Dr Andrew Smith
@56degreesnorth.bsky.social
Looking at life from 56 degrees north
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
Also: Ukrainian sea drones disabled one of Russia's most important oil terminals www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/202...
Oil terminal in Russia's Novorossiysk halts operations after sea drone attack
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium's (CPC) marine terminal in Novorossiysk has suspended oil loadings after an attack by Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels on the morning of 29 November.
www.pravda.com.ua
November 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Also: Ukrainian sea drones disabled one of Russia's most important oil terminals www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/202...
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
I'm sure that will work.
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
November 30, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I'm sure that will work.
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
November 30, 2025 at 9:57 AM
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
Mark Kelly: "We have a president who doesn't understand the Constitution, who installed an unqualified secretary of defense. I cannot think of a secretary of defense in the history of our country that is less qualified than Pete Hegseth. He should've been fired after Signal-gate."
November 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Mark Kelly: "We have a president who doesn't understand the Constitution, who installed an unqualified secretary of defense. I cannot think of a secretary of defense in the history of our country that is less qualified than Pete Hegseth. He should've been fired after Signal-gate."
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
Bash: "Do you believe if there was a second strike to eliminate any survivors that it constitutes a war crime?"
Mark Kelly: "It seems to."
Bash: "If you received that order, would you have carried it out?"
Mark Kelly: "No…Going after survivors in the water is unlawful."
Mark Kelly: "It seems to."
Bash: "If you received that order, would you have carried it out?"
Mark Kelly: "No…Going after survivors in the water is unlawful."
November 30, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Bash: "Do you believe if there was a second strike to eliminate any survivors that it constitutes a war crime?"
Mark Kelly: "It seems to."
Bash: "If you received that order, would you have carried it out?"
Mark Kelly: "No…Going after survivors in the water is unlawful."
Mark Kelly: "It seems to."
Bash: "If you received that order, would you have carried it out?"
Mark Kelly: "No…Going after survivors in the water is unlawful."
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
From today, Gaelic and Scots are recognised as official languages.
A significant moment on St Andrew’s Day. 🏴
www.bbc.com/news/article...
A significant moment on St Andrew’s Day. 🏴
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Gaelic and Scots now recognised as official languages
The milestone is one of a number of new measures taking effect on St Andrew's Day from the Scottish Languages Act.
www.bbc.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM
From today, Gaelic and Scots are recognised as official languages.
A significant moment on St Andrew’s Day. 🏴
www.bbc.com/news/article...
A significant moment on St Andrew’s Day. 🏴
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
Important conversation. But the conclusion understates the case. It is not that handing Russia the huge territory that contains Ukraine’s best defenses would “not necessarily” bring peace. It is that so doing would guarantee a bloodier and longer war.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
US deal must punish Russia war crimes, says Ukraine’s Nobel peace prize winner
Oleksandra Matviichuk warns any amnesty could encourage authoritarian leaders to attack their neighbours
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Important conversation. But the conclusion understates the case. It is not that handing Russia the huge territory that contains Ukraine’s best defenses would “not necessarily” bring peace. It is that so doing would guarantee a bloodier and longer war.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
"If the next Welsh Government, whatever its composition, is serious about building a future for Cymru, it must embrace a principle that Québec understood 60 years ago — self-belief must be made public."
Independence needs a plan, not permission
Nations seeking independence need to be bold and confident, argues Simon Hobson. What can Cymru learn from Quebec?
bylines.cymru
November 30, 2025 at 2:42 PM
"If the next Welsh Government, whatever its composition, is serious about building a future for Cymru, it must embrace a principle that Québec understood 60 years ago — self-belief must be made public."
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
Peterborough City councillor Rylan Ray appeared in court charged with 26 sexual offences, including allegations involving children.
Elected in 2022 as the Conservative councillor for Eye, Thorney and Newborough, Ray had been one of the youngest councillors. He previously worked in schools...
Elected in 2022 as the Conservative councillor for Eye, Thorney and Newborough, Ray had been one of the youngest councillors. He previously worked in schools...
Councillor charged with 26 child-related sexual offences
Councillor faces charges including rape, sexual activity with a child and making indecent images; allegations span 2021–2025
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Peterborough City councillor Rylan Ray appeared in court charged with 26 sexual offences, including allegations involving children.
Elected in 2022 as the Conservative councillor for Eye, Thorney and Newborough, Ray had been one of the youngest councillors. He previously worked in schools...
Elected in 2022 as the Conservative councillor for Eye, Thorney and Newborough, Ray had been one of the youngest councillors. He previously worked in schools...
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
"But the measures will still leave the county council with a deficit of £72mn over the coming four years...
...unless councillors agree more cuts or council tax increases or use of reserves or a combination of the three."
...unless councillors agree more cuts or council tax increases or use of reserves or a combination of the three."
Reform cabinet backs £10mn cuts to start filling Durham’s growing black hole
Reform is now learning that running a big council is not as easy as it probably thought
northeastbylines.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM
"But the measures will still leave the county council with a deficit of £72mn over the coming four years...
...unless councillors agree more cuts or council tax increases or use of reserves or a combination of the three."
...unless councillors agree more cuts or council tax increases or use of reserves or a combination of the three."
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
Lying in politics is wrong and should never be rewarded, says newspaper which pays Boris Johnson £1 million a year to be its star columnist
November 29, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Lying in politics is wrong and should never be rewarded, says newspaper which pays Boris Johnson £1 million a year to be its star columnist
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
UKTBC Chair Andrew Lewin MP:
"The Brexit deal put up barriers with our closest and largest trading partners. We have 16,000 fewer businesses in the UK exporting to the EU."
"A surge in food prices, bureaucracy at the border and a hit to our economy of at least £100 billion."
"The Brexit deal put up barriers with our closest and largest trading partners. We have 16,000 fewer businesses in the UK exporting to the EU."
"A surge in food prices, bureaucracy at the border and a hit to our economy of at least £100 billion."
November 27, 2025 at 4:41 PM
UKTBC Chair Andrew Lewin MP:
"The Brexit deal put up barriers with our closest and largest trading partners. We have 16,000 fewer businesses in the UK exporting to the EU."
"A surge in food prices, bureaucracy at the border and a hit to our economy of at least £100 billion."
"The Brexit deal put up barriers with our closest and largest trading partners. We have 16,000 fewer businesses in the UK exporting to the EU."
"A surge in food prices, bureaucracy at the border and a hit to our economy of at least £100 billion."
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
🇺🇸"The BBC removed part of Rutger Bregman's Reith lecture, where he alleged Donald Trump was the most openly corrupt president in US history"
🔇"If the national broadcaster can't air defensible claims, what hope is there for any of our free press to effectively challenge power?"
🔇"If the national broadcaster can't air defensible claims, what hope is there for any of our free press to effectively challenge power?"
November 27, 2025 at 5:16 PM
🇺🇸"The BBC removed part of Rutger Bregman's Reith lecture, where he alleged Donald Trump was the most openly corrupt president in US history"
🔇"If the national broadcaster can't air defensible claims, what hope is there for any of our free press to effectively challenge power?"
🔇"If the national broadcaster can't air defensible claims, what hope is there for any of our free press to effectively challenge power?"
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
Nigel Farage on Russia Today before the 2014 European Elections talking about the European Union:
"They are fanatical and, and I believe the most dangerous people we've seen in Europe for 70 years."
Make of this what you will.
"They are fanatical and, and I believe the most dangerous people we've seen in Europe for 70 years."
Make of this what you will.
November 27, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Nigel Farage on Russia Today before the 2014 European Elections talking about the European Union:
"They are fanatical and, and I believe the most dangerous people we've seen in Europe for 70 years."
Make of this what you will.
"They are fanatical and, and I believe the most dangerous people we've seen in Europe for 70 years."
Make of this what you will.
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
⬇️ Since Brexit, mussel production has collapsed from about 10,000 tonnes annually to just five tonnes in 2022, just 0.05% of the previous total.
💷 An SPS Agreement will make it easier for British farmers and fishermen to sell their produce to Europe.
https://bit.ly/48geuE4
💷 An SPS Agreement will make it easier for British farmers and fishermen to sell their produce to Europe.
https://bit.ly/48geuE4
‘The customers are still there’: Welsh mussel farmers hope post-Brexit reset can revive business
Shellfish exports to the EU from the Menai Strait have all but collapsed, but fishers are looking to the future
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:09 AM
⬇️ Since Brexit, mussel production has collapsed from about 10,000 tonnes annually to just five tonnes in 2022, just 0.05% of the previous total.
💷 An SPS Agreement will make it easier for British farmers and fishermen to sell their produce to Europe.
https://bit.ly/48geuE4
💷 An SPS Agreement will make it easier for British farmers and fishermen to sell their produce to Europe.
https://bit.ly/48geuE4
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
Perhaps a good time to launch an investigation...
November 28, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Perhaps a good time to launch an investigation...
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
Nigel Farage, who has made more than £200,000 from second jobs, thinks we should cut the minimum wage for younger workers? You can't make this up.
https://leftfootforward.org/2025/11/nigel-farage-rakes-in-another-200000-from-second-jobs/
https://leftfootforward.org/2025/11/nigel-farage-rakes-in-another-200000-from-second-jobs/
Nigel Farage rakes in another £200,000 from second jobs
The Reform leader has made over £1.3 million from second jobs since he was elected as an MP in July 2024
leftfootforward.org
November 28, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Nigel Farage, who has made more than £200,000 from second jobs, thinks we should cut the minimum wage for younger workers? You can't make this up.
https://leftfootforward.org/2025/11/nigel-farage-rakes-in-another-200000-from-second-jobs/
https://leftfootforward.org/2025/11/nigel-farage-rakes-in-another-200000-from-second-jobs/
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
🎯 @zackpolanski.bsky.social: "We can judge Farage not just by the words he, allegedly, shouted as a child, but by the words and actions he has chosen to broadcast as an adult..."
"But will he ever take any responsibility for anything he says? I seriously doubt it."
"But will he ever take any responsibility for anything he says? I seriously doubt it."
November 28, 2025 at 7:15 PM
🎯 @zackpolanski.bsky.social: "We can judge Farage not just by the words he, allegedly, shouted as a child, but by the words and actions he has chosen to broadcast as an adult..."
"But will he ever take any responsibility for anything he says? I seriously doubt it."
"But will he ever take any responsibility for anything he says? I seriously doubt it."
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
"What message does it send when the EU can’t even agree to a mutually beneficial partnership with the UK?", writes @pimlicat.bsky.social following talks for UK to join EU defence fund collapsing.
Read here: https://bestforbritain.substack.com/p/europe-must-get-its-act-together
Read here: https://bestforbritain.substack.com/p/europe-must-get-its-act-together
November 28, 2025 at 7:39 PM
"What message does it send when the EU can’t even agree to a mutually beneficial partnership with the UK?", writes @pimlicat.bsky.social following talks for UK to join EU defence fund collapsing.
Read here: https://bestforbritain.substack.com/p/europe-must-get-its-act-together
Read here: https://bestforbritain.substack.com/p/europe-must-get-its-act-together
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
"Britain’s political elites are focusing the public’s attention on migration in ways that are not always accurate."
"That is helping to create a gap between how people perceive immigration in Britain and the facts."
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/world/europe/uk-immigration-statistics.html
"That is helping to create a gap between how people perceive immigration in Britain and the facts."
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/world/europe/uk-immigration-statistics.html
The British Public Thinks Immigration Is Up. It’s Actually Down, Sharply.
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:46 PM
"Britain’s political elites are focusing the public’s attention on migration in ways that are not always accurate."
"That is helping to create a gap between how people perceive immigration in Britain and the facts."
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/world/europe/uk-immigration-statistics.html
"That is helping to create a gap between how people perceive immigration in Britain and the facts."
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/world/europe/uk-immigration-statistics.html
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
"Just like in Kent, Reform are finding out that making big pledges about cutting wasteful spending is the easy part. When you actually get to the governing, it all becomes a lot more difficult."
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/reform-durham-county-council-darren-grimes-400775/
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/reform-durham-county-council-darren-grimes-400775/
Darren Grimes' Reform council sees financial black hole grow by £11m
The financial black hole of Reform-controlled Durham County Council - where Darren Grimes is deputy leader - has grown by £11.1m in two months.
www.thelondoneconomic.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
"Just like in Kent, Reform are finding out that making big pledges about cutting wasteful spending is the easy part. When you actually get to the governing, it all becomes a lot more difficult."
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/reform-durham-county-council-darren-grimes-400775/
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/reform-durham-county-council-darren-grimes-400775/
Superb as always from @chrisgrey.bsky.social following the threads linking Brexit to: the UK’s particularly dire Covid pandemic, enemy (Russian) influence in UK politics, economic weakness (hence higher taxes and/or lower spending) and anti-immigration obsession devoid of compassion or common sense
Brexit reminders. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog. Brexit may not be in the headlines, but many current news stories carry reminders of it, including the Hallett Inquiry report, the Gill scandal, the Budget & the latest net migration figures: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/brex...
November 29, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Superb as always from @chrisgrey.bsky.social following the threads linking Brexit to: the UK’s particularly dire Covid pandemic, enemy (Russian) influence in UK politics, economic weakness (hence higher taxes and/or lower spending) and anti-immigration obsession devoid of compassion or common sense
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
Since the Nathan Gill conviction, a lot of people seem to be waking up to Putin's meddling in British politics
Here's a handy primer from me and @goldbergradio.bsky.social
A Beginner's Guide to Russian Influence: Brexit and Beyond
@bylinetimes.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Here's a handy primer from me and @goldbergradio.bsky.social
A Beginner's Guide to Russian Influence: Brexit and Beyond
@bylinetimes.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
A Beginners Guide to Russian Influence: Brexit and Beyond
Podcast Episode · Byline Podcast · 29/11/2025 · 31m
podcasts.apple.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Since the Nathan Gill conviction, a lot of people seem to be waking up to Putin's meddling in British politics
Here's a handy primer from me and @goldbergradio.bsky.social
A Beginner's Guide to Russian Influence: Brexit and Beyond
@bylinetimes.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Here's a handy primer from me and @goldbergradio.bsky.social
A Beginner's Guide to Russian Influence: Brexit and Beyond
@bylinetimes.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Reposted by Dr Andrew Smith
The tide is turning. Even the Telegraph is now admitting the damage the Brexit deal has done to the economy.
November 29, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The tide is turning. Even the Telegraph is now admitting the damage the Brexit deal has done to the economy.