Harrison Cook

[Arnaud Bertrand @RnaudBertrand]

We're so collectively desensitized to the US empire that we're not even registering the absurdity: the US - a country where guns are sold at Walmart - has just kidnapped the president of a sovereign nation (and head of the army) to charge him with "possession of machineguns"

[Gandalv @Microinteracti1]

US Official Returns From Brussels Shaken After Realizing Europe Has Its Own Interests, Not a Suburb of Washington

WASHINGTON — In a stunning revelation that rocked absolutely no one outside his own office, a senior US official returned from a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels deeply distressed to discover that European countries sometimes act like… independent countries.

Sources say the official spent several days in Brussels “trying to understand why Europeans keep switching hats,” apparently unaware that sovereign states can belong to more than one international institution without swearing a blood oath to serve US domestic politics.

According to the official’s emotional trip report, Europeans had the audacity to support climate policy, regulate social media platforms, and make decisions not pre-approved by America’s angst-industrial complex.
“It’s hypocrisy,” the official lamented, pointing out that the same countries who value NATO cooperation also—brace yourself—value EU cooperation. “How dare they not treat US interests as the gravitational center of the universe?”

He then accused the EU of being “unelected and undemocratic,” bravely ignoring the fact that EU commissioners are appointed by democratically elected governments, while the US was recently led by a man who tried to overturn an election with a cosplay riot.

The author further warned that Europe is on the verge of “civilizational suicide,” a diagnosis he reached after spending 48 hours in Brussels and discovering Europeans think universal healthcare is normal, mass surveillance is not, and that maybe Cuba isn’t an existential threat to the West in 2025.

When asked whether Europe might simply be tired of being lectured by a country currently debating whether book bans, forced pregnancy laws, and TikTok hearings constitute “freedom,” the official declined to comment, citing national security.

Back in Washington, analysts confirmed that his report adds nothing new to the geopolitical landscape except a powerful reminder:
Some Americans still believe “partnership” means Europe salutes, smiles, and signs whatever paperwork Washington hands over.

[John Harwood @JohnJHarwood]

future historians will be amazed that so many millions of Americans were dumb enough to vote for this guy

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

For me, that's a false comparison. In the 1980s a typical house price was around 3x annual salary, now its over 6x (and over 10x in some parts of the country). It is clearly more difficult for first timers to buy, evidenced by the fact the average age of first ownership has risen substantially.

What matters most to people is what's changing. If you buy a house on 2% interest rate and it rises to 6% that's a big hit. Buy at 10% and its stay at 10% and your budgeting works.

In the last few months worst of all we've see fixed rate mortgages rise, while fixed rate savings fall. So the margins are getting bigger.

[Faisal Islam @faisalislam]

Two charts… similar looking currency reactions to fiscal events…

from yday depicts 0.7% fall in £ following Budget… to multi-month low (viewed 1.7m times).

other shows 8% fall after mini Budget reaching at one point lowest £/$ value since Hamilton invented $ in 1792
#scales

[Jamie H @JamieHComedy]

4 bed house and a flat screen tele no doubt!!! While Rupert the Bears had his winter fuel allowance cut!!! 😡🇬🇧

[Ben Kentish @BenKentish]

Quite a contrast…

[The Secret Barrister 🦋 @BarristerSecret]

A world in which Tom’s government dismantled the criminal justice system through a decade of defunding, leaving our prisons overflowing.

It is also the world in which Tom’s own government released 10,083 criminals onto our streets, for the very same reasons.

[Nick Oldridge @Nick_Oldridge]

I couldn’t quite belief this when I read it. Our water industry has effectively stolen from all of us, with full permission from our government….

Here’s the full quote from the @FT

[Count Binface @CountBinface]

There now follows a Party Political Broadcast by Count Binface. And quite frankly it's a banger. Help me run for mayor here. Under £5k to go! https://t.co/ATUPywsmQq #BinDay #LoveDemocracy

[Ed Conway @EdConwaySky]

Since 2010 the UK has had the weakest GDP per capita, the lowest wage growth, and among the highest unemployment rates of any period of government since WWII.
Striking chart from the @resfoundation this morning 👇

[Ed Conway @EdConwaySky]

🚨How British companies are bolstering Vladimir Putin’s war machine🚨
A depressing thread.
But an important one.
With some pretty shocking charts.
Let’s begin with the “official” picture. It suggests UK trade with Russia has collapsed since Feb 2022. Down by 74%…

[Nick Harris @sportingintel]

Lots of commentary in past 36hrs about why PL charges under PSR rules against EFC and NFFC appear to be being expedited, while Man City's 115 charges (from an investigation dating back to 2018) linger, TBD on a now-agreed but not public timetable 1/n

[Humza Yousaf @HumzaYousaf]

The creation of humanitarian corridors in Gaza is essential. We need them to allow vital supplies into Gaza and to allow people to leave. Collective punishment on a whole population who have nothing to do with the horrendous actions of Hamas can't be justified.

[Amir @AmirAminiMD]

Can’t believe regularly carpet bombing civilians living in a giant prison under military law in an apartheid state that used to be their home hasn’t led to lasting peace.

[emily m @maitlis]

“Sound money under the conservatives or run out of money under Labour “ says the chancellor Jeremy Hunt - who was literally brought in to rescue the economy from a previous conservative chancellor’s policies .. #cpc23

[Colin Millar @Millar_Colin]

Worth reflecting: a footballer is viewed negatively on the basis that he mobilised compassion towards UK kids in poverty and specifically those going hungry in school - driven by his lived experience. And how these talentless ghouls are employed based on their opposition to this.

[Harrison Cook @HarryCook07]

@mozzair @SkySportsNews Still bitter about his exit or that he’s going to south coast rivals?

[Newcastle United @NUFC]

Bro doesn't even want to be here. 💀

[VERSUS @vsrsus]

Trigger warning. A message from VERSUS in light of recent events. Players now have the ability to create social change, but using their voice in response to a rape verdict isn't how to do it. Their platforms need to be used with care and responsibility.