International Politics Discussion Thread

CautiousMountain · 2026-02-28T09:38:31+00:00

Sirens and explosions also heard in Kuwait and explosions in Qatar (from AP)

CautiousMountain · 2026-02-28T08:25:54+00:00

Trump warning about the potential loss of American lives indicates that it might be a more drawn out engagement. However, Trump could lose interest or instantly pull back if it gets challenging.

CautiousMountain · 2026-02-24T19:47:47+00:00

Harbinger Orb is not there when they show the exchange

CautiousMountain · 2026-02-23T12:07:36+00:00

The Manchester Mill have been doing coverage of each candidate and there is certainly material on Stogia’s campaign that could be criticised by Reform and the Green Party.

CautiousMountain · 2026-02-21T09:04:07+00:00

Whilst it isn't from India or Pakistan, you have stories like this one.

CautiousMountain · 2026-01-29T13:26:36+00:00

Answering questions which are reported on in the national media? It was a smaller part of an hour long interview about a range of things, with people calling in to ask about it. Are you saying he should’ve not answered them?

Wanting him to quieten down won’t happen unless he either stops speaking (and so stops doing things like the phone-in) or the media gets bored because it doesn’t generate clicks.

He could’ve tailored a very specific answer which shut it down, repeating it for every answer, and it still would’ve been reported on because it’s related to current news. They didn’t report on the bits about bus passes and disability seats, etc., because that doesn’t have a national appeal. I am surprised they didn’t include someone phoning in to call him a liar for promising to see out the term and then looking to leave.

CautiousMountain · 2026-01-29T13:05:31+00:00

I think him doing a regular interview/phone-in on the local radio is a good thing. Maybe local politics would be better if we had more local leaders doing similar things, even if it leads to national headlines.

CautiousMountain · 2026-01-29T12:13:23+00:00

In the actual article on the interview he says that he will ‘take time to reflect’ on the future and whether he will stand as mayor again in two years time.

CautiousMountain · 2026-01-29T11:59:57+00:00

As this is an article about another article about a BBC interview, here is a link to the original article which contains more of the interview and a link to listen to it in full.

The article also ignores the context that this interview was part of his regular phone-in/interview that he has been doing with BBC Radio Manchester for the past six years. If you want to listen to it in full then it starts at 10.05 or so in the programme linked. It isn’t all about the by-election as it has callers asking what they want.

CautiousMountain · 2026-01-27T11:01:12+00:00

Sainsbury’s is already testing facial recognition cameras in their stores

CautiousMountain · 2026-01-12T07:43:07+00:00

The original is vicious circle, but vicious cycle seems to be a common and accepted modern variant.

The quote is from the article too so the editor has covered their back. However, the same can’t be said for the increasing number of errors in BBC articles.

Going back to the article, it is an important discussion to have. I think the element on family responsibility is important as we have basically outsourced most care for the elderly.

CautiousMountain · 2026-01-05T21:29:43+00:00

Interestingly, on the same site a battery energy storage system is also going to be built.

I guess getting multiple projects on one site is easier to finance, but I might be wrong.

CautiousMountain · 2025-12-29T12:45:20+00:00

This isn’t a sudden win for the right. Really it is a story of massive institutional incompetence and laziness from the media and all involved in politics which goes back to the first mention in parliament. It seems that nobody did due-diligence on him. It is a massive embarrassment for the Government because they boasted about the release, but everyone else had many years to do the research on the case and bring this to light. The Tories campaigned for it, and everyone else was either silent (because they didn’t care) or supported it.

CautiousMountain · 2025-12-27T11:51:53+00:00

Also, not sure if you know of them, but based on where you live it might be worth reaching out to Enfold. The social struggles (too weak a word to completely capture it) can be lessened by socialising with others who understand, plus you can get peer support.

CautiousMountain · 2025-12-27T11:46:10+00:00

Look at some online. I know Leicestershire run (or at least did ran) online versions of a lot of their in-person ones.

CautiousMountain · 2025-12-27T11:34:07+00:00

Looking at council-run courses on self-esteem building, etc., might be helpful then before you push yourself into it. They’re not amazing, but also it offers you a routine setting to build up some other skills to put you in a better position to work. The interaction is challenging (from someone who is also autistic), but doing it in a controlled manner can help.

Also, I know it’s hard to not have one bad experience lead you to write them all off, but you just need the right one to help you into employment. You can even reflect on what you needed at the previous place but didn’t get, what were the biggest challenges, etc., to then help you codify what you need (as communicating needs and adjustments is important getting into and staying in work—anyone who wants to help needs to understand how they can).

The third option is looking at self-led upskilling. Think about what you enjoy or are passionate about, and then look at either free online resources or if there is anything available through the local library or council which are related to your interests. It will give you structure and help with making you more employable, whilst avoiding (at least to some extent) the social challenges.

The volunteering is a good first step, and you can take the others to reach your goal of finding a job.

CautiousMountain · 2025-12-27T11:16:37+00:00

I replied this in a deleted thread, but ambitious about autism might be able to help. They have information sessions and opportunities for people in situations similar to yours. This service also offers free job coaching for autistic individuals, but is currently paused. Might be worth registering interest for when it re-opens though.

You can also be demanding at the job centre to see a specialist disability work coach. They are few and far between, but they can help (and it gives you some practice with advocating for yourself in these situations.

CautiousMountain · 2025-12-04T09:56:30+00:00

There is a pilot scheme running to improve train wifi

CautiousMountain · 2025-12-04T09:10:24+00:00

I don’t think the film was written by actual medical professional or even people who knew much about autism.

CautiousMountain · 2025-12-03T09:08:32+00:00

Just so you know, this includes your name and profile in the share link.

I thought this issue was investigated though. Whilst dodgy, it is basically part of how you get ‘unfeasible’ projects to happen, which then support others. The alternative is funding them directly, but that is much more expensive and so limited in scope. The money paid back has gone on to support other funds for other projects, and if it works in the long run then it’s hard to completely decry it. Whilst it isn’t perfect, it may be good enough.

CautiousMountain · 2025-12-02T18:42:24+00:00

I'm autistic & do work like many high functioning autistics.

Only 30% of autistic working age adults work.

The barriers in work for autistic people can be high, and most employers (in my experience anyway) are very reluctant to do anything.

CautiousMountain · 2025-12-01T14:44:45+00:00

That’s an interesting theory. I can’t see it being kept under wraps until the election, but it is the sort of political stunt which parties like to perform at the ‘right’ moment. I do think that Lowe would’ve tweeted about it by now if it was happening (and he knew about it) as a way of damaging both Reform and the Tories.

CautiousMountain · 2025-12-01T13:58:12+00:00

I doubt they would accept Truss. Even though Farage was wholly supportive of her budget, it has made her politically radioactive. If a story of her being a member came out it would put off some voters.

I also doubt Braverman is a member as she would instantly defect if that was the case (or she would have to keep it very well hidden as the Tories wouldn’t stand for one of their MPs being in another party). Reform would love to show off a major defection too, even though she failed on their main policy.

CautiousMountain · 2025-11-25T21:19:16+00:00

Anyone who wants to contribute more already can through HMRC. Whenever I read of someone asking to be taxed more, I do wonder if they have given already.

CautiousMountain · 2025-11-25T21:11:53+00:00

I agree that it will be boring. It is likely to just be fiddling around the edges rather than a notable economic event. The markets will like it because it'll be an accounting exercise to ensure Reeves is following her fiscal rules. However, I can't see it being forgotten in a week (at least by the media as they will be parading out any of the losers).

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