alina
@ramshackle78.bsky.social
EM doc. Politics nerd 🇷🇴🇬🇧🇫🇷
European at core
Into military stuff nowadays, out of necessity
European at core
Into military stuff nowadays, out of necessity
The Battle of Hastings, housing edition
An article I wrote on the housing crisis within Hastings that was recently published in the Hastings Independent www.capturepolitics.co.uk/post/fixing-...
Fixing Hastings’ Housing crisis – a huge challenge.
Hastings Borough Council (HBC) has recently set out its desire to formulate a housing strategy that will address Hastings’ housing crisis. With an experienced and knowledgeable team forming to provide...
www.capturepolitics.co.uk
February 19, 2026 at 12:48 AM
The Battle of Hastings, housing edition
Reposted by alina
Kevin Hassett, meet Barbara Streisand. www.ft.com/content/c39d...
Who pays for the US tariffs? The answer may not surprise you
But it has shocked Kevin Hassett to his very core
www.ft.com
February 18, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Kevin Hassett, meet Barbara Streisand. www.ft.com/content/c39d...
A combination of obeying in advance and the banality of evil
February 19, 2026 at 12:36 AM
A combination of obeying in advance and the banality of evil
Reposted by alina
*slaps roof of Reform* "This bad boy can fit SO many 30 per cent propositions in it"
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 1:42 PM
*slaps roof of Reform* "This bad boy can fit SO many 30 per cent propositions in it"
Chekhov, updated edition
New wave toward the Gulf: at least seven tankers and around twenty fighters currently airborne heading to the region.
It’s genuinely becoming difficult to keep pace with movements of this scale and intensity.
www.itamilradar.com/2026/02/18/u...
It’s genuinely becoming difficult to keep pace with movements of this scale and intensity.
www.itamilradar.com/2026/02/18/u...
USAF Tankers and Fighters Continue Flow to the Gulf — Sustained Air Bridge Signals Long-Term Posture Shift
Today multiple USAF tankers and fighter packages are airborne toward the Middle East, extending a transfer wave that has intensified in recent days. KC-135s, KC-46s, F-16Cs and F-15Es are currently in...
www.itamilradar.com
February 19, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Chekhov, updated edition
Reposted by alina
Great comms. I mean as a voter you feel the man cares every time you read RIPOFF hearings even before or if anything gets sorted
February 19, 2026 at 12:21 AM
Great comms. I mean as a voter you feel the man cares every time you read RIPOFF hearings even before or if anything gets sorted
Hilarious every time UK discovers geography still exists. A bit like how we did Brexit despite our biggest trading partners being next door, we did military as if we’re Dubai. So now the North, our backyard, is 🥶🥶🥶
www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...
www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...
RAF will struggle to operate in Arctic cold, admits military chief
The air force lacks kit and confidence for minus 30C missions as ministers pivot north, exposing gaps in gear, aircraft readiness and planning
www.thetimes.com
February 19, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Hilarious every time UK discovers geography still exists. A bit like how we did Brexit despite our biggest trading partners being next door, we did military as if we’re Dubai. So now the North, our backyard, is 🥶🥶🥶
www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...
www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...
Reposted by alina
This strategy will help us concentrate our efforts to where the pressure is the highest.
From building defence to addressing depopulation, investing in transport networks & people - we help address the challenges of 🇪🇺 regions most affected by the proximity of the ongoing war.
From building defence to addressing depopulation, investing in transport networks & people - we help address the challenges of 🇪🇺 regions most affected by the proximity of the ongoing war.
From hybrid threats to demographic pressure and economic impact.
Our Eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine are facing a multitude of challenges.
We must support these regions and show our solidarity.
Because our security lies in their strength, resilience and stability.
Our Eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine are facing a multitude of challenges.
We must support these regions and show our solidarity.
Because our security lies in their strength, resilience and stability.
February 18, 2026 at 3:13 PM
This strategy will help us concentrate our efforts to where the pressure is the highest.
From building defence to addressing depopulation, investing in transport networks & people - we help address the challenges of 🇪🇺 regions most affected by the proximity of the ongoing war.
From building defence to addressing depopulation, investing in transport networks & people - we help address the challenges of 🇪🇺 regions most affected by the proximity of the ongoing war.
Things went smoothly in Munich 😡
February 18, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Things went smoothly in Munich 😡
Reposted by alina
Every Trump official is fundamentally a thug
Real insane part of this clip is Hassett saying in the beginning that NY Fed researchers “should be disciplined” for…writing an economics paper that comes to a conclusion the president dislikes? A conclusion that matches the vast majority of economic evidence on tariffs? Nuts
Hassett: "The basic theory of President Trump's tariffs is sure, we're importing stuff from China, but we've got producers in US who make stuff, maybe at alightly higher place. If we bring stuff home, create demand, then that will hurt China & drive up wages & American consumers will be better off."
February 18, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Every Trump official is fundamentally a thug
Reposted by alina
I see they settled on a framing in the donor group chat
February 18, 2026 at 12:37 PM
I see they settled on a framing in the donor group chat
Reposted by alina
A surge in US military air activity across Europe and the Middle East is being described as the most significant movement of American aircraft in decades during a period of heightened tensions with Iran.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/largest-u-s-...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/largest-u-s-...
Largest U.S build up since Gulf War happening now near Iran
A surge in US military air activity across Europe and the Middle East is being described as the most significant movement of American aircraft in decades during a period of heightened tensions with Iran.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
February 17, 2026 at 8:41 PM
A surge in US military air activity across Europe and the Middle East is being described as the most significant movement of American aircraft in decades during a period of heightened tensions with Iran.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/largest-u-s-...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/largest-u-s-...
Reposted by alina
Not only fighters. The United States is also moving additional assets toward the Gulf. In these hours, we are tracking the largest movement of USAF AWACS aircraft we have ever recorded.
www.itamilradar.com/2026/02/18/u...
www.itamilradar.com/2026/02/18/u...
USAF E-3G AWACS Surge Toward Saudi Arabia Signals Expanded Air Command Posture Amid Iran Tensions
The United States Air Force has launched what appears to be the largest AWACS movement we have ever tracked, with six Boeing E-3G aircraft redeploying from the U.S. toward Europe en route to the Middl...
www.itamilradar.com
February 18, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Not only fighters. The United States is also moving additional assets toward the Gulf. In these hours, we are tracking the largest movement of USAF AWACS aircraft we have ever recorded.
www.itamilradar.com/2026/02/18/u...
www.itamilradar.com/2026/02/18/u...
Quite the bombshell. 14 hits in UK that have not been investigated apparently
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/heid...
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/heid...
From Russia With Blood
Lavish London mansions. A hand-painted Rolls-Royce. And eight dead friends. For the British fixer Scot Young, working for Vladimir Putin's most vocal critic meant a life of incredible luxury – but als...
www.buzzfeednews.com
February 18, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Quite the bombshell. 14 hits in UK that have not been investigated apparently
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/heid...
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/heid...
Great stuff. Lots of stuff could come out of this MOU between the two neighbours.
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
Denmark and Canada ink new defense cooperation agreement - Naval News
On February 14, 2026, the official representation of Denmark in Canada announced a new defence cooperation agreement inked by Denmark and Canada in Munich
www.navalnews.com
February 18, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Great stuff. Lots of stuff could come out of this MOU between the two neighbours.
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
Of course not.
I don't quite understand going through the citizenship process but then not going for the passport as well.
Also, these changes were known to come into force
I don't quite understand going through the citizenship process but then not going for the passport as well.
Also, these changes were known to come into force
It will be interesting to see if there is any actual rise in people (insanely) renouncing their British citizenship because they object to travelling on a British passport www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
February 18, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Of course not.
I don't quite understand going through the citizenship process but then not going for the passport as well.
Also, these changes were known to come into force
I don't quite understand going through the citizenship process but then not going for the passport as well.
Also, these changes were known to come into force
Reposted by alina
3/ Corrupt Russian commanders routinely extort their men with the threat of having them murdered, or sending them into unsurvivable assaults. "Life support" bribes – paid either by the men or their relatives to keep them out of assaults – are commonplace.
February 18, 2026 at 1:08 PM
3/ Corrupt Russian commanders routinely extort their men with the threat of having them murdered, or sending them into unsurvivable assaults. "Life support" bribes – paid either by the men or their relatives to keep them out of assaults – are commonplace.
And people say that a Mamdani style relentless focus on cost of living won't work because blue labour, immigration something something
As inflation falls to 3% the number selecting the cost of living as a top issue facing the country has risen to 70%. That's the highest since the election
💷 Cost of Living 70%
🏥NHS 35%
🛃 Levels of immigration 32%
🛥️ Channel crossings 29%
🚔Crime 19%
🏘️Affordable housing 18%
👷Jobs and unemployment 17%
💷 Cost of Living 70%
🏥NHS 35%
🛃 Levels of immigration 32%
🛥️ Channel crossings 29%
🚔Crime 19%
🏘️Affordable housing 18%
👷Jobs and unemployment 17%
February 18, 2026 at 12:54 PM
And people say that a Mamdani style relentless focus on cost of living won't work because blue labour, immigration something something
So when his chancellor can just put any rubbish in front of him and he won't notice cause 'he's not been in politics and he's not as smart'? Not very PM like
He didn't expect the question so response is weak sauce as an excuse. He should be pressed on this. Good job Emilio
He didn't expect the question so response is weak sauce as an excuse. He should be pressed on this. Good job Emilio
February 18, 2026 at 12:52 PM
So when his chancellor can just put any rubbish in front of him and he won't notice cause 'he's not been in politics and he's not as smart'? Not very PM like
He didn't expect the question so response is weak sauce as an excuse. He should be pressed on this. Good job Emilio
He didn't expect the question so response is weak sauce as an excuse. He should be pressed on this. Good job Emilio
Soyuz (with the light saber)
Vega-C (step to smaller upper stack)
Ariane 5ES launching Galileo satellites 15-18 on 17 Nov 2016 (can see it on payload fairing)
Ariane 62 launching Copernicus Sentinel-1D (VA265) because out of Ariane 62 launches so far that was at sunset/twilight
Vega-C (step to smaller upper stack)
Ariane 5ES launching Galileo satellites 15-18 on 17 Nov 2016 (can see it on payload fairing)
Ariane 62 launching Copernicus Sentinel-1D (VA265) because out of Ariane 62 launches so far that was at sunset/twilight
Today we did something risky 🫣
We asked our @esa.int photographer to show us his favourite pictures he ever took of our launchers.
Not an easy task but... Here they are!
Can you identify all 4?
We asked our @esa.int photographer to show us his favourite pictures he ever took of our launchers.
Not an easy task but... Here they are!
Can you identify all 4?
February 18, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Soyuz (with the light saber)
Vega-C (step to smaller upper stack)
Ariane 5ES launching Galileo satellites 15-18 on 17 Nov 2016 (can see it on payload fairing)
Ariane 62 launching Copernicus Sentinel-1D (VA265) because out of Ariane 62 launches so far that was at sunset/twilight
Vega-C (step to smaller upper stack)
Ariane 5ES launching Galileo satellites 15-18 on 17 Nov 2016 (can see it on payload fairing)
Ariane 62 launching Copernicus Sentinel-1D (VA265) because out of Ariane 62 launches so far that was at sunset/twilight
Reposted by alina
📌 In the second half of 2025, Russia deployed a network of relay transmitters in Belarus to guide drones targeting northern regions of Ukraine.
militarnyi.com/en/news/volo...
militarnyi.com/en/news/volo...
Volodymyr Zelensky: Russia Deploys Relay Transmitters in Belarus for Drone Strikes on Northern Ukraine
In the second half of 2025, Russia deployed a network of relay transmitters in Belarus to guide drones targeting northern regions of Ukraine.Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky announced this.Regio...
militarnyi.com
February 18, 2026 at 11:40 AM
📌 In the second half of 2025, Russia deployed a network of relay transmitters in Belarus to guide drones targeting northern regions of Ukraine.
militarnyi.com/en/news/volo...
militarnyi.com/en/news/volo...
Reposted by alina
Skills gaps are only one reason why employers hire migrant workers. In fact, many report hiring migrants through traditional recruitment processes.
This may be one reason why the Migration Advisory Committee found no link between skill shortages and work visa grants.
This may be one reason why the Migration Advisory Committee found no link between skill shortages and work visa grants.
February 18, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Skills gaps are only one reason why employers hire migrant workers. In fact, many report hiring migrants through traditional recruitment processes.
This may be one reason why the Migration Advisory Committee found no link between skill shortages and work visa grants.
This may be one reason why the Migration Advisory Committee found no link between skill shortages and work visa grants.
Reposted by alina
Policy debates often focus on who is eligible for work visas, but main applicants on work visas make up only a small share of overall migration.
You can see what that means in this chart, which compares Skilled Worker visa grants with changes in the size of the migrant workforce.
You can see what that means in this chart, which compares Skilled Worker visa grants with changes in the size of the migrant workforce.
February 18, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Policy debates often focus on who is eligible for work visas, but main applicants on work visas make up only a small share of overall migration.
You can see what that means in this chart, which compares Skilled Worker visa grants with changes in the size of the migrant workforce.
You can see what that means in this chart, which compares Skilled Worker visa grants with changes in the size of the migrant workforce.