Off Topic The Politics Thread
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I think fifa will give him their new causing trouble prize
Interesting take...
The next 72 hours are critical for the world.If the United States succeeds in imposing control over Venezuela, and by extension over the world’s largest proven oil reserves, it will mark a major shift in global power.Such a move would not be about restoring democracy or protecting human rights, but about reasserting strategic dominance over energy, trade routes, and regional alignments.In that case, Iran would likely move to the forefront of Washington’s strategic priorities.Securing control over Venezuelan oil would reduce U.S. vulnerability to energy disruptions in the Gulf and provide a buffer against supply shocks in the event of a confrontation with Iran.With a reliable alternative source of heavy crude under its influence, Washington would be better positioned to absorb or offset the destruction or shutdown of energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf during a war.This would lower the economic cost of escalation and make military pressure against Iran more politically and economically manageable.At the same time, such control would strengthen the United States’ ability to shape global oil flows and pricing, reinforcing the central role of the dollar in energy markets and helping preserve the petrodollar system that underpins U.S. financial power.
Venezuela would thus become more than a regional issue.It would become a strategic precedent, a demonstration that economic pressure, political engineering, and, if necessary, force can be used to restructure sovereign states and realign the global balance of power.However, if the United States becomes entangled in Venezuela and faces sustained resistance, the outcome shifts dramatically.A prolonged crisis would drain political capital, stretch military and economic resources, and weaken Washington’s capacity to project power elsewhere, including in the Middle East.That would also complicate Israeli strategic planning, which is closely tied to U.S. regional leverage.What happens in Venezuela will not stay in Latin America.It will shape the future of energy control, the limits of American power, and the direction of geopolitical confrontation far beyond Caracas.
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The next 72 hours are critical for the world.If the United States succeeds in imposing control over Venezuela, and by extension over the world’s largest proven oil reserves, it will mark a major shift in global power.Such a move would not be about restoring democracy or protecting human rights, but about reasserting strategic dominance over energy, trade routes, and regional alignments.In that case, Iran would likely move to the forefront of Washington’s strategic priorities.Securing control over Venezuelan oil would reduce U.S. vulnerability to energy disruptions in the Gulf and provide a buffer against supply shocks in the event of a confrontation with Iran.With a reliable alternative source of heavy crude under its influence, Washington would be better positioned to absorb or offset the destruction or shutdown of energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf during a war.This would lower the economic cost of escalation and make military pressure against Iran more politically and economically manageable.At the same time, such control would strengthen the United States’ ability to shape global oil flows and pricing, reinforcing the central role of the dollar in energy markets and helping preserve the petrodollar system that underpins U.S. financial power.
Venezuela would thus become more than a regional issue.It would become a strategic precedent, a demonstration that economic pressure, political engineering, and, if necessary, force can be used to restructure sovereign states and realign the global balance of power.However, if the United States becomes entangled in Venezuela and faces sustained resistance, the outcome shifts dramatically.A prolonged crisis would drain political capital, stretch military and economic resources, and weaken Washington’s capacity to project power elsewhere, including in the Middle East.That would also complicate Israeli strategic planning, which is closely tied to U.S. regional leverage.What happens in Venezuela will not stay in Latin America.It will shape the future of energy control, the limits of American power, and the direction of geopolitical confrontation far beyond Caracas.
Watching Tango's press conference
'The US will take over and run Venezuela until it can be handed over to someone safe'
Looking at US history of regime change, good luck with that Donald
'The US will take over and run Venezuela until it can be handed over to someone safe'
Looking at US history of regime change, good luck with that Donald
That's a relief, at first I thought Trump had abducted Nicolas Madsen.
Can Australia offer our pathetic, pathological lying, Palestine activist / sympathising, imbecilic Prime Minister to run Venezuela ?
He seems to care about other countries more than ours. We are even prepared to offer bribes or whatever it takes, to get rid of him.
Footnote - Sincerely hope Britain doesn’t outbid us with an offer of Starmer.
He seems to care about other countries more than ours. We are even prepared to offer bribes or whatever it takes, to get rid of him.
Footnote - Sincerely hope Britain doesn’t outbid us with an offer of Starmer.
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Wonder what charges Trump will make up to excuse him for invading Greenland next...
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Norway Enters The Chat, Politely Informs World It Will Be Repossessing The United States
WASHINGTON, DC, and also technically somewhere west of Reykjavik in spirit.
In a calm statement delivered over a mug of black coffee and the sound of a distant wool sweater being folded with authority, the Government of Norway announced Monday that it will be taking the United States back.
The decision follows what Norwegian officials described as “a confusing sequence of international property disputes,” including renewed American talk of acquiring Greenland, pressure campaigns on allies, and the general vibe of someone trying to rewrite a rental agreement with a marker.
“We have reviewed the paperwork,” said a spokesperson, producing a laminated map of the North Atlantic and tapping it twice for emphasis. “And according to our records, the first Europeans to find North America did not arrive in a luxury cruise ship with a gift shop. They arrived in an unreasonably damp boat with a determined attitude. Therefore, as a matter of historical fairness, Norway will be reclaiming the United States.”
Asked what Norway plans to do with the US, officials outlined a practical, step by step approach.
First, a national safety inspection.
“Right now the country is running hot,” said the spokesperson, noting that Norway intends to install guardrails, update the wiring, and replace several rhetorical load bearing beams that appear to have been removed for no clear reason. “We will also be introducing a national concept known as ‘outside voice’ and limiting it to reasonable hours.”
Second, a cultural restoration project.
Norway clarified that this is not about punishment, but about stewardship.
“We keep hearing talk about Viking heritage,” the spokesperson said. “With respect, heritage is not a bumper sticker. Heritage is being able to walk outside in bad weather and still function. Heritage is eating something that did not come from a drive through window. Heritage is carrying a piece of furniture up stairs without declaring civil war.”
As part of the transition, Norway will introduce a new physical fitness test for all public officials, tentatively titled “Can You Move A Reasonable Rock Without A Podcast About It.”The test has three parts:1.A brisk walk without live commentary.2.Carrying groceries with both hands, no rolling suitcase.3.A ceremonial attempt to lift a moderately heavy hammer while remaining emotionally regulated.The US Department of Everything immediately issued a response saying it is “reviewing the situation,” a phrase Norway confirmed it will be replacing with “we will do it by Friday.”Meanwhile, Denmark released a short statement welcoming Norway’s interest in rules based order, adding that the Kingdom would prefer everyone stop trying to acquire large Arctic assets like they are limited edition sneakers.Norway concluded by assuring Americans that daily life will improve.“There will be healthcare that does not involve financial suspense,” said the spokesperson. “There will be paid leave. There will be fewer ads for pills that list existential dread as a side effect. And the national emergency hotline will stop opening with, ‘Have you tried turning democracy off and on again.’”When asked whether the United States consented to the takeover, Norway looked briefly confused.“We assumed you would appreciate a plan,” the spokesperson said. “Also, we brought waffles.”
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Tom Saunders. Tim Wallace Deputy Economics Editor
07 January 2026 8:00am GMT
Months of pre-Budget anxiety triggered a stock market exodus twice as big as the shockwave from Brexit, new figures show.
UK investors pulled £6.71bn out of global stock markets in 2025, according to investment firm Calastone.
It was the highest annual outflow across data going back 11 years and was more than double the previous record of £3.34bn set in 2016, the year of the Brexit referendum.
Advertisement
Then, investors pulled money amid uncertainty over which way the vote would go and how it would impact stock markets.
The rush to dump stocks came in the second half of 2025 with December marking the seventh straight month of net sales. Investors pulled £10.57bn between June and December, reversing net contributions earlier in the year.
Edward Glyn, the head of global markets at Calastone, said the stampede was the result of panic ahead of the Budget. The unusually long build-up to November’s fiscal statement was punctuated by repeated leaks of possible tax increases and about-turns on policy.
Investors feared a rumoured clampdown on the tax-free pension allowances and a further increase in capital gains tax, though neither measure ultimately materialised.
Advertisement
Mr Glyn said: “The sudden, dramatic slowdown in outflows between November and December is a clear indicator that months of pre-Budget speculation contributed to the record outflows from equity funds between June and the day of the Budget.”
A net £188m was withdrawn from stock market funds in December, far less than the £812m pulled in November.
Calastone data showed that withdrawals from UK investors ceased on Budget day itself, with cash flowing back into stocks for the remainder of that month.
The Bank of England warned ahead of the Budget that “increased uncertainty” about the event was likely to drag on activity until well into 2026. Business chiefs have also blamed the Budget build-up for harming the economy.
Advertisement
Mark FitzPatrick, the chief executive of St James’s Place, said last month that “kite-flying” prompted savers fearful of a tax raid to withdraw cash from their retirement pots.
Addressing the Calastone figures, Sir Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, said: “This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Uncertainty before Reeves’ first two Budgets froze investment and disappointment after both of them drove investors away.
“Her choices have killed investment, weakened growth and cost jobs.”
Advertisement
A record £5.84bn flowed into money market funds and Mr Glyn said this showed “investors favouring the safety of cash, suggesting they perceive equity valuations to be teetering”. Money market funds invest in low-risk assets such as government bonds and cash.
Despite the FTSE 100 reaching fresh record highs in 2025, British investors pulled a net £9.55bn from UK-focused funds last year. That was roughly equal to the £9.56bn pulled in 2024.
Last year marked the 10th consecutive year of withdrawals from British stocks by UK-based investors.
Much of the flow in and out of equity funds came from regular savings accounts. Outflows came despite attempts by Ms Reeves, the Chancellor, to encourage ordinary savers to put more money into the stock market.
Advertisement
The Government has backed an advertising campaign to get more Britons investing, supported by the likes of Robinhood and Fidelity, and the Chancellor announced a stamp duty exemption for trading shares in newly listed companies at the Budget.
While UK stocks remained unloved by local investors, global and North American shares fared considerably better. Global and US funds saw inflows of £174m and £107m respectively from British investors in December.
Actively managed equity funds bore the brunt of the outflows, losing £18.9bn of British capital in 2025.
The Treasury was contacted for comment.
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Reeves’s Budget triggers stock market exodus twice as big as Brexit
British investors pulled £6.71bn out of global trading last year75
Gift this article free
Tom Saunders. Tim Wallace Deputy Economics Editor
07 January 2026 8:00am GMT
Months of pre-Budget anxiety triggered a stock market exodus twice as big as the shockwave from Brexit, new figures show.
UK investors pulled £6.71bn out of global stock markets in 2025, according to investment firm Calastone.
It was the highest annual outflow across data going back 11 years and was more than double the previous record of £3.34bn set in 2016, the year of the Brexit referendum.
Advertisement
Then, investors pulled money amid uncertainty over which way the vote would go and how it would impact stock markets.
The rush to dump stocks came in the second half of 2025 with December marking the seventh straight month of net sales. Investors pulled £10.57bn between June and December, reversing net contributions earlier in the year.
Edward Glyn, the head of global markets at Calastone, said the stampede was the result of panic ahead of the Budget. The unusually long build-up to November’s fiscal statement was punctuated by repeated leaks of possible tax increases and about-turns on policy.
Investors feared a rumoured clampdown on the tax-free pension allowances and a further increase in capital gains tax, though neither measure ultimately materialised.
Advertisement
Mr Glyn said: “The sudden, dramatic slowdown in outflows between November and December is a clear indicator that months of pre-Budget speculation contributed to the record outflows from equity funds between June and the day of the Budget.”
A net £188m was withdrawn from stock market funds in December, far less than the £812m pulled in November.
Calastone data showed that withdrawals from UK investors ceased on Budget day itself, with cash flowing back into stocks for the remainder of that month.
Reeves’s ‘choices have killed investment’
The figures add to evidence that months of leaks and speculation ahead of Rachel Reeves’s Nov 26 statement did real damage to the economy.The Bank of England warned ahead of the Budget that “increased uncertainty” about the event was likely to drag on activity until well into 2026. Business chiefs have also blamed the Budget build-up for harming the economy.
Advertisement
Mark FitzPatrick, the chief executive of St James’s Place, said last month that “kite-flying” prompted savers fearful of a tax raid to withdraw cash from their retirement pots.
Addressing the Calastone figures, Sir Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, said: “This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Uncertainty before Reeves’ first two Budgets froze investment and disappointment after both of them drove investors away.
“Her choices have killed investment, weakened growth and cost jobs.”
Investors ‘favouring cash’
While pre-Budget speculation was a major driver of the stock market sell-off, Calastone said wider concerns about valuations also played a part. Fears have been growing about a possible bubble in artificial intelligence (AI) stocks.Advertisement
A record £5.84bn flowed into money market funds and Mr Glyn said this showed “investors favouring the safety of cash, suggesting they perceive equity valuations to be teetering”. Money market funds invest in low-risk assets such as government bonds and cash.
Despite the FTSE 100 reaching fresh record highs in 2025, British investors pulled a net £9.55bn from UK-focused funds last year. That was roughly equal to the £9.56bn pulled in 2024.
Last year marked the 10th consecutive year of withdrawals from British stocks by UK-based investors.
Much of the flow in and out of equity funds came from regular savings accounts. Outflows came despite attempts by Ms Reeves, the Chancellor, to encourage ordinary savers to put more money into the stock market.
Advertisement
The Government has backed an advertising campaign to get more Britons investing, supported by the likes of Robinhood and Fidelity, and the Chancellor announced a stamp duty exemption for trading shares in newly listed companies at the Budget.
While UK stocks remained unloved by local investors, global and North American shares fared considerably better. Global and US funds saw inflows of £174m and £107m respectively from British investors in December.
Actively managed equity funds bore the brunt of the outflows, losing £18.9bn of British capital in 2025.
The Treasury was contacted for comment.
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Does Trump think he's playing Call of Duty in the White House? I'm sure I've played this mission before!!
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US seizes Russian-flagged tanker in Atlantic as UK confirms it gave support to operation
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Summary
- The US says it has seized a second tanker in the Caribbean after saying it apprehended a Russian-flagged vessel linked to Venezuelan oil in the North Atlantic
- The UK military supported the US operation to seize the tanker in the Atlantic with air surveillance and a navy ship, the Ministry of Defence says
- The US head of homeland security says the US Coast Guard conducted "back-to-back" boarding of two "ghost fleet" ships
- Earlier, several military aircraft were tracked heading towards the vessel in the North Atlantic, the Marinera. Footage shared by Russian media also appears to show a helicopter close to that ship
- Moscow says the tanker was only temporarily flagged to Russia, and that "no state has the right to use force against vessels properly registered in other countries' jurisdictions"
- BBC Verify is following that tanker's journey - it's around 200km (120 miles) south of Iceland and recently changed course
- The ship is accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil - it's historically transported Venezuelan crude oil but reports say it's empty at the moment
US seizes Russian-flagged tanker in Atlantic as UK confirms it gave support to operation
The White House says the crew can be brought to the US for prosecution “if necessary” - Russia’s foreign ministry earlier said the US must not hamper their return.
www.bbc.co.uk