International Relations

Euronews:

Hungary's national fireworks costs shrink but many still call it wasteful

Tradition or money down the drain? A state-funded jolly for all, or an outdated form of animal cruelty? As 20 August nears, the yearly row over whether Hungary needs fireworks and how big they should be reignites.

The dispute surrounding Hungary’s 20 August state celebrations goes far beyond the question of whether there will be fireworks over the Danube. The controversy that has unfolded in recent weeks is about the use of public money, environmental protection, national traditions and the role of state representation, but above all about punishing the Lounge group owned by Gyula Balásy.

....

"If we want there still to be something to celebrate on the day we mark the founding of the state, then we really do have to take the drought situation and our environment very seriously. When parts of the country are turning to desert, lakes are drying up, and heatwaves are sweeping through, nothing is more important than ensuring adequate support for this.Even if we only count the 4‑billion‑forint cost, it is clear that last year the government allocated 4.7 billion forints to the National Water Directorate‑General (OVF) for tackling drought. The OVF used this sum to tidy up channels, streams and rivers. For solving the water situation of Lake Velence, the government is reckoning with costs of 150 billion forints, yet in the recent past, expert opinions have appeared that see a much cheaper and faster solution. László Vazsonyi, a specialist at VulcanAgro, for example, has said that it would be enough to build a water conduit along the 15‑kilometre section between the Danube and Pettend, from where gravity itself would carry the water to Lake Velence, and its price would be a fraction of the planned 150‑billion cost."

Trump is not a well man

This is just to funny

Trump is not a well manThis is just to funny - @SimCityAT

WMD - Weapons of Mass Distraction.   He's worried about the mid-terms so he's stirring up anything to distract the cult MAGA crowd from what's really important. 

He's already been saying stuff and replaying the election he lost after Trump 1.0.  This is setting it up to say it was "stolen" yet again due to Chinese or some other state actors interference - Iran for example.   The lunacy is that that 2020 election was run by the Trump administration.  It's all becoming less believable by the day and that's starting from a low base.  I hope next time, when the guy is gone, they put in or enhance checks and balances that stop a loon being elected by other loons.

And in any case, he's not got the power to introduce tariffs.  That's been struck down by SCOTUS so he's talking out of his rear end.

HU (Euronews):

Hungarian president Tamás Sulyok signs constitutional amendment ending his own mandate

President Tamás Sulyok signed the seventeenth amendment to the Fundamental Law on Saturday, he announced on Facebook. The sitting president’s mandate will end the day after it takes effect.

Finally!

Andrew and Tristan Tate held in 'solitary confinement' in US jail, lawyer claims

The lawyer representing the controversial social media influencers has claimed the brothers were being held in a "5x12 cell as political prisoners".

https://news.sky.com/story/andrew-and-t … s-13565089

Andrew and Tristan Tate held in 'solitary confinement' in US jail, lawyer claimsThe lawyer representing the controversial social media influencers has claimed the brothers were being held in a "5x12 cell as political prisoners".https://news.sky.com/story/andrew-and-t … s-13565089 - @SimCityAT

"Solitary confinement", or is it PC?

"...the brothers were being held in a "5x12 cell as political prisoners on American soil, in solitary confinement".

If the brothers are both held in "a" cell, I don't think that would qualify as solitary. LOL😁

Andrew and Tristan Tate held in 'solitary confinement' in US jail, lawyer claimsThe lawyer representing the controversial social media influencers has claimed the brothers were being held in a "5x12 cell as political prisoners".https://news.sky.com/story/andrew-and-t … s-13565089 - @SimCityAT
"Solitary confinement", or is it PC?
"...the brothers were being held in a "5x12 cell as political prisoners on American soil, in solitary confinement".

If the brothers are both held in "a" cell, I don't think that would qualify as solitary. LOL😁 - @Aidan in HCMC

Don't think it's political prisoners either.   Load of baloney. They'll be brought before a judge who will decide if they can be extradited.   That's the case right now.  If they are guilty of anything else, then that'll be decided during a trial in the UK.   The UK must think there's a case to answer otherwise they wouldn't have asked for their extradition.  UK extradites people to the USA regularly.  If the US doesn't allow it, then the treaty is at risk.  Even Trump should realise that before he interferes FIFA style.

I always thought Ghislane Maxwell made a mistake.  She should have taken a private jet to France as soon as the game was up.  France does not allow extradition of their citizens.   She's a French, British and US citizen.  Her mother was French.

...I always thought Ghislane Maxwell made a mistake. She should have taken a private jet to France as soon as the game was up. France does not allow extradition of their citizens. She's a French, British and US citizen. Her mother was French. - @fluffy2560

It worked for the child rapist, Polanski.

"AI Overview

Filmmaker Roman Polanski has been a fugitive from U.S. justice since 1978. In 1977, he pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl. He fled to Europe before sentencing because he feared the judge would ignore his plea deal. He remains wanted by authorities."

"Unlawful sexual intercourse" is a mild way of describing the drugging, raping and sodomising of a child.

Good job, France.

Though I abhor the idea of any sort of "world governing body/one world gov't", there's certainly room for an argument in favour of the ICC.

@fluffy2560

"PC", when one finds themself in The Clink, is short for "protective custody". Nothing to do with politics.

People incarcerated and accused of some crimes are given the option of being placed in GP (general population) or PC. I'm thinking that in light of the charges being levelled against the Taits that they may well have elected to go the PC route. Fellow inmates have a way of dealing with people facing such charges.

...I always thought Ghislane Maxwell made a mistake. She should have taken a private jet to France as soon as the game was up. France does not allow extradition of their citizens. She's a French, British and US citizen. Her mother was French.  - @fluffy2560It worked for the child rapist, Polanski. "AI Overview  Filmmaker Roman Polanski has been a fugitive from U.S. justice since 1978. In 1977, he pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl. He fled to Europe before sentencing because he feared the judge would ignore his plea deal. He remains wanted by authorities.""Unlawful sexual intercourse" is a mild way of describing the drugging, raping and sodomising of a child. Good job, France.Though I abhor the idea of any sort of "world governing body/one world gov't", there's certainly room for an argument in favour of the ICC. - @Aidan in HCMC

Yes, he was on my mind. Polanski is a French and Polish citizen.  I believe even the victim wants it to end now and possibly there's a plea deal being discussed.  It hasn't stopped him making movies, he just has to be careful where he goes to.

Ms Maxwell clearly wasn't on the ball with her escape plans.  She's got buckets of money.  She could have easily legged it under the radar to La France.   She could have been relaxing at her Tropez beach house instead of slumming it at Club Fed.

Israel and USA are not part of the ICC which is kind of interesting as both Trump and Netanyahu should be visiting the Hague in cuffs along with others like Putin etc.  But that's for an alternate reality.  It would make for a good TV show, a "fictional" account of Trump's wrong doing and relations with those other players.   Maybe aim for 2028 to get that show into production ready for airing election time. 

BTW, I've seen the movie about Trump, it wasn't enough but did not show him in a good light.  But what happened?  Nothing, all forgotten.

As far as those to bros in solitary, they are US citizens as well as British citizens.   They fled there because they think they'll get protection from DJT.   We've got our own suspects - Orban Viktor - he disappeared to the USA for the World Cup and quite probably he should stay there, patronised by DJT.  If he comes back to HU, he's likely to get a trial and possibly jail time for corruption.  It's not clear if some of the oligarchs are going to get it.   They really should be heading to Dubai on their super yachts.

@fluffy2560
"PC", when one finds themself in The Clink, is short for "protective custody". Nothing to do with politics.
People incarcerated and accused of some crimes are given the option of being placed in GP (general population) or PC. I'm thinking that in light of the charges being levelled against the Taits that they may well have elected to go the PC route. Fellow inmates have a way of dealing with people facing such charges. - @Aidan in HCMC

In this case, I'll raise you PC as "political correctness",  DJT style.

HU (Euronews):

Hungary's PM Péter Magyar: 'It would be great honour if Judit Polgár accepted the presidency'

The prime minister wrote on Facebook that on Monday he will meet the world‑class chess player and ask whether, until the new constitution is adopted, she would accept the role.

Péter Magyar, the prime minister, has invited Judit Polgár, the most successful female chess player the world has ever seen, to become Hungary’s president. Polgár is the only woman in the history of chess to have broken the 2700 Elo rating barrier for super-grandmasters. She led the women’s world rankings for 26 consecutive years, achieved a career-best of eighth place on the overall world list, and is a two-time women’s Chess Olympiad champion. The widely respected athlete has not previously taken on any political role.

Wow, that's completed unexpected.   Be interesting if she does accept.  I think she'd be a very neutral and popular candidate.   Nice one PM^2.

BTW, of chess champions and riffing a bit,  I've always been interested in Garry Kasparov. He'd be quite a good independent candidate for Russian President post-Putin coup.  He's now a Croatian citizen. I couldn't care less about the chess at all but he's a very interesting speaker.  Very rational, strategic and detailed.  I guess that thinking goes with chess.

@fluffy2560

I love their family names! Magyar/"Hungary", and Polgár/"Citizen" (unless Google Translate has messed it up).

Seeing PM Magyar's name brought back a rush of memories from my youth of my stamp collection hobby. "Magyar Posta" issued some very beautiful postage stamps.

Trump administration imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian goods over 'continued discrimination'

Donald Trump has taken an aggressive stance against Canada since winning the 2024 election, imposing tariffs, starting a trade war, and threatening to make the country "the 51st state".

@fluffy2560 I love their family names! Magyar/"Hungary", and Polgár/"Citizen" (unless Google Translate has messed it up). Seeing PM Magyar's name brought back a rush of memories from my youth of my stamp collection hobby. "Magyar Posta" issued some very beautiful postage stamps. - @Aidan in HCMC

That is correct-a-mundo for Judit who turned it down. Shame, I thought she would have been rather good at it.  Neutral, not objectionable and a bit of a fun candidate.

Magyar would be more like Hungarian rather than Hungary. 

Over here, they reverse family names so Laszlo Szabo (Leslie Taylor) would be referred to as Szabo Laszlo. This is actually the most common name in Hungary.

I call Peter Magyar PM and as he's Prime Minister, I call him PM squared, aka PM^2.

That's IT speak and formatting as there are no superscript possible just now here in expat.com.

The other famous person I know of with a "squared" name or label was Boutros Boutros Ghali aka Boutros^2 Ghali, former UN secretary General. 

Another candidate might have been Tony Curtis but he's ruled himself out by virtue of being dead. Maybe Jamie-Lee Curtis could step in. Could be a popular candidate but language skills unlikely.

Mariska Hargitay from Law and Order could be an idea. Speaks Hungarian.

I cannot think of anyone else right now except that bloke from Kiss -  Gene Simmons - but he's a bit too weird and has far too much political baggage. He does speak Hungarian though.

Trump administration imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian goods over 'continued discrimination'
Donald Trump has taken an aggressive stance against Canada since winning the 2024 election, imposing tariffs, starting a trade war, and threatening to make the country "the 51st state". - @SimCityAT

I was reading reports on this. This will be because of the trade negotiations going on at the same time. Its Trump's way of trying to leverage a better position and increase his pathetic public perception ratings. It's so amateurish it's almost a joke. Anyway, the tariffs do not take effect for 30 days.

Other reports I've read are that Trump's administration does not understand Iran. Maybe they should be listening to European and EU politicians who have decades of progressive engagement with Tehran and others like Syria. 

Trump administration imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian goods over 'continued discrimination'
Donald Trump has taken an aggressive stance against Canada since winning the 2024 election, imposing tariffs, starting a trade war, and threatening to make the country "the 51st state". - @SimCityAT
I was reading reports on this. This will be because of the trade negotiations going on at the same time. Its Trump's way of trying to leverage a better position and increase his pathetic public perception ratings. It's so amateurish it's almost a joke. Anyway, the tariffs do not take effect for 30 days.
Other reports I've read are that Trump's administration does not understand Iran. Maybe they should be listening to European and EU politicians who have decades of progressive engagement with Tehran and others like Syria. - @fluffy2560

50 percent is insane!

My Vegas friend is in a mood over this, plus his stupid ballroom, reflecting pool and new plane.

He is really mucking things up for everyone.

@fluffy2560 I love their family names! Magyar/"Hungary", and Polgár/"Citizen" (unless Google Translate has messed it up). Seeing PM Magyar's name brought back a rush of memories from my youth of my stamp collection hobby. "Magyar Posta" issued some very beautiful postage stamps. - @Aidan in HCMC
That is correct-a-mundo for Judit who turned it down. Shame, I thought she would have been rather good at it. Neutral, not objectionable and a bit of a fun candidate.
Magyar would be more like Hungarian rather than Hungary.

Over here, they reverse family names so Laszlo Szabo (Leslie Taylor) would be referred to as Szabo Laszlo. This is actually the most common name in Hungary.

I call Peter Magyar PM and as he's Prime Minister, I call him PM squared, aka PM^2.

That's IT speak and formatting as there are no superscript possible just now here expat.com.

The other famous person I know of with a "squared" name or label was Boutros Boutros Ghali aka Boutros^2 Ghali, former UN secretary General.

Another candidate might have been Tony Curtis but he's ruled himself out by virtue of being dead. Maybe Jamie-Lee Curtis could step in. Could be a popular candidate but language skills unlikely.

Mariska Hargitay from Law and Order could be an idea. Speaks Hungarian.

I cannot think of anyone else right now except that bloke from Kiss - Gene Simmons - but he's a bit too weird and has far too much political baggage. He does speak Hungarian though. - @fluffy2560

PM squared!

I have pretty much not paid attention to the new PM.

My husband talks about things but it goes in and out one ear.

I can not even try to understand how these people think.

One min. my husband says they are going to make all properties gov. owned again and they next he says property values are good now..

Waiting for them to start property taxes every year like in the US, I think they do that already here on some resort properties, not sure, do not really care either way.

Wasn,t that long ago when the gov; did own every flat and home, you just rented from them.

50 percent is insane!My Vegas friend is in a mood over this, plus his stupid ballroom, reflecting pool and new plane.He is really mucking things up for everyone. - @Marilyn Tassy

Yup, but it's a grudge and not rational. Trump will die eventually and it will all be different and probably swing in another direction. I'm heartened to see the end in sight of his chaos. He'll probably be a lame duck come the mid-terms and he'll be well and truly reigned in.

He's wasting buckets of money on Iran wars,  silly DC projects and that daft Qatari Air Force One project. That's public money he's pi**ing down the drains yet no-one seems to really notice.

My perspective is that the reflecting pool becomes a reflecting pond with wildlife. It could be quite nice with reeds, lily pads, frogs, carp, ducks and swans.  It's an easy green alternative. They'll never stop the ducks crapping in it and the algae will always have something to feed on. Go with the flow and make it a self-sustaining environment.

50 percent is insane!My Vegas friend is in a mood over this, plus his stupid ballroom, reflecting pool and new plane.He is really mucking things up for everyone. - @Marilyn Tassy

Yup, but it's a grudge and not rational. Trump will die eventually and it will all be different and probably swing in another direction. I'm heartened to see the end in sight of his chaos. He'll probably be a lame duck come the mid-terms and he'll be well and truly reigned in.

He's wasting buckets of money on Iran wars, silly DC projects and that daft Qatari Air Force One project. That's public money he's pi**ing down the drains yet no-one seems to really notice.

My perspective is that the reflecting pool becomes a reflecting pond with wildlife. It could be quite nice with reeds, lily pads, frogs, carp, ducks and swans. It's an easy green alternative. They'll never stop the ducks crapping in it and the algae will always have something to feed on. Go with the flow and make it a self-sustaining environment. - @fluffy2560

Wasn,t there a sense in Forest Gump where people were jumping into the reflecting pool in D.C.?

Think there was.

IDK, frogs and algae also come with mosquitos. We could hope he gets malaria!

50 percent is insane!My Vegas friend is in a mood over this, plus his stupid ballroom, reflecting pool and new plane.He is really mucking things up for everyone. - @Marilyn Tassy

Yup, but it's a grudge and not rational. Trump will die eventually and it will all be different and probably swing in another direction. I'm heartened to see the end in sight of his chaos. He'll probably be a lame duck come the mid-terms and he'll be well and truly reigned in.

He's wasting buckets of money on Iran wars, silly DC projects and that daft Qatari Air Force One project. That's public money he's pi**ing down the drains yet no-one seems to really notice.

My perspective is that the reflecting pool becomes a reflecting pond with wildlife. It could be quite nice with reeds, lily pads, frogs, carp, ducks and swans. It's an easy green alternative. They'll never stop the ducks crapping in it and the algae will always have something to feed on. Go with the flow and make it a self-sustaining environment. - @fluffy2560
Wasn,t there a sense in Forest Gump where people were jumping into the reflecting pool in D.C.?
Think there was.
IDK, frogs and algae also come with mosquitos. We could hope he gets malaria! - @Marilyn Tassy

Yes, the iconic scene features Jenny (Robin Wright) running through the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to reunite with Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) during a Vietnam War protest rally in Washington, D.C.

Wasn,t there a scene in Forest Gump where people were jumping into the reflecting pool in D.C.?Think there was.IDK, frogs and algae also come with mosquitos. We could hope he gets malaria! - @Marilyn Tassy

I don't remember that scene but it's a brilliant film. "Life's a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get" and "Run Forrest, Run". These phrases Mrs F and I are still using today.

Mosquitoes, yes, but even slimey frogs, birds, fish and sleazeball politicians cum lizard people got to eat too. Think of all those juicy bugs waiting to be gobbled up.

Malaria used to be all over the place in Europe but now gone. I think possibly Romania was the last place it occurred in the wild post-WW2.

I think the Germans used malaria as a biological  weapon in Italy after the Allied invasion of Sicily. They flooded drained land to make a swamp to impede progress.

Climate change might bring malaria back to Europe. And Washington.

@fluffy2560 I love their family names! Magyar/"Hungary", and Polgár/"Citizen" (unless Google Translate has messed it up). Seeing PM Magyar's name brought back a rush of memories from my youth of my stamp collection hobby. "Magyar Posta" issued some very beautiful postage stamps. - @Aidan in HCMCThat is correct-a-mundo for Judit who turned it down. Shame, I thought she would have been rather good at it. Neutral, not objectionable and a bit of a fun candidate.Magyar would be more like Hungarian rather than Hungary. Over here, they reverse family names so Laszlo Szabo (Leslie Taylor) would be referred to as Szabo Laszlo. This is actually the most common name in Hungary.I call Peter Magyar PM and as he's Prime Minister, I call him PM squared, aka PM^2. That's IT speak and formatting as there are no superscript possible just now here expat.com.The other famous person I know of with a "squared" name or label was Boutros Boutros Ghali aka Boutros^2 Ghali, former UN secretary General. Another candidate might have been Tony Curtis but he's ruled himself out by virtue of being dead. Maybe Jamie-Lee Curtis could step in. Could be a popular candidate but language skills unlikely.Mariska Hargitay from Law and Order could be an idea. Speaks Hungarian.I cannot think of anyone else right now except that bloke from Kiss - Gene Simmons - but he's a bit too weird and has far too much political baggage. He does speak Hungarian though. - @fluffy2560PM squared!I have pretty much not paid attention to the new PM.My husband talks about things but it goes in and out one ear.I can not even try to understand how these people think.One min. my husband says they are going to make all properties gov. owned again and they next he says property values are good now..Waiting for them to start property taxes every year like in the US, I think they do that already here on some resort properties, not sure, do not really care either way.Wasn,t that long ago when the gov; did own every flat and home, you just rented from them. - @Marilyn Tassy

They aren't going to nationalise property.  That would be insanely bad news and against the law. I guess he thinks Communism is coming back.   The EU would be on HU in a flash. 

We are going to see nationalisation in the UK soon - British Steel is being brought back into public ownership as it's a strategic asset.  If they didn't do it, the UK would have no source of locally produced steel for military needs.   On the other hand, the continuously circulating the plug hole water company for the SE will be "rescued" and re-nationalised.  It's always in trouble, unable to deliver, pays out whopping amounts to the shareholders and is continuously fined over water quality and pollution.  Everyone will breathe a sigh of relief.  Been a basket case for at least 10 years or more.

I do check on PM^2 now and then but I rely on the media to let me know if something is interesting. I dip in and out. 

I do follow what happened to the Fidesz loons and the former foreign minister Szijjarto is joining BYD, the Chinese car company.  Seems to me anything associated with him will see a drop in sales.  He's hardly Mr Popular except in Moscow.  Orban was calling on people to protest in front of the parliament. I think some turned up but no-one was interested.   From "hero" to "has-been" in 1 election.  Trump's turn next!

Yes, hubby does tend to think it is going to go backwards here in Hungary.

Property prices are so high now that sales seem to have slowed down.

I remember how positive people seemed here 25 years ago.

Now I wonder seems some are doing well enough while others are not.

Suppose it is like anywhere else in the regard.

Names,funny things. My eldest sister kept her last husbands surname. I believe he made it up because it is the name of a weapon. He was a black belt in karate with his own studio.

Knew a smart but mentally unstable Hungarian women in the 1970s.

Got her a job as a car hop working with me.

Her surname was Kazzar, everyone at work called her Bazzar!

@fluffy2560 I love their family names! Magyar/"Hungary", and Polgár/"Citizen" (unless Google Translate has messed it up). Seeing PM Magyar's name brought back a rush of memories from my youth of my stamp collection hobby. "Magyar Posta" issued some very beautiful postage stamps. - @Aidan in HCMCThat is correct-a-mundo for Judit who turned it down. Shame, I thought she would have been rather good at it. Neutral, not objectionable and a bit of a fun candidate.Magyar would be more like Hungarian rather than Hungary. Over here, they reverse family names so Laszlo Szabo (Leslie Taylor) would be referred to as Szabo Laszlo. This is actually the most common name in Hungary.I call Peter Magyar PM and as he's Prime Minister, I call him PM squared, aka PM^2. That's IT speak and formatting as there are no superscript possible just now here expat.com.The other famous person I know of with a "squared" name or label was Boutros Boutros Ghali aka Boutros^2 Ghali, former UN secretary General. Another candidate might have been Tony Curtis but he's ruled himself out by virtue of being dead. Maybe Jamie-Lee Curtis could step in. Could be a popular candidate but language skills unlikely.Mariska Hargitay from Law and Order could be an idea. Speaks Hungarian.I cannot think of anyone else right now except that bloke from Kiss - Gene Simmons - but he's a bit too weird and has far too much political baggage. He does speak Hungarian though. - @fluffy2560PM squared!I have pretty much not paid attention to the new PM.My husband talks about things but it goes in and out one ear.I can not even try to understand how these people think.One min. my husband says they are going to make all properties gov. owned again and they next he says property values are good now..Waiting for them to start property taxes every year like in the US, I think they do that already here on some resort properties, not sure, do not really care either way.Wasn,t that long ago when the gov; did own every flat and home, you just rented from them. - @Marilyn Tassy
They aren't going to nationalise property. That would be insanely bad news and against the law. I guess he thinks Communism is coming back. The EU would be on HU in a flash.
We are going to see nationalisation in the UK soon - British Steel is being brought back into public ownership as it's a strategic asset. If they didn't do it, the UK would have no source of locally produced steel for military needs. On the other hand, the continuously circulating the plug hole water company for the SE will be "rescued" and re-nationalised. It's always in trouble, unable to deliver, pays out whopping amounts to the shareholders and is continuously fined over water quality and pollution. Everyone will breathe a sigh of relief. Been a basket case for at least 10 years or more.

I do check on PM^2 now and then but I rely on the media to let me know if something is interesting. I dip in and out.

I do follow what happened to the Fidesz loons and the former foreign minister Szijjarto is joining BYD, the Chinese car company. Seems to me anything associated with him will see a drop in sales. He's hardly Mr Popular except in Moscow. Orban was calling on people to protest in front of the parliament. I think some turned up but no-one was interested. From "hero" to "has-been" in 1 election. Trump's turn next! - @fluffy2560

British Steel has been taken into public ownership in a move the government said would protect jobs and safeguard "a vital national capability".

The future of the steelworks, which employs roughly 2,700 people in Scunthorpe and supports many other industries in north Lincolnshire, has been dogged by uncertainty over recent years.

The UK government had taken control of British Steel's operations in Scunthorpe last year, though it was still owned by China's Jingye Group, limiting the government's ability to decide on its future strategy.

This was a week ago, last wednesday

...The UK government had taken control of British Steel's operations in Scunthorpe last year, though it was still owned by China's Jingye Group, limiting the government's ability to decide on its future strategy...

- @SimCityAT

British Steel, huh? Begs the question, how do you say Nigel in Mandarin?🤓

Iran war latest: Trump threatens to destroy bridges and power plants

The US has attacked Iran for the 11th consecutive night, after Donald Trump suggested strikes would target a nuclear material stockpile soon. Iran has warned that would escalate the war - and Trump has threatened to attack civilian infrastructure if Tehran hits ships.

Follow the latest

To be frank with you, I am totally lost with whats happening with Iran. You can't believe a word Trump says. Yeah are close to a deal or want a deal. How many deals have they had now?

I noticed the price of petrol at the punp is going back up AGAIN! Is the man just to stupid or is this his game?

In other news, he is still crying that Spain and FIFA have edited him out of the World Cup winners photo!

To be frank with you, I am totally lost with whats happening with Iran. You can't believe a word Trump says. Yeah are close to a deal or want a deal. How many deals have they had now?

I noticed the price of petrol at the punp is going back up AGAIN! Is the man just to stupid or is this his game?

In other news, he is still crying that Spain and FIFA have edited him out of the World Cup winners photo! - @SimCityAT

The Clot in Chief has now suggested Infantino for UN Secretary General.  The lunacy of the guy beggars belief. 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 … de-tariffs

The man is not well!

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 … de-tariffsThe man is not well! - @SimCityAT

This time it's about human rights abuses. As if Trump is an angel of tolerance and the USA does nothing wrong.  It's utter nonsense.

Not sure what he wants this time. We all know, he's unable to stick to any agreement. He agreed with the Saudis and signed up on nuclear and then he imposed additional conditions outside of the agreement. No-one can trust a thing he says.

There will be something he's after but it's not yet clear what.

p.s. Apparently he's trying to recreate the tariffs he had to withdraw due to SCOTUS's ruling.  Tariffs add about 1.5% to inflation.   It'll mean interest rate rises.  Be interesting to see what the Fed does as Trump's pushed his man in there who has no options but to keep inflation under control.  That's a fundamental feature of central banking - price stability.   In any case, the tariffs are predicted to have little effect overall as many main economies are already in agreements with the USA and much is exempt.

HU (Euronews):

Viktor Orbán calls for new era of 'resistance politics'

"It is pointless to deal with an inexorable, disgraced mafia boss," Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar wrote on Facebook on Saturday. The time is set for Hungary's Fidesz party to break from opposition politics and establish a new "resistance politics," former PM and party leader Viktor Orbán stressed in a speech on Saturday.

What got me was that "Orbán said he believed that those who voted for change in the Hungarian elections in spring didn't vote to have their trust betrayed.....Most of them, he said, acted in good faith and had simply expected fewer government mistakes and stronger economic performance."

He's so far out of touch, he's not visible from Earth where the rest of us live.  Talk about irrelevant to today's thinking - people not only voted for change, they voted for less division, unity, democracy, more alignment with EU, support for Ukraine and certainly less graft and BS by Fidesz cum Putin apologists. Just incredible.

@fluffy2560

Gawd, thought we had heard the end of him!

Liz Truss: I’m not ruling out a UK comeback

Another crack pot that won't just go away.

@fluffy2560
Gawd, thought we had heard the end of him! - @SimCityAT

He's irrelevant to most people with almost no support.   He pops up sometimes but his little team of believers is now decimated.  People are getting on with their lives and mainly ignoring him.

There's still a honeymoon period going on with PM^2 so we'll see how that turns out.

BTW, Mrs Fluffy told me Judit Polgar - who as invited to be President until the new constitution passed - was financed sometimes by Fidesz allegedly.  So people say she's not such a good candidate.  Don't know the truth of it.

I don't know who else should be President.  I asked my kids and they are all blank faced sucking on their slushies while roasting in the Balaton sun.

Liz Truss: I’m not ruling out a UK comeback
Another crack pot that won't just go away. - @SimCityAT

Like that'll work.  She was at the CPAC Christian thing for Vance or Trump or whoever.  Already has no credibility.  And she didn't last as long as a lettuce.

HU (BBC):

Danube's record low levels force shutdown of Hungary's only nuclear plant

Hungary's only nuclear power plant will be forced to shut down entirely for the first time due to record low water levels of the River Danube, Prime Minister Péter Magyar has said.

The Soviet-era Paks power plant uses the Danube for cooling but the water level is so low that the suction nozzles cannot reach it.

Magyar warned Hungary's energy supply could become "critical" from Monday due to the Paks shutdown and the ongoing heatwave, which will see temperatures hover around 37C for a week.

Like much of Europe, Hungary has seen very low rainfall and high temperatures for much of the summer.

The waters of the Danube have fallen to the lowest levels for 30 years in several countries, including neighbouring Serbia and Romania.

Magyar asked Hungarians to limit activities that required significant energy consumption between the peak times of 17:00 and 22:00, including charging electric cars and using air conditioning equipment.

I thought there would be a water shortage but I didn't extend that thinking to a power station shutdown. I hadn't noticed the river level was lower and I drove over the Duna this morning.   The power station generates a lot of HU's power.   They'll have to import more from the neighbours.  It's going to put up prices even more.

FIFA scraps World Cup sell-off plans

FIFA scraps World Cup sell-off plans, Infantino says in exclusive statement to Sky News

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been forced to scrap plans to sell off a stake in the World Cup after a global backlash.

In comments exclusively obtained by Sky News, he said: "Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place.

"Our purpose has always been - and will always be - to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed.

"Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, and particularly in those countries that mostly need our support."

On Tuesday, football's global governing body had confirmed Infantino wanted to launch a subsidiary worth $20bn (£15bn) and sell off more than 20% of the new FIFA Forward Enterprise by raising $4.2bn (£3.16bn).

Next. Gianni Infantino, must go- He is more corupt than the last one Sepp Blatter!

Charges dropped over alleged reflecting pool vandalism as damage blamed on 'flawed installation'

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington turned green because of an algae bloom following a "rushed and botched" installation of a new lining, court documents said.

Prosecutors in the US have dropped the case against a former Olympian accused of vandalising the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington.

The Justice Department also said in court documents filed on Friday that the pool's liner had started to peel because of "flawed installation" rather than deliberate damage.

In the filing, US attorney Jeanine Pirro and assistant attorney Michael Spence asked a judge to drop the Trump administration's case ​against David Hearn, 67, whom it had accused of vandalising the pool.

The 2,000-foot (600-metre) pool, at the heart of Washington's ‌National Mall, had been hurriedly refurbished with an "American flag blue" liner at Mr Trump's request ahead of celebrations for the 250th anniversary of US independence.

The newly renovated pool quickly developed blooms of algae that tinted the water green, and the lining peeled off.

The lining was installed by contractor, Atlantic Industrial ​Coatings (AIC), according to documents provided by the Department of the Interior.

The filing said: "The information subsequently demanded by USAO and disclosed by DOI - which was not known to the prosecutors or the grand jury before the return of the indictment - strongly suggest ​that a rushed and botched installation by AIC, the primary contractor, led to the damage to the ⁠lining of the Reflecting Pool."

Interior officials only "slowly started trickling information" to prosecutors ‌after "dozens and dozens" of requests from the US Attorney's Office, Ms Pirro and Mr Spence said.

"Had DOI been forthcoming with the information clearly in its possession, the government would not have sought a grand jury indictment," they said.

The pool renovation was part of Mr Trump's efforts to remake the US capital, including ⁠tearing down the East Wing of the White House to put up a ​new ballroom and plans to build a massive arch near Arlington National Cemetery.

Mr Trump, facing criticism over the $14.7m renovation, blamed ⁠the problems on vandals he alleged had intentionally sabotaged the project.

Hearn, a former US Olympic canoeist, pleaded not guilty to vandalising the pool last month.

He faced a felony destruction of property charge after federal prosecutors alleged he intentionally damaged lining material at the ⁠bottom of the reflecting pool last month.

Hearn had acknowledged reaching into the ​reflecting pool while cycling in the area and touching a piece of pool liner that was already partially ​detached, but he denied removing anything from the pool.

His lawyers said on Friday the dismissal of the case against him does not erase "the abuse of government power" and that the administration owed him ‌an apology.

I am pretty sure they had no case, so not to be humiliated in court, it was best to just drop it, and hope it would just go away and be forgotten. But every sane person won't forget.

Charges dropped over alleged reflecting pool vandalism as damage blamed on 'flawed installation'
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington turned green because of an algae bloom following a "rushed and botched" installation of a new lining, court documents said.

Prosecutors in the US have dropped the case against a former Olympian accused of vandalising the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington.

The Justice Department also said in court documents filed on Friday that the pool's liner had started to peel because of "flawed installation" rather than deliberate damage.

In the filing, US attorney Jeanine Pirro and assistant attorney Michael Spence asked a judge to drop the Trump administration's case ​against David Hearn, 67, whom it had accused of vandalising the pool.

The 2,000-foot (600-metre) pool, at the heart of Washington's ‌National Mall, had been hurriedly refurbished with an "American flag blue" liner at Mr Trump's request ahead of celebrations for the 250th anniversary of US independence.

The newly renovated pool quickly developed blooms of algae that tinted the water green, and the lining peeled off.

The lining was installed by contractor, Atlantic Industrial ​Coatings (AIC), according to documents provided by the Department of the Interior.

The filing said: "The information subsequently demanded by USAO and disclosed by DOI - which was not known to the prosecutors or the grand jury before the return of the indictment - strongly suggest ​that a rushed and botched installation by AIC, the primary contractor, led to the damage to the ⁠lining of the Reflecting Pool."

Interior officials only "slowly started trickling information" to prosecutors ‌after "dozens and dozens" of requests from the US Attorney's Office, Ms Pirro and Mr Spence said.

"Had DOI been forthcoming with the information clearly in its possession, the government would not have sought a grand jury indictment," they said.

The pool renovation was part of Mr Trump's efforts to remake the US capital, including ⁠tearing down the East Wing of the White House to put up a ​new ballroom and plans to build a massive arch near Arlington National Cemetery.

Mr Trump, facing criticism over the $14.7m renovation, blamed ⁠the problems on vandals he alleged had intentionally sabotaged the project.

Hearn, a former US Olympic canoeist, pleaded not guilty to vandalising the pool last month.

He faced a felony destruction of property charge after federal prosecutors alleged he intentionally damaged lining material at the ⁠bottom of the reflecting pool last month.

Hearn had acknowledged reaching into the ​reflecting pool while cycling in the area and touching a piece of pool liner that was already partially ​detached, but he denied removing anything from the pool.

His lawyers said on Friday the dismissal of the case against him does not erase "the abuse of government power" and that the administration owed him ‌an apology.

I am pretty sure they had no case, so not to be humiliated in court, it was best to just drop it, and hope it would just go away and be forgotten. But every sane person won't forget. - @SimCityAT

It's just  a total abuse of process.   It should never have got past the grand jury.  It sounds like someone lied or was economical with the truth in order to bring charges.

The DA Pirro regularly appears spouting nonsense. She's a total Trumpist so she'd do whatever he wants.  He needed to distract as his solution was clearly either just rubbish or part of the grift.

As I said before, a Reflecting Pond would be more environmentally friendly.   As for generating mosquitoes there, get more frogs, fish, herons, ducks and swans.  Job done.