Sky News on Renee Nicole Good murder: "There are deeply conflicting accounts of what happened." REALLY? Gonna both-sides this? One "account" can be seen on video and is confirmed by a dozen eye-witnesses. The other is a social media post by history's most notorious pathological liar. Grow a spine.

“God damn them all.”

It has become increasingly clear that X - a platform now actively producing explicit and abusive material against women and children - is not an appropriate platform to be using for our comms. I will keep pushing for action from the govt & relevant authorities in this area.

👇👇👇👇

Trump is the head of what should be regarded as a rogue state. He is only in this for the oligarchs and plutocrats. America means nothing to him other than as an income stream for his rich friends and grifting sycophants. I genuinely don’t like the word “hate”. But I hate this man!

After a federal immigration officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday, police removed barricades and left the scene. As they walked, hundreds of protesters followed them, pelting them with snowballs and chanting, “ICE out now!” Follow updates.

Reykjavík weather update. The average precipitation in January for the city is 75 mm (rain/snow). So far, we've had 0.5 mm this year. Next week's forecast shows zero precip., and one small chance thru the 26th. Great for aurora hunting, terrible for the flora and fauna. #northernlights #iceland

More like a man without a spine!

But they’re not going to do anything about it. What’s the point of being in government if you just posture and never actually take action? No wonder Labour’s poll numbers are on the floor!

The most shameful day in American history open.substack.com/pub/robertre...

The “Queen of Crime”, Agatha Christie, died 50 years ago this week. Here’s the story of how she spent three weeks on Skye to avoid any media intrusion before marrying Max Mallowan in Edinburgh in 1930. She planned the whole thing like one of her books! www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/lifestyle...

Amid all the noise and blowhard belligerence, we should never ever forget that Trump tried to subvert democracy on this day in 2020. Thankfully he failed. But he has returned like an ageing Dementor with hate in his heart. And he doesn’t care any more. Caligula and the Gambino family in one!

Och aye, many’s the time I’ve enjoyed a swim in the Forth of Firth! Or was it was the Fifth? Another “Gruinard” cock-up. Mind you, better not go swimming around Gruinard “Anthrax” Island!

Sheep on the Moor, my first acrylic painting of the year, 12x12 inches canvas #sheep #landscape #art #painting #acrylic #rustic #animal #scotland #moor #countryside

I absolutely HATE it when Marjorie Taylor Greene makes sense.

A functional country would shut Grok down permanently. Like, immediately. Right now. Last week. Whatever. Just flip the switch. Obviously.

It’s not easy to walk in it, but there is something beautiful about snow!

Cannot believe we are living through the collapse of the American experiment. Really thought we’d have another couple hundred years.

Not commenting on Venezuela is one thing, but Starmer's ministers not even being willing to say "no of course the US shouldn't invade a peaceful sovereign democratic NATO country, which is one of our closest allies" is quite another.

Democrats need to grow a f*cking spine. No more strongly worded letters. It’s time to draft articles of impeachment. Impeach. Convict. Remove.

There was so much more snow today that, while I spent two hours clearing a pathway to our house, I ended up feeling like Sisyphus pushing that bloody rock up the hill. I’m knackered now, but at least there were some magnificent views as dusk descended!

It’s 10 years since the death of David Bowie and I wrote a piece about how he and Mick Ronson travelled to Aberdeen on a British Rail train before performing in the city in 1973. Were any of you at the gig? I’d love to hear your memories! www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/past-time...

In a nutshell.

You know where you are with Keir Starmer - he’s always on the wrong side!

This war is completely illegitimate: 60% of Americans disapprove of going to war with Venezuela—74% disapprove war without Congressional approval. Only 19% are in favor. The people oppose it. Our representatives didn’t approve it. Trump should be removed for this unconstitutional war.

That FIFA “Peace Prize” looks even more like a sick joke with every passing day. If China now decides to invade Taiwan or Putin attacks Poland, Trump and his confederacy of dunces have no moral authority to stop them!

Just woke up even angrier. Impeach, convict, remove. Draft articles now. Either we have a representative government or we don’t. Do not shut up about this until there’s a vote.

More reaction to Maduro’s “arrest”

It seems absurd, but Sarah Vaughan wasn’t allowed in the front door in most American hotels in the 1960s. The 1960s, for heaven’s sake. Ella Fitzgerald suffered the same treatment. They rose above the racism. And this is wonderfhttps://youtu.be/ZB0Hf7p4zvI

Exquisite version of Tim Hardin’s wonderful song! youtu.be/6YK7S49X78E

It snows in the winter, nothing surprising about that. But I just took these pictures at 1.40am on January 3. Normally, it would be pitch black out there. Instead, it looks like daylight and there’s eight inches of snow. Just as well we’ve got a lot of stuff to do this weekend!

Finally tried watching the Traitors. So many people have told me how great it is, how addictive once you start. I've tried, but it's like an over-hyped variation on The Apprentice. Grown adults running about being ridiculous. I think I preferred 'It's a Knockout', tbh.

Cairngorms from Abernethy #Scotland #Cairngorms #Abernethy www.damianshields.com

Zohran Mamdani signed an executive order in his first day as mayor on Thursday revoking all orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams after his indictment on federal corruption charges, including two that he had touted as support for Israel. Here's what to know.

I’d love to see this brilliant song on a new Donald Fagen album! youtu.be/iaQY9JesF9I

We were sent an election leaflet from Reform on Tuesday. It came with a stream of horrible xenophobia - and a pre-paid envelope. We’ve replied with a message: “Never contact us again”. That way, Reform has to pay the postage. Please share and share again!

Playing 'Oh My Pigeons!' (best Christmas family game in years), with my daughter and Mother-in-Law. MiL draws a punitive card. 'Remember who gave you ypur grandchildren,' I say. 'That was a long time ago,' says the Evil One, as she steals my pigeons.

BALLATER was left devastated by Storm Frank 10 years ago today. But the community has come together, different organisations have formed closer ties and they are determined to be ready for more floods in the future. They're a resilient bunch! www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/6916...

The 2025 #NorthernLights photographers of the year - 25 of the most extraordinary #aurora images captured around the world. #photography #AuroraBorealis #AuroraAustralis To see all 25 amazing aurora photos, here's the link: capturetheatlas.com/northern-lig...

Wishing everybody a hopeful Hogmanay and a tolerably good 2026. I’m not naive enough to predict a “Happy New Year”for everyone, but perhaps we can fight back a little against autocrats, bullies, conmen and dinosaurs. It won’t be easy, but we have to try! #HaveADecentNewYear

😮 What a winner it would be for a candidate to run for the French presidency on the basis of justice and holding Musk to account! www.joe.co.uk/politics/fra...

In @nytopinion.nytimes.com "Great leaders put their missions above their egos. Narcissists do the opposite — they see themselves as special and superior, and put their egos above all else," Adam Grant writes. "So why do we keep falling for them?"

Why is the Democratic party hiding its 2024 autopsy report? | Norman Soloman

This is an act of war and illegal under both US and international law, let’s just be clear about that:

Ballater was devastated by Storm Frank 10 years ago. I went to the village to find out how it has rebuilt all the ruined homes, businesses and amenities. And how residents are preparing for the next time the floods arrive. It’s both inspiring and alarming! www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/6916...

She grew up reading Sherlock Holmes and Aberdeen soil scientist Lorna Dawson, who has worked on many high-profile cases, including the World’s End murders, has now secured a Damehood. Here’s her journey from Doyle to soil! www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/6924...