@jparkins10.bsky.social
Born Scouser, raised in Toronto, worked all over the world, long retired, interested in travel, sports, news, politics, current affairs, history, music, science, technology, markets & business. LFC supporter
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Trump’s Thanksgiving message…
November 28, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Trump’s Thanksgiving message…
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I'm not saying the leader of the Conservative party's approach to politics is infantile, but she's just defended her latest attack on the Chancellor by saying "she started it"
November 28, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I'm not saying the leader of the Conservative party's approach to politics is infantile, but she's just defended her latest attack on the Chancellor by saying "she started it"
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There’s an econ problem and a trust problem. When a president finally addresses affordability and insists “It's gone away, prices are falling” while your rent and groceries say otherwise, the message you hear is: you’re wrong, or invisible, or you're being ignored. That’s rocket fuel for anger.
November 28, 2025 at 1:51 PM
There’s an econ problem and a trust problem. When a president finally addresses affordability and insists “It's gone away, prices are falling” while your rent and groceries say otherwise, the message you hear is: you’re wrong, or invisible, or you're being ignored. That’s rocket fuel for anger.
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Unfortunately I will be forced to respond to this with Albion's Seed posting but the biggest lesson from American history is that initial conditions of cultureways are far more enduring than anything that follows after. You cannot read it any other way.
Stephen Miller is now arguing that assimilation is fundamentally impossible and that certain cultures are not compatible with Western civilization
November 28, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Unfortunately I will be forced to respond to this with Albion's Seed posting but the biggest lesson from American history is that initial conditions of cultureways are far more enduring than anything that follows after. You cannot read it any other way.
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Always an open question if the UK and UK companies were part of Europe's defence base.
I do hope this gets resolved, but let's not forget the point of this programme: to bolster European security
www.ft.com/content/22db...
I do hope this gets resolved, but let's not forget the point of this programme: to bolster European security
www.ft.com/content/22db...
November 28, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Always an open question if the UK and UK companies were part of Europe's defence base.
I do hope this gets resolved, but let's not forget the point of this programme: to bolster European security
www.ft.com/content/22db...
I do hope this gets resolved, but let's not forget the point of this programme: to bolster European security
www.ft.com/content/22db...
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This is so deeply at odds with the vision and history of America. Take pretty much any ethnic or racial group that are part of the American mosaic America today - they have all faced the same accusation. The moment these accusations are turned into policy are some of the most shameful in US history
Stephen Miller is now arguing that assimilation is fundamentally impossible and that certain cultures are not compatible with Western civilization
November 28, 2025 at 1:58 PM
This is so deeply at odds with the vision and history of America. Take pretty much any ethnic or racial group that are part of the American mosaic America today - they have all faced the same accusation. The moment these accusations are turned into policy are some of the most shameful in US history
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Also not all welfare spending is the same. Eliminating child poverty is to an extent not just redistribution but an investment in their education, employment, future earnings, tax payments, and propensity to be involved in crime.
Welfare spending is currently 1.2% of GDP *lower* than in 2012-13.
Abolition of two-child cap is best viewed as a correction than an increase.
Abolition of two-child cap is best viewed as a correction than an increase.
Is welfare spending ''out of control''?
Total welfare spending in Britain in 2025-26 is estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️
buff.ly/s5mz97u
Total welfare spending in Britain in 2025-26 is estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️
buff.ly/s5mz97u
November 28, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Also not all welfare spending is the same. Eliminating child poverty is to an extent not just redistribution but an investment in their education, employment, future earnings, tax payments, and propensity to be involved in crime.
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The new 3p per mile electric vehicle tax has lots of details still to be worked out bit.ly/3Koku5P and it could end up an even bigger mess than the provision of fast, cheap, clearly priced charging points
Electric cars will need annual checks under Reeves’s new rules
Under the chancellor’s pay-per-mile scheme motorists would have to have mileage officially verified each year
bit.ly
November 28, 2025 at 8:42 AM
The new 3p per mile electric vehicle tax has lots of details still to be worked out bit.ly/3Koku5P and it could end up an even bigger mess than the provision of fast, cheap, clearly priced charging points
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⚡️'If you give your life, you live forever' — North Korean soldiers in Ukraine encouraged to use grenades to avoid capture.
The North Korean military is highlighting the "heroic services" of soldiers who blew themselves up in Ukraine rather than be taken prisoner, a Daily NK source said.
The North Korean military is highlighting the "heroic services" of soldiers who blew themselves up in Ukraine rather than be taken prisoner, a Daily NK source said.
'If you give your life, you live forever' — North Korean soldiers in Ukraine encouraged to use grenades to avoid capture, media reports
The North Korean military is highlighting the "heroic services" of soldiers who blew themselves up in Ukraine rather than be taken prisoner, a Daily NK source said.
kyivindependent.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:50 AM
⚡️'If you give your life, you live forever' — North Korean soldiers in Ukraine encouraged to use grenades to avoid capture.
The North Korean military is highlighting the "heroic services" of soldiers who blew themselves up in Ukraine rather than be taken prisoner, a Daily NK source said.
The North Korean military is highlighting the "heroic services" of soldiers who blew themselves up in Ukraine rather than be taken prisoner, a Daily NK source said.
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Trump has said he will "permanently pause migration" to the US from all "third world countries".
First, “permanently” is not a “pause”. Secondly, “third world countries”. It’s not the 1980s, you backwards buffoon.
First, “permanently” is not a “pause”. Secondly, “third world countries”. It’s not the 1980s, you backwards buffoon.
Trump says US will 'permanently pause migration' from 'third world countries'
The president did not name which countries would be affected, but vowed to remove anyone "not a net asset" to the US.
www.bbc.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Trump has said he will "permanently pause migration" to the US from all "third world countries".
First, “permanently” is not a “pause”. Secondly, “third world countries”. It’s not the 1980s, you backwards buffoon.
First, “permanently” is not a “pause”. Secondly, “third world countries”. It’s not the 1980s, you backwards buffoon.
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US regulators ‘taking seriously’ allegations of bankers’ support for Epstein
US regulators ‘taking seriously’ allegations of bankers’ support for Epstein
Exclusive: It follows calls from US senator Elizabeth Warren to investigate bank executives including ex-Barclays boss Jes Staley
US regulators say they are taking allegations that top banks may have facilitated Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activity “very seriously”, as they faced calls to investigate executives including the former Barclays boss Jes Staley.
In correspondence seen by the Guardian, bosses from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) said they had reviewed a letter from the Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren, which raised concerns over bankers’ alleged support for the convicted child sex offender Epstein. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:05 AM
US regulators ‘taking seriously’ allegations of bankers’ support for Epstein
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David Coburn, former leader of UKIP Scotland & mentioned in WhatsApp messages sent between Gill and his handler answers "no" when a journalist asks him if he took money to give a speech to promote pro-Russian campaigners.
The video of him outside his chateau is lol
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The video of him outside his chateau is lol
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Former Brexit Party MEP denies taking payment from pro-Russian campaign
A prominent former MEP for Nigel Farage's old party denies taking bribes in a pro-Russian campaign.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 9:25 AM
David Coburn, former leader of UKIP Scotland & mentioned in WhatsApp messages sent between Gill and his handler answers "no" when a journalist asks him if he took money to give a speech to promote pro-Russian campaigners.
The video of him outside his chateau is lol
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The video of him outside his chateau is lol
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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Not always a fan of Dani Rodrik's writing but this on the response to China's rise seems right - protect national security, focus on innovation not protection of established industries, and target job efforts on services.
Few governments are doing this. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/c...
Few governments are doing this. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/c...
How to Respond to Chinese Imports
Dani Rodrik explains what governments should be doing to address the risks to national security, innovation, and jobs.
www.project-syndicate.org
November 28, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Not always a fan of Dani Rodrik's writing but this on the response to China's rise seems right - protect national security, focus on innovation not protection of established industries, and target job efforts on services.
Few governments are doing this. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/c...
Few governments are doing this. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/c...
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As expected, Keir Starmer's 'dirty digital deal' with Donald Trump during the royal visit in September involved an implicit promise to adjust UK digital laws to suit US interests.
Is this the 'sovereignty' Brexiteers spoke of?
And there is more surrender to come:
Is this the 'sovereignty' Brexiteers spoke of?
And there is more surrender to come:
November 28, 2025 at 9:31 AM
As expected, Keir Starmer's 'dirty digital deal' with Donald Trump during the royal visit in September involved an implicit promise to adjust UK digital laws to suit US interests.
Is this the 'sovereignty' Brexiteers spoke of?
And there is more surrender to come:
Is this the 'sovereignty' Brexiteers spoke of?
And there is more surrender to come:
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We’ve mapped the mansion tax.
You can see who's paying - which constituency, which postcode - and how many "mansions" are near you.
Full interactive map here 👇
You can see who's paying - which constituency, which postcode - and how many "mansions" are near you.
Full interactive map here 👇
November 28, 2025 at 9:34 AM
We’ve mapped the mansion tax.
You can see who's paying - which constituency, which postcode - and how many "mansions" are near you.
Full interactive map here 👇
You can see who's paying - which constituency, which postcode - and how many "mansions" are near you.
Full interactive map here 👇
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#BBCNews - Former Brexit Party MEP denies taking payment from pro-Russian campaign
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Former Brexit Party MEP denies taking payment from pro-Russian campaign
A prominent former MEP for Nigel Farage's old party denies taking bribes in a pro-Russian campaign.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 9:41 AM
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South Africans in Ukraine: 'Scared and desperate' after allegedly being duped by Zuma's daughter to fight for Russia
South Africans in Ukraine: 'Scared and desperate' after allegedly being duped by Zuma's daughter to fight for Russia
A South African allegedly recruited to fight for Russia recounts the horrors of war in Ukraine via voice notes.
www.bbc.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:42 AM
South Africans in Ukraine: 'Scared and desperate' after allegedly being duped by Zuma's daughter to fight for Russia
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Peskov looks like someone who sold your dad a dodgy Ford Escort in the 80s
November 28, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Peskov looks like someone who sold your dad a dodgy Ford Escort in the 80s
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Trump's "peace deal"
November 28, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Trump's "peace deal"
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It is possible to stick up for a colleague and to cut in when he is speaking. I know this because I have done it.
I can’t believe people in the room don’t push back. It doesn’t matter if he’s the president, part of holding him accountable is standing up to his bullying— especially if he’s doing it right in front of your face
“You’re a stupid person” — Trump lashes out at a reporter who presses him on the fact that the suspected DC shooter was actually thoroughly vetted before he was let in the US from Afghanistan
November 28, 2025 at 2:33 AM
It is possible to stick up for a colleague and to cut in when he is speaking. I know this because I have done it.
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Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever’s objections to the proposed €140bn EU loan to Kyiv coincide with US President Donald Trump’s new initiative to try to end Russia’s war in Ukraine on.ft.com/4oozv5D
November 28, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever’s objections to the proposed €140bn EU loan to Kyiv coincide with US President Donald Trump’s new initiative to try to end Russia’s war in Ukraine on.ft.com/4oozv5D
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Many cite desertion figures to point at a crisis in the Ukrainian army. Our team, Frontelligence Insight, after consulting with mobilization officers and reviewing data, found that while desertions are high, the actual numbers are lower than quoted:
frontelligence.substack.com/p/inside-ukr...
frontelligence.substack.com/p/inside-ukr...
Inside Ukraine’s Desertion Crisis: Analysis and Numbers
Debate about Ukrainian soldiers who go absent without leave and about desertion has intensified, but the scale of the problem is still widely misunderstood.
frontelligence.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Many cite desertion figures to point at a crisis in the Ukrainian army. Our team, Frontelligence Insight, after consulting with mobilization officers and reviewing data, found that while desertions are high, the actual numbers are lower than quoted:
frontelligence.substack.com/p/inside-ukr...
frontelligence.substack.com/p/inside-ukr...
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I can't wait for the day when I wake up and don't have to see anymore of this....
Q: Officials say the suspect in the DC shooting was vetted & it came up clean
TRUMP: He went cuckoo. He went nuts. There was no vetting
Q: Actually, your DOJ IG says there was thorough vetting of Afghans. So why blame Biden?
TRUMP: You're just asking questions because you're a stupid person
TRUMP: He went cuckoo. He went nuts. There was no vetting
Q: Actually, your DOJ IG says there was thorough vetting of Afghans. So why blame Biden?
TRUMP: You're just asking questions because you're a stupid person
November 28, 2025 at 3:00 AM
I can't wait for the day when I wake up and don't have to see anymore of this....
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Alternate take if you are not a Trump toady like Judge Winebox: Performative militarization of a relatively safe city — extremely so around the White House — puts lives unnecessarily at risk. This avoidable tragedy all falls on the administration.
Pirro: "These Guardsmen and all who are here to protect the District are the line that separates a civilized society from a barbaric one."
November 28, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Alternate take if you are not a Trump toady like Judge Winebox: Performative militarization of a relatively safe city — extremely so around the White House — puts lives unnecessarily at risk. This avoidable tragedy all falls on the administration.