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Farage, Harborne, £5 million and Reform UK’s cryptocurrency bill

https://yorkshirebylines.co.uk/politics/farage-harborne-5mn-and-reforms-cryptocurrency-bill/

Within a year of receiving £5mn from a crypto billionaire, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK published a draft crypto bill

[which has since been withdrawn (unpublished) form Reform’s website]

The previously undisclosed £5mn ‘gift’ that Nigel Farage received from the British-born, Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne in mid-2024, shortly before reversing his decision not to stand as an MP in the coming general election, has certainly raised a few questions. Farage claims he was under no obligation to declare it since he wasn’t an MP at the time and, anyway, it was simply a no-strings-attached gift.

I’m sure we are all very pleased for him. Parliamentary authorities, however, are sceptical and have launched an investigation. Farage may eventually face a recall petition and a by-election if the standards commissioner hands out a lengthy suspension.

Not being a details man, he probably didn’t realise the rules require new members, within one month of their election, to declare “any registrable benefits (other than earnings) received in the 12 months before their election”. Personal gifts can be ignored, but only if they are from family members and even then, “the possible motive of the giver and the use to which the gift is to be put should be considered. If there is any doubt, the benefit should be registered”.

Registrable means anything that “might reasonably be thought by others to influence his or her actions, speeches or votes in Parliament, or actions taken in his or her capacity as a Member of Parliament”.

The money is reported to have been accompanied by a legal document declaring it to be “unconditional and irrevocable”. The Reform UK leader also suggested it was for his personal security, saying: “This money is the only way I can look after myself, and protect myself for the rest of my life”. That explanation barely survived the week with Farage later telling The Sun instead that it was “a reward for campaigning for Brexit for 27 years”.

Was the £5mn really just a gift?

Some, including Farage’s former colleague Ben Habib, suggest the purpose of the £5mn was to persuade Farage to stand as MP for Clacton. Farage formally announced on 23 May 2024 that he would not be a candidate in the general election that PM Rishi Sunak had announced the previous day. By 3 June, Farage had changed his mind. He would stand after all, and he was elected on 5 July with a 45% swing, the largest for any seat at a UK general election.

…

Article by Anthony Robinson continues at https://yorkshirebylines.co.uk/politics/farage-harborne-5mn-and-reforms-cryptocurrency-bill/. There is more to the story of Nigel Farage, Reform UK and cryptocurrency …

Nigel Farage reminds you that he's the man that brought you Brexit and asks what could possibly go wrong.
Nigel Farage reminds you that he’s the man that brought you Brexit and asks what could possibly go wrong.
Elon Musk urges you to be a Fascist like him, says that you can ignore facts and reality then.
Elon Musk urges you to be a Fascist like him, says that you can ignore facts and reality then.
Continue ReadingFarage, Harborne, £5 million and Reform UK’s cryptocurrency bill

Trump says talks with Iran ‘going on continuously,’ adds, ‘where they lead, one never knows’

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US President Donald Trump gives a speech at the White House in Washington, DC on May 22, 2026. [Kyle Mazza – Anadolu Agency]

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that diplomatic exchanges with Tehran are proceeding without interruption, contradicting reports of halted communications, Anadolu Agency reports.

“The conversations between us have been going on continuously,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, noting that dialogue has occurred daily throughout the week.

He said reports of stopped communications are “false and erroneous.”

Regarding the outcome of the efforts, the US president remarked, “Where they lead, one never knows.”

Trump insisted that Tehran must reach a settlement after nearly five decades of friction, asserting that the situation “cannot be allowed to go on any longer.”

His comments follow reports from the semi-official Tasnim agency that Iran suspended talks via mediators to protest Israeli military actions.

Trump said Monday that he would welcome a period of silence if Iran suspends indirect peace talks with Washington. He also said that talks with Tehran are continuing “at a rapid pace.”

READ: Iran says its armed forces ready ‘more than in the past’ if war renews with US

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Continue ReadingTrump says talks with Iran ‘going on continuously,’ adds, ‘where they lead, one never knows’

Israel orders seizure of 30 hectares of Palestinian land in southern West Bank: Official

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Israeli army demolishes a three-story building belonging to Palestinians, claiming it is “unlicensed” in the village of al-Kidhr, Bethlehem, West Bank on February 17, 2026. [Wisam Hashlamoun – Anadolu Agency]

Israeli authorities have issued a military order to seize 30 hectares (74 acres) of Palestinian land near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank under the pretext of expropriation for public purposes, a Palestinian official said on Tuesday, Anadolu Agency reports.

Moayad Shaaban, head of the Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, said the order targets land in the Jabal Al-Fureidis area near Bethlehem and is intended to facilitate the development of what Israel describes as an archaeological site.

In a statement, Shaaban said the measure was the third expropriation order issued by Israeli authorities since the beginning of 2026.

He warned that the decision forms part of a broader policy aimed at imposing legal and administrative control over Palestinian land and redirecting it to serve housing projects for occupiers.

According to Shaaban, Israeli authorities had already declared 17.1 hectares (42 acres) of land surrounding the site as state land in 2024.

READ: Israeli forces arrest 4 students in West Bank raids, hold 89 women in detention: Rights group

He said targeting Palestinian archaeological and heritage sites goes beyond land control and is part of efforts to reshape the historical and cultural landscape in support of the settlement enterprise.

Shaaban described the policy as one of the most dangerous tools used to impose de facto annexation of Palestinian territory through unilateral measures that violate international law.

The announcement comes amid increased Israeli measures involving archaeological sites in the West Bank, which Palestinian officials say are being used to expand control over land and strengthen settlement activity in Area C.

Under the 1995 Oslo II Accord, Area C, which comprises about 61% of the occupied West Bank, remains under full Israeli control.

In February, the Israeli government approved a measure allowing authorities to register large areas of West Bank land as state property for the first time since 1967, according to Israel’s public broadcaster.

Israeli violence has surged across the occupied West Bank since October 2023, with Palestinian officials reporting 1,168 deaths, 12,666 injuries, nearly 23,000 arrests and the displacement of around 33,000 people as of May 26.

READ: Settler council advances plan for 18 settlements in the northern West Bank

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Continue ReadingIsrael orders seizure of 30 hectares of Palestinian land in southern West Bank: Official

Trump administration pressures Oman to cut ties with Tehran: Report

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A view of gigantic poster as daily life continues despite the ongoing conflict in Tehran, Iran on April 1, 2026. [Fatemeh Bahrami – Anadolu Agency]

The US has intensified diplomatic pressure on Oman, demanding the Gulf state abandon its historic neutrality and sever diplomatic relations with Iran, according to a Wall Street Journal story on Monday, Anadolu Agency reports.

American and Arab officials indicated that Washington now views Oman’s policy on Iran as being actively hostile to US interests.

The Trump administration has reportedly threatened to impose sanctions or even launch military strikes against Oman following intelligence assessments suggesting the country might join Iran in taxing commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Both countries have coasts on the strategic waterway.

The Omani leadership has denied these allegations, maintaining that its neutral stance is essential for regional mediation. However, US officials remain skeptical, citing Oman’s refusal to explicitly denounce Iranian military actions.

Friction between the two capitals reportedly began just before the current conflict when Washington felt the Omani foreign minister provided inaccurate assessments on a potential nuclear deal.

US President Donald Trump last week fueled these tensions by warning that Oman must cooperate or face military consequences. “Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow ‘em up,” said Trump.

READ: Oman FM: US has lost control of foreign policy, entered ‘war that is not its own’

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Continue ReadingTrump administration pressures Oman to cut ties with Tehran: Report

WHO verifies 190 attacks on health care in Lebanon in 3 months

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A general view of the heavy destruction following an Israeli airstrike on a health center belonging to the Islamic Health Authority (Hayaa) in the Al-Mashouk area near the southern city of Tyre, Lebanon, on May 20, 2026. [Houssam Shbaro – Anadolu Agency]

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said it verified 190 attacks on health care facilities and personnel in Lebanon over the past three months, warning that the country’s health system is coming under growing strain amid escalating violence, Anadolu reports.

Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO representative to Lebanon, told reporters in Geneva that more than 3,400 people have been killed and nearly 10,400 injured since the latest Israeli escalation began in March.

“These have been among the deadliest months for Lebanon since the start of the conflict in October 2023,” the representative said.

The attacks on health care have killed 128 health workers and injured 332 others, he said.

“Not only do these attacks kill and maim, they also deprive people of the health services they need, when they need them most,” Abubakar said.

READ: Iran seeks ceasefire across Lebanon, Ghalibaf tells Berri

According to the WHO, about 130,000 people are currently living in shelters after fleeing fighting, a figure that could rise following recent Israeli evacuation orders for parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Abubakar said 17 hospitals have been partially damaged, while three hospitals and 42 primary health care centers remain closed.

He also highlighted an attack on Jabal Amel Hospital that occurred on Monday and is still being verified. Initial information from Lebanon’s Health Ministry indicates that at least 86 people, including health workers, were injured and parts of the facility, including the emergency department and intensive care unit, were damaged.

“We need attacks to stop, and we need active protection of health care,” Abubakar said, calling for sustained funding, unhindered humanitarian access and a lasting ceasefire.

READ: Israeli attacks killed over 3,000 people, ‘no option but negotiation’ with Israel: Lebanese president

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.

Continue ReadingWHO verifies 190 attacks on health care in Lebanon in 3 months