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Tires like Deestone etc?
+1 for Maxxis, I changed to them quite a while back on my Toyota pick up, great wearing tyres. -
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Reform UK Reports MP Rupert Lowe to Police Over Bullying Allegations
Reform UK has referred its own MP, Rupert Lowe, to the police over allegations of workplace bullying, targeting female staff, and making threats of physical violence against the party’s chairman. The accusations against the MP for Great Yarmouth, which the party described as a “disturbing pattern of behaviour,” have sparked internal tensions within Nigel Farage’s party. According to a statement released by Reform UK’s chief whip, Lee Anderson, and chairman, Zia Yusuf, the party received two complaints from female employees. "Evidence was provided to us of workplace bullying, the targeting of female staff who raised concerns, and evidence of derogatory and discriminatory remarks made about women, including reference to a perceived disability,” they said. The statement further alleged that Lowe had “on at least two occasions made threats of physical violence against our party chairman.” Anderson and Yusuf confirmed that the matter had been handed over to the police. The accusations against Lowe surfaced after he made critical remarks about Nigel Farage’s leadership, arguing that Reform UK needed a more structured governance. He accused Farage of acting like a “messiah” and warned that he would not remain in the party unless significant changes were made. "We have to change from being a protest party led by the messiah into being a properly structured party with a front bench, which we don’t have. We have to start behaving as if we are leading and not merely protesting," he told *The Daily Mail*. Farage swiftly dismissed Lowe’s claims, stating: “We are not a protest party in any way at all. That is utterly, completely wrong. We are an entirely positive party. Come to any Reform event and the positivity, the energy—perhaps he should come to one or two.” Speaking to *The Sun*, he added, “Reform wouldn’t have won any seats in parliament at all on the 4th of July last year if I wasn’t there.” Lowe strongly denied the allegations, calling them “untrue and false.” In an extensive statement, he said: "Let me be abundantly clear—this investigation is based on zero credible evidence against me, as has been repeatedly stated by the neutral investigator. None has been provided." He further insisted that he had fully cooperated with the investigation, which he described as a “minor staff matter.” According to Lowe, the KC hired by Reform was “dismayed that this statement has been made” and had confirmed that “no evidence against me has been sent to her.” Dismissing the allegations as a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation, Lowe declared: "Allegations of physical threats are outrageous and entirely untrue. I have never made any derogatory comments about women, or those with disabilities. This is a lie. These allegations are not even referring to me. I will be seeking legal advice immediately." Farage doubled down on his position, questioning Lowe’s statements and suggesting they were motivated by political ambition. “Perhaps he wants to be prime minister—most people in politics do … his comments are wrong, we are making gigantic strides,” he said. The controversy has led to criticism from the Conservative Party, which questioned Reform UK’s handling of the situation. A spokesperson for the party said: "If these allegations are true and as serious as they claim, then Reform would remove the whip from Rupert Lowe. If they are not removing the whip, then it can only be seen as a stitch-up to ruin Lowe’s reputation and punish him for criticising their messiah." As the police investigation progresses, the allegations against Lowe are adding to the internal fractures within Reform UK, raising questions about both the party’s leadership and its ability to manage internal disputes. Based on a report by The Times 2025-03-10 -
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Elon Musk’s X Withholds User Data from UK Authorities Amid Riots
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, refused to hand over hundreds of user account details to British authorities during and after last summer’s riots. This decision comes as the billionaire has been vocal in criticizing the UK Government for imprisoning individuals over social media posts. According to newly published transparency figures from X, the company rejected more than half of the information requests submitted by UK authorities in the second half of 2024. Out of 806 requests, X provided data in just 379 cases, representing a compliance rate of 47 percent. This rate is significantly lower than the disclosure levels reported by other major technology companies, including Google, Meta, TikTok, and LinkedIn. The requests from UK law enforcement agencies sought access to various types of data, including email addresses, IP addresses, and private messages associated with certain accounts. The period covered by the data coincides with the riots that took place in July and August, which led to dozens of arrests for social media activity. Some individuals faced prison sentences as a result of their online statements. During this time, Musk was outspoken in his criticism of the UK’s response. He compared Britain to the Soviet Union and accused the recently elected Labour Government of suppressing free speech. In January, he went even further, writing, “At this rate, the UK Government will pretty soon be executing people for liking a meme!” Law enforcement agencies regularly request social media companies to provide user data in aid of criminal investigations, often to identify anonymous accounts or determine communication patterns. These requests are assessed by legal teams within the companies, which have the authority to deny them if they are deemed too broad or legally questionable. Some requests, classified as emergencies, are made when authorities perceive an immediate threat. X’s legal policy states that the company “may seek to narrow requests that are overly broad, request additional context if the nature of the investigation is not clear, or push back on the request for other reasons.” The platform saw an increase in the number of government data requests during the second half of 2024, rising to 806 from 635 in the first half of the year. The company’s 47 percent compliance rate with UK authorities is in line with its rate across the European Union but falls far below its disclosure rate in the United States, where it provided information in 78.5 percent of cases. By contrast, other major tech companies were significantly more cooperative with UK law enforcement. In the first half of 2024, Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, provided data in 84 percent of cases. Google complied with 88 percent of requests, TikTok with 62 percent, and LinkedIn with 61 percent. These statistics do not yet include the second half of 2024, a period that saw widespread riots across the UK following the killing of three girls in Southport by 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana. The violence led to a surge in online communications offenses, with The Telegraph recently revealing that 292 individuals have been charged under the Online Safety Act since October 2023. Among them, 67 people have been convicted. Some of those sentenced for social media posts made during the riots include Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Conservative councillor, who was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for writing on X: “Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f---ing hotels full of the b------s for all I care, while you’re at it take the treacherous government politicians with them.” Another individual, 53-year-old Julie Sweeney, was sentenced to 15 months after advocating for the bombing of a mosque. The latest disclosure figures also emerge as Home Secretary Yvette Cooper faces legal resistance from Apple regarding the government’s push for access to encrypted communications. Apple has launched a legal challenge against a Home Office directive that would require the company to install a backdoor in its iCloud encryption system. Musk has publicly backed Apple’s stance, responding to the news with a simple “good.” Based on a report by The Independent 2025-03-10 -
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Sadiq Khan Signals Potential Legal Battle Over Heathrow Expansion
Sir Sadiq Khan has suggested that he may use taxpayer funds to challenge Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, citing environmental concerns. The Mayor of London, a long-time opponent of the expansion, has warned that if Heathrow’s plans fail to address his concerns, he is prepared to take legal action. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s *Today* programme, Sir Sadiq was asked whether he would use public money to launch a legal challenge. He responded, “Look, I’m a pro-business, pro-growth mayor. We recently announced a London Growth Plan because I really believe in the importance of growing the economy.” When pressed further, he added, “I agree with nearly all of Rachel’s policies relating to growth. But let’s wait and see what plans Heathrow publish. Look, if Heathrow don’t address the concerns I’ve highlighted, then, of course, my job is to stand for London.” When asked directly if he would allocate funds from his mayoral budget to oppose the expansion, he reiterated, “Let’s wait and see what plans Heathrow publish. But I will use all the tools in my tool kit if I think it’s wrong in terms of Londoners’ interest, and indeed the national interest.” Rachel Reeves has backed the expansion, describing the third runway as “badly needed” and arguing that it could create 100,000 jobs and be completed within a decade. However, Sir Sadiq has remained firm in his opposition, stating in January, “I remain opposed to a new runway at Heathrow because of the severe impact it will have on noise, air pollution and meeting our climate change targets. I will scrutinise carefully any new proposals that now come forward from Heathrow, including the impact it will have on people living in the area and the huge knock-on effects for our transport infrastructure.” While acknowledging that the aviation sector has made “huge progress” in sustainability, he added, “I’m simply not convinced that you can have hundreds of thousands of additional flights at Heathrow every year without a hugely damaging impact on our environment.” Reeves has also supported plans to expand capacity at Gatwick and other London airports, arguing that such projects are crucial for economic growth. However, opposition to Heathrow expansion is not new within the Labour Party. In 2018, six current Cabinet members, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, voted against the third runway. Other key figures, such as Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed, also opposed the expansion at the time. Despite this, some former critics have shifted their stance. In January, Steve Reed stated he would now support the runway “in line with the Government’s climate and environmental commitments.” Ed Miliband reportedly argued against the expansion in a recent Cabinet meeting but later confirmed he would not resign over Reeves’ decision to back it. Sir Sadiq’s opposition to Heathrow expansion is just the latest in a series of policy disagreements with the Labour leadership. Last summer, he hinted at a Brexit divide, suggesting that the UK could rejoin the EU “in the medium to long term,” despite the party ruling out such a move. In 2023, he also opposed Sir Keir’s proposal to allow housing development on green belt land, insisting that even “derelict and unsightly” parts should be protected from construction. His latest remarks suggest that tensions within the party remain over key policy decisions, with the Heathrow expansion set to be a major point of contention in the coming months. Based on a report by The Telegraph 2025-03-10 -
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Kremlin Slams Macron’s Nuclear Comments as ‘Confrontational’
The Kremlin has sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron following his suggestion that France may extend its nuclear deterrent to protect European allies. Russian officials accused Macron of making direct threats against Russia, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov even drawing comparisons between Macron and Adolf Hitler. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also condemned the French leader’s remarks as “extremely confrontational,” while senior Russian senator Konstantin Kosachev described Macron as a “maniac” pushing the world toward catastrophe. The strong reactions came after Macron announced in a televised address that he would open discussions on potentially extending France’s nuclear protection to other European nations. This proposal followed calls from Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, for France and the UK to enhance their nuclear deterrent to counter rising threats. Lavrov responded with alarm, stating, “If he sees us as a threat... and says that it is necessary to use a nuclear weapon, is preparing to use a nuclear weapon against Russia, of course it is a threat.” Macron, however, justified his stance by pointing to a rapidly rearming Russia, calling it a danger to both France and Europe. He also noted that the war in Ukraine had already become a “global conflict” and suggested that Europe could no longer depend on the United States for unwavering support. Macron’s rhetoric drew further condemnation from Peskov, who claimed, “France wants the war to continue,” while members of the Russian parliament expressed outrage. Kosachev accused Macron of misleading the world with a false narrative that Russia was preparing for aggression, adding, “Such false conclusions and false suggestions lead to the abyss.” Currently, Russia and the United States control around 88 percent of the world’s nuclear stockpile, with approximately 5,000 warheads each. France possesses an estimated 290 nuclear warheads, while the UK holds 225, according to data from the Federation of American Scientists. Macron, addressing growing concerns among European nations, reassured citizens by stating, “You are, I know, legitimately worried about the current events, which are disrupting the world order. To watch and do nothing would be madness.” His proposal found support from Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, who called the idea “very interesting” and added, “A nuclear umbrella would serve as a really very serious deterrence toward Russia.” As tensions escalate, Macron is set to host European military leaders in Paris next week to discuss the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine after a ceasefire is reached with Russia. Moscow has firmly opposed any such peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, with Lavrov making clear that Russia sees no room for negotiation on the matter. “This discussion is being held with an overtly hostile aim,” he declared, warning that any European troops sent to Ukraine would be treated as NATO forces. Lavrov also invoked historical comparisons, saying, “Unlike their predecessors, who also wanted to fight against Russia—Napoleon, Hitler—Mr Macron does not act very gracefully, because at least they said it bluntly: ‘We must conquer Russia, we must defeat Russia.’” Meanwhile, Macron expressed concern over shifting US foreign policy, particularly in light of Donald Trump’s stance on European security. “I want to believe that the United States will stand by us. But we need to be ready if that is not the case,” he said. The situation comes amid frantic diplomatic efforts to bolster support for Ukraine. With Washington’s commitment wavering, Britain and France have sought to act as intermediaries between the US and Kyiv. In the past two days, the US has halted military aid to Ukraine and cut off intelligence-sharing, both critical for Ukraine’s defense and strategic operations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded by signaling his willingness to engage in peace talks, stating that he is prepared to negotiate “as soon as possible” in a bid to mend relations with the Trump administration. On Thursday, European Union leaders held emergency talks on Ukraine and the potential for a peace agreement, following a high-level summit hosted in London by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Based on a report by The Telegraph 2025-03-10 -
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U.S. Targets Iran’s Oil Industry to Cripple Its Economy, Treasury Secretary Says
The Trump administration is intensifying its economic pressure on Iran, aiming to shut down the country’s oil industry and cause a complete economic collapse, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday. Speaking at the Economic Club of New York, Bessent outlined the administration’s aggressive strategy to reduce Iran’s oil exports, which currently stand at 1.5 million barrels per day, to nearly nothing. “We are going to shut down Iran’s oil sector and drone manufacturing capabilities,” Bessent stated, emphasizing that the U.S. intends to isolate Tehran from the international financial system as part of its broader sanctions campaign. He warned that the economic consequences for Iran would be severe. “If I were an Iranian, I would get all my money out of the rial now,” he added, referring to Iran’s struggling currency. Bessent’s comments had an immediate impact on the global oil market. Following his speech, prices for U.S. crude oil and the global benchmark Brent crude turned positive. West Texas Intermediate rose 5 cents, closing at $66.37 per barrel, while Brent increased by 16 cents to settle at $69.46. The administration’s approach is part of President Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign, which aims to cripple Iran’s economy through sanctions. “Making Iran broke again will mark the beginning of our updated sanctions policy,” Bessent stated. The latest round of sanctions followed a presidential memorandum signed by Trump on February 4, reimposing economic pressure on Iran. Two days later, the U.S. Treasury Department targeted an international network that was facilitating Iranian oil shipments to China, further tightening the financial squeeze on Tehran. Meanwhile, the global oil market has been experiencing volatility. On Wednesday, crude oil prices dropped to multi-year lows as investors reacted to Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, which raised concerns about slower economic growth and weakened oil demand. Additionally, OPEC+ confirmed that it would gradually reintroduce 2.2 million barrels per day to the market starting in April. Analysts from JPMorgan, led by Natasha Kaneva, noted in a report to clients that the potential decline in Iranian oil supply remains the most significant bullish factor for global oil prices. Despite the harsh sanctions, Trump has expressed his willingness to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Iran. “I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper,” he stated in a social media post on February 5. However, in 2018, he withdrew the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal brokered under former President Barack Obama, leading to the current standoff between Washington and Tehran. CNBC has reached out to Iran’s UN Mission for a response to Bessent’s remarks, but no comment has been provided yet. As tensions continue to rise, the impact of U.S. sanctions on Iran’s economy and global oil markets will remain a critical issue in the months ahead. Based on a report by CNBC 2025-03-10
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