Somersetchris

Trump hikes India tariffs to 50% for buying Russian oil The president's order comes hours before dozens of other tariffs are about to snap into effect.

But why doesn't Trump hike tariffs on Russia itself?

GOP senator changes child rape law after relative accused of sex with minor An 18-year-old accused of having sex with a 13-year-old pleaded guilty to reduced charges after the law was changed.

Abso-fucking-lutely unbelievable

"An 18-year-old in Utah who was accused of having sex with a 13-year-old avoided jail after the laws governing sexual offenses were changed while his relative was president of the state Senate"

RFK Jr’s health department to halt $500m in mRNA vaccine research Agency to end 22 federal contracts, questioning safety of technology credited with helping end Covid pandemic

Fun fact - $500 million buys 2.5 White House ballrooms

If you think a golden ballroom is more important than childhood cancer research… I have nothing left to say to you. Please unfollow me.

#pediatriccancer #cancermom

Keir Starmer: you are actually the leader of the Labour Party, so stop letting your every utterance and decision to be influenced by what Reform voters think. I don't give a fuck what Reform voters think. Deliver Labour policies, you fanny.

Turns out the “change” people voted for was just changing nothing.

Headline and first 2 paragraphs Migrants can use rights laws to evade deportation Loopholes could undermine treaty with France Matt Dathan Home Affairs Editor Small boat migrants will be able to frustrate attempts to deport them to France under Sir Keir Starmer's returns deal by exploiting human rights laws, according to the treaty's terms. Under the terms of the agreement with France, migrants will be ineligible for deportation if they have outstanding human rights claims or other legal challenges or claim they are under 18. These are among potential loopholes that threaten to undermine Labour's attempt to end Channel crossings. The treaty also gives France and other European Union member states an effective veto over which individuals are returned.

Just the supposed ‘paper of record’ bemoaning the fact that asylum seekers have *human* rights and may be able to enforce them. Accompanied - ultra cynically - by a photo of Human Rights lawyer, Amal Clooney, at a glamorous fundraiser. What a sly and deeply unpleasant rag The Times now is.

Pol Pot would like this

Any news about the release of the Epstein Files?

Reform Dog Bites Media Man The British press is failing in its duty to ask the right questions of Nigel Farage

How we will look back at the British media's current constant indulgence of Nigel Farage and his brand of anti-migrant politics as the biggest collective failure of our times

www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/reform-dog...

This shows a clear link between having hardline anti-immigrant views and being ignorant about the level of illegal immigration into the UK

Can you help? Wanted appeals

"This appeal is part of a national investigation into the Summer 2024 disorder. We believe the people in these images could be able to help our inquiries. If you know any of these people, or you recognise yourself in one of these images, please let us know."

Lauren Bobert’s husband divorced her because she was really loud in bed and he could hear her all the way from their neighbor’s trailer.

Belfast Telegraph front page - ‘Drag queen kids’ event shouldn’t have happened’ DUP’S Lyons indicates there will be no repeat of controversial library storytelling #TransAgendaClips

A drag queen storytelling event for children should not have taken place in an east Belfast library, the Communities Minister has said. Gordon Lyons also indicated that future events won’t take place. It comes after a protest was staged outside Holywood Arches Library last week during an Eastside Arts Festival storytelling by two drag queens. The PSNI attended the protest and two people were escorted away to ensure there would be “no breach of the peace”. Mr Lyons said: “This event should not have taken place and it has compromised the perception of our public libraries as a welcoming and inclusive space for all as set out in the Libraries NI policy. I have directed my officials to liaise with Libraries NI to ensure that policy is faithfully implemented.” Green councillor Anthony Flynn said: “These events are safe, joyful, and inclusive. What those protesting actually fear is a world where kids can grow up free to be themselves.” Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has said a drag queen storytelling event should not have taken place in an east Belfast library last week. Hosted by Eastside Partnership, it was held in Holywood Arches Library and featured two drag queens reading stories to children. The event was advertised as “suitable for all ages and families” and aimed to “champion individuality and inclusivity amongst its young audiences, featuring sing-alongs and dancing”. The minister said: “This event was not appropriate for children. I understand that Libraries NI was not the organiser and that it was a venue booking made by Eastside Arts Festival.” Lady Portia read stories to the children, while Miss Dora Belle interpreted them using British sign language (BSL). Mr Lyons said the event didn’t fall within Libraries NI’S policy. “This event should not have taken place and it has compromised the perception of our public libraries as a welcoming and inclusive space for all as set out in the Libraries NI policy.

“The ‘Drag Queen Storytime with BSL Interpretation’ event is one of our longest running events and returns every year based on the positive feedback from those who attend and engage with the event."

Thank you

Apart from getting her annual photo at Brighton Pride, what else does Katy Bourne do?

Dannatt also used to be defence adviser to PM David Cameron

Lord Dannatt urged ministers to crack down on Palestine Action at request of US firm Police officer was concerned ex-army chief, a Teledyne adviser, sought to have ‘input’ into factory attack investigation

"A member of the House of Lords urged ministers to crack down on Palestine Action at the request of a US defence company that employs him as an adviser."

Dannatt also used to be defence adviser to PM David Cameron

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Whale dies after collision with small boat off New Jersey shore A minke whale has died off the New Jersey shore after colliding with a small boat. The incident occurred Saturday in Barnegat Bay and the impact nearly tipped the boat and threw a person overboard.

They did that “person collided with car and died” thing, but in the ocean.

No, the whale didn’t collide with a boat. A person driving a boat hit a whale and killed it.

Great news for Scotland. But does this mean that England and Wales will not do the same as they might be accused of copying the SNP

@andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social

If you're wondering who Reform's latest defector is, this 2011 profile by @chriscook.news is the one you need: www.ft.com/content/34bf...

Farage will help them pay less tax, not more

'I will certainly be fighting it' - Reform leader Nigel Farage voices opposition to government's 'racing tax' proposals

...and then says he will help them avoid paying tax

www.racingpost.com/news/britain...

More than fifty private schools shut since Labour put VAT on fees Department for Education defends ending tax breaks for independent institutions, after parents lost a legal battle at the High Court this year — view map

The headline here should say:

"Number of private schools increases by 35 - showing fears of an exodus to be unfounded".

(The increase is mentioned way down the article.)

www.thetimes.com/article/19ef...

Today's Express headline is a quote by Farage. The media just print it without asking why it will not stop the boats oand definitely do not push back by asking what Farage's policy is

He straight up, deliberately lies about demonstrable facts (the jobs revision happened before not after the election and Trump called it out at the time!) and no reporter challenges him on it. No
Sunday show host challenged his officials about his lies. He gets away with it.

Read the small print - Headline is by Nigel Farage, therefore it has not been subject to any scrutiny

Right to buy in England ‘fuelled housing crisis and cost taxpayers £200bn’ Common Wealth report calls discounted sales of council homes one of the ‘largest giveaways in UK history’

No Shit Sherlock!