Neil Drysdale

It’s just exhausting. And not a word about how Iran is now ruled by the even more hardline 56-year-old son of the previous dictator. So what exactly has this war achieved?

So he’s surrendering without accomplishing any of his stated objectives while declaring victory. Exactly what we said would happen.

In contrast to the coverup of the EPSTEIN crimes here in America, there are ongoing investigations in the UK, France, Turkey, Poland, Latvia & Lithuania that is sure to expose his central, filthy role in the largest crimes against humanity case in world history. #AccountabilityIsComing

There's the usual hand-wringing about the awful scenes at the end of yesterday's match at Ibrox. The police are complaining, politicians are up in arms and Rangers and Celtic, meanwhile, have said nothing. Why not kick them out of next year's Scottish Cup? Why? Because the TV people won't like it!

So far the war on Iran has cost $9.4 billion.

That's $1 billion per day.

$41,666,667 per hour.

$11,574 per second.

Thousands of lives lost.

People don't want this. They want a living wage. They want healthcare. They want to be able to afford a home. They want their basic needs met.

The news today is straight from 40 or 50 years ago. A pointless war raging across the Middle East, accompanied by talk of a ground invasion of Iran, while in Scotland, the idiocy of Old Firm “fans” brought us a ground invasion with its own toxicity and sectarian hatred. Some things never change!

Donald Trump’s Presidency Is in Free Fall Republicans typically lead on the economy, national security, and immigration. Trump is squandering the GOP’s traditional strength on all three.

Trump is in serious trouble. His war is deeply unpopular. He's now in the toilet on the economy, immigration, and national security. His public standing is getting close to being broken in an irreparable way, akin to Bush after Iraq and Katrina:
newrepublic.com/article/2074...

Two firefighters resting, sitting on the plinth of the "Citizen Firefighter" statue.

Quite an image on the BBC live page (www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...; no photographer credited).

Sounds as if they've saved the station and the hotel, and more importantly, without loss of life.

Citizens; heroes.

the president has no idea what he has set in motion. none.

www.wsj.com/livecoverage...

The first lesson of war is ‘know your enemy’ – and Britain’s enemy now is Donald Trump | Simon Tisdall As the Iran disaster escalates, the US president should be seen as an enemy whose actions threaten the lawful, democratic way of life everywhere, says Guardian foreign affairs commentator Simon Tisdal...

“They (Bibi & Trump) should both be sanctioned by the UK and all other governments that still respect the UN charter, human rights and the rule of law.”

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

It turns out the U.S. did a “double tap” attack just as emergency responders were arriving at the girls’ elementary school. This is what the Russians do routinely in Ukraine.

That’s a war crime under international humanitarian law.

The King is supposed to be visiting the USA *next month*. This is the definition of a diplomatic nightmare. In all seriousness, I would urge him to pull a sickie.

'One year of failure.' The Lancet slams RFK Jr.'s first year as health chief In a scathing review, the top US medical journal's editorial board warned that the "destruction that Kennedy has wrought in 1 in office might take generations to repair."

In a scathing review, the top US medical journal's editorial board warned that the "destruction that Kennedy has wrought in 1 in office might take generations to repair."

Tote bag printed on one side with names, in order of Christian name, of 54 writers. My name, as 'S.G. MacLean' on 2nd bottom line, in between 'Robert Burns' and 'Shena Mackay'.

'Read Scotland' bag from The Highland Bookshop in Fort William. So many of my favourite writers on here (I would add Andrew Greig and Iain Crichton Smith and some others). You could not pay me enough money to get this bag off me.

Just fascinating to see Blair, a man whose reputation was ruined by the Iraq war, advocate joining a war that is exponentially stupider and more chaotic. How is it possible to learn nothing from the worst mistake of your life?

Sickens me that these men are in my city…

Amazon pulls sponsorship from Paris book festival after booksellers’ association boycott Syndicat de la Librairie Française accused online retailer of trying to ‘flood the market with fake AI-generated books’

Solidarity with Frenck booksellers and readers. ✊

Always obvious to me when visiting that this is a country that loves books and now is the time for fighting for what you love and believe in if you want it to survive.

YouTube video by dark magus | in love Donald Fagen feat. David Sanborn - The Finer Things (1982)

youtu.be/r0F83sMAjJ4

YouTube video by PrefabSproutVEVO Prefab Sprout - Hey Manhattan! (Official Video)

I love this band and I love this song. Paddy McAloon is a genius! youtu.be/VDDJPbWq22E

YouTube video by Al Jarreau - Topic Midnight Sun

Tollak Ollestad is a wonderful harmonica player. This song sends goose pimples up my spine! youtu.be/VBo6ONAgtDc

Yip!

Absolutely agree!!

Absolutely agree!!

What a result. Taxi for Borthwick!

I shouldn’t be supporting Italy as they pursue their first-ever win over England. But I’m sitting here cheering them on like a maniac. They have been so good today after Scotland dazzled against France. Come on the Azurri!!

Edinburgh's folly, from Holyrood park

It just puts things back in France’s hands, though. If they beat England with a bonus point, they’ll virtually win the championship unless we annihilate Ireland. Incredible to think it’s just a month today since Scots lost to Italy!

Just a pity they couldn’t keep it up for the last 10 minutes! But still, a huge win, even if 50-40 flatters the visitors!

50 points against the French for the first time in history. What a display and I’m confident we’ll beat Ireland next week - if we maintain our discipline!