Jim Nicholson
@jnichretired.bsky.social
Retired commodity market publishing manager. I've lived and worked in London, Singapore, Washington DC and Amsterdam. Now based in Surrey.
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
“Do not believe that parliament is our goal. […] We are coming neither as friends nor neutrals. We come as enemies! As the wolf attacks the sheep, so come we”.
Joseph Goebbels, 1928
Joseph Goebbels, 1928
Both experience and logic tell us that a democracy cannot be expected survive if it allows sweeping power to be granted to people whose intention is to subvert the democratic and constitutional functioning of the state.
It isn’t “democratic” to allow such people to take power.
It’s suicidal.
It isn’t “democratic” to allow such people to take power.
It’s suicidal.
February 2, 2026 at 9:17 PM
“Do not believe that parliament is our goal. […] We are coming neither as friends nor neutrals. We come as enemies! As the wolf attacks the sheep, so come we”.
Joseph Goebbels, 1928
Joseph Goebbels, 1928
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
This is why winning the midterms itself isn't a strategy. Trump plans to ignore the results. Acknowledging this doesn't make you a doomer, but it does mean you have to plan for worst case scenarios. We gotta be ready, especially since they're telling us the plan outright.
Trump: "These people were brought to our country to vote, & they vote illegally. The Republicans should say, we should take over the voting in at least 15 places. The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting. We have states that I won that show I didn't win. You're gonna see something in Georgia"
February 2, 2026 at 6:44 PM
This is why winning the midterms itself isn't a strategy. Trump plans to ignore the results. Acknowledging this doesn't make you a doomer, but it does mean you have to plan for worst case scenarios. We gotta be ready, especially since they're telling us the plan outright.
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Probably worse than the Profumo affair. I think the insider trading stuff pushes it up to the level of the Marconi scandal.
Three parties - SNP, Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru - now asking for the police to investigate Mandelson.
Hard to recall a worse public scandal than a cabinet minister allegedly colluding with foreign bankers to share market sensitive info and encourage threats against Chancellor
Hard to recall a worse public scandal than a cabinet minister allegedly colluding with foreign bankers to share market sensitive info and encourage threats against Chancellor
February 2, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Probably worse than the Profumo affair. I think the insider trading stuff pushes it up to the level of the Marconi scandal.
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Definitely seems like they destroyed the country on purpose.
February 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Definitely seems like they destroyed the country on purpose.
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Kaja Kallas:
In the last 100 years, Russia has attacked at least 19 countries, some as many as three or four times. None of those countries has ever attacked Russia.
In the last 100 years, Russia has attacked at least 19 countries, some as many as three or four times. None of those countries has ever attacked Russia.
February 2, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Kaja Kallas:
In the last 100 years, Russia has attacked at least 19 countries, some as many as three or four times. None of those countries has ever attacked Russia.
In the last 100 years, Russia has attacked at least 19 countries, some as many as three or four times. None of those countries has ever attacked Russia.
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Oh Dearie me!
The Mandelson/ Epstein doc “mystery”.
More from @danneidle.bsky.social
2 UK🇬🇧 Gov confidential cabinet/ Prime Minister communications seem to have ended up in Epstein’s email account seconds or minutes after being sent to 🇬🇧 Gov accounts.
This one probably via Mandelson
The Mandelson/ Epstein doc “mystery”.
More from @danneidle.bsky.social
2 UK🇬🇧 Gov confidential cabinet/ Prime Minister communications seem to have ended up in Epstein’s email account seconds or minutes after being sent to 🇬🇧 Gov accounts.
This one probably via Mandelson
February 2, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Oh Dearie me!
The Mandelson/ Epstein doc “mystery”.
More from @danneidle.bsky.social
2 UK🇬🇧 Gov confidential cabinet/ Prime Minister communications seem to have ended up in Epstein’s email account seconds or minutes after being sent to 🇬🇧 Gov accounts.
This one probably via Mandelson
The Mandelson/ Epstein doc “mystery”.
More from @danneidle.bsky.social
2 UK🇬🇧 Gov confidential cabinet/ Prime Minister communications seem to have ended up in Epstein’s email account seconds or minutes after being sent to 🇬🇧 Gov accounts.
This one probably via Mandelson
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
making tulsi gabbard DNI is itself a watergate level scandal
Exclusive: A U.S. official has alleged wrongdoing by U.S. spy chief Tulsi Gabbard in a complaint that is so highly classified it has sparked months of wrangling over how to share it with Congress, according to people familiar with the matter.
Classified Whistleblower Complaint About Tulsi Gabbard Stalls Within Her Agency
Congress hasn’t seen the complaint, which was filed eight months ago with the U.S. intelligence community watchdog’s office.
on.wsj.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:17 PM
making tulsi gabbard DNI is itself a watergate level scandal
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever: “We depended on the big stick of the United States — and now we see that the man with the big stick can also use it against us.
“We have never seen this before: that the United States…dares to threaten us with the big stick.
“This is a turning point.”
“We have never seen this before: that the United States…dares to threaten us with the big stick.
“This is a turning point.”
February 1, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever: “We depended on the big stick of the United States — and now we see that the man with the big stick can also use it against us.
“We have never seen this before: that the United States…dares to threaten us with the big stick.
“This is a turning point.”
“We have never seen this before: that the United States…dares to threaten us with the big stick.
“This is a turning point.”
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Yesterday evening, Peter Mandelson told me "I've never owned property in Brazil and never will".
Then we discovered the Brazilian company he incorporated, "for the purpose of purchasing and selling real estate".
Thread:
Then we discovered the Brazilian company he incorporated, "for the purpose of purchasing and selling real estate".
Thread:
NEW: Previously unreported Epstein emails show Peter Mandelson discussing a Panama-linked tax avoidance structure for a £750k Rio apartment - with Epstein as his "chief life adviser".
Exclusive Tax Policy Associates report:
Exclusive Tax Policy Associates report:
February 1, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Yesterday evening, Peter Mandelson told me "I've never owned property in Brazil and never will".
Then we discovered the Brazilian company he incorporated, "for the purpose of purchasing and selling real estate".
Thread:
Then we discovered the Brazilian company he incorporated, "for the purpose of purchasing and selling real estate".
Thread:
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Russia threatens Ukraine to use “retaliation weapons” next week, hinting at Nazi V-1, V-2 bombs that bombed London
Russia bombed Kyiv during last talks, but no US sanctions followed. Now they promise “retaliation weapons.” The term is from Nazi Germany.
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/31/r...
Russia bombed Kyiv during last talks, but no US sanctions followed. Now they promise “retaliation weapons.” The term is from Nazi Germany.
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/31/r...
Russia threatens Ukraine to use "retaliation weapons" next week, hinting at Nazi V-1, V-2 bombs that bombed London - Euromaidan Press
Russian Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin threatens Ukraine with “retaliation weapons” as winter cold drops below –20 °C.
euromaidanpress.com
February 1, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Russia threatens Ukraine to use “retaliation weapons” next week, hinting at Nazi V-1, V-2 bombs that bombed London
Russia bombed Kyiv during last talks, but no US sanctions followed. Now they promise “retaliation weapons.” The term is from Nazi Germany.
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/31/r...
Russia bombed Kyiv during last talks, but no US sanctions followed. Now they promise “retaliation weapons.” The term is from Nazi Germany.
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/31/r...
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
If Europe goes the Rutte route, in 5 years it will be spending more on defence but still entirely reliant on an uncertain 🇺🇸security umbrella and we only find out if it's real after Russia opens the box by invading.
But if it goes the Kubilius route, in 5 years Europe will know it can defend itself.
But if it goes the Kubilius route, in 5 years Europe will know it can defend itself.
Rutte would keep Europe reliant on a Schrödinger's NATO
The NATO Secretary-General has scolded EU lawmakers for wanting to build independent European defence. But Rutte's strategy will leave Europe dependent on a protectorate that is both alive and dead.
davekeating.substack.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:24 PM
If Europe goes the Rutte route, in 5 years it will be spending more on defence but still entirely reliant on an uncertain 🇺🇸security umbrella and we only find out if it's real after Russia opens the box by invading.
But if it goes the Kubilius route, in 5 years Europe will know it can defend itself.
But if it goes the Kubilius route, in 5 years Europe will know it can defend itself.
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
If Orban loses the election in Hungary on April 12th to Peter Magyar it’s going to be massive for Europe and the entire democratic world. Orban largely created the populist-right formula for autocratic takeover of a democracy which was copied by MAGA’s Project 2025. 1/12
For over a year, polls have put Hungary’s opposition party ahead of Viktor Orban’s. But a big lead in the polls is no guarantee of an election victory
Viktor Orban may lose his next election
He trails in polls, but the rules favour Trump’s man in Hungary
econ.st
February 1, 2026 at 2:44 PM
If Orban loses the election in Hungary on April 12th to Peter Magyar it’s going to be massive for Europe and the entire democratic world. Orban largely created the populist-right formula for autocratic takeover of a democracy which was copied by MAGA’s Project 2025. 1/12
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
It turns out that talking about Russia's corrosive influence on the West and talking about Epstein isn't either or.
February 1, 2026 at 4:46 PM
It turns out that talking about Russia's corrosive influence on the West and talking about Epstein isn't either or.
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Marine Le Pen is funded by Russia.
"meeting yesterday with the French right wingers, including Le Pen, her husband, about refinancing the National Front Party because apparently a good part of their money comes from Russia. Two thoughts here, these guy seemed like idiots, pure Ruritania"
"meeting yesterday with the French right wingers, including Le Pen, her husband, about refinancing the National Front Party because apparently a good part of their money comes from Russia. Two thoughts here, these guy seemed like idiots, pure Ruritania"
February 1, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Marine Le Pen is funded by Russia.
"meeting yesterday with the French right wingers, including Le Pen, her husband, about refinancing the National Front Party because apparently a good part of their money comes from Russia. Two thoughts here, these guy seemed like idiots, pure Ruritania"
"meeting yesterday with the French right wingers, including Le Pen, her husband, about refinancing the National Front Party because apparently a good part of their money comes from Russia. Two thoughts here, these guy seemed like idiots, pure Ruritania"
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Ok, let’s do this🙄
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
February 1, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Ok, let’s do this🙄
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
NGL this description of Bsky in Vulture cracked me up
January 31, 2026 at 2:02 PM
NGL this description of Bsky in Vulture cracked me up
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
the oldest adage in journalism is “follow the money”
new in the FT:
new in the FT:
January 31, 2026 at 11:43 PM
the oldest adage in journalism is “follow the money”
new in the FT:
new in the FT:
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Series of important posts on the Epstein files coming up regarding Epstein's desire to harm the UK & US by assisting Putin and Russia. Peter Jukes is one of a very few journalists who has thoroughly researched Russian interference for 10 years, and even he wasn't aware of the extent of this.
This is new to me. We knew that Epstein was working with Kremlin official Belyakov to circumvent sanctions post Crimea, but his eagerness to help Putin beat the West predates that
“Reinventing the financial system”
“Reinventing the financial system”
January 31, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Series of important posts on the Epstein files coming up regarding Epstein's desire to harm the UK & US by assisting Putin and Russia. Peter Jukes is one of a very few journalists who has thoroughly researched Russian interference for 10 years, and even he wasn't aware of the extent of this.
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
straight up Gestapo shit
January 31, 2026 at 8:54 PM
straight up Gestapo shit
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Just reposting this - my story this week is part of this week's cover package on Minneapolis and the rise of what we call "America's paramilitary peril."
www.economist.com/united-state...
www.economist.com/united-state...
January 31, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Just reposting this - my story this week is part of this week's cover package on Minneapolis and the rise of what we call "America's paramilitary peril."
www.economist.com/united-state...
www.economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Getting the impression that ICE is gearing up for a pogrom in Springfield, Ohio, which was ground zero of Vance’s lies about Haitians during the campaign. Haitians lose temporary protected status on February 3rd. Reporters, lawyers, neighbors — please get ready.
January 31, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Getting the impression that ICE is gearing up for a pogrom in Springfield, Ohio, which was ground zero of Vance’s lies about Haitians during the campaign. Haitians lose temporary protected status on February 3rd. Reporters, lawyers, neighbors — please get ready.
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
After being held in two of them as a boy, I fought for decades urging America to never again build concentration camps and put human beings in them. It breaks my heart to watch this happen twice now in my own lifetime.
January 27, 2026 at 9:30 PM
After being held in two of them as a boy, I fought for decades urging America to never again build concentration camps and put human beings in them. It breaks my heart to watch this happen twice now in my own lifetime.
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
I’ve written this lengthy FT analysis overnight about the multiple multi-thousand pound Epstein payments to Mandelson’s husband
these particular paragraphs are worth reading slowly
www.ft.com/content/608a...
these particular paragraphs are worth reading slowly
www.ft.com/content/608a...
January 31, 2026 at 12:34 PM
I’ve written this lengthy FT analysis overnight about the multiple multi-thousand pound Epstein payments to Mandelson’s husband
these particular paragraphs are worth reading slowly
www.ft.com/content/608a...
these particular paragraphs are worth reading slowly
www.ft.com/content/608a...
Reposted by Jim Nicholson
Wow, no Armstrong/Archer on the bench. I didnt believe we would actually sell them but this seems to confirm they are both on the way out.
While Armstrong continually failed to produce in the Prem, he is a lightning rod in the Championship. Stewart's health cant be counted on.... #SaintsFC
While Armstrong continually failed to produce in the Prem, he is a lightning rod in the Championship. Stewart's health cant be counted on.... #SaintsFC
January 31, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Wow, no Armstrong/Archer on the bench. I didnt believe we would actually sell them but this seems to confirm they are both on the way out.
While Armstrong continually failed to produce in the Prem, he is a lightning rod in the Championship. Stewart's health cant be counted on.... #SaintsFC
While Armstrong continually failed to produce in the Prem, he is a lightning rod in the Championship. Stewart's health cant be counted on.... #SaintsFC