KarenFrancoK
@karenfrancok.bsky.social
Please help me to reach 500 followers.♥
Retweet::= Interest, not endorsement.
Shy person.
WTF, are you looking at me?
Retweet::= Interest, not endorsement.
Shy person.
WTF, are you looking at me?
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
Fact check: nearly 70 percent of US money for Ukraine actually went to US defense industry to replenish the stocks of OLD stuff that went to Ukraine to use.
Much of which we would have paid to destroy as their lifespan expired.
Much of which we would have paid to destroy as their lifespan expired.
February 16, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Fact check: nearly 70 percent of US money for Ukraine actually went to US defense industry to replenish the stocks of OLD stuff that went to Ukraine to use.
Much of which we would have paid to destroy as their lifespan expired.
Much of which we would have paid to destroy as their lifespan expired.
Mala tempora currunt...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
EU drops sponsorship of disinformation conference at Trump officials’ request
Lithuania and Canada were also pressured to withdraw, and days before #Disinfo2026, logos were wiped off website
www.theguardian.com
October 8, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Mala tempora currunt...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
Diesel futures fell after Trump announced a “massive” European oil release.
Then traders read the actual G7 statement, and the entire price move vanished.
Turns out the massive release was mostly a PR stunt. https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/an-agreement-to-agree-about-an-earlier
Then traders read the actual G7 statement, and the entire price move vanished.
Turns out the massive release was mostly a PR stunt. https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/an-agreement-to-agree-about-an-earlier
An Agreement to Agree About an Earlier Agreement
Read the G7 communiqué closely and the "new" 100 million barrels turns out to be leftovers from March.
newsletter.platypuseconomics.com
October 6, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Diesel futures fell after Trump announced a “massive” European oil release.
Then traders read the actual G7 statement, and the entire price move vanished.
Turns out the massive release was mostly a PR stunt. https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/an-agreement-to-agree-about-an-earlier
Then traders read the actual G7 statement, and the entire price move vanished.
Turns out the massive release was mostly a PR stunt. https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/an-agreement-to-agree-about-an-earlier
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
NEW: The Houthis have, at least for now, prevented further Yemeni government advances northward on the Red Sea coastal plain. (1/8)
Read the full update: isw.pub/IranUpdate10...
Read the full update: isw.pub/IranUpdate10...
October 7, 2026 at 12:32 AM
NEW: The Houthis have, at least for now, prevented further Yemeni government advances northward on the Red Sea coastal plain. (1/8)
Read the full update: isw.pub/IranUpdate10...
Read the full update: isw.pub/IranUpdate10...
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
There's a difference between AI searching for a cancer cure and AI processing chatbots or collecting mass-surveillance data. Politicians need to give us more information about the KINDS of data these data centres will be handling. It's all too vague at the moment – as if they don't want us to know!
October 7, 2026 at 12:52 PM
There's a difference between AI searching for a cancer cure and AI processing chatbots or collecting mass-surveillance data. Politicians need to give us more information about the KINDS of data these data centres will be handling. It's all too vague at the moment – as if they don't want us to know!
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
French government suspends use of stun grenades at student protests after teen loses hand
French government suspends use of stun grenades at student protests after teen loses hand
France's interior minister said stun grenades would be temporarily withdrawn from use at protests organized by high school students 'just long enough to understand what happened.'
www.lemonde.fr
October 7, 2026 at 9:26 AM
French government suspends use of stun grenades at student protests after teen loses hand
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
The economy baked a bigger pie then handed everyone a smaller fork. https://youtu.be/Cc21Z2WeWdU
October 7, 2026 at 1:48 PM
The economy baked a bigger pie then handed everyone a smaller fork. https://youtu.be/Cc21Z2WeWdU
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
There is a suspected outbreak of the plague in Russia. Yes, you read that right. And we cannot trust RFK Jr. and the Trump administration to be prepared to deal with this. We need a Democratic public health doctor in the US Senate.
Scoop: White House monitors suspected plague outbreak in Russia
Administration is "aware, monitoring the outbreak, and assessing options," an official told Axios.
www.axios.com
October 6, 2026 at 8:34 PM
There is a suspected outbreak of the plague in Russia. Yes, you read that right. And we cannot trust RFK Jr. and the Trump administration to be prepared to deal with this. We need a Democratic public health doctor in the US Senate.
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
BREAKING
Reform UK's internal inquiry says the party did not break the law over the donations sting 🤔
Reform UK's internal inquiry says the party did not break the law over the donations sting 🤔
October 7, 2026 at 11:31 AM
BREAKING
Reform UK's internal inquiry says the party did not break the law over the donations sting 🤔
Reform UK's internal inquiry says the party did not break the law over the donations sting 🤔
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
From the new Private Eye
October 7, 2026 at 12:45 PM
From the new Private Eye
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
NEW: Russia will significantly increase its purchase of foreign currency and gold between October 7 and November 6, 2026 in an effort to mitigate the effects of declining oil and gas export revenues.
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar100626
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar100626
October 7, 2026 at 1:54 AM
NEW: Russia will significantly increase its purchase of foreign currency and gold between October 7 and November 6, 2026 in an effort to mitigate the effects of declining oil and gas export revenues.
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar100626
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar100626
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
Dr Ellie Chowns, "If we're talking about security against things that kill many people, covid, killed 250,000 people in this country and cost us hundreds of billions"
"But I don't hear anybody in this country talking about pandemic preparedness - why is that?"
"But I don't hear anybody in this country talking about pandemic preparedness - why is that?"
October 5, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Dr Ellie Chowns, "If we're talking about security against things that kill many people, covid, killed 250,000 people in this country and cost us hundreds of billions"
"But I don't hear anybody in this country talking about pandemic preparedness - why is that?"
"But I don't hear anybody in this country talking about pandemic preparedness - why is that?"
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
53% of registered U.S. voters recently polled by YouGov selected 'corrupt' when asked which words they’d use to describe Trump.
Corruption can take time to uncover, and even longer to register with the public.
But I think Americans are starting to take note.
Corruption can take time to uncover, and even longer to register with the public.
But I think Americans are starting to take note.
October 6, 2026 at 3:15 PM
53% of registered U.S. voters recently polled by YouGov selected 'corrupt' when asked which words they’d use to describe Trump.
Corruption can take time to uncover, and even longer to register with the public.
But I think Americans are starting to take note.
Corruption can take time to uncover, and even longer to register with the public.
But I think Americans are starting to take note.
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
Every single leader of Reform UK
is an ex member of the Tory Party
responsible for 14 years of austerity
which killed thousands of
old, poor, sick and disabled people
Don't listen to their promises
to make life better
They are the problem
"From one bin to another......"
via We Demand UK
is an ex member of the Tory Party
responsible for 14 years of austerity
which killed thousands of
old, poor, sick and disabled people
Don't listen to their promises
to make life better
They are the problem
"From one bin to another......"
via We Demand UK
October 6, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Every single leader of Reform UK
is an ex member of the Tory Party
responsible for 14 years of austerity
which killed thousands of
old, poor, sick and disabled people
Don't listen to their promises
to make life better
They are the problem
"From one bin to another......"
via We Demand UK
is an ex member of the Tory Party
responsible for 14 years of austerity
which killed thousands of
old, poor, sick and disabled people
Don't listen to their promises
to make life better
They are the problem
"From one bin to another......"
via We Demand UK
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
The G7 just agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil, in exchange for the US agreeing not to ban diesel exports.
That's not a solution. That's political leaders agreeing to look like they're solving a made-up crisis. https://youtu.be/I8waaPcvpQA
That's not a solution. That's political leaders agreeing to look like they're solving a made-up crisis. https://youtu.be/I8waaPcvpQA
October 6, 2026 at 7:58 PM
The G7 just agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil, in exchange for the US agreeing not to ban diesel exports.
That's not a solution. That's political leaders agreeing to look like they're solving a made-up crisis. https://youtu.be/I8waaPcvpQA
That's not a solution. That's political leaders agreeing to look like they're solving a made-up crisis. https://youtu.be/I8waaPcvpQA
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
October 4, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
NEW: The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is likely gaining critical insights for future warfare from Russia. The PLA appears particularly concerned about how to conduct mechanized maneuvers in a drone-saturated environment.
Read the full report: isw.pub/ChinaTaiwanU...
Read the full report: isw.pub/ChinaTaiwanU...
October 6, 2026 at 5:35 PM
NEW: The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is likely gaining critical insights for future warfare from Russia. The PLA appears particularly concerned about how to conduct mechanized maneuvers in a drone-saturated environment.
Read the full report: isw.pub/ChinaTaiwanU...
Read the full report: isw.pub/ChinaTaiwanU...
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
It's like watching Bart Simpson doing a classroom presentation in front of Mrs Krabappel after zero preparation.
"I'm not a defence expert."
Even by Kemi Badenoch's lamentable standards, this is agonising. Just give thanks she will never, ever be Prime Minister. 🙏
#politicslive
Even by Kemi Badenoch's lamentable standards, this is agonising. Just give thanks she will never, ever be Prime Minister. 🙏
#politicslive
October 6, 2026 at 4:53 PM
It's like watching Bart Simpson doing a classroom presentation in front of Mrs Krabappel after zero preparation.
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
Suspended sentence for man found to have a collection of more than 114,000 indecent images of children. Tommy Robinson and co are going to be all over this.
They'll be SO angry...
Just you wait...
Any second now...
...
They'll be SO angry...
Just you wait...
Any second now...
...
October 6, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Suspended sentence for man found to have a collection of more than 114,000 indecent images of children. Tommy Robinson and co are going to be all over this.
They'll be SO angry...
Just you wait...
Any second now...
...
They'll be SO angry...
Just you wait...
Any second now...
...
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
NEWS: New York City just recorded the fewest shootings, shooting victims, and murders in recorded history through the first nine months of the year.
Major crime is down 6.6% citywide, the largest year-to-date drop in 17 years, with declines in all five boroughs.
1/
Major crime is down 6.6% citywide, the largest year-to-date drop in 17 years, with declines in all five boroughs.
1/
October 6, 2026 at 4:27 PM
NEWS: New York City just recorded the fewest shootings, shooting victims, and murders in recorded history through the first nine months of the year.
Major crime is down 6.6% citywide, the largest year-to-date drop in 17 years, with declines in all five boroughs.
1/
Major crime is down 6.6% citywide, the largest year-to-date drop in 17 years, with declines in all five boroughs.
1/
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
Health care went from 8% of jobs in the 1990s to nearly 16% today. That's a sign we got richer.
Once you've got a house, a car, a dishwasher, the next dollar doesn't go to a second oven. It goes to more years of life. https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/revising-my-summer-forecast-down
Once you've got a house, a car, a dishwasher, the next dollar doesn't go to a second oven. It goes to more years of life. https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/revising-my-summer-forecast-down
October 6, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Health care went from 8% of jobs in the 1990s to nearly 16% today. That's a sign we got richer.
Once you've got a house, a car, a dishwasher, the next dollar doesn't go to a second oven. It goes to more years of life. https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/revising-my-summer-forecast-down
Once you've got a house, a car, a dishwasher, the next dollar doesn't go to a second oven. It goes to more years of life. https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/revising-my-summer-forecast-down
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
Finland orders halt to work on Google data centers over environmental concerns
Finland orders halt to work on Google data centers over environmental concerns
Regulators have ordered the company representing the US web giant in Finland to stop building data centers until it can demonstrate compliance with environmental laws. Officials are investigating whether trees and soil were cleared before the company carried out an impact study.
www.lemonde.fr
October 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Finland orders halt to work on Google data centers over environmental concerns
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
Realism still needed for Europe debate in UK.
Will Andy Burnham provide it?
Me in @eastangliabylines.co.uk
Enjoy!
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
Will Andy Burnham provide it?
Me in @eastangliabylines.co.uk
Enjoy!
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
Britain still hasn’t learnt what being outside the EU means
Closer ties with Europe require Britain to abandon exceptionalism and understand what being outside the EU means
eastangliabylines.co.uk
October 6, 2026 at 6:48 AM
Realism still needed for Europe debate in UK.
Will Andy Burnham provide it?
Me in @eastangliabylines.co.uk
Enjoy!
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
Will Andy Burnham provide it?
Me in @eastangliabylines.co.uk
Enjoy!
eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/brexit/...
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
Quick Quiz @mguillaumont.bsky.social...ID all accurately to (not French) the Odd Ones Out.
Judge's decision final 😀
Judge's decision final 😀
October 6, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Quick Quiz @mguillaumont.bsky.social...ID all accurately to (not French) the Odd Ones Out.
Judge's decision final 😀
Judge's decision final 😀
Reposted by KarenFrancoK
NEW: A Russian drone struck a Ukrainian-Moldovan border crossing on the morning of October 5, injuring a Moldovan citizen — the first confirmed Moldovan injury due to Russian drones. (1/6)
Read the full report: isw.pub/UkrWar100526
Read the full report: isw.pub/UkrWar100526
October 5, 2026 at 10:43 PM
NEW: A Russian drone struck a Ukrainian-Moldovan border crossing on the morning of October 5, injuring a Moldovan citizen — the first confirmed Moldovan injury due to Russian drones. (1/6)
Read the full report: isw.pub/UkrWar100526
Read the full report: isw.pub/UkrWar100526