International Relations

UK:

It's a record! 📈 We're getting our sixth Prime Minister in the span of just ten years. This is the first time in modern political history that it's happened.

You would need to go back to the 19th century, to a time when only a minority of the population had the vote, and the UK had yet to become a full parliamentary democracy, to find a turnover of prime ministers equivalent to that of the present day.

Theresa May (2016-19),

Boris Johnson (2019-22),

Liz Truss (2022),

Rishi Sunak (2022-24),

Keir Starmer (2024-26)

It's a record! 📈 We're getting our sixth Prime Minister in the span of just ten years. This is the first time in modern political history that it's happened.

UK:
It's a record! 📈 We're getting our sixth Prime Minister in the span of just ten years. This is the first time in modern political history that it's happened.
You would need to go back to the 19th century, to a time when only a minority of the population had the vote, and the UK had yet to become a full parliamentary democracy, to find a turnover of prime ministers equivalent to that of the present day.
Theresa May (2016-19),
Boris Johnson (2019-22),
Liz Truss (2022),
Rishi Sunak (2022-24),
Keir Starmer (2024-26)
It's a record! 📈 We're getting our sixth Prime Minister in the span of just ten years. This is the first time in modern political history that it's happened. - @SimCityAT

Makes one wonder what kind of nonsense is going on behind the scenes over there.  I reckon Starmer gave in far too quickly - he was quite good at managing Trump.   

Andy WhatsHisFace had a lot of hurdles to get over - the by-election, then the competition to be leader of the party, then arriving at Number 10 to take over the reins. 

I know people in Manchester and they do not have a lot of good words about Andy Burnham.  Like his Bee transport system is ridiculed or unusable to many people.

I do not have a lot of faith in Burnham being the Messiah some people seem to be thinking of.   Expectations are far too high for him to navigate the Westminster swamp with ease.

@fluffy2560

I've given up all hope with USA & UK  politics, they seem to be all fooked up.

UK:
It's a record! 📈 We're getting our sixth Prime Minister in the span of just ten years. This is the first time in modern political history that it's happened.
You would need to go back to the 19th century, to a time when only a minority of the population had the vote, and the UK had yet to become a full parliamentary democracy, to find a turnover of prime ministers equivalent to that of the present day.
Theresa May (2016-19),
Boris Johnson (2019-22),
Liz Truss (2022),
Rishi Sunak (2022-24),
Keir Starmer (2024-26)
It's a record! 📈 We're getting our sixth Prime Minister in the span of just ten years. This is the first time in modern political history that it's happened. - @SimCityAT

Good thing we are no longer in the middle ages. They all probably would of been given the literal axe. Instead they can now retire to their villas with their pensions.

@fluffy2560
I've given up all hope with USA & UK politics, they seem to be all fooked up. - @SimCityAT

Shady Vance and Trump's friends/relatives are supposedly working with Iran in Switzerland on the peace deal YET while Vance reports progress,  Trump is ranting back at the WH about restarting the bombing.   

It's just another sign of mental decline in El Presidente.  The longer that guy has his hands on power, the more it looks like a banana republic.

And as for the UK politics, it's just boring as hell.  News stations are going mad over it.   Usually summer is the silly season.

The football is pretty dull as well.  Iraq vs France was delayed due to dangerous weather.  I gave up and went to bed.   But tonight, England vs Ghana, 23h (I think).

Well to tell the truth, I am still highly insulted by that idiot in Lidl yesterday who eased dropped on my private conversation in the store with my husband.

Hovering behind us, getting all weird and blurting out, Go Home.

Today I noticed a black lady on the tram by herself.Made me wonder if people say rude stupid things to her as well?

My husband thinks in general they want everyone to go home. OV started it and dumb people who can not think for themselves are against anyone who is not Hungarian.

I was so ready yesterday to make a scene. Yell out, this guy wants all of us foreigners to Go Home!

My husband said my ego was insulted, maybe so but then again, I know many Hungarian who live in the US, lived on welfare there and no one ever told them to go home. In fact they were cut allot of slack.

We pay our own way and then some.

Thing is my husband,s family was probably more Hungarian then that idiots were.

I would of told him off if I heard him insult anyone but since it was in my direction I got in a twist.

Just another reason we have not invested allot here and do not send our  pension funds here either.

If the economy gets worst, I am sure more hate will spread.

Well to tell the truth, I am still highly insulted by that idiot in Lidl yesterday who eased dropped on my private conversation in the store with my husband.Hovering behind us, getting all weird and blurting out, Go Home.Today I noticed a black lady on the tram by herself.Made me wonder if people say rude stupid things to her as well?My husband thinks in general they want everyone to go home. OV started it and dumb people who can not think for themselves are against anyone who is not Hungarian.I was so ready yesterday to make a scene. Yell out, this guy wants all of us foreigners to Go Home!My husband said my ego was insulted, maybe so but then again, I know many Hungarian who live in the US, lived on welfare there and no one ever told them to go home. In fact they were cut allot of slack.We pay our own way and then some.Thing is my husband,s family was probably more Hungarian then that idiots were.I would of told him off if I heard him insult anyone but since it was in my direction I got in a twist.Just another reason we have not invested allot here and do not send our pension funds here either. If the economy gets worst, I am sure more hate will spread. - @Marilyn Tassy

It surprises me this is still going on considering the number of foreigners floating around this place.

"Go Home" means what?  Return to your apartment or clear off to the USA?

I presume you were speaking English between yourselves.   How do they know you're not Hungarian?  No-one can tell.   

My gut feeling is that darker skinned people are regularly abused in majority white countries and while it's no answer, I expect they somehow have developed defensive survival measures to avoid confrontation.  I hear about racial abuse quite a lot - even medical people are convinced black people do not need pain relief during childbirth.  Like WTF? 

On the other hand, Trump believes Afrikaaners are entitled to refugee status in the USA on the grounds of racial disadvantage.  This has to be an Elon Musk related policy given he's white minority South African.  He's also Canadian (his mother) and god forbid, British (through his father I think).  And Donald Trump is potentially British as well (his mother was Scottish).  Really, it'd take the biscuit if he claimed his UK citizenship.  Like we'd want those people hanging around anywhere near us.

Our own daughter used to get abuse in junior school for "not being fully Hungarian".   She's got a tiny bit of an accent and sometimes officials try to speak English to her because they don't get that she can speak Hungarian better than they can.  She's done her entire education here in HU and in the HU language (including university).   And she can speak English or Spanish better than they can too.  It's just used as a stick or attempt to belittle.  It's pathetic.

Anyway, OV did start the divisions and we're seeing it in other countries.  They are only just catching up with Hungary but from what I hear, there's a good chance, the divisive politics will not come to pass.  People have learnt from Hungary, and the USA and other countries know political divisiveness is a dead end.  But there's no accounting for thick/dumb people.

BTW, I have experienced racism in a majority black country and it was a bewildering experience.  To be accused of that is really something else.  I was really offended by the accusation. 

BBC News:

it's what we all knew anyway, but like anyone is going to own up for this failure:

Stop pretending EU's new border system is working, says airports chief

The head of Europe's airports trade body says concerns over the region's new digital border control system are keeping him and other industry bosses awake at night.

Earlier this year, the EU completed the roll out of its Entry-Exit System (EES). It requires travellers from outside the EU to register biometric information when entering most European countries, which is then checked when they leave.

Although EES has been working well in some countries, it has also been blamed for causing significant delays at a number of airports, with some passengers missing flights.

Stefan Schulte, president of ACI Europe, said politicians should "stop pretending... that EES is working just fine. It is not."

HU/EU (Euronews):

EU scales back Ukraine's accession timetable due to Hungarian resistance

Faced with renewed resistance from Hungary, the EU has been forced to change plans and now aims to unblock two, rather than five, accession clusters with Ukraine and Moldova before the summer break. The European Union has scaled back its ambitions for Ukraine's accession talks, now targeting the opening of just two negotiating clusters in July rather than five.

Not sure what this really signals other than a cautious approach.

Just saw a video about Germany banning none German speakers from a lake side swimming pool.

In eastern Germany, Saxony-Anhalt.

Actually the lake there looks so inviting and nice.

I wonder if deaf people are also banned there?

I know they mean to make a point about people breaking pool rules and playing dumb but this is a bit extreme.

Darn, I guess I can not make plans on visiting there until I take a language course.

Just saw a video about Germany banning none German speakers from a lake side swimming pool.In eastern Germany, Saxony-Anhalt.Actually the lake there looks so inviting and nice.I wonder if deaf people are also banned there?I know they mean to make a point about people breaking pool rules and playing dumb but this is a bit extreme.Darn, I guess I can not make plans on visiting there until I take a language course. - @Marilyn Tassy

That'll never last (<-click here) Think of the minefield of discrimination.   I believe it's tied into AfD (right wing party) influence in the region.

They could always use pictures to illustrate the safety messages.

Interesting point is if one does not speak a local language, if this is akin to a disability?  Like deafness is a disability.

Now I say that, I wonder if someone could take an oath for citizenship in sign language?

DW:

Parsing Trump's claims about Washington's reflecting pool

Ludicrous (of course) claims by Trump over the algae coated reflecting pool.

I think the solution is obvious.  Put some algae nibbling fish, plants and other aquatic life in it.  It'd look a lot better with lilies, frogs, ducks, swans and reed beds.  And eco-friendly.  More reflecting pond than reflecting pool. Staring at wildlife rather than sterile expanses of water has to be better for people's mental health.

Killing it with hydrogen peroxide is bonkers. Algae farming is actually a thing! I'm on the algae's side. Without any irony, I do put anti-algae chemicals in our pool but we swim in it.

DW:Parsing Trump's claims about Washington's reflecting poolLudicrous (of course) claims by Trump over the algae coated reflecting pool.I think the solution is obvious. Put some algae nibbling fish, plants and other aquatic life in it. It'd look a lot better with lilies, frogs, ducks, swans and reed beds. And eco-friendly. More reflecting pond than reflecting pool. Staring at wildlife rather than sterile expanses of water has to be better for people's mental health. Killing it with hydrogen peroxide is bonkers. Algae farming is actually a thing! I'm on the algae's side. Without any irony, I do put anti-algae chemicals in our pool but we swim in it. - @fluffy2560

Some comittee is going right after Trump over this. It turns out he gave the contract to one of his donors that had no experience in doing the wrork. Why $14 million was given when when it was said it would cost $1.4 million?

Driving over it. The cars weigh tonns. Congress wasn't informed, when they should have been.

He really is getting in a right mess over this.

Remember the JFK Centre? A judge has now rulled that the scaffold be taken down (used to remove Trumps name) but left because Trump had a tantrump. "If no one one can see my name, no one can see the official name"

There are some others. Well the ball room of couse, but thats a long winded thing. I think America is waking up to the fact that the President has to much control, and its wrong. Even republicans are seeing this and are in danger of losing seats because of this idiot.

DW:
Parsing Trump's claims about Washington's reflecting pool

Ludicrous (of course) claims by Trump over the algae coated reflecting pool.

I think the solution is obvious. Put some algae nibbling fish, plants and other aquatic life in it. It'd look a lot better with lilies, frogs, ducks, swans and reed beds. And eco-friendly. More reflecting pond than reflecting pool. Staring at wildlife rather than sterile expanses of water has to be better for people's mental health.

Killing it with hydrogen peroxide is bonkers. Algae farming is actually a thing! I'm on the algae's side. Without any irony, I do put anti-algae chemicals in our pool but we swim in it. - @fluffy2560
Some comittee is going right after Trump over this. It turns out he gave the contract to one of his donors that had no experience in doing the wrork. Why $14 million was given when when it was said it would cost $1.4 million?
Driving over it. The cars weigh tonns. Congress wasn't informed, when they should have been.

He really is getting in a right messover this.

Remember the JFK Centre? A judge has now rulled that the scaffold be taken down (used to remove Trumps name) but left because Trump had a tantrump. "If no one one can see my name, no one can see the official name"

There are some others. Well the ball room of couse, but thats a long winded thing. I think America is waking up to the fact that the President has to much control, and its wrong. Even republicans are seeing this and are in danger of losing seats because of this idiot. - @SimCityAT

Yup, it's all about him and his mistakes.  I like to see him embarrassed but he's just doesn't care what anyone thinks.

But these cultural issues are kind of super visible nonsenses and (designed?) distractions  but his other millstone, Iran, plus lots of graft must be grating with people, even the MAGA base.  But let's face, the average American out in the mid-West has no concerns.  Politics goes on elsewhere and does nothing to change their life.  If Iran had turned into body bags containing local military recruits, then people would become rather angry.   

I find a lot of US people are unconnected with world affairs.  It's just bizarre.  The other day, Trump was saying Zelenskyy was doing very well, yet he gave him a pile of abuse at the WH.   Why people over there cannot understand who they elected, it's just impossible to understand their mental processes.

As of today, he said Burnham was "mayor of some town and a liberal".   Bit more respect Donny.   He's also going on about drilling in the North Sea and complaining about "windmills".   Jeez, do me a favour, they are not "milling" anything.   It's because he was told to "f*** off" by local government over the windfarm next to his golf course in Scotland. Spoilt his view.  Knows the price of everything, the value of nothing.

@fluffy2560

Trump isn't well. I give him a year.

@fluffy2560Trump isn't well. I give him a year. - @SimCityAT

Imagine what he can screw up in one whole year.

On the other hand, there is some hope.

There's a rumour swirling in Washington that he's going to get a weight loss drug, suffers from high blood pressure and obviously the blood circulation complaint already admitted.

If he does die in harness, one gets Shady Vance elevated to El Presidente who could arguably be even worse.

USA (CNN):

Trump must pay E. Jean Carroll $5 million after Supreme Court denies his appeal of sexual abuse verdict

The Supreme Court Monday declined to take up an appeal from President Donald Trump over a $5 million verdict and finding that he sexually abused and defamed E. Jean Carroll, a decision that means the president will now have to pay the magazine columnist.

So does this mean Trump is officially a sex pest or what?

There's still the $100M outstanding which is going to appeal at SCOTUS.  It's a slam dunk if the original court award stands.  What else could be the outcome?  It would be very odd if it was anything else other than a win for E. Jean Carroll. Trump has already been involved in the record keeping legal case and was convicted there but justice was delayed (in my mind) because he got elected president.

BTW, the war with Iran has eclipsed/distracted any further revelations from Epstein files. We haven't heard anything recently.  Probably this is what Trump expected but this SCOTUS ruling will turn the focus back (hopefully). It also applies to the grifting on the reflecting pool. Pure WMDs - Weapons of Mass Distraction.

I'm sure you've heard about the shooting in Germany today at a youth club?

Stade shooting latest: Six killed and two detained after attack at German youth centre-

Of course the usual crap being posted by the usual people on the BBC, ITV, SKY news feeds on Facebook.

"Were they doctors or engineers?"

"Usual suspects?"

......Bla Bla Bla.....

So of course all jumping to conclusions which were totally baseless.

It has turned out that it was was an extended family feud.

So not terror related. Its still early early days to find exact details. It just shows that how much misinformation is spread.

Rupert Lowe thrives on this and is one of the route problems for spreading so much hatred.

German

English

German

English

- @SimCityAT

Not good.  Surprised people have access to firearms. 

What a terrible shame.

We never know what goes on behind closed doors.

Exception might of been my family growing up, we could hear mom screaming a block away.

No, this is seriously sad. Guns in the wrong hands is never a good outcome.

May the all RIP.

What a terrible shame.
We never know what goes on behind closed doors.
Exception might of been my family growing up, we could hear mom screaming a block away.
No, this is seriously sad. Guns in the wrong hands is never a good outcome.
May the all RIP. - @Marilyn Tassy

Reaching for a gun if someone is angry is not likely to happen in Europe where obtaining firearms are tightly controlled.   It seems possibly something has broken down in the system or it was a criminally obtained weapon and gang related. Loss of innocent life by a selfish perp is what this turns out to be. 

Meanwhile, someone tried to kill a Ukrainian (with apparently a Cypriot passport) millionaire in Monaco.  Targeted the entire family including a 14-year old.  But why?  Monaco has to be one of the sleepy places I have ever been.  Nothing happens there - at all.  Full of super yachts.  Sleepy and comatose - until now. Monaco is not going to have the resources to police for this kind of event.  France will be asked to help out.

USA (BBC):

US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship in blow to Trump

The Supreme Court has ruled that babies born in the US have a constitutional right to citizenship, rejecting Donald Trump's bid to end the 150-year-old policy.

In a 6-3 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts ruled that children born in the US "to parents unlawfully or temporarily present" are "citizens at birth" under the 14th amendment.

President Trump had sought to limit the right through an executive order, arguing that the children of undocumented immigrants and some temporary visitors were not "subject to the jurisdiction thereof", and thus not eligible for birthright citizenship.

The ruling is a major setback for Trump's immigration agenda, and has been welcomed by civil rights groups.

Imagine the chaos if Trump had won this case.   And how unsettling it would be.  Even his foreign minister Rubio would have been up the creek - born to Cuban parents in the USA.  It could have made him eligible - presumably - for deportation to Cuba.   And apparently, there are many other Trumpists in a similar position.   Turkeys voting for Christmas.

But nothing Trump can do about it.  He'd have to change the constitution and there's no appetite or majority to do that.  I doubt he's losing any sleep over it.  If it doesn't benefit him financially, he really does not care much.

Trump did win on other cases like girls sport and transgender athletes plus firing members of agencies of government except the Federal Reserve.  Again, if he'd been allowed to simply remove people at the Fed, chaos would have ensued.   On the other hand, the Trump heavy SCOTUS is often inconsistent. One rule for Fed and one rule for everything else. Not really the way to run a railway.

US (BBC):

Village People frontman Victor Willis dies aged 74

Shame as they had hits but I was never a fan really.  I was even less of a fan after they performed at Trumps inaugaration.   Willis himself said he was NOT a Trump supporter and he couldn't stop Trump using their music for his own promotions.  I think that he should have worked more on that.

p.s. Donald Trump lives in a 1980s bubble. 

Donald Trump declared making more than 22,000 stock transactions in 2025, according to the FT analysis. His immediate predecessor, Joe Biden, made 13 transactions over four years. In his first term, Trump made 517. https://ft.trib.al/EHefEnp

Washington will now enter into a potentially protracted multiyear renegotiation process with Mexico and Canada, triggering uncertainty over the future of the deal for more than $1.5tn worth of annual trade. https://ft.trib.al/tpygUkL

US (BBC):Village People frontman Victor Willis dies aged 74Shame as they had hits but I was never a fan really. I was even less of a fan after they performed at Trumps inaugaration. Willis himself said he was NOT a Trump supporter and he couldn't stop Trump using their music for his own promotions. I think that he should have worked more on that.p.s. Donald Trump lives in a 1980s bubble. - @fluffy2560

That is sad,now I have YMCA in my head.

74 is not all that old.

Trump, I tried hard to not get involved with US elections etc; but he is starting to really get to me; So stupid it is embarrassing as an American.

Saw a photo of him in the wind with his rug blowing off his head. Like who in the right mind would get a toupee that looks like what he plopped on?

I am a bit in a confusion; My scale broke with US lbs. I weigh myself almost daily but stopped when it broke;Dug out my MIL,s old scale in kilos;

I better start eating at midnight!

51 Kilos or 8.03 stone!

Maybe her scale is off?

If so my husband had better stop snacking!

It is hard to eat when it is hot outside.

I feel fine, never seem to get hungry though.

Although a nice cheesy slice of pizza sounds good right now.

Washington will now enter into a potentially protracted multiyear renegotiation process with Mexico and Canada, triggering uncertainty over the future of the deal for more than $1.5tn worth of annual trade. https://ft.trib.al/tpygUkL - @SimCityAT

It's not too bad.  There's a 10 year period for it to be removed so we'd be in 2036 and perhaps DJT will be gone from politics and perhaps the universe.  The incoming President(s) will reinstate it and reverse many of the policies actions.  That's pretty much a certainty there will be a clean sweep.

UK (BBC):

Farage resigns as MP for Clacton, triggering by-election which he says he will stand in

Nigel Farage is triggering a by-election to shore up his position and, as he said in his speech, to "continue the political revolution that Reform has started".

But his critics argue it is a stunt to distract from questions over his personal finances, and ultimately taxpayers will be forced to pick up the bill of holding a vote.

The Reform leader says "the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions", but there is no sign the party's four MPs who defected from the Conservatives will follow suit and let their constituents decide whether to keep them.

This is an interesting turn of events.  If Restore win, then Clacton will have spoken to be more on the right.  But if they vote in Conservatives, it's more old school and they will be crowing about it.     If Farage loses, that's the end of him as a political figure.  I personally, won't be crying over his exit if it happens.

US (BBC):Village People frontman Victor Willis dies aged 74Shame as they had hits but I was never a fan really. I was even less of a fan after they performed at Trumps inaugaration. Willis himself said he was NOT a Trump supporter and he couldn't stop Trump using their music for his own promotions. I think that he should have worked more on that.p.s. Donald Trump lives in a 1980s bubble.  - @fluffy2560That is sad,now I have YMCA in my head.74 is not all that old. Trump, I tried hard to not get involved with US elections etc; but he is starting to really get to me; So stupid it is embarrassing as an American.Saw a photo of him in the wind with his rug blowing off his head. Like who in the right mind would get a toupee that looks like what he plopped on?I am a bit in a confusion; My scale broke with US lbs. I weigh myself almost daily but stopped when it broke;Dug out my MIL,s old scale in kilos;I better start eating at midnight!51 Kilos or 8.03 stone!Maybe her scale is off?If so my husband had better stop snacking!It is hard to eat when it is hot outside.I feel fine, never seem to get hungry though.Although a nice cheesy slice of pizza sounds good right now. - @Marilyn Tassy

Despite being brought up on lbs, ounces and stones,  I have gone fully metric and I now use kg.  It makes far more sense to do things in metric measurements as it all works nicely together.  No-one has to remember how many oz there are in a lb.  It's dead easy in metric measures.  What gets me is cups.  Cups of what? A cup of flour and a cup of raisins.  How big is a cup? A cup that you have or a special one?  No idea.

As for Trump's toupee, he's fooling no-one.  No-one has hair like that. Apparently, rumours abound regarding his smell. A mixture of tanning lotion, some kind of antiseptic or cleanser and bodily waste.  I mean, come on, people of that age are not perfect, there must be some truth to it.  His medical history is going to be heavily studied once he's gone.  And the BS his doctors say about him will come back to haunt them. Maybe they'll have their medical licenses rescinded.

I've stopped looking at Trump as we'll only know more about him being slapped down in the mid-terms.  It's just going to depend on how much slapping down he gets.   He'll treat it as a win, we all know that.  But if his devotees continue to believe, they need psychiatric help.  Maybe he'll pop his clogs in harness, then we'll have the muddle of Vance and he's arguably the worst possible substitute.   Neither of them can fix the Iran debacle.  Both of them will make a really bad deal in order to try and save face.  But we all know how haphazard it's been. 

And as for NATO and Zelenskyy,  Trump and all his people have been fools throughout.   They should have been supporting UKR to the hilt.    Driving around here, I've still seen UKR flags of support up alongside the Union Jack and England flags.

Probably the next mistake will be invading Cuba.

UK (BBC):
Farage resigns as MP for Clacton, triggering by-election which he says he will stand in

Nigel Farage is triggering a by-election to shore up his position and, as he said in his speech, to "continue the political revolution that Reform has started".

But his critics argue it is a stunt to distract from questions over his personal finances, and ultimately taxpayers will be forced to pick up the bill of holding a vote.

The Reform leader says "the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions", but there is no sign the party's four MPs who defected from the Conservatives will follow suit and let their constituents decide whether to keep them.

This is an interesting turn of events. If Restore win, then Clacton will have spoken to be more on the right. But if they vote in Conservatives, it's more old school and they will be crowing about it.  If Farage loses, that's the end of him as a political figure. I personally, won't be crying over his exit if it happens. - @fluffy2560

He is definitely getting rattled about this. His resignation speech was just full of lies, and had so many holes in. It is a deflection about all his enquiries about him. They are not going away, if he wins again he will still be investigated and possibly trigger another by-election.

If he loses he will just bugger off to America where he will cash it in with some consultant job.

I think I need to stock up on popcorn 🍿

https://news.sky.com/liveblog-webview/p … e-12593360

I think I need to stock up on popcorn 🍿 https://news.sky.com/liveblog-webview/p … e-12593360 - @SimCityAT

Bit of shocker.  If she was murdered for political views - and people will have taken exception to those - then this might be becoming a bit of new norm.  Enter into politics, take your life in your hands.  And anyone associated with Farage is likely to become toxic.  But murder?  That's just not cricket.   There will be a movie on this.

If I was eligible to vote in Clacton, I'd vote Binface.  Because of the boycott, I'm pretty sure BInface is going to be sitting in parliament.  It's likely to be the ultimate wet kipper slap in the face for Farage.  Reform is going to be as deader than Anne Widdecombe* and about as good as her Come Dancing performance.

*sorry, couldn't help it.   RIP, AW.

Meanwhile:

Israel shared intelligence with US of Iranian plot to assassinate Trump, sources say

Israel shared intelligence with the United States that Iran had recently devised a new plan to assassinate President Donald Trump, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN, adding another layer of tension as a ceasefire deal between the countries comes under strain.

One of the sources said the warning came this week. Another source said the US had picked up a steady drumbeat of intelligence in recent weeks about possible plans to assassinate Trump, but the warning from Israel was new and concerned a specific plot.

I thought the former FBI director Comey was going to 86-47.   I guess this is where the FBI say, there's a plot to kill Trump and they are looking for 120M suspects.

BBC (Update):

Suspect in Ann Widdecombe murder inquiry released and no longer part of investigation

A 26-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe has been released, police say. Devon and Cornwall Police say he is "no longer part of the investigation" and the murder inquiry is "moving at a significant pace"

Amazing it's no longer headline news in the UK. 

Main leads seem to be Straits of Hormuz and Trump asking for a pledge that Iran will not shoot at ships.  That's like asking a fundamentally evil person to be kind.   Laughable diplomacy by absolute amateurs.  Clearly Iran is not in full control of its forces and Trump thinks there is someone to negotiate with.  That strategy is called "negotiating with an empty chair". 

Counter-terror police now leading investigation into death of Ann Widdecombe

Counter-terror police (CTP) are now leading the investigation into the suspected murder of former minister Ann Widdecombe as "new information and evidence have come to light", Counter Terrorism Policing South East said. 

Widdecombe was found dead in her home on Thursday, and a murder investigation was subsequently launched.

Police believe she was attacked at around 12.30pm on Wednesday - nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered with "serious injuries".

CTP said in a statement today: "A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday 11 July.

"New information and evidence have come to light during what has been a dynamic and complex investigation and as a result, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) is now leading the investigation.

"The man in custody has since been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism."

The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, added in a post on X: "Following new information and evidence, they are now leading on the investigation into the horrific murder of Ann Widdecombe.

"The police are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack. I will be updating the House further this afternoon."

We are expecting the statement to take place after 3.30pm.

Counter-terror police now leading investigation into death of Ann WiddecombeCounter-terror police (CTP) are now leading the investigation into the suspected murder of former minister Ann Widdecombe as "new information and evidence have come to light", Counter Terrorism Policing South East said. Widdecombe was found dead in her home on Thursday, and a murder investigation was subsequently launched.Police believe she was attacked at around 12.30pm on Wednesday - nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered with "serious injuries".CTP said in a statement today: "A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday 11 July."New information and evidence have come to light during what has been a dynamic and complex investigation and as a result, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) is now leading the investigation."The man in custody has since been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism."The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, added in a post on X: "Following new information and evidence, they are now leading on the investigation into the horrific murder of Ann Widdecombe."The police are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack. I will be updating the House further this afternoon."We are expecting the statement to take place after 3.30pm. - @SimCityAT

I heard a a radio statement and they said it was because counter-terrorism police have more resources and of course they have more power to keep the alleged perp on ice while the enquiry proceeds.

I cannot see why anyone would want to kill Anne Widdecombe, who at 78 was definitely in her twilight years, reduced to TV appearances and providing right wing opinions on TV shows.  Not in the public spotlight for policies and government - just opinion spouting.  It could have been a robbery gone wrong.

The Lindsey Graham death is interesting.  Reports are his aorta ruptured.  At 71 or something, he should have had an ultrasound in routine monitoring.  I was watching a TV show where they replaced a woman's aorta using what looked like a rubber octopus.  It was a long and complex operation but it turned out OK on the woman.  They disconnected her heart, cooled her right down to 20C and put her on bypass machines. Took something like 6h.   How they missed routine screening of Lindsey Graham, I don't know as he could have been saved it seems as the technology and skills exist. 

Gossiping suspicions were raised because he was in Kyiv the day before.  One has to wonder if it a hit job?  He was a well known supporter of Ukraine.  Did the Russians get to him?

EU (Euronews):

I think this was already in the news but has come up again on my feed, probably because countries are now calling for it, rather than just the airlines/airports.

‘Serious concern’: Nine European countries urge EU to ease Entry/Exit System border checks

Airports and airlines have also joined the chorus of criticism, once again warning of the disruption caused by the Entry/Exit System (EES). Nine European countries have urged the EU to extend the current temporary flexibility to suspend the new Entry/Exit System (EES) border checks, warning that the bloc isn’t ready to fully implement the controls.

US (BBC):

TACO man does it again:

Trump reverses threat of 20% fee on Strait of Hormuz cargo as US prepares to resume Iran ports blockade

Donald Trump reverses his threat for a toll on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as the US prepares to resume its blockade of Iran's ports On Monday, the US president said he would impose a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the key oil shipping route

Like no-one could see that happen?   Why does he do it?  Everyone knows he'll back out.

US (BBC):
TACO man does it again:

Trump reverses threat of 20% fee on Strait of Hormuz cargo as US prepares to resume Iran ports blockade

Donald Trump reverses his threat for a toll on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as the US prepares to resume its blockade of Iran's ports On Monday, the US president said he would impose a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the key oil shipping route

Like no-one could see that happen? Why does he do it? Everyone knows he'll back out. - @fluffy2560

I will not say Trump is the anti-Christ but then again he is a doorway to hades!