I use it to check out places, but then it's very often possible to find the owners (or local agents) directly and get the same place 20-30% cheaper.
It's worth boycotting because co-founder Joe Gebbia - worth billions because of his 7% stake in Airbnb - is part of DOGE and supports Trump. He's also on the board of Tesla.
I don't, but it is the business model used by so many middlemen, like Booking.com and getyourguide, both of which I use as they have great usability. I don't do food delivery, but Deliveroo etc have a similar markup.
AirBnB is quite a blight on city centres in hotspots like Barcelona, Edinburgh etc. I would hate to have an AirBnB as a neighbour.
I use it to check out places, but then it's very often possible to find the owners (or local agents) directly and get the same place 20-30% cheaper.
It's worth boycotting because co-founder Joe Gebbia - worth billions because of his 7% stake in Airbnb - is part of DOGE and supports Trump. He's also on the board of Tesla.
Airbnb is very convenient. We've just come to Florence and have a lovely place right on the river with a roof terrace for breakfasts, so much better than a hotel as well because it's our own space where we can spread out for the week.
The reason why it's so successful is that it they're very, very customer centric. They've become so good at what they do the rental agencies who initially didn't like going on Airbnb and giving them their 25% had to because that's where all the customers are. Absolutely brilliant business model really.
I usually use the Dutch headquartered Booking.com.
Airbnb is typically better for the owner as it charges lower fees, and its online visuals are superior, but Booking.com is more convenient for the traveller. I tend to browse on Airbnb then book on Booking.
Other things I like about it are far greater transparency on cancellation and change options, fully loaded pricing in the listings (Airbnb quotes low numbers then builds them up Ryanair-style with things like cleaning fees), the loyalty points programme, and the fact it includes both hotels and holiday lets.
I am recalling the worst thing about the Trump 2016 era - it wasn't anything Trump actually did - it was that awful, awful screaming of the Libs.
And yet here we are in the Trump 2025 era where they are far better organised and far more deadly. And yet owning the libs is still your focus.
Not at all - British politics (and associated betting, though I'll admit primarily politics) is my interest. I find the constant Trump outrage on here quite wearisome and also oddly reversely-parochial. There's a lot of shit going on in this country and we're hanging on Trump’s every word (again).
I partly agree with you - our problems remain regardless of who is the American president. However, Trump ending NATO and smashing the global economy make our problems worse. So it is directly relevant to the shit going on in this country.
Quite. Does the UK have a problem with overly focusing on US news and culture? Absolutely. But what the US President does matters a lot of the time unfortunately.
Its like saying things happening in Europe, like a war, dont matter for us, its just not true, the argument is over how much it matters.
I think the UK public and nerds often have a problem with contextualising in a USA which is as diverse, and has as many regions, as Europe.
One of things we are missing is a 21st Century Alistair Cooke.
Yes. I am 100% against Trumpism and Trump but journalism doesn't just exist to tell me what I want to hear.
I can follow MSNBC which tells me 100% of what is wrong with Trump; I can (but don't much) follow Fox News etc that promote and whitewash Trumpism.
What is lacking, SFAICS, are sources which comment from the point of view of understanding both why Trumpism is clearly 100% opposeable but also why and how it is that Trumpian authoritarianism, lies, threats, illegalities, silencing and Hobbesian approaches can be and are supported and sustained knowingly by millions.
I'm old-fashioned enough to want news and views separate. I don't think the news should start from Trump or anyone else being 100% opposable - it should tell us what's happening, and what current US opinion appears to be. By all means refer at the end to a comment piece saying it's deplorable. Otherwise, we end up completely baffled by Trump's ability to win an election, which in the context of political betting can be an expensive error.
Agree, but it's complicated. When Trump says of Greenland 'One way or another we are going to get it' is is fact (news) or opinion (comment) to say that his manner and words are intimidatory and may imply an intention to use force if necessary.
When he says several lies in a couple of sentences is it fact (news) or opinion (comment) to point out that his words are filled with inexactitudes?
Is it a fact or an opinion that Trump is acting unlawfully and/or improperly if he fail to obey a court order or is it either undecidable or OK for Trump because of the SCOTUS immunity the POTUS possesses?
Not sure it’s wise for Farage to mention any insurance element of a new NHS funding model . Although the French system works well that type of change will frighten a lot of voters as some costs you have to pay upfront . Labour are really going after Reform on health .
I use it to check out places, but then it's very often possible to find the owners (or local agents) directly and get the same place 20-30% cheaper.
It's worth boycotting because co-founder Joe Gebbia - worth billions because of his 7% stake in Airbnb - is part of DOGE and supports Trump. He's also on the board of Tesla.
I don't, but it is the business model used by so many middlemen, like Booking.com and getyourguide, both of which I use as they have great usability. I don't do food delivery, but Deliveroo etc have a similar markup.
AirBnB is quite a blight on city centres in hotspots like Barcelona, Edinburgh etc. I would hate to have an AirBnB as a neighbour.
I hold a severe grudge against the AirBnB model because of the experience of one of my friends. They were forced to sell their flat when one opened up next to them.
I use booking.com and try to book directly with the accommodation if their communication is good.
For those who enjoy the misuse of the word literally as much as me: a woman at an adjacent table is telling a long and involved story about being allergic to lavender, and a reaction to some sort of cosmetic: 'My face was literally on fire. I was literally burnt to a cinder'.
Should "literally" have been in quotation marks?
But "literally" is being used in the same way as "really", so I'm not sure why pedants seem OK with one but not the other.
I was cold, I was very cold, I was freezing. You don't say "I was very freezing", so if you want to go further you have to use an adverb like "really freezing", "literally freezing" or "fucking freezing". All are fine.
Literally is a helpful word because it helps describe how extreme a situation was, by taking a scenario that might otherwise be deemed a colourful metaphor or exaggeration, and informing someone that it actually happened. 'My kitchen was flooded totally - the hearth rug literally floated out of the door.'. It's a useful rhetorical device being undermined by ignorance.
You might find it 'fine' but then it's also 'fine' if someone comes up to someone else and says 'flubby flub flubber flub'. Nobody gets hurt. It is still not very good English.
So you were confused about whether the person saying "my face was literally on fire" was speaking metaphorically?
Most people can work things out from the context.
It's actually a good way of bringing a dead metaphor back to life. Though that only really works as long as pedants keep complaining, so it's good that they do this service.
I wasn't confused, because it didn't happen to me. And the demerit does not lie in the confusion caused when stupid people abuse the word 'literally' - it lies in no longer being able to use the word 'literally' to describe something that 'literally' happened, because it has become devalued.
But you have just given an example yourself where that meaning of literally was quite clear, so it seems to me that you are the stupid person if anything.
I've explained quite clearly why I don't think this word being used to mean the opposite of its true meaning isn't a positive development in the language. You've given brain farts in response. I think you are reflexively in favour of any change to the language, however ugly or stupid, and probably also in favour of any modern building, however ugly and stupid, and any modern art, however ugly or stupid, because that chimes in with your politics and makes you feel modern. So it seems to me that you're the stupid person if anything.
You start by calling people you disagree with stupid, and when called out on your own stupidity, you go on a rant about how I must love ugly buildings? I think you comprehensively lost whatever argument you were trying to make.
TLDR: "Literally" has been used as an intensifier for a long time. It's probably best not to use it in that way, but there's little point in railing aginst people who do.
A major reason why 'literally' gets singled out, is because its (informal) usage is the *antonym* of the word that should be used: 'metaphorically'. The original speaker really meant "My face was metaphorically on fire".
This alone means that many of the 'misuses' of literally are funny when the listener/reader takes the sentence literally.
First, a word on the Mayfield by-election which should come as no surprise to anyone who follows East London politics closely. It mirrors results in Newham since the Gaza conflict erupted in October 2023. The last local elections in London were in 2022 and it wasn't an issue back then.
Those who stand under the Ilford Independents or Newham Independents aren't by any means simply pro-Palestine, some are strong critics of the existing Labour-run Councils and the Labour Government. In Newham, the obvious ineptitude of the ruling Labour administration under Mayor Fiaz provides plenty of ammunition for those wishing to criticise the Council alone.
A number of the Independents are ex-Labour people, strong supporters of Momentum and Jeremy Corbyn as well as of George Galloway and Wards like Mayfield and Plaistow North with high numbers of Muslims are fertile ground - the Independents do much less well in areas with strong Hindu majorities or more mixed areas.
As to whether they will be a factor at the next local elections let alone the next General Election, I've no idea. That they were well organised in strongly Muslim areas in undeniable but as we saw with Respect in the mid-2000s, the period of initial strength weakerns quickly if the cause of the anger no longer has the prominence in the news media it once enjoyed.
Some woman from Ineos Grenadier on R4 this morning saying the tariffs were existential for her company and blaming the EU for not being reasonable with Trump. The Ratcliffe magic touch continues..
Surely something must be done to save the over-engineered Monaco tractor for the world?
It could have been so much worse. Jim was looking for big sweeteners from the Welsh Government to move into the former Ford Engine Plant in Bridgend, but the Welsh Government weren't as accomodating as the French.
As it is the Welsh Government might lose their shirt on AML in St Athan after Trump's tariffs.
Was Ineos ever a goer? An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?
I use it to check out places, but then it's very often possible to find the owners (or local agents) directly and get the same place 20-30% cheaper.
It's worth boycotting because co-founder Joe Gebbia - worth billions because of his 7% stake in Airbnb - is part of DOGE and supports Trump. He's also on the board of Tesla.
Airbnb is very convenient. We've just come to Florence and have a lovely place right on the river with a roof terrace for breakfasts, so much better than a hotel as well because it's our own space where we can spread out for the week.
The reason why it's so successful is that it they're very, very customer centric. They've become so good at what they do the rental agencies who initially didn't like going on Airbnb and giving them their 25% had to because that's where all the customers are. Absolutely brilliant business model really.
Yes, but I just found a flat in Rome for 5 nights up to Easter. Airbnb wanted 815 euros, Booking.com 759 euros. I googled the place, immediately found the local agents and booked the exact same thing directly for 620 euros. Took a minute or 2 extra of my time. And if people don't want to support Musk, then they should also not want to support fellow DOGE oligarch Gebbia, even though he's not as well-known.
Trump now appears to be demanding reparations from Ukraine.
Trump now wants entire Ukrainian resource revenue in updated minerals pact offer
The new deal requires Ukraine to repay all free US aid since 2022, plus pay 4% interest per year before it can access any profits. Zelenskyy says the terms keep changing. https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1905547409091871176
What remains remarkable, unless I’ve missed it, is the silence from Democrats on most of the Trump administration’s foreign policy twatteries.
Have they said anything reassuring towards: Canada, Greenland, the entire continent of Europe, or even Ukraine? Anything to suggest they would reverse unfair extortion on minerals or power stations?
I disagree. I have to say tims and Bonde, I started out in your place thinking this was wild and wrong, but after investigation and analysis, it’s another of those things I have changed my mind about. These things in the earth are important to the technology and security future, a lot of its in China, who are trying to get even more around the world under contract even Greenland. I don’t think it’s such a bad thing the West and US sign a deal with Greenland, and put other places on contract too.
I’ll go as far as to say, those out of Sleepy Joe’s administration reacting by publicly saying US shouldn’t get this under contract, are being a bit stupid and handing the “ahead of the game” initiative to the MAGA.
I use it to check out places, but then it's very often possible to find the owners (or local agents) directly and get the same place 20-30% cheaper.
It's worth boycotting because co-founder Joe Gebbia - worth billions because of his 7% stake in Airbnb - is part of DOGE and supports Trump. He's also on the board of Tesla.
I don't, but it is the business model used by so many middlemen, like Booking.com and getyourguide, both of which I use as they have great usability. I don't do food delivery, but Deliveroo etc have a similar markup.
AirBnB is quite a blight on city centres in hotspots like Barcelona, Edinburgh etc. I would hate to have an AirBnB as a neighbour.
I hold a severe grudge against the AirBnB model because of the experience of one of my friends. They were forced to sell their flat when one opened up next to them.
I use booking.com and try to book directly with the accommodation if their communication is good.
booking.com is headquartered in Amsterdam (yay!), but owned by a US company (less yay). doesn't seem to directly support any DOGE oligarchs, so OK.
Trump now appears to be demanding reparations from Ukraine.
Trump now wants entire Ukrainian resource revenue in updated minerals pact offer
The new deal requires Ukraine to repay all free US aid since 2022, plus pay 4% interest per year before it can access any profits. Zelenskyy says the terms keep changing. https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1905547409091871176
What remains remarkable, unless I’ve missed it, is the silence from Democrats on most of the Trump administration’s foreign policy twatteries.
Have they said anything reassuring towards: Canada, Greenland, the entire continent of Europe, or even Ukraine? Anything to suggest they would reverse unfair extortion on minerals or power stations?
I disagree. I have to say tims and Bonde, I started out in your place thinking this was wild and wrong, but after investigation and analysis, it’s another of those things I have changed my mind about. These things in the earth are important to the technology and security future, a lot of its in China, who are trying to get even more around the world under contract even Greenland. I don’t think it’s such a bad thing the West and US sign a deal with Greenland, and put other places on contract too.
I’ll go as far as to say, those out of Sleepy Joe’s administration reacting by publicly saying US shouldn’t get this under contract, are being a bit stupid and handing the “ahead of the game” initiative to the MAGA.
Is there an app you can recommend that will make sense of this post?
Some woman from Ineos Grenadier on R4 this morning saying the tariffs were existential for her company and blaming the EU for not being reasonable with Trump. The Ratcliffe magic touch continues..
Surely something must be done to save the over-engineered Monaco tractor for the world?
It could have been so much worse. Jim was looking for big sweeteners from the Welsh Government to move into the former Ford Engine Plant in Bridgend, but the Welsh Government weren't as accomodating as the French.
As it is the Welsh Government might lose their shirt on AML in St Athan after Trump's tariffs.
Was Ineos ever a goer? An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?
“An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?”
I am recalling the worst thing about the Trump 2016 era - it wasn't anything Trump actually did - it was that awful, awful screaming of the Libs.
And yet here we are in the Trump 2025 era where they are far better organised and far more deadly. And yet owning the libs is still your focus.
Not at all - British politics (and associated betting, though I'll admit primarily politics) is my interest. I find the constant Trump outrage on here quite wearisome and also oddly reversely-parochial. There's a lot of shit going on in this country and we're hanging on Trump’s every word (again).
I partly agree with you - our problems remain regardless of who is the American president. However, Trump ending NATO and smashing the global economy make our problems worse. So it is directly relevant to the shit going on in this country.
Quite. Does the UK have a problem with overly focusing on US news and culture? Absolutely. But what the US President does matters a lot of the time unfortunately.
Its like saying things happening in Europe, like a war, dont matter for us, its just not true, the argument is over how much it matters.
I think the UK public and nerds often have a problem with contextualising in a USA which is as diverse, and has as many regions, as Europe.
One of things we are missing is a 21st Century Alistair Cooke.
Yes. I am 100% against Trumpism and Trump but journalism doesn't just exist to tell me what I want to hear.
I can follow MSNBC which tells me 100% of what is wrong with Trump; I can (but don't much) follow Fox News etc that promote and whitewash Trumpism.
What is lacking, SFAICS, are sources which comment from the point of view of understanding both why Trumpism is clearly 100% opposeable but also why and how it is that Trumpian authoritarianism, lies, threats, illegalities, silencing and Hobbesian approaches can be and are supported and sustained knowingly by millions.
I'm writing up a little list following your question the other day as I spot or remember things.
But at the moment for the USA it's glazing your own stained glass window from many sources to make a picture, and it's selecting fragments from each source.
One problem with the traditional right at present in the USA is that when conservative Republicans poke their heads out of the niche and take a proper look at Trump, they either flip quite quickly or burrow even deep up his rabbit hole. Some military commentators seem to have done this in the recent episode, since they are actually in possession of principles and a morality.
As you observed with Marc Elias, law people get to track one niche-full of actual happenings. I tend to follow the duets from Brian Taylor-Cohen and Elias, and also Michael Popok on Legal AF, who tends to mention everything legal in short segments.
One source I have not tried yet has been right of centre law blogs aka blawgs, such as Volokh Conspiracy, which I read for years.
Possibly useful sources are NPR / PBS as usual, or US versions of British sites - such as Spectator World on thespectator.com (which is more Trumpish / Christian Nationalist than the UK edition, but does cover things and shares some staff).
Plus the authoritative US magazines such as Foreign Affairs and The Atlantic, and their podcasts.
I've also found things such as DW useful to triangulate a UK perspective, but I have not really tried the BBC World Service yet, which is usually distinctly more informative than the UK focused BBC.
I've found people who do long form interviews helpful as it gives time for analysis. The best for me at present is probably Silicon Curtain, on Youtube. And particular commentators - at present I'm working through Fiona Hill's archive.
Finally, my pair of Telegraph Podcasts - Ukraine the Latest, who are the gold standard because their team has such a deep knowledge of Ukr, Military, Eastern Europe etc, and they interview a vast range of people - one per day since 2022, and now doing more coverage of USA-Europe relations. And the Daily T is a useful window on the Right to Hard Right, since they are fairly ardent Trump supporters who tend to swallow his speeches whole.
Final thought - are the International Herald Tribune any use, or anything USA focused from the FT?
Trump now appears to be demanding reparations from Ukraine.
Trump now wants entire Ukrainian resource revenue in updated minerals pact offer
The new deal requires Ukraine to repay all free US aid since 2022, plus pay 4% interest per year before it can access any profits. Zelenskyy says the terms keep changing. https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1905547409091871176
What remains remarkable, unless I’ve missed it, is the silence from Democrats on most of the Trump administration’s foreign policy twatteries.
Have they said anything reassuring towards: Canada, Greenland, the entire continent of Europe, or even Ukraine? Anything to suggest they would reverse unfair extortion on minerals or power stations?
I disagree. I have to say tims and Bonde, I started out in your place thinking this was wild and wrong, but after investigation and analysis, it’s another of those things I have changed my mind about. These things in the earth are important to the technology and security future, a lot of its in China, who are trying to get even more around the world under contract even Greenland. I don’t think it’s such a bad thing the West and US sign a deal with Greenland, and put other places on contract too.
I’ll go as far as to say, those out of Sleepy Joe’s administration reacting by publicly saying US shouldn’t get this under contract, are being a bit stupid and handing the “ahead of the game” initiative to the MAGA.
You’re making the category error of thinking this is about “the West and US” signing a deal with Greenland.
First, Greenland is the West. It’s an autonomous nation under the foreign policy control of Denmark, and within NATO.
Second, any annexation of Greenland would be by and for the USA - a borderline hostile power - not for “The West”.
Trump now appears to be demanding reparations from Ukraine.
Trump now wants entire Ukrainian resource revenue in updated minerals pact offer
The new deal requires Ukraine to repay all free US aid since 2022, plus pay 4% interest per year before it can access any profits. Zelenskyy says the terms keep changing. https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1905547409091871176
What remains remarkable, unless I’ve missed it, is the silence from Democrats on most of the Trump administration’s foreign policy twatteries.
Have they said anything reassuring towards: Canada, Greenland, the entire continent of Europe, or even Ukraine? Anything to suggest they would reverse unfair extortion on minerals or power stations?
I disagree. I have to say tims and Bonde, I started out in your place thinking this was wild and wrong, but after investigation and analysis, it’s another of those things I have changed my mind about. These things in the earth are important to the technology and security future, a lot of its in China, who are trying to get even more around the world under contract even Greenland. I don’t think it’s such a bad thing the West and US sign a deal with Greenland, and put other places on contract too.
I’ll go as far as to say, those out of Sleepy Joe’s administration reacting by publicly saying US shouldn’t get this under contract, are being a bit stupid and handing the “ahead of the game” initiative to the MAGA.
There is all the difference in the world between signing (and abiding by*) a contract, and simply taking.
* No-one in their right mind would put any faith in any piece of paper signed by Trump.
Given Trump's actions towards Greenland (and also Canada and Ukraine in particular), Greenland would be foolish to allow any American company access to its resources. It simply should not tolerate the risk that once there, they won't go home and the US will use it as a Trojan Horse.
Trump now appears to be demanding reparations from Ukraine.
Trump now wants entire Ukrainian resource revenue in updated minerals pact offer
The new deal requires Ukraine to repay all free US aid since 2022, plus pay 4% interest per year before it can access any profits. Zelenskyy says the terms keep changing. https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1905547409091871176
What remains remarkable, unless I’ve missed it, is the silence from Democrats on most of the Trump administration’s foreign policy twatteries.
Have they said anything reassuring towards: Canada, Greenland, the entire continent of Europe, or even Ukraine? Anything to suggest they would reverse unfair extortion on minerals or power stations?
I disagree. I have to say tims and Bonde, I started out in your place thinking this was wild and wrong, but after investigation and analysis, it’s another of those things I have changed my mind about. These things in the earth are important to the technology and security future, a lot of its in China, who are trying to get even more around the world under contract even Greenland. I don’t think it’s such a bad thing the West and US sign a deal with Greenland, and put other places on contract too.
I’ll go as far as to say, those out of Sleepy Joe’s administration reacting by publicly saying US shouldn’t get this under contract, are being a bit stupid and handing the “ahead of the game” initiative to the MAGA.
Is there an app you can recommend that will make sense of this post?
No. But I can post again the links I already posted in last hours Robert asked for, that should clearly explain my thinking.
I’m happy to name names. Howard Lutnick certainly stands to gain. But Primarily it’s Ronald Lauder influencing this. Trump is completely on board with everything Lauder is saying on needing Greenland in the National Interest. https://fortune.com/2025/01/09/trump-greenland-mining-defense/
Here’s a flavour of the geo political queuing up to be involved in Greenland mining alongside Trumps America, and that it’s not whimsical from Trump, it’s solidly geo political and future looking. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9d5jwvw9nlo
Conversely, the now dead Ukraine/US minerals deal, Biden sounded out US industry on the Kyiv offer, there was zilch interest in spending the next century in Eastern Ukraine. After that Biden White House did not take the Ukraine offer of a deal remotely seriously. I’m not sure if Trump ever did either. https://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2025/Items/Feb28-1.html
I predict it again, US Ukraine Earths Deal dead, Trumps crew (including Starmer’s UK?) mining Greenland before 2028.
This is a rather amusing article about JD Vance's team's pathetic search for Greenlanders who would welcome a visit from him and his wife. Apparently they were going door to door trying to find Quislings but failed completely.
Some woman from Ineos Grenadier on R4 this morning saying the tariffs were existential for her company and blaming the EU for not being reasonable with Trump. The Ratcliffe magic touch continues..
Surely something must be done to save the over-engineered Monaco tractor for the world?
It could have been so much worse. Jim was looking for big sweeteners from the Welsh Government to move into the former Ford Engine Plant in Bridgend, but the Welsh Government weren't as accomodating as the French.
As it is the Welsh Government might lose their shirt on AML in St Athan after Trump's tariffs.
Was Ineos ever a goer? An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?
“An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?”
Am I alone in liking that idea?
Buy yourself a nearly new 2023 on 1700 miles for £39 grand. New list price is £72,000! That is some depreciation. Best get yourself a genuine Series 1 Landy.
Interesting to see the "reaction" on here to Reform's initial policy foray into housing and construction.
Rather like the Conservative approach to Net Zero, how it's being reported by opponents and what the truth of it is are probably two very different things.
Attitudes to housing aren't set in stone (or even brick, no pun intended). It's perfectly possible to be opposed to over-development without being opposed to development. That's why we have a planning and public consultation process - so residents can say with what kind of housing and where they would be happy. The pro-building media tend to paint any opposition to building as NIMBY or simply anti-housing which it generally isn't.
Local plans set out densities and it's only when developers, trying to maximize profits for themselves, put in plans which flagrantly breach those densities that the problems start. We now see sensible developers engaging with local communites at an early stage, long before any application is submitted. Public meetings are held at which, let's be honest, the case for building is put forward but the meetings also serve to tease out potential areas of objection which can be mitigated in the plans submitted and move the development forward more quickly and without the rancour of public opposition campaigns.
You'll never satisfy everyone but if objections are minimised, the local authority is more likely to grant permission rather than waste time and resources in a protracted legal battle.
This is a rather amusing article about JD Vance's team's pathetic search for Greenlanders who would welcome a visit from him and his wife. Apparently they were going door to door trying to find Quislings but failed completely.
JD Vance is the definition of an odious, over-promoted slimeball, even by the demanding standards of the Trump administration.
I’d imagine that Greenland society is pretty close knit, so even if there are potential Quislings out there (I’m sure there would be) they’d probably want to be keeping quiet.
“I’ve had to check into a hotel, nobody allowed back in our building yet, my room likely covered in plaster. Fucking terrifying! But safe, and thankful.”
Some woman from Ineos Grenadier on R4 this morning saying the tariffs were existential for her company and blaming the EU for not being reasonable with Trump. The Ratcliffe magic touch continues..
Surely something must be done to save the over-engineered Monaco tractor for the world?
It could have been so much worse. Jim was looking for big sweeteners from the Welsh Government to move into the former Ford Engine Plant in Bridgend, but the Welsh Government weren't as accomodating as the French.
As it is the Welsh Government might lose their shirt on AML in St Athan after Trump's tariffs.
Was Ineos ever a goer? An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?
Trump now appears to be demanding reparations from Ukraine.
Trump now wants entire Ukrainian resource revenue in updated minerals pact offer
The new deal requires Ukraine to repay all free US aid since 2022, plus pay 4% interest per year before it can access any profits. Zelenskyy says the terms keep changing. https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1905547409091871176
What remains remarkable, unless I’ve missed it, is the silence from Democrats on most of the Trump administration’s foreign policy twatteries.
Have they said anything reassuring towards: Canada, Greenland, the entire continent of Europe, or even Ukraine? Anything to suggest they would reverse unfair extortion on minerals or power stations?
I disagree. I have to say tims and Bonde, I started out in your place thinking this was wild and wrong, but after investigation and analysis, it’s another of those things I have changed my mind about. These things in the earth are important to the technology and security future, a lot of its in China, who are trying to get even more around the world under contract even Greenland. I don’t think it’s such a bad thing the West and US sign a deal with Greenland, and put other places on contract too.
I’ll go as far as to say, those out of Sleepy Joe’s administration reacting by publicly saying US shouldn’t get this under contract, are being a bit stupid and handing the “ahead of the game” initiative to the MAGA.
There is all the difference in the world between signing (and abiding by*) a contract, and simply taking.
* No-one in their right mind would put any faith in any piece of paper signed by Trump.
Given Trump's actions towards Greenland (and also Canada and Ukraine in particular), Greenland would be foolish to allow any American company access to its resources. It simply should not tolerate the risk that once there, they won't go home and the US will use it as a Trojan Horse.
Trump has no interest in taking - that’s the mind games he plays, the chaff he puts out, as part of his doing business model. Which maybe isn’t as novel and crazy as we may have thought on first contact.
Nor would US Admin actually sign a deal, more likely a memorandum of understanding thing which companies can/can’t sign deals and operate there.
This thing isn’t whimsical, it’s quite serious and actually happening David. Greenland wants it to happen. And I like the idea of UK being involved too, for our own self interest in supply of the earth things in future.
Some woman from Ineos Grenadier on R4 this morning saying the tariffs were existential for her company and blaming the EU for not being reasonable with Trump. The Ratcliffe magic touch continues..
Surely something must be done to save the over-engineered Monaco tractor for the world?
It could have been so much worse. Jim was looking for big sweeteners from the Welsh Government to move into the former Ford Engine Plant in Bridgend, but the Welsh Government weren't as accomodating as the French.
As it is the Welsh Government might lose their shirt on AML in St Athan after Trump's tariffs.
Was Ineos ever a goer? An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?
“An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?”
Am I alone in liking that idea?
There is a market, around the world, for a low tech, reliable serious off roader.
“I’ve had to check into a hotel, nobody allowed back in our building yet, my room likely covered in plaster. Fucking terrifying! But safe, and thankful.”
Sounds pretty scary
If there's no history of earthquakes in Thailand, this could be really problematic in terms of assessing the structural integrity of all those skyscrapers.
I literally don’t understand why Starmer can’t just tweet
“Confirmed. The law against earthquakes in nice foreign places will come into power in 2027, probably after lunch in a timely manner. When we promise something, we do it.”
Some woman from Ineos Grenadier on R4 this morning saying the tariffs were existential for her company and blaming the EU for not being reasonable with Trump. The Ratcliffe magic touch continues..
Surely something must be done to save the over-engineered Monaco tractor for the world?
It could have been so much worse. Jim was looking for big sweeteners from the Welsh Government to move into the former Ford Engine Plant in Bridgend, but the Welsh Government weren't as accomodating as the French.
As it is the Welsh Government might lose their shirt on AML in St Athan after Trump's tariffs.
Was Ineos ever a goer? An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?
“An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?”
This is a rather amusing article about JD Vance's team's pathetic search for Greenlanders who would welcome a visit from him and his wife. Apparently they were going door to door trying to find Quislings but failed completely.
JD Vance is the definition of an odious, over-promoted slimeball, even by the demanding standards of the Trump administration.
I’d imagine that Greenland society is pretty close knit, so even if there are potential Quislings out there (I’m sure there would be) they’d probably want to be keeping quiet.
Or they'll be frozen out? Or is that what's happening to Mrs & Mrs Vance?
I literally don’t understand why Starmer can’t just tweet
“Confirmed. The law against earthquakes in nice foreign places will come into power in 2027, probably after lunch in a timely manner. When we promise something, we do it.”
"When we promise a quarter of a million more in poverty, we do it."
I don't know how earthquake proof Myanmar is, I suspect not great. 7.7, depending on depth, doesn't sound good.
Reportedly very close to surface. And Mandalay. An under construction skyscraper in Bangkok has gone. All in all, doesn't look rosy.
My grandson is in Thailand. He's just WhatsApped me. "All good, was the most mental couple of minutes of my life but all good!"
On the upside, Rangoon (and the rest of Myanmar) is pretty low rise. Because they are so poor. They haven’t had the wave of skyscrapers yet. There are some but it’s nothing like Bangkok
So that might save quite a few lives. Wooden shacks don’t fall down and kill people
Trump now appears to be demanding reparations from Ukraine.
Trump now wants entire Ukrainian resource revenue in updated minerals pact offer
The new deal requires Ukraine to repay all free US aid since 2022, plus pay 4% interest per year before it can access any profits. Zelenskyy says the terms keep changing. https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1905547409091871176
What remains remarkable, unless I’ve missed it, is the silence from Democrats on most of the Trump administration’s foreign policy twatteries.
Have they said anything reassuring towards: Canada, Greenland, the entire continent of Europe, or even Ukraine? Anything to suggest they would reverse unfair extortion on minerals or power stations?
I disagree. I have to say tims and Bonde, I started out in your place thinking this was wild and wrong, but after investigation and analysis, it’s another of those things I have changed my mind about. These things in the earth are important to the technology and security future, a lot of its in China, who are trying to get even more around the world under contract even Greenland. I don’t think it’s such a bad thing the West and US sign a deal with Greenland, and put other places on contract too.
I’ll go as far as to say, those out of Sleepy Joe’s administration reacting by publicly saying US shouldn’t get this under contract, are being a bit stupid and handing the “ahead of the game” initiative to the MAGA.
There is all the difference in the world between signing (and abiding by*) a contract, and simply taking.
* No-one in their right mind would put any faith in any piece of paper signed by Trump.
Given Trump's actions towards Greenland (and also Canada and Ukraine in particular), Greenland would be foolish to allow any American company access to its resources. It simply should not tolerate the risk that once there, they won't go home and the US will use it as a Trojan Horse.
Trump has no interest in taking - that’s the mind games he plays, the chaff he puts out, as part of his doing business model. Which maybe isn’t as novel and crazy as we may have thought on first contact.
Nor would US Admin actually sign a deal, more likely a memorandum of understanding thing which companies can/can’t sign deals and operate there.
This thing isn’t whimsical, it’s quite serious and actually happening David. Greenland wants it to happen. And I like the idea of UK being involved too, for our own self interest in supply of the earth things in future.
Trump-45 wouldn't have been interested in taking. Trump-47, I'm not so sure about. He's changed his mind since 2020 on how to run things and very much sees Greenland as a piece of real estate to buy or take. Yes, of course he plays mind games too but the world should take him at his word here.
Currently on the ECML and no sign of NIMBYism round here. The (flattened) fields are covered in bulldozers or tiny detached houses; the sea guarded by swirling turbines. Even the odd solar farm.
I use it to check out places, but then it's very often possible to find the owners (or local agents) directly and get the same place 20-30% cheaper.
It's worth boycotting because co-founder Joe Gebbia - worth billions because of his 7% stake in Airbnb - is part of DOGE and supports Trump. He's also on the board of Tesla.
Many of the same properties are on booking.com or other sites, and sometimes with better terms (cancellation, support, price).
Americans absolutely love from the Mini Cooper to the PS5.
Mini sales are in the karzi in the US. They have been in constant decline since about 2015 and are down to about half of what they were. There is a lot of talk about the brand withdrawing.
Europe buys lots of US made cars, all of the BMW X models are made in North Carolina.
Not sure it’s wise for Farage to mention any insurance element of a new NHS funding model . Although the French system works well that type of change will frighten a lot of voters as some costs you have to pay upfront . Labour are really going after Reform on health .
He'll just brand it 'Australian Style' and the brain dead boomers at the core of the Fukker vote will lap it up. Anything Australian focus groups really well with those stupid fuckers.
“I’ve had to check into a hotel, nobody allowed back in our building yet, my room likely covered in plaster. Fucking terrifying! But safe, and thankful.”
Sounds pretty scary
If there's no history of earthquakes in Thailand, this could be really problematic in terms of assessing the structural integrity of all those skyscrapers.
IIRC Bangkok is largely built on alluvial soil. Can one of our engineer or geologist contributors tell whether that is likely to soak up earthquake movements or accentuate them?
I don't know how earthquake proof Myanmar is, I suspect not great. 7.7, depending on depth, doesn't sound good.
Reportedly very close to surface. And Mandalay. An under construction skyscraper in Bangkok has gone. All in all, doesn't look rosy.
My grandson is in Thailand. He's just WhatsApped me. "All good, was the most mental couple of minutes of my life but all good!"
On the upside, Rangoon (and the rest of Myanmar) is pretty low rise. Because they are so poor. They haven’t had the wave of skyscrapers yet. There are some but it’s nothing like Bangkok
So that might save quite a few lives. Wooden shacks don’t fall down and kill people
Wooden shacks do, however, burn. Hopefully the locals can get whatever fires may break out quickly under control.
I don't know how earthquake proof Myanmar is, I suspect not great. 7.7, depending on depth, doesn't sound good.
Reportedly very close to surface. And Mandalay. An under construction skyscraper in Bangkok has gone. All in all, doesn't look rosy.
My grandson is in Thailand. He's just WhatsApped me. "All good, was the most mental couple of minutes of my life but all good!"
On the upside, Rangoon (and the rest of Myanmar) is pretty low rise. Because they are so poor. They haven’t had the wave of skyscrapers yet. There are some but it’s nothing like Bangkok
So that might save quite a few lives. Wooden shacks don’t fall down and kill people
Wooden shacks do, however, burn. Hopefully the locals can get whatever fires may break out quickly under control.
Back in the Goode Olde Days, when it was wooden low rise, Tokyo would burn to the ground after a big earthquake, quite often.
I don't know how earthquake proof Myanmar is, I suspect not great. 7.7, depending on depth, doesn't sound good.
Reportedly very close to surface. And Mandalay. An under construction skyscraper in Bangkok has gone. All in all, doesn't look rosy.
My grandson is in Thailand. He's just WhatsApped me. "All good, was the most mental couple of minutes of my life but all good!"
On the upside, Rangoon (and the rest of Myanmar) is pretty low rise. Because they are so poor. They haven’t had the wave of skyscrapers yet. There are some but it’s nothing like Bangkok
So that might save quite a few lives. Wooden shacks don’t fall down and kill people
Wooden shacks do, however, burn. Hopefully the locals can get whatever fires may break out quickly under control.
Back in the Goode Olde Days, when it was wooden low rise, Tokyo would burn to the ground after a big earthquake, quite often.
Led to the odd massacre of resident ethnic Korean community too.
Mahmoud emboldened this toxic quango by backing down when she had challenged them. Absolute amateur hour.
It's all very well to call a quango 'toxic' but quangos are the creation of government and parliament. If parliament wanted the council's guidance to only go into effect upon the approval of the government or parliament, they are uniquely and powerfully in a position to have said so or to say so now.
If you don't like a quango or its powers or what it actually does, then the place to put it right is parliament, where the Lord Chancellor's government has a three trillion majority.
Some woman from Ineos Grenadier on R4 this morning saying the tariffs were existential for her company and blaming the EU for not being reasonable with Trump. The Ratcliffe magic touch continues..
Surely something must be done to save the over-engineered Monaco tractor for the world?
It could have been so much worse. Jim was looking for big sweeteners from the Welsh Government to move into the former Ford Engine Plant in Bridgend, but the Welsh Government weren't as accomodating as the French.
As it is the Welsh Government might lose their shirt on AML in St Athan after Trump's tariffs.
Was Ineos ever a goer? An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?
“An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?”
Am I alone in liking that idea?
I didn’t think 1948 Land Rovers had heaters.
I remember as a kid in the late 60's, travelling well over 100 miles in an old Landy in a downpour - with me having to turn the windscreen wipers manually...
Some woman from Ineos Grenadier on R4 this morning saying the tariffs were existential for her company and blaming the EU for not being reasonable with Trump. The Ratcliffe magic touch continues..
Surely something must be done to save the over-engineered Monaco tractor for the world?
It could have been so much worse. Jim was looking for big sweeteners from the Welsh Government to move into the former Ford Engine Plant in Bridgend, but the Welsh Government weren't as accomodating as the French.
As it is the Welsh Government might lose their shirt on AML in St Athan after Trump's tariffs.
Was Ineos ever a goer? An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?
“An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?”
Am I alone in liking that idea?
Yes, but that's not what a Grenadier is. It's a copy of a 1990 - 2015 LR Defender (the last non-woke LR) with non-hybrid BMW/ZF powertrains that would be better enjoyed in a BMW. They should have built it with the GM LS V8 from the start. That would have given it a distinct point of difference and opened up a whole world of aftermarket lunacy.
I've no idea why anybody would buy one ahead of a Landcruiser or G-Wagon but apparently people do. Probably just tory c-nts who like Ratcliffe and fracking.
Sir William Browder KCMG @Billbrowder BREAKING: A Russian scientist who opposed Putin’s war, fled Russia & found work at Harvard was detained at Logan Airport returning from a French academic conference and has been sent to an immigration detention center in Louisiana for deportation to Russia
Sir William Browder KCMG @Billbrowder BREAKING: A Russian scientist who opposed Putin’s war, fled Russia & found work at Harvard was detained at Logan Airport returning from a French academic conference and has been sent to an immigration detention center in Louisiana for deportation to Russia
Sir William Browder KCMG @Billbrowder BREAKING: A Russian scientist who opposed Putin’s war, fled Russia & found work at Harvard was detained at Logan Airport returning from a French academic conference and has been sent to an immigration detention center in Louisiana for deportation to Russia
Sir William Browder KCMG @Billbrowder BREAKING: A Russian scientist who opposed Putin’s war, fled Russia & found work at Harvard was detained at Logan Airport returning from a French academic conference and has been sent to an immigration detention center in Louisiana for deportation to Russia
Sir William Browder KCMG @Billbrowder BREAKING: A Russian scientist who opposed Putin’s war, fled Russia & found work at Harvard was detained at Logan Airport returning from a French academic conference and has been sent to an immigration detention center in Louisiana for deportation to Russia
Something disappointing for absolutely everybody there. The picture is bleakest for the Tories of course. Gogglebox is making no ground on a desperately unpopular PM and government while Nigel and the Fukkers say all the things the tory voters want to hear with more clarity.
Not sure it’s wise for Farage to mention any insurance element of a new NHS funding model . Although the French system works well that type of change will frighten a lot of voters as some costs you have to pay upfront . Labour are really going after Reform on health .
He'll just brand it 'Australian Style' and the brain dead boomers at the core of the Fukker vote will lap it up. Anything Australian focus groups really well with those stupid fuckers.
Thought you would be veering in his direction as the only major politician that bum licks Putin. That said, I think even Farage probably falls short of naming Putin's murderous war the "SMO" as you do.
Mahmoud emboldened this toxic quango by backing down when she had challenged them. Absolute amateur hour.
It's all very well to call a quango 'toxic' but quangos are the creation of government and parliament. If parliament wanted the council's guidance to only go into effect upon the approval of the government or parliament, they are uniquely and powerfully in a position to have said so or to say so now.
If you don't like a quango or its powers or what it actually does, then the place to put it right is parliament, where the Lord Chancellor's government has a three trillion majority.
Imagine when Lucky Guys love affair with Liz Truss hit the buffers and his joy when Trump turned up.....
Just catching up, may I say that I literally couldn't give a flying fuck about the use/misuse of the word 'literally'?
My daughter's interspersion of the word 'like' several times in each protracted sentence distresses me immensely, however.
I think it is correct to say that I literally hate the inappropriate use of the word "like". My other old fart pet hates include non-Australians who say "no worries" of call me "mate".
These decisions need to be taken by elected politicians. Hopefully the government will act to make this so.
no no no no the law is separate for good reasons, look across the pond for goodness sake
Sentencing has got over complicated. As now, parliament should set in statute the maximum penalty for offences, there should be no Sentencing Council, and judges and magistrates should be given back their wide discretion with the intervention being the guidance from Court of Appeal decisions.
The real reform needed is mostly an unrelated matter. All 85,000 prisoners except about 60 of them are going to come out sometime and live next door to someone. The entire prison system should be given over to rehabilitation ensuring they are fit to leave prison in a suitable state to be my neighbour. And there should be a power to defer release, or release under particular conditions for ever, for all prisoners who fail in this regard. Maximum carrot, greater stick.
Sir William Browder KCMG @Billbrowder BREAKING: A Russian scientist who opposed Putin’s war, fled Russia & found work at Harvard was detained at Logan Airport returning from a French academic conference and has been sent to an immigration detention center in Louisiana for deportation to Russia
Sir William Browder KCMG @Billbrowder BREAKING: A Russian scientist who opposed Putin’s war, fled Russia & found work at Harvard was detained at Logan Airport returning from a French academic conference and has been sent to an immigration detention center in Louisiana for deportation to Russia
These decisions need to be taken by elected politicians. Hopefully the government will act to make this so.
no no no no the law is separate for good reasons, look across the pond for goodness sake
Parliament is ultimately the top court in the land here, not a "coequal" branch of gov't to SCOTUK. Trump would have a much easier time implementing his ideas if he was PM here.
These decisions need to be taken by elected politicians. Hopefully the government will act to make this so.
no no no no the law is separate for good reasons, look across the pond for goodness sake
Parliament is ultimately the top court in the land here, not a "coequal" branch of gov't to SCOTUK. Trump would have a much easier time implementing his ideas if he was PM here.
If politicians framed laws properly they wouldn't need to moan about lawyers and judges.
Sir William Browder KCMG @Billbrowder BREAKING: A Russian scientist who opposed Putin’s war, fled Russia & found work at Harvard was detained at Logan Airport returning from a French academic conference and has been sent to an immigration detention center in Louisiana for deportation to Russia
Trump now appears to be demanding reparations from Ukraine.
Trump now wants entire Ukrainian resource revenue in updated minerals pact offer
The new deal requires Ukraine to repay all free US aid since 2022, plus pay 4% interest per year before it can access any profits. Zelenskyy says the terms keep changing. https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1905547409091871176
What remains remarkable, unless I’ve missed it, is the silence from Democrats on most of the Trump administration’s foreign policy twatteries.
Have they said anything reassuring towards: Canada, Greenland, the entire continent of Europe, or even Ukraine? Anything to suggest they would reverse unfair extortion on minerals or power stations?
The Dems have retreated into their comfort zone:
US Senate Democrats banded together to torpedo a Republican bill that would ban transgender athletes from women’s sports, defeating the legislation in a razor-sharp party-line vote of 51-45 on Monday evening.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, led by Tommy Tuberville, a senator from Alabama, crashed before reaching the 60 votes needed to advance, halting the proposal that had passed the House in January.
A New York Times/Ipsos poll from January found 79% of Americans opposed transgender female athletes competing in women’s sports, a statistic Republicans hoped would bolster their position. Democrats, however, swiftly branded the bill a cynical political distraction.
These decisions need to be taken by elected politicians. Hopefully the government will act to make this so.
no no no no the law is separate for good reasons, look across the pond for goodness sake
Parliament is ultimately the top court in the land here, not a "coequal" branch of gov't to SCOTUK. Trump would have a much easier time implementing his ideas if he was PM here.
If politicians framed laws properly they wouldn't need to moan about lawyers and judges.
The May gov't was the absolute worst for dreadful laws passed.
These decisions need to be taken by elected politicians. Hopefully the government will act to make this so.
no no no no the law is separate for good reasons, look across the pond for goodness sake
Parliament is ultimately the top court in the land here, not a "coequal" branch of gov't to SCOTUK. Trump would have a much easier time implementing his ideas if he was PM here.
The law is still separate. Ultimately there is no material difference between the powers of the Supreme Court in the US and the powers of the Supreme Court in the UK other than that the law is easier to change in the UK.
Sir William Browder KCMG @Billbrowder BREAKING: A Russian scientist who opposed Putin’s war, fled Russia & found work at Harvard was detained at Logan Airport returning from a French academic conference and has been sent to an immigration detention center in Louisiana for deportation to Russia
“I’ve had to check into a hotel, nobody allowed back in our building yet, my room likely covered in plaster. Fucking terrifying! But safe, and thankful.”
Sounds pretty scary
If there's no history of earthquakes in Thailand, this could be really problematic in terms of assessing the structural integrity of all those skyscrapers.
There is a lengthy history of earthquakes in Thailand. It's next to an earthquake hotspot.
Trump now appears to be demanding reparations from Ukraine.
Trump now wants entire Ukrainian resource revenue in updated minerals pact offer
The new deal requires Ukraine to repay all free US aid since 2022, plus pay 4% interest per year before it can access any profits. Zelenskyy says the terms keep changing. https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1905547409091871176
What remains remarkable, unless I’ve missed it, is the silence from Democrats on most of the Trump administration’s foreign policy twatteries.
Have they said anything reassuring towards: Canada, Greenland, the entire continent of Europe, or even Ukraine? Anything to suggest they would reverse unfair extortion on minerals or power stations?
I disagree. I have to say tims and Bonde, I started out in your place thinking this was wild and wrong, but after investigation and analysis, it’s another of those things I have changed my mind about. These things in the earth are important to the technology and security future, a lot of its in China, who are trying to get even more around the world under contract even Greenland. I don’t think it’s such a bad thing the West and US sign a deal with Greenland, and put other places on contract too.
I’ll go as far as to say, those out of Sleepy Joe’s administration reacting by publicly saying US shouldn’t get this under contract, are being a bit stupid and handing the “ahead of the game” initiative to the MAGA.
Is there an app you can recommend that will make sense of this post?
No. But I can post again the links I already posted in last hours Robert asked for, that should clearly explain my thinking.
I’m happy to name names. Howard Lutnick certainly stands to gain. But Primarily it’s Ronald Lauder influencing this. Trump is completely on board with everything Lauder is saying on needing Greenland in the National Interest. https://fortune.com/2025/01/09/trump-greenland-mining-defense/
Here’s a flavour of the geo political queuing up to be involved in Greenland mining alongside Trumps America, and that it’s not whimsical from Trump, it’s solidly geo political and future looking. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9d5jwvw9nlo
Conversely, the now dead Ukraine/US minerals deal, Biden sounded out US industry on the Kyiv offer, there was zilch interest in spending the next century in Eastern Ukraine. After that Biden White House did not take the Ukraine offer of a deal remotely seriously. I’m not sure if Trump ever did either. https://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2025/Items/Feb28-1.html
I predict it again, US Ukraine Earths Deal dead, Trumps crew (including Starmer’s UK?) mining Greenland before 2028.
Why don't they just move in the US, which has plentiful (proven) resources ?
Rare earth minerals are a virtual Chinese monopoly not because they have more of them, but because processing them is fairly costly, and takes a lot of investment (and also can be environmentally damaging). The Chinese threw a lot of money at the problem, didn't spend years on environmental permits, and therefore took most of the world market.
Sir William Browder KCMG @Billbrowder BREAKING: A Russian scientist who opposed Putin’s war, fled Russia & found work at Harvard was detained at Logan Airport returning from a French academic conference and has been sent to an immigration detention center in Louisiana for deportation to Russia
Just catching up, may I say that I literally couldn't give a flying fuck about the use/misuse of the word 'literally'?
My daughter's interspersion of the word 'like' several times in each protracted sentence distresses me immensely, however.
I think it is correct to say that I literally hate the inappropriate use of the word "like". My other old fart pet hates include non-Australians who say "no worries" of call me "mate".
Oh dear. No worries and mate are fairly widespread. I may have even used them myself on occasion. Perhaps even a "no worries, mate".
Just catching up, may I say that I literally couldn't give a flying fuck about the use/misuse of the word 'literally'?
My daughter's interspersion of the word 'like' several times in each protracted sentence distresses me immensely, however.
I think it is correct to say that I literally hate the inappropriate use of the word "like". My other old fart pet hates include non-Australians who say "no worries" of call me "mate".
Oh dear. No worries and mate are fairly widespread. I may have even used them myself on occasion. Perhaps even a "no worries, mate".
Mate is fine. Now, buddy, outside of the Birmingham "bud", never fails to sound patronising. I hate it.
Trump now appears to be demanding reparations from Ukraine.
Trump now wants entire Ukrainian resource revenue in updated minerals pact offer
The new deal requires Ukraine to repay all free US aid since 2022, plus pay 4% interest per year before it can access any profits. Zelenskyy says the terms keep changing. https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1905547409091871176
What remains remarkable, unless I’ve missed it, is the silence from Democrats on most of the Trump administration’s foreign policy twatteries.
Have they said anything reassuring towards: Canada, Greenland, the entire continent of Europe, or even Ukraine? Anything to suggest they would reverse unfair extortion on minerals or power stations?
I disagree. I have to say tims and Bonde, I started out in your place thinking this was wild and wrong, but after investigation and analysis, it’s another of those things I have changed my mind about. These things in the earth are important to the technology and security future, a lot of its in China, who are trying to get even more around the world under contract even Greenland. I don’t think it’s such a bad thing the West and US sign a deal with Greenland, and put other places on contract too.
I’ll go as far as to say, those out of Sleepy Joe’s administration reacting by publicly saying US shouldn’t get this under contract, are being a bit stupid and handing the “ahead of the game” initiative to the MAGA.
Is there an app you can recommend that will make sense of this post?
No. But I can post again the links I already posted in last hours Robert asked for, that should clearly explain my thinking.
I’m happy to name names. Howard Lutnick certainly stands to gain. But Primarily it’s Ronald Lauder influencing this. Trump is completely on board with everything Lauder is saying on needing Greenland in the National Interest. https://fortune.com/2025/01/09/trump-greenland-mining-defense/
Here’s a flavour of the geo political queuing up to be involved in Greenland mining alongside Trumps America, and that it’s not whimsical from Trump, it’s solidly geo political and future looking. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9d5jwvw9nlo
Conversely, the now dead Ukraine/US minerals deal, Biden sounded out US industry on the Kyiv offer, there was zilch interest in spending the next century in Eastern Ukraine. After that Biden White House did not take the Ukraine offer of a deal remotely seriously. I’m not sure if Trump ever did either. https://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2025/Items/Feb28-1.html
I predict it again, US Ukraine Earths Deal dead, Trumps crew (including Starmer’s UK?) mining Greenland before 2028.
Why don't they just move in the US, which has plentiful (proven) resources ?
Rare earth minerals are a virtual Chinese monopoly not because they have more of them, but because processing them is fairly costly, and takes a lot of investment (and also can be environmentally damaging). The Chinese threw a lot of money at the problem, didn't spend years on environmental permits, and therefore took most of the world market.
Greenland is fairly irrelevant to all of that.
Albania's got loads, but not the money to exploit them on any scale. He could just chuck billions at them.
Sir William Browder KCMG @Billbrowder BREAKING: A Russian scientist who opposed Putin’s war, fled Russia & found work at Harvard was detained at Logan Airport returning from a French academic conference and has been sent to an immigration detention center in Louisiana for deportation to Russia
Comments
AirBnB is quite a blight on city centres in hotspots like Barcelona, Edinburgh etc. I would hate to have an AirBnB as a neighbour.
Airbnb is typically better for the owner as it charges lower fees, and its online visuals are superior, but Booking.com is more convenient for the traveller. I tend to browse on Airbnb then book on Booking.
Other things I like about it are far greater transparency on cancellation and change options, fully loaded pricing in the listings (Airbnb quotes low numbers then builds them up Ryanair-style with things like cleaning fees), the loyalty points programme, and the fact it includes both hotels and holiday lets.
When he says several lies in a couple of sentences is it fact (news) or opinion (comment) to point out that his words are filled with inexactitudes?
Is it a fact or an opinion that Trump is acting unlawfully and/or improperly if he fail to obey a court order or is it either undecidable or OK for Trump because of the SCOTUS immunity the POTUS possesses?
I use booking.com and try to book directly with the accommodation if their communication is good.
First, a word on the Mayfield by-election which should come as no surprise to anyone who follows East London politics closely. It mirrors results in Newham since the Gaza conflict erupted in October 2023. The last local elections in London were in 2022 and it wasn't an issue back then.
Those who stand under the Ilford Independents or Newham Independents aren't by any means simply pro-Palestine, some are strong critics of the existing Labour-run Councils and the Labour Government. In Newham, the obvious ineptitude of the ruling Labour administration under Mayor Fiaz provides plenty of ammunition for those wishing to criticise the Council alone.
A number of the Independents are ex-Labour people, strong supporters of Momentum and Jeremy Corbyn as well as of George Galloway and Wards like Mayfield and Plaistow North with high numbers of Muslims are fertile ground - the Independents do much less well in areas with strong Hindu majorities or more mixed areas.
As to whether they will be a factor at the next local elections let alone the next General Election, I've no idea. That they were well organised in strongly Muslim areas in undeniable but as we saw with Respect in the mid-2000s, the period of initial strength weakerns quickly if the cause of the anger no longer has the prominence in the news media it once enjoyed.
As it is the Welsh Government might lose their shirt on AML in St Athan after Trump's tariffs.
Was Ineos ever a goer? An exhumed and reheated Land Rover dating from 1948?
I’ll go as far as to say, those out of Sleepy Joe’s administration reacting by publicly saying US shouldn’t get this under contract, are being a bit stupid and handing the “ahead of the game” initiative to the MAGA.
“Just had to run down 15 flights of stairs in terror. Everyone panicking because of the tremor. Legit thought the building was going to collapse”
I literally didn’t even know they HAD earthquakes in Bangers
Am I alone in liking that idea?
First, Greenland is the West. It’s an autonomous nation under the foreign policy control of Denmark, and within NATO.
Second, any annexation of Greenland would be by and for the USA - a borderline hostile power - not for “The West”.
* No-one in their right mind would put any faith in any piece of paper signed by Trump.
Given Trump's actions towards Greenland (and also Canada and Ukraine in particular), Greenland would be foolish to allow any American company access to its resources. It simply should not tolerate the risk that once there, they won't go home and the US will use it as a Trojan Horse.
I’m happy to name names.
Howard Lutnick certainly stands to gain. But Primarily it’s Ronald Lauder influencing this. Trump is completely on board with everything Lauder is saying on needing Greenland in the National
Interest.
https://fortune.com/2025/01/09/trump-greenland-mining-defense/
The Broligarchs gain too.
https://www.levernews.com/trumps-tech-donors-have-big-plans-for_greenland/
Here’s a flavour of the geo political queuing up to be involved in Greenland mining alongside Trumps America, and that it’s not whimsical from Trump, it’s solidly geo political and future looking.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9d5jwvw9nlo
Conversely, the now dead Ukraine/US minerals deal, Biden sounded out US industry on the Kyiv offer, there was zilch interest in spending the next century in Eastern Ukraine. After that Biden White House did not take the Ukraine offer of a deal remotely seriously. I’m not sure if Trump ever did either.
https://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2025/Items/Feb28-1.html
I predict it again, US Ukraine Earths Deal dead, Trumps crew (including Starmer’s UK?) mining Greenland before 2028.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/03/27/vance-team-plead-greenlanders-welcome-jd-usha/
JD Vance is the definition of an odious, over-promoted slimeball, even by the demanding standards of the Trump administration.
Rather like the Conservative approach to Net Zero, how it's being reported by opponents and what the truth of it is are probably two very different things.
Attitudes to housing aren't set in stone (or even brick, no pun intended). It's perfectly possible to be opposed to over-development without being opposed to development. That's why we have a planning and public consultation process - so residents can say with what kind of housing and where they would be happy. The pro-building media tend to paint any opposition to building as NIMBY or simply anti-housing which it generally isn't.
Local plans set out densities and it's only when developers, trying to maximize profits for themselves, put in plans which flagrantly breach those densities that the problems start. We now see sensible developers engaging with local communites at an early stage, long before any application is submitted. Public meetings are held at which, let's be honest, the case for building is put forward but the meetings also serve to tease out potential areas of objection which can be mitigated in the plans submitted and move the development forward more quickly and without the rancour of public opposition campaigns.
You'll never satisfy everyone but if objections are minimised, the local authority is more likely to grant permission rather than waste time and resources in a protracted legal battle.
“Keir Starmer’s communications chief quits after nine months”
“I’ve had to check into a hotel, nobody allowed back in our building yet, my room likely covered in plaster. Fucking terrifying! But safe, and thankful.”
Sounds pretty scary
Nor would US Admin actually sign a deal, more likely a memorandum of understanding thing which companies can/can’t sign deals and operate there.
This thing isn’t whimsical, it’s quite serious and actually happening David. Greenland wants it to happen. And I like the idea of UK being involved too, for our own self interest in supply of the earth things in future.
A Landrover ain’t that.
Tesla has benefited from £188m in UK taxpayer subsidies in nine years
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/trump-car-tariffs-tesla-rachel-reeves-b2723135.html
“Confirmed. The law against earthquakes in nice foreign places will come into power in 2027, probably after lunch in a timely manner. When we promise something, we do it.”
Or is that what's happening to Mrs & Mrs Vance?
"All good, was the most mental couple of minutes of my life but all good!"
So that might save quite a few lives. Wooden shacks don’t fall down and kill people
Europe buys lots of US made cars, all of the BMW X models are made in North Carolina.
If you don't like a quango or its powers or what it actually does, then the place to put it right is parliament, where the Lord Chancellor's government has a three trillion majority.
I've no idea why anybody would buy one ahead of a Landcruiser or G-Wagon but apparently people do. Probably just tory c-nts who like Ratcliffe and fracking.
BREAKING: A Russian scientist who opposed Putin’s war, fled Russia & found work at Harvard was detained at Logan Airport returning from a French academic conference and has been sent to an immigration detention center in Louisiana for deportation to Russia
https://theins.press/en/news/280037
Nor seek asylum there.
@techneUK
📊NEW POLL: LATEST WESTMINSTER VOTER INTENTIONS
Lab 25% (-2)
Reform 24% (+1)
Cons 23% (=)
Lib Dems 14% (=)
Greens 8% (+1)
SNP 2% (=)
Others 4% (=)
👥 1642 Surveyed
🔎 Field Work: 26th & 27th March 2025
🗓️ +/- 21st March 2025
🔗 Data: https://ll.ink/Lb52XT"
https://x.com/techneUK/status/1905583330533253263
Removed - it *is* a long tweet that I don't have enough time for it today.
"Europe in combat mode? Paris summit redraws Ukraine plans without Washington • FRANCE 24 English"
Uses the interesting term "Shadow NATO". Quite long. Their "The Debate" programme.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H69YiIVhjWM
....everyday's been like Christmas.....
......The loonies are back in town.....
The real reform needed is mostly an unrelated matter. All 85,000 prisoners except about 60 of them are going to come out sometime and live next door to someone. The entire prison system should be given over to rehabilitation ensuring they are fit to leave prison in a suitable state to be my neighbour. And there should be a power to defer release, or release under particular conditions for ever, for all prisoners who fail in this regard. Maximum carrot, greater stick.
https://x.com/peterjukes/status/1905594537684468007?s=46&t=fJymV-V84rexmlQMLXHHJQ
The silly season polls post July will be interesting this year.
Going to another race instead?
The epicentre was reportedly around 600 miles away, near Mandalay.
That's Labour largest Party on 200.
Con/Ref majority of 2.
Lab/Con majority of 100.
Much entertainment.
Rare earth minerals are a virtual Chinese monopoly not because they have more of them, but because processing them is fairly costly, and takes a lot of investment (and also can be environmentally damaging).
The Chinese threw a lot of money at the problem, didn't spend years on environmental permits, and therefore took most of the world market.
Greenland is fairly irrelevant to all of that.
10 years seems harsh.
He could just chuck billions at them.