International Relations

The press slant stories to suit agendas, and this Sky news headline is a prime example...

Ukraine war latest: Dozens killed at care home after Russia unleashes deadliest attack this year

https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war- … t-12541713

Headlines plant ideas that push past a story's content, especially when parts of the content reinforce the idea.

Deadly fires in Odesa and near Kyiv destroyed food trucks and buildings respectively, while a warehouse storing ammunition also exploded.

The target was an ammunition dump that some idiot put in a residential area,  but it's mentioned as collateral damage in what amounts to a lie, or at least a story for idiots to believe.

As with much about the Russia/Ukraine war that started because the US led coup removed the democratically elected government in favour of a pro-US dictatorship,  this story shoves an agenda at you instead of the news.

I will now be told that Ukraine is a democracy,  but that doesn't hold water as most of the people in the east of the country that likely to vote against the the US preferred government we're excluded from voting.

Ukraine had free and fair elections, but the people elected a government the US didn't like, so it needed a new pseudo-democracy that suited the US. That, along with a push for Ukraine's new partially elected government to join NATO, caused the war.

In other words, only fools believe biased press stories without checking their validity.

This is a kind of cross over posting from the Film/Movie thread.

I was flipping through Netflix and I came across the 2012 movie Argo about the Iran hostage debacle post-Iranian revolution. I'd seen it before but due to the war getting hot again - since the US attacked Iranian missile sites in the last few days - I watched it again.

The story is that escaping US diplomats were saved by the Canadians.   There was an outbreak in the US of love for Canada when the operation was over.   That's despite Ben Affleck's hopelessly inaccurate storytelling suggesting it was all down to the CIA.  The Canadian government drove the rescue - the Canadian Ambassador was THE major hero and the CIA were the junior partners.

It's a travesty of inaccuracies similar to the nonsense U571 movie.  So much so, Affleck had to respond to the criticism.

Anyway, the point is that Trump should watch that movie or read an account of it.  It showed that Canada, NZ and British did plenty and were part of the response.   So what he says that Canadians never did anything for the USA is utter garbage.  But since when has Trump cared about facts.

If you have Netflix, it's worth looking at again just to remind one of what happened back then.  The credits try to redirect but fail miserably if one remembers the real story.

I stopped watching US political crap films many years ago, not because of historical inaccuracies,  but the sad portrayal of 'victim America' when this was a lot more about anger at the US removing Iran's democratically elected government in favour of a mass murdering US backed dictatorship.

Venezuela suffered a regime change attack not too long ago, but confirmation of the truth only hit in the last day or so - It's about stealing oil.

The post above assumes the US cares who they kill and how much misery they cause, but oil cash is their only concern.

China, a land of the future, does the same but in a far better way. They invest and cooperate with countries rather than removing governments and bombing schools.

Biden started the big shift away from US hegemony,  and Trump is finishing the job nicely.

US bond interest rates are on the up, and that will give them a choice - Start WW III, or retreat back into MAGA land and complain about how anti-American the world is.

Either way, Israel is a dead duck, so it's just a matter of how many people are killed when we see the demise of these two countries evil governments.

I heard on the radio that the amount of money Venezuela will receive from the grift is about $3 per barrel.   Contrast that with the price of a barrel of oil today, about $88. It's nothing but daylight robbery by Trump and Co. I don't I have a link to corroborate that mention of $3 but maybe I will be able to find a link later.

There's some weirdness as well yesterday.  Maduro was shown looking fit and  trim in his NY jail.   It could be he's going to be rehabilitated by Trump because he'll be able to legitimatise the con with Maduro back in the saddle in Venezuela.   

One of the very odd things is that recognised heads of sovereign states are exempt from prosecution.  So that flips it back to Trump (literally) to decide if there's sovereign immunity.  One thinks of Noriega in Panama.  The US went and grabbed him and banged him up.  He was never actually President though.

Travellers from EU countries will have less time to explore Thailand without a visa from 15 September, as the popular holiday destination halves its current 60-day allowance.

➡️ https://l.euronews.com/MjrL

Travellers from EU countries will have less time to explore Thailand without a visa from 15 September, as the popular holiday destination halves its current 60-day allowance.
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/MjrL - @SimCityAT

I did read that. Apparently they are sticking the boot in to stop overstayers. According to reports on ASEAN news there are many people who stay there illegally for many years.

Well, western visitors will have far less time to catch STDs - Not really much news there. The Thai resorts are just a mass of prostitutes hanging out of bars trying to get your cash - I went to Puket (as in puke), and left early because it was a dump.

In real news, although missed by many, Wong has been convicted in Hong Kong for his treasonous activity in so much as he worked with the US NED in an attempt to get rid of the HK political system.

As a traitor, and that he cleary is, the death sentence is acceptable.

For the unaware, the US needs to disrupt the Chinese system as it works so well, backwards countries such as the US can't beat them when it comes to capitalism.

That means the US has to mess around in countries instead of making themselves better. Well done to China for catching the traitor.

My husband and son have a thing about wanting to go to Thailand.

Not me, too humid and street ladies have zero interest to me!

My cousin,s wife is from Thailand and when she visited us in Hungary she sad she was embarrassed that the world only thinks of prostution when the word Thailand comes up.

She was a collage grad and worked for years in the school system in the US. My cousin, her husband of many decades has a PHD in education.

My old boss in Hawaii was at the time around 60, a former fashion model turned hairdresser.

She had a wealthy BF about 40 who took her to Thailand and Bali for a couple of months.

When she got back she said Bali was cool but Thailand turned her stomach, all those old white farts with young women on their arms.

I have told my hubby and son, go for it once I kick it because besides the beach, I have no interest in SE Asia; With my luck, I would pick up some nasty illness just from the hotel room, no need to look for trouble by traveling to it.

Nice ladies do not just go up to strange men and ask for a date!

My husband and son have a thing about wanting to go to Thailand.Not me, too humid and street ladies have zero interest to me!My cousin,s wife is from Thailand and when she visited us in Hungary she sad she was embarrassed that the world only thinks of prostution when the word Thailand comes up. - @Marilyn Tassy

That might well be the case, but Thai in the sex holiday areas think western tourists are all absolute perverts. The hotel staff plucked up the courage to ask me why I didn't take prostitutes and ladyboys back to my room, so I explained they mostly saw the dodgy end of western society, and that most men weren't low life perverts who want to bed women with sausages.

Of course, the stereotypes about Thailand only really work in the bonking children and ladyboy areas. The south of Thailand, an area that perverts don't visit, is absolutely amazing.

If your family want to visit Thailand, go to the deep south.

There's a long running Islamic insurgency going on in the south of Thailand.  There's absolutely no reason to risk going there.  There were some deaths fairly recently due to attacks.  Stick to the mainstream tourist areas further North.

There are so many other places which are worth visiting in Thailand instead of the night life areas.  I've walked through those places at night when I was there with colleagues.  I really did not think much of that at all - felt a bit unsafe what with the bouncers, drunks and dodgy types hanging about.  We did have a reasonable time playing pool in a bar owned by a Canadian guy but that wasn't directly in that area.

I spent my spare time there on cultural activities like museums.   I was at the Naval Museum etc.  Travelled up the river.  Bought textiles.  I went a few places by hired bicycle even.   

I think the Thai authorities keep it pretty contained in a few Soi (streets) in certain areas.  People are entitled to have their freedoms to live the way they want if it doesn't impinge on others.   It's quite similar to the Dutch and Amsterdam's red light area.   Unless one is buying into it, there's no reason to go there other than to look at it. 99% of people there are just oggling what's on offer.  During the day, it's just a normal district with families getting on with their lives.  Quite civilised.

My husband and son have a thing about wanting to go to Thailand.
Not me, too humid and street ladies have zero interest to me!
My cousin,s wife is from Thailand and when she visited us in Hungary she sad she was embarrassed that the world only thinks of prostution when the word Thailand comes up.
She was a collage grad and worked for years in the school system in the US. My cousin, her husband of many decades has a PHD in education.
My old boss in Hawaii was at the time around 60, a former fashion model turned hairdresser.
She had a wealthy BF about 40 who took her to Thailand and Bali for a couple of months.
When she got back she said Bali was cool but Thailand turned her stomach, all those old white farts with young women on their arms.
I have told my hubby and son, go for it once I kick it because besides the beach, I have no interest in SE Asia; With my luck, I would pick up some nasty illness just from the hotel room, no need to look for trouble by traveling to it.
Nice ladies do not just go up to strange men and ask for a date! - @Marilyn Tassy

It's worth visiting Thailand.  I'd stick to the cultural sites.  It's all very "alien" to life in Europe.   Food is really good and tasty in Thailand if one likes that stuff.  It's a sophisticated country.  And people can always find trouble if they look for it. 

When I go to foreign countries for work, I always go to the museums, art galleries, churches/temples, historical sites and often - perhaps oddly - textile shops.  I have quite a large collection of Batik from Asia.  So much that I've now stopped buying that now as I'm running out of wall space. but I do have a good collection of modern art and I'm looking for more.  I have paintings and articles from all of the world - from Africa through to Asia and even Hungary. 

Our daughter is at art school here so we've got some of her pieces displayed.  She's making a short movie at the moment and I'm really rather stunned by the footage so far.  It's stop-motion animation with a political message or social commentary.  It's almost Tim Burton'ish.  Neither of us have the imagination but  somehow we've created an environment where she can flourish.  Interestingly she said both us - Mrs F and I - created opportunity for her self-expression.  We did do that but it seems that we made more of a difference than we thought we would.  We've always encouraged her to do her own thing and use her imagination without limits. And she's taken it to heart. I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes famous.  OK, I would say that but even her teachers have noted it. 

There's a long running Islamic insurgency going on in the south of Thailand. There's absolutely no reason to risk going there. There were some deaths fairly recently due to attacks. Stick to the mainstream tourist areas further North. - @fluffy2560

I've been. Those nasty, evil Islamic types want control of the primarily Muslim area that the British allowed Thailand to take in 1909 without asking the population.

Background is important so you can see who the actual invaders are.

The terrorists/freedom fighters are locals and people from Perak in north Malaysia, especially around Lenggong.  They are pretty open when it comes to discussing their goals.

No insurgency to be had, just people who want to control their own land, very much like Ireland.

Added. Kashmir might be a better example as to how imperialist mismanagement and unfairness caused decades of trouble.

Dozens of co-ordinated arson attacks hit southern Thailand

"....Since 2004, a low-level conflict has simmered in the southernmost provinces of Buddhist-majority Thailand, as rebels in the Muslim-majority region battle for greater autonomy. More than 7,000 people have been killed in the violence so far.

The insurgency is mainly led by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional.

Since talks facilitated by Malaysia began in 2013, the peace process ​has repeatedly stalled amid changing governments in Bangkok, with internal divisions on both sides.

In July, five soldiers were killed in a gun and bomb attack at a checkpoint in Narathiwat, prompting the authorities to postpone a planned dialogue process.

Thai media report insurgents often target security officials and government buildings, sometimes ahead of visits by officials to the region."

I rest my case M'lud.  Don't go there. North is OK.

Dozens of co-ordinated arson attacks hit southern Thailand
"....Since 2004, a low-level conflict has simmered in the southernmost provinces of Buddhist-majority Thailand, as rebels in the Muslim-majority region battle for greater autonomy. More than 7,000 people have been killed in the violence so far.

The insurgency is mainly led by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional.

Since talks facilitated by Malaysia began in 2013, the peace process ​has repeatedly stalled amid changing governments in Bangkok, with internal divisions on both sides.

In July, five soldiers were killed in a gun and bomb attack at a checkpoint in Narathiwat, prompting the authorities to postpone a planned dialogue process.

Thai media report insurgents often target security officials and government buildings, sometimes ahead of visits by officials to the region."

I rest my case M'lud. Don't go there. North is OK. - @fluffy2560

I've been, and would go again without worry. Of course,  when you rely on Wiki and half a news story, it's hard to know what's really happening.

There are tours to the Bekka Valley and Lebanon as a whole, Iran or even Kabul if interested.

Foreign travel advice - Thailand - FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Thailand.

Going to any insurgent or war area as defined by travel advisories will invalidate one's travel insurance.

Getting travel insurance is becoming increasingly problematic for long distance travel.

Hey everyone,

Let’s please try to keep the advice based on reliable information that can be found online. We absolutely welcome personal experiences, as they can be very helpful, but we also value information that is accurate, legitimate, and easy for members to verify online.

Cheers,

Cheryl

Expat.com team

Europe (Euronews):

Ryanair's Boeing 737 stairs tied to hundreds of passenger falls, study says

Ryanair's Boeing 737 comes with retractable onboard stairs that cut costs and turnaround times, but an Italian safety study has linked them to hundreds of passenger falls since 2021.

Passengers who have used them have faced a significantly higher risk of falling than those using stairs provided by airports. That is the conclusion of a study by Italy's National Agency for Flight Safety (ANSV), published in August 2026.

The study analysed falls reported in Italy during boarding and disembarkation between 2023 and 2025. Of 104 incidents, 85 involved passengers who used the forward integrated stairs of Boeing 737 aircraft, accounting for 82% of cases, according to Corriere della Sera.

Having been on Ryanair flights many times, I can attest to the stairs being hard to navigate for anyone with the slightest movement impairment - too steep, not wide enough and not enough space. Add in luggage or mobility aid like a stick and it's pretty dodgy and not very safety inspiring to use.

US (BBC):

Vance's Antichrist comments are a 'common belief', his friend tells BBC

Recent remarks by US Vice-President JD Vance about the Antichrist and "the end times" are a "very, very common belief", one of his friends says.

Vance recently mused on his religious views while responding to a question on a Christian podcast. He said he would "not [be] shocked if the Antichrist was walking among us" and speculated on whether the end of the world was nigh.

His friend Rod Dreher, a conservative writer, rejected any suggestion that the comments would harm the vice-president. He told the BBC's Today programme: "Most Americans who are inclined to vote Republican already believe this stuff."

This shows how far down the rabbit hole the these people has gone.   Quite incredible.  I was surprised that he supposed the AntiChrist is walking amongst us.  But he didn't say what we all suspect - the AntiChrist is actually Donald Trump.

Worldwide (France 24):

France 24 English has a series of short films called "Reporters" in English on various subjects

They are usually less than 12m long. Some of the longer ones are less visible. 

All kinds of subjects are there from Spanish Catholic movements, Thai conscription,  Somalia ISIS etc to Japanese aging prisoners. 

All of them are quite informative and not long enough to get bored.

Update (Euronews):

Nashville International Airport will be renamed Dolly Parton Airport.

In an uncommon display of bipartisan agreement, especially for the Republican-dominated state government and Democrat-controlled city government in Tennessee, both sides have agreed to rename Nashville International Airport after much-missed singer Dolly Parton.

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority board of commissioners voted 6-0 to start the process of changing the airport’s name in memory of the late country icon. The change will make Parton the first woman whose name adorns one of America’s 50 busiest airports.

I think everyone can agree this is a good move. And rare consensus from the Donkeys and Elephants.   

Even at the Last Night of the Proms, Dolly was honoured by a rendition of 9 to 5 by Sheridan Smith (video is rather unsync'd with the sound on my machine - that's Bluetooth for you).  She sounded quite Dolly'ish so it was a good impression.

, both sides have agreed to rename Nashville International Airport after much-missed singer Dolly Parton.

......

I think everyone can agree this is a good move. - @fluffy2560

I disagree.  The bumps in the runway will make takeoffs and landings unsafe.

Euronews:

Trump says Ukraine and Russia agree to halt strikes on energy targets

Trump's announcement comes after he called on Ukraine to halt its attacks on Russian diesel infrastructure during a trip to Ireland over the weekend.....

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that both Kyiv and Moscow had agreed to pause strikes on energy targets as he sought to shift the blame for rising fuel prices from the Iran war to the war in Ukraine...."

Ukraine has agreed not to hit Russian Energy targets. Russia has agreed to do, likewise!" Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social account.

"The World’s Diesel price rise is mostly caused by the Russia/Ukraine War, not Iran," he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that no deal has been officially confirmed but that Ukraine had "proposed that its partners secure an agreement with Russia that would stop the destruction of critical infrastructure."

I'll believe it when I see it.  Trump is circling the plughole more than he was in relation to the mid-terms. What a desperate statement by Trump. 

Just for context.

The US directed revolution in Ukraine that removed the democratically elected government in favour of a pro-west, but non-democratic regime that has never had a free and fair election, was about to join NATO.

Russia couldn't allow that as, along with NATO's push eastwards, it would leave Moscow open to a classic pincer attack (see a map if your brain can't work that out).

At the same time, the Russian speaking, Russian cultured, people in the east of Ukraine that were denied a vote in the new elections because they would have out-voted the puppet government, called for help from Russia.

Anyway, back to today, the Ukrainian regime,  backed by the UK and others, is bombing Russian fuel that the west desperately needs in order to mitigate the problems cause by the US/Israeli attacks on Iran.

The UK, a country suffering from massive fuel prices increases, is funding attacks that make its situation far worse.

The idiocy is stunning.

Just to really mess up stupid EU and UK governments, or at least the people they're supposed to serve, cheap Russian gas has been largely replaced by far more expensive US shale gas.

US fracking is causing massive local damage to their environment, but EU and UK consumers are now paying more for the pleasure.

Even though the 'evil' Russians are the ones who kept gas prices down, the lovely US of A that caused it all is sitting pretty on massive profits. The fact EU and UK residents are screwed to hell is nothing when you consider how much the US is making from the mess they caused.

In yet another act of stunning stupidity, the EU and UK are getting all funny about Chinese made renewable energy systems and electric vehicles. The things that are starting to mitigate the US/Israel wars fallout, is being rejected by especially inept politicians.

However, when you get a gas bill that looks like a number NASA would use to work out how to get to Mars, you can think happy thoughts about saving the world from evil Russia and China, the countries saving Asia from US wars, and would do the same for you if your politicians weren't utter cretins.

Yes, Asia is buying up cheap Russian oil and converting to cheap Chinese solar systems. We are suffering far less from the effects of US run revolutions and wars because we have governments that put their own people before US politics.

US (MSNOW):

Supreme Court rejects Trump’s mail-ballot restrictions for midterms

The Supreme Court on Monday denied the Trump administration’s bid to halt a Boston judge’s order that blocked the federal government from implementing mail-in ballot restrictions for the midterms.

Over dissent from Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, the court issued a brief order that said the government “is unlikely to succeed on the merits of its challenge to the District Court’s preliminary injunction. And the equitable factors applicable for obtaining emergency relief from this Court do not favor a stay.”

....

When she issued a preliminary injunction on Sept. 4, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani found that implementing the rule right before the November elections “threatens disenfranchisement of millions of United States citizens who seek to vote by mail.”

It would have been unusual if SCOTUS had ruled another way.   I suppose Trump will try again for 2028.  BTW, there's also a DHS contract being bid to build a all US voter registration database.  No-one really knows what this is actually for and seems unusual as elections are handled by state authorities.   Building comprehensive databases is common in other countries but scope creep will inevitably follow.

Ukraine (Kyiv Post):

Russia’s Starlink Rival Suffers Major Satellite Launch Failure

(This is a bit late posting here as this was originally reported 1st Sept - I was prompted to check further after seeing a report by the Economist on the current situation in UKR).

Russia’s second batch of 16 Rassvet satellites failed to reach its intended operational altitude, creating setback in Moscow’s effort to develop an alternative to Starlink (Rassvet or Sunrise), the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported. Some satellites are already losing altitude, with at least two reportedly heading toward reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. ISW said Russia lacks the launch capacity needed to rapidly establish stable, around-the-clock satellite coverage over Ukraine.

This Russvet system is a serious threat to Ukraine. It's not working now but could be working in say, 1 year.   I wonder now if we're going to eventually see open warfare in space given USA's Space Force is saying it has weapons now in space but the public doesn't know what these are.   This would have to be seen in the context of the Out of Space Treaty. - if it means anything to Putin.

Leader of Reform UK in Wales stands down after arrest on suspicion of assault

Senedd member Sarah Cooper-Lesadd quits Reform to join Plaid Cymru

They say things happen in 3's what elese can happen today?

Leader of Reform UK in Wales stands down after arrest on suspicion of assaultSenedd member Sarah Cooper-Lesadd quits Reform to join Plaid Cymru

They say things happen in 3's what elese can happen today? - @SimCityAT

Three Reform UK councillors at Durham County Council have resigned from the party. The resignations come after a Sky News investigation into chaos and allegations of bullying at the council.

Political messing around is never a clean game, and reform are just one more dirty duck in a pool of poop.

The difference is the established parties don't like them, and I suspect that's a lot more to do with cash and power than it is with actual Political views.

Labour spent about 30 million quid on the last election, and some of that cash came from a billionaire tht helps to fund Israeli attacks on Gaza.

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/keir-s … -war-gaza/

Of course, that doesn't matter as winning a election Isfar more important than caring about the victims of what looks a lot like genocide.

There are proposed 'enhanced residency checks' for Reform donrors,  and attempts to backdate new laws to make the legal, illegal, but that's just desperation.

What is actually happening is simple, Reform have got the cash to keep up with the big boys on the block, and that puts the old main parties, and more truthfully,  their gravy train tickets, in danger.

For dumber readers, the above doesn't mean I support Reform, just that I dislike the whole, corrupt, smarmy lot.

Saudi (CNN):

Since the Houthis launched a drone at Mecca, I realise now what happened to the Millennium Falcon.  Or is it the saucer section of the Enterprise-D?

EU (DW):

Von der Leyen eyes Canada as EU's first 'associate member'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union was opening the door for ‌Canada ⁠to ⁠become its first associate member — a position that the bloc would have to create from scratch.

Von der Leyen's comments came during her annual speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, while Candanian Prime Minister Mark Carney was in attendance.

This comes days after the Wall Street Journal reported that Carney was exploring an "associate membership" with the bloc, a position that does not currently exist.

This is good news. I sincerely hope the UK government can swallow this model as at least possibly an intermediate step to re-joining the EU. Of course, the devil is in the detail.  I expect it'll be more about trade. 

BTW, the UK (idiotically) did not join the Defence Bank but Canada did.  I can see HMG changing course to join up.  It makes no sense for the UK to be outside it.  Other countries are benefiting from being in it - Canada already bought German submarines.

Saudi (CNN):Since the Houthis launched a drone at Mecca, I realise now what happened to the Millennium Falcon. Or is it the saucer section of the Enterprise-D? - @fluffy2560

Saudi Arabia said it shot down a Houthi drone near Mecca,

Never believe a story that only comes from someone with a dog in the race.

It requires confirmation from an independent source

Saudi (CNN):Since the Houthis launched a drone at Mecca, I realise now what happened to the Millennium Falcon. Or is it the saucer section of the Enterprise-D? - @fluffy2560 Saudi Arabia said it shot down a Houthi drone near Mecca,
Never believe a story that only comes from someone with a dog in the race.
It requires confirmation from an independent source - @Fred

Like I need your advice.  CNN doesn't lie.  It may bend like all of them but it does not post outright lies or sensationalise.  Anyway, I was more interested in the Millennium Falcon embedded in their architecture.

The oil price is going up again and looks like there's push back on the AI IPOs.  Mid-terms look bad for Trump.  World economy could crash on what is going on.  Houthis cum Iran proxies are going to control Saudi oil exports now they have drone capabilities.  Interesting times.

Euronews (EU/Canada):

Mark Carney welcomes 'associate membership' with the EU, says alliance will be democratic 'beacon'

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed the invitation for his country to become the European Union's first-ever "associate member" in a speech delivered before the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

"Canada welcomes this ambition. And I will tell you, polling shows that an overwhelming majority of Canadians support much closer ties with Europe," he said on Thursday.

Carney portrayed the closer EU-Canada alliance as a "beacon for other democracies" based on shared values and "open enough that others can join".

He cited energy security, critical minerals, defence capabilities, artificial intelligence and finance among the areas of deeper integration. He also said the two sides should work to allow young people to "live, work and study" on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Carney's speech comes a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen invited Canada to become the EU's first-ever "associate member", a novel concept that lacks legal precedent and raises more questions than answers.

Overnight, US President Donald Trump threatened to slap "very serious tariffs" on Europeans if the idea of "associate membership" were carried out as a "hostile act".

Top stuff.   The UK is sure to follow - it's certainly going to eclipse the likes of Reform.  UK should take that deal.   I've saw Australia and NZ could be offered similar associations.  It's a jolly interesting idea.

As for Trump, suck it up Mango Man.  Didn't see that one coming did you, Danny Boy?

Like I need your advice. CNN doesn't lie. It may bend like all of them but it does not post outright lies or sensationalise. - @fluffy2560

Saudi Arabia said it shot down a Houthi drone near Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, on Tuesday, drawing swift regional condemnation of the Iran-backed Yemeni rebel group.

SA has every reason to lie, just as CNN has reason to believe it without checking.

It seems you do need my advice.

Like I need your advice. CNN doesn't lie. It may bend like all of them but it does not post outright lies or sensationalise.  - @fluffy2560Saudi Arabia said it shot down a Houthi drone near Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, on Tuesday, drawing swift regional condemnation of the Iran-backed Yemeni rebel group.SA has every reason to lie, just as CNN has reason to believe it without checking.It seems you do need my advice. - @Fred

Nope, no need Fredo, CNN is run by professional journalists and not populated by half-baked conspiracy theorists on YT or random web sites. Same professionalism for serious web sites/newspapers like the Economist.

Of course, Saudi is run by a dodgy lot but meh, everyone has their own spin.   Case of using those brain cells for healthy sceptism and triangulation with less mouse DNA. 

Do you really not get it?

Saudi has a lot of cause to lie, and the US has a lot of cause to accept such a lie without checking.

Stories of this nature are for fools to believe until they are back up by independent sources.

Do you really not get it?
Saudi has a lot of cause to lie, and the US has a lot of cause to accept such a lie without checking.
Stories of this nature are for fools to believe until they are back up by independent sources. - @Fred

As I said before, I was actually more interested in my Millennium Falcon theme.

If you want to comment on that, then go for it otherwise send comments to /dev/null.