"
His father, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is in a care home, is unaware that he is about to become prime minister. “That’s a sadness because he would be [proud],” he said. “But the way I look at it, it’s his achievement as well. A whole family achievement although he doesn’t know it.”
https://x.com/Steven_Swinford/status/2078952405606039965
Well worth reminding ourselves who the last team were to beat this fantastic Spain side over 90 mins in a competitive match!
Hopefully Trumpfantino doesn't drop the cup ...
Real result 3-0
"We won't"
Arrest him now.
Anyway, football justice tonight. It’s not all bad.
Brazil not in the running any more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3YeBJazWPE
Start with that whilst the next three years are spent sorting out a National Care Service whatever that is.
Or did you mean 1.2 minutes ?
Not exactly Pele, Tostao, Carlos Alberto, and Jairzinho is it?
He should try looking after his father at home. That's even more of an eye opener.
Can't believe Argentina played in their usual obnoxious way.
Very pleased Spain won.
Oh, Argentina lost? That's absolutely terrible
[dances a little jig]
Wake up
Check score
*little cheer inside*
Get up and go to work.
https://x.com/osinttechnical/status/2079020549359931500
Pool report from
@svdate.bsky.social
, who is at the World Cup ceremony:
"The president walked onto the field at 1826 to a sustained chorus of boos.
Ambient crowd noise was about 78 decibels. Booing brought it to 84."
Will the winners be smiling when they see their in-trays? Can’t see Ed being happy with the Foreign Office so will he be Chancellor at the end?
Thrills and spills to come.
I think at least a part of the problem has to be that so many of their players now play in western Europe and are taught the western European way of playing. All of the spontaneity has been ground out of them. They are probably better athletes but they are definitely poorer footballers. I miss the old Brazil, the WC is not the same without them.
Some party here last night! Wifey is half Spanish, kids quarter Spanish so we joined in the fun.
Talking about fun, the briefings and counter-briefings on Burnham are getting silly.
I opined on Emergency Podcast that Mahmood as chancellor was kite-flying and I hope I'm right that it's Milliband. An Energy-driven recovery would be great! And will Burnham unlock the North Sea as briefed, or not as also briefed. And if not, why is he going to Aberdeen early doors? To say Fuck You as Sunak did in Manchester?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqe39Dx-rQ0
An American manufacturer of filtration equipment opines.
TL/DR; China's advantage is agglomeration, a clustering of different parts of the production chain, and not (any more) cheap labour. America's (and Britain's) problem is a loss of skills and component suppliers.
US vice-president is positioning himself to lead the Maga movement – but must avoid becoming a political casualty
...
However, others like Marc Short, a veteran Republican adviser, believe his political skills allow him to be “flexible on his convictions – if he has any”.
Mr Vance has detected a change in the Republican Party and the country at large.
Like Richard Nixon, a man whom he openly admires and in some ways resembles, he senses a silent majority he can speak to.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/07/19/jd-vance-is-returning-to-his-base/ (£££)
Massive missile attack on Kyiv last night. Most of the drones stopped but most of the missiles got through because of the shortage of Patriots. I think the Ukrainians are trying to bring it home to Russians what a price they have to pay for Putin's madness in the hope that this triggers a coup or a collapse. It would save a lot of lives in the long run if it works but the attempt to have any rules of war is failing once again.
Lots of empty seats we could all see on TV, but fifa wants us to believe people paying $100s of dollars were choosing to watch from the concourse.
I guess I'm getting old
In other sports news of the day, a golfer at The Open Championship told officials he wanted to call Trump to ask him for assistance after he was penalized for breaking a rule
https://bsky.app/profile/dominicervolina.com/post/3mr26c4w5in2w
He's one of the best defenders in MLS, and made Messi look very ordinary earlier this year.
The 39-year-old New Zealander, who is the son of All Black rugby legend Grant, shot a two-under 68 to finish one ahead of American Cameron Young and lift the Claret Jug.
...
Fox's career has often been overshadowed by his father Grant's achievements, given he helped the All Blacks win the 1987 World Cup and was once their record points scorer.
The family's strong sporting stock also includes Ryan's grandfather Merv Wallace, who captained and coached the New Zealand cricket team.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/articles/c89nv0v1e22o
That's net 800 fewer troops to fight the SMO today than yesterday.
Because they are part of the infrastructure supplying the Russian miitary, from drones to uniforms.
That sounds strangely familiar.
The problem with the Patriots is that there simply aren’t enough of the missiles out there, and the production time for each unit is around two years. Ukraine and Iran have consumed almost all of them. The Ukranians are working on a new interceptor solution themselves, and will shortly start on their own Patriot production, but will take time to set up. In the meantime they need to find the factories and supply lines for the Russian missiles, and take them out.
The US has been making a decent start at re-industrialising since Biden's administration; Europe quite is some way behind, as are we.
Chinese export controls are starting to threaten China's own critical mineral monopolies. At the Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia, Alcoa has announced days ago a final investment decision on installation of gallium recovery circuits.
The project enjoys support from the Japanese and Australian governments through the Japan Australia Gallium Associates (JAGA) joint venture, as well as from the U.S. government. 🧵
https://x.com/wang_seaver/status/2078921749446488251
NEW THREAD
But even ignoring that, why would you waste your weapons on civilians when there’s plenty of military targets to hit first.
We're going to drone Moscow anyway so we might as well get a payday and hit WB, is archetypal thinking for the Kiev junta.
Legitimate or not, and really who gives a fuck any more, it's not a brilliant target for either disrupting the Russian military or bringing the war home to the Muscovites. Doing Sheremetovo, for example, would have been a much better PIRA style spectacular. So they picked WB for some other reason...