It was an inauspicious start to the U.K. Conservative Party's election campaign as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that Britain will head to the polls on July 4. Heavy rain fell as he spoke, and D:Ream's "Things Can Only Get Better," best remembered as the Labour Party's theme song for its 1997 election victory, blared from a member of the public's speakers at the gates of Downing Street. Deadline has this writeup on what it calls the "farcical scenes."
Police were called to a Willy Wonka event in Glasgow after angry parents demanded refunds of their £35 (US$44.37) fee. Organizers House of Illuminati had promised a "journey filled with wondrous creations and enchanting surprises at every turn" but discovered a sparse warehouse with a bouncy castle. The Independent has more.
Awesome. "House of Illuminati" website is all AI generated and the only confirmed human behind it is Billy Coull, Glasgow resident and "author" of 17 AI generated books last year on Amazon. Can't point you to what I'm sure was his top quality author website because he's either taken it down or not paid his bills, but his bio on Amazon is a giggle:
"Meet Billy Coull, the enigmatic wordsmith hailing from the bustling streets of Glasgow, Scotland. A rising star in the literary world, Billy weaves spellbinding tales that delve into the mysterious realms of fictional thrillers and gripping conspiracies. Drawing inspiration from contemporary events, his novels offer readers an electrifying journey into the heart of modern intrigue.
With each stroke of his pen, Billy Coull crafts narratives that blur the lines between reality and fiction, leaving readers enthralled by the unpredictable twists and turns that lie ahead. His passion for storytelling breathes life into characters who grapple with shadows of doubt and navigate labyrinthine plots, captivating audiences across the globe.
Prepare to be drawn into a world of pulse-pounding suspense and unyielding tension as you embark on a literary adventure with Billy Coull, the mastermind behind mind-bending thrillers and intricate conspiracies that will leave you spellbound and hungry for more. Get ready to immerse yourself in stories that challenge perceptions, ignite the imagination, and keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page."
@matt I feel confident that I'm speaking for the apocryphal Antoinette.
In any case, and I've taken heat for my opinions on British tea (or, rather, tea popular in Britain) before, but given the Brits proclivity for drinking tea that requires milk to be added to be drinkable, I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world if they got a bit of a detox. If only Earl Grey is available for a few months, they might realise it's better than the Yorkshire/PG Tips stuff.
https://www.europesays.com/1050055/ Moment wheelchair user, 29, crawls up stairs at London Overground station on her bottom due to broken lifts – as staff are heard ‘laughing’ when she is told it is fixed just as she reaches the top #UnitedKingdom
The new extensions look to delve deeper into specific genres and periods of music with context, curation and storytelling done in a way only the BBC can do
🧵 1/3 Why would an Englishman like me want Scotland to remain in the Union?
The Scottish need to hear from more English who value Scotland's place in the UK for reasons other than self interested economic or military considerations.
I'm one of those English, and I'd like to put forth a couple of reasons for my wanting to share a country with the Scots. I'll append these as replies to this post.
Picture -- "Caledonia, or an Emblem of Scotland" -- 1798 -- John Fairburn
@jemmesedi Well it is a reasonable plea. However from the Scottish perspective I have to regretfully say that it is not our role to provide a little colour to English politics and culture.
For better or worse (perspective) the relationship has been abusive for many years and Scotland has been diminished (as I think many in Ireland and Wales would agree). There is no sign of English politicians wanting anything different.
https://www.europesays.com/1027722/ Wee won’t back down: English council stands by littering fines for wild peeing. Dacorum borough council in Hertfordshire says policy has legal basis after £88 fines draw criticism #England#UnitedKingdom
