Mad fact... 42% of Labour Prime Ministers have had to fire Peter Mandelson.

This Isn't Trading. It's Theft from Your Retirement. Someone keeps making perfectly-timed bets right before the President speaks. The victims are your pension, your 401(k), and the country I took an oath to defend.

Fifteen minutes before the President announced he was pausing strikes on Iran, somebody moved $500 million in oil futures. Somebody knew. Somebody told them. Or somebody is them.
New piece ↓
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...

“Palantir’s manifesto, which embraces AI state surveillance of citizens along with national service in the USA, is either a parody of a RoboCop film, or a disturbing narcissistic rant from an arrogant organisation,” said Martin Wrigley, a Lib Dem MP & member of the HofC science & technology SC

COVID vaccines tied to less hospital care, long COVID, and economic burden

In the UK the NHS is absolutely overwhelmed, but the government has tightened the eligibility criteria for free Covid vaccination to the point that only a small minority of the population is eligible. Offering free vaccination to everyone would be an easy win here

www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/cov...

Coachella is trying to wipe all of the footage of The Strokes protest set so I’m gonna post it here. The last images on the screen made me cry.

Israeli soldiers using sexual assault to force Palestinians out of West Bank, report says Experts say attacks, also carried out by settlers, are leading girls to quit school and enter early marriages

More than 70% of displaced Palestinian households in the occupied West Bank identified threats to women & children — particularly sexualised violence — as the decisive reason for leaving their communities.

Israel uses sexual violence as a weapon to force Palestinians from their homes
bit.ly/4cL01m2

The latest World Bank Damage and Need Assessment on #Gaza states that 'environmental collapse is intensifying health and livelihood risks', in particular from untreated waste water, waste burning, pollution from debris and UXOs.
Full report can be found here:

reliefweb.int/report/occup...

"The new OECD report is a rare attempt to quantify the impact of long COVID on both individuals and countries.

The researchers note that it’s no small feat because few countries actually track sufferers," writes @picardonhealth.bsky.social.

#GiftLink 🎁

www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/90e3098...

Nigel Farage vows to deport small boat migrants who were granted asylum Reform UK says it would review five years of claims, leaving up to 400,000 people potentially facing removal if the party wins power

Reform pledges to review the previous 5 years of asylum grants if got into power - deporting those granted refugee status if came without permission.

Reform claim 400,000 people granted asylum would be "in scope" - and they would deport most of them

www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

This week in Palestine:

- Israel continued its genocide in Gaza
- Israeli settlers raided a village in the West Bank
- Israel is allowing soldiers suspected of rape back on duty

🔗 Zeteo’s weekly roundup as Israel enforces violent crackdowns & apartheid across Palestine — zeteo.com/p/this-week-...

EXCLUSIVE: Documents Reveal US Contractor’s Modifications of Spy Plane Just Before Flights Over Gaza A US defense contractor flew spy planes over Gaza. FAA docs show Sierra Nevada Corporation installed a military air traffic control device and surveillance equipment before the plane’s deployment.

EXCLUSIVE:
"UK surveillance flights over Gaza were conducted with more US involvement than previously known, Federal Aviation Administration documents obtained by Zeteo reveal... [and] put the countries at risk of aiding and abetting war crimes, international legal experts told Zeteo."

Spat at, threatened and kidnapped: British Jews tell of rising antisemitism British Jews have described to BBC Panorama how they are experiencing a rise in antisemitism.

Yes. Netanyahu is bad, but nothing justifies this

For nearly two decades Scotland has poured tens of millions into the pockets of arms company shareholders via agencies like Scottish Enterprise.

The next Scottish government must do better.

📧 Email your candidates to demand an end to this pipeline of public funding: caat.org.uk/take-action/...

🚨 Today is the LAST day to register to vote!

Your landlord is voting.
Your boss is voting.
Make sure you vote as well.

No matter where you live in Scotland, you can vote @scottishgreens.org on your peach coloured ballot paper.

Take 2 mins to register now 👇

Start of spokes article #Holyrood2026 : Travelling Backwards The Holyrood election on 7 May is critical to active travel and wider transport policies and budgets for the next 5 years. Is there a local project being planned that you’re looking forward to? – in Edinburgh, say Meadows to George Street, or Portobello to Musselburgh? When and if such projects will happen depends largely on the existence and size of the Scottish Government active travel budget. Sadly and shockingly, in view of the climate crisis, the cost of living crisis, and the need for healthier lifestyles to help the NHS crisis this year’s manifestos mark a massive deterioration in active travel policies as compared to the 2021 election – or even 2016. This article includes an analysis of the various party manifestos, and lots of other relevant info. We will add more as it becomes available.

Table comparing AT investment promises in 2021 and 2026 manifestos. Sorry, tables don't come out well in ALT text! Key to tables below++Very good and/or best+good=mixed, unclear, or less good than other parties-poor (or unrealistic) - -very disappointing NNot in manifesto [N is generally disappointing, but depends on the issue, so think!] Page numbers shown are to pages of each party’s 2026 manifesto 2026 v 2021 comparison of AT Investment manifesto commitments Sadly and shockingly, in view of the climate crisis, the cost of living crisis, and the need for healthier lifestyles to help the NHS crisis the 2026 manifestos mark a massive deterioration in active travel policies as compared to the 2021 election – or even 2016. Only the Greens, and to a lesser extent the Lib Dems, retain positive approaches. Whilst this applies to many policies and promises, the astonishing contrast is seen clearly in this comparative table on the top issue, active travel investment AT Investment Conservative Green Labour LibDem Reform SNP 2021 manifestos [AT funding then was approx £116m, roughly 3.5% of total transport] + 10% by 2026 ++ £320m immediately [approx 10%] rising further + 10% [unclear if soon or by 2026] = “aim” to double existing [this would be approx 7%] N/A = 10% of “capital” bgt by 2026 [BUT this is less of the total transport bgt] 2026 manifestos [AT funding is now approx £163m, roughly 3.9% of total transport] - - p35; p75 cut the AT budget; end ring-fenced cash to councils ++ p26 at least 10%; multi-year funding N = p66 “Invest in active travel for the first and last mile” - - p11 End ring-fenced cash to councils = p64 £2.5m for bike repair; new fund for outdoor recreation paths

Table of party manifesto comparisons (page 1) 2026 manifesto overall comparisons Note that the manifestos include more transport policies/promises than are shown here, particularly on walk, bus and rail. We hope this table includes most of the items directly relevant to cycling, as well as some relevant wider transport issues. Also, note that if something is not in a manifesto, it doesn’t mean it won’t happen, though it is less likely to. Issue Conservative Green Labour LibDem Reform SNP AT Investment [from above table] - - ++ N = - - = Extent of cycle/AT routes/networks ambition - - p36 “End the obsession with cycle lanes” Cycle lanes only ok if not using road or pavement space ++ p26 “national blueprint of walking, cycle and wheeling networks“; faster Council AT project delivery N + p66 “Investing in active travel for the first and last mile” = p23 Rural Scotland: “support outdoor recreation ... cycling … with accessible paths” = p64 outdoor recreation paths fund; no Roseburn tram; support Powderhall AT path [see note 3 below] Is AT recognised and supported as a public health measure - p57 Only considers leisure centres & sport + p163 “space to walk, run, play, wheel and cycle is a right not a privilege” N ++ p33 & p61 “Supporting wellbeing by making it easier for people to use active travel” N N Neighbourhoods / Car-free lifestyles N + p118 “Support local living and 20-minute nbd approaches” N + p52 New towns “prioritising features such as rail links.. and 20-minute nbds” N N Disincentivise car use/ Demand management - - p35 “End the war on drivers”; No targets; stop any Workplace Parking levies or congestion charging ++ p22 Seek road-user taxation powers for Scotland ++ p33 Levy on out-oftown retail, to support towns + p89 Business rates replaced by a new levy favouring town centre retail & hospitality = p73 “Moving all forms of transport away from fossil fuels” – But carrotsonly approach - - p21 “End the war on the car“ N 20mph - p36 20mph only ok where locals…

Table of party manifestos (page 2) Potholes - - p33 Fund pothole filling by cutting (scrapping?) the AT budget N + (or - -) p49 £350m fund [see note 1 below] + p64 “fair funding” for councils; use of new technology + p21 “Fix potholes” + p72 “up to £350m” for potholes & resurfacing Air pollution including Low Emission Zones - - p36 Halt more LEZs and reduce fines in existing ++ p118 expand LEZs, plus stronger monitoring N - - p21 Abolish LEZs N Transport integration, with respect to active travel = p38 Rail, bus & tram integration; no mention of walk/ bike + p22, p26 Better AT links to public transport; All new rail, bus, tram to carry bikes N N N N Road building - - p34 New law to fasttrack trunk road upgrades; dual A9 by 2031; many other trunk projects + p22 Future-proof roads like A83 vulnerable to climate change; no mention of expansion - - p49 Dual A9 by 2035, look into dualling A77 and A75, & create National Roads Plan - - p64 Dual A9 & A96; - - p21 “plan to upgrade major trunk roads” [see note 2 below] - - p71 Dual A9 by 2035, also parts of A96; and consider A75, A77 Air travel taxation ADT= Air departure tax - - p39 oppose any new taxes; reduce long-haul tax ++ p34 frequent flyer levy; private jet tax; more.. N + p66 Higher tax for private jet passengers N + p27 private jet tax; including for ‘ghost’ flights USP – unique selling points (good and bad!) picked out by Spokes - - p33 1. AT schemes are “ideological projects” 2. ban bikes in all pedestrian areas + p16, p156 Universal rail card; £2 max bus fares + p122 Council powers to enforce traffic contraventions + p55 “Crush illegal e-bikes, using drones to track & trace unlicensed bikes” + p64 ”Dangerous Roads Programme“ - - p21 “End the war on the car“ + p38 £2 bus fare cap [1] Labour £350m pothole fund. The manifesto does not say where the money would come from. In early campaign speeches Anas Sarwar had said it would be from cutting Active Travel funding. On our estimate this would mean a 40% cut on curre…

#Holyrood2026 #SP26

Our #manifesto analysis
--> www.spokes.org.uk/2026/04/holy...

We looked at #activetravel, mainly 🚲, and some related transport/environment, but not at 🚌🚆

1 Greens, excellent
2 LibDem, positive in a fairly modest way
3= Labour & SNP, poor
5 Reform, bad
6 Conservative, terrible

⭕️ Israel has committed 2,492 violations of the Gaza ceasefire since October, averaging 13.1 per day, according to a report shared by the Palestinian side with mediators and obtained by Drop Site News Six incidents were recorded on Saturday alone, including Israeli forces shooting and killing a civilian near tents of displaced persons north of Rafah, intensive gunfire near Beit Lahia, and the explosive demolition of residential buildings in Al-Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City. Since the “ceasefire”, 775 Palestinians have been killed — including 207 children, 86 women, and 21 elderly — and 2,171 wounded, of whom more than half are children, women, or elderly. Israel also continues to hold approximately 34 square kilometers beyond agreed withdrawal lines and has blocked repairs to electricity, water, and sewage infrastructure. Aid and movement restrictions remain severe: Aid Entry ▪️ Only ~38% of agreed humanitarian aid has entered — ~228 trucks per day vs. 600 agreed ▪️ Fuel deliveries at just 14.8% of required levels Rafah Crossing ▪️ Rafah crossing fully closed on the reported day ▪️Only 3,150 of 11,600 planned crossings carried out (~27%) ▪️ Medical and humanitarian travel is effectively blocked

⭕️ Israel has committed 2,492 violations of the Gaza ceasefire since Oct., averaging 13.1 per day, according to a report shared by the Palestinian side with mediators & obtained by Drop Site News

6 incidents were recorded on Sat. alone, including Israeli forces shooting & killing a civilian near...

Scottish Government ‘rolling out red carpet’ for UAE despite Sudan war allegations and human rights record Documents show deputy first minister did not raise human rights once on trip to Gulf state accused of fuelling Sudan’s brutal war.

This is a disgraceful way for SNP Government Ministers to operate internationally.
It’s not who we are.
www.theferret.scot/scottish-gov...

Federal judge unloads on ‘unserious’ RFK Jr., says anti-trans policy showed his ‘cruelty’ Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai vacated the “Kennedy Declaration,” finding it unlawfully attempted to override medical standards and restrict care for transgender youth.

Breaking: HHS’s ban on gender-affirming care is struck down. Rarely have I read a ruling this sharply worded.

“This case is one of a long list of examples of how a leader’s wanton disregard for the rule of law causes very real harm to very real people.”

www.advocate.com/politics/nat...

Housing Not Handcuffs - Louisiana advances bill to funnel homeless people into forced treatment and unpaid labor This bill requires homeless people to pay for the very treatment they are forced into. And if the person cannot pay the cost of treatment, this bill requires them to perform unpaid labor for the…

BREAKING: Louisiana has advanced one of the cruelest anti-homeless bills in the country. It would force homeless people to choose between jail and involuntary treatment, make them pay for it, and if they can't pay, force them to perform unpaid labor. buff.ly/d6rXj5h

Surely one of the key principles of Eastern Orthodoxy is that there is no single Boss Patriarch, but that Constantinople, Moscow, Jerusalem, etc. are all co-equal?

Yet another ICE inmate death is ruled a homicide by medical examiners.

Liberals will tell you that shaming fascists somehow prevents the authentic dialogue that would make them change. Meanwhile, fascists themselves say that one of the things that most discourages them from carrying on as fascists is feeling the utter contempt and revulsion of everyday people.

Protect civilians - keep landmines banned Landmines are coming back to Europe - quietly. Countries like Poland and Finland are moving toward producing and using them. Others could follow. These weapons don’t disappear after wars end - they ke...

While banned by a treaty, landmines are coming back to Europe. Countries like Poland are already moving toward using them. Others may follow. They don’t stop killing when wars end. We can still stop this, but we need to act now.
Petition: action.wemove.eu/sign/2026-04...

All of his businesses and property should be nationalized and dissolved and he should be stripped of literally every single asset and dollar. Put him in public housing and let him live off of whatever UBI the next Congress passes.

Because capitalist firms must continue to achieve valuations or dividend payouts at an ever increasing rate, merely generating profits is considered failure, and these firms will be targeted for sell-offs or takeovers. It doesn’t matter if you make a good product at a good price; in fact it’s not even necessary to have a real product. Many startups with huge valuations had completely fabricated products (theranos), illegal products (YieldStar), products based entirely on insider trading (prop betting) or pump and dump scams (meme coins), or unworkable business models that required a decade of massive subsidies in order to put market competitors out of business so they could achieve monopoly status and jack up prices (Uber, AirBnb).

Shana Marshall may have written the best description of late capitalism with US characteristics I have ever seen:

www.securityincontext.org/posts/a-viol...

Photo of the South of Scotland regional ballot paper for the Scottish election on 7th May 2026. Added text identifies the "INDEPENDENT GREEN VOICE" as "NOT the Green Party" and "SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY" as "The actual Green Party".

Anyone who received their postal ballot today in the South of Scotland region, please be aware that "Independent Green Voice", which appears second on the list on the peach regional ballot paper, is NOT the Scottish Green Party. This is in fact a deliberate vote spoiling attempt by right-wingers.

Revealed: Mandelson failed vetting but Foreign Office overruled decision Guardian investigation uncovers decision by UK security officials to deny clearance before Mandelson took up role as US ambassador

No10’s account is incredible.
I held Developed Vetting for nearly ten years and spent three years at the heart of the Cabinet Office. I have never heard of a Developed Vetting denial being overruled. Here’s why…🧵

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

Palestinian Prisoner’s Day: What happened in Palestine on April 17, 1971? Nearly 10,000 men, women and children are held in Israeli prisons, a third without charge or trial.

Israel has killed more than 100 Palestinian prisoners since it began its genocide in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.

Today, #PalestinianPrisonersDay, 9500+ Palestinians are being held as political prisoners by Israel.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/...

Lebanon: Israeli Bridge Attack a Potential War Crime The Israeli military's destruction of the Qasmieh bridge on April 16, 2026 effectively cut off Lebanese territory south of the Litani river from the rest of the country.

NEW: The Israeli military’s destruction of the Qasmieh bridge on April 16, which took place hours before a ceasefire was announced, threatens to cut off Lebanese territory south of the Litani River from the rest of the country.

We’re fighting for transparency over Palantir NHS briefing documents | Good Law Project Wes Streeting is refusing to publish documents that will provide the truth about the risks of Palantir’s systems for handling our health records, so we’re fighting back

In public, Wes Streeting is furiously back-pedaling from his earlier Palantir cheerleading.

But in private he is refusing to let us see what civil servants told him about Palantir

So, with @petergeoghegan.bsky.social, we are taking him to court to try and force him to hand over the briefings.