International Relations

Rupert Lowe offers alliance with Nigel Farage to unite Britain's hard right

The Restore Britain leader outlined five points that he said the pair would have to agree on to be able to find a "common way forward" and defeat the left wing.

The leader of the UK's hard-right Restore Britain party has offered to partner with Reform UK's Nigel Farage in an effort to defeat Britain's left wing - if Farage agrees to certain conditions.

HU (Euronews):

Built to last, gone in months: How Péter Magyar dismantled Viktor Orbán's regime

Since Péter Magyar's Tisza Party won a landslide in April, Hungary's president, top prosecutor and state media chiefs have all been removed, as the new government moves swiftly to unwind 16 years of Viktor Orbán's rule.

It's a long article but covers much.   Worth reading. PM^2 is working through it all very systematically.  However, there's a thirst for some accountability of the previous regime and PM^2 is in a honeymoon period. 

If he could claw back some cash and/or put someone away by the end of the year, then many will be applauding.   

Doesn't help with the drought/Duna water shortage now spiralling towards power issues.  That hits people directly.

Rupert Lowe offers alliance with Nigel Farage to unite Britain's hard right
The Restore Britain leader outlined five points that he said the pair would have to agree on to be able to find a "common way forward" and defeat the left wing.
The leader of the UK's hard-right Restore Britain party has offered to partner with Reform UK's Nigel Farage in an effort to defeat Britain's left wing - if Farage agrees to certain conditions. - @SimCityAT

Listening to LBC this morning, someone said probably Reform has reached its peak.  The £5M alleged Farage bung has probably destroyed any chances they may have had in in the next general election.  There will be pockets of disciples but no-one can ignore how bad it looks.

I read about chaotic governance in Reform led councils.  It's like they are trying to follow Trumpist values and ideals but it doesn't work in the UK as we have a different system of governing.  People cannot go off legally half cocked (Boris Johnson might be the exception).  It's like CPAC UK - no-one in the UK is interested in that kind of thing except a very narrow group of people.   From what I read, it was poorly attended and largely ignored.  Main funding was from the USA.  Nobody in the UK is that stupid.

BTW, Trump said Iran is begging for peace but they deny any knowledge of negotiations.   It's typical BS from the Grifter-in-Chief.  Even his die hard followers must be wondering if they are betting on the wrong horse.

HU (euronews):

Hungary's Parliament to vote on new president as the country awaits Magyar's candidate

The parliamentary vote comes just weeks after chess champion Judit Polgár rejected the prime minister's nomination. Magyar has not revealed his candidate yet, but he has met with several high-profile public figures.

Hungary's parliament will vote on a new president next Tuesday, but no candidate has yet been nominated for the post.

A change of guard in key state positions was one of Prime Minister Péter Magyar's main promises after his Tisza party won a landslide victory in April's general election, ending Viktor Orbán's 16 years in power.

In July, Magyar's government used a constitutional amendment to remove the previous president, Tamás Sulyok, whom the prime minister described as an Orbán "puppet".

Shortly afterwards, Magyar offered the role to chess legend and former world champion Judit Polgár, who turned down the nomination, citing Hungary's deep political divisions.

HU (Euronews):

More on the Duna WW2 motorbike:

Mystery unveiled: story behind Wehrmacht motorbike from the Danube

Record low water in Budapest has exposed a Wehrmacht DKW NZ 350-1 motorbike in the Danube. Euronews reveals its role, origin and when it sank. Were nearby bodies its crew?

The water in the Danube has never been this low. The low level is revealing what lay hidden on the riverbed for decades, among them a Wehrmacht motorcycle of the DKW NZ 350-1 type from the Second World War. DKW is the abbreviation of "Dampfkraftwagen", a former German car and motorcycle brand that originated in the Saxon motor city of Zschopau and was later taken over by Auto Union.

USA (CNN):

Trump threatens Oman as US-Iran agreement expires

US President Donald Trump threatened today to attack Oman if it interferes with US efforts in the Strait of Hormuz, as the conflict with Iran continues and a two-month window for peace talks expires without a clear path to end the war.

“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the sh*t out of them,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News’ Trey Yingst.

Trump has reached new levels of madness.  Now he's threatening to bomb Oman.  I cannot see other allies letting him get away with it if he in any way carries that out.   

I reckon ultimately the USA will pull out of the region leaving behind a massive mess and generations of regional hate against the USA.   He's such a tool.  And he'll get away with it because he'll die leaving everyone else to tidy up.

USA (CNN):Trump threatens Oman as US-Iran agreement expiresUS President Donald Trump threatened today to attack Oman if it interferes with US efforts in the Strait of Hormuz, as the conflict with Iran continues and a two-month window for peace talks expires without a clear path to end the war.“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the sh*t out of them,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News’ Trey Yingst.Trump has reached new levels of madness. Now he's threatening to bomb Oman. I cannot see other allies letting him get away with it if he in anyway carries that out.  I reckon ultimately the USA will pull out of the region leaving behind a massive mess and generations of regional hate against the USA. He's such a tool. And he'll get away with it because he'll die leaving everyone else to tidy up. - @fluffy2560

He really is out of his mind.

I saw many low income elderly will be removed within 30 to 60 days from care homes.In the US that is.

The gov will not longer help pay the costs!

Unreal!! They charge a min; of $10,000 per month per person! Some luxurty homes cost even more.

Those prices are a scam as the care is terrible but the gov; allowed it to get this far.

I hope itis not true, the interenet does post allot of lies.

My Vegas friend with MS was admitted by her family doc into a nursing home. She left within 24 hours. Said it was a nightmare, dirty, old furniture, smelly carpet, who puts carpet in a hospital room setting? She told her husband to run and get her ASAP outta there.Forgot what she was charged for the day but it was allot, enough for a small vacation.

Not all elderly have family willing and able to move them in and care for them.

I was seriously considering moving my mother into our spare room after her coma and health issues.

Husband was Ok with it too.

She passed instead.

She always said she would rather pass then have anyone caring for her.

What a sad situation. My deceased brother helped off set the costs of both of his in -laws in a retirement home.

Not everyone is so generous or able to cover the costs.

I wonder how many other countries will follow the US lead and dump their elderly?

To tell the turth, I have even forgotten why we are fighting in Iran to begin with.

It is all too insane and horrible.

I am afraid everyone dislike us American now, for good reason!

He really is out of his mind.I saw many low income elderly will be removed within 30 to 60 days from care homes.In the US that is.The gov will not longer help pay the costs!Unreal!! They charge a min; of $10,000 per month per person! Some luxurty homes cost even more. Those prices are a scam as the care is terrible but the gov; allowed it to get this far.I hope itis not true, the interenet does post allot of lies.My Vegas friend with MS was admitted by her family doc into a nursing home. She left within 24 hours. Said it was a nightmare, dirty, old furniture, smelly carpet, who puts carpet in a hospital room setting? She told her husband to run and get her ASAP outta there.Forgot what she was charged for the day but it was allot, enough for a small vacation.Not all elderly have family willing and able to move them in and care for them. I was seriously considering moving my mother into our spare room after her coma and health issues.Husband was Ok with it too.She passed instead.She always said she would rather pass then have anyone caring for her.What a sad situation. My deceased brother helped off set the costs of both of his in -laws in a retirement home.Not everyone is so generous or able to cover the costs.I wonder how many other countries will follow the US lead and dump their elderly?To tell the turth, I have even forgotten why we are fighting in Iran to begin with. It is all too insane and horrible.I am afraid everyone dislike us American now, for good reason! - @Marilyn Tassy

Yup, all we can do is wait for Trumpy-Boi to pop his cloggs and give us all a bit of relief.   What comes next is a problem as Trump and the Republican Party are one and the same thing right now.  It'll be one of his relatives I suppose thereby forming a dynasty like the Bush and Kennedy family.  Laws of "evolution" put paid to the Kennedy clan.  They evolved to their own self-destruction. That started with Joseph Kennedy, former Ambassador of the US to the UK who favoured the UK surrendering to Germany.   What an idiot.  He was soon demoted back to the USA after the UK told the Americans he had to go.  Remains to be seen if Trump and Co fizzle out through their own incompetence.  It's not like Trump was ever successful without "grifting" someone or something which means - to him - one-upmanship - he's doing it now with Canada.  But everyone knows his MO. What happened to the term "honest broker"?     One can only hope it's sooner than later he's out of the picture and we can get a touch of normality.

I didn't know about the old folks being kicked out of their care homes in the USA.  $10K is actually cheap by UK standards.  My BIL is in a home and it's more like $15K  month.  My BIL is quite rich but he's in severe decline and he will never get better from Parkinson's and Dementia. And his funds won't last forever at that rate.

We don't have euthanasia but really it's the more economic solution.  He doesn't know where he is half the time and visiting him is hard work according to his wife (my sister). My Dad passed 4 weeks after reaching a care home.  Still cost £8K - £4K for the time there and £4K for notice period.  Money for nothing.

Trump said the Iran war was about nuclear weapons but general opinion is Netanyahu stitched him up by saying it'd be a walkover like Venezuela.  Trump was out grifted by another better grifter. Trump understands nothing at all about foreign cultures.  This is a common problem I have seen with US government personnel parachuted into other countries.  They think everyone operates in the same way as back home and should adapt to USA standards.  Obviously this not the case and people would resist imposition and why wouldn't they?  It'd be better if the USA - at least at the beginning - outsourced its policy implementation to other country nationals who have more cultural awareness.

Latest thing from Trump circus is him saying the North Korean leader is his best friend in order to lean on South Korea.  FFS. It's kindergarten rules.

US says sanctions will 'squash' Iran's economy and 'collapse' its regime

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged US allies to support Washington's efforts to "squash" the Iranian economy.

"We are going to collapse this regime. It is time for our allies and the rest of the world to make a decision," Bessent told broadcaster CNBC.

"You are either with us or against us," he said.

US says sanctions will 'squash' Iran's economy and 'collapse' its regimeUS Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged US allies to support Washington's efforts to "squash" the Iranian economy."We are going to collapse this regime. It is time for our allies and the rest of the world to make a decision," Bessent told broadcaster CNBC."You are either with us or against us," he said. - @SimCityAT

I think he already knows the answer to that particular question.  No way are the "allies" going to join in. No-one likes having their arm twisted up behind their back. Another nincompoop. In any case the Iranians have a weapon of nuclear proportions. It's called the Straits of Hormuz.

"You are either with us or against us," he said. - @SimCityAT

Channelling GW Bush, 9/11?

"Yer' eider wid' us, or agin' us"

...In any case the Iranians have a weapon of nuclear proportions. - @fluffy2560

Speaking of nuclear, let us not forget Iran's option of targetting Dimona.

BOOM!!

...In any case the Iranians have a weapon of nuclear proportions.  - @fluffy2560
Speaking of nuclear, let us not forget Iran's option of targetting Dimona.
BOOM!! - @Aidan in HCMC

I expect their spies are working on it right now.

Here we go again .......

Here we go again .......
- @SimCityAT

Trump has been commenting BUT as usual, nothing of substance.  It remains to be seen if Trump pulls a TACO move as usual.   He's been saying Canada wants to be treated as the 51st state.

Same 'ol same 'ol  BS nonsense about Canadian sovereignty.  All he can think of is land grabs.  Everything is about property development and grifting something off someone.  Utterly untrustworthy.  Cannot believe a word he says or anything he does.

In any case, the $20B is not that much in trade considering the entire amounts of trade overall - well into the trillions. And it seems the premiers of the provinces are pretty much all behind Carney. Let's say Alberta is more neutral - those people think they should be part of the USA it seems.  I cannot believe any group would voluntarily join the USA right now.

BTW, there's speculation Trump's Press Secretary, the obnoxious and lying Karoline Leavitt resigned because he left her on AF1 during the Iran threat and him and some of his closer groupies getting on another plane.  In other words, they would have all been sacrificed if Iran had managed to shoot AF1 down.  Shows how much he truly cares for those with blind obedience.

US (Daily Show - John Stewart):

Maggie Haberman & Jonathan Swan - On “Regime Change” & Inside The Trump Presidency | The Daily Show

30m of book promotion but interesting to get some background on real time interactions/interviews with DJT.

It's not clear if DJT is insane, pretending to be insane, suffering from megalomania or just doing whatever he wants (and has always done - the Presidency is an extension of his real estate mogul reality).

HU (Euronews):

Hungarian air force Gripen fighter jet crashes near Szolnok

The pilot managed to eject, and no one was injured. The circumstances of the accident are being investigated and the defence minister travelled to the site.

A short time later, Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi reported that the pilot had been taken to hospital by ambulance and that no one else was injured in the accident, because the pilot had done everything he could to ensure the aircraft came down on military land. The Hungarian army also has an air base near Szolnok.

HU (Euronews):

Iranian state TV broadcasts video targeting Barron Trump with $10m bounty

Tehran state-run media has broadcast footage purportedly tracking US President Donald Trump's youngest son, showing the location of his university, escort vehicles and Secret Service posts, and alleging his movements were "fully monitored"....has broadcast a video purporting to track the movements of Barron Trump, Donald Trump's 20-year-old son, and claiming a $10 million (€8.5m) bounty has been placed on him.

Iranians shouldn't do that.  Apart from not being cricket,  Barron Trump whoever he may be, was not able to  choose his dysfunctional parents.  So far he doesn't seem to have done anything although I caught the tail end of a report that he's made $150M since DJT became El Presidente once again.  Don't know the truth of that Barron Trump financial gain and if it's like father like son.

HU (Euronews):
Iranian state TV broadcasts video targeting Barron Trump with $10m bounty

Tehran state-run media has broadcast footage purportedly tracking US President Donald Trump's youngest son, showing the location of his university, escort vehicles and Secret Service posts, and alleging his movements were "fully monitored"....has broadcast a video purporting to track the movements of Barron Trump, Donald Trump's 20-year-old son, and claiming a $10 million (€8.5m) bounty has been placed on him.

Iranians shouldn't do that. Apart from not being cricket, Barron Trump whoever he may be, was not able to choose his dysfunctional parents. So far he doesn't seem to have done anything although I caught the tail end of a report that he's made $150M since DJT became El Presidente once again. Don't know the truth of that Barron Trump financial gain and if it's like father like son. - @fluffy2560

This story, pushed by Israeli sites and CNN news 18, an ultra right wing Indian site, can't be verified at this point in time.

Iranian state news doesn't mention it at all, and nobody can provide Iranian links to the AI video that they are all getting their knickers Ina twist over.

This "news" is for idiots to believe until it can be verified.

This story, pushed by Israeli sites and CNN news 18, an ultra right wing Indian site, can't be verified at this point in time.
Iranian state news doesn't mention it at all, and nobody can provide Iranian links to the AI video that they are all getting their knickers Ina twist over.
This "news" is for idiots to believe until it can be verified. - @Fred

Where have you been Freddo?   We thought you were gone for good. 

What's the story?

CBS:

Bessent announces campaign to create "economic onslaught" against Iran and its partners

Washington — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday announced Operation Economic Outcast, the Trump administration's ramped-up push to use economic tools to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war with Iran.

"Today, at President Trump's direction, the United States Treasury has begun Operation Economic Outcast, an unprecedented campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its enablers," Bessent said. "In the Second World War, D-Day marked the historic beginning of a campaign with our allies to target and drive the enemy from its positions, including those in third countries. Today, in that same spirit, we are launching an economic onslaught against Iran's financial connections around the globe."

If they start this now, we'll be asking why they didn't do this back in February (2026)?  I listened to parts of this speech and they've always had these powers so this looks very desperate.  I actually worked on a project in a sanctioned Asian country and OFAC (US sanctions office) hardly moved the needle.  Everyone carried on as before and despite me asking the US embassy for an opinion they didn't give a monkeys about what we were doing and never got back to me. 

One has to remember that the waterway was open to all traffic before the US/Israeli attacks on Iran.

In other news, Iran and Ukraine were democratic countries before the US installed dictatorships and caused wars.

CN (BBC):

China hits out at 'illegal' new US sanctions on Iran and trading partners

China has vowed to protect its interests after the US announced plans to widen economic sanctions against Iran and its trading partners, which include Beijing.

Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China was firmly opposed to what it called "illegal unilateral sanctions" and would take "all necessary measures" to safeguard its rights.

This came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the new measures on Monday, warning any nation financially partnering with Iran would be isolated.

Interesting but unsurprising development.   Xi is due to meet Trump.  I cannot see China cooperating with the US on this one.  Delusional to think anything will develop out of it. 

I wondered who the leaders of the world are that Trump is going to call?  President of Burundi, PM of Madagascar, leader of East Timor?   If he called me, I'd ask how much money he's prepared to deposit?  For the country and for me.   That's the sort of language Trump will understand.

In any case, Iran is already (apparently reported) using crypto to collect Hormuz transit fees.  USD transactions always pass the US Treasury.  So the answer is:  do not use USD in any contracts.  Anything else mainstream like JPY, AUD or for us, the EUR.  They don't pass US scrutiny.

Just another day in Trumps mind

Just another day in Trumps mind
- @SimCityAT

I wonder if he'll change the name of Ontario, CA.   Ontario is a native word.  So possibly he's incurring issues with the natives and their language rights by changing the historical name.  And no-one is going to call it Lake America.

Anyway, all of this is a silly distraction cum WMD from Iran, Epstein, his "human printer", blah-blah.

Carney is far too sensible to fall for Trumpist nonsense.  However, Doug Ford (Premier of Ontario) did not mince his words about Trump.  Always interesting value added straight talking from Ford.

US (CNN):

Dolly Parton, queen of country music and humanitarian hero, dead at 80

Dolly Parton, who rose from humble beginnings to the greatest heights of American music and became one of the country’s most philanthropic, unifying and beloved stars, died Tuesday at her home in Nashville, according to a family statement. She was 80.

RIP Dolly. She's no longer doing a 9-5 on Earth.

Update: 2nd Frankfurt Airport person has died of malaria.

DE (Euronews):

Frankfurt Airport employee dies after contracting malaria, operator Fraport says

The cause of the infections is believed to be a mosquito that travelled by plane from a malaria-endemic area to Germany, likely in July. An employee at Frankfurt Airport has died of malaria, a spokesperson for the facility’s operator Fraport said on Wednesday.

I doubt this is going to be the first incidence of death via malaria in Europe.  It used to be endemic ~100 years ago - mainly down towards the Black Sea.  I've seen maps showing areas of Romania, Bulgaria etc with bands of malaria.    It could easily be coming this way.  They used to spray over Balaton from old AN-2 planes but they haven't done it for some years.  I expect they'll be spraying in all European arrival planes when they land from Africa now.

Malaria Map 1900-2002:

US (CBS):

Trump signs executive order to rename Lake Ontario "Lake America"

Washington — President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario "Lake America," making good on a threat he made on social media earlier this week.

"We're going to be changing the name of Lake Ontario, effective immediately, to Lake America," the president said before he signed the order.

Like anyone will be calling it "Lake America" except him and some of his sycophants.

US (Euronews):

Trump says he had 'good talks' with Putin, Russia is 'not going to attack' NATO territory

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Vladimir Putin is "not going to attack" NATO territory, pushing back against media reports that Washington is concerned about a possible Russian move on Europe.

I wonder if Trump is going to be the new Stalin, not believing a "friend" would ever attack another "friend".   I mean, really, like one can believe a word that comes out of Putin's mouth.  He denied he'd attack Ukraine.

Is Trump actually the biggest sucker in the world?  Following on Netanyahu's war on Iran. Or is this domestic politics for the mid-terms chaos?

I believe there's a good chance Putin will mount an incursion into the EU, possibly Estonia.  All they have to do is cross the river and occupy Narva town for an afternoon. 

Headline

Trump to change name of

Canada Goose to "Donald Duck"

HeadlineTrump to change name of Canada Goose to "Donald Duck" - @Aidan in HCMC

Oh yes, that's what we want!

It's time for the Donald Ducks to migrate, hopefully to very far away.

And it'll make him a Ducktator. Documentary on it here.

Just another day in Trumps mind
- @SimCityAT

  No darn way!! I should look it up but I bet ya Ontario I a naitve  name and it should stick!

US (CNN):
Dolly Parton, queen of country music and humanitarian hero, dead at 80

Dolly Parton, who rose from humble beginnings to the greatest heights of American music and became one of the country’s most philanthropic, unifying and beloved stars, died Tuesday at her home in Nashville, according to a family statement. She was 80.

RIP Dolly. She's no longer doing a 9-5 on Earth. - @fluffy2560

Most celbs seem fake but Dolly seemed a real doll. RIP.

IDK but things are getting worst all the time.

In the US they closed a Tyson meat packing factory putting out over 2,700 employees out of a town of about 11,000.

That is going to hit the entire community. Ghost town stuff;

They plan on closing a couple other of their Tyson plants across the US.

These are low skill blue collar jobs.

It will hurt the economy hard for those who have spent their entire work lives in these meat processing factories.

Union jobs in small towns means people will have to move and property values will sink.

Terrible floods in Nepal, what is next, seems every week their is a disastor.

No darn way!! I should look it up but I bet ya Ontario I a naitve name and it should stick!
- @Marilyn Tassy

It is. It's Huron, meaning "beautiful lake".

Still, it didn't stop people from changing Gitche Gumee (Ojibwe for "great sea") to Lake Superior.

Headline
Trump to change name of Canada Goose to "Donald Duck" - @Aidan in HCMC

Now a Spanish airbase named after Trump

LINK

HeadlineTrump to change name of Canada Goose to "Donald Duck" - @Aidan in HCMC Now a Spanish airbase named after TrumpLINK - @Fred

Yes, DJT is indeed a moron - at least superficially.  Unlike Gordon who definitely is a moron*.

What seems to be the MO recently is engaging in trivial things like renaming things or putting up monuments to himself.  All of it seems to be coasting down to the end of his final term and putting maximum effort into grifting.

But is he really that dumb?  Or is he just manipulating the thickies in his MAGA cult with WMDs?  It's hard to decide.  Whatever his motivations are, he's well down in approval ratings.

The latest thing to be indignant about is him manipulating the mid-terms and trying to stick it to the UK over the Falklands.   It's just par for the course.   If everyone can let him waffle on and keep him contained, there could be sunny weather head when he morphs into Donald the lame Ducktator.  There's only a couple of years to where he needs to be kept boxed in.  There's always a chance he'll die in harness but then there's even more nightmares of Shady Vance.

*Warning: contains moving pictures of Jimmy Savile, the paedo.

Whats the latest shit from Trump now, over the Falklands?

Whats the latest shit from Trump now, over the Falklands? - @SimCityAT

Yes, he's threatening to "unrecognise" British sovereignty over the Falklands.

It's probably linked to defence spending.

It's just standard MO of the Don to try to direct internal affairs of another country.