Nick B 🔶

@aviarm.com

405 Followers 346 Following

Proud grandfather. Blogger and freelance writer covering aerospace & defence issues. Chair of Cheltenham Liberal Democrats. Has never shouted at a hotel. https://www.aviarm.com

Satyress centaur-style robot holding a chainsaw by a pickup truck in the woods.
We’ve published datasets with estimates for people aged 90 years and over to 105 years and over in England and Wales. There were an estimated 581,400 people aged 90 years or over in mid-2025. This has increased by: • 16.3% since mid-2015 • 3.0% since mid-2024
Britain has lost its advantage over the EU when it comes to trade, the head of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has said, after it emerged the UK will pay higher tariffs than the bloc following Donald Trump’s new wave of tariffs. The US president is set to hit dozens of countries with renewed tariffs as time-limited levies, introduced in response to a Supreme Court defeat, expired yesterday. However, while Britain and the EU will face the same 10 per cent tariffs, the bloc will pay less due to differences between the two deals negotiated with Mr Trump.
A ministerial review was conducted to examine the quality of advice given to Ministers, senior officials and military leadership—I provided an update on this in my statement to the House on 22 Jan 26, and on 28 Apr 26 advised that a further review had been commissioned. This further review will be chaired by Jonathan Simcock and will evaluate the four previous reviews, looking specifically at the events leading up to the declaration of initial operating capability. Toggle showing location of Column 75WS Jonathan Simcock has significant experience of Government major projects, having led the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, as well as holding a portfolio of non-executive and advisory positions across Government. This review is due to complete by the autumn. I will provide a further update to the House on this review in due course.
The lectern is out on Downing Street
Weather forecast showing peak temperatures of 40 degrees centigrade on Thursday.
New Model Army – Christian Militia There's a witch hunt coming, screaming out on it's rebirth There's a crusade coming, Hellfires back here on earth See the light in their eyes shine, listen to their words like swords The Christian militia is marching now There's a witch hunt coming, born out of all the American fears There's a new purge coming, an inquisition for all of us here Hold onto your sanity as best you can While some Hitler claims to speak for the Son of Man The Christian militia is marching now Hatred makes the adrenaline flow Stir up the fire watch it grow Everybody loves a righteous cause Old lives forgotten in holy wars Everything forgotten in holy wars
The measures to be announced by the prime minister include restrictions on “safe” social media apps, meaning under-16s will be banned from receiving or using disappearing messages, chats with adult strangers, and livestreaming.
Under new plans, tech giants such as Apple and Google could be required to activate built-in features or implement technical solutions on smartphones and tablets to detect and block nude images for children. Responding to criticisms over privacy concerns, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says the plans are about "stopping the coercion and sextortion of children, not surveilling or policing people’s phones". "This technology is already on devices. The tech firms just need to switch it on to block children from seeing nude imagery. "There is no reporting, no data collection, no monitoring, and no images leaving the device," she adds.
The government has released further detail about Starmer's announcement that the government wants tech firms to prevent children from sending and receiving explicit images. Here's an overview: Britain will become the first country in the world where it is impossible for children to take, share or view naked pictures on their devices, the government says Big tech companies like Apple and Google must activate built-in features or implement technical solutions to detect and block nude images for children on both new and existing smartphones and tablets it says, which would block nudity across the whole device by default Those over 18 would still be able to take, share or view nude content through an age verification process, it says If the companies do not act within three months, the government will bring forward legislation to force them to activate blocking technology, it says This would include fines for companies failing to comply, it says, adding "nothing is off the table", and as a last resort the government is exploring criminal liability for tech bosses who fail to comply The government says 91% of online child sexual abuse reports recorded in 2024 contained self-generated content from children themselves and the average child now views pornography by age 13
Keir Starmer begins by saying it's tempting to jump straight to the future when talking about AI and technology - but chooses to talk about what is happening today. He focuses on Warrington, a town in Cheshire. He says the closure of a long-running soap factory became "a symbol of a community left behind". But now that factory is being transformed into a new AI data centre, creating new investment, skilled jobs, and opportunities.
Starmer continues, and says tech companies need the right conditions to succeed, saying they need the freedom to move fast. He says the government has simplified regulations, created a global talent task force and unlocked investment for them to do so. Britain has every reason to be confident, he says, adding "we're on the precipice of something truly extraordinary".
Starmer says today he is calling on tech companies operating in the UK to introduce device controls that prevent children from sending and receiving explicit images. "If they choose not to, then we will act, and we will change the law," he says.
More than two thirds of fraud cases reported to Lloyds first targeted customers on Meta platforms, the bank’s head of fraud prevention has said.
In one case, the TBI hired a senior civil servant tasked with leading the government’s AI programme, then seconded them straight back to their old job in the department – a potential loophole in rules intended to stop former civil servants from using their connections to lobby old colleagues.
A headline announcement was the launch of Remix, a new paid add-on developed in partnership with Universal Music Group that will allow fans to create AI-generated covers and derivative works while sharing economics with rights holders. Pricing was not disclosed, though management said the initiative is expected to be margin neutral to accretive and does not require participation from all major labels. UBS said it expects a deal with Warner Music Group to follow before year-end.
2.52 A trans person will be protected from discrimination because of gender reassignment, whether they have a GRC or not.
Where a full gender recognition certificate is issued to a person, the person’s gender becomes for all purposes the acquired gender (so that, if the acquired gender is the male gender, the person’s sex becomes that of a man and, if it is the female gender, the person’s sex becomes that of a woman).
Lammy’s latest big idea is for parents to face tougher penalties if their children are found guilty of breaking the law. “Parenting orders” will be expanded with a view to forcing bad parents or guardians to be better ones – by ordering them to attend parenting guidance sessions or counselling. Those resistant to such help will be fined instead. Indeed, there will be new powers to jail parents in the most extreme cases – that would trigger some sharp reaction within the Labour Party.
Germany has overtaken the United States in conventional ammunition production capacity, Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger has claimed.
The Ministry of Defence had aspired to update the House via WMS on the Armoured Calvery programme today. Political channels have requested that this WMS is delayed until next week, as a result of key meetings (both cross Whitehall and with the Defence Prime in question) occurring this week. We have every intention to update the house via WMS early next week and would welcome your support in agreeing to this delay.
Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein ● A 2019 report commissioned by JPMorgan found that Epstein appeared to “maintain a particularly close relationship with Prince Andrew the Duke of York and Lord Peter Mandelson, a senior member of the British government”. ● The report cited Epstein's personal records which showed contact beginning in 2002 and continuing throughout the 2000s. ● After Epstein was first convicted of procuring an underage girl in 2008, their relationship continued across 2009-2011, beginning when Lord Mandelson was Business Minister and continuing after the end of the Labour government. Mandelson reportedly stayed in Epstein's House while he was in jail in June 2009. ● In 2014 Mandelson also agreed to be a "founding citizen" of an ocean conservation group founded by Ghislaine Maxwell, and funded by Epstein. ● On reporting of the JP Morgan report, Lord Mandelson's spokesperson said “Lord Mandelson very much regrets ever having been introduced to Epstein. This connection has been a matter of public record for some time. He never had any kind of professional or business relationship with Epstein in any form.” ● The Telegraph reported on these links extensively in January 2024 - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/10/lord-mandelson-friendship-jeffr ey-epstein-keir-starmer/ ● A Labour Party spokesperson has previously commented saying “There are a whole range of people that Keir Starmer talks to. Obviously he talks to people who were part of the last Labour government, including Peter Mandelson.” ● The Cabinet Office holds official records that are likely to be released by the National Archives early next year, which relate to a Tony Blair meeting with Epstein that was facilitated by Mandelson. ● To note - general reputational risk
In a Truth Social post earlier, the US president again threatened to hit civilian infrastructure in Iran if a deal is not reached. It's not the first time he's suggested hitting bridges and power plants - here's what to know. Donald Trump's threat to blow up electricity plants and bridges in Iran could amount to a threat to commit potential war crimes, according to international treaties and conventions on the laws of war.
It emerged late on Thursday that the most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office, Olly Robbins, was leaving his post. The BBC understands he was effectively sacked after Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper lost confidence in him. We're yet to hear from Robbins directly.
UK seeks closer EU ties in volatile times - but at what cost?
Jack Straw, who was foreign secretary under Tony Blair, praised Lord Robertson’s intervention, telling The Independent: “As George points out, there is a great urgency to settle the defence spending programme at a level which meets our needs, now and in the future, and with that make necessary decisions to cut non-essential welfare spending.”
3.20 Russia is mid-way through a programme of major investment to modernise and upgrade its military, including its nuclear forces. It has also increased its nuclear exercises and rhetoric, with threats to base nuclear forces in Kaliningrad and Crimea. Its military activity around the territory of our Allies, and close to UK airspace and territorial waters, is designed to test our responses. Russia’s behaviour will continue to be hard to predict, and, though highly unlikely, we cannot rule out the possibility that it may feel tempted to act aggressively against NATO Allies. 3.21 Our commitment to collective defence and security through NATO remains as strong as ever. The 2014 Wales Summit, under UK leadership, delivered an effective and united response to Russian behaviour. NATO’s commitments include the Allies’ defence investment pledge and the Readiness Action Plan, which respond to the challenges posed by Russia and their strategic implications, as well as to risks and threats to the south of Europe. With NATO Allies we have made the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force a reality and our contributions to the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltics will remain important to deter threats. At UK urging, the EU has imposed sanctions designed to change Russian behaviour.
Seven characters dressed as Jesus from the TV series American Gods
JD Vance has criticised the UK government and claimed “middle-class Brits” can’t afford to get to work because of soaring energy costs – while failing to acknowledge that the price hikes have been driven by Donald Trump’s war in Iran. In what he called a “scandal”, the US vice-president claimed Britons “can’t afford to heat their homes, can’t afford to transport themselves to work” because the government “has made energy so expensive”.