onepotscreamer

Marvellous…

Today, in Slavutych, in the north of our country, I met with the heads of communities of the northern regions – Kyiv and Chernihiv regions. It is very important to support our people here and strengthen our defenses, and that is exactly what we are doing. This concerns protective infrastructure – fortifications and other defensive measures – as well as strengthening the border, which will be reinforced further. It also concerns our Defense and Security Forces stationed in this direction – toward Chernihiv and Kyiv from the territory of neighboring Belarus, which Russia is eager to draw deeper into this war, and from Russia’s Bryansk region. We have the capability to strengthen our defenses. We also have the capability to act preventively with regard to Russian territory from which threats may emerge, and with regard to the de facto leadership of Belarus, which must stay on its toes – that is, clearly understand that there will be consequences if aggressive actions against Ukraine, against our people, are taken.

For centuries, we have been captivated by its pattern. But now it is our turn to create the pattern ourselves – through our lives, our fight, and every new step we take. Every day, Ukrainians embroider it with their own hands – defending what they hold dear, rebuilding what has been destroyed, healing wounds, teaching children, and continuing to learn themselves. We preserve our memory and build the future. Happy Vyshyvanka Day, Ukraine! Celebrating the destiny we embroider in independence!

@ZelenskyyUa I am full of admiration for your people and your leadership.

The leader of the free world. Sometimes the man makes history. Sometimes history makes the man. 🇺🇦

🚨 BREAKING: 🇺🇸🇨🇳🇹🇼 U.S. President Donald Trump is urging global chipmakers to shift production to the United States, warning that China could move on Taiwan after he leaves office. Trump said the U.S. must secure semiconductor manufacturing domestically to avoid dependence on Taiwan, which produces most of the world’s advanced chips. Source: Bloomberg

The release of "The Long Good Friday" (1980) was delayed due to political fears. Having been made in 1979 for £900,000 with backing from Black Lion, a subsidiary of Lew Grade’s ITC Entertainment behemoth, the film hit festivals in 1980, but was delayed when Grade and others balked. There were concerns that the IRA might blow up cinemas that screened it, and another version was prepared with the Irish references and violence heavily excised. Additionally, out of fear that Americans wouldn't understand Bob Hoskins' accent in "The Long Good Friday" (1980) & as they thought Brummie accent would be better, an actor from Wolverhampton had dubbed Bob Hoskins' lines in the movie. Hoskins was incandescent when he found out about it. Hoskins and others members of the crew threatened to sue. A great list of people including Richard Burton, Alec Guinness, and Warren Beatty were ready to stand as expert witnesses. According to John Mackenzie, Grade organisation feared the bad publicity and didn't want to annoy establishment figures like Guinness. So they agreed to sell it to Handmade Films. Because of this fiasco, the released of the film was delayed well over a year. ("Hanging around in the hood: the legacy of The Long Good Friday", The Guardian, 2000 & "The uncanny predictions of The Long Good Friday", Lou Thomas, BFI, 2015) P.S: On this day, 46 years ago, "The Long Good Friday" (1980) premiered in Cannes, France.

@reformparty_uk Are the public school ‘toffs’ ready for the fight? Give us our country back @AndyBurnhamGM

That’s why @AndyBurnhamGM will bring a different approach to government. For the many, not the few!

🔴 @AndyBurnhamGM on BBC today: “I think Britain has been on the wrong path for 40 years.” 👍 It started with de-industrialisation, bus deregulation, and the privatisation of life’s essentials. 👏 We need to… get the basics back under public control so that people can afford their rent, their energy bills, etc. 🙌 He wants Labour to “change and once again [be] the party that people in this borough knew… I don’t blame anybody who has gone away and voted for other parties. I want them to regain their trust… I want Labour solidly to become a working class community.”

BREAKING: Xabi Alonso has agreed a four-year deal to become the next permanent Chelsea head coach 🚨

The sound of a Kookaburra.. 😊

Happy 74th Birthday to David Byrne 🎈 #TalkingHeads

Dan Burn interview: I rang mam and said ‘I don’t want to feel like this any more. When does it stop?’ The #NUFC & England defender talks mental health, speaking up, navigating a tough season, Eddie Howe, the World Cup and much more. FREE to read. nytimes.com/athletic/72758…

Britain is on the cusp of becoming Europe’s unambiguous science and tech leader. As Labour reels in despair, ensuring this happens must be the core of any growth policy. It’s real and offers hope, Backing scale-ups is key to getting the tech sector booming observer.co.uk/news/technolog…

Chelsea fan called KC, big up to him, called out Winstanley to his face outside the stadium. Told him he's a rubbish SD and to go back to Brighton, we need more heroes like this guy. Credit: @ChelseaFanTVyt YouTube.

Just returned from a week in northern France. My windscreen is covered in dead insects. I rarely get any AT ALL in the UK. I noticed many wild meadows in Brittany / Normandy and wild flowers on practically all verges. Why the diff? @ChrisGPackham @EmmaforWycombe @Keir_Starmer

This is the story of football’s ultimate underdog. UNTOLD UK: JAMIE VARDY lands on Netflix on 12 May.