RayC

I am a little confused. Australia does not differentiate between economic migrants and asylum seekers if they attempt to enter the country illegally. There is no vetting process: Neither group are allowed to settle in Australia. However, if you do differentiate between the two groups (economic migrants and asylum seekers), then if you accept that, following vetting, someone has proven that they have a genuine case for asylum then surely they should be granted the right to remain in the country, be that the UK, Italy or anywhere else? If they are proven to be an economic migrant there is no need to involve a third country; they can be deported to their home country.

How do you distinguish an economic migrant from an asylum seeker on arrival? (The Australian solution makes no attempt to do this).

A thought crosses my mind (a rare and dangerous occurrence). If you use a VPN is it possible to set the location to the UK and then file your return on-line i.e. without the expense of buying 3rd party software? Not tried it myself so no idea if this will work.

This sad story highlights the fact that the migrant crisis is a Europe-wide problem. It is clearly not a problem faced by the UK alone in the face of the inability and/or unwillingness of France/the EU to deal with it as some would have you believe.

The IMF predicted in October '21 that the UK economy would grow at a higher rate than France and Germany in 2022 (see also Chomper's post). https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2021/10/12/blog-global-prospects-and-policies UK growth rates since 2016 - and most other economic indicators - have been negatively influenced by the decision to leave the EU.

Great????Just what we needed. A "cause" that seems to unite conspiracy theory nutters from both the far-left and the far-right.

More of the usual: Head in the sand/ Denial: 'Not a problem' (despite evidence to the contrary) 'It will all be good in the future' No accountability or responsibility: Not a problem caused by Brexit 'It's the French wot dun it' 'It's the fault of remainers for not getting behind Brexit' Jingoism/ Xenophobia 'We don't need Jonny Foreigner' All too familiar and sad.

Well, that depends what you define as "an age". In any event, the OP was comparing the time taken to download a form (+/-5 mins max) with the time taken to phone HMRC and receive form via the post (min 5 days). Hardly an improvement which is the MAIN point.

That's not the point. Why make it more difficult for people in the first place?

You're right. Just a few - less than 1 in 5 - French nationals support the return of the monarchy. https://www.bva-group.com/sondages/les-francais-et-la-monarchie/

It would appear that NASA were able to present a persuasive business case, and that the US government thought the opportunity cost of funding the project was worth it.

Going to be a bit crowded on that balcony

If that is true then it is definitely more than just marketing!

It is more than marketing. This is part of a wider program to send astronauts to Mars. https://executivegov.com/2023/03/nasa-establishes-moon-to-mars-program-office-selects-amit-kshatriya-to-lead/#:~:text=NASA has established its new,future crewed missions to Mars.

But you would have to admit that having the husband of the former leader of the party - which is synonymous with the desire for Scottish independence - is hardly helpful. I'd suggest that it's an uphill task for the SNP PR team to put a positive spin of this story.

"Whatta da f@#£ !"

You conveniently forget that the West's response to the annexation of Crimea - i.e. some economic sanctions and a polite request to Putin that he withdraw Russian forces - had no effect whatsoever. Even after Russia launched its' invasion in February 2022, the West's first response was to try to broker peace (remember Macron's trip to Moscow?). This was all to no avail. Ukraine asked for military assistance to combat a tyrant who invaded their country; the West did not force weapons upon them. Yet you insist that it is the West that is escalating the conflict. What would you have had the West do? Leave Ukraine to Putin's mercy? What would you have the West do now? Withdraw all military aid? What about Ukraine itself? Sue for peace on Russia's terms?

It's a national disgrace. Back in my day, no Brit would have got drunk by drinking Amstel or Heineken!

You can, of course, choose to reply (or not) to whatever posts you like. However, I think that it was completely reasonable to ask which side you feel should surrender given that you see that you see this as the only viable option (other than mass destruction).

Which side should give up?

Sports and politics have been intertwined since the Greeks invented the Olympiad. As others have inferred, the Nazis recognised that success at sport could be used as a propaganda tool and, no doubt, Putin realises the same. For that reason, imo sadly Russian and Belarusian sportsmen and women should not be allowed to compete internationally in individual events. Those who compete in team events might be treated differently. This was how those from apartheid South Africa were treated in the '70s and '80s (in the UK at least).

You seem keen to point the finger at the West for any escalation, ignoring the fact that Russia's illegal activities in Ukraine over the past decade were the catalyst for this situation. Ensuring that those responsible for this conflict i.e. Putin's Russia are held accountable for their actions is entirely relevant whatever the context. If your analysis is correct then we are caught in a vicious spiral from which there is no escape.

The joke about the pitch invasion was good in comparison with this one!

But then wouldn't that amount to Russia upping the conflict further? In any event, imo the implication that Ukraine and/or the UK and/or the West bear any responsibility for the current situation is totally incorrect.

Pictures of a pitch invasion from 45 years ago???????? The rebirth of 'Alternative comedy' is happening before our eyes!