On any given day, you might as well roll a die to predict whether Donald Trump is going to claim total victory; imminent victory; a negotiated ceasefire; an imminent ceasefire; new attacks; crucial negotiations or imminent crucial negotiations. The only certainty is that he’ll be lying.
This man introduced me, and I’m sure many others, to a cornucopia of musical goodness. Travel on well AK.
Former Radio 1 DJ and Live Aid presenter Andy Kershaw dies aged 66 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
That this analysis fails to be seen and recorded by the vast majority of commentators and journalists, should be a surprise but then again…..
If, as is probably truth of matter, Mandelson was to be appointed Ambassador, come what may, because Trump was a sui generis problem which needed addressing in a sui generis way - a Trump-whisperer - then PM should just say that.
The faultlines are developing from pretending that was not the case.
1/6 🧵The Pope has put his finger on Trump’s greatest weakness on foreign policy. With his narcissistic delusion of omnipotence, he doesn’t understand how Great Powers maintain hegemony. Along with Hegseth he thinks it’s all a matter of brute force. Alliances, diplomacy & soft power are ‘woke’.
The perfect riposte. 👏🏻
These letters are excellent, detailing recordable facts leaving the reader to make their own assessment of the content. It’s easy to conclude from the facts that Trump’s is the worst administration in US history.
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/april-12-2...
Oh happy day. 😀
Orban defeated: Good morning and goddamn it's a beautiful day
open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...
‘A profoundly shameful episode in American history…’
Presenting the reopening the Strait of Hormuz as a victory is like the Greeks failing to take Troy but celebrating the safe return of their wooden horse
Holiday advice: It's pleasant to get a train to Europe. You just have to turn travelling into a core part of the holiday - lunch in Paris, dinner in Bordeaux, trip to Spain, week on beach etc. It's limiting, but very enjoyable & decent alternative to a flight you won't be able to afford by summer.
The spectacular film adaptation of my book Underland is in cinemas as of Friday.
More details at: www.underlandfilm.com
Working on more screenings in Scotland, Wales & NI.
I’ve just got back from a week in Washington DC, where Iran War main topic of discussion. I was struck by how the weakness of the administration means that it is ill equipped to deal south a crisis of this magnitude. samf.substack.com/p/trump-runs...
Finally, yesterday, back on the bike. 😀
Keep away from Trumpland for now.
Former public prosecutor Nazir Afzal on the speed at which the police have acted on Andrew's misconduct allegations compared to the Epstein trafficking allegations:
"When the state is the alleged victim, the state moves at pace. When women are the alleged victims, the state takes its time"
@mrhenrymorris.substack.com, bang on form. A wonderful dissection of the appalling Jenrick.
No idea whether Andrew will end up in jail. But it's a cause for celebration that the law remains sovereign in Britain.
There is hope of accountability. Well worth read.
More sunshine. Bolton Abbey looking fetching.
A small dose of winter this morning. A wander around Conistone along a short section of the #DalesWay. Distinctly monochrome.
