Politics
Mandelson piece published by Murdoch rag despite scandal
Here at the Canary, we’ve long criticised Rupert Murdoch and his grotty tabloid (the Sun) and his grotty broadsheet (the Times). We’ve got to admit, though; even we didn’t think they’d publish a puff piece on Peter Mandelson in the middle of his Epstein-stoked mega downfall:
I deleted my post from before…
I thought it was fake
So I went to WH Smith and here it is
An unbelievable attempt to sanitise this man and normalise what’s he’s done. pic.twitter.com/HXTgAn8D5C
— Marina Purkiss (@MarinaPurkiss) February 7, 2026
Just when you think the British media can’t sink any lower, the floor falls out from under your feet.
Mandelson — Good lord, what now?
To quickly get you up to speed:
Digitally, we’ve had access to the Mandelson interview since the 2 November. We also had access to the pictures. And while the interview seemed ill-judged at the time, it’s so much fucking worse to publish a printed copy several days later.
Just look at this cunt:
JUST IN: 🇬🇧 🇮🇱 🚨 Western media mobilises to SAVE pedophile rapists
The Times just conducted a “friendly” interview with Peter Mandelson (pictured half naked with young girls) that says he was “manipulated” by Jeffery Epstein.
Fucking disgusting.
Burn in hell @thetimes pic.twitter.com/nxKqNW51v3
— ADAM (@AdameMedia) February 7, 2026
People have tried to give a more honest impression of who Mandelson is:
I’ve managed to fix The Times Magazine cover for this weekend.
Hope this helps.
😊 pic.twitter.com/kptZIktBbL— Sir Michael Take CBE (@MichaelTakeMP) February 7, 2026
When we say the interview was ‘ill advised’, what we mean is it provided the notorious liar Mandelson with yet another opportunity to lie to the public:
In The Times gushing paedophile apologia puff piece on Peter Mandelson by @katyballs, he claims Epstein lied to him about his indictment for trafficking children.
Here’s Mandelson advising Epstein on how to devise an “alt story” to his indictment for trafficking children. pic.twitter.com/VMkaxWGGkN
— Eyup Lovely (@eyuplovely) February 7, 2026
We detailed Mandelson’s slimy excuses here.
As we also reported, Mandelson sent a notice out to media outlets on 6 Feb begging the press not to hold him to account. And yet a day later:
Friday night / Saturday morning pic.twitter.com/ZkdhxQS1pN
— Count Binface (@CountBinface) February 6, 2026
Stop giving him oxygen
The only further opportunity Mandelson should have to lie to the public is in court, where he will be put on trial for the soon-to-be-unveilled crime of ‘Mandelsoning with intent‘.
Oh, and also for misconduct in public office (a crime which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison 🤗):
Police raid Mandelson’s Wiltshire home over misconduct in public office allegations. Another great day for Labour! 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/bZQSytetng
— Peter Lloyd (@Suffragent_) February 7, 2026
Featured image via Times scan
The Manchester Jewish Action for Palestine (MJAP) group has condemned a local Israel lobby group for attacking Manchester City football manager Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola, who has a consistent record of solidarity with and support for the Palestinian people, spoke out against Israel’s slaughter again on 4 February. The BBC amplified the manufactured pearl-clutching of the — apparently entirely unelected — so-called ‘Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region’ (JRCGM) that Guardiola should stick to football and not get involved in politics.
While it calls itself a council, JRCGM is in fact a company, registration number Company registration: 8953235. It is one of numerous self-appointed ‘representative’ organisations that act as lobbying groups for Israeli interests.
In a statement, MJAP condemned JRCGM for its whitewashing of the “horrors perpetrated by Israel”. It also pointed out the lack of condemnation by footballing bodies for the ‘right’ kind of political statement and their failure to take appropriate action against the genocidal colony. And it reminded the ‘council’ that as a city — Manchester, including many of its Jews — is united against the crimes of the ethno-supremacist occupation:
Manchester Jewish Action for Palestine (MJAP) welcomes Pep Guardiola’s recent comments decrying Israel’s pursuit of a genocide in Gaza and calling on us all not to turn a blind eye to the suffering of Palestinian children. Guardiola’s heartfelt statement that “to completely kill thousands of innocent people, it hurts me” captures our collective pain as we’ve watched the horrors perpetrated by Israel over the last two and a half years. Guardiola’s brave comments build on expressions of solidarity with Palestinians from many other prominent football figures, including Jurgen Klopp, Mo Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo and Eric Cantona.
MJAP disagrees profoundly with the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester (JRCGM) in their criticism of Guardiola. They say that he “is a football manager” and “should focus on football” rather than “straying into international affairs”. It is not Guardiola who is bringing international affairs into football. The Premiership were quick to organise official displays of solidarity with Ukraine in grounds across the country, and FIFA suspended Russia from international football competitions within days of the invasion of Ukraine. Yet football supporters are not allowed to take any expression of solidarity with Palestine into games (not just flags, but even badges), and after two and a half years of genocide, FIFA has still not suspended Israel from international football competitions. Guardiola is simply expressing a different view on international affairs to those of the Premiership, the FA and FIFA. In doing so, he is giving voice to millions of football supporters, around the world, in the UK and in Manchester.
The JRCGM does not speak for all the Jewish people of Greater Manchester. Many of us are horrified by the genocide that has been pursued in our name by Israel, and have joined countless marches and rallies to oppose it. “Never again” means never again for anyone, including the Palestinians. In failing to call out the crimes of the state of Israel against Palestine the JRCGM have effectively acted as apologists for the genocide.
Israel has murdered thousands of footballers in Gaza – professional and amateur, adults and children – and has deliberately destroyed countless football stadiums, pitches and facilities. Israel has encouraged illegal settlers and their football clubs to operate in the West Bank, against the rules of FIFA.
MJAP supports the demand of football supporters around the world to “red card Israel”, calling on FIFA to suspend Israel’s national teams and clubs from international football competition until Israel ends its genocide, withdraws from illegally occupied land, drops the siege of Gaza and dismantles all its apartheid laws.
In particular, MJAP supports “A City United for Gaza”, a local campaign who have been rallying outside games at Old Trafford and the Etihad for the last two and a half years, collecting signatures for a petition to FIFA.”
Israel was condemned this week by one of its own top generals as modern-day ‘nazis’, doing to the Palestinians what Germany did to the Jews eighty-odd years ago. Solidarity with Pep Guardiola.
Featured image via Facebook
Politics
A MAGA push to erase a Dem House seat is triggering accusations of fraud and violence in Utah
National Republicans are throwing money and bodies at a down-ballot initiative to try to wrest back a congressional seat in Utah. Their efforts could blow up in their face.
With a looming February 15 deadline, Republicans have seen only half the number of verified signatures they need to move things forward. And the effort, which has the backing of President Donald Trump and support from multiple MAGA groups, has devolved into chaos.
Local county clerks are flagging hundreds of potentially fraudulent submissions. People have reportedly been repeatedly misled into signing the petition by signature-gatherers, with some telling local news outlets that they were told it was an anti-ICE petition. Those signature-gatherers have reported being assaulted by hecklers and their signature packets stolen or destroyed.
In the Beehive State, where politics are often seen by outsiders as cartoonishly friendly, this effort has turned so tumultuous that Republican Gov. Spencer Cox — who earned national attention for his pleas for civility after conservative influencer Charlie Kirk was assassinated in the state — called on Utahns to “resolve [their] disagreements peacefully.”
While the GOP groups insist they’ll have the numbers needed, they’re still far short — which would represent a major failure in a ruby-red state.
The effort aims to overturn a new judge-ordered congressional map that hands Democrats one safe blue seat by attempting to repeal an anti-gerrymandering law that would allow the Republican-controlled legislature to reinstall a more favorable map ahead of the 2028 elections. It has garnered support from Trump and his allies, who had already spent $4.3 million on the effort as of November — and have only ramped up since.
The signature-gathering initiative represents an early test of Republicans’ ground-game efforts in a midterm year where they face strong headwinds in the polls.
Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr, have signaled support to the Utah initiative, with Trump recently encouraging his Truth Social followers to support the “very important effort” to ”KEEP UTAH RED.”
Turning Point Action — the 501(c)(4) founded by the late Charlie Kirk, who was killed in the state last summer — is “all in” on the effort, its COO said, and is canvassing the state with a half-dozen events over the next week. A fleet of about 700 paid workers, many of them from out of state, have been hired to gather signatures, bankrolled by Securing American Greatness Inc., a 501(c)(4) previously run by former Trump White House official Taylor Budowich. And MAGA celebrity Scott Presler parachuted in last month for a series of events.
But so far, those efforts don’t appear to be paying off. As of Friday, the initiative had garnered just over 76,000 verified signatures, about half of the more than 140,000 required statewide for a measure to be added to this November’s ballot. A daily analysis conducted by independent journalist Bryan Schott shows the initiative on track to fall well short of the required signature thresholds: eight percent of all active registered voters statewide, and eight percent in at least 26 of the 29 Utah state Senate districts.
“The only thing that will matter is on the very last day, do we have enough signatures, and I strongly believe that we will,” said Brad Bonham, a Republican National Committeeman and initiative sponsor.
The initiative’s Republican backers claim the lagging signature count is part of their strategy. Bonham said the initiative’s sponsors have “many, many thousands of signatures” they are independently verifying and have not yet submitted. Utah Republican Party Chairman Rob Axson said “many tens of thousands” more have been submitted to county clerks and are undergoing verification.
“We feel very, very good about the strategy that we are executing on and the momentum that we’re building,” Axson said.
Dropping a large tranche of signatures close to the February 15 deadline could backfire, said Elizabeth Rasmussen, the executive director of Better Boundaries, the anti-gerrymandering group opposing the repeal, as signers still have a 45-day window after their signature is verified to remove it.
Rasmussen said her group mailed nearly 8,000 letters last week to petition signers encouraging them to remove their names, and will continue to do so in coming weeks. Her groups’ previous efforts have led to over 500 signatures removed, Rasmussen said.
And she’s not so sure that Trump’s involvement will help the GOP in a heavily conservative state whose voters nonetheless have long been skeptical of the president.
“Trump’s approval rating in Utah is at an all-time low,” Rasmussen said. “We’re not seeing that as a value add, if anything.”
The ongoing saga in Utah is an odd addendum to the nationwide redistricting push. In 2018, Utah voters passed Proposition 4, a ballot measure that created an independent redistricting commission to prevent partisan gerrymandering. Earlier this year, District Judge Dianna Gibson ruled that the GOP-controlled state legislature failed to comply with Prop 4 when it drew four safe Republican districts in the 2022 map. The GOP submitted another map with four safe seats last fall, but the judge selected a different map, which includes a blue seat in Salt Lake County, in November.
The GOP-controlled state legislature is appealing Gibson’s decision to the state Supreme Court, and two sitting U.S. House members joined a federal lawsuit pushing for the current, Republican-friendly map to be used in 2026. The state GOP’s signature-gathering push would repeal Prop 4 and allow the legislature to redraw a map ahead of the 2028 cycle.
If they meet the requisite signature threshold, the initiative will go on the ballot this November, where voters will decide.
In Utah County, the state’s second-most-populous county, the clerk’s office has flagged hundreds of signatures for possible fraud. Some appear to be forged signatures, and when the clerk’s office called the signers, they denied ever signing the petition; others appear to be made-up names and addresses.
“I think it’s just the signature gatherers that are doing this are just trying to find an easy way to make money,” Aaron Davidson, the Utah County Clerk, told POLITICO.
The Salt Lake and Davis county clerks — the first- and third-most populous counties in the state — said they have not seen any significant irregularities. “The number of alleged fraudulent voters that Utah County has found, that is startling,” said Lannie Chapman, the Salt Lake County clerk. “We all take this very seriously.”
Axson, the GOP state chair, said some of the signature-gatherers under review were flagged by his team before submission, and several paid signature-gatherers who are under review for fraud have been fired. “I don’t want a single fraudulent signature counted,” Axson said.
“Are there going to be a couple of bad actors, or bad examples, or places where the process has fallen short, or whatnot? Of course there are,” added Axson. “But what’s not being talked about in all of these stories is the fact that out of 3,000 people engaged in this effort, you only have a small handful of bad actors.”
But as the signature push enters its home stretch, tensions have only accelerated.
“Violence is not the answer to any of this. I don’t understand anybody that would do that,” added Bonham, the initiative sponsor. “It brings me back to Charlie Kirk losing his life here in our own backyard. It’s like, what on earth is going on here?”
There’s a seemingly endless array of quippy terms to describe rising travel trends and preferences.
One particularly interesting term is “inheritourism”, which really gets to the heart of why different individuals travel the way that they do and how family plays a role.
Below, travel experts break down the meaning of “inheritourism”, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of this holiday phenomenon.
What is ‘inheritourism’?
“Inheritourism reflects how travel preferences are passed down across generations,” said Jess Petitt, senior vice president or strategy, insights and full service brands at Hilton.
“Many people inherit travel preferences from their parents, with family experiences often shaping how people travel well into adulthood.”
A 2026 travel report from Hilton identified “inheritourism” as a notable trend for the new year – with 66% of travellers surveyed by the hotel brand saying that their parents have influenced their choice of accommodations, 60% saying they guided their choice of loyalty programs and 73% saying they shaped their general travel style.
“I think inheritourism shows up most clearly in how people define what ‘comfortable’ travel looks like,” said travel blogger Esther Susag. “Many travellers inherit not just destinations, but entire travel styles from their parents. For example, I often notice that people who grew up only doing cruises or all-inclusive resorts tend to gravitate back to those formats as adults.”
Travellers accustomed to the ease of having everything in one place might be more hesitant to go off the beaten path with independent accommodations, hidden gem destinations or locations that require more planning or cultural navigation.
“That same pattern extends into how people pay for travel,” Susag said. “I’ve noticed that travellers whose parents used travel credit cards and understood points and miles tend to feel much more comfortable navigating loyalty programs and booking elevated experiences. On the other hand, people who grew up saving for years for one big trip and paying mostly in cash or with a single credit card often carry that same cautious mindset forward and are hesitant to open multiple cards or experiment with points strategies.”
She added that many parents remain deeply involved in their adult children’s travel decisions, often financing trips with their own loyalty points or preferred brands. Multigenerational travel is increasingly popular, thus exposing new generations to the same kinds of choices.
“Over time, that becomes their baseline for what travel ‘should’ look like,” Susag said. “As travel has become more expensive and more intentional, people are less willing to experiment and more likely to stick with what they know works. That often means repeating the travel patterns they grew up with, whether that’s specific destinations, hotel brands or trip formats.”
Flashpop via Getty Images
It’s only natural that people who grew up travelling in a certain way as children would adopt similar preferences. Katy Nastro, a spokesperson and travel expert for the flight alert service Going, pointed to the cliché “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”.
“I personally grew up going to warm beach destinations to escape the New York winter every February,” Nastro said. “I wholeheartedly believe that the desire for a warmer weather destination during the month of February versus a cold weather trip is not just a preference but is now a personality trait inherited from my family travels as a child.”
She believes the same pattern is evident in the families attracted to “the magic of Disney” with Disney theme parks vacations over multiple generations. Our early memories can inform what we find meaningful and rewarding as we grow up.
“My family chooses the mountains over the beach always, because it’s where I grew up vacationing – and if you ask me, it’s just better,” Petitt said. “Those experiences are also what I’m excited to share with my kids, building on those memories. If we never visit a beach as a family, that would be OK by me.”
Family travel habits strongly influence people’s choices – but is that a good thing?
“Any travel is beneficial in my opinion,” Nastro said. “And in theory, inheritourism can create generational travel because people are inclined to continue the tradition of travel to a certain place, hotel, etc. The only downside may be that this perpetuates a blinder affect where people don’t tend to branch away from what they know, and thus never really explore beyond their comfort zone.”
She added that inheritourism might lead people to miss out on good deals if they can’t look beyond the specific brands or locations they’ve “inherited”.
“Travellers may avoid less popular destinations or more immersive experiences because they feel less predictable or convenient,” Susag said. “That said, awareness is growing, and many people are starting to challenge those habits once they realise there are other ways to travel that still feel safe and rewarding.”
Overall, she sees a mix of downsides and benefits to the influence of inheritourism today.
“On the positive side, inheritourism makes travel more accessible and lowers the barrier to entry for a lot of people,” Susag said. “It also encourages multigenerational travel and shared experiences, which can be incredibly meaningful.”
Inheritourism can serve as “a foundation, rather than a fixed path,” she emphasised. Travellers can carry forward meaningful traditions but also cultivate their own.
“People tend to start by recreating the trips and habits they grew up with, then adapt them as their confidence grows and their priorities shift,” Susag said. “Whether that means exploring less traditional destinations, traveling more independently or becoming more intentional about how they spend on travel, many travellers eventually build on what they inherited rather than abandoning it altogether.”
As in other areas of life, parents tend to set the norms and serve as trusted sources for young adults as they make decisions.
“In a world of digital overwhelm and an abundance of choice, travellers are looking to their inner circle to inform their travel decisions,” Petitt said.
“When seeking an experience beyond what is familiar, inherited preferences and trusted travel habits serve as a starting point for discovering something new. The key is balance – while inheritourism offers comfort and confidence, the greatest benefit comes when those familiar influences open the door to exploration, rather than limit it.”
Despite pressing public concern, Keir Starmer is saying the ‘materials’ linked to the thrice-disgraced Peter Mandelson will not come quickly. And as you might expect, people are not happy:
He will try to buy time and get this kicked into the long grass with investigations and enquiries reporting years hence. And even then likely delayed until a summer recess in years time. This is what all guilty PMs do.
— Freamon’s Burner (@FreamonB) February 6, 2026
Mandelson cover up?
On 6 February, Skwawkbox reported for the Canary that the police raided Mandelson’s properties. If you’re a longtime Mandelson disliker, it will warm your heart to see the following image (although we would have preferred riot cops booting down his doors):
BREAKING: police raid Mandelson’s properties in Epstein hit
Police have raided two properties belonging to disgraced former Starmer adviser Peter Mandelson over his Epstein linkshttps://t.co/0xerIGeX6S
— Canary (@TheCanaryUK) February 6, 2026
God knows what the police will uncover in Mandelson’s lair.
At the same time, the security services are looking into Starmer’s decision to make Mandelson the ambassador to the US. As Sky News reported above:
We’re hearing that Sir Keir Starmer has warned a very significant volume of material will likely need to be reviewed in relation to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US. But the Prime Minister said the government wanted to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency it deserves. That’s coming in a letter to the intelligence and Security Committee this evening.
So, the Prime Minister warning that a significant volume of material will have to be reviewed in relation to that appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador. And the government wants to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency it deserves.
The first thing to point out is that when Starmer made Mandelson the ambassador to the US, he knew that the guy had maintained a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein after the paedophile was convicted for sex crimes.
This, by itself, should be enough for Starmer to resign.
Last September, Keir Starmer told the Commons that he had “full confidence” in Peter Mandelson.
Well, the public has no confidence in him.
He must resign. pic.twitter.com/h5YbuhL1I3
— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) February 6, 2026
And as we’ve highlighted over and over again; it wasn’t just Starmer who knew — everyone knew. The reason it wasn’t a scandal then is because the British media is a freakshow with a selective memory:
This article came out in the FT over a year before Starmer appointed Mandelson
Starmer knew everything
Another powerful man who failed Epstein’s victims because he didn’t care
Starmer has to go. Now https://t.co/aSYRHCPbLk pic.twitter.com/ICn9OUWsX0
— Matt Kennard (@kennardmatt) February 5, 2026
People are worrying that these Mandelson Files will be full of unjustifiable redactions:
Right from the Trump playbook. https://t.co/BMLe5Piuec
— Tammy Twotone (@TheTammyTwotone) February 7, 2026
As we’ve covered, this is precisely what’s happening with the Epstein Files (although even then, enough got out to finish Mandelson; imagine what we’d know about him without all those black bars).
How long can this drag on for?
There could be good reason for security services to spend time vetting these files. The problem for Starmer is that no one trusts him, so this all just looks like a cover up.
If Starmer remains in position, he’s going to suffer months of devastating new revelations which further dent his rock-bottom popularity. Labour MPs know that; the question is do they have the backbone to give Starmer the boot before he can inflict maximum damage?
Featured image via Epstein Files
As reported by the Canary, six of the Filton 24 prisoners recently walked free after being acquitted of the charges against them. Now, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced its intent to seek a retrial against these activists:
A CPS spokesperson said: “Prosecutors are now considering the precise basis on which that retrial would proceed, including the form of the indictment, in accordance with CPS legal guidance.” pic.twitter.com/oauNsFTMct
— Crown Prosecution Service (@CPSUK) February 7, 2026
Filton 24 triumph short lived
On 4 February, Skwawkbox reported for the Canary:
Six members of the Filton 24 have been acquitted by a jury in a major victory for anti-genocide protesters. After an 8-day deliberation Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Ellie (Leona) Kamio, Fatema Zainab Rajwani, Zoe Rogers, and Jordan Devlin were cleared of charges brought against them by the Starmer regime. The ‘Filton 24’ are a group of political prisoners held for action to inhibit the manufacture of Israeli weapons used against Palestinians.
The case of the Filton 24 activists was used as justification to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. Commenters have now argued this should challenge that proscription:
Palestine coalition welcomes Filton case outcome as significant defeat for the government which used the case to justify its disgraceful proscription of Palestine Action🧵 pic.twitter.com/1MbL5JbTfh
— Stop the War Coalition (@STWuk) February 6, 2026
The UK government pinned its case for declaring Palestine Action a terrorist organisation largely on the trial of the so-called Filton Six, claiming they had proved the group to be violent.
A jury today found none of them guilty of any of the charges. pic.twitter.com/pytV3HIJcl
— Jonathan Cook (@Jonathan_K_Cook) February 4, 2026
The case also challenged earlier assertions that activists “smashed” the spine of a police officer, although some journalists have continued to make the claim:
Allison Pearson is now flat-out lying about the #filton24 case: not even the prosecution claimed the officer’s spine was “smashed” – shameful deception, a complete betrayal of her journalistic ethics and possibly criminal contempt of court https://t.co/BqdyjNXfJE
— Man in the High Castle (@mcelderrytruth) February 5, 2026
Although the government attempt to portray the Palestine Action activists as violent criminals, this body-cam footage, shown to the jury during the first Filton 24 trial, shows an Elbit security guard attacking two defendants with a sledgehammer. pic.twitter.com/pY2FWctcfp
— Asa Winstanley (@AsaWinstanley) February 4, 2026
Following the acquittal, Naila Ahmed (Head of Campaigns at CAGE) said:
This is a huge victory for the movement but nationally and abroad who campaigned on behalf of the defendants, and a powerful affirmation of jury independence and moral courage in the face of extraordinary political pressure.
Though they cannot get back the 17 months of their life taken from them unlawfully, they should all be compensated and the remaining 18 defendants of the Filton 24 should also be released on bail. This case was used to justify the ban against Palestine Action, a decision that should now be overturned.
CAGE calls for full compensation for those acquitted, a lifting of the ban on Palestine Action, an independent review into the political handling of the case, and the abolition of terror laws. The acquittal should prompt serious reflection on how easily due process can be eroded when political interests are at stake.
This case from the start has been heavily politicised.
The CPS are now publicly declaring, before the court hearing, that they’ll seek a retrial, despite the defendants having already spent 18months in prison without a single conviction.
This is political theatre. https://t.co/VdUw9wLjyG
— Huda Ammori (@HudaAmmori) February 7, 2026
Huda Ammori, the cofounder of Palestine Action added:
This case from the start has been heavily politicised.
The CPS are now publicly declaring, before the court hearing, that they’ll seek a retrial, despite the defendants having already spent 18months in prison without a single conviction.
This is political theatre.
Indeed it is Huda, indeed it is.
Featured image via CPS
As we reported on 6 February, Donald Trump posted an explicitly racist video to his Truth Social account:
BREAKING: Trump just posted an incredibly racist photo of the Obama’s faces photoshopped on to the body of apes.
Every day is a new rock bottom for this ugly pig. pic.twitter.com/GlMM7Cfjoe
— Dean Withers (@itsdeaann) February 6, 2026
There have been several developments since then, with the end point being that Trump admitted to being the one responsible.
Trump-anzee
After the US President posted his hate crime, several of his supporters claimed ‘he didn’t post that, actually‘.
This is how that went (see the community note at the bottom):
FAKE NEWS ALERT! Trump Didn’t post this monkey video of the obamas
Lying Democrats
It’s not on his page
Fake screenshot pic.twitter.com/91zsEo4L7t
— Terrence K. Williams (@w_terrence) February 6, 2026
Trump’s more cautinary boot lickers suggested it was all a big mistake:
I sincerely hope President @realDonaldTrump didn’t realise this 60-second clip he reposted last night didn’t end with the vile racist imagery of the Obamas as apes. He should delete it immediately. pic.twitter.com/jHZln3u98Q
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 6, 2026
Karoline Leavitt (White House press secretary) would later claim the following:
This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle & Democrats as characters from The Lion King. Please stop the fake outrage
Bullshit aside, why is the White House producing so many memes? Shouldn’t they be busy undoing the havoc that Trump has wrought on the economy?
Later in the day, the American President’s team actually deleted the video — suggesting the “outrage” was warranted, actually:
Donald Trump has finally deleted that racist post depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys from his Truth Social media account. But not before the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a meme. pic.twitter.com/aouLXMavGW
— Mukhtar (@I_amMukhtar) February 6, 2026
They’d also claim that actually a staffer posted the video:
First the WH @PressSec defended Trump’s racist tweet and mocked “fake outrage” coming from critics. Now they’re saying a staffer posted it around midnight and that the tweet has been deleted. Tell us another one! pic.twitter.com/tjU3r8fws7
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) February 6, 2026
Ultimately, Donald made a mockery of all his defenders by simply admitting he was the one responsible:
Reporter: The WH says a staffer sent that video. Are you going to fire the staffer?
Trump: No. I looked at it. I didn’t see the whole thing. I gave it to the people, they posted it.
Reporter: Are you going to apologize?
Trump: No, I didn’t make a mistake. pic.twitter.com/VH1qmEOmb2
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 7, 2026
Shameful
So the meme that someone else chose for Trump and then they deleted; the president chose it himself, actually, and also he was right to do so.
Clear?
We understand Trump’s loyalists don’t care about the racism, but aren’t they sick of being embarrassed?
Featured image via Truth Social
Neo-nazi Trump supporter Jake Lang has been hilariously arrested in St Paul, Minnesota, after publishing footage of himself equally hilariously destroying an anti-ICE ice sculpture.
Lang, a ‘Jan 6er‘ thug who served four years in prison before Trump pardoned him, then told his followers he’d see them on 7 February outside the Minnesota state capital, where he destroyed the sculpture.
No, he probably won’t, since he’ll likely still be in jail — or if he’s lucky, on bail — after being arrested for criminal damage. Especially since local cops won’t exactly be short of evidence, with him filming everything and publishing it.
And in true far-right fashion, he made a right pillock of himself. Lang nearly emasculated himself with his first kick, then almost fell over — and was quite puffed out by the time he had finished shortening ‘Prosecute ICE’ to ‘Pro ICE’. Bright lad, that:
Lang has previously posted an image of himself performing a nazi salute outside a synagogue. Perhaps not the sharpest tool in the box, then.
Featured image via the Canary
Whether it happens on your postprandial fart walk, right in the middle of yoga class or while you’re sleeping, everyone — even the poshest among us — farts.
According to Dr. Satish Rao, professor of Medicine at Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia, the average person farts seven to 24 times a day.
“It’s a normal physiological phenomenon,” he said, explaining flatulence as the byproduct of fermentation in the colon.
That fermentation creates gas, which is a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen and more. One surprisingly smelly fact is that more than 99% of farts are odourless, but a foul smell comes from trace sulphur compounds. Unfortunately, our noses are extremely good at detecting sulphur, even in microscopic amounts.
Once that gas is formed, Rao said there are only two options for it to escape. “Some gas will move from the lining of the colon to the bloodstream, then get exhaled by the breath,” he said. “But the other pathway out is the fart. The gas will find its way out eventually, and if you produce a lot of gas too quickly, it won’t be absorbed, but will automatically push its way out through the anus.”
In general, a few farts a day are nothing to worry about, said Dr. Cait Welsh, postdoctoral researcher from Monash University and the Hudson Institute of Medical Research. “Most of the time, the release of gas is a healthy sign that digestion and gut microbiota are happy and functioning well.”
While you produce gas all day long, you’re more likely to let ’em rip during sleep, when your anal sphincter relaxes and gas escapes more easily.
Which People Are The Gassiest?
It might be hard to think of King Charles or the Pope as real toot machines, but Rao is positive that anyone who eats food, especially carbohydrates, is going to fart at least some time during each day. And some of us are certainly more, um, productive than others, said Dr. Folasade P. May, associate professor of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles.
“People who chew a lot of gum, drink carbonated drinks or eat too quickly may swallow more air, for example, which can cause flatulence,” she said. “Other people have gut bacteria that produce more gas. Diet, how fast you digest, and medications can also change how much gas you make and pass.”
If you’re thinking that President Donald Trump is making you fart more, you might be right. (Fun fact: An old Australian slang word for a fart is a “trump.”) Stress or anxiety, about the current political climate or matters closer to home, can have an impact on how much someone farts, May said.
“Especially in people with irritable bowel syndrome or other functional gut disorders, stress can change how fast we eat and digest, making flatulence seem worse,” May explained.
krisanapong detraphiphat via Getty Images
Foods That Can Up Your Fart Count
Dr. Ed Giles, a pediatric gastroenterologist and associate professor of pediatrics at Monash University, noted that the most well-known foods to cause gas are the so-called FODMAP foods, an acronym for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols.
The key term for these carbohydrates, Giles said, is “fermentable.” That means the foods have an ability to produce gas. “They feed the bacteria in the gut and the bacteria produce the gas, including methane, which smells,” he said.
May outlined some of the worst FODMAP culprits: beans, lentils, onions, garlic, crucifers like broccoli and cabbage, and some whole grains and fruits. “If you’re lactose intolerant, consuming dairy can also increase gas production,” she said.
When To Be Concerned
Gas is concerning when it’s painful, disruptive or different from your normal pattern. If you’re regularly releasing gas more than 23 or 24 times a day and it’s causing problems, it’s worth investigating. However, some people may experience more flatulence than that and it’s still considered normal; it all depends on your diet and your personal health factors.
“The most important thing is that if excessive flatulence is persistent or accompanied by pain, weight loss, diarrhea or blood in the stool, it’s worth consulting a clinician for evaluation,” May said. “If gas is persistent or accompanied by these other warning signs, a clinician can help sort out causes.”
Some of the conditions a health care professional will want to rule out include celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose or other food intolerances, pancreatic enzyme insufficiency and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and other diseases like multiple sclerosis also come with increased flatulence.
You might be asked to keep a food journal and, yes, even count the number of farts you produce each day. Luckily, there are now several apps to help you do this, including Gaslog, FlareCare, Gutly and Vitalis. These apps aren’t medical diagnostic tools, but might help you spot patterns in how your diet and lifestyle contribute to gas symptoms.
And just keep in mind that everyone — every single one of us — has experienced an ill-timed fart, and lived to tell the tale. So unless your gas comes with pain or surprises, you’re probably just doing what everyone else is doing, too.
Well, well, well, it looks like Reform UK have been accused of dodgy tricks in the Gorton & Denton by-election:
A number of residents have received this correspondence. The @ElectoralCommUK are aware and it is our understanding that they are discussing this matter with the police. https://t.co/PaciUNuac4
— Turn Left Media (@TurnLeftMediaUK) February 6, 2026
Don’t Reform UK sell themselves as a party of law and order?
Hopefully they don’t intend to follow the Donald Trump model of ‘law and order’, which is to break every law in order to extract maximum profit for himself. Although if they do, we shouldn’t really be surprised given Farage’s relationship with the US president.
Call the cops
The letter above may be a little blurry and small for you, but here’s what it says:
Dear Neighbour,
Forgive me for writing to you, but with the Gorton and Denton by-election on Thursday, 26th February, I feel I have no choice.
My name is Patricia. I am a local pensioner, 74 years old. I worked hard, paid my taxes, brought up my family here, and always believed that if you did the right thing, this country would look after you.
Lately, that belief has been shaken. Every month I worry about my energy bills. Prices in the shops keep rising. My pension does not stretch far enough.
I previously voted Labour because Keir Starmer told us things would change for the better. They haven’t. The truth is that Britain no longer feels like the country I grew up in. Simple things like doctor’s appointments or the buses don’t work. The system feels broken, and no-one in charge seems able to fix it.
Keir Starmer’s Labour government doesn’t care about Gorton and Denton. Their tax rises have cost pensioners like me an extra £160 that we cannot afford. I remember how our last Labour MP – a government minister – wished that a local pensioner who asked about her bin collection would drop dead!
In the Gorton and Denton by-election, I understand why some neighbours who have had enough of Keir Starmer are thinking of voting Green. But I do not believe the Greens have answers to our problems. They have extreme policies like legalising drugs and letting men use women’s changing rooms. What good would that do people like us?
For me, this by-election comes down to a simple choice: more broken promises from Keir Starmer, or real change. That is why I will be voting for Reform UK’s candidate, Matthew Goodwin, who grew up in Manchester. Our area deserves someone who will stand up for local people.
I do not want Keir Starmer to be our Prime Minister anymore. Voting for Reform is the best way to kick him out. After a lifetime of voting loyally, I feel I have no choice but to vote for Reform UK on Thursday, 26th February. Please think about doing the same.
Yours sincerely,
A concerned neighbour,
Patricia Clegg
Firstly, if you’re on a pension, we’ve got bad news for you about Reform UK:
55% of the welfare bill is spent on pensions.
The majority of sick and disabled people receive around £9k to £11k a year.
Reform UK wants to cut £25 Billion from welfare.
To get this much means they would have to make massive cuts from sickness benefits and pensions. https://t.co/8NpJ1S6Wlt— Dr_Rebecca (@Dr_Bekka_UK) January 21, 2026
Secondly, as this video shows, when someone rang the number on the envelope, there was no ‘Patricia Clegg’ there:
Have you seen this? https://t.co/p0BiRtQQa3
— James Foster (@JamesEFoster) February 6, 2026
The printers who answered confirmed that they produced the letter for Reform UK, and that it was “official literature” for the party. Strange, given that the letter didn’t mention ‘Reform UK’ anywhere. And this is why the situation has become a matter for the police:
Reform UK will face a police investigation in Gorton and Denton after admitting that it sent out letters from a “concerned neighbour” which did not state that they had been distributed and funded by the party.https://t.co/ZoYvV4bp0J
— Anne Greensmith 💙 (@snowleopardess) February 6, 2026
Reform UK told the Guardian that Clegg is a real woman; they also spoke to her. She said:
I was asked to support Reform; would I be willing to do a letter and put my name to it? And I said, ‘Yeah’, and I left the rest to them
According to Reform, the letters should have had all the correct legal stuff on, but some sort of printing error cut it off. And, to be fair, the printer has ‘taken full responsibility’ for this alleged error. People aren’t buying it, though:
The Reform UK @GoodwinMJ campaign and printer is blaming a “trimming error” for the imprint not being on the letter.
Bearing in mind the letter is A4, what exactly was trimmed.
And why would you print on A4 and trim it? The images show it clearly wasn’t trimmed.
The lie is… pic.twitter.com/EJ7q8O118h
— Reform Party UK Exposed 🇬🇧 (@reformexposed) February 6, 2026
Keep Reform out
People have said that Reform did something similar in the Caerphilly by-election:
Reform did the *exact* same thing in Caerphilly and no one outside of Wales seemed to care. https://t.co/D24NLRbLBK
— Morgan Paulett (@MorganPaulett) February 6, 2026
You may be pleased to know that for all Reform threw at Caerphilly, the people came together to roundly reject them (abandoning Labour in the process):
Caerphilly by-election broke several records:
🔴 First time Labour has lost in 115 years
🔴 Worst-ever Labour result
🏴 Best-ever Plaid Cymru result
🔵 Worst-ever Tory result
➡️ Highest Reform % in a Welsh FPTP seat https://t.co/7ySKTr2jBv pic.twitter.com/sDKXaOzWsP— Stats for Lefties 🍉🏳️⚧️ (@LeftieStats) October 24, 2025
Let’s hope the Greens can achieve a similar result in Gorton & Denton.
Featured image via Gage Skidmore (Wikimedia)
In 2026, high returns on real estate investments are linked to emerging growth hotspots. While prices in the US and Western Europe show moderate increases, dynamic markets such as Greece, the UAE, Vietnam, and Turkey are delivering double-digit yields.
In this article, we explore why investing in developing economies often produces 8–15% annual growth compared to 3–4% in mature markets and highlight key destinations where you can acquire not just property, but a high-yield asset.
Why Consider Fast-Growing Markets?
Investing in fast-growing markets is attractive because property prices are still relatively low but increase rapidly. Unlike mature economies, where market parameters are already established, these countries are often in active development: populations are growing, infrastructure is expanding, and housing demand outpaces supply. This creates a foundation for higher overall investment returns.
Key advantages:
- High growth rates: Active construction, city development, and an initially low price base enable rapid property value appreciation alongside economic growth.
- Accessibility: Lower prices allow investors to enter the market with smaller capital and acquire assets in promising locations that can increase significantly in value.
- Attractive rental yields: Growing demand for housing, fueled by tourism, migration, and labor market growth, supports high rental rates.
- Comprehensive infrastructure development: Roads, transport hubs, and commercial and social projects boost area attractiveness and stimulate long-term demand.
Comparing Developed and Developing Markets
| Metric | Developing Markets | Mature Markets (US, UK) |
| Annual price growth | 5–15% nominal; 5–10% real | 3–4%; market near peak |
| Average rental yield | 5–10% (Turkey 6–8%, UAE 5–7%, Greece 4–6%) | 5–7% |
| Average property price | $150,000–$300,000 (Turkey, Montenegro, Greece) | ~ $350,000 |
| Risk level | Medium: currency fluctuations, regulatory changes | Low: high predictability, stable institutions |
Top Emerging Real Estate Markets
Greece
Greek real estate shows consistent growth: in 2025, prices increased 8–9%, with urban areas rising ~6% in Q1 2025. Foreign capital remains a key driver: over 9,000 Golden Visa Greece applications were submitted in 2024 (10% more than in 2023). In popular tourist zones, foreign buyers account for up to 70% of transactions.
The Greek residency-by-investment program, with a minimum threshold of €250,000 for renovated properties, adds incentive. Applications take about 4 months; residency is granted for 5 years with renewal rights for the family, without a requirement to reside permanently.
- Rental yield: 4.5–8% annually; small apartments in central Athens yield 6–8%, while short-term rentals on Mykonos and Santorini can exceed 10%.
- Price growth: 6–10% annually in key areas.
- Promising locations: Athens, Thessaloniki, and major islands – Crete, Rhodes, Corfu.
Cyprus
Cyprus is one of the region’s most dynamic markets. In 2025, transaction volume reached a record €5.71 billion, and prices rose 6.51%. Growth is concentrated in Limassol, Larnaca, and Nicosia, supported by stable tourism (over 4 million visitors) and residency-by-investment programs.
- Rental yield: 5.4–7%; Limassol reaches 7%.
- Demand: high for properties up to €250,000 and luxury villas over €1.5 million.
- Promising locations: Limassol (highest yield), Larnaca (fast sales growth), Nicosia (stable demand), Paphos (tourist market).
Malta
The Maltese market benefits from tourism and economic growth (+6%). In 2025, sales increased 14% and prices 6.8%. Apartments and penthouses in Special Designated Areas (SDAs) are particularly sought after by foreigners, with no restrictions on foreign ownership.
- Rental yield: average 4%; in premium areas (St Julian’s, Sliema) 5–10%, with some projects up to 15%.
- Price growth: Valletta 6–8% annually.
- Promising locations: SDAs, coastal districts, areas near universities.
Japan
After a stagnation period, the Japanese market is recovering. Yen depreciation stimulated tourism (+18%) and foreign investment inflows. Prices in major cities increase 5–7% annually, with premium properties appreciating 12–20%.
- Rental yield: 3–6% per year.
- Price range: $400,000–$650,000 for quality properties.
- Promising locations: central Tokyo (Shibuya, Minato), Kyoto (Higashiyama), Osaka (Kita).
South Korea
The market is expanding due to a tech boom and foreign investment. Tourism grows 20–22%; Seoul prices rise 4–6% annually, and luxury apartments can gain up to 30% in five years.
- Rental yield: 2–7%; short-term rentals in tourist areas yield 4–7%.
- Price range: from $350,000 for apartments in premium areas.
- Promising locations: Gangnam and Mapo in Seoul, areas near university campuses.
Vietnam
The market grows 7–9% annually due to urbanisation, infrastructure projects, and increased tourism (up to 18 million visitors). Foreign investors actively buy projects starting at $150,000.
- Rental yield: 3–12% annually; coastal villas and tourist apartments 8–12%.
- Resale profits: may exceed 20%.
- Promising locations: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang, Nha Trang.
UAE (Dubai)
Dubai remains a growth hotspot: in 2025, prices rose 15–18%. Investors are attracted by zero rental taxes and access to the “Golden Visa” for investments from $204,000.
- Rental yield: 7–11% annually for apartments.
- Price growth: areas like Palm Jumeirah exceed 13% per quarter.
- Promising locations: Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Village Circle.
Portugal
Portugal remains one of Europe’s most active markets: in 2025, prices grew 15–17% amid chronic supply shortages. Demand is strong in Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, and Madeira.
- Rental yield: 4–7% annually; Lisbon 5–7%, Porto up to 6.7%.
- Most sought-after properties: 1–3 bedroom apartments for long-term rental in major cities and tourist areas.
Turkey
The market is in a correction phase: nominal price growth is 30–40% annually, but real value is affected by inflation. A key driver for foreigners remains the citizenship-by-investment program via real estate purchase.
- Rental yield: average 7.5–8% nationwide; Istanbul 6–6.5%, Antalya 5–7.5%.
- Strategy: apartments in central Istanbul and resort properties in Antalya.
Montenegro
Property prices are rising rapidly: in 2025, growth reached 21%. Coastal locations (Budva, Kotor) see prices of €3,000–3,800/m²; premium complexes reach €12,000/m². Up to two-thirds of buyers are foreigners.
- Rental yield: 6–10% in coastal areas; 4.5–7% on average nationwide.
- Promising locations: Porto Montenegro, Budva Riviera, Bar.
What to Watch When Investing
- Legal regulations: foreign ownership rules vary widely, from freehold (UAE, Cyprus) to restricted zones (Turkey). Understand minimum holding periods, taxes, and reporting requirements.
- Currency risk: investing in developing economies carries local currency fluctuations, affecting real dollar returns.
- Liquidity: time to sell an asset ranges from weeks (Dubai) to months (seasonal markets like Montenegro).
- Fundamental drivers: sustainable growth depends on tourism, migration, and major infrastructure projects.
- Net yield: gross yields of 8–10% should be adjusted for taxes, maintenance, and vacancies. Actual net returns often range 2–5%.
How to Maximise Results in 2026
- Set clear goals: capital growth, rental income, or residency status.
- Analyse metrics: price growth, yield, entry cost, infrastructure development.
- Study legal environment: thoroughly check rules for non-residents, program requirements, and developer reliability.
- Plan your budget: include all costs—purchase, renovation, taxes, and management.
- Engage local experts: they minimise risks and ensure proper transaction handling.
- Manage the asset: monitor the market, update rental terms, and maintain the property to enhance value and liquidity.
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