Why is a kidnapping in America on our news? Totally irrelevant to us.

Ah that’s after my time! The book is about a weird colony ‘New Germany’ in the Paraguayan jungle set up by Nietzsche’s sister and her weird husband in the 1890s. The moral of the story? By not interbreeding with the local Indians, the blond boys and girls still there have serious genetic illnesses.

Forgotten Fatherland? Ben McIntyre’s first book. Reviewed that decades ago.

And why hire a US firm? Odd.

UK bank bosses plan to set up Visa and Mastercard alternative over Trump fears Exclusive: First meeting to be held over domestic payments system aimed at reducing reliance on US networks

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Another small step change which will gather momentum.

‘Right about everything’: Liz Truss tweets photo of meeting with Trump Unclear how encounter between Britain’s shortest-serving PM and US president was initiated and how long it lasted

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

For those unaware, a quick primer on perhaps the most dangerous of the oligarchs.

Peter Thiel.

Nigel Farage’s popularity dips as Reform UK surges in polls

What ever happened to the case against Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife on rape charges? Seems justice moves very slowly in the province.

I’ve never read Trollope. What’s a good novel for a total novice?

The populists’ weasel Chris Mason and his BBC bosses hasn’t got the message that we all need a break from the Westminster tittle tattle he trades in.

The Real Keir comes out fighting and turns the tables on deluded Kemi | John Crace The Tory leader thinks she has masterminded the PM’s series of crises. You could put her on a fairground ride and she would still think she was in control of where she was going

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

India slashes takedown time on unlawful online content Modi government cuts deadline to ‘within 3 hours’ as authorities step up oversight of social media platforms

giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

The owners are criminally liable too - they comply of course.

Palantir's Swiss Exit Highlights Global Data Sovereignty Challenge | NewsCase Switzerland's military has terminated its contract with Palantir Technologies Inc. following a security audit. The review concluded that U.S. intelligence ag

"Switzerland’s military has terminated its contract with Palantir… following a security audit… concluded that U.S. intelligence agencies could potentially access sensitive Swiss defense data… significant reputational warning for the data analytics firm"

www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...

#R4Today

Has he got the day off from being an Antiques Roadshow militarist expert? Complete clown.

Starmer just crushed Badenough at PMQs. She is really third rate.

The Banality of MAGA Evil Instead of criminal masterminds we got amoral, stupid grifters like Howard Lutnick

open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...

This is on the money (really).

The Starmer palace coup is a national disgrace www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...

Very good piece supporting Starmer remaining in office.

Albert Bridge closes to traffic as 'precaution'. Another one.

Mandelson’s Epstein Scandal Could End an Era in UK Politics Peter Mandelson has engineered numerous political resurrections since his first resignation, from Prime Minister Tony Blair’s fledgling Labour government in 1998. But there is no engineering ingenious...

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Very good, particularly on journos.

Is Graham Stringer alive? Looks half dead.

A crushing bore. Ghastly face.

The only political journalist worth listening to is C4s Gary Gibbon. Essential viewing unlike Mason, Peston, Rigby, Islam, and the rest of them. Really regard Neil McGregor on economics too.

x.com/AnasSarwar/s...

Not very credible as a critic.

The fundamental flaw in Sarwar’s analysis is to ignore how the media led by the BBC has drowned out this government with its gossipy noise. Their owner masters never accepted Labour’s legitimacy.

Et tu Anas?

At this rate Nosferatu at the MoD is about to become UK premier.

Who apart from journos cares if the comms chief leaves after less than five months? Ten a penny.

Yup. How/why the hell is he still sitting as a Labour peer? He's a Bannonite.

Does she ever not have an opinion? Much to say for a superannuated spad.