RE: https://cyberplace.social/@GossiTheDog/116107692279897463

One of the most deeply disturbing things about this was the absolute uselessness of the UK foreign office.

What the fuck are people paying their taxes for, the wages of a giant institution for, if they can be ZERO HELP when a foreign country kidnaps them for 45 days?

#FO #UK

RE: https://cyberplace.social/@GossiTheDog/116107692279897463

One of the most deeply disturbing things about this was the absolute uselessness of the UK foreign office.

What the fuck are people paying their taxes for, the wages of a giant institution for, if they can be ZERO HELP when a foreign country kidnaps them for 45 days?

#FO #UK

UK refuses to let the US use its bases for strikes on Iran: Report

> The UK has not agreed on the US using its air force bases for possible military strikes on Iran which in turn prompted President Donald Trump to withdraw his support for the former’s deal to hand over the Chagos Island to Mauritius, British daily The Times reported on Thursday.

> “The White House is drawing up detailed military plans for a strike against Iran involving the use of both Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which is home to America’s fleet of heavy bombers in Europe,” the report said.
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2026/02/19/uk-refuses-to-let-the-us-use-its-bases-for-strikes-on-iran-report- #UK #US #Iran #ChagosIslands #Geopolitics #DiegoGarcia #RAF_Fairford

UK refuses to let the US use its bases for strikes on Iran: Report

> The UK has not agreed on the US using its air force bases for possible military strikes on Iran which in turn prompted President Donald Trump to withdraw his support for the former’s deal to hand over the Chagos Island to Mauritius, British daily The Times reported on Thursday.

> “The White House is drawing up detailed military plans for a strike against Iran involving the use of both Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which is home to America’s fleet of heavy bombers in Europe,” the report said.
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2026/02/19/uk-refuses-to-let-the-us-use-its-bases-for-strikes-on-iran-report- #UK #US #Iran #ChagosIslands #Geopolitics #DiegoGarcia #RAF_Fairford

"As two professors of energy studies – one British, the other Swedish – we have long puzzled over the stark contrast in how winter is experienced inside our homes in the north of England (Sheffield) and southern Sweden (Lund)."

#Energy #Heating #Sweden #UK

Cold and expensive v hot, cheap and eco-friendly: the contrasting histories of home heating in the UK and Sweden
https://theconversation.com/cold-and-expensive-v-hot-cheap-and-eco-friendly-the-contrasting-histories-of-home-heating-in-the-uk-and-sweden-275417

"As two professors of energy studies – one British, the other Swedish – we have long puzzled over the stark contrast in how winter is experienced inside our homes in the north of England (Sheffield) and southern Sweden (Lund)."

#Energy #Heating #Sweden #UK

Cold and expensive v hot, cheap and eco-friendly: the contrasting histories of home heating in the UK and Sweden
https://theconversation.com/cold-and-expensive-v-hot-cheap-and-eco-friendly-the-contrasting-histories-of-home-heating-in-the-uk-and-sweden-275417

China confirms visa-free travel for UK and Canadian nationals

> UK and Canadian nationals will be able to travel to mainland China for up to 30 days without a visa from 17 February.

> China's foreign ministry said visa-free entry would be permitted for tourism, business or visits to family and friends, with the policy set to stay in effect initially until 31 December.

> It follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's official visit to China last month, where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed travel rules would be relaxed.

> Sir Keir said the agreement would make it easier for businesses to expand to China, though critics say Downing Street's push to reset relations with Beijing overlooks human rights and national security concerns.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c875d3d3x34o #ChinaVisaFree #VisaFreeTravel #ChinaTravel #China #Travel #VisaFree #UK #Canada

China confirms visa-free travel for UK and Canadian nationals

> UK and Canadian nationals will be able to travel to mainland China for up to 30 days without a visa from 17 February.

> China's foreign ministry said visa-free entry would be permitted for tourism, business or visits to family and friends, with the policy set to stay in effect initially until 31 December.

> It follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's official visit to China last month, where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed travel rules would be relaxed.

> Sir Keir said the agreement would make it easier for businesses to expand to China, though critics say Downing Street's push to reset relations with Beijing overlooks human rights and national security concerns.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c875d3d3x34o #ChinaVisaFree #VisaFreeTravel #ChinaTravel #China #Travel #VisaFree #UK #Canada