Amyn Merchant
@amynmerchant.bsky.social
Musician, Bookworm, Europhile, Family Man & #AutismParent. All views are personal.
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
wait is he a guest of his brother?
February 19, 2026 at 10:35 AM
wait is he a guest of his brother?
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
2026 basically
February 18, 2026 at 4:23 PM
2026 basically
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
Exclusive: The US State Department is developing an online portal to enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda, sources told Reuters reut.rs/4cySsA6
Exclusive: US plans online portal to bypass content bans in Europe and elsewhere
The U.S. State Department is developing an online portal that will enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propagan...
reut.rs
February 18, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Exclusive: The US State Department is developing an online portal to enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda, sources told Reuters reut.rs/4cySsA6
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
“Cultivating resistance”. It’s in their National Security Strategy
Exclusive: The US State Department is developing an online portal to enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda, sources told Reuters reut.rs/4cySsA6
Exclusive: US plans online portal to bypass content bans in Europe and elsewhere
The U.S. State Department is developing an online portal that will enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propagan...
reut.rs
February 19, 2026 at 8:49 AM
“Cultivating resistance”. It’s in their National Security Strategy
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
A lot of Western governments have struggled to update their views of the US to "not entirely reliable ally". It seems it will take them a while to clock it may be an adversary
“Cultivating resistance”. It’s in their National Security Strategy
Exclusive: The US State Department is developing an online portal to enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda, sources told Reuters reut.rs/4cySsA6
February 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM
A lot of Western governments have struggled to update their views of the US to "not entirely reliable ally". It seems it will take them a while to clock it may be an adversary
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
Archaeologists Unearthed a 2,200-Year-Old Bone. They Say It Could Be the First Direct Evidence of Hannibal's Legendary War Elephants
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a...
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a...
Archaeologists Unearthed a 2,200-Year-Old Bone. They Say It Could Be the First Direct Evidence of Hannibal's Legendary War Elephants
The Carthaginian general famously used elephants during the Punic Wars. But until now, archaeologists had never found skeletal remains linking the animals to the conflict
www.smithsonianmag.com
February 18, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Archaeologists Unearthed a 2,200-Year-Old Bone. They Say It Could Be the First Direct Evidence of Hannibal's Legendary War Elephants
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a...
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a...
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
"So will it be the same act but with a different label?"
Victoria Derbyshire humiliates Zia Yusuf on Reform UK's plan to scrap the Equalities Act, because, as she reads each of the things from the Equalities act he confirms they'll still be protected 🤷♂️
Victoria Derbyshire humiliates Zia Yusuf on Reform UK's plan to scrap the Equalities Act, because, as she reads each of the things from the Equalities act he confirms they'll still be protected 🤷♂️
February 17, 2026 at 10:59 PM
"So will it be the same act but with a different label?"
Victoria Derbyshire humiliates Zia Yusuf on Reform UK's plan to scrap the Equalities Act, because, as she reads each of the things from the Equalities act he confirms they'll still be protected 🤷♂️
Victoria Derbyshire humiliates Zia Yusuf on Reform UK's plan to scrap the Equalities Act, because, as she reads each of the things from the Equalities act he confirms they'll still be protected 🤷♂️
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
On top of this, it really risks tipping Reform into a US oriented, Christian nationalist, socially conservative party in a way that is uncomfortable for a lot of UK voters. The question is if those voters notice or care.
Reform’s new “head of policy” has said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a “regional Slavic conflict”.
He added: “It is a conflict happening in the world that I don’t care very much about.”
He added: “It is a conflict happening in the world that I don’t care very much about.”
February 18, 2026 at 10:21 AM
On top of this, it really risks tipping Reform into a US oriented, Christian nationalist, socially conservative party in a way that is uncomfortable for a lot of UK voters. The question is if those voters notice or care.
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
Lost my phone in London, with four credit cards and £150 cash in the case. Returned to me within 21 minutes. This hellhole of a city eh.
February 18, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Lost my phone in London, with four credit cards and £150 cash in the case. Returned to me within 21 minutes. This hellhole of a city eh.
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
No surprise there. Ru wants Ukraine to surrender but can’t compel them. Ukraine isn’t losing on the battlefield and they don’t want to submit to Ru occupation. The US is not an honest broker but trying to help Ru achieve its goals diplomatically. US has stopped aid to Ukr so it has little leverage.
February 18, 2026 at 2:18 PM
No surprise there. Ru wants Ukraine to surrender but can’t compel them. Ukraine isn’t losing on the battlefield and they don’t want to submit to Ru occupation. The US is not an honest broker but trying to help Ru achieve its goals diplomatically. US has stopped aid to Ukr so it has little leverage.
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
I'm sorry, but give me a break! No party that claims it's finally getting serious about policy would appoint a philosopher and a theologian to oversee the process. Utterly absurd.
James Orr is Reform’s new Head of Policy
At today’s unveiling of Reform’s spokespersons , I asked Yusuf how he intended to balance the demands of his new role
spectator.com
February 18, 2026 at 7:20 AM
I'm sorry, but give me a break! No party that claims it's finally getting serious about policy would appoint a philosopher and a theologian to oversee the process. Utterly absurd.
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
BREAKING: Millions of files related to Jeffrey Epstein suggest the existence of a 'global criminal enterprise' that carried out acts meeting the legal threshold of crimes against humanity, a panel of independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council says
February 18, 2026 at 1:28 AM
BREAKING: Millions of files related to Jeffrey Epstein suggest the existence of a 'global criminal enterprise' that carried out acts meeting the legal threshold of crimes against humanity, a panel of independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council says
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
Analysis of 28 million US patient records shows fine particulate air pollution increases risk of Alzheimers Disease
Risk increases independently of other possible causes such as hypertension
Comes as Trump administration seeks to soften rules on this type of pollution
www.ft.com/content/35c5...
Risk increases independently of other possible causes such as hypertension
Comes as Trump administration seeks to soften rules on this type of pollution
www.ft.com/content/35c5...
Air pollution directly linked to Alzheimer’s risk, scientists say
Particles from combustion of fossil fuels may damage brain health more than thought, research suggests
www.ft.com
February 18, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Analysis of 28 million US patient records shows fine particulate air pollution increases risk of Alzheimers Disease
Risk increases independently of other possible causes such as hypertension
Comes as Trump administration seeks to soften rules on this type of pollution
www.ft.com/content/35c5...
Risk increases independently of other possible causes such as hypertension
Comes as Trump administration seeks to soften rules on this type of pollution
www.ft.com/content/35c5...
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
any chance of an outlet picking up on these whoppers
You've appointed Tories to your top team. Why should people believe your party is any different?
Farage: "These were two people who were ministers, but frankly weren't ministers for very long".
Suella Braverman was a minister for over 4 years.
Robert Jenrick was a minister for almost 5 years.
Farage: "These were two people who were ministers, but frankly weren't ministers for very long".
Suella Braverman was a minister for over 4 years.
Robert Jenrick was a minister for almost 5 years.
February 17, 2026 at 3:00 PM
any chance of an outlet picking up on these whoppers
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
You've appointed Tories to your top team. Why should people believe your party is any different?
Farage: "These were two people who were ministers, but frankly weren't ministers for very long".
Suella Braverman was a minister for over 4 years.
Robert Jenrick was a minister for almost 5 years.
Farage: "These were two people who were ministers, but frankly weren't ministers for very long".
Suella Braverman was a minister for over 4 years.
Robert Jenrick was a minister for almost 5 years.
February 17, 2026 at 12:02 PM
You've appointed Tories to your top team. Why should people believe your party is any different?
Farage: "These were two people who were ministers, but frankly weren't ministers for very long".
Suella Braverman was a minister for over 4 years.
Robert Jenrick was a minister for almost 5 years.
Farage: "These were two people who were ministers, but frankly weren't ministers for very long".
Suella Braverman was a minister for over 4 years.
Robert Jenrick was a minister for almost 5 years.
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
A shocking indictment of the intimidation and danger MPs now routinely experience.
The hostility routinely whipped up against "Westminster" and "politicians" has a real human cost.
The hostility routinely whipped up against "Westminster" and "politicians" has a real human cost.
...my team has to spend a reasonable part of their week trying to make sure none of us get murdered.
This also a greater burden for women, MPs of colour, LGBT MPs, so they effectively get less staff time to focus on what actually should matter...
6/?
This also a greater burden for women, MPs of colour, LGBT MPs, so they effectively get less staff time to focus on what actually should matter...
6/?
February 17, 2026 at 10:37 PM
A shocking indictment of the intimidation and danger MPs now routinely experience.
The hostility routinely whipped up against "Westminster" and "politicians" has a real human cost.
The hostility routinely whipped up against "Westminster" and "politicians" has a real human cost.
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
It's a thoughtless, mean-spirited and counter-productive idea. They shouldn't have proposed it in the first place. But now they have, they should think again.
Column: why the government should rethink its major settlement reforms, which if rushed through, would harm integration and undermine progress on child poverty, gender equality + workplace protections against exploitation.
(Even the politics doesn't work either)
www.easterneye.biz/keir-starmer...
(Even the politics doesn't work either)
www.easterneye.biz/keir-starmer...
Moving the goalposts on ‘earned settlement’ is a risky gamble for this government
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer was granted a new lease of political life last week. His cabinet rallied round to reject Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar’s call to ditch their leader. Nobody knows i...
www.easterneye.biz
February 17, 2026 at 7:19 PM
It's a thoughtless, mean-spirited and counter-productive idea. They shouldn't have proposed it in the first place. But now they have, they should think again.
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
Recent CBS News news:
1. Anderson Cooper leaves 60 Minutes after two decades
2. Stephen Colbert reveals network won’t let him air interview with Dem
3. Producer says politics dictating what airs
4. Owner’s bid for CNN parent back on the table.
5. Not firing Epstein pal.
1. Anderson Cooper leaves 60 Minutes after two decades
2. Stephen Colbert reveals network won’t let him air interview with Dem
3. Producer says politics dictating what airs
4. Owner’s bid for CNN parent back on the table.
5. Not firing Epstein pal.
February 17, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Recent CBS News news:
1. Anderson Cooper leaves 60 Minutes after two decades
2. Stephen Colbert reveals network won’t let him air interview with Dem
3. Producer says politics dictating what airs
4. Owner’s bid for CNN parent back on the table.
5. Not firing Epstein pal.
1. Anderson Cooper leaves 60 Minutes after two decades
2. Stephen Colbert reveals network won’t let him air interview with Dem
3. Producer says politics dictating what airs
4. Owner’s bid for CNN parent back on the table.
5. Not firing Epstein pal.
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
This graph is the best illustration of the “peace dividend”: crossover between health and defence reached right at the end of the Cold War.
February 17, 2026 at 2:18 PM
This graph is the best illustration of the “peace dividend”: crossover between health and defence reached right at the end of the Cold War.
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
Those of us who (like myself) believe that re-armament is necessary, should not lose sight of what a tragedy it is to have to divert resources away from social goods and towards defence, or what a crime certain leaders have committed by forcing us to do so.
This graph is the best illustration of the “peace dividend”: crossover between health and defence reached right at the end of the Cold War.
February 17, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Those of us who (like myself) believe that re-armament is necessary, should not lose sight of what a tragedy it is to have to divert resources away from social goods and towards defence, or what a crime certain leaders have committed by forcing us to do so.
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
i think jesse jackson was one of the most important american political figures of the post-war era and i think that his 1984 and 1988 campaigns for the democratic nomination still have a great deal to teach about forging a path to a more egalitarian world. RIP.
February 17, 2026 at 1:36 PM
i think jesse jackson was one of the most important american political figures of the post-war era and i think that his 1984 and 1988 campaigns for the democratic nomination still have a great deal to teach about forging a path to a more egalitarian world. RIP.
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
"On President's Day, the First Amendment Troop staged “ResistDance" a tribute and act of artistic dissent - at the Lincoln Memorial, followed by a guerrilla performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. #TheResistDance #FirstAmendmentTroop"
www.instagram.com/reel/DU15sbv...
www.instagram.com/reel/DU15sbv...
February 17, 2026 at 9:36 AM
"On President's Day, the First Amendment Troop staged “ResistDance" a tribute and act of artistic dissent - at the Lincoln Memorial, followed by a guerrilla performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. #TheResistDance #FirstAmendmentTroop"
www.instagram.com/reel/DU15sbv...
www.instagram.com/reel/DU15sbv...
This is amazing. Please do watch.
"On President's Day, the First Amendment Troop staged “ResistDance" a tribute and act of artistic dissent - at the Lincoln Memorial, followed by a guerrilla performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. #TheResistDance #FirstAmendmentTroop"
www.instagram.com/reel/DU15sbv...
www.instagram.com/reel/DU15sbv...
February 17, 2026 at 2:15 PM
This is amazing. Please do watch.
Reposted by Amyn Merchant
Nigel Farage lashes out at a FT journalist and refuses to answer the question.
Is this how Reform UK would ignore media questions if they got into government?
Is this how Reform UK would ignore media questions if they got into government?
February 17, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Nigel Farage lashes out at a FT journalist and refuses to answer the question.
Is this how Reform UK would ignore media questions if they got into government?
Is this how Reform UK would ignore media questions if they got into government?