Veronica
@veronicafrance.bsky.social
Former archaeologist and web developer living in southern France since 1997. Cook, photographer, reader, francophile, now hispanophile.
Reposted by Veronica
New tariff just dropped.
Americans set to pay an additional 10% tax on all goods from Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
It starts in two weeks, rising to 25% by June.
(Aside: A trade war with one EU country is a trade war with the entire EU).
Americans set to pay an additional 10% tax on all goods from Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
It starts in two weeks, rising to 25% by June.
(Aside: A trade war with one EU country is a trade war with the entire EU).
January 17, 2026 at 5:26 PM
New tariff just dropped.
Americans set to pay an additional 10% tax on all goods from Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
It starts in two weeks, rising to 25% by June.
(Aside: A trade war with one EU country is a trade war with the entire EU).
Americans set to pay an additional 10% tax on all goods from Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
It starts in two weeks, rising to 25% by June.
(Aside: A trade war with one EU country is a trade war with the entire EU).
Reposted by Veronica
Reposted by Veronica
They are canceling youth sports across the city in Minneapolis this weekend because lawless masked armed federal paramilitaries are targeting the children and families.
Minneapolis Parks and Recreation has canceled youth sports because ICE is terrorizing our community
January 16, 2026 at 6:39 PM
They are canceling youth sports across the city in Minneapolis this weekend because lawless masked armed federal paramilitaries are targeting the children and families.
Reposted by Veronica
Wincing at Michael Gove describing Kemi Badenoch as ‘feisty’ and ‘sassy’.
Do not use adjectives to describe a woman’s character which you would not use to describe a man’s. It sounds patronising and screams sexism. Urgh.
#today #bbcradio4
Do not use adjectives to describe a woman’s character which you would not use to describe a man’s. It sounds patronising and screams sexism. Urgh.
#today #bbcradio4
January 16, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Wincing at Michael Gove describing Kemi Badenoch as ‘feisty’ and ‘sassy’.
Do not use adjectives to describe a woman’s character which you would not use to describe a man’s. It sounds patronising and screams sexism. Urgh.
#today #bbcradio4
Do not use adjectives to describe a woman’s character which you would not use to describe a man’s. It sounds patronising and screams sexism. Urgh.
#today #bbcradio4
Reposted by Veronica
Robert Jenrick: an apology. thecritic.co.uk/fran...
January 15, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Robert Jenrick: an apology. thecritic.co.uk/fran...
Reposted by Veronica
This is why there is no free speech without anonymous speech.
This is why online ID checks / age verification is incompatible with the 1st amendment and human rights.
This is why "make everyone use their real names" is not a real solution to online hate & harm
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
This is why online ID checks / age verification is incompatible with the 1st amendment and human rights.
This is why "make everyone use their real names" is not a real solution to online hate & harm
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Homeland Security wants to know who's anonymously posting about ICE
www.politico.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:45 PM
This is why there is no free speech without anonymous speech.
This is why online ID checks / age verification is incompatible with the 1st amendment and human rights.
This is why "make everyone use their real names" is not a real solution to online hate & harm
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
This is why online ID checks / age verification is incompatible with the 1st amendment and human rights.
This is why "make everyone use their real names" is not a real solution to online hate & harm
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Veronica
The main bank account holding revenue from the Venezuelan oil sales is located in Qatar.
“There is no basis in law for a president to set up an offshore account that he controls so that he can sell assets seized by the American military,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
www.semafor.com/article/01/1...
“There is no basis in law for a president to set up an offshore account that he controls so that he can sell assets seized by the American military,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
www.semafor.com/article/01/1...
Exclusive: US gets first $500 million Venezuelan oil deal, holding some proceeds in Qatar
The details shared with Semafor mark an initial milestone in the administration’s plan following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro.
www.semafor.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:42 AM
The main bank account holding revenue from the Venezuelan oil sales is located in Qatar.
“There is no basis in law for a president to set up an offshore account that he controls so that he can sell assets seized by the American military,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
www.semafor.com/article/01/1...
“There is no basis in law for a president to set up an offshore account that he controls so that he can sell assets seized by the American military,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
www.semafor.com/article/01/1...
Reposted by Veronica
Reposted by Veronica
I'll say it again: watching Robert Jenrick do "cunning politics" is like watching a toddler hide behind a cushion.
"Where's Robert gone? THERE HE IS! Oh no! Where is he? THERE HE IS!"
"Where's Robert gone? THERE HE IS! Oh no! Where is he? THERE HE IS!"
January 15, 2026 at 12:18 PM
I'll say it again: watching Robert Jenrick do "cunning politics" is like watching a toddler hide behind a cushion.
"Where's Robert gone? THERE HE IS! Oh no! Where is he? THERE HE IS!"
"Where's Robert gone? THERE HE IS! Oh no! Where is he? THERE HE IS!"
Reposted by Veronica
Luckily VPNs haven't been invented.
X Safety have posted that they have now made some changes to operate within the law.
This includes "geoblocking the ability of all users to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire via the Grok account and in Grok in X in those jurisdictions where it’s illegal".
This includes "geoblocking the ability of all users to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire via the Grok account and in Grok in X in those jurisdictions where it’s illegal".
January 15, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Luckily VPNs haven't been invented.
Reposted by Veronica
I'd be happy for the UK and France to add military presence, could issue a statement along the lines of:
"With the US President reporting Greenland is under threat from Russia and China we have positioned Nuclear Submarines in the North Atlantic ready to defend Greenland against *any* attack"
"With the US President reporting Greenland is under threat from Russia and China we have positioned Nuclear Submarines in the North Atlantic ready to defend Greenland against *any* attack"
The Danish Minister of Defence has just announced an increased military presence in Greenland, involving Denmark and other NATO allies, including Sweden.
This coincided with the highly anticipated White House meeting between Rubio, Vance, and the Foreign Ministers of Denmark and Greenland.
This coincided with the highly anticipated White House meeting between Rubio, Vance, and the Foreign Ministers of Denmark and Greenland.
January 14, 2026 at 5:28 PM
I'd be happy for the UK and France to add military presence, could issue a statement along the lines of:
"With the US President reporting Greenland is under threat from Russia and China we have positioned Nuclear Submarines in the North Atlantic ready to defend Greenland against *any* attack"
"With the US President reporting Greenland is under threat from Russia and China we have positioned Nuclear Submarines in the North Atlantic ready to defend Greenland against *any* attack"
Reposted by Veronica
Shouldn't it be a bigger story that the immigration cops are seizing and imprisoning people who CANNOT POSSIBLY BE IMMIGRANTS
Oglala Sioux Tribe demands the release of Lakota men detained by ICE www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Oglala Sioux Tribe demands the release of Lakota men detained by ICE
The Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota has demanded the Department of Homeland Security release tribally enrolled citizens held by ICE, according to a statement released by the tribe.
www.mprnews.org
January 14, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Shouldn't it be a bigger story that the immigration cops are seizing and imprisoning people who CANNOT POSSIBLY BE IMMIGRANTS
Reposted by Veronica
Lists of Jews?
LISTS OF JEWS???
LISTS OF JEWS???
Folks, is it good when the government starts asking institutions for "lists of Jews"?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
UPenn faculty condemn Trump administration’s demand for ‘lists of Jews’
Groups say EEOC demand for names and personal details echoes dark history and threatens safety and civil rights
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:57 AM
Lists of Jews?
LISTS OF JEWS???
LISTS OF JEWS???
Reposted by Veronica
State control of historical memory is a classic hallmark of authoritarian regimes, just FYI.
The White House says the Smithsonian Institution must submit materials about current and upcoming exhibitions and events for a review that will determine whether they express "improper ideology." n.pr/4583d8f
Today is the Smithsonian's deadline to give thousands of documents to the White House
The White House says the Smithsonian Institution must submit materials about current and upcoming exhibitions and events for a review that will determine whether they express "improper ideology."
n.pr
January 13, 2026 at 3:45 PM
State control of historical memory is a classic hallmark of authoritarian regimes, just FYI.
Reposted by Veronica
in other news apparently you can now get shot for being smug
Fox News' Will Cain: “There's a weird kind of smugness... in the way that some of these liberal white women interact with authority”
January 14, 2026 at 9:42 AM
in other news apparently you can now get shot for being smug
Reposted by Veronica
I’m seeing lots of people on here misunderstand the purpose of ICE watch.
It’s de-escalation. And it’s grounded in the social science of violence. 🧵
It’s de-escalation. And it’s grounded in the social science of violence. 🧵
January 13, 2026 at 5:37 PM
I’m seeing lots of people on here misunderstand the purpose of ICE watch.
It’s de-escalation. And it’s grounded in the social science of violence. 🧵
It’s de-escalation. And it’s grounded in the social science of violence. 🧵
Yikes. Read this and be afraid.
The article appears to be partly paywalled and I would encourage anyone who can afford it to subscribe, Slate's got a hell of a sale going right now and subscriptions are how they can afford to pay freelancers for articles like this one
For my fellow brokies, though:
For my fellow brokies, though:
You’ve Heard About Who ICE Is Recruiting. The Truth Is Far Worse. I’m the Proof.
What happens when you do minimal screening before hiring agents, arming them, and sending them into the streets? We're all finding out.
web.archive.org
January 13, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Yikes. Read this and be afraid.
Reposted by Veronica
MAGAs: The left is escalating the rhetoric by calling us Nazis
Also MAGAs: Look at our new podium, featuring a Nazi slogan about the time Nazis wiped out an entire village in Czechoslovakia and killed up to 5000 innocent people in retaliation for one Nazi being killed.
"One of ours, all of yours."
Also MAGAs: Look at our new podium, featuring a Nazi slogan about the time Nazis wiped out an entire village in Czechoslovakia and killed up to 5000 innocent people in retaliation for one Nazi being killed.
"One of ours, all of yours."
January 13, 2026 at 2:08 AM
MAGAs: The left is escalating the rhetoric by calling us Nazis
Also MAGAs: Look at our new podium, featuring a Nazi slogan about the time Nazis wiped out an entire village in Czechoslovakia and killed up to 5000 innocent people in retaliation for one Nazi being killed.
"One of ours, all of yours."
Also MAGAs: Look at our new podium, featuring a Nazi slogan about the time Nazis wiped out an entire village in Czechoslovakia and killed up to 5000 innocent people in retaliation for one Nazi being killed.
"One of ours, all of yours."
Reposted by Veronica
I've had a little fact check and it seems to be true.
It used to take 5 to 6 months to train to be an ICE agent.
Now it takes 47 days - because Trump is the 47th president.
That's the reason.
Armed officers with extraordinary power.
FORTY SEVEN days of training to satiate the ego of a buffoon.
It used to take 5 to 6 months to train to be an ICE agent.
Now it takes 47 days - because Trump is the 47th president.
That's the reason.
Armed officers with extraordinary power.
FORTY SEVEN days of training to satiate the ego of a buffoon.
“It used to take 5 to 6 months to get trained. They've now lowered the training period to 47 days. Why 47 days? Because Donald tRump's the 47th president.”—Senator Mark Warner.
#FuckICE #ICE #MarkWarner #Pinks #ProudBlue #Resist #Guardrails #StrongerTogether
#FuckICE #ICE #MarkWarner #Pinks #ProudBlue #Resist #Guardrails #StrongerTogether
January 12, 2026 at 3:53 PM
I've had a little fact check and it seems to be true.
It used to take 5 to 6 months to train to be an ICE agent.
Now it takes 47 days - because Trump is the 47th president.
That's the reason.
Armed officers with extraordinary power.
FORTY SEVEN days of training to satiate the ego of a buffoon.
It used to take 5 to 6 months to train to be an ICE agent.
Now it takes 47 days - because Trump is the 47th president.
That's the reason.
Armed officers with extraordinary power.
FORTY SEVEN days of training to satiate the ego of a buffoon.
Reposted by Veronica
Someone should get this guy to do something about it!
January 12, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Someone should get this guy to do something about it!
Reposted by Veronica
Nothing says "Ofcom is seriously considering strong sanctions against X" like the fact that they are using X as the primary social media site for publicising their action.
January 12, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Nothing says "Ofcom is seriously considering strong sanctions against X" like the fact that they are using X as the primary social media site for publicising their action.
Reposted by Veronica
Amazingly, Zahawi only got round to deleting the below after the press conference announcing his defection to Reform.
January 12, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Amazingly, Zahawi only got round to deleting the below after the press conference announcing his defection to Reform.
Reposted by Veronica
Kemi, this is just a population density map
January 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Kemi, this is just a population density map
Reposted by Veronica
I, for one, cannot understand why men like Rupert Lowe are opposed to banning X, despite it assisting sex offenders, paying people to invite the foreign powers to invade the U.K, and allowing state-sponsored cyber warfare against our democracy.
It's a real mystery...🤔
It's a real mystery...🤔
January 9, 2026 at 9:35 AM
I, for one, cannot understand why men like Rupert Lowe are opposed to banning X, despite it assisting sex offenders, paying people to invite the foreign powers to invade the U.K, and allowing state-sponsored cyber warfare against our democracy.
It's a real mystery...🤔
It's a real mystery...🤔
Reposted by Veronica
I want to see Lowe on TV explaining why banning the monetisation of paedophilia and sexual assault is an attack on free speech.
January 10, 2026 at 3:22 PM
I want to see Lowe on TV explaining why banning the monetisation of paedophilia and sexual assault is an attack on free speech.