Such an insight into so many things. Including the decadent lives of Iranian rich kids
Haven’t watched Tehran but have you done The Bureau? A large chunk of it involves Iran from torture chambers to swimming pool parties. Great narrative arc and the actor playing Malotru is possibly the most French Frenchman ever to appear on screen.
Starmer looks decent picking up things for the doddery old man.
Yes. It seems PB wants its politicians to be macho stereotypes. I’d hope if I were next to an old man who dropped some papers that I’d help pick them up, even if the old man was an evil old man.
'We're very long-time allies, and we've become friends. He's slightly more liberal than I am, but for some reason we get along!'
Starmer's attitude to Trump is far better than the likes of Carney's. You have to deal with the world as it is.
Carney’s is right for Canada. The country retaliated hard on tariffs and Trump blinked. But, to coin a Brexit era term, Canada has rather more cards than we do. The US is their geographic neighbour and resource-dependent in a way they aren’t on us.
Our arse licking approach is apparently inspired by Japan’s in the first Trump term. Hard to pull off with a straight face but possibly politically easier for a left of centre government than a right of centre one.
Starmer looks decent picking up things for the doddery old man.
Yes. It seems PB wants its politicians to be macho stereotypes. I’d hope if I were next to an old man who dropped some papers that I’d help pick them up, even if the old man was an evil old man.
Could Trump have deliberately dropped them??
Risky if so, because the breeze could have carried them to a journalist.
Wow. Just wow. I have just watched Casey on Newsnight. What a tour de force. Totally over her brief. Knows the data. Stunning. Cuts through crap like it is Kerrygold.
Literally scrapped off tipp-ex on a file with her penknife to read the words underneath.
Sounding more like Sherlock Holmes than a Whitehall troubleshooter.
Her 2028 social care report is going to be a thermo nuclear bomb me thinks.
For some time, I have been wondering whether most of Jeffrey Epstein's victims did not have fathers in their lives. That seems likely to me, but I have seen no direct evidence on that possibility.
This excellent header reminds me that I have the same question about the victims in this scandal. Is there any publicly available data on the victims that would answer that question?
(When I was growing up, there was story often told -- and it probably did happen in the US occasionally -- about a first date: The boy comes in and has a talk with the girl's father, while waiting for the girl. Not coincidentally, the father was cleaning his hand gun, while waiting for the boy.)
In one case the step-father (I believe) received a visit from the police.
And was told that if he didn’t stop reporting {thing we can’t talk about} repeatedly, then the police would accuse him (the step-father) of being racist.
The council would then use the anti-social neighbour laws to throw him and the rest of his family out of their council house. With no obligation to house them elsewhere.
I want to see anyone who behaved like this held to account.
IIRC the policeman in question died in a traffic accident.
There were multiple other incidents, in the various reports, of people being aggressively told to stop harassing the authorities with complaints.
On the topic above - why no vigilantism? - I was asked by my Peruvian relatives, when this hit the international news, why the local people didn’t form a Rondas Campesinas and open a dialogue* with the offenders.
*In the trials that resulted from the activities of the Rondas during the Moaist rebellion, a term, something like “opening a dialogue” was used as a euphemism to discuss actions where Vladimiro Lenin Ilich Montesinos Torres** sent Peruvian army units to backup the Rondas.
**raised by far left loony parents, he read The Little Red Book on Revolution by Mao. And as intelligence chief of the very anti-communist government, he applied it to counter revolution.
There was no vigilantism because — contrary to received opinion — most British people believe, or used to believe, in the ability of the authorities to do the right thing.
For some time, I have been wondering whether most of Jeffrey Epstein's victims did not have fathers in their lives. That seems likely to me, but I have seen no direct evidence on that possibility.
This excellent header reminds me that I have the same question about the victims in this scandal. Is there any publicly available data on the victims that would answer that question?
(When I was growing up, there was story often told -- and it probably did happen in the US occasionally -- about a first date: The boy comes in and has a talk with the girl's father, while waiting for the girl. Not coincidentally, the father was cleaning his hand gun, while waiting for the boy.)
In one case the step-father (I believe) received a visit from the police.
And was told that if he didn’t stop reporting {thing we can’t talk about} repeatedly, then the police would accuse him (the step-father) of being racist.
The council would then use the anti-social neighbour laws to throw him and the rest of his family out of their council house. With no obligation to house them elsewhere.
I want to see anyone who behaved like this held to account.
IIRC the policeman in question died in a traffic accident.
There were multiple other incidents, in the various reports, of people being aggressively told to stop harassing the authorities with complaints.
On the topic above - why no vigilantism? - I was asked by my Peruvian relatives, when this hit the international news, why the local people didn’t form a Rondas Campesinas and open a dialogue* with the offenders.
*In the trials that resulted from the activities of the Rondas during the Moaist rebellion, a term, something like “opening a dialogue” was used as a euphemism to discuss actions where Vladimiro Lenin Ilich Montesinos Torres** sent Peruvian army units to backup the Rondas.
**raised by far left loony parents, he read The Little Red Book on Revolution by Mao. And as intelligence chief of the very anti-communist government, he applied it to counter revolution.
There was no vigilantism because — contrary to received opinion — most British people believe, or used to believe, in the ability of the authorities to do the right thing.
And then we had riots, including murderous intent, about migrant hotels.
Not only is it going to be light until ten f*cking pm this weekend, it is also going to be 30 degrees. This is above my comfort zone.
How I yearn for the days when Leon was gloomily drawing his blinds down at 3:30pm.
Come to the Faroes. Today’s temperature peaked at a heady 13C
That’s actually quite warm by Faroese standards. Recent days have averaged a max of 10-11C
It’s amazing how quickly you get used to it. Today the sun came out for about half an hour (hence that high temperature) - and I caught myself thinking: Wow, what a nice day
At the weekend I got a ferry to the far southern island of Suduroy where it reached 15C and I was like Jeez this is baking
This is exactly my experience since moving to Ireland. I will be siting outside reading a book, and the rain has to get quite serious before I will move. A bit of drizzle isn't going to send me scurrying for shelter like it used to.
Tommy Sheridan: I'm being victimised for my political past
"The socialist politician said he felt "aggrieved" by the situation and was now seeking to enter politics again as a candidate for the Alba party."
And he is 100% not open to an offer from Reform. 100%. Ok. Maybe 90%. OK THEN 50%. Ish.
Where did you see the Reformy bit? I think it was Union Divvie who first called that he might go Reform. The idea has appeal - he has charisma.
Mind you, if he says prison was a powder keg, wait till he gets in a party with Nigel Farage.
Just subtext of his career. And now this - to my eyes - performative martyr thing and The Man Of The Common People and the "They had it in for me for speaking the truth" spiel.
Given Alba are likely to be even more irrelevant coming in to the next Holyrood election - it feels like a Reform flirtation to me. Like U.D - if Reform are looking for a Scottish figurehead - they could do worse. Assuming Nigel could cope with the ego. But possibly forever positioning Tommy in the same way as Andy Burnham is - it might work out.
Such an insight into so many things. Including the decadent lives of Iranian rich kids
I am thoroughly enjoying. Towards end of series 1.
Is it really true about the rich kids?
And is any of it actually filmed in Persia? I would be surprised the clerics let this kind of nonsense be filmed on their streets.
Absolutely true about the rich kids. I’ve read many accounts - but this is the first time I’ve seen it on screen
Surely not filmed in Iran. My guess would be Morocco or Tunisia maybe
You’ll be pleased to hear season 2 is possibly even better
Rich kids get away with whatever seems to one of the stories of humanity. I was certainly surprised by the rave scene in a disused factory apparently only a few km from Tehran.
I have just started reading the new Tim O'Briens biography by Alex Vernon which, obvs, talks about the draft and Viet Nam. Donald Trump of course managed to swerve the draft and one of the Bushes was segued into the reserve national guards rather than face the rice paddies iirc.
Wow. Just wow. I have just watched Casey on Newsnight. What a tour de force. Totally over her brief. Knows the data. Stunning. Cuts through crap like it is Kerrygold.
Literally scrapped off tipp-ex on a file with her penknife to read the words underneath.
Sounding more like Sherlock Holmes than a Whitehall troubleshooter.
Her 2028 social care report is going to be a thermo nuclear bomb me thinks.
Could it be the case that somehow Casey has unexpectedly bounced Sir into this Inquiry? Because I don't get the timeline. Politicians only ever 'seek expert advice' when they know the answer - like Kemi with her review of the ECHR that reports right before the Tory conference. Anyone think that will report that we should stay? For the record I am in favour of leaving, but the point is we all know what the review means.
But I am fairly aware politically through PB, and I didn't know this review was even happening (apologies to Cyclefree - it has almost certainly been in one of her headers). Surely if they were softening their stance on a National Inquiry it would have been signalled clearly to head off Tory and Reform attacks? So could Casey have actually delivered an unexpected conclusion?
Wow. Just wow. I have just watched Casey on Newsnight. What a tour de force. Totally over her brief. Knows the data. Stunning. Cuts through crap like it is Kerrygold.
Literally scrapped off tipp-ex on a file with her penknife to read the words underneath.
Sounding more like Sherlock Holmes than a Whitehall troubleshooter.
Her 2028 social care report is going to be a thermo nuclear bomb me thinks.
Could it be the case that somehow Casey has unexpectedly bounced Sir into this Inquiry? Because I don't get the timeline. Politicians only ever 'seek expert advice' when they know the answer - like Kemi with her review of the ECHR that reports right before the Tory conference. Anyone think that will report that we should stay? For the record I am in favour of leaving, but the point is we all know what the review means.
But I am fairly aware politically through PB, and I didn't know this review was even happening (apologies to Cyclefree - it has almost certainly been in one of her headers). Surely if they were softening their stance on a National Inquiry it would have been signalled clearly to head off Tory and Reform attacks? So could Casey have actually delivered an unexpected conclusion?
Possible. She says herself that her mind has changed iirc.
I came away from that Newsnight interview deeply impressed.
Wow. Just wow. I have just watched Casey on Newsnight. What a tour de force. Totally over her brief. Knows the data. Stunning. Cuts through crap like it is Kerrygold.
Literally scrapped off tipp-ex on a file with her penknife to read the words underneath.
Sounding more like Sherlock Holmes than a Whitehall troubleshooter.
Her 2028 social care report is going to be a thermo nuclear bomb me thinks.
Could it be the case that somehow Casey has unexpectedly bounced Sir into this Inquiry? Because I don't get the timeline. Politicians only ever 'seek expert advice' when they know the answer - like Kemi with her review of the ECHR that reports right before the Tory conference. Anyone think that will report that we should stay? For the record I am in favour of leaving, but the point is we all know what the review means.
But I am fairly aware politically through PB, and I didn't know this review was even happening (apologies to Cyclefree - it has almost certainly been in one of her headers). Surely if they were softening their stance on a National Inquiry it would have been signalled clearly to head off Tory and Reform attacks? So could Casey have actually delivered an unexpected conclusion?
I think it's more likely Starmer didn't want to appear to be bullied into the inquiry by Musk. This report's conclusion is a handy explanation for why the government is now going to set one up.
Frankly, that's a good thing. If he'd announced it amid the social media turmoil it would have been quickly dismissed as a Islamophobic witch hunt by a significant chunk of the political/media class.
Such an insight into so many things. Including the decadent lives of Iranian rich kids
I am thoroughly enjoying. Towards end of series 1.
Is it really true about the rich kids?
And is any of it actually filmed in Persia? I would be surprised the clerics let this kind of nonsense be filmed on their streets.
Absolutely true about the rich kids. I’ve read many accounts - but this is the first time I’ve seen it on screen
Surely not filmed in Iran. My guess would be Morocco or Tunisia maybe
You’ll be pleased to hear season 2 is possibly even better
Rich kids get away with whatever seems to one of the stories of humanity. I was certainly surprised by the rave scene in a disused factory apparently only a few km from Tehran.
I have just started reading the new Tim O'Briens biography by Alex Vernon which, obvs, talks about the draft and Viet Nam. Donald Trump of course managed to swerve the draft and one of the Bushes was segued into the reserve national guards rather than face the rice paddies iirc.
Most of the wealthy people I know of are rather puritanical, and probably don't splash the cash very much. But that's probably unusual, globally speaking.
· 10m Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!
· 10m Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!
This isn't a dignified way to conduct international relations is it.
· 10m Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!
This isn't a dignified way to conduct international relations is it.
Wow. Just wow. I have just watched Casey on Newsnight. What a tour de force. Totally over her brief. Knows the data. Stunning. Cuts through crap like it is Kerrygold.
Literally scrapped off tipp-ex on a file with her penknife to read the words underneath.
Sounding more like Sherlock Holmes than a Whitehall troubleshooter.
Her 2028 social care report is going to be a thermo nuclear bomb me thinks.
Could it be the case that somehow Casey has unexpectedly bounced Sir into this Inquiry? Because I don't get the timeline. Politicians only ever 'seek expert advice' when they know the answer - like Kemi with her review of the ECHR that reports right before the Tory conference. Anyone think that will report that we should stay? For the record I am in favour of leaving, but the point is we all know what the review means.
But I am fairly aware politically through PB, and I didn't know this review was even happening (apologies to Cyclefree - it has almost certainly been in one of her headers). Surely if they were softening their stance on a National Inquiry it would have been signalled clearly to head off Tory and Reform attacks? So could Casey have actually delivered an unexpected conclusion?
I think it's more likely Starmer didn't want to appear to be bullied into the inquiry by Musk. This report's conclusion is a handy explanation for why the government is now going to set one up.
Frankly, that's a good thing. If he'd announced it amid the social media turmoil it would have been quickly dismissed as a Islamophobic witch hunt by a significant chunk of the political/media class.
Doesn't quite tie up with the government consistent line only need to local ones and this is really was all some far right conspiracy theory / disgusting dog whistle politics, unless none got the memo of this Baldrick-esque cunning plan.
If it was simply about not wanting to appear to give in to Musk pressure, you just say audit, will report back shortly, lets wait and see, nothing further to add at this time.
Instead what has happened is the Starmer / government look shifty, various ministers have got out all guns blazing against anybody talking about this issue and it is is still being reported as a U-Turn.
Yesterday afternoon I mentioned that one of the sides, Iran, was busy looking for a ceasefire. Stories today suggest they are indeed looking a way out or at least a halt to the shooting war then negotiations that involve the usual can kicking.
The comments by Trump about evacuating Tehran are hard to assess. Coudld be any number of things:
1. The US are going to get involved. Very mixed signals from Washington on this but its fair to say that the sheer amount of refuelling assets that came across the Atlantic last night isnt necessarily for some combat air patrol work, they have that already. Its the kind of thing that would support a large bomber force over long distances. People in Eastern England may find their nights disturbed.
The logic of why he US wants to get involved may be strategic sense that they can strike a blow against Irans nuclear infrastrucrure that no one else can, especially since the Irans appear to be unable to seriously contest overflight right through to Trump feeling he wants to do something to say he is on a winning side here. 'Look we did this'. Never underestimate FOMO with that guy. His military is divided as no doubt his advisors are, but his chief on the ground in the Middle East seems to consder it a feasible step.
2. Its Trump bargaining. There is a sense that the Iranian regime is on the run, as the attempts to secure a ceasefire suggest, so booting up the fear raises the costs to Iran to get things brought to a close
3. Its Trump personality, feeling left out so he makes some noise as if he is front and center. He isn't on this right now, Israel is doing all the work here
There is now indisputrable evidence that the Israelis do have air superioty and indeed could be close to air supremacy. A long range surveillance UAVs was reportedly seen just circling over Tehran. It should have been shot at, given there is still some AD in and around Tehran but no.
We should, however, be aware of something. Iran is a big old place and the Israelis do not have tons of air refuelling birds. There are rumours that modified F35s and perhaps F15s can run the route without refuelling, In addition, rumours are that 3rd parties may be supplementing the air refuelling capability.
Air refueling availability is a limiter on weapons loads, loiter and therefore combat potential. If you wanted to say bomb out a large underground facility, you cant put lots of very large bombs that tend to be used for this work on the Israeli inventory which means you need lot of aircraft. The issue gets more problematic if you dont have adequate refuelling to manage load & sustained time over target. Even if the Israelis have the type of bombs in quantity, which is in question, delivery of the sheer weight isnt easy.
Yesterday afternoon I mentioned that one of the sides, Iran, was busy looking for a ceasefire. Stories today suggest they are indeed looking a way out or at least a halt to the shooting war then negotiations that involve the usual can kicking.
Had people been overestimating Iran prior to the Israeli operation?
Such an insight into so many things. Including the decadent lives of Iranian rich kids
I am thoroughly enjoying. Towards end of series 1.
Is it really true about the rich kids?
And is any of it actually filmed in Persia? I would be surprised the clerics let this kind of nonsense be filmed on their streets.
Absolutely true about the rich kids. I’ve read many accounts - but this is the first time I’ve seen it on screen
Surely not filmed in Iran. My guess would be Morocco or Tunisia maybe
You’ll be pleased to hear season 2 is possibly even better
Rich kids get away with whatever seems to one of the stories of humanity. I was certainly surprised by the rave scene in a disused factory apparently only a few km from Tehran.
I have just started reading the new Tim O'Briens biography by Alex Vernon which, obvs, talks about the draft and Viet Nam. Donald Trump of course managed to swerve the draft and one of the Bushes was segued into the reserve national guards rather than face the rice paddies iirc.
Most of the wealthy people I know of are rather puritanical, and probably don't splash the cash very much. But that's probably unusual, globally speaking.
The first generation builds the wealth, the second generation does everything it can to maintain it, the third generation spends too much of it, the fourth generation go busto....
Yesterday afternoon I mentioned that one of the sides, Iran, was busy looking for a ceasefire. Stories today suggest they are indeed looking a way out or at least a halt to the shooting war then negotiations that involve the usual can kicking.
Had people been overestimating Iran prior to the Israeli operation?
In conventional military terms, I'm not sure they were. They are pretty shit.
She also warned that when she had reviewed about a dozen live police cases, “a significant proportion of these cases appear to involve suspects who are non-UK nationals and/or who are claiming asylum in the UK”. Neither the Office for National Statistics nor the Ministry of Justice records data on the number of crimes committed by asylum seekers or foreign nationals.
What happens if Bibi does go through with killing the big man in Iran explicitly against Trump wishes?
Claim you didnt know he was there when you fired the missile. There seems to be some confidence that him and his son, who would be his likely nominated successor, are hiding out in a bunker in NE Tehran
She also warned that when she had reviewed about a dozen live police cases, “a significant proportion of these cases appear to involve suspects who are non-UK nationals and/or who are claiming asylum in the UK”. Neither the Office for National Statistics nor the Ministry of Justice records data on the number of crimes committed by asylum seekers or foreign nationals.
President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State.
Fox News reports that U.S. President Trump has requested that the National Security Council (NSC) be in the Situation Room when he arrives at the White House later tonight from the G7 Summit in Canada.
She also warned that when she had reviewed about a dozen live police cases, “a significant proportion of these cases appear to involve suspects who are non-UK nationals and/or who are claiming asylum in the UK”. Neither the Office for National Statistics nor the Ministry of Justice records data on the number of crimes committed by asylum seekers or foreign nationals.
Such an insight into so many things. Including the decadent lives of Iranian rich kids
I am thoroughly enjoying. Towards end of series 1.
Is it really true about the rich kids?
And is any of it actually filmed in Persia? I would be surprised the clerics let this kind of nonsense be filmed on their streets.
Absolutely true about the rich kids. I’ve read many accounts - but this is the first time I’ve seen it on screen
Surely not filmed in Iran. My guess would be Morocco or Tunisia maybe
You’ll be pleased to hear season 2 is possibly even better
Rich kids get away with whatever seems to one of the stories of humanity. I was certainly surprised by the rave scene in a disused factory apparently only a few km from Tehran.
I have just started reading the new Tim O'Briens biography by Alex Vernon which, obvs, talks about the draft and Viet Nam. Donald Trump of course managed to swerve the draft and one of the Bushes was segued into the reserve national guards rather than face the rice paddies iirc.
Most of the wealthy people I know of are rather puritanical, and probably don't splash the cash very much. But that's probably unusual, globally speaking.
The first generation builds the wealth, the second generation does everything it can to maintain it, the third generation spends too much of it, the fourth generation go busto....
What happens if Bibi does go through with killing the big man in Iran explicitly against Trump wishes?
Claim you didnt know he was there when you fired the missile. There seems to be some confidence that him and his son, who would be his likely nominated successor, are hiding out in a bunker in NE Tehran
Has Trump officially said at a press conference or through a Tweet that he doesn't want Khamenei to be killed ?
If not, then Netenyahu could just go ahead & do it, and Trump wouldn't say anything (as long as the killing didn't have any negative consequences).
What happens if Bibi does go through with killing the big man in Iran explicitly against Trump wishes?
Claim you didnt know he was there when you fired the missile. There seems to be some confidence that him and his son, who would be his likely nominated successor, are hiding out in a bunker in NE Tehran
Has Trump officially said at a press conference or through a Tweet that he doesn't want Khamenei to be killed ?
If not, then Netenyahu could just go ahead & do it, and Trump wouldn't say anything (as long as the killing didn't have any negative consequences).
Accidents will happen. Lets see what happens over tonight and tomorrow night.
What happens if Bibi does go through with killing the big man in Iran explicitly against Trump wishes?
Claim you didnt know he was there when you fired the missile. There seems to be some confidence that him and his son, who would be his likely nominated successor, are hiding out in a bunker in NE Tehran
Has Trump officially said at a press conference or through a Tweet that he doesn't want Khamenei to be killed ?
If not, then Netenyahu could just go ahead & do it, and Trump wouldn't say anything (as long as the killing didn't have any negative consequences).
Accidents will happen. Lets see what happens over tonight and tomorrow night.
It will be a real big blow to the pro-Russian Tucker Carlson wing of MAGA if Netenyahu goes ahead and does it.
For that reason alone, I'm rooting for Netenyahu to do it.
Yesterday afternoon I mentioned that one of the sides, Iran, was busy looking for a ceasefire. Stories today suggest they are indeed looking a way out or at least a halt to the shooting war then negotiations that involve the usual can kicking.
The comments by Trump about evacuating Tehran are hard to assess. Coudld be any number of things:
1. The US are going to get involved. Very mixed signals from Washington on this but its fair to say that the sheer amount of refuelling assets that came across the Atlantic last night isnt necessarily for some combat air patrol work, they have that already. Its the kind of thing that would support a large bomber force over long distances. People in Eastern England may find their nights disturbed.
The logic of why he US wants to get involved may be strategic sense that they can strike a blow against Irans nuclear infrastrucrure that no one else can, especially since the Irans appear to be unable to seriously contest overflight right through to Trump feeling he wants to do something to say he is on a winning side here. 'Look we did this'. Never underestimate FOMO with that guy. His military is divided as no doubt his advisors are, but his chief on the ground in the Middle East seems to consder it a feasible step.
2. Its Trump bargaining. There is a sense that the Iranian regime is on the run, as the attempts to secure a ceasefire suggest, so booting up the fear raises the costs to Iran to get things brought to a close
3. Its Trump personality, feeling left out so he makes some noise as if he is front and center. He isn't on this right now, Israel is doing all the work here
There is now indisputrable evidence that the Israelis do have air superioty and indeed could be close to air supremacy. A long range surveillance UAVs was reportedly seen just circling over Tehran. It should have been shot at, given there is still some AD in and around Tehran but no.
We should, however, be aware of something. Iran is a big old place and the Israelis do not have tons of air refuelling birds. There are rumours that modified F35s and perhaps F15s can run the route without refuelling, In addition, rumours are that 3rd parties may be supplementing the air refuelling capability.
Air refueling availability is a limiter on weapons loads, loiter and therefore combat potential. If you wanted to say bomb out a large underground facility, you cant put lots of very large bombs that tend to be used for this work on the Israeli inventory which means you need lot of aircraft. The issue gets more problematic if you dont have adequate refuelling to manage load & sustained time over target. Even if the Israelis have the type of bombs in quantity, which is in question, delivery of the sheer weight isnt easy.
Thanks for that Yokes, you get the feeling that events have moved far more quickly than Trump expected and now he wants to be seen on the winning side. Were the Americans surprised at effectiveness of the Israel intelligence and attacks on Iran and the weakness of the Iranian Regime's military response to Israel? And I would not be at all surprised if third parties were quietly supplementing Israel's air refuelling capability over the last few days.
What happens if Bibi does go through with killing the big man in Iran explicitly against Trump wishes?
Claim you didnt know he was there when you fired the missile. There seems to be some confidence that him and his son, who would be his likely nominated successor, are hiding out in a bunker in NE Tehran
Has Trump officially said at a press conference or through a Tweet that he doesn't want Khamenei to be killed ?
If not, then Netenyahu could just go ahead & do it, and Trump wouldn't say anything (as long as the killing didn't have any negative consequences).
Accidents will happen. Lets see what happens over tonight and tomorrow night.
Is there a technical word to describe a phrase like "Accidents will happen"? Always been fascinated by that type of sentence.
Yesterday afternoon I mentioned that one of the sides, Iran, was busy looking for a ceasefire. Stories today suggest they are indeed looking a way out or at least a halt to the shooting war then negotiations that involve the usual can kicking.
The comments by Trump about evacuating Tehran are hard to assess. Coudld be any number of things:
1. The US are going to get involved. Very mixed signals from Washington on this but its fair to say that the sheer amount of refuelling assets that came across the Atlantic last night isnt necessarily for some combat air patrol work, they have that already. Its the kind of thing that would support a large bomber force over long distances. People in Eastern England may find their nights disturbed.
The logic of why he US wants to get involved may be strategic sense that they can strike a blow against Irans nuclear infrastrucrure that no one else can, especially since the Irans appear to be unable to seriously contest overflight right through to Trump feeling he wants to do something to say he is on a winning side here. 'Look we did this'. Never underestimate FOMO with that guy. His military is divided as no doubt his advisors are, but his chief on the ground in the Middle East seems to consder it a feasible step.
2. Its Trump bargaining. There is a sense that the Iranian regime is on the run, as the attempts to secure a ceasefire suggest, so booting up the fear raises the costs to Iran to get things brought to a close
3. Its Trump personality, feeling left out so he makes some noise as if he is front and center. He isn't on this right now, Israel is doing all the work here
There is now indisputrable evidence that the Israelis do have air superioty and indeed could be close to air supremacy. A long range surveillance UAVs was reportedly seen just circling over Tehran. It should have been shot at, given there is still some AD in and around Tehran but no.
We should, however, be aware of something. Iran is a big old place and the Israelis do not have tons of air refuelling birds. There are rumours that modified F35s and perhaps F15s can run the route without refuelling, In addition, rumours are that 3rd parties may be supplementing the air refuelling capability.
Air refueling availability is a limiter on weapons loads, loiter and therefore combat potential. If you wanted to say bomb out a large underground facility, you cant put lots of very large bombs that tend to be used for this work on the Israeli inventory which means you need lot of aircraft. The issue gets more problematic if you dont have adequate refuelling to manage load & sustained time over target. Even if the Israelis have the type of bombs in quantity, which is in question, delivery of the sheer weight isnt easy.
Thanks for that Yokes, you get the feeling that events have moved far more quickly than Trump expected and now he wants to be seen on the winning side. Were the Americans surprised at effectiveness of the Israel intelligence and attacks on Iran and the weakness of the Iranian Regime's military response to Israel? And I would not be at all surprised if third parties were quietly supplementing Israel's air refuelling capability over the last few days.
Yes, no matter what Starmer is saying officially, the UK would definitely be secretly providing support to Israel's operation.
The Gulf countries & Jordan will also be secretly providing support.
Yesterday afternoon I mentioned that one of the sides, Iran, was busy looking for a ceasefire. Stories today suggest they are indeed looking a way out or at least a halt to the shooting war then negotiations that involve the usual can kicking.
The comments by Trump about evacuating Tehran are hard to assess. Coudld be any number of things:
1. The US are going to get involved. Very mixed signals from Washington on this but its fair to say that the sheer amount of refuelling assets that came across the Atlantic last night isnt necessarily for some combat air patrol work, they have that already. Its the kind of thing that would support a large bomber force over long distances. People in Eastern England may find their nights disturbed.
The logic of why he US wants to get involved may be strategic sense that they can strike a blow against Irans nuclear infrastrucrure that no one else can, especially since the Irans appear to be unable to seriously contest overflight right through to Trump feeling he wants to do something to say he is on a winning side here. 'Look we did this'. Never underestimate FOMO with that guy. His military is divided as no doubt his advisors are, but his chief on the ground in the Middle East seems to consder it a feasible step.
2. Its Trump bargaining. There is a sense that the Iranian regime is on the run, as the attempts to secure a ceasefire suggest, so booting up the fear raises the costs to Iran to get things brought to a close
3. Its Trump personality, feeling left out so he makes some noise as if he is front and center. He isn't on this right now, Israel is doing all the work here
There is now indisputrable evidence that the Israelis do have air superioty and indeed could be close to air supremacy. A long range surveillance UAVs was reportedly seen just circling over Tehran. It should have been shot at, given there is still some AD in and around Tehran but no.
We should, however, be aware of something. Iran is a big old place and the Israelis do not have tons of air refuelling birds. There are rumours that modified F35s and perhaps F15s can run the route without refuelling, In addition, rumours are that 3rd parties may be supplementing the air refuelling capability.
Air refueling availability is a limiter on weapons loads, loiter and therefore combat potential. If you wanted to say bomb out a large underground facility, you cant put lots of very large bombs that tend to be used for this work on the Israeli inventory which means you need lot of aircraft. The issue gets more problematic if you dont have adequate refuelling to manage load & sustained time over target. Even if the Israelis have the type of bombs in quantity, which is in question, delivery of the sheer weight isnt easy.
Whether or not Trump might get get involved, he's again following Neyenyahu's lead.
Israel doesn't have the capacity to deliver the very large bunker busting bombs. The biggest that their F15s can carry is the 2 tonne GBU-28 (used in Gaza), which isn't believed to have the capacity to penetrate the Fordo plant.
No, as posted earlier he came out against it last November.
See BBC article dated 22 November 2024 - link below.
And of course he's against it - he's highly religious and almost all highly religious people are against it as they believe life can only be taken away by God.
No point in trying to convince them otherwise, that's what their brains think so they are opposed whatever the safeguards.
The public are massively in favour but the problem is that MPs are much more religious than the public as a whole.
No, as posted earlier he came out against it last November.
See BBC article dated 22 November 2024 - link below.
And of course he's against it - he's highly religious and almost all highly religious people are against it as they believe life can only be taken away by God.
No point in trying to convince them otherwise, that's what their brains think so they are opposed whatever the safeguards.
The public are massively in favour but the problem is that MPs are much more religious than the public as a whole.
No, as posted earlier he came out against it last November.
See BBC article dated 22 November 2024 - link below.
And of course he's against it - he's highly religious and almost all highly religious people are against it as they believe life can only be taken away by God.
No point in trying to convince them otherwise, that's what their brains think so they are opposed whatever the safeguards.
The public are massively in favour but the problem is that MPs are much more religious than the public as a whole.
Tbf to Brown (not words I often write) his son has an incurable illness, cystic fibrosis, which may also inform his view on assisted dying. I personally believe that still doesn’t give him the right to pronounce on how other adults organise their lives and deaths, but Gordon Brown interventions are a fact of British life.
No, as posted earlier he came out against it last November.
See BBC article dated 22 November 2024 - link below.
And of course he's against it - he's highly religious and almost all highly religious people are against it as they believe life can only be taken away by God.
No point in trying to convince them otherwise, that's what their brains think so they are opposed whatever the safeguards.
The public are massively in favour but the problem is that MPs are much more religious than the public as a whole.
Where are the public massively in favour of this bill in its current form with its worrying lack of safeguards, and are they aware of the concerns being expressed by the UK medical profession? I don't think this is about religion, I think its about informed choice and I suspect that a lot of MPs who have bothered to do their homework on this bill and they have raised genuine concerns about the lack of safe guards that the general public are totally unaware of so I think you are being unfair here.
She also warned that when she had reviewed about a dozen live police cases, “a significant proportion of these cases appear to involve suspects who are non-UK nationals and/or who are claiming asylum in the UK”. Neither the Office for National Statistics nor the Ministry of Justice records data on the number of crimes committed by asylum seekers or foreign nationals.
· 10m Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!
This isn't a dignified way to conduct international relations is it.
Indeed. Metternich it 'aint.
Although I have a sneaking suspicion that Palmerston would rather have enjoyed social media.
My gunboat is in your harbour! SIGN THE DEAL! Otherwise it will be a real waste of human life! Thank you for your attention in this matter
No, as posted earlier he came out against it last November.
See BBC article dated 22 November 2024 - link below.
And of course he's against it - he's highly religious and almost all highly religious people are against it as they believe life can only be taken away by God.
No point in trying to convince them otherwise, that's what their brains think so they are opposed whatever the safeguards.
The public are massively in favour but the problem is that MPs are much more religious than the public as a whole.
Tbf to Brown (not words I often write) his son has an incurable illness, cystic fibrosis, which may also inform his view on assisted dying. I personally believe that still doesn’t give him the right to pronounce on how other adults organise their lives and deaths, but Gordon Brown interventions are a fact of British life.
I think it gives as perspective. Which all anyone has.
I have stood there as a person pronounced that a child with disabilities “should never have been allowed to live”. A nurse told me, to my face, that my mother “was wasting resources” by staying alive.
She also warned that when she had reviewed about a dozen live police cases, “a significant proportion of these cases appear to involve suspects who are non-UK nationals and/or who are claiming asylum in the UK”. Neither the Office for National Statistics nor the Ministry of Justice records data on the number of crimes committed by asylum seekers or foreign nationals.
Starmer looks decent picking up things for the doddery old man.
Yes. It seems PB wants its politicians to be macho stereotypes. I’d hope if I were next to an old man who dropped some papers that I’d help pick them up, even if the old man was an evil old man.
Could Trump have deliberately dropped them??
Risky if so, because the breeze could have carried them to a journalist.
Not that risky. What problem could it cause? We already know he writes in crayon.
· 10m Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!
This isn't a dignified way to conduct international relations is it.
Indeed. Metternich it 'aint.
Although I have a sneaking suspicion that Palmerston would rather have enjoyed social media.
My gunboat is in your harbour! SIGN THE DEAL! Otherwise it will be a real waste of human life! Thank you for your attention in this matter
Are you suggesting Trump is worshipping in the Temple of gunboat diplomacy?
· 10m Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!
This isn't a dignified way to conduct international relations is it.
Indeed. Metternich it 'aint.
Although I have a sneaking suspicion that Palmerston would rather have enjoyed social media.
My gunboat is in your harbour! SIGN THE DEAL! Otherwise it will be a real waste of human life! Thank you for your attention in this matter
Are you suggesting Trump is worshipping in the Temple of gunboat diplomacy?
No. I’m suggesting that social media is a tool that certain personality types enjoy
No, as posted earlier he came out against it last November.
See BBC article dated 22 November 2024 - link below.
And of course he's against it - he's highly religious and almost all highly religious people are against it as they believe life can only be taken away by God.
No point in trying to convince them otherwise, that's what their brains think so they are opposed whatever the safeguards.
The public are massively in favour but the problem is that MPs are much more religious than the public as a whole.
Where are the public massively in favour of this bill in its current form with its worrying lack of safeguards, and are they aware of the concerns being expressed by the UK medical profession? I don't think this is about religion, I think its about informed choice and I suspect that a lot of MPs who have bothered to do their homework on this bill and they have raised genuine concerns about the lack of safe guards that the general public are totally unaware of so I think you are being unfair here.
Worrying lack of safeguards? Are you taking the bloody piss?
The ridiculous 6 month proviso is still there, meaning that ill but not terminally ill people with a lifelong condition of suffering don't qualify. There is safeguard after safeguard there.
Just how much more do you want?
Seems to me "lack of safeguards" is code for "I'll never back any bill, but this is an argument I can use for this one."
The Russian suggestion for them to take Iran's nuclear material is an interesting (if highly unlikely) diplomatic move. Very similar to their successful tactics in Syria. Shame they don't seem to apply this sort of diplomatic skill to their own backyard.
The Russian suggestion for them to take Iran's nuclear material is an interesting (if highly unlikely) diplomatic move. Very similar to their successful tactics in Syria. Shame they don't seem to apply this sort of diplomatic skill to their own backyard.
I’d imagine the Russians would see this as their own backyard?
She also warned that when she had reviewed about a dozen live police cases, “a significant proportion of these cases appear to involve suspects who are non-UK nationals and/or who are claiming asylum in the UK”. Neither the Office for National Statistics nor the Ministry of Justice records data on the number of crimes committed by asylum seekers or foreign nationals.
Starmer can use AI to write his tweets but the state doesn't even have basic data like that?
They choose not to record it. Note the word “choose”
For all the justified criticism of this and prior governments in the Casey report, it's fair to point out that they had already made some moves to address this. For example.
No, as posted earlier he came out against it last November.
See BBC article dated 22 November 2024 - link below.
And of course he's against it - he's highly religious and almost all highly religious people are against it as they believe life can only be taken away by God.
No point in trying to convince them otherwise, that's what their brains think so they are opposed whatever the safeguards.
The public are massively in favour but the problem is that MPs are much more religious than the public as a whole.
I think that is a over-simplification of religious views. The Rev. Richard Coles is against the Bill. He says he is not against assisted dying in certain cases but says the Bill is too vague in important details - a point also made by Cyclefree (To whom I send my best wishes).
He looked like a starstruck wee boy admiring his hero, lapdog to be great Orange one. Guaranteed teh deal si crap as well, the man who got his tariffs raised and thought he had won the jackpot. Macron would have been chuckling at the state of the UK grovelling at Trump's feet.
No, as posted earlier he came out against it last November.
See BBC article dated 22 November 2024 - link below.
And of course he's against it - he's highly religious and almost all highly religious people are against it as they believe life can only be taken away by God.
No point in trying to convince them otherwise, that's what their brains think so they are opposed whatever the safeguards.
The public are massively in favour but the problem is that MPs are much more religious than the public as a whole.
Where are the public massively in favour of this bill in its current form with its worrying lack of safeguards, and are they aware of the concerns being expressed by the UK medical profession? I don't think this is about religion, I think its about informed choice and I suspect that a lot of MPs who have bothered to do their homework on this bill and they have raised genuine concerns about the lack of safe guards that the general public are totally unaware of so I think you are being unfair here.
They are a bunch of tossers, people shoudl be allowed to live their lives or not as they see fit , not for these stupid greedy politician's to impose their crazy ideals and dogmas on the public. Safeguards my arse and a pox on all of the clowns who vote against it, hopefully karma pays them back in spades.
Comments
GB News
@GBNEWS
·
26m
'We're very long-time allies, and we've become friends. He's slightly more liberal than I am, but for some reason we get along!'
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/16/woman-22-convicted-of-abusing-21-babies-at-nursery-where-she-worked
Our arse licking approach is apparently inspired by Japan’s in the first Trump term. Hard to pull off with a straight face but possibly politically easier for a left of centre government than a right of centre one.
Literally scrapped off tipp-ex on a file with her penknife to read the words underneath.
Sounding more like Sherlock Holmes than a Whitehall troubleshooter.
Her 2028 social care report is going to be a thermo nuclear bomb me thinks.
Surely not filmed in Iran. My guess would be Morocco or Tunisia maybe
You’ll be pleased to hear season 2 is possibly even better
Given Alba are likely to be even more irrelevant coming in to the next Holyrood election - it feels like a Reform flirtation to me. Like U.D - if Reform are looking for a Scottish figurehead - they could do worse. Assuming Nigel could cope with the ego. But possibly forever positioning Tommy in the same way as Andy Burnham is - it might work out.
Forty years after its war with Iraq, the Islamic republic faces a new existential test" (£)
https://www.ft.com/content/6103cfdb-0f36-4500-96ef-f3b86a7b29f8
"Will Iran’s hated regime implode?
Its default is to defy aggressors, not to capitulate" (£)
https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/06/16/will-irans-hated-regime-implode
I have just started reading the new Tim O'Briens biography by Alex Vernon which, obvs, talks about the draft and Viet Nam. Donald Trump of course managed to swerve the draft and one of the Bushes was segued into the reserve national guards rather than face the rice paddies iirc.
With @POTUS today as he signs the executive order that will protect UK business, jobs, and workers.
My government is delivering for Britain.
But I am fairly aware politically through PB, and I didn't know this review was even happening (apologies to Cyclefree - it has almost certainly been in one of her headers). Surely if they were softening their stance on a National Inquiry it would have been signalled clearly to head off Tory and Reform attacks? So could Casey have actually delivered an unexpected conclusion?
I feel I've been mislead in many ways.
I came away from that Newsnight interview deeply impressed.
Frankly, that's a good thing. If he'd announced it amid the social media turmoil it would have been quickly dismissed as a Islamophobic witch hunt by a significant chunk of the political/media class.
So what the hell is the UK going to get?
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
·
10m
Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!
If it was simply about not wanting to appear to give in to Musk pressure, you just say audit, will report back shortly, lets wait and see, nothing further to add at this time.
Instead what has happened is the Starmer / government look shifty, various ministers have got out all guns blazing against anybody talking about this issue and it is is still being reported as a U-Turn.
The comments by Trump about evacuating Tehran are hard to assess. Coudld be any number of things:
1. The US are going to get involved. Very mixed signals from Washington on this but its fair to say that the sheer amount of refuelling assets that came across the Atlantic last night isnt necessarily for some combat air patrol work, they have that already. Its the kind of thing that would support a large bomber force over long distances. People in Eastern England may find their nights disturbed.
The logic of why he US wants to get involved may be strategic sense that they can strike a blow against Irans nuclear infrastrucrure that no one else can, especially since the Irans appear to be unable to seriously contest overflight right through to Trump feeling he wants to do something to say he is on a winning side here. 'Look we did this'. Never underestimate FOMO with that guy. His military is divided as no doubt his advisors are, but his chief on the ground in the Middle East seems to consder it a feasible step.
2. Its Trump bargaining. There is a sense that the Iranian regime is on the run, as the attempts to secure a ceasefire suggest, so booting up the fear raises the costs to Iran to get things brought to a close
3. Its Trump personality, feeling left out so he makes some noise as if he is front and center. He isn't on this right now, Israel is doing all the work here
There is now indisputrable evidence that the Israelis do have air superioty and indeed could be close to air supremacy. A long range surveillance UAVs was reportedly seen just circling over Tehran. It should have been shot at, given there is still some AD in and around Tehran but no.
We should, however, be aware of something. Iran is a big old place and the Israelis do not have tons of air refuelling birds. There are rumours that modified F35s and perhaps F15s can run the route without refuelling, In addition, rumours are that 3rd parties may be supplementing the air refuelling capability.
Air refueling availability is a limiter on weapons loads, loiter and therefore combat potential. If you wanted to say bomb out a large underground facility, you cant put lots of very large bombs that tend to be used for this work on the Israeli inventory which means you need lot of aircraft. The issue gets more problematic if you dont have adequate refuelling to manage load & sustained time over target. Even if the Israelis have the type of bombs in quantity, which is in question, delivery of the sheer weight isnt easy.
Asylum seekers behind new grooming gang cases
She also warned that when she had reviewed about a dozen live police cases, “a significant proportion of these cases appear to involve suspects who are non-UK nationals and/or who are claiming asylum in the UK”. Neither the Office for National Statistics nor the Ministry of Justice records data on the number of crimes committed by asylum seekers or foreign nationals.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/06/16/asylum-seekers-behind-new-grooming-gang-cases/
https://x.com/PressSec/status/1934755141082861736
President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State.
Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that," IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!"
Fox News reports that U.S. President Trump has requested that the National Security Council (NSC) be in the Situation Room when he arrives at the White House later tonight from the G7 Summit in Canada.
If not, then Netenyahu could just go ahead & do it, and Trump wouldn't say anything (as long as the killing didn't have any negative consequences).
For that reason alone, I'm rooting for Netenyahu to do it.
The Gulf countries & Jordan will also be secretly providing support.
This was last night.
Israel issues Tehran evacuation order as Iran threatens to leave nuclear weapons treaty
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/16/iran-threatens-to-leave-nuclear-weapons-treaty-as-israeli-bombing-enters-fourth-day
Israeli forces issued an evacuation order to residents of a large part of Tehran on Monday, warning them of the imminent bombing of “military infrastructure” in the area in a social media post very similar to those regularly directed at Palestinians in Gaza over the past 20 months...
Israel doesn't have the capacity to deliver the very large bunker busting bombs.
The biggest that their F15s can carry is the 2 tonne GBU-28 (used in Gaza), which isn't believed to have the capacity to penetrate the Fordo plant.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/16/mps-assisted-dying-bill-law-palliative-care
For more on rich Iranian youth, see the second and subsequent series of Bureau des Legendes.
See BBC article dated 22 November 2024 - link below.
And of course he's against it - he's highly religious and almost all highly religious people are against it as they believe life can only be taken away by God.
No point in trying to convince them otherwise, that's what their brains think so they are opposed whatever the safeguards.
The public are massively in favour but the problem is that MPs are much more religious than the public as a whole.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c207yjrn7r6o
Ask yourself: If Donald Trump was a thinly-veiled Russian asset, can you name one thing he’d be doing differently?
https://bsky.app/profile/slack2thefuture.bsky.social/post/3lrrdfon4mk2t
My gunboat is in your harbour! SIGN THE DEAL! Otherwise it will be a real waste of human life! Thank you for your attention in this matter
I have stood there as a person pronounced that a child with disabilities “should never have been allowed to live”. A nurse told me, to my face, that my mother “was wasting resources” by staying alive.
The ridiculous 6 month proviso is still there, meaning that ill but not terminally ill people with a lifelong condition of suffering don't qualify. There is safeguard after safeguard there.
Just how much more do you want?
Seems to me "lack of safeguards" is code for "I'll never back any bill, but this is an argument I can use for this one."
For example.
Sex offenders to be denied asylum rights in new law
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg7q0e77exo.amp
I tend to agree with Casey's comments last night.
"I'm disappointed by it, to put it mildly."
"I felt the opposition could have just [said]: 'yes, we will all come together behind you'."..
https://x.com/BBCNewsnight/status/1934744588788318232
NEW THREAD
As GDR Merkel did.