General News Thread

[Free Falling Foxes]

7 hours ago, Jattdogg said:

Finally got Charlie boy on a note over here. Interesting reveal date as my british passport was delivered today.

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/bank-of-canada-king-charles-new-bill-9.7330784

Very unusual for a banknote to have a 'portrait' as opposed to the usual 'landscape' orientation.

Looks good

Edited 4 September by Free Falling Foxes

[leicsmac]

9 hours ago, Thefox81 said:

Well done channel 4 😁. Of course its going to be denied and they will attempt to wriggle out of it.

 

8 hours ago, Benji said:

Sadly people don’t care.  Thats the reality.  People turning a blind eye to corruption in plain sight globally in politics, business and now sport.  He’ll weasel out of it, a few on camera will resign and he’ll go on some anti establishment rant which his people will lap up. 

 

8 hours ago, Sampson said:

Sadly agree. Everyone already knows that Farage is allegedly heavily financially backed by Russia and the US, this won't change his voters' minds who don't care about it. 

 

Same way that everyone knows Jenrick allegedly really wants to oust Farage to become Reform leader, just as he allegedly did with Badennoch.

It will come down to whether the Parliamentary Ethics Committee (or whichever other overseeing body) will be able to take action based on this new evidence.

 

Of course what's happened really isn't going to sway public opinion either way; it's whether it's enough for a punishable offence. 

[Zear0]

Another establishment hit job I presume?

[Free Falling Foxes]

Nepal rescue

Isn't this great news amongst the devastation .  

[leicsmac]

17 minutes ago, Zear0 said:

Another establishment hit job I presume?

That's pretty much what they're saying:

“Reform UK has been the target of a hoax perpetuated by foreign-funded, climate change activists posing as would-be party donors. The party denies any wrongdoing. 

“Reform UK has a robust vetting process for prospective donors approved by the Electoral Commission. We also have written KC legal opinion showing no laws have been broken. A private individual paid for polling to a private company and the private company gave it to national newspapers. This would only need to be declared if it were internal polling.

“The hoaxers are ‘Verbatim Investigations’; a new company, incorporated in July 2026 in an attempt to mask their true identity: the Center for Climate Reporting (CCR). The methods of its founder, Lawrence Carter, have previously been rebuked by members of the United States Congress for “videos [that] appear to be substantially edited, creating an incomplete record of the conversation.

“The group has partnered with the publicly-owned Channel 4 in an attempt to mislead the public about the party’s donations and vetting processes. The same group, led by Greenpeace’s Lawrence Carter and far-left activist Louis Wilson, were busted attempting a similar hoax in the U.S. at the end of last year. This is yet another establishment attack on Reform UK. 

“While Reform UK denies all wrongdoing in relation to the Channel 4 hit job this evening, as a matter of course, the Party is launching an internal investigation regarding the circumstances surrounding the broadcast”

 

Fellas... surely you could just have said, on film, "I'm sorry, what you're proposing is illegal?" rather than bragging about it?

[leicsmac]

Also, random net one-liner:

 

"You wonder why Farage likes Guinness - after all, it's black and you have to let it settle."

[Brizzle Fox]

20 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

That's pretty much what they're saying:

“Reform UK has been the target of a hoax perpetuated by foreign-funded, climate change activists posing as would-be party donors. The party denies any wrongdoing. 

“Reform UK has a robust vetting process for prospective donors approved by the Electoral Commission. We also have written KC legal opinion showing no laws have been broken. A private individual paid for polling to a private company and the private company gave it to national newspapers. This would only need to be declared if it were internal polling.

“The hoaxers are ‘Verbatim Investigations’; a new company, incorporated in July 2026 in an attempt to mask their true identity: the Center for Climate Reporting (CCR). The methods of its founder, Lawrence Carter, have previously been rebuked by members of the United States Congress for “videos [that] appear to be substantially edited, creating an incomplete record of the conversation.

“The group has partnered with the publicly-owned Channel 4 in an attempt to mislead the public about the party’s donations and vetting processes. The same group, led by Greenpeace’s Lawrence Carter and far-left activist Louis Wilson, were busted attempting a similar hoax in the U.S. at the end of last year. This is yet another establishment attack on Reform UK. 

“While Reform UK denies all wrongdoing in relation to the Channel 4 hit job this evening, as a matter of course, the Party is launching an internal investigation regarding the circumstances surrounding the broadcast”

 

Fellas... surely you could just have said, on film, "I'm sorry, what you're proposing is illegal?" rather than bragging about it?

Another bloody left wing hoax....

 

Such a hoax that 2 senior officials have resigned overnight...

 

Such a shame as well, as that Orr chap seems like such a lovely chap. Hopefully his wife is praying for him.

[Lionator]

I see that maniac in Argentina is proving that it truly is the best place in the world for cocaine. 

[leicsmac]

3 minutes ago, Lionator said:

I see that maniac in Argentina is proving that it truly is the best place in the world for cocaine. 

Well, judging by his past words and actions he's been high on his own supply since before he took power tbh. 

[st albans fox]

25 minutes ago, Lionator said:

I see that maniac in Argentina is proving that it truly is the best place in the world for cocaine. 

 

21 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

Well, judging by his past words and actions he's been high on his own supply since before he took power tbh. 

He’s clearly been encouraged by trump

Argentinian sanctions are unlikely to be much of a problem to the energy companies extracting oil from the south atlantic 

 

i do wonder if trump’s attitude towards the falklands is linked to what we do on chagos.  Burnham seems intent on going ahead which will annoy the ‘orange one’.  He had said that our inability to help out in the straits of Hormuz means he’s less inclined to take our side if Argentina decide to really raise the stakes.  (Which I think unlikely) 

[Lionator]

10 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

 

He’s clearly been encouraged by trump

Argentinian sanctions are unlikely to be much of a problem to the energy companies extracting oil from the south atlantic 

 

i do wonder if trump’s attitude towards the falklands is linked to what we do on chagos.  Burnham seems intent on going ahead which will annoy the ‘orange one’.  He had said that our inability to help out in the straits of Hormuz means he’s less inclined to take our side if Argentina decide to really raise the stakes.  (Which I think unlikely) 

I don’t know much about the state of the Argentine navy but it wouldn’t be a bad time to try it. Most of our troops are keeping half an eye on Russia and know if it kicks off in Europe, the Falklands would be a sitting duck. 

[st albans fox]

4 minutes ago, Lionator said:

I don’t know much about the state of the Argentine navy but it wouldn’t be a bad time to try it. Most of our troops are keeping half an eye on Russia and know if it kicks off in Europe, the Falklands would be a sitting duck. 

They managed it easily last time 

we can’t realistically defend the territory against a full invasion by Argentina 

 

But they’d be gambling that we’d not take on kicking them out like last time. Clearly we don’t have the resources we had back then. Away from the sabre rattling it’s an interesting situation.  Could be that milei just wants a share of the energy pie. 

[surrifox]

55 minutes ago, Lionator said:

I see that maniac in Argentina is proving that it truly is the best place in the world for cocaine. 

He may be an actual were wolf 

[bovril]

I think probably there's a feeling among some in the America that due to demographic and cultural change the UK is now ideologically opposed to the US and Argentina is a more natural and useful ally. We probably should get used to it. 

[leicsmac]

3 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

 

He’s clearly been encouraged by trump

Argentinian sanctions are unlikely to be much of a problem to the energy companies extracting oil from the south atlantic 

 

i do wonder if trump’s attitude towards the falklands is linked to what we do on chagos.  Burnham seems intent on going ahead which will annoy the ‘orange one’.  He had said that our inability to help out in the straits of Hormuz means he’s less inclined to take our side if Argentina decide to really raise the stakes.  (Which I think unlikely) 

Right, the Argentinians won't escalate because they know they would lose again in the end if they acted alone.

 

What Felon#47 and his bunch of sheisskopfen think about this should be immaterial unless he actually chooses to aid Argentina in the event of actual war. And if that happens... well, at least everyone would know exactly where the US stands these days and there would be no "special relationship" figleaf to hide behind anymore. 

[leicsmac]

6 minutes ago, bovril said:

I think probably there's a feeling among some in the America that due to demographic and cultural change the UK is now ideologically opposed to the US and Argentina is a more natural and useful ally. We probably should get used to it. 

Quite possibly, but that could all change again after the next US and Argentinian elections. 

[Innovindil]

14 minutes ago, Lionator said:

I don’t know much about the state of the Argentine navy but it wouldn’t be a bad time to try it. Most of our troops are keeping half an eye on Russia and know if it kicks off in Europe, the Falklands would be a sitting duck. 

Spoiler, it's dog shit. Essentially 0 aircraft carriers, 0 active subs, 3 "destroyers" built in the 80's.

 

A fraction of the royal navy slams it with little effort.

[surrifox]

7 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

They managed it easily last time 

we can’t realistically defend the territory against a full invasion by Argentina 

 

But they’d be gambling that we’d not take on kicking them out like last time. Clearly we don’t have the resources we had back then. Away from the sabre rattling it’s an interesting situation.  Could be that milei just wants a share of the energy pie. 

The current British garrison on the islands supported by RAF and naval assets and modern missile defence systems would make the place a much tougher nut to crack than the 30 or so lightly armed marines in 1982 . Presumably this is a better alternative to assembling a task force as a deterrent 

[Zear0]

18 minutes ago, surrifox said:

The current British garrison on the islands supported by RAF and naval assets and modern missile defence systems would make the place a much tougher nut to crack than the 30 or so lightly armed marines in 1982 . Presumably this is a better alternative to assembling a task force as a deterrent 

Was about to say the same. It’s significantly more garrisoned than before and they wouldn’t sweep in as before.

 

He’s doing the classic Argy political move of bleeting on about the Falklands when things are going terribly domestically.

[Lionator]

20 minutes ago, Innovindil said:

Spoiler, it's dog shit. Essentially 0 aircraft carriers, 0 active subs, 3 "destroyers" built in the 80's.

 

A fraction of the royal navy slams it with little effort.

Basically like ours then 😂

 

Seriously though I’d be scared Milei’s hair could give us the Belgrano treatment with a quick swish and flick.

[Innovindil]

2 minutes ago, Lionator said:

Basically like ours then 😂

 

Seriously though I’d be scared Milei’s hair could give us the Belgrano treatment with a quick swish and flick.

Well not really. Royal Navy gets talked down a lot but still packs a punch for the size of the country it's protecting.

 

Combat wise it has 5 active subs, 2 aircraft carriers, 3 active destroyers (with the other 3 being refitted) and a handful of frigates.

 

Doesn't sound so great typed out, but one fully stocked aircraft carrier and 1 destroyer which is over twice the size of the argie "destroyers" pretty much slaps down anything the argies can put in the sea or air.

[Lionator]

9 minutes ago, Innovindil said:

Well not really. Royal Navy gets talked down a lot but still packs a punch for the size of the country it's protecting.

 

Combat wise it has 5 active subs, 2 aircraft carriers, 3 active destroyers (with the other 3 being refitted) and a handful of frigates.

 

Doesn't sound so great typed out, but one fully stocked aircraft carrier and 1 destroyer which is over twice the size of the argie "destroyers" pretty much slaps down anything the argies can put in the sea or air.

I was only kinda joking. We do need some serious naval investment though. 

[Sampson]

3 hours ago, st albans fox said:

 

He’s clearly been encouraged by trump

Argentinian sanctions are unlikely to be much of a problem to the energy companies extracting oil from the south atlantic 

 

i do wonder if trump’s attitude towards the falklands is linked to what we do on chagos.  Burnham seems intent on going ahead which will annoy the ‘orange one’.  He had said that our inability to help out in the straits of Hormuz means he’s less inclined to take our side if Argentina decide to really raise the stakes.  (Which I think unlikely) 

 

2 hours ago, bovril said:

I think probably there's a feeling among some in the America that due to demographic and cultural change the UK is now ideologically opposed to the US and Argentina is a more natural and useful ally. We probably should get used to it. 

Honestly, I'm surprised people quote this stuff about what the UK does in the chagos islands or some demographic change.

 

The US has been extremely consistent and open since Trump came to power that it no longer cares about Europe, Australia, Japan, South Korea etc. It cares about the Americas and is trying to make the Americas all essentially have leaders who answer to Trump - very similar to how the Soviet Union did to the Eastern Block countries after WW2 (and what Putin wants to do again).

 

The reason that Trump goes after Canada so much is they're the only country in the America's really resisting becoming a US vassal state.

 

It's nothing to do with ideology - Venezuela hasn't changed ideology since Maduro went, but it does now have a leader who will kowtow to Trump and let America extract its wealth - that's all its about, everyone else in the Venezuelan government and military is the same.

 

Similarly, Korea has been just as much a part of the US deciding it doesn't see them as an ally any longer as we have, and they famously have very little immigration or ethnic minorities. So its not about demographic change.

 

The US couldn't be clearer that it no longer cares about "protecting the democratic states of Europe, Oceania and East Asia after WW2" and no longer sees Britain or any of these countries as allies. Its primary foreign policy is about turning the Americas into a pro-US block because its vision of geopolitics has changed to one of pre-ww1 "spheres of influence" rather than being about protecting democracy or whatever.

 

And yes, the US absolutely sees a South America country like Argentina as a closer ally than a European country like Britain these days. They've been very open about that. The British public just seem to have buried their heads in the sand about it.

 

Edited 4 September by Sampson

[bovril]

1 hour ago, Sampson said:

 

Honestly, I'm surprised people quote this stuff about what the UK does in the chagos islands or some demographic change.

 

The US has been extremely consistent and open since Trump came to power that it no longer cares about Europe, Australia, Japan, South Korea etc. It cares about the Americas and is trying to make the Americas all essentially have leaders who answer to Trump - very similar to how the Soviet Union did to the Eastern Block countries after WW2 (and what Putin wants to do again).

 

The reason that Trump goes after Canada so much is they're the only country in the America's really resisting becoming a US vassal state.

 

It's nothing to do with ideology - Venezuela hasn't changed ideology since Maduro went, but it does now have a leader who will kowtow to Trump and let America extract its wealth - that's all its about, everyone else in the Venezuelan government and military is the same.

 

Similarly, Korea has been just as much a part of the US deciding it doesn't see them as an ally any longer as we have, and they famously have very little immigration or ethnic minorities. So its not about demographic change.

 

The US couldn't be clearer that it no longer cares about "protecting the democratic states of Europe, Oceania and East Asia after WW2" and no longer sees Britain or any of these countries as allies. Its primary foreign policy is about turning the Americas into a pro-US block because its vision of geopolitics has changed to one of pre-ww1 "spheres of influence" rather than being about protecting democracy or whatever.

 

And yes, the US absolutely sees a South America country like Argentina as a closer ally than a European country like Britain these days. They've been very open about that. The British public just seem to have buried their heads in the sand about it.

 

I think there are absolutely elements of the US political establishment that buy into the idea of a Europe lost to the great replacement and that this will influence foreign policy in the future. 

[leicsmac]

19 minutes ago, bovril said:

I think there are absolutely elements of the US political establishment that buy into the idea of a Europe lost to the great replacement and that this will influence foreign policy in the future. 

It wouldn't be the first time a "great" power has based their actions on a ridiculous conspiracy theory tbh.