NEW: Keir Starmer says he is "fed up" with Donald Trump and Putin
"I'm fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy businesses bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world"
You must be one of the few that isn't, then ?
Hopefully he is on retainer. Then it would make some sense.
Take a moment to remember how weird it is our president communicates with us through a bottom-tier social media site called Truth Social. It’s like if he governed from the comment section of a porn site.
NEW: Keir Starmer says he is "fed up" with Donald Trump and Putin
"I'm fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy businesses bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world"
That’s interesting. The “fossil fuels rollercoaster” is the first decent line we’ve had out of the government in a while and it’s pretty compelling.
The benefit of rollercoasters is they sometimes go down. Labour seems to prefer the permanently elevated monorail of foreign owned, UK-subsidised shit renewables.
I think most businesses and households would prefer consistent energy prices (and would even pay a premium for that, as consumer behaviour always indicates). Happily CfD contracts will come to dominate UK energy generation, providing that security - though we’re always going to be vulnerable to gas and oil prices to an extent.
After Ukraine and Iran, it’s a rollercoaster that has induced some degree of nausea.
There is no merit in having permanently high prices vs. sometimes high prices, but it's fun that you think the public can be gaslit (or perhaps windmill lit) into thinking there is. That's some real Sheriff of Nottingham shit.
Keir Starmer says Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilisation was contrary to British values
“Let me be really clear about this. They are not words I would use — ever use — because I come at this with our British values and principles,” PM tells @Peston
Starmer is not going to get a place on the Board (Bored?) of Peace anytime soon.
Has this Board of Peace actually had a single meeting?
Or is it like the FIFA Peace Prize Award Committee? Never met once and wont in the future?
Why can't we have both? I really don't see them as exclusive in any way. We need to maximise our output but we also need to find ways to build up our renewables as fast as possible to give us the energy to electrify our vehicle fleets and much else.
The stupid, Milibandish (that's really stupid but more so) obsession with reducing our own output only to import it from elsewhere is just mad or Trumpish (that's completely mad but more so). Its a false dichotomy. And a completely unnecessary argument.
100% agree.
But Reform and Tories are not offering that.
Between a choice of full speed ahead on renewables + no new O&G , and the inverse, the former is infinitely better for the future of the UK.
And I’m afraid that’s the choice we have now.
Errr: you're saying we have to choose between syphilis and AIDS. And that's not true.
It's perfectly possible to continue to make investments in renewables, charging infrastucture, etc., while also allowing people -if they so choose- to explore for and extract oil and gas.
Edit to add: allowing people to do 'plug in solar', like in Germany would cost the government nothing, and would meaningfully reduce demand for natural gas.
I walked down to my newspaper shop in my corner of the Midlands swamp lands yesterday evening in the mini heatwave and there were a dozen teenagers heading into the main part of town looking exactly like this and clearly shall we say 'excitable'.
All wearing the same looking kit. Loads of black. Tight shorts etc.
Why can't we have both? I really don't see them as exclusive in any way. We need to maximise our output but we also need to find ways to build up our renewables as fast as possible to give us the energy to electrify our vehicle fleets and much else.
The stupid, Milibandish (that's really stupid but more so) obsession with reducing our own output only to import it from elsewhere is just mad or Trumpish (that's completely mad but more so). Its a false dichotomy. And a completely unnecessary argument.
100% agree.
But Reform and Tories are not offering that.
Between a choice of full speed ahead on renewables + no new O&G , and the inverse, the former is infinitely better for the future of the UK.
And I’m afraid that’s the choice we have now.
Errr: you're saying we have to choose between syphilis and AIDS. And that's not true.
It's perfectly possible to continue to make investments in renewables, charging infrastucture, etc., while also allowing people -if they so choose- to explore for and extract oil and gas.
Edit to add: allowing people to do 'plug in solar', like in Germany would cost the government nothing, and would meaningfully reduce demand for natural gas.
I meant from our political parties. I (obviously) agree.
Halt to Iran attacks means Netanyahu's corruption trial will resume on Sunday
(Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long-running corruption trial will resume on Sunday, the courts' spokesperson said on Thursday, after Israel lifted a state of emergency imposed over its war with Iran.
The emergency, which had closed schools and workplaces, was lifted on Wednesday evening as no incoming Iranian missiles had been reported since 3 a.m. (midnight GMT) after a ceasefire was agreed.
"With the lifting of the state of emergency and the return of the judicial system to work, hearings will resume as usual," a statement from the Israeli courts said, adding that they would take place between Sundays and Wednesdays.
Meanwhile, books still work without Amazon support.
Old school.
A Kindle is easier to read in bed with the lights off. Or on a plane.
It also means you only need to take one small device with you on holiday, rather than a stack of books.
I found it invaluable when my son was sleeping in his cot in our room. And have found it almost hard to go back to physical books, although I have a couple on the go now.
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 14m I am not sure why Melania Trump decided to make a statement about Jeffrey Epstein seemingly out of nowhere today, but if the idea was to put the ongoing coverup in the rearview mirror it will backfire spectacularly
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 14m I am not sure why Melania Trump decided to make a statement about Jeffrey Epstein seemingly out of nowhere today, but if the idea was to put the ongoing coverup in the rearview mirror it will backfire spectacularly
Time to unsheathe the simple sword of truth and the trusty shield of fair play ? (Has it really been three decades ?)
https://x.com/Acyn/status/2042311612179353818 Melania Trump: The false smears about me from mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name to gain financially and climb politically must stop. My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 14m I am not sure why Melania Trump decided to make a statement about Jeffrey Epstein seemingly out of nowhere today, but if the idea was to put the ongoing coverup in the rearview mirror it will backfire spectacularly
Time to unsheathe the simple sword of truth and the trusty shield of fair play ? (Has it really been three decades ?)
https://x.com/Acyn/status/2042311612179353818 Melania Trump: The false smears about me from mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name to gain financially and climb politically must stop. My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.
I assure you Mel, there is no risk to your good name or your sound reputation.
Zelensky comments on Vance's statement in Budapest that Russia and Ukraine are simply negotiating over a "few square kilometers" of territory:
"The Vice President, with all due respect, does not participate in the negotiations between the United States and Ukraine and the Russian Federation. And I think that if he and other officials had taken part probably... they would have understood more deeply what a "patch" is, what... the territory of Ukraine, the independent territory of Ukraine is."
Dangerous comment, Vance and Trump will make him pay for that.
Zelensky isn't getting anything much from the US anyway these days. Any chance of getting patriot interceptors directly from the US evaporated when they used so many to shoot down Iranian drones. The US has already dropped sanctions on Russian oil and on Belarus, creating an easy route for trade with Russia to resume almost openly.
Zelensky must be feeling pretty confident that, between his recent agreements with Gulf States, and the Ukrainian drone factories opening across Europe, that Ukraine will be in an increasingly stronger position as 2026 progresses, regardless of what the US says or does.
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 14m I am not sure why Melania Trump decided to make a statement about Jeffrey Epstein seemingly out of nowhere today, but if the idea was to put the ongoing coverup in the rearview mirror it will backfire spectacularly
I think there are photos flying around (saw one somewhere today) of her in “very relaxed situations with Epstein” with suggestions that the French released them in revenge for Trump taking the piss out of Macron getting slapped by Mme Macron. I imagine they are AI but could be why she’s speaking about it.
I did hear an Armando Iannuci funny this morning about Leavitt’s claim that Trump was the best read man in the room and Iannucci said “if the other people in the room are Melania and the Easter Bunny then that could be true.”
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 14m I am not sure why Melania Trump decided to make a statement about Jeffrey Epstein seemingly out of nowhere today, but if the idea was to put the ongoing coverup in the rearview mirror it will backfire spectacularly
I think there are photos flying around (saw one somewhere today) of her in “very relaxed situations with Epstein” with suggestions that the French released them in revenge for Trump taking the piss out of Macron getting slapped by Mme Macron. I imagine they are AI but could be why she’s speaking about it.
I did hear an Armando Iannuci funny this morning about Leavitt’s claim that Trump was the best read man in the room and Iannucci said “if the other people in the room are Melania and the Easter Bunny then that could be true.”
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 14m I am not sure why Melania Trump decided to make a statement about Jeffrey Epstein seemingly out of nowhere today, but if the idea was to put the ongoing coverup in the rearview mirror it will backfire spectacularly
I think there are photos flying around (saw one somewhere today) of her in “very relaxed situations with Epstein” with suggestions that the French released them in revenge for Trump taking the piss out of Macron getting slapped by Mme Macron. I imagine they are AI but could be why she’s speaking about it.
I did hear an Armando Iannuci funny this morning about Leavitt’s claim that Trump was the best read man in the room and Iannucci said “if the other people in the room are Melania and the Easter Bunny then that could be true.”
I walked down to my newspaper shop in my corner of the Midlands swamp lands yesterday evening in the mini heatwave and there were a dozen teenagers heading into the main part of town looking exactly like this and clearly shall we say 'excitable'.
All wearing the same looking kit. Loads of black. Tight shorts etc.
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 14m I am not sure why Melania Trump decided to make a statement about Jeffrey Epstein seemingly out of nowhere today, but if the idea was to put the ongoing coverup in the rearview mirror it will backfire spectacularly
That's the sort of statement you occasionally get from some prominent person when a newspaper has offered them the right of reply prior to the publication of a story with serious allegations, and they try to get ahead of the story.
"More than one million pensioners will have to pay back their winter fuel payment | Money Around 1.2 million state pensioners will have to pay back their winter fuel payment after breaching the income threshold"
I walked down to my newspaper shop in my corner of the Midlands swamp lands yesterday evening in the mini heatwave and there were a dozen teenagers heading into the main part of town looking exactly like this and clearly shall we say 'excitable'.
All wearing the same looking kit. Loads of black. Tight shorts etc.
"More than one million pensioners will have to pay back their winter fuel payment | Money Around 1.2 million state pensioners will have to pay back their winter fuel payment after breaching the income threshold"
There's a division of opinion. We had a government who pledged rapid Net Zero and the destruction of Scotland's oil and gas sector, as well as presiding over the closure of Grangemouth. And the people opposed to those things then say they will vote for that very same government *because* all those things happened but definitely not done by the SNP no no no must have been the English.
Had we had independence already then the SNP government would have been free to pursue a policy of extracting oil and gas and having an oil refinery. My delivered today SNP leaflet says they will deliver lower energy bills. Presumably by doing the opposite of their actual policies.
Nat voters are stupid...
London parties that have wrecked the energy sector in Scotland, methinks you dost protest too much. Lots of short term windmills from foreign companies and land wrecked with roads etc assembling and sghortly to be repeated taking them down, madness. Milliband should be tarred and feathered and run out of town.
So, in summary: *The offer from Iran which Trump said was a basis for negotiations is now, according to Trump, "in the garbage." * Hormuz remains closed to all those who are not friends of Iran. * War continues to rage in the Lebanon. *Everything is getting worse. *That muppet is still in the White House.
So, in summary: *The offer from Iran which Trump said was a basis for negotiations is now, according to Trump, "in the garbage." * Hormuz remains closed to all those who are not friends of Iran. * War continues to rage in the Lebanon. *Everything is getting worse. *That muppet is still in the White House.
Jeez.
No no, no. You've got it all wrong. It's much worse than that.
"More than one million pensioners will have to pay back their winter fuel payment | Money Around 1.2 million state pensioners will have to pay back their winter fuel payment after breaching the income threshold"
Zelensky comments on Vance's statement in Budapest that Russia and Ukraine are simply negotiating over a "few square kilometers" of territory:
"The Vice President, with all due respect, does not participate in the negotiations between the United States and Ukraine and the Russian Federation. And I think that if he and other officials had taken part probably... they would have understood more deeply what a "patch" is, what... the territory of Ukraine, the independent territory of Ukraine is."
Dangerous comment, Vance and Trump will make him pay for that.
Zelensky isn't getting anything much from the US anyway these days. Any chance of getting patriot interceptors directly from the US evaporated when they used so many to shoot down Iranian drones. The US has already dropped sanctions on Russian oil and on Belarus, creating an easy route for trade with Russia to resume almost openly.
Zelensky must be feeling pretty confident that, between his recent agreements with Gulf States, and the Ukrainian drone factories opening across Europe, that Ukraine will be in an increasingly stronger position as 2026 progresses, regardless of what the US says or does.
The bad part of my imagination can picture US F35's flying in bombing runs from the Russian side of the front before too long.
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 14m I am not sure why Melania Trump decided to make a statement about Jeffrey Epstein seemingly out of nowhere today, but if the idea was to put the ongoing coverup in the rearview mirror it will backfire spectacularly
Time to unsheathe the simple sword of truth and the trusty shield of fair play ? (Has it really been three decades ?)
https://x.com/Acyn/status/2042311612179353818 Melania Trump: The false smears about me from mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name to gain financially and climb politically must stop. My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.
As a big fan of JG Ballard, I thought I'd post this article.
"Want to understand the sickness of Britain today? Look no further – a novel explained it all 20 years ago
The racism, the predatory politics, the banality and cruelty: we struggle to make sense of it, but JG Ballard foretold everything we are living through now
The Atrocity Exhibition (JG Ballard and the Motorcar) [1970]
"Directed by Harely Cokliss (no imdb page exists) and features Ballard talking about some of the ideas which would coalesce into his novel Crash, published in 1973. Intercut with footage of test motor crashes and Ballard himself are semi-dramatised scenes with actress Gabrielle Drake. Remarkably effective and disturbing."
The keeper should have saved it (in the area) and given away an indirect free kick
I scored a similar og about a decade ago. Passed it back to the keeper from 40 yards, he let it under his foot on the edge of the area and it rolled in
The keeper should have saved it (in the area) and given away an indirect free kick
I scored a similar og about a decade ago. Passed it back to the keeper from 40 yards, he let it under his foot on the edge of the area and it rolled in
I've always liked this own goal by Lee Dixon, it's not as brilliant as Jamie Pollock.
So, in summary: *The offer from Iran which Trump said was a basis for negotiations is now, according to Trump, "in the garbage." * Hormuz remains closed to all those who are not friends of Iran. * War continues to rage in the Lebanon. *Everything is getting worse. *That muppet is still in the White House.
Jeez.
In Ireland farmers and truckers are blockading refineries and oil import terminals so that fuel stations are running out of fuel, and an approaching tanker may not be able to unload fuel because the import terminal storage tanks are full.
So I guess the rest of the world has a country to point at and laugh.
"Multiple diplomatic sources told CBS News that President Trump had been told that the ceasefire . would apply to the Middle East region, and he agreed that included Lebanon."
"However, the U.S. position shifted following a phone call between Netanyahu and Mr. Trump."
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 14m I am not sure why Melania Trump decided to make a statement about Jeffrey Epstein seemingly out of nowhere today, but if the idea was to put the ongoing coverup in the rearview mirror it will backfire spectacularly
I think there are photos flying around (saw one somewhere today) of her in “very relaxed situations with Epstein” with suggestions that the French released them in revenge for Trump taking the piss out of Macron getting slapped by Mme Macron. I imagine they are AI but could be why she’s speaking about it.
I did hear an Armando Iannuci funny this morning about Leavitt’s claim that Trump was the best read man in the room and Iannucci said “if the other people in the room are Melania and the Easter Bunny then that could be true.”
Reports indicate that Giorgia Meloni is preparing to sideline Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, Italy’s largest defence group.
The reason? Multiple sources suggest this is not about performance - under Cingolani, Leonardo’s stock has registered a +700% increase - but rather about the “Michelangelo Dome”.
Leonardo’s new AI-based air defence system, reportedly set to be tested in Ukraine in 2026, is now seen as “too competitive” for Washington.
According to several reports, Cingolani’s perceived “too European” stance - focused on strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy - may have played against him.
If confirmed, this would be a political decision against Europe’s industrial and strategic interests.
NEW: Keir Starmer and Trump have spoken by phone tonight
A Downing Street spokesperson said:
"The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump from Qatar this evening.
"The Prime Minister set out his discussions with Gulf leaders and military planners in the region on the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the UK's efforts to convene partners to agree a viable plan.
"They agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the Strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution.
"The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible. They agreed to speak again soon."
"Multiple diplomatic sources told CBS News that President Trump had been told that the ceasefire . would apply to the Middle East region, and he agreed that included Lebanon."
"However, the U.S. position shifted following a phone call between Netanyahu and Mr. Trump."
So, in summary: *The offer from Iran which Trump said was a basis for negotiations is now, according to Trump, "in the garbage." * Hormuz remains closed to all those who are not friends of Iran. * War continues to rage in the Lebanon. *Everything is getting worse. *That muppet is still in the White House.
Jeez.
In Ireland farmers and truckers are blockading refineries and oil import terminals so that fuel stations are running out of fuel, and an approaching tanker may not be able to unload fuel because the import terminal storage tanks are full.
So I guess the rest of the world has a country to point at and laugh.
Reports indicate that Giorgia Meloni is preparing to sideline Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, Italy’s largest defence group.
The reason? Multiple sources suggest this is not about performance - under Cingolani, Leonardo’s stock has registered a +700% increase - but rather about the “Michelangelo Dome”.
Leonardo’s new AI-based air defence system, reportedly set to be tested in Ukraine in 2026, is now seen as “too competitive” for Washington.
According to several reports, Cingolani’s perceived “too European” stance - focused on strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy - may have played against him.
If confirmed, this would be a political decision against Europe’s industrial and strategic interests.
Italy's energy situation is particularly dire, very reliant on large quantities of gas imports from the middle east that aren't coming. This may be a quid pro quo for favoured access to supplies from the US.
Reports indicate that Giorgia Meloni is preparing to sideline Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, Italy’s largest defence group.
The reason? Multiple sources suggest this is not about performance - under Cingolani, Leonardo’s stock has registered a +700% increase - but rather about the “Michelangelo Dome”.
Leonardo’s new AI-based air defence system, reportedly set to be tested in Ukraine in 2026, is now seen as “too competitive” for Washington.
According to several reports, Cingolani’s perceived “too European” stance - focused on strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy - may have played against him.
If confirmed, this would be a political decision against Europe’s industrial and strategic interests.
Sounds like "AI" and "European" here are both branding, rather than substance. Wonder what the real reason is? If the stock's gone up 700% and the business has been truly turned around, I doubt he's been making decisions on much else than a commercial basis.
Edit: maybe it's more about who she hopes to parachute in...
"Multiple diplomatic sources told CBS News that President Trump had been told that the ceasefire . would apply to the Middle East region, and he agreed that included Lebanon."
"However, the U.S. position shifted following a phone call between Netanyahu and Mr. Trump."
Well in the same way the US can’t negotiate on behalf of Israel, Iran can’t negotiate on behalf of Lebanon. The Lebanese government has said as much.
That has very little to do with a ceasefire, though.
Israel's justification for its actions in Lebanon are threadbare at best. Netehyahu continuing - and escalating - hostilities against a civilian city is more about sabotaging the ceasefire with Iran than it is in any way a negotiating stance with Lebanon.
So, in summary: *The offer from Iran which Trump said was a basis for negotiations is now, according to Trump, "in the garbage." * Hormuz remains closed to all those who are not friends of Iran. * War continues to rage in the Lebanon. *Everything is getting worse. *That muppet is still in the White House.
Jeez.
In Ireland farmers and truckers are blockading refineries and oil import terminals so that fuel stations are running out of fuel, and an approaching tanker may not be able to unload fuel because the import terminal storage tanks are full.
So I guess the rest of the world has a country to point at and laugh.
I have to ask.
Why?
I mean why the blockade?
Prices of fuel have gone up because of the war in Iran. The Irish government, in their infinite wisdom, cut fuel duty on diesel by €0.20 a litre (and petrol by a smaller amount), which has predictably had very little impact on fuel prices at the pumps, because you cannot subsidise your way out of a supply shock, and it's done nothing for farmers who don't pay the fuel duty anyway.
What it has done is convinced a lot of people that fuel prices are high because of tax on fuel, and so the protestors are calling for further cuts in fuel taxes. So they want the government here to piss more money into a hurricane for no good at all.
"I don't believe the question of Ukraine's NATO membership can be resolved in the short term. I don't believe it will happen politically in the near future—that's my fair assessment" —NATO Secretary General Rutte, Trump's bootlicker.
No less important for context are the last five seconds of the video, in which Mark says: "We have a Joint Center in Poland (JATEC) where we study all the lessons you (Ukrainians) learned during your war."
So, you're great guys, keep fighting, we'll politely adopt your tricks, but you won't be sitting at the same table with us. A wonderful attitude toward the strongest army in Europe. https://x.com/jurgen_nauditt/status/2042285768140308813
"My fair assessment" is that Rutte should be out on his arse,
I don't think Ukraine being in NATO was ever going to be on the cards whilst they had live border disputes/war going on, that is, ever.
NEW: Keir Starmer and Trump have spoken by phone tonight
A Downing Street spokesperson said:
"The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump from Qatar this evening.
"The Prime Minister set out his discussions with Gulf leaders and military planners in the region on the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the UK's efforts to convene partners to agree a viable plan.
"They agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the Strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution.
"The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible. They agreed to speak again soon."
Must be torture to do these pointless phone calls.
Paid a flying visit to Brum in order to do the recently opened Millennium Point extension today, at lunchtime. It's actually only a small section of a new route towards Digbeth, and eventually, BHX airport.
Took the tram from Grand Central (ie. New Street Station) to Bull Street, then I took an "Edgbaston Village" tram which I thought might do Millennium Point, but it actually went back directly towards Corporation Street and Grand Central! So I alighted at Corporation Street and walked back to Bull Street. But at least by that point I had "reprised" the original route to account for the new junction.
So back at Bull Street, I saw that the next tram from Wolverhampton actually had "Millennium Point" as its destination. Therefore I finally got to do the new branch. I alighted from this tram and let it depart so I could take some pics of it and the temporary station. Some track has been laid to either side of the station, which occupies its alignment. Also saw the new Haitch-S2 Curzon Street building site had big blue hoardings, so couldn't see much. Happily, the original station building from the 19th century was visible in the distance. Then the next tram arrived, so I boarded and returned via Corporation Street to Grand Central.
Of course, only did Bull Street to Albert Street, and Albert Street to Corporation Street. Hopefully the "missing" sections of the new triangular junction will open when the Dudley branch opens in August?
So, in summary: *The offer from Iran which Trump said was a basis for negotiations is now, according to Trump, "in the garbage." * Hormuz remains closed to all those who are not friends of Iran. * War continues to rage in the Lebanon. *Everything is getting worse. *That muppet is still in the White House.
Jeez.
In Ireland farmers and truckers are blockading refineries and oil import terminals so that fuel stations are running out of fuel, and an approaching tanker may not be able to unload fuel because the import terminal storage tanks are full.
So I guess the rest of the world has a country to point at and laugh.
I have to ask.
Why?
I mean why the blockade?
Prices of fuel have gone up because of the war in Iran. The Irish government, in their infinite wisdom, cut fuel duty on diesel by €0.20 a litre (and petrol by a smaller amount), which has predictably had very little impact on fuel prices at the pumps, because you cannot subsidise your way out of a supply shock, and it's done nothing for farmers who don't pay the fuel duty anyway.
What it has done is convinced a lot of people that fuel prices are high because of tax on fuel, and so the protestors are calling for further cuts in fuel taxes. So they want the government here to piss more money into a hurricane for no good at all.
Hopefully, but they do mend easily. Kelly went so far as to say Trump in 2024 was not as sharp as Trump in 2020, but she returned to pleasing her audience soon from even that mild mild comment.
Zelensky comments on Vance's statement in Budapest that Russia and Ukraine are simply negotiating over a "few square kilometers" of territory:
"The Vice President, with all due respect, does not participate in the negotiations between the United States and Ukraine and the Russian Federation. And I think that if he and other officials had taken part probably... they would have understood more deeply what a "patch" is, what... the territory of Ukraine, the independent territory of Ukraine is."
Dangerous comment, Vance and Trump will make him pay for that.
Zelensky isn't getting anything much from the US anyway these days. Any chance of getting patriot interceptors directly from the US evaporated when they used so many to shoot down Iranian drones. The US has already dropped sanctions on Russian oil and on Belarus, creating an easy route for trade with Russia to resume almost openly.
Zelensky must be feeling pretty confident that, between his recent agreements with Gulf States, and the Ukrainian drone factories opening across Europe, that Ukraine will be in an increasingly stronger position as 2026 progresses, regardless of what the US says or does.
The bad part of my imagination can picture US F35's flying in bombing runs from the Russian side of the front before too long.
That is one of those should be unthinkable worst case scenarios that might not be impossible that mean Europe really needs to help Ukraine win the war as soon as possible before Trump can shift his position to providing more explicit support to Russia.
Honestly, who the fuck can keep up with Trump's insanity? Now needs the bloody Epstein files to distract from the Hormuz files.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 1h The timing of this indicates just how the White House feels their spin on Iran has been going over the past 24 hours. Quite the dead cat.
The blunt truth is that solar may not be the right technology for a country where the sun does not shine as much as we would like it to' | Writes Matthew Lynn
I am convinced these “journalists” are very thick.
Bonnie Greer doing her bit for an ongoing special relationship.
US banned Black soldiers in WW2 from eating in homes; going to pubs etc The British ignored the bans. My late dad got to have a home cooked meal. US segregated the pubs! So folks here fought white GIs so that guys like my dad could have a pint.
The blunt truth is that solar may not be the right technology for a country where the sun does not shine as much as we would like it to' | Writes Matthew Lynn
I am convinced these “journalists” are very thick.
You have to remember that the journalist is not engaged in a market where truth and intelligence wins, but where they are in a struggle for attention that they win by pandering to the assumptions and base instincts of their readers.
Britain is a country that believes it is uniquely cursed by a cloudy and rainy climate while all the time Ireland is right there, with a wetter and cloudier climate. Writing an article that says solar won't work in Britain because of cloud is the easiest of easy articles to write, that will raise many a wry chuckle from its readers, and many a shake of the head from those readers at the daft people installing solar panels.
The journalist knows exactly what they are doing and why, and making a rational judgement on energy policy is nothing to do with it.
Hardly looks like the sort of home that needs their bills subsidised.
That's the point - it's aspirational marketing. Hardly want to be giving money away to the type of people they'd rather demonise as layabouts and scroungers.
Bonnie Greer doing her bit for an ongoing special relationship.
US banned Black soldiers in WW2 from eating in homes; going to pubs etc The British ignored the bans. My late dad got to have a home cooked meal. US segregated the pubs! So folks here fought white GIs so that guys like my dad could have a pint.
Governor DeSantis says the United States should reconsider being close allies with the United Kingdom because they have imported the Third World and we do not share a common culture anymore. https://x.com/ReOpenChris/status/2041999975286992995
Comments
So a bun fight between them and Reform over who will run the council.
Hopefully I will finish ahead of the candidate standing for the Social Democratic Party.
I think I might drop the subtlety in the headlines and go for bluntness in future.
Or is it like the FIFA Peace Prize Award Committee? Never met once and wont in the future?
It's perfectly possible to continue to make investments in renewables, charging infrastucture, etc., while also allowing people -if they so choose- to explore for and extract oil and gas.
Edit to add: allowing people to do 'plug in solar', like in Germany would cost the government nothing, and would meaningfully reduce demand for natural gas.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98k91yy4z4o
All wearing the same looking kit. Loads of black. Tight shorts etc.
Am I just old or is this some new fresh hell??
Birmingham Dispatch
@brumdispatch
🧵 A Mill Media staffer was walking home yesterday when she was caught in a stampede of teenagers in the city centre.
She realised she was witnessing a 'link up' - a phenomenon that's emerged over the Easter holidays in London, Brum and Milton Keynes.
https://x.com/brumdispatch/status/2042199454070038805
Old school.
Oh...
https://x.com/JenniferJJacobs/status/2042309965386293316?s=20
It also means you only need to take one small device with you on holiday, rather than a stack of books.
@MKhamenei_ir
All must know that, by Almighty God’s will, we definitely won’t allow the criminal aggressors who attacked our country to go unpunished.
Phil Stewart
@phildstewart
Halt to Iran attacks means Netanyahu's corruption trial will resume on Sunday
(Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long-running corruption trial will resume on Sunday, the courts' spokesperson said on Thursday, after Israel lifted a state of emergency imposed over its war with Iran.
The emergency, which had closed schools and workplaces, was lifted on Wednesday evening as no incoming Iranian missiles had been reported since 3 a.m. (midnight GMT) after a ceasefire was agreed.
"With the lifting of the state of emergency and the return of the judicial system to work, hearings will resume as usual," a statement from the Israeli courts said, adding that they would take place between Sundays and Wednesdays.
Tim Miller
@Timodc
·
13m
Strong move to refocus on Epstein in order to distract from the Straight of Hormuz disaster.
https://x.com/Timodc/status/2042311803682599083
Aaron Rupar
@atrupar
·
14m
I am not sure why Melania Trump decided to make a statement about Jeffrey Epstein seemingly out of nowhere today, but if the idea was to put the ongoing coverup in the rearview mirror it will backfire spectacularly
https://x.com/atrupar/status/2042313241460879831
Everything about it is baffling. Right down to the window blind randomly opening a minute or so in.
https://x.com/mikeysmith/status/2042314252665446813?s=20
(Has it really been three decades ?)
https://x.com/Acyn/status/2042311612179353818
Melania Trump: The false smears about me from mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name to gain financially and climb politically must stop. My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.
The morning thread has a great pun as the headline.
Zelensky must be feeling pretty confident that, between his recent agreements with Gulf States, and the Ukrainian drone factories opening across Europe, that Ukraine will be in an increasingly stronger position as 2026 progresses, regardless of what the US says or does.
I did hear an Armando Iannuci funny this morning about Leavitt’s claim that Trump was the best read man in the room and Iannucci said “if the other people in the room are Melania and the Easter Bunny then that could be true.”
In eight days time I’ll be in Vannes, in Brittany
In nine days time, I don’t know where I’ll be
I love adventure over holiday
The Trump admin is keeping a controversial $70 million jet — leased by former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem — for travel by Trump's Cabinet and Melania.
https://x.com/kylegriffin1/status/2042038537453736056
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE2UZn5tx5Q
We're back to somewhere between wildings and flash mobs.
"More than one million pensioners will have to pay back their winter fuel payment | Money
Around 1.2 million state pensioners will have to pay back their winter fuel payment after breaching the income threshold"
https://news.sky.com/story/money-live-tips-personal-finance-consumer-sky-news-latest-13040934
*The offer from Iran which Trump said was a basis for negotiations is now, according to Trump, "in the garbage."
* Hormuz remains closed to all those who are not friends of Iran.
* War continues to rage in the Lebanon.
*Everything is getting worse.
*That muppet is still in the White House.
Jeez.
Bologna 0
49 mins
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/clygly9z1j9t
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRxpZ142lkI
The Atrocity Exhibition (JG Ballard and the Motorcar) [1970]
"Directed by Harely Cokliss (no imdb page exists) and features Ballard talking about some of the ideas which would coalesce into his novel Crash, published in 1973. Intercut with footage of test motor crashes and Ballard himself are semi-dramatised scenes with actress Gabrielle Drake. Remarkably effective and disturbing."
(Surely the directors name is a nom de plume)
I scored a similar og about a decade ago. Passed it back to the keeper from 40 yards, he let it under his foot on the edge of the area and it rolled in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4FSX8DmxqM
So I guess the rest of the world has a country to point at and laugh.
"Multiple diplomatic sources told CBS News that President Trump had been told that the ceasefire . would apply to the Middle East region, and he agreed that included Lebanon."
"However, the U.S. position shifted following a phone call between Netanyahu and Mr. Trump."
https://bsky.app/profile/adhaque.bsky.social/post/3mj3mtu5ozc2i
Reports indicate that Giorgia Meloni is preparing to sideline Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, Italy’s largest defence group.
The reason? Multiple sources suggest this is not about performance - under Cingolani, Leonardo’s stock has registered a +700% increase - but rather about the “Michelangelo Dome”.
Leonardo’s new AI-based air defence system, reportedly set to be tested in Ukraine in 2026, is now seen as “too competitive” for Washington.
According to several reports, Cingolani’s perceived “too European” stance - focused on strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy - may have played against him.
If confirmed, this would be a political decision against Europe’s industrial and strategic interests.
European states cannot claim sovereignty, and then punish those who actually try to build it.
https://x.com/TheEuropeansHQ/status/2041964826327478783
Speaking to @ilfoglio_it, Italian Defence Minister @GuidoCrosetto distances himself from Meloni's reported move to sack CEO Roberto Cingolani:
“It shouldn’t be politics that judges a CEO, but the results they deliver.”
A rare public distancing from Meloni's choice from one of her closest allies.
https://x.com/TheEuropeansHQ/status/2042173105041244273
Italians on X calling Meloni a "traitor".
NEW: Keir Starmer and Trump have spoken by phone tonight
A Downing Street spokesperson said:
"The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump from Qatar this evening.
"The Prime Minister set out his discussions with Gulf leaders and military planners in the region on the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the UK's efforts to convene partners to agree a viable plan.
"They agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the Strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution.
"The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible. They agreed to speak again soon."
Why?
I mean why the blockade?
Edit: maybe it's more about who she hopes to parachute in...
Trump calls Alex Jones, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens and Megyn Kelly, "Low IQ... stupid people... nobody cares about them, they’re NUT JOBS, TROUBLEMAKERS."
Meanwhile...
@nikkimcr.bsky.social
Trump attacks Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, Alex Jones and others in a long post calling them “NUT JOBS”
https://bsky.app/profile/nikkimcr.bsky.social/post/3mj3nqomz6k24
Israel's justification for its actions in Lebanon are threadbare at best. Netehyahu continuing - and escalating - hostilities against a civilian city is more about sabotaging the ceasefire with Iran than it is in any way a negotiating stance with Lebanon.
What it has done is convinced a lot of people that fuel prices are high because of tax on fuel, and so the protestors are calling for further cuts in fuel taxes. So they want the government here to piss more money into a hurricane for no good at all.
Took the tram from Grand Central (ie. New Street Station) to Bull Street, then I took an "Edgbaston Village" tram which I thought might do Millennium Point, but it actually went back directly towards Corporation Street and Grand Central! So I alighted at Corporation Street and walked back to Bull Street. But at least by that point I had "reprised" the original route to account for the new junction.
So back at Bull Street, I saw that the next tram from Wolverhampton actually had "Millennium Point" as its destination. Therefore I finally got to do the new branch. I alighted from this tram and let it depart so I could take some pics of it and the temporary station. Some track has been laid to either side of the station, which occupies its alignment. Also saw the new Haitch-S2 Curzon Street building site had big blue hoardings, so couldn't see much. Happily, the original station building from the 19th century was visible in the distance. Then the next tram arrived, so I boarded and returned via Corporation Street to Grand Central.
Of course, only did Bull Street to Albert Street, and Albert Street to Corporation Street. Hopefully the "missing" sections of the new triangular junction will open when the Dudley branch opens in August?
Wife just texted me after reading the Melania news: Barron kinda looks like Epstein, right
Do think he'll get around to that when it comes to his self assessment ?
Time is not really on Europe's side here.
Politics UK
@PolitlcsUK
·
1h
🚨 WATCH: Nigel Farage visits the winner of Reform UK's free energy bills prize draw
https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2042315911068041456
(((Dan Hodges)))
@DPJHodges
·
1h
The timing of this indicates just how the White House feels their spin on Iran has been going over the past 24 hours. Quite the dead cat.
https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2042321920377385313
The blunt truth is that solar may not be the right technology for a country where the sun does not shine as much as we would like it to' | Writes Matthew Lynn
I am convinced these “journalists” are very thick.
US banned Black soldiers in WW2 from eating in homes; going to pubs etc
The British ignored the bans.
My late dad got to have a home cooked meal.
US segregated the pubs!
So folks here fought white GIs so that guys like my dad could have a pint.
#SpecialRelationship
https://x.com/Bonn1eGreer/status/2042206739261464929
They tried “climate change isn’t real” and it didn’t work so now we’re onto the next go.
If it’s not windy it’s sunny.
Britain is a country that believes it is uniquely cursed by a cloudy and rainy climate while all the time Ireland is right there, with a wetter and cloudier climate. Writing an article that says solar won't work in Britain because of cloud is the easiest of easy articles to write, that will raise many a wry chuckle from its readers, and many a shake of the head from those readers at the daft people installing solar panels.
The journalist knows exactly what they are doing and why, and making a rational judgement on energy policy is nothing to do with it.
Yes, it is this bad.
Melania Trump says she did not have relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/09/melania-trump-jeffrey-epstein
But Reform oppose wind turbines too.
Faberge egg stolen.
A woman had taken it to the pub in her handbag and put it under her chair, whence it was stolen, before a work event.
*Headdesk*
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6098jngryo
Governor DeSantis says the United States should reconsider being close allies with the United Kingdom because they have imported the Third World and we do not share a common culture anymore.
https://x.com/ReOpenChris/status/2041999975286992995
@fintwitter.bsky.social
TRUMP: IRAN BETTER NOT BE CHARGING FEES TO TANKERS GOING THROUGH HORMUZ STRAIT AND, IF THEY ARE, THEY BETTER STOP NOW