Greetings Earthlings! What in all things Martian is that orange buffoon doing?! Seriously please someone ANYONE confiscate the sharpie. Honestly Earth was once spectacularish now it’s just an embarrassment. Fear not this Martian is still fond of you, well some of you at least (definitely not him) 👽

Earth’s Follies – Week 79: Lake America and the great name game

Trump renames lakes, threatens allies and wants his name on warships – Week 79 proves geography and diplomacy are both optional

northwestbylines.co.uk

Anyhoo...

LadyFluffyOrca 🫍📎 🇬🇧🇵🇸🇺🇦@ladyfluffyorca.bsky.social · 13h ago

Oh dear, how sad, never mind

I know this isn't terrorism. You know this isn't terrorism. The authorities know this isn't terrorism. But, once again, they have labelled protesters "terrorists", as part of the long-running programme to ensure that no one dares protest about anything any more. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Seven charged with damaging Trump’s Scottish golf course accused of ‘terrorist connection’

Course at Donald Trump’s Turnberry resort was painted with words ‘Gaza is not 4 sale’ and clubhouse was sprayed with graffiti

theguardian.com

Nothing could possibly go wrong.

Australia says data centres need to bring their own green energy - why isn't the UK insisting on the same? Have a listen to South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, "As data centres come on line and bring their own demand for energy, they bring their own supply of power"

Feargal Sharkey says: “‘Thames Water could be nationalised under Burnham tenure without spending a penny’." Now there's a very good idea and there are plenty of ways to do all you need is the vision, determination and ambition.” www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

‘Thames Water could be nationalised under Burnham without spending a penny’

We must remove the profit-at-all-costs motive from what is essential service on which all of us depend, yet none of us have any choice over who we buy from, argues Graham Hiscott

mirror.co.uk

It’s almost as if immigration is good for the economy…

Healey could suffer £4bn headroom hit because of lower immigration forecasts

New chancellor is seeking to reassure investors as he prepares for first Budget in October

ft.trib.al

Wrong octogenarian Death ... FFS. Florida isn't hard to find Norway's King Harald dies aged 89 - BBC News share.google/DAsR8QkZtaPM...

Norway's King Harald dies aged 89

The late king, who reigned for 35 years, broke with tradition by marrying a commoner and was widely loved by Norwegians.

share.google

Morning Thingummies

Very useful info on plug in solar for those keen to go ahead.

Josiah Mortimer@josiahmortimer.bsky.social · yesterday

I've written a big-ish piece on the rollout of plug-in solar in Britain, and some important facts being left out of nearly all coverage (I couldn't resist, sorry...) bylinetimes.com/2026/08/27/t...

Of course they have.

Snowy.@snowy.bsky.social · 2d ago

www.youtube.com/live/AqG6md7...

This has taken sooo long. And I don't just mean Birmingham.

The Guardian@theguardian.com · 2d ago

Birmingham seeks injunction to stop anti-migrant group erecting flags on infrastructure

Seriously 'Murica. Wtf did you do?

Olga Nesterova@onestpress.onestnetwork.com · 2d ago

“All it takes is a good pen (aka sharpie) and some intelligence”

No. Say it ain't so 🙄🙄 RFK Jr lied in Senate confirmation hearings, newly revealed documents indicate | Trump administration | The Guardian share.google/wJA77l0gRpdP...

RFK Jr lied in Senate confirmation hearings, newly revealed documents indicate

Letters obtained by Guardian and AP contradict testimony that 2019 visit to Samoa had ‘nothing to do with vaccines’

share.google

No notes.

Literally stealing out of the mouths of babes ...

Jon Cooper@joncooper-us.bsky.social · 2d ago

A Florida grand jury found the DeSantis administration “misappropriated” $10 million meant to provide health insurance for poor children. Part of a “sophisticated scheme to fund political activities,” the money was funneled through multiple organizations before reaching two PACs and the Florida GOP.

I'm struggling with the idea that living beings/structures are less important than aging steel and glass ‘Sad moments ahead’: Kew Gardens to fell rare trees in race to save Victorian greenhouse | Kew Gardens | The Guardian share.google/P7hvn5GAt4O5...

‘Sad moments ahead’: Kew Gardens to fell rare trees in race to save Victorian greenhouse

Horticulturalists begin moving and propagating plants before the rusty and warped Palm House begins renovation – but some are too tall to save

share.google

I remember people laughing when the Brits hoarded toilet roll. 🤣🤣 Wiped out: US faces surging toilet paper prices amid trade war with Canada | Trump tariffs | The Guardian share.google/JXrAIKgaxtg8...

Wiped out: US faces surging toilet paper prices amid trade war with Canada

Paper products among hardest-hit sectors after trade negotiations broke down, with 25-50% tariffs estimated

share.google

Really interesting read ... How to spot a psychopath: ‘It’s like the difference between a domestic cat and a wild cat’ | Psychology | The Guardian share.google/2B2jHbaVbZIq...

How to spot a psychopath: ‘It’s like the difference between a domestic cat and a wild cat’

People with persistent predatory personalities cause an inordinate amount of pain. Recently, our shared understanding of them has grown – and it could help protect us

share.google

Fcuking hell Andy Burnham needs to act and take Thames Water back in to public ownership NOW while we still have a river and not a sewer @andyburnham.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...

‘Forever chemicals’ surge during pilot of Thames Water plan to combat drought

Exclusive: utility company wants to draw off tens of millions of litres of water a day from Thames and replace it with treated effluent

theguardian.com

Our rapid disillusionment with political leaders is treated by much of the media as some kind of pathology. But what I see is these leaders backtracking on their promises, dashing people's hopes and serving the ultra-rich ahead of the rest of the population. Why wouldn't we be disillusioned?

George Monbiot@georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 2d ago

So the ultra-rich will continue to own our politics, and our country. Disappointing to say the least. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Morning Thingummies

😹😹😹

He's got a point...

Marcus Chown@marcuschown.bsky.social · 2d ago

Why the f**k do we not classify the social media companies as “publishers”? They would then be subject to the existing law that makes a publisher responsible for what it publishes. It should not make any difference that what the social media companies publish is digital rather than ink on paper

With serious flood alerts all across the UK today Richard Tice says we should embrace the flooding. ‘Let’s enjoy all this lovely wet weather & excess water’ he has commented, ‘it helps us to improve our swimming skills & has given a real boost to our sandbag and bikini industry.’

Can't help thinking that Dolly would be pishing herself with derisory laughter that Trump has ordered flags at half mast for her. Their politics were poles apart.

Helluva a party though.

Allison Gill@muellershewrote.com · 3d ago

Come on. This is too much. First Dolly Parton, now Tim Curry. 😞 www.tmz.com/2026/08/26/t...

You listening, Burnham?

Mark Carney@mark-carney.bsky.social · 3d ago

The old order is not coming back. From the fracture, we can build something bigger, better, stronger, and more just.

This scandal has lasted for years and is a terrible blot on the moral standing of our country. Separately, the plea was made to Justice Secretary Alex Norris. Why did the journo change it to PM Burnham?

Peter Stefanovic@peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 3d ago

Prison chief warns Prime Minister Andy Burnham: Have the courage to end indefinite jail terms scandal www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...