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Liz Webster: This 👇 Mandelson development just changed the game…

This 👇 Mandelson development just changed the game. The EU’s anti-fraud office (OLAF) is now investigating possible misconduct during his time as European Trade Commissioner. This is no longer just a UK political story. It internationalises the scandal. Suddenly we have an independent European body with its own powers, evidence thresholds, and access to documents from outside direct UK government or parliamentary control. That means: 💥 Less exposure to No.10 pressure 💥 Different scrutiny and timelines 💥 The story can’t be fully managed or contained domestically. Even if Whitehall withholds files, OLAF can request them. This is an investigation, not a conviction. It focuses on his EU commissioner years (2004–2008), including alleged favouritism and leaks. But the timing couldn’t be worse for Starmer. The gremlin project was always about elite networking across borders. Now that networking is coming under external investigation both here (Met Police) and in Europe (OLAF).

Pouria Zeraati: Important/ It was predictable…

Important/ It was predictable; Trump has for now backed off from negotiations: 'I just canceled my representatives' trip to Islamabad to meet with the Iranians. Too much time would be spent on travel, there's a lot of work to do! On top of that, there's severe infighting and confusion within their "leadership." No one knows who's in charge, not even themselves. The winning cards are in our hands, they've got nothing! If they want to talk, the only thing they need to do is pick up the phone!'

Andrew Bridgen: I have believed that Europe is planning and pushing…

I have believed that Europe is planning and pushing for a war with Russia for the last 3 years. Below is the Russian assessment of the current situation. I think it’s accurate. ❗️ Lavrov: Europe Prepares for War, Uses Ukraine as the "Spearhead" In an annual "reality check" with Russian NGO leaders in Moscow (April 24, 2026), Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered his most sobering assessment yet. The era of "proxy hybridity" is over—the masks are off. Key Takeaways from the Briefing: ⚔️ ated bluntly that the EU is mobilizing for a direct military confrontation with Russia. In this strategy, Ukraine is being used as a "battering ram" to bleed Russia dry and buy Europe the time it needs to fully rearm its industrial base over the next few years. 🛰 Direct Warfare: The Minister emphasized that without NATO satellite intelligence and Western officers on the ground, Kiev would be paralyzed. This is no longer a "proxy" conflict; it is an open war against Russia. 🛡 NGOs as the "Counter-Offensive": As the world undergoes a "geopolitical break," Russian civil society is being tasked as a primary "soft power" force. MFA promises to support projects in Asia and Africa. Lavrov's Quote: "An open war has been declared against us. The Kiev regime is merely the 'spearhead' being used to buy them time. They couldn't be any more obvious." The Bottom Line: The Russian diplomatic corps has shifted from a "negotiation" posture to a "mobilization" one. Moscow is signaling that it is preparing for a long-term, high-stakes endurance match with a militarized Europe. @AussieCossack

Andrew Feinstein: Please come to hustings for local election…

Please come to hustings for local election candidates in Somers Town, Camden - Starmer’s constituency. The Camden People’s Alliance has 3 great local candidates representing the politics of my campaign against Starmer: no to austerity, no to constantly increasing defence spending; yes to affordable properly maintained social & council housing, more for the NHS, our schools & care homes. No to benefits for corporations & the super rich; yes to benefits increasing in line with inflation. No to cosy relationships with billionaire donors & corporations, yes to serving the community’s real needs. No support for genocide! Let’s get rid of Starmer’s Labour

Andrew Bridgen: Apparently the UK based 'Center 4 Countering Digital Hate'…

Apparently the UK based 'Center 4 Countering Digital Hate' (CCDH) founded by Keir Starmer’s top advisor Morgan McSweeney is officially listed as a partner in 'Change the Terms coalition' with Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). Who I posted about earlier this week and who @Kash_Patel just busted for funding the KKK and other neo-Nazi groups. That will take a bit of explaining !

David Icke: He's the elephant on the sofa…

He's the elephant on the sofa, but his gutless cabinet and a gutless majority on Capitol Hill look on and do nothing while the US is (at least officially) headed by a deranged mind that dismantles by the hour with potentially catastrophic consequences for humanity. Biden followed by Trump should tell you that the Cult can put anyone into office that it wants - like two demented presidents of different parties one after the other. But don't worry. A few people can't control the world. It's not possible. Right?

Daniel Lacalle: Things are very different today…

Things are very different today from 2008, 2018, or even 2022. US dollar strength is mitigating inflationary pressures in the United States. The strong correlation between oil prices and the US dollar limits the impact of geopolitical risks. The US is now a net exporter of oil and natural gas, making America a shock absorber, not a shock amplifier. Import prices in dollars are significantly better than in other developed economies. Graphs via Bloomberg

Cameron Hudson: To clarify my commentary…

To clarify my commentary, my opposition is not to lifting sanctions on Eritrea, per se. There is a logic to it. Isaias is an important and powerful actor in a region of growing strategic importance. My issue is the manner in which such decisions get made. Yes there are upsides But there are also many potential downsides. A decision to lift sanctions cannot be considered in a vacuum as they might have been a few years ago. This is not simply a bilateral matter any more. Beyond that, I question the Administration’s own logic. Engagement without a strategy can be self-defeating. And I don’t believe we have a well articulated Horn or Red Sea strategy. And also, if Trump’s diplomacy is transactional then what do we get for lifting these sanctions? I understand what Isaias and Sisi get, but it’s not clear what the US gets. Isaias is not going to reform internally, he isn’t going to give the US a base. And even if he promised those things, why on earth would we trust him? He has survived through alliance building and then abandonment. Why would now be any different? My commentary was intended to create public debate around all these questions because discussions make for better policies and better outcomes for everyone. Secret talks suggest the US and Boulos are not interested in public debates. We can do better. ✌️

Ayesha Ijaz Khan: I think Iran made a mistake by not showing up…

I think Iran made a mistake by not showing up to the second round of talks in Islamabad. But I don’t think Iran owed it to Pakistan to show up. And don’t consider it an affront if it didn’t. Also don’t think the answer to this is to actively jump into an anti-Iran alliance. Pakistan’s interest is served by remaining neutral and remaining a peacemaker. The negative propaganda notwithstanding.

Wolfgang Munchau: Now that Viktor Orbán is out of the picture…

Now that Viktor Orbán is out of the picture, and the €90bn loan to Ukraine agreed, the really difficult part still lies ahead. The EU unity over Ukraine is fractious. Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia will not be part of the loan. Further down the line, we will see whether Poland, for example, is ready to become a net contributor to the EU budget, or whether France and Germany are ready to increase their net contributions further. Zelensky is right to reject the membership-light option as a symbolic scam. But real membership is outside any foreseeable time horizon. http://eurointelligence.com

Liz Webster: Starmer’s EU reset is running out of time and momentum…

Starmer’s EU reset is running out of time and momentum, it is more of a tactical survival than genuine strategic pivot. Despite Starmer’s stronger language the reset remains very limited by his unworkable red lines. The July summit package (SPS/food checks, carbon pricing link, possible youth mobility) is expected to deliver only 0.3% GDP boost over 15 years; a tiny fraction of the 4–8% Brexit hit estimated by economists. EU officials are sceptical and frustrated: they see it as “old wine in new bottles” - Britain still wants cherry-picking without paying (budget contributions) or conceding on movement. Industry welcomes small steps but warns it’s nowhere near enough. The reset is hampered by slow negotiations, bureaucratic resistance and competing UK priorities ESPECIALLY the US 🇺🇸 deals. Internal Labour pressure is growing for a bolder approach (including from figures like David Lammy), but Starmer is constrained by politics. Polling shows shifting public opinion, majority want closer ties or even rejoining, but Starmer’s caution risks pleasing no one. ⚠️ 🚩 Analysts @anandMenon1 , Sir Ivan Rogers, @CER_Grant warn the status quo is unsustainable and time is running out for any meaningful pivot. 🔗

Pouria Zeraati: One point…

One point: Iraqchi's negotiations with Witkoff/Kushner are unlikely to lead anywhere. In Tehran, the decision-making system is locked up, and I heard from sources in Israel that Mojtaba either doesn't respond to messages or sends vague replies. Contacting him has become significantly harder than in previous days, which means the IRGC has control in hand. The fact that the IRGC's mouthpieces are saying Iraqchi isn't going to meet with the Americans in Pakistan is also indicative of this same state of uncertainty. These conditions will likely lead to the resumption of the next round of attacks aimed at [primarily] neutralizing countermeasures. The military transfers in recent days and the arrival of the USS George Bush in the CENTCOM command area show that the threat of attack isn't just a bluff...

Andrew Feinstein: Well said @ZackPolanski…

Well said @ZackPolanski Starmer & his reactionary ilk believe that only Jews who share their odious politics r worth caring about. This is a natural consequence of their weaponisation of antisemitism for their own factional political purposes. Their belief that all Jews should have the same attitude towards Israel is offensive. Jews have always prided ourselves on our diversity of thought & opinion
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