#Street Level Australia

[astonmartinii]

forever and a day | oscar piastri social media au

pairing: oscar piastri x fem long distance reader

nothing can separate them, except maybe 9,000 miles and a couple of oceans.

MASTERLIST | TIP JAR

oscarpiastri

liked by logansargeant, landonorris and 893,209 others

tagged: yourusername

oscarpiastri: finally back in the homeland and reunited with my girl

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user1: oscary/n nation we are so back

user2: australia always does us so well

yourusername: can you convince mclaren that they should keep paying for our dates

oscarpiastri: i think we were technically working

yourusername: were we? it never feels like work being with you

oscarpiastri: you didn't notice all of the people around us and filming us?

yourusername: i only have eyes for you osc, we know this

oscarpiastri: hehehhehehehee

yourusername: also i have to completely commit you to memory before you fuck off for another couple of months

oscarpiastri: you could always just come with me

yourusername: let me get my degree first, one of us has to be educated osc

oscarpiastri: i have my a-levels? lando doesn't even have gcses

landonorris: why am i catching a stray?

yourusername: because my boyf is smart

landonorris: i've got street smarts 😩

oscarpiastri: you've been catfished like five times already and nearly had your bank details stole?

landonorris: well ... i like to see the best in people?

user3: thank you mclaren for giving us the oscar and y/n content

user4: and the proof that love still exists

user5: terminally lonely girls block mclaren, oscar and y/n.- it's for your mental health

user6: or if you have commitment issues this is some good exposure therapy

logansargeant: oh who did you force to be your photographer this time?

yourusername: you never learnt reading comprehension in school?

logansargeant: i can read i just choose not to read the soppy shit you and oscar say to each other

oscarpiastri: leave us alone

yourusername: you have a problem with us no matter what 🤨

logansargeant: do NOT make me the bad guy for complaining about hearing your guys' sexy time

oscarpiastri: we spend A LOT of time away from each other

yourusername: and by the sounds of it, you could learn a lot

logansargeant: you know what WHATEVER

user7: they terrorise logan so much from opposite sides of the world, pray for him when she can travel with oscar

yourusername

liked by oscarpiastri, landonorris and 83,409 others

yourusername: i love any piece of you osc but the separation anxiety is kicking my ass

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user9: oscar gave y/n a plush of himself

user10: no cause he's literally such a black cat

yourusername: he blushes just like that as well

user11: oh really?

user12: want to share with the class

yourusername: that's for my eyes only

oscarpiastri: i'm glad he got to you safely

yourusername: i just about tackled the postman 😔

oscarpiastri: poor graham, we should get him a better christmas gift this year

yourusername: yeah sorry graham but you sprayed the kitty with your cologne and i can't be held responsible for my feral behaviour

user13: they get their postman christmas gifts?

user14: they have the same postman?

user15: yes, y/n lives with his family

user16: really?

yourusername: they can't get rid of me

oscarpiastri: they also love her as much as i do (literally, i have to fight my sisters to spend time with y/n)

landonorris: so this is why we were waiting so long for you at the airport

oscarpiastri: well, yes. it's very important i get y/n a souvenir

landonorris: i could've slept for like an hour longer?

yourusername: just because you don't understand true romance lando 🤨

landonorris: i know romance!

yourusername: maccies in a hotel room is not romance

landonorris: you guys are just freaks about each other that's not my fault

user17: y/n hanging out with oscar's sisters is so precious

user18: if they aren't married soon i will no longer believe in love

user19: they're 23?

user20: tbf i forget that because they've been together since they were like 15

logansargeant

liked by yourusername, oscarpiastri and 351,904 others

tagged: oscarpiastri

logansargeant: oscar forced me to post this so y/n could 'remember how hot he is while he's away at war'

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user21: oh wow... thank you logan!

user22: this is not exactly what i was expecting when i opened instagram but alas i'm not complaining

yourusername: WOOF WOOF WOOF

oscarpiastri: 🤭🤭🤭

logansargeant: someone please remind me why i'm friends with you two

yourusername: because we're your only friends?

yourusername: wait sorry that was mean

yourusername: i just get protective

logansargeant: you're telling me 🤨

oscarpiastri: i'm swooning 🥰🩷

logansargeant: i give up

alexalbon: why am i a part of this oscar thirst trap? why are you posting a thirst trap of oscar?

yourusername: HE'S A GOOD FRIEND

alexalbon: i didn't consent to be part of your weird long distance lust

yourusername: oh girl ain't no one looking at you when oscar is there

alexalbon: you know what you're mean :( i want you to stay in australia

yourusername: i promise i'm a lot nicer when i'm with osc, the distance makes me cranky

alexalbon: i see, remind me to never take oscar out in a race

logansargeant: i think that's wise - i heard her yelling down the phone about carlos

yourusername: i had to block him to stop myself

user23: i am honestly so confused

user24: i think we just let them do it, we'll never understand

landonorris: do NOT ask me to do this @oscarpiastri

yourusername: booooooo you're such a debbie downer

oscarpiastri: he's just s fuckboy he doesn't understand

landonorris: i don't think i'll ever understand you two

yourusername

liked by logansargeant, oscarpiastri and 119,056 others

yourusername: one degree hotter xx

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user26: fucking finally now we can get y/n in the paddock every weekend

liked by oscarpiastri

user27: mclaren social media team seen celebrating just as much

oscarpiastri: and i didn't think it was possible for you to get any hotter

yourusername: maybe a piastri jersey?

oscarpiastri: and a ring?

yourusername: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

yourusername: you know i'll never say no to that

yourusername: do nOT propose through an instagram comment oscar - nicole

oscarpiastri: noted 😔

yourusername: but name the time and the place and i'll be there baby

user28: so we could defo get a y/noscar proposal this season

user29: i would be so insufferable it's unbelievable

user30: the way i just know it was killing oscar not being able to go

user31: did you guys see the kicked dog eyes in the paddock yesterday 😭😭😭

oscarpiastri: they had to force me on the plane

landonorris: no they legit were about to call mick or pato

user32: did y/n convince you to not run away to australia?

oscarpiastri: maybe ....

charles_leclerc: ummmmm who is this oscar? why hasn't your father been introduced?

yourusername: HI

oscarpiastri: y/n is the love of my life and you SHOULD be able to meet her next race weekend

yourusername: so have i also got another father-in-law?

charles_leclerc: you seem to terrorise the other drivers a lot so - yeah!

yourusername: at your service (unless it's you hitting oscar, then there's no MERCY)

charles_leclerc: okay you are kinda scary wtf

oscarpiastri

liked by alexalbon, yourusername and 1,203,677 others

tagged: yourusername

oscarpiastri: unbelievably proud of you and everything you've done darling. i'm so sorry i couldn't be there to celebrate with you, but i'll make it up to you before you know it xx

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user33: oh to be loved like this

user34: they make me feel lonely like the world apart i can only imagine how insane it'll be when they're back together 24/7

yourusername: i love you so so so much osc. you've done more than you could know by supporting me through my education. we have the rest of our lives to be together, so don't beat yourself about it now

oscarpiastri: but i'm so proud of you and just wanted to be there to celebrate you :(

yourusername: osc i can feel you pouting through the screen baby

landonorris: he really is and it's kinda annoyingly cute

yourusername: of course it's cute it's oscar 🙄

landonorris: right so i'll take back my congratulations then

yourusername: FINE BY ME

user35: obsessed with how y/n and lando already have this weird sibling bond

user36: it's the weird relationship that you kind of love between your gf and friend

user37: it's all cute until they actually fight

yourusername: if he makes any wrong step against oscar i'll crush that loser

landonorris: ahhaaha funny joke

yourusername: you're a 5'5 twig, i could snap you in half

user38: i need them to recreate the last photo when oscar wins his first race

user39: i think pinterest would explode

yourusername: no but no joke, i love you so much osc and i can't wait to start the new chapter of our life

oscarpiastri: i love you too xx

oscarpiastri: sorry to my sisters but they're losing their live in stylist because you're never ever leaving me ever again

oscarpiastri: that makes me sound like a possessive asshole but i just have attachment issues

yourusername: no these years since you started in f3 have been actual hell without you and i never want to leave your side again

yourusername: i just love watching you do what you love

oscarpiastri: i'll always love you more

user40: who's chopping onions wtf

user41: i'm invoicing them for my therapy

mclarenf1

liked by fredvesti, arthurleclerc and 1,256,046 others

tagged: yourusername

mclarenf1: don't tell oscar but we've got a surprise guest for him 🤫

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user45: take me out back and shoot me please and thank you

user46: so real of you

landonorris: is this why his phone is currently hidden in my drivers room?

mclarenf1: maybe ...

landonorris: if he fights me for it that's on you guys

mclarenf1: wait admin has just realised you definitely shouldn't be on your phone

landonorris: LOL

user47: mclaren you better not fuck this race for oscar because i need my big rom com ending kiss in parc ferme

user48: omg romance writers do i have a plot for you

user49: the way this would seem so unrealistic if i read it in a book but these fools really have been together for like eight years and are unbelievably in love

yourusername: heheheheh thanks for flying me out on such late notice xx

mclarenf1: no worries queen

yourusername: you guys better be on top form, you can't hide from me in the garage

mclarenf1: hahahaha 😅😅😅

user50: is y/n the reincarnation of nicole scherzinger? like a wag that goes fucking mental

user51: and wears team merch with pride

yourusername: nicole is a queen (thank you for one direction queen) but you guys do not want me on the microphone

user52: you and oscar karaoke? please?

yourusername: we once did breaking free together but you'll have to bother logan for that video

user53: OSCAR PLEASE WIN AND DO DRUNK KARAOKE

oscarpiastri

liked by landonorris, yourusername and 1,556,308 others

tagged: yourusername

oscarpiastri: i told you she was my lucky charm. overjoyed to get my first win, it's a dream come true and to have the love of my life with me makes it even sweeter. y/n, i'll love you forever and a day x

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user54: CONGRATS OSCAR 🧡🧡🧡

user55: i'm having such a proud mum moment

user56: tears in my eyes

user57: not as much as y/n that girl was going THROUGH IT

user58: we need her mascara, cause that shit didn't budge

yourusername: I AM SO FUCKING PROUD OF YOU OSCAR

yourusername: I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

yourusername: AND THANK YOU FOR WAITING FOR ME TO BE AT A RACE TO WIN

oscarpiastri: i guess i just knew in my bones you were here and simply had to win

oscarpiastri: i just wanted to see you so bad that i drove the fastest to the finish line

yourusername: well tell them to hurry up and debrief so we can celebrate 👀

oscarpiastri: ON MY WAY

user59: maybe we will get that karaoke?

logansargeant: congrats bro! @landonorris i hope you brought some ear plugs, if not you might want to start drinking now

landonorris: SOMEONE GET ME A DRINK STAT

yourusername: i'll personally buy you a drink because i'm going to rock his world tonight

oscarpiastri: 😎😎😎

landonorris: and here i thought you were my little innocent teammate

yourusername: there's nothing little about him

landonorris: EWWWW GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY FACE

yourusername: all celebrations aside, i'm so proud and i'll love you forever and always x

oscarpiastri: it's always been you and it will always be you

yourusername: i love you

oscarpiastri: i love you too

fin.

note: WOOOOOOOOOO OSCAR!!! (i'm ignoring everything else to do with the race, oscar is my king)

[riddlerthethievingwarlock]

I don’t think I’ll ever get over just how little content there is on Ezekiel Jones. Like- I understand there’s just not a whole lot of Librarians content in general, but this man (mind you, he’s 24 at the oldest in the first season) is supposed to be the World’s Greatest Thief (who had a short stint at MI6 that is never expanded on), and all y’all are just brushing over that!? Oh, and he’s mysteriously immune to random magical artifacts, curses, and acts of retribution from gods when no one else is, as well as being able to handle Zeus’ lightning bolt with surprising ease. Also, his name means “strength of God.” There’s so much more proof I could list, and I know litmasonedits made a whole video essay on it (bless them) on YouTube, but what I’m trying to say is that there is a HUGE possibility Ezekiel is a demigod.

And don’t even get me started on the way this fandom dismisses his IQ level. They were all viable Librarian candidates because they were geniuses! He was first called to the Library when he was at most 14, and I doubt “being good at finding things” was the Library’s only motivation for inviting a literal child to be interviewed when most of its candidates were renowned scientists, inventors, historians, etc. He has entire museum floor plans and inventories memorized, is the resident hacker, and straight up makes his own little gadgets for fun. Remember the casino episode? Where he says, “Machines are my thing,” and then rigs all of them so that every play is a win?

The episode “And the Christmas Thief” is also a point of contention for me, but with Canon itself. What do you mean he used to be homeless???? Before he was adopted into a family of petty thieves, that is. But for how long? If he was “taken off the streets,” he was old enough to competently escape CPS for at least a short time. Australia could only provide him with so much popularity and opportunities to improve his trade, so, given what we know of just how active and passionate he was about stealing, he wasn’t exactly a legal adult when he left. Y’know, seeing as he would need time to become the world’s greatest thief and a very proficient engineer and hacker. And the bank for thieves and shit. A human being got liquidated via overpowered laser for not repaying his debts, and the other Librarians were (understandably) utterly horrified, but Ezekiel just went :|

Tell me, what does that say about him as a person?

Anywho, the events of that episode are never revisited.

[thebirdsareafterme]

The man who grew up surrounded by motorsports, the son of a legendary driver, who chose to forge his own path in a different category altogether instead of following his father’s footsteps and living under his shadow.

The man who made his F1 debut next to Max Verstappen and scored points at his very first race.

The man who carries on the legacy of Maria de Villota, an iconic female driver and his mentor that taught him single-seater racing, by wearing her star at the back of every helmet.

The man who broke Red Bull’s streak not once but twice during their most dominant era, through the power of sheer willpower and tactical brilliance. Once, in the streets of Singapore, with a strategy that no one else could have pulled off. “It’s on purpose,” he said, as he utilized the bond between him and his ex-teammate to hold off two much faster Mercedes. The second time in Australia, only two weeks after an invasive surgery and barely able to walk onto the podium.

The man who took engineering classes on his own time in order to understand the car better and provide better feedback to his engineers.

The man who uses a colour-coded system to communicate rain levels to his race engineer, memorized with every millimeter of rain correlating to a specific shade.

The man who has brought every team he has ever been at to a higher position in the Constructor’s Championship, and whose teammates speak fondly of every time.

The man who, despite always being considered Ferrari’s “second choice”, is a gracious teammate and speaks respectfully about the man who is set to take his place. “That's why, when I reflected on it, it didn’t hurt me that much. Because in the end it’s not any other driver replacing you, but the best driver in history. And in the end, if one has to replace me, let it be [Lewis],” he says to the media after losing his seat at his dream team.

The man who chose Williams, because he saw their potential for growth and their vision for the future, and chose them over teams who only wanted a temporary solution.

The man who was once described as “more modest and lightly brushed by melancholy”.

The man who is energetic, fun-loving and goofy with his friends inside and out of the paddock.

The man who is strategic in every action, determined to a fault and a natural born competitor.

Happy 30th birthday, Carlos Sainz Jr. We go where you go, now and forever.

[holyblonded]

choices | always sunny in australia

pairings: matildas x teen!reader, sam kerr x teen!reader

summary: you’re deadline of choosing a club is drawing to a close

warnings: tad bit of anxiety

notes: i love writing this series but she doesn’t have a name yet 😭 also please tell me where you want her to go!!

Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea, Lyon, Bayern—the list goes on. Ever since your debut with the Matildas, your phone hasn’t stopped buzzing with offers. Some of the biggest clubs in the world want you, and yet, the idea of actually making a choice feels impossible.

You’ve never played for a professional club before. Just your school team—a high-level program that ran things almost professionally, but still, it wasn’t this. This is something entirely different.

And it terrifies you.

Luckily, you had been fortunate enough to run into Nicole— literally. You had bumped into her on the street, and somehow, a simple conversation had led to her becoming your manager. She was American, well-connected in the American football world, and, most importantly, someone who quickly understood you. She had a way of grounding you when your thoughts spiraled, and she had spent the past few weeks constantly reminding you:

“Kid, it’s going to be alright,” she told you over the phone more times than you could count. “You have all these offers because they know you’re great. Because you deserve to be here. The potential? That’s just a bonus.”

It helped, at least for a little while. But now, being in camp with the Tillies, you realize something. You really should have kept this whole thing a secret.

The moment you step onto the pitch for training, it starts.

“So…” Ellie drawls, stretching out beside you, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Lyon’s looking nice, huh? France, big club, great team chemistry…”

“Mate, don’t listen to her,” Steph interrupts, rolling her eyes. “Arsenal is the place to be. Proper football, historic club. You’d fit right in.”

Caitlin nods along. “Arsenal’s a family, you know. You’d love it.”

You open your mouth to respond, but then—

“Oi, don’t fill her head with that nonsense.” Sam appears, slinging an arm around your shoulders. “Chelsea, Kiddo. That’s where legends are made. London is blue, everyone knows that.”

Mini, who had been listening quietly, grins and jumps in. “Or, you could not go to London and join Westham. Come on, imagine it—me, Kristie, and Harper anytime you want.”

“You’re really using your child as bait?” Macca snickers.

“She loves Harper,” Mini argued. “Why are you working against me? We are trying to get her to Westham together.”

You groan, shaking your head as they all start bickering. It’s a full-blown debate now, the pros and cons of each club being thrown around like a transfer market panel show. Even Kyra joins in, throwing out a case for Arsenal again (and, unsurprisingly, getting an eye roll from Sam and Mini).

It’s all meant to be playful, but after a while, it starts to feel like too much. Too many voices, too many opinions, too much pressure. Your chest tightens, and you step back, suddenly needing space.

“I—I need a sec,” you mutter before quickly slipping away from the group.

You should have known they wouldn’t stop at training.

The moment you step into the weight room, water bottle in hand, you feel multiple sets of eyes lock onto you. A chill runs down your spine.

“Oh no,” you mutter.

“Oh yes,” Ellie grins, draping herself over the bench press like she’s been waiting for this moment. “Weight room negotiations, baby.”

Alanna claps her hands together, looking far too pleased with herself. “Alright, Sunny. It’s simple, they are prepared to sweeten the deal.”

You blink. “What?”

Steph crosses her arms, tilting her head. “Think of it as… recruitment incentives.”

Mini steps forward first, completely serious. “If you come to West Ham, Kristie, Macca, and I will take you in, no questions asked. You’d have a proper home, actual home-cooked meals, and Harper already loves you. Plus, family. Can’t put a price on that.”

You hesitate. That… that actually sounds really nice.

Ellie shakes her head. “Please. You belong at Lyon. Think about it—France, a club filled with legends, the best players in the world. Plus, French food. And if you come, I’ll personally make sure you get the best local recommendations.”

Alanna snickers, clearly enjoying the chaos. “Ohhh, big promises being made.”

Mini narrows her eyes at Ellie. “You can’t even speak French.”

“I am learning,” Ellie shoots back. “Another pro, language immersion. Learn French from the French with a fresh croissant in hand.”

Steph, watching it all unfold, casually chimes in. “Or, you could just pick Arsenal and not have to deal with all that.”

Caitlin leans against the squat rack, looking casual. “And, Arsenal will pay for your flights if you ever want to visit home. Think about it. Free trips home.”

Kyra nods. “I second that.”

Macca, who has been listening with amusement, finally chimes in. “You come to West Ham, and I’ll teach you how to do a proper Aussie barbecue. None of that tourist nonsense.”

At this point, you’re just laughing. “You guys are insane.”

“Insane, or genius?” Ellie smirks.

You roll your eyes, shaking your head as you grab a dumbbell. “You really want me to pick your teams, huh?”

Sam shrugs. “Nah, no pressure.” Then she grins. “But Chelsea’s the move.”

Alanna just chuckles as you let out a groan, watching the chaos unfold. “This is so much better than any TV show.”

You find Sam at the edge of the pitch after training, taking a breather by herself, her gaze fixed on the horizon. It’s rare for her to be alone, and you figure this might be the perfect time to talk.

You hesitate, standing a few feet away, unsure if you should approach. After all, she’s been nothing but relentless in pushing Chelsea your way. But then, you remind yourself that she’s been your teammate long enough to know when something’s off.

She turns when she hears you approach, an easy smile spreading across her face. “Alright, kid, what’s up?”

You let out a breath, not sure how to phrase it. “I, uh… I’ve been thinking about the whole transfer thing. I just… I don’t know what to do. Like, everyone’s got their opinions, you know?” You look at her, meeting her eyes. “I don’t know where to go.”

Sam’s eyes soften, and she motions for you to sit down beside her. “Of course, mate. You want to talk about it?”

You sit down, a little closer than usual. The weight of your decision feels heavier now that it’s all real, and Sam seems to sense that.

“You’ve got a lot of people pushing you to choose their team,” Sam continues, her voice calm but not dismissive. “It’s hard not to feel like you’re making the wrong choice when so many people have their own agendas.” She smirks. “I’ll admit, I’ve got my own agenda, obviously.” She pauses, then glances at you, tone changing to something quieter, more sincere. “But I’m gonna put that aside for a second, alright?”

You look at her, a little surprised. “Wait, what?”

“I know I’ve been pushing you toward Chelsea. I’ve been doing it since you got here, but,” Sam exhales, her smile fading as she turns her focus forward again, “I think I might’ve been going about it wrong. It’s not about where I want you to go. It’s about what’s gonna make you feel right, you know?”

You blink, a bit shocked by the shift in her tone. You’ve always known Sam as the kind of person who goes after what she wants with everything she’s got, and yet here she is, backing off.

“You’ve been so caught up in everyone’s opinions,” she continues, her voice low and gentle, “and I get it. I really do. But at the end of the day, it’s your decision. You’re the one who has to be happy with it. You’re the one who has to live with it. Not me, not Mini, not Caitlin or anyone else. You. It’s your future, your career.”

She pauses, looking at you, as if waiting for you to process what she’s saying.

You can feel the lump in your throat start to form, and you swallow, nodding slowly. “I just… I don’t want to mess it up. Everyone keeps saying this is a huge step, and I feel like I’m about to make the wrong one.”

Sam chuckles softly, leaning back on her hands. “Listen, I’ve been in your shoes, more times than I can count. The pressure to make the perfect decision, the fear of making the wrong move… but you know what? There’s no such thing as the perfect move. There’s just the one that feels right for you at the time. And yeah, sometimes that can change. Sometimes, you’ll feel unsure, and that’s okay. That’s part of the journey.”

She turns to face you fully now, her eyes kind, but serious. “What I want for you, what I really want, is for you to pick the place where you’re gonna be comfortable. Not the place where you think you’ll get the most fame, or the most money, or even the best team on paper. I want you to pick the place where you’ll wake up every day and feel like you belong. Where the coach sees you for who you are, not just the next big thing. Where your teammates become your family, where you can grow without all the noise.”

You feel a weight lifting from your shoulders, and you let out a breath you didn’t even realize you were holding.

“That’s all it comes down to?” you ask, still processing. “Being comfortable?”

Sam smiles warmly. “Yeah. Because you’re gonna face challenges no matter where you go. But if you’re comfortable, if you know deep down that you’re in the right place, you’ll be able to handle those challenges with a clear head. And if things don’t work out? That’s okay, too. You always have the option to move on. Nothing’s permanent, especially in football.”

Her words settle over you, and for the first time since the whole transfer thing started, you start to feel a little more at ease.

“So… I should stop worrying about everyone else, huh?”

Sam shrugs with a grin. “Not stop worrying. But take our opinions with a grain of salt. At the end of the day, it’s your gut that’s gonna tell you where to go. Trust that.”

You nod, feeling lighter. “Thanks, Sam. Really. That… that actually helps a lot.”

She pats you on the back. “Anytime, kid. I’m always here. But next time, pick Chelsea, alright?” she teases, the smirk back on her face.

You laugh, feeling like a weight’s been lifted off your chest. For the first time in weeks, the pressure doesn’t seem so unbearable. It’s not about making the ‘perfect’ choice anymore. It’s about making the one that feels like the best fit for you. And that, somehow, feels right.

You should have really expected it to continue onto the pitch.

The teams are mixed for the scrimmage, but that doesn’t stop the recruitment attempts.

The second you receive a pass from Mini, Ellie, who is on the opposing team, immediately tries to sweet talk you instead of pressing.

“Hey, mate,” she grins, jogging backward. “Think about it— Lyon. France. The best club in the world. You could be teammates with Renard. With Horan. With Diani. And of course, DVD.”

You shove the ball past her, shaking your head. “Not happening, Ellie.”

Across the field, Mini sprints to your side. “West Ham, Sunny! Think about it, me, Kristie, Harper. You’d have a family there.”

Caitlin intercepts a pass and grins at you. “Or, you could be with us at Arsenal, playing beautiful football and winning trophies.”

Steph steals the ball next and points at you as she runs past. “Arsenal.”

Alanna, of course, is eating it all up. She jogs past you, arms crossed. “You know, if you don’t decide soon, I could start some transfer rumors. Just saying.”

“Alanna, don’t,” you groan.

She smirks. “I dunno, mate. ‘Tilies Young Star Leaning Towards Move to—’”

You throw your hands up. “Enough!”

Everyone stops, waiting. The whole team is looking at you, expecting an answer.

You exhale sharply. “I already made my decision with Nicole in the middle of camp. I’m going to sign with-“

[bueckersbitch]

Grace and Grit - paige bueckers x oc

chapter two: how you get the girl

𐙚 characters: hopkins!paige x oc

𐙚 warnings: small mention of vaping

𐙚 authors note: letting this one speak for itself! this is all fiction!! enjoy ;)

Warm air flows through the cracked windows, Blaire stares at the girl beside her. Her golden hair was down, pushed all to one side, the bright blonde bringing out her sharp features, jaw prominent as her eyes were locked on the road, occasionally glancing over at Blaire, softly singing to the song that flooded the space between the two in the car. Angel-like glow radiating off of her as they passed the yellow streetlights. Blaire finds a way to pull her gaze away, now focused on her hand that rested in her lap, bright sapphire surrounded by gold, resting around her middle finger, a gift, her father giving it to her from Madagascar, a parting gift before he left for work in Australia. Other hand intertwined with Paige, Paige’s soft, warm hands grounding them in the moment, the warmth a direct reflection of the type of person Paige was, endearing, kind, big hearted, everything.

She felt her own hair blow into her lip gloss, Nars, Turkish Delight, over top her lightly lined lips, quickly moving her left hand to tuck it behind her ear. A familiar song now playing, How You Get The Girl, by Taylor Swift. Shocked, she turns to Paige, a smug grin across her face, “Paige…” She starts, although she’s quickly cut off “Don’t, I want you to feel comfortable, I know your obsession with her” Blaire hums, gently singing the lyrics, rubbing her lips together in an attempt to evenly coat the remaining lip gloss on her lips. She takes in her surroundings, the dark car having few decorations in it, a basketball car freshener that hung around the rearview mirror, and a photo of Paige, her Dad, and little brother, Drew, in the space in front of the steering wheel, two things that truly screamed Paige. Her love for her family, and basketball.

Paige focuses on living in the moment, maybe that's the reason why she is where she is today, putting her game and family first, so of course, she can’t help but take in the moment that is shared right now, in her car. She focuses on the road, deer trailing to the left, two, prancing around each other beneath the streetlight, spotting the incoming car, they leap away into the forest. Paige pretends to have a rough exterior, boasting in her competition's faces, after all, it’s why the people loved her so much, why she had highlights of her clipped together. She was fierce, never one to back down from a challenge. In reality, though, she was just a teenage girl living her dreams, decision day was right around the corner with school starting up soon, senior year. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind she would attend Uconn, past rosters stacked with greatness all around, thoughts about her future took her out of the moment, and so she slowly removes her hand from the steering wheel, turning up the music, attempting to drown out her thoughts while relishing in the look in Blaire’s eyes, embarrassment? Maybe. But Paige wished Blaire wasn’t afraid of showing who she really was. Paige was as observant as she was extroverted, noticing the front Blaire puts on, the fact she only really had four friends, her childhood best friend, and a couple of classmates from school. “When do you have to be home?!” Paige blurts over at Blaire, nearly shouting over the music. “I mean, I don’t have a curfew!” Blaire says, Paige winks before saying, “Perfect”

The twenty minute drive comes to an end, car pulling into the parking lot. Paige opens the car door for Blaire, her hopping out, the two follow the downtown street, talking about senior year, “Soooo… Senior year…” Paige nudges, smiling, Blaire responds, “Yeah, kind of crazy isn’t it? I feel like just yesterday I was clad in my pink tutu posing for my level two dance photos” Paige nods, “I feel ya, time moves so fast, hard to believe we’re going to leave the life we know behind next year” Blaire turns her head, thoughts swarming her head, the life she knew was uninteresting, to say the least, she didn’t really have a reason to stay, growing up in California, her dad insisted on moving to the quiet state of Minnesota, sure, her dance studio moved from California to Minnesota, something about the founder wanting to be close to her mom, Blaire always held a little bit of resentment towards her dad for that. Packing up everything, leaving Blaire’s childhood behind, dragging her with him, and for what? For him to be on work trips all the time? Leaving Blaire in a hauntingly quiet house? Her mom and dad split shortly before her and her dad made the big move. But who was she to trauma dump? Especially not on a first date, so she's restricted to replying with a quiet murmur of, “Yeah” Paige’s side eye doesn’t go unnoticed, Blaire curses herself in her mind, the feeling of messing up taking over, unfamiliarity reminding her of when she first moved here, caging herself in her room, no urgency to get to know those around her.

Pink lights illuminate the ice cream shop, sweet scoops in cursive on the window, a hole in the wall kind of place, reserved for locals. Paige holds the door open, ever the gentlewoman. Stepping inside, Blaire feels the cool air rush against her face, a direct opposite to the humidity of the summer air outside, Save Your Tears playing through the seventies style stereo, the shop overall emitting a seventies style, checkered floors, pink stools on the other side, fun teal booths lining the wall, pictures of the family that founded the shop snug in a corner, a time capsule, almost. Walking up to the register, Paige orders first, “One small vanilla cone please, and for this pretty lady…” Blaire smiles, “One small raspberry chip cone please” Paige pulls her card out of the back of her phone case, purple, handing it to the worker, a tired girl, probably in one of Blaire’s classes, but she wasn’t one to want to get to know people in her classes, she was there for one reason only, to learn. Paige hands Blaire her ice cream, and a few napkins, before walking back to her car.

Now seated, her knees pulled to her chest, she turns to face the blonde, “So tell me about yourself, I know that there’s more beneath that rough exterior you show during your games” Paige finishes her bite of ice cream, the cold treat regulating her body temperature on the warm summer night, “Well, what do you want to know?” Paige counters, Blaire doesn’t know. What do you even ask on first dates? Paige lifts Blaire’s chin, “Well I’ll help, I love music, I feel like it puts my emotions into words, comforts me before a game, during school, you get it” Blaire laughs “I hope I’d get it, I’ve danced my whole life” Two of them laughing, conversation flowing easily after that, personalities dancing around each other beautifully. Ice cream is long forgotten by now, finished, napkins set in the cupholders, the sunroof pulled back, their seats are reclined now, stars shining in the night sky, Paige asking Blaire everything about dance, the training, what the greenroom looks like, quick changes, auditions, everything you could think of, Blaire was pleasantly surprised, eager to tell Paige everything she knew, excited to tell her about the harsh reality that went on behind the scenes of all the grace that was shown on stage. Blaire asks about basketball, conditioning, exercising and working muscles to avoid strain, reading plays on the whiteboard, the rush Paige feels after making a three, this was who they were, so alike, yet so different, both sports being on opposing sides. Conversation fizzles out, Blaire watching the mint smoke from her vape dissolve into the expansive car space, providing her some clarity to loosen up, Paige occasionally tugging it from her palm, doing the same. Blaire found peace, here, simply parked in an empty parking lot, the clock read, 2:00 a.m. Time slipped away easily when she was with Paige, something she hasn’t encountered since her time in California.

They eventually make their way back to Blaire’s dance studio, her car waiting for her, reserved in her senior parking spot. Blaire moves to open the car door, Paige grabbing her hand before she can do so, “Wait!” Blaire whips her head around, face to face with a flustered Paige, soft pink covering her cheeks. Paige softly takes both of Blaire’s hands in her own, before kissing them, soft lips coming into contact with her knuckles, “I had fun tonight, call me tomorrow?” Paige hopes, Blaire pretends to think for a second, an amused, “We’ll see” coming out of her mouth, before she slips away into the night.

[britsyankswheels24]

🇺🇲 Step back in time and experience the roar of the iconic AMC Javelin, a true legend of American muscle cars! Introduced in 1967 by American Motors Corporation (AMC), the Javelin was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-door hardtop automobile manufactured across two generations, spanning from 1968 through 1970 and then from 1971 through 1974 model years. It was designed to compete in the pony car market segment against rivals like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

🚗💨 The AMC Javelin burst onto the scene in 1968, showcasing a sleek design and powerful engines. Styled by Dick Teague, the Javelin offered a range of trim and engine levels, from economical pony car variants to high-performance muscle car models. Its distinctive appearance, featuring a long hood and aggressive stance, turned heads on the streets and racetracks alike.

🏭 Besides being manufactured in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Javelins were also assembled under license in Germany, Mexico, the Philippines, Venezuela, and Australia, showcasing its global reach. American Motors even offered discounts to U.S. military personnel, leading to many Javelins being exported overseas.

🛞 Under the hood, the Javelin packed serious power. It was available with inline-six engines or potent V8s, delivering thrilling acceleration and speed. The AMX variant, equipped with a 6.4-liter V8, boasted over 300 horsepower!

🏆 The AMC Javelin wasn't just about looks—it excelled on the track too. It competed in Trans-Am racing, demonstrating its speed and agility. In fact, the second-generation AMX variant was the first pony car used as a standard vehicle for highway police car duties by an American law enforcement agency. Today, the Javelin's unique style and racing heritage make it a sought-after classic among collectors.

💔 By 1974, the automobile landscape had shifted. While other manufacturers downsized engines in response to changing market demands and fuel shortages, the Javelin's big engine option continued until production ceased in November 1974 amidst the Arab oil embargo and declining interest in high-performance vehicles.

🦅 The AMC Javelin embodies the spirit of American muscle cars, blending style, performance, and affordability. It's a timeless classic that continues to capture the hearts of car enthusiasts everywhere. Get ready to hit the road and experience the thrill of the AMC Javelin!

[leibal]

High Street is a minimalist home located in Melbourne, Australia, designed by Lineburg Wang. By consolidating room types and programming circulation to eliminate wasted space, the architects introduced a split-level layout. Strategic wall placements and adjusted sightlines minimize views of nearby properties, instead framing longer vistas of borrowed landscapes to create a sense of expansiveness.

[taeminsung]

pairing: stray kids x reader

prompt: stray kids reaction to s/o pulling them onto their lap

a/n: a little bit different than what i usually write, but please enjoy ♡

bang chan..

Fingers typed furiously for a moment before a silent beat echoed in his head and then his finger was hitting the delete button until the white page was once again staring back at him. Glancing back at to where you sat, fully engrossed in the book you had brought, Chan only groaned as he pushed his chair back and began pacing in his small studio. It was supposed to be a quick writing session before going shopping for the trip back to Australia. Consumed in his own head, he chewed on his lip and continued to walk in small circles, failing to notice the way you had put your book down and watched him with a small head tilt. The feeling of your fingers pulling his shirt back startled him as he crashed into your lap, only to immediately melt into your hold as your arms wrapped around him. Slow down, hmm, you mumbled into his back pressing a quick kiss on his back. Giggling to himself, he adjusted so that he was sitting between your legs, back pressing into your chest just existing in the moment.

minho..

The sun had set long ago but that didn’t stop you two from wandering the streets, grabbing snacks at different vendor stalls along the river walk. Stopping under a tree, Minho quickly told you to pose for a few photos before switching with him, so he had a few photos to post for stays. Turning back to you, he couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped his lips as he watched you plop onto the bench that was nearby, tossing your head back to look up at the night sky. Snapping a quick photo, he made his way over to stand by you, tipping his head back to get the same view as you, missing how your attention was already back on him. Before he could even register what was going on, he pulled into your lap, yelping when he felt your cold fingers press against the bare skin of his back under his shirt. I’m cold¸ he heard you whine, and I thought you looked cold too so I figured we could pause and warm each other up. Honestly he couldn’t argue with your train of thought so instead, he wiggled in your lap, fine, a few minutes of this then back to the dorm for proper cuddles, he said with a head nod.

changbin..

There was a level of surprise when you had showed up at his door, dressed ready for the gym, shyly asking to tag along for the first time since you two had gotten together. Changbin knew that you weren’t self-conscious to be at the gym, it was more being at the gym with him since he was an avid goer and you only recently decided to start going more. Using different machines, he caught himself watching you in between his sets, smiling to himself as you work through your own sets, with a cute look of determination on your face. After some time, you ended up using the equipment next to him, causing his body to gravitate towards you only to be pulled down into his lap. Caught off guard, he didn’t know how to react until you whispered, people won’t stop staring at me, can you just sit here for a moment? Instead of cooing at you for making him feel loved, protective mood was on as he stared down the few people, he noticed hadn’t taken their eyes off of you.

hyunjin..

A breeze blew through both of your hair as you wandered through the back garden of the museum you had just spent hours in. Hyunjin couldn’t help but fall a little bit more in love with you as you explained that you had packed his sketch book and supplies so that he could draw as much as he wanted too here. Grabbing your hand, he led you around the area, circling to find the best place for you to sit so that he could draw you surrounded by the incredible nature, knowing full well that he would be setting it as his phone background for the next several months. Finally settling on a place, he quickly gets distracted with where he wants to lay out his jacket for you to sit on, completely unaware of how you had sat on the bench, eye solely focused on him before he felt himself losing balance and being pulled down. A loud squeak was released before slamming his hand over his mouth, with wide eyes looking back at you. Can we be one of those cute couples that everyone envies? you blinked at him, a small smile pulling at your lips. Feeling a blush creep across his face, he hums his agreement adding you are the most adorable thing in my world.

han..

For a brief moment, Han felt like the worst boyfriend to ever exist, simply because he had trapped you in the small sound booth not realizing that the door locked from the outside. After apologizing for what felt like five minutes, he now was darting back and forth, dragging his hands through his hair trying to explain to you that the other members were on their way to rescue them. Staring at your face, he couldn’t quite read the expression that was there as you closed your eyes and took a long breath. Pivoting on his heels, he tried to make it to the other side of the tiny room only to be pulled backwards and into your lap. Silence fell before you exhaled, please stop moving for five seconds, it’s making me sicker than I already feel, leaning your head back against the wall. Something broke in Han’s brain as he sat in your lap, a foreign place he never thought he'd be, but hearing your words, folded his hands in his lap and sat as still as he fought the urge to bounce his leg up and down.

felix..

Walking through the front door of the dorm, Felix was so happy to see that your shoes hadn’t moved an inch from where you left them the night before. Entering the room more, he finds you on the couch watching your favorite drama with Minho asleep on the floor, likely having gotten home only an hour or so before him. The overwhelming feeling of the day started to settle into his bones and the long hours of practice making his legs wobbly as he tried to make it over to the couch instead of the floor like his hyung. Arms wrapped around his waist as he was tugged down not only into the couch but also into your warm lap. Everything inside Felix starts to feel like it’s on fire as you hug him closer to you causing any lingering stress to melt away. Long day? You whispered to him, affecting his body forcing it to simply melt a little bit more into you as his eyes closed not finding the strength to respond.

seungmin..

A part of him couldn’t quite figure out how you had managed to get into Chan’s studio but the other part of him was silently celebrating whatever you did to be there. It had been days since Seungmin had been able to see you in person, having to instead settle for video calls at odd hours of the day. He had only grabbed Chan’s studio because he knew that he was at the gym and Seungmin just wanted a quiet place to write a few lyrics that had been plaguing his brain since the last time he had seen you. Seeing you again, helped him finish the remaining lyrics that seemed to have evaded him until now. Standing up to stretch, he felt the tug on the back of his shirt as he lost his balance and landed in your lap. A silent question pressed on his tongue at what you were thinking since you were at JYP. I missed you a lot, can we just stay like this for a bit? you pouted at him, making the unasked question dissipate from his mouth being replaced with only until someone comes, shifting so that he doesn’t crush you.

jeongin..

Pulling his hat a little lower, he pulled you along to avoid the growing crowd that seemed to be filling the small shopping area. Jeongin knew that you didn’t love the large crowds, especially if they were fans because they sometimes got too close for your comfort. Looking for a quiet corner, he led you over to the less populated sitting area, letting you sit but keeping his fingers laced with yours while he looked out at everyone to assess if it was time to go for the day. Before he could blink, he was in your lap, immediately trying to wiggle this way out of your hold forcing his body to stop when he heard you whisper, please just stay here, I like the weight of you right now. Feeling like his chest was just punched, he adjusted how he was sitting so that some of his weight was on you but not enough to cause any pain. Playing with your fingers, he thought of how strange it felt to be in your lap since normally you were in his, and then his mind drifted to how odd it was that he was allowing it in public.

♡ ── thank you love for reading! requests are open.  

[scotianostra]

On 26th November 1917 Elsie Inglis, the Scottish doctor, nursing pioneer and suffragette, died.

Every Scot out there should read this with pride, Elsie Inglis and the other Scottish doctors and nurses faced prejudice and the horrors of war, but they did not flinch in what they saw as their duty.

Born in India in 1864, she was the daughter of John Inglis, a chief commissioner in the Indian civil service. She studied medicine at Dr Sophia Jex-Blake’s newly opened Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women and was one of the first women in Scotland to finish higher education, although she was not allowed to graduate. She went on to complete her training under Sir William Macewen at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

On the outbreak of WWI Elsie approached the War Office with the idea of either women-doctors co-operating with the Royal Army Medical Corps, or women's medical units being allowed to serve on the Western Front. The authorities were less than helpful and it is reported that an official said to her "My good lady, go home and sit still".

Despite attempts to repress her efforts—and those of many other women—to contribute, Elsie did not “sit still”. Instead, she persevered, setting up the Scottish women’s hospitals, which were all-female units that played a vital role with Britain’s allies, including the French, the Belgians and, particularly, the Serbs.

Elsie was 50 when war broke out and she defied British Government advice by setting up field hospitals close to the frontlines. She travelled to France within three months of the outbreak of war, and the all female staffed, Abbaye de Royaumont hospital, containing some 200 beds, was in place by the end of 1914. That was followed by a second hospital, at Villers Cotterets, in 1917. Tens of thousands were helped by the hospitals she set up in France, Serbia, Ukraine and Romania, acting with the support of the French and Serbian Governments.

Prior to that, Elsie was a strong advocate of women’s rights and a leading member of the suffragette movement in Scotland, playing a notable role in the establishment of the Scottish women’s suffrage federation in 1906. She fought energetically against prejudice and for the social and political emancipation of women, and had already made a huge impact in Edinburgh by working in some of the poorest parts of the city with women and babies who were in desperate need of help. Selflessly, she often waived the fees of patients who could not afford to pay.

Politically, Elsie was a staunch campaigner for votes for women, and her involvement in the suffragette movement prompted her to raise money to send out to female doctors, nurses, orderlies and drivers on the frontline. She recorded many great achievements, including setting up 14 hospitals during the war—staffed by 1,500 Scottish women, all volunteers. Most notably, Elsie raised the equivalent of £53 million in today’s money to fund greatly needed medical care for those on the frontline. Her efforts reached across the waters on another level, attracting volunteers from New Zealand, Australia and Canada. As I am sure everyone would agree, that showed fierce independence and capability from women who were well ahead of their time.

By 1917 Inglis knew she had cancer, and by the end of September was unable to work as a surgeon she sent a telegraph home saying, ‘Everything satisfactory and all well except me.’ Inglis and her unit landed in Newcastle and the following day, 26 November 1917, in the presence of her sisters, Inglis died.

In Edinburgh the response was huge and the streets were lined with people as her body was returned to the city. While there was no Victoria Cross for her at home, in Serbia she was the only woman to receive the Order of the White Eagle and is remembered by the nation every year in a ceremony at the memorial fountain built in her honour.

Before her body was interned in Dean Cemetery, Inglis’s body lay in state in St Giles’ Cathedral. The SWH continued its work for the duration of the war, sending out more units and raising money for the work. Remaining funds were used to establish the Elsie Inglis Memorial Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh in July 1925.

Pics are of Elsie, the "Hospice" on the Royal Mile, not a hospice in today's sense of the word, it was a maternity hospital set up in 1904 run exclusively by women, The Elsie Inglis Maternity hospital at Abbey Hill replaced this in 1925, the third pic is an engraving at Walker Street Edinburgh, where she had a surgery.

There has been talk of erecting a statue of Elsie, in my opinion she certainly deserves, there are too few statues honouring strong women like her, you can find details on the link below.

[ratherembarrassing]

2025: week 9

sportsball: 1 ncaa women's basketball conference tournaments. that's right, i'm about to become a basketball gay. i set myself a goal, i gathered intel at con on how to go about it, and this is what's happening. i have a notion database. i am going to learn.

music 1: alex layhe at the evelyn. sometimes going along to see people whose music you're only loosely familiar with is the best idea.

music 2 / lady gaga 1: mayhem. i don't love this. this thing happened over the last ten years where she was so far ahead of the curve but kept making the same music (religion, medical metaphors, celebrity) over and over and along the way everyone overtook her. there are a couple of songs i fuck with, but while she was off doing adult contemporary or whatever i stopped being able to take her voice seriously as a pop singer.

lady gaga 2: lady gaga asmr for w. i do, however, entirely fuck with this. the haircut portion caused me physical pain from laughing so hard, but it's also pretty decent as an asmr video. incidentally, the nephew tonight was like, i listen to asmr when i'm watching animal crossing tutorials so i don't get bored, which is, uh, alarming.

lady gaga 3: 'no more slay', with bowen yang on snl. taking this one with me to my deathbed.

tv 1: the newsreader, season 3 (abc tv). you're the real one, helen norville. idk, the final moments to this feels so precious to me, to see something set in what's pretty widely acknowledged as a horrifically backwards era in this country end on such a hopeful note without devolving into pure sentimental glop. it didn't feel like an alternative reality, but a nod to the fact that queer people didn't just pop up out of nowhere in 1995 in australia, that this was the first time people were brave enough to start talking about mental health issues in a serious way. we're pretty bad at looking back here, perpetually cringing at even our most recent history, but i think we're getting better at it, or maybe it's just me that's trying to grow out of that reflex, but i was four in 1989, and this show felt like a place i lived in that didn't feel embarrassed or embarrassing for once.

food 1: el columpio, johnston street fitzroy. after all the good mexican in california, i have set myself the challenge to hit the top of the list places in melbourne to see what compares. so far: fucking winner.

food 2: the egg video from a few weeks back has enlightening, but this week i have taken it to a whole new level with a infrared temperature gun. i might actually be cooking the best eggs on earth right now.

[reading-writing-revolution]

(via Week 22 - The Return - by Amy Siskind - The Weekly List)

The main theme of this week’swide list is Trump’s tariff war declaration and the global disruption that ensued, but before we get to that, I want to recognize the importance of the Hands Off protests which took place on Saturday. The media was not prepared to adequately cover the size and scope of this protest, which took even its organizers by surprise. I wrote more about why the protests really mattered on my Substack, but I also want to highlight, that as millions took to the streets at more than 1,600 locations, we passed an important hurdle. Many who protested were doing so for the first time, and got to see firsthand that they could do so safely and without incident. Ironically, it was Trump who preemptively erected a fence around the White House on Friday night. Protests have been remarkably effective: just ask Elon Musk who has seen his net worth crumble as Tesla stock continued to plummet following mass protests nationwide.

A federal judge ordered the White House to lift what had been a two-month ban on the AP, while a lawsuit plays out, saying the AP has “suffered significant, concrete harms.” The judge, a Trump appointee, cited AP was likely to win its case based on the First Amendment.

Pulitzer prize winning columnist Eugene Robinson left the Post, where he had worked since 1980 and been a columnist since 2005, citing owner Jeff Bezos’s new directive for editorial content.

On Wednesday after the market closed, in what Trump dubbed “Liberation Day,” he announced a baseline tariff of 10% on 190 countries, and shared a chart showing an additional “reciprocal” tariff on 57 countries, claiming trade deficits were a “national emergency.”

Analysts noted the reciprocal tariff percentages seemed to have applied a formula of dividing a country’s trade surplus by its total export value, then multiplying the figure by 0.5, a simplistic methodology that did not differentiate allies from adversaries, and punished some poor nations.

Trump put the highest tariff rate of 50% on Lesotho, a tiny African kingdom with a gross domestic product of just over $2 billion, and a country that Trump said recently “nobody has ever heard of.” Economists said Trump’s tariff would destroy their economy.

Also included in those targeted by reciprocal tariffs were uninhabited islands, islands with tiny populations of fewer than 2,000, and islands populated by penguins and seals. Notably, Russia, North Korea, Belarus, Cuba, and Iran were not hit with any tariffs.

Trump’s 10% baseline tariff also hit ally Australia, which has no tariffs on incoming U.S. goods, and is a net importer. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the measure “totally unwarranted,” and “not the act of a friend.”

The tariffs were in addition to the already imposed 25% tariffs on U.S. allies Canada and Mexico, with exceptions for items in the 2018 agreement, and an additional 20% on China. They were also in addition to tariffs on auto imports that went into effect this week.

WAPO’s fact checker noted that Trump’s speech at the Rose Garden was full of lies and claims that have been previously debunked, including citing a tariff by Canada on dairy products that is gone, a false claim that Americans are poorer, and lies about the origin of income tax.

WSJ reported Trump’s aim was to bring an end to the decades-long era of globalization, saying his Liberation Day was about having goods bought by American consumers to be built in American factories.

The scope and size of the tariffs shocked global markets, with many saying the move was far worse than their worst case scenario. Analysts called the move “a disaster,” and “ridiculous,” and “It shows no comprehension as to what he is doing to other countries.”

Trade experts at the conservative CATO institute said in a note, “With today’s announcement, U.S. tariffs will approach levels not seen since the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which incited a global trade war and deepened the Great Depression.”

Economists at ra agency Fitch said Trump’s tariff rates were the highest since 1910, and “This is a game changer, not only for the U.S. economy but for the global economy,” adding, “Many countries will likely end up in a recession.”

Late Wednesday, four Senate Republicans joined with Democrats, voting 51–48 on a measure to undo some of the tariffs on Canada, a symbolic vote opposing Trump, despite his targeting them on social media. The resolution cited a “made-up” fentanyl emergency.

Global markets plunged, with the U.S. taking the biggest hit. The small-cap Russell 2000 benchmark plummeted more than 5%, becoming the first U.S. stock measure to enter bear market territory (down 20%).

On Thursday morning, layoffs surged to 275,240 in March, the highest level since the start of the pandemic in 2020, due to Musk’s DOGE cuts of 216,215 federal workers, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

On Thursday morning, car maker Stellantis Chrysler announced it would idle two assembly plants in Canada and Mexico, and laid off 900 workers as it tried to navigate Trump’s 25% automotive tariffs that went info effect last week.

Land Rover and Audi temporarily stopped exporting cars to the U.S. NYTreported if other auto manufacturers follow, it could lead to higher car prices and widespread layoffs. Car companies have had to deal with the sudden tariffs, and uncertainty of what Trump will do next.

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers posted on X that he would have resigned in protest if “any administration of which I was a part had launched an economic policy so totally ungrounded in serious analysis or so dangerous and damaging.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and trade adviser Peter Navarro told reporters the tariffs were not negotiable. After the markets closed down by nearly 1,700 points, Trump told reporters on Air Force One he was negotiating with trade partners, saying, “Every country has called us.”

Trump claimed, “We put ourselves in the driver’s seat. If we would have asked these countries to do us a favor, they would have said no. Now they will do anything for us,” and adding, “The tariffs give us great power to negotiate. They always have.” It was unclear what he meant.

JPMorgan’s chief economist raised the odds of a U.S. recession from 40% to 60%, calling Trump’s tariffs the largest tax hike on U.S. households and businesses since 1968. Several other banks raised their odds for a recession.

Pro-Trump news networks Fox News and Newsmax removed their onscreen stock tickers. Fox News host Harris Faulkner likened Trump’s tariffs to a war, and said, “people in this country would support the war effort,” and “We gotta do 100 percent buy-in over this bumpy period.”

Overnight Thursday, China retaliated, imposing a 34% tariff on all imports from the U.S., matching the level of Trump’s so-called reciprocal tariffs on Chinese products, as well as several other measures against U.S. companies, and called out “unilateral bullying.”

U.S. equities tumbled Friday morning. Trump posted on Truth Social, “CHINA PLAYED IT WRONG, THEY PANICKED — THE ONE THING THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO DO!”

Trump also shared a video on Truth Social before the market opened, suggesting chaos was part of his strategy, and he was “purposely CRASHING” the markets in part to force the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates.

Trump also tried to cast blame on Powell after the Fed Chair’s speech, posting, “This would be a PERFECT time for Fed Chairman Jerome Powell to cut Interest Rates. He is always “late,”” and adding, “CUT INTEREST RATES, JEROME, AND STOP PLAYING POLITICS!”

FT reported on the “speed and scale” of the American public souring on Trump’s economic agenda: just before his latest tariffs, 63% of Americans had a negative view of his economic policy, the highest figure since records began 50 years ago.

On Friday, the stock market plummeted for the second day, with the S&P 500 down 6%, down over 10% in two days, the biggest fall since the onset of the pandemic. The NASDAQ entered a bear market. Trump golfed at a Saudi-backed tournament at one of his clubs on Friday.

Trump was forced to give an additional 75 day reprieve to the TikTok ban, after being hours away from announcing a planned sale of its U.S. operations, and the Chinese government said it would not approve the deal without first discussing Trump’s tariffs and trade policy.

NBC News reported that retirees were “stunned” by the sudden market turmoil, and their shrinking 401(k)s. Some said they would pause big ticket purchases and put home renovations on hold, while others said their quality of life would be impacted.

Late Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social acknowledging the impact on Americans’ wallets, but added, “MY POLICIES WILL NEVER CHANGE,” and later wrote, “ONLY THE WEAK WILL FAIL.”

Trump missed a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base on Friday for the return of the remains of four U.S. soldiers who died during a training exercise in Lithuania, as he was in Florida golfing and then a holding a political fundraising dinner.

On Wednesday, WSJ reported that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is lobbying Trump and regime members to agree to a settlement before the company’s April 14 Federal Trade Commission trial. Some Trump aides say the lobbying has been too aggressive.

On Wednesday, Politico reported national security adviser Mike Waltz’s team regularly used Signal groups to share information on crises around the world, including Ukraine, China, Gaza, Middle East policy, Africa, and Europe. At least 20 groups were set up to communicate.

On Thursday, the Pentagon inspector general announced it had agreed to the request by top senators to launch an investigation into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s sharing of military information on the Signal app. It was highly unusual for the IG to publicly announce a probe.

On Thursday, NYT reported that after a White House meeting Trump had with far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, where she laid out a list of people disloyal to Trump, he fired at least six members of his National Security Council overnight.

Waltz, who had tried to protect staffers, was brought into the meeting near the end, but no longer had strong standing with Trump to successfully defend them. Loomer is part of a group that has looked to disparage White House staffers they consider to be too hawkish.

Later Thursday, WAPO reported that Trump also fired two National Security Agency officials, Gen. Timothy Haugh, who also led the U.S. Cyber Command, and his civilian deputy, Wendy Noble.

Trump claimed Loomer was not involved in the firings; however on Friday morning, she posted on X that the two had been “disloyal to President Trump. That is why they have been fired,” and thanked Trump for “firing these Biden holdovers.”

Reuters reported that the Trump regime fired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, who holds a senior position in NATO, as part of Trump’s continuing national security purge.

Chatfield joined a growing list of U.S. military leaders who are female and/or people of color and have been fired by the regime (all covered in The Weekly List). It was unclear whether Trump or Hegseth fired Chatfield.

WAPO reported on long lines at Social Security offices, after recipients mistakenly thought they needed to prove they are still alive, or their checks would stop. New rules that come after Musk’s claims of fraud require they come in person, not online, and phone lines are jammed.

WAPO also reported that Social Security’s website has crashed repeatedly in recent days, for periods of 20 minutes to almost a day, impacting retirees and disabled people. Many have also been unable to sign into their accounts, or if they do, find information is missing.

DOGE agents did not test new software they installed, resulting in crashes. DOGE and acting commissioner Leland Dudek are also pushingfor more layoffs in IT. Musk ally Scott Coulter, the newly named chief information officer, has demanded a 50% cut in staffing.

On Wednesday, the lawyer for Maryland man Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, expressed shock in a court filing over the Trump regime’s claim that it had little power to get him back, and urged the judge to intervene.

On Friday, Judge Paula Xinis ruled that the Trump regime had acted without “legal basis” when they arrested Abrego Garcia, and ordered that he be returned to the U.S. by the end of Monday.

On Saturday, Trump’s DOJ appealed the ruling, saying the judge did not have the authority to order the Trump regime to order the return of Abrego Garcia.

On Saturday, deputy AG Todd Blanche suspended Erez Reuveni, a senior DOJ immigration lawyer and respected 15-year veteran, for failing to follow orders on the case, after he conceded when asked by the judge that Abrego Garcia’s deportation should never have taken place.

NYT reported the thinned out DOJ staff are struggling to defend Trump’s policies in court. In the Jenner & Block case, DOJ lawyer Richard Lawson had a hard time defending why Andrew Weissmann, who left the firm four years ago, is a national security threat.

Some judges have expressed anger at the nonsensical answers and lies they are hearing, such as Judge Boasberg, Judge Edward Chen on the temporary protection of Venezuelans case, and Judge Amy Berman Jackson on the closing of the CFPB.

WAPO reported at least half of the front-line attorneys in the solicitor general’s office, an elite group within the DOJ who argue before the Supreme Court, have left or plan to leave, an usually high turnover. Many are uncomfortable with the directives from AG Pam Bondi.

On Sunday, Judge Xinis refused to pause her demand that Trump regime return Abrego Garcia by Monday night, saying the regime committed a “grievous error” that “shocks the conscience,” adding the regime had no legal authority to arrest, detain, and deport him.

On Monday, the appeals court unanimously rejected the DOJ’s request to pause Xinis’s order, saying it has “no legal authority to snatch” a person lawfully living in the U.S. and deport them without due process, and called the contention that the courts are powerless to intervene “unconscionable.”

Shortly after, Trump’s DOJ asked the Supreme Court to intervene, claiming Xinis had exceeded her authority by engaging in “district-court diplomacy,” saying it would require the regime to work with the government of El Salvador on the release.

Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary stay on the midnight deadline, to give the Supreme Court time to consider the case.

A judge in Boston held an ICE agent in contempt, after they detained Wilson Martell-Lebron, a suspect, last week as he was leaving court on an unrelated case, saying he had denied Martell-Lebron of his rights to due process and a fair trial by taking him into custody.

Reuters reported that more than 500 law professors and other legal groups submitted friends of the court briefs in support of Perkins Coie on Wednesday. One cited, “Today, Perkins Coie has fallen into the President’s disfavor. Tomorrow, it could be any one of us.”

Professors from several law schools also submitted briefs, saying Trump’s executive order against Perkins Coie is unconstitutional and threatens the integrity of the U.S. judicial system.

Scores of prominent former national security officials, of both Democratic and Republican administrations, filed a friend of the court brief, calling Trump’s executive order against Perkins Coie illegal.

On Wednesday, nearly 2,000 scientists, including elected members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, called on the Trump regime “to cease its wholesale assault on U.S. science,” adding, “we see real danger.”

On Wednesday, WAPO reported John Howard, the administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program, was among those fired in the Department of Health and Human Services’ mass firings last week. The firing could disrupt care for the more than 100,000 beneficiaries.

On Thursday, Judge James Boasberg said in a hearing that there was a “fair likelihood” that the Trump regime violated his order, after extensively questioning a DOJ lawyer about the timing of deporting the Venezuelans and not turning the plane around after being ordered to.

Boasberg asked who in the regime knew about his order and when. The DOJ attorney repeatedly said he did not know or was protected by attorney-client privilege. Boasberg said likely next week he would rule on whether the White House was in contempt for ignoring his order.

On Thursday, 19 attorneys general sued the Trump regime over his recent executive order on election administration, arguing that his order was unconstitutional.

On Thursday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the HHS from cutting $11 billion in Covid-19 related funds, after a lawsuit filed by 23 attorneys general who alleged it would upend programs including tracking infectious diseases, substance abuse services, and immunizations.

On Thursday, ABC News reported that as part of HHS cuts earlier in the week, the entire staff at the Centers for Disease Control studying outbreaks of sexually transmitted diseases and hepatitis were fired.

NBC News reported that programs that help Americans stop smoking were also gutted by HHS. The Office on Smoking and Health at the CDC and the Center for Tobacco Products at the FDA both had mass layoffs, the impacts of which could be deadly.

On Thursday, WSJ reported that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he would reinstate some programs and federal workers he had cut or fired days ago, including a CDC program that monitors blood lead levels for children and other programs.

Entire divisions and offices were haphazardly cut in the CDC, FDA, and National Institutes of Health, including groups focused on HIV prevention, violence prevention, injury prevention, and the Freedom of Information Act office.

On Friday, the Trump regime’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services dropped a Biden rule for Medicare to cover anti-obesity drugs. No reason was given.

On Friday, government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics sued the Trump regime for dismantling the CDC’s FOIA office, calling it “arbitrary and capricious” in a complaint.

On Friday, Bloomberg reported that U.S. measles cases rose 26% in the past week to reach 607 reported cases in 21 states, with 97% of the cases in people who were unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status.

NYT reported that a second child died of the measles in Texas on Thursday, the second confirmed measles death in the U.S. in a decade. The UMC Health System said the 8 year-old girl was unvaccinated and had no underlying health conditions.

Kennedy attended the funeral on Sunday, and made his first statement encouraging vaccinations, posting on X, “The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine.” Of the 642 confirmed cases, 499 were in Texas.

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy posted on X, “Everyone should be vaccinated! There is no treatment for measles.” Cassidy also called on Kennedy to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, which he chairs. Kennedy declined.

On Thursday, Trump’s Department of Veterans Affairs ended a mortgage rescue program that had helped more than 40,000 military veterans keep their homes after they were late on payments.

On Thursday, Attorney General Bondi signed off on a decision to reinstate gun rights for Trump ally Mel Gibson and nine others. The Trump regime fired pardon attorney, Elizabeth Oyer, in Week 18 for refusing to reinstate Gibson’s gun rights.

On Monday, NYT reported the Trump’s DOJ claimed executive privilege in its attempt to stop Oyer from testifying before Congress about her termination, saying in a letter to her that internal conversations are covered.

The DOJ had sent armed law enforcement to Oyer’s home to deliver the its letter on Friday, a highly unusual step for an employee who has not engaged in any misconduct. Oyer said she “will not be deterred by the intimidation tactics.”

On Thursday, the right-wing Daily Caller reported the Trump regime was set to pause $510 million in federal contracts and grants for Brown University. Brown was one of a handful of colleges to agree to a board vote on divesting from Israel, although the vote was against it.

Brown’s president said the threats “raise new and previously unthinkable questions about the future of academic freedom and self-governance” and said the school “would be compelled to vigorously exercise our legal rights to defend these freedoms.”

On Friday, former president Barack Obama called on colleges to stand up to Trump and push back against actions that violate academic freedom, saying in a speech, if “you’re just being intimidated, well, you should be able to say, that’s why we got this big endowment.”

Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber wrote in an article that Trump’s attacks on Columbia are “the greatest threat to American universities since the Red Scare of the 1950s,” adding, “Every American should be concerned.”

On Tuesday, the Trump regime froze $1 billion in funding for Cornell University and $790 million for Northwestern University, pending a civil rights investigation into both schools.

NBC News reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked the visas of more than three dozen students and alumni of Californiauniversities in the past week. UMass Amherst also said that five of their international students had their visas revoked, with no known connection to campus activity.

WAPO reported Trump’s National Park Service has removed Harriet Tubman’s image from a webpage about The Underground Railroad, and rewrote the description by removing “the resistance to enslavement through escape and flight” and replaced it without mentioning slavery.

Days after the Post report, the National Park Service restored Harriet Tubman and other materials that were removed, saying in a statement that changes to the page had been made “without approval” from the agency’s leadership.

On Thursday, 130 employees of the Wilson Center, a nonpartisan foreign policy think tank in Washington that Trump wants to shutter, were placed on leave, as Musk’s DOGE agents quickly shut down most of the center starting on Monday. Just five employees remained.

The Center was created in 1968 as a working memorial to honor president Woodrow Wilson. The center was funded 30% by Congress, with the rest from private donations, and has been run by Republicans and Democrats. It was unclear what would happen to its materials.

On Friday, a coalition of federal employee unions sued the Trump regime over Trump’s executive order for agencies to terminate their collective bargaining agreements with federal employee unions.

On Friday, 21 attorneys general sued the Trump regime over its efforts to dismantle The Institute of Museum and Library Services, the federal agency that is charged with supporting the country’s libraries.

On Friday, a federal judge barred the Trump regime from limiting funds to the NIH which support research at universities and academic medical centers. The Trump regime asked for a verdict to move ahead with an appeal.

On Friday, the New York State Education Department, in response to the Trump regime’s threat to pull federal funding, said it will not comply with Trump’s DEI order, saying, “there are no federal or state laws prohibiting the principles of DEI.”

State leaders in Minnesota and New York said they would not comply with the Department of Education’s demand to gather signatures from local schools certifying their compliance. California and Vermont said they did not need to respond. Chicago’s mayor said it would sue over any cuts.

On Friday, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump regime to temporarily freeze $65 million in teacher-training grants that the regime claimed would promote DEI. The grants go toward placing teachers in poor and rural areas and recruiting a diverse workforce, reflecting the communities served.

On Friday, a federal judge warned the Trump regime to comply with an order calling for the unfreezing of funds for emergency preparedness through FEMA and other federal agencies, saying a manual review was being used by the regime to “covertly” withhold funds.

On Friday, Trump, Vance, and Musk stood up for far-right French leader Marine Le Pen after she was found guilty of embezzlement and barred from running in 2027. Trump called it a “witch hunt;” Vance accused European leaders of “trying to throw opposition leaders in jail;” Musk wrote “Free LePen!”

On Friday, the Trump regime awarded multi-billion space launch contracts to Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin. The SpaceX contract at $5.9 billion was the largest of three contracts awarded. Blue Origin received $2.4 billion.

On Friday, the Internal Revenue Service started a new round of firings, including the agency’s Office of Civil Rights and Compliance, which was expected to fire a quarter of its workforce.

On Saturday, WAPO reported federal immigration officials are asking the IRS to provide information on the locations of 7 million people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. Previously, DHS officials had sought information on 700,000 people with subject to removal orders.

On Monday, the Trump regime said in a court filing that the IRS and ICE had reached an agreement on information sharing, and claimed the IRS had not turned over any information yet. For weeks, top IRS officials have told the Trump regime that sharing data is illegal.

Under the terms of the deal, ICE can request information from the IRS about people who have been ordered to leave the U.S., or people they are investigating. An advocate for taxpayers’ rights called the move “unprecedented.”

On Tuesday, Melanie Krause, the acting head of the IRS, stepped down, over the Trump regime’s plan to share undocumented migrants’ personal information with ICE. The move by Krause, who took the leading role two months ago, took the agency by surprise.

On Wednesday, more senior officials at the IRS resigned. The moves come as the country is in the midst of tax season. Experts estimate that undocumented workers pay $66 billion in taxes a year, which will now be lost revenue.

WAPO reported that in the haste of Trump’s mass deportations, U.S. citizens are also being picked up by ICE agents. At least seven peoplehave been wrongfully detained and deported.

On Saturday, Secretary of State Rubio revoked visas of all South Sudan passport holders, citing the country’s transitional government had failed to accept citizens who the Trump regime was trying to deport in a “timely manner.”

Detroit Free Press reported that Amir Makled, a lawyer representing a University of Michigan pro-Palestinian protestor, was detained at Detroit Metro Airport by federal agents, questioned about his clients, and told to hand over his cellphone.

Makled said what ensued was a 90-minute back and forth, after he refused to hand over his phone. He said, “I’m an American citizen. I’m not worried about being deported.” Ultimately they released him without taking his phone, but looked at his contacts instead.

On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security revoked temporary legal status for roughly 985,000 migrants who entered the U.S. using the Biden-era CBP One app at the border in order to seek asylum and be given temporary work authorization.

Reuters reported that the Trump regime appointed a junior level officer hired in 2021 to lead the U.S. Foreign Service Department’s Global Talent Management bureau, a role typically held by veteran foreign service officers with decades of experience.

AP reported after mass layoffs, nearly half of the National Weather Service offices have 20% vacancy rates, as severe weather was set to cross the nation’s heartland. Meteorologists at the Louisville office were unable to survey tornado damage as they used to due to shortages.

WAPO reported the Trump regime has also cut a preparedness grant program, known as Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, which had awarded more than $5 billion since 2020, leaving states unprepared for future disasters.

On Saturday, huge crowds gathered to protest at more than 1,200 “Hands Off” rallies nationwide to protest Trump, Musk, the regime’s funding cuts, and policies. In some cities, the crowd sizes were over 100,000, despite rainy conditions.

On Saturday, Navarro downplayed the turmoil from the tariffs, saying on CNN, “The market will find a bottom. It will be soon,” adding, “The S&P 500 is going to have a very broad based recovery…and life is going to be beautiful here in America.”

On Saturday, Bloomberg reported Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was not included in the small group of Trump’s inner circle that made the decision on the tariff strategy, a rude awakening for Wall Street investors who viewed him as a grounded voice.

On Saturday, Trump continued his long weekend of golfing at a Saudi-backed LIV Golf tournament at his resort in Florida. Every room at the 643-room Trump Doral, including the $13,000-a-night presidential suite, was sold out through the weekend, as were the restaurants.

As the protests were taking place and amid the tariff uncertainty, the White House posted on social media, “The President won his second round matchup of the Senior Club Championship today in Jupiter, FL, and advances to the Championship Round tomorrow.”

Trump also enriched himself by holding a fundraising event at his Trump International Golf Club on Friday, and posted on Truth Social, “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO GET RICH, RICHER THAN EVER BEFORE.”

Washington City Paper reported that Trump is planning a military parade for his 79th birthday on Saturday, June 14, which coincides with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. The parade would stretch for nearly four miles from the Pentagon in Arlington to the White House.

On Sunday, Trump aides sought to defend his tariffs on weekend shows. Bessent said, “I see no reason that we have to price in a recession,” claiming 50 countries have called the regime to negotiate and other countries “have been bad actors for a long time.”

Bessent, a centi-millionaire, claimed without evidence that “Americans who put away for years in their savings accounts, I think they don’t look at the day-to-day fluctuations,” adding, “most Americans don’t have everything in the market,” and “People have a long-term view.”

On Sunday, one of the biggest bulls on Tesla, Daniel Ives of Wedbush Securities, slashed his target on the stock by 43%, citing a brand crisis caused by Musk and Trump’s trade policies.

On Sunday, returning from his weekend of golfing, after U.S. futures closed down 4.1%, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, “I don’t want anything to go down, but sometimes you have to take medicine.” Previous posts on social media suggested he welcomed the market fall.

On Monday morning, after global markets plunged overnight and U.S. opened down again, Trump posted on Truth Social, “Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid!” adding, “Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!”

On Monday, CNBC reported 69% of CEOs expect a recession, with many worried there will be a boycott of American brands. One CEO said, “This is a Trump recession,” another called it “Disappointingly stupid and illogical.”

On Monday, Trump supporter billionaire Bill Ackman posted on X that Trump’s tariffs will cause irreparable damage to the U.S. economy, and the U.S. is “heading for a self-induced, economic nuclear winter, and we should start hunkering down.”

On Sunday, WSJ reported lawsuits are expected to be filed testing Trump’s authority to impose tariffs. No president has ever asserted such unilateral authority over trade flows. One small Florida company represented by a libertarian advocacy group has already filed a lawsuit.

On Monday, the New Civil Liberties Alliance, a right-wing group backed by Leonard Leo and Charles Koch, sued Trump to stop the tariffs, saying Trump’s invoking of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to justify tariffs on nearly all countries is unlawful.

On Monday, seven Republican senators signed on to a bipartisan bill which would require Trump to notify Congress within 28 hours of new or increased tariffs, and provide an explanation of the rationale and the potential impact on U.S. businesses and consumers.

The White House said in a statement that if the bill passes, Trump would veto it, claiming the bill would “dangerously hamper the President’s authority and duty to determine our foreign policy and protect our national security.”

On Monday, the Dow Jones saw its biggest point swing from low to high in history, opening down as low as 1,703 and rallying as high as 892 after rumors that Trump would put implementation of tariffs on hold for 90 days, which the White House later said was “fake news.”

Trump’s economic team continued to contradict each other. In the morning, Navarro told the media there would be no negotiations. Later in the day, Bessent said he told foreign officials to “come to us with your offers…And at a point, President Trump will be ready to negotiate.”

On Monday, Trump canceled a scheduled press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the East Room, and moved it to the Oval Office, which can fit far fewer members of the media, and those will be handpicked by the regime.

The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt granted a journalist from Musk’s social media platform X a seat in the press briefing room. Leavitt also directed the first question to the X representative.

On Monday, in a 7–4 vote, an appeals court blocked the Trump regime’s firings of two federal board leaders, Gwynne Wilcox of the National Labor Relations Board and Cathy Harris of the Merit Systems Protection Board, saying they must be reinstated.

Late Monday, the Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling, 5–4 saying for now the Trump regime could deport Venezuelan migrants using the Aliens Enemies Act. The narrow ruling found the migrants’ lawyers should have filed in Texas, where they were being held.

Immigration experts said the ruling would make it nearly impossible for migrants, many of whom do not speak English, to navigate the process. And for ones that do, their cases will be heard in some of the most conservative federal courts in the country.

The ruling was limited in scope, and did not address Trump’s invoking the Alien Enemies Act, or whether he followed several provisions in the act that were meant to limit how and when the law is used.

On Tuesday, the ACLU and Legal Aid Society brought another case on behalf of two Venezuelan migrants who were moved from Texas to a jail in New York in the past week. The case was brought in Manhattan to stop their removal by the Trump regime under the Alien Enemies Act.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court paused a ruling that required the regime to rehire 16,000 probationary workers, saying they had not suffered the kind of damages that would give them standing to sue. Another judge’s ruling requiring reinstatement remains in place.

WSJ reported that CEOs were breaking their silence, and publicly criticizing Trump and his trade wars. Many warned about the consequences to their business and of higher prices to consumers. CEOs have also pushed trade groups to speak out forcefully.

Bloomberg reported many of Trump’s biggest supporters in the business world are also criticizing his trade policy. Many were surprised he would upend the entire global economic order, or supported him for “selfish reasons” and now see their portfolio values plummeting.

At a Senate hearing, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis asked U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, “Whose throat do I get to choke if this proves to be wrong?” pushing back on claims the regime made on the benefits of Trump’s tariffs.

On Tuesday, the stock market closed down again, and bond yields started to rise as concerns about U.S. treasuries remaining the main destination for flight to quality investors. Trump further escalated, threatening to raise tariffs against China by another 50%.

NYT reported that Trump’s inner circle did not have a clear strategy for how the global trade disruption would play out. They had not gamed out beyond the stock market diving and other countries retaliating, and so were left flat-footed for managing the complexity of what came next.

Later Tuesday, Trump struck a defiant tone in a speech to House Republicans, claiming some countries would “do anything” to strike a deal with the U.S., and saying, “They’ve ripped us off left and right,” and claiming “money is pouring in at a level that we’ve never seen before.”

Later Tuesday, Trump increased tariffs on China to 104%. China responded Wednesday, raising tariffs on the U.S. to 84%. The European Union also approved its first set of retaliatory tariffs on Wednesday. Trump’s tariffs were the highest since 1909.

On Wednesday, the Delta Air Lines CEO said Trump tariffs are “the wrong approach,” citing a “reduction in broad consumer confidence and corporate confidence.” Walmart pulled its first quarter guidance citing Trump’s tariffs. JPMorgan’s CEO said a recession is “likely.”

On Wednesday, in a troubling sign, U.S. Treasury yields continued to spike, as global investors seemed to pull away from a view of the U.S. as a safe haven. A treasury auction on Tuesday got a tepid response.

On Wednesday, as the market opened, Trump posted on Truth Social to “BE COOL!,” claiming, “The USA will be bigger and better than ever before,” and “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!”

On Wednesday, Bloomberg reported that based on a review of U.S. legal records, about 90% of Venezuelans deported to El Salvador by the Trump regime had no U.S. criminal record.

[puckpocketed]

bonjour, i'm from vancouver but i have the worst sleep schedule ever so with onhockey dot tv by my side i'm abt to get into the aihl. who should i root for

BONSOIR!!! rip sleep schedule . I am a devout CBR Brave blog so, there’s only one answer here <3 some propaganda for you

i have personally met our starting goaltender Aleksi Toivonen and he’s a big sweetie . it was during this year’s off-season in uhhh february? and he was hanging out at our rink getting his reps in. i barely knew about the team back then so when he said he played for them i was like !!! and he let me take a very blurry photo 🫶

we’ve always been kinda good in a way that makes people a bit mad LMAO!!! won our first Goodall Cup 2018? so if you wanna root for the team where everyone’s praying for your downfall… get in here <3

on the topic of always being good; we’re so stacked that when IIHF Worlds is on, our roster gets STRIPPED because we have a lot of Australia’s best players! this year it happened and resulted in . um. a 9 game loss streak? <3 we were DEAD last in the league for a while. but the boys came back and we clawed our way to 2nd place in our conference pretty neatly

despite being so good, our rink is SHIT. i’m so serious. as a local, i’ve been to it and skated on it. god. soft, bewretched, small ice. there’s a fucking TRENCH between the boards and the ice too… like you could lose a small earring down that gap 😭 AND during intermission our zamboni does her best but often we have issues with flooding. smallest ice surface and smallest barn in the AIHL i do believe! this is because there’s been a decades-long power struggle between the owners and the government. (the streets are saying it has also historically been a pretty unfriendly place to the hockey players because the owner’s wife was a figure skater so her and her people always got preferential treatment LMAO) ANYWAY the propaganda part is . we play and practice on this ice and in this shitty old barn and we are still TORCHING the league <3 in a way i feel like we are the scrappy underdogs (we are not. but. we are to ME!!) anyway imagine what we could do with real facilities jskdjshsklff

canberra’s a small world so this team is just a bunch of brothers playing hockey together,, i’m SO serious. we got FOUR kubara brothers !! TWO miettinen brothers. and 2 Yorks !!! GONGEOUS NEPOBABIES..!!!

we just signed Austin Cangelosi and he’s boybestfriends with our guy Jake Ratcliffe and i love seeing them gossip on the ice like two girls at a slumber party. Cangelosi is 5’7 and got 🤏 this close to the NHL during a time where size was absolutely everything. i have the scouting notes from his draft year, and his overage draft years — i think if he’d come up in this era somebody would’ve taken a shot at him in like the 5th-7th round?? but alas. smash cut to now: he’s a small, fast, skilled player and has a relentless motor. if he stays with us next year he probably contends for most points in the league. he’s very good and fun and i louve heem…

i was talking shit about the Brave Cave but i love her so bad. we have new management who i deeply despise on a moral level because they’re a property development/building company, but aside from that they’ve put staff in place to make the vibes of pre/post games SO good. we’re hoping with this acquisition we will finally get the new rink we were promised in uhhhhh 2017. but who CARE!!! right now the capacity in the Cave is about 500, but it is apparently THEE most miserable place to play in as a travelling team. we’re a very rowdy crowd. we don’t boo our guys. we are deeply intimidating down to the last small child in CBR Brave facepaint.

on the topic of vibes: there are a few personalities at the rink who are pretty much fixtures. 1) the Cow Bell Guy; which is what it says on the tin. he brings a cow bell to every game and clangs it whenever something cool happens. when i say every game i mean like. i’ve seen him on monday nights when our beer league teams play godbless. (chatted to him a few times, his kid is a hockey fanatic and an ipad baby LMAO). 2) the Screamer; also what it says on the tin. Legend has it about 15 years ago she discovered hockey in an Autism Way and now she attends every home game and stands in the exact same corner. she heckles the SHIT out of the opposing team and honestly it would be kinda offputting if it was my team she was yelling at but she’s on MY side and so she’s a hero to me <3 i initially thought she was an overenthusiastic WAG or something but. no. she’s just on the hockey freak juice.

anyway. root for MY team. CBR BRAVE BEST TEAM OF ALL TIME EVER EVER EVER AND WE GOING TO THE CUP!!!!!

jokes aside please choose whatever team u like and have fun <3

[hyohaehyuk]

Attitude u.k.- Interview With the Vampire, literally: Meet the stars of the BBC’s most homoerotic show ever

Here, Reid and Anderson speak to Attitude about the challenges of making monsters human, and embracing the queerness of these creatures of the night.

What was your first encounter with the story of Interview with the Vampire? 

Sam: There were two things I wanted to be as a child: an actor and a vampire. These interests culminated in my excitement to discover that they were shooting Queen of the Damned in Australia. That began my voyage through the works of Anne Rice: the novels, the movie…

Jacob: I remember seeing that film when I was a teenager and I thought it was fun. It wasn’t until I read the script that I got that excited, nervous feeling in my stomach that you get when you fall in love. I felt an immediate connection with Louis and now I’m as submerged in the world of Rice as Sam.

How does it feel taking on that mantle of such an iconic franchise? 

Jacob: It’s a huge responsibility. You want to be respectful to the source material, but not so beholden to it that you’re not able to bring anything new to it. I felt responsible to both the fans and to Louis as a character. I wanted him to be loved by long-term fans despite being a different interpretation; I wanted him to be understood and relatable to newcomers.

Of course. There are some twists in this retelling. Louis is reimagined as Black, and there’s a definitive queerness introduced…

Jacob: I think that the books were always very queer, but that was lost in the movie. It was a film of the 90s – it featured two movie stars (Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise) who were known for reflecting very heteronormative hypermasculine standards and reaching a mainstream audience required interrupting the queerness of the novels. But when you revisit the original story, it’s clear that Louis is somebody hugely angry with a man he loved deeply and now presents them as a monster…

Why do you think vampires have this fan appeal specific to LGBT people?

Sam: It’s sexy otherness, isn’t it? Vampires are creatures of the night, but they’re also terribly misunderstood. Anne Rice is really responsible for our perception of the modern vampire. Before, it was Nosferatu, Dracula: mythic, horrific and predatory figures. Rice used psychology to give us insight into the mind of the monster. She makes you relate to them. Besides the point that vampires are just pretty cool, right?

What is the joy of playing a vampire?

In terms of being an actor and having the opportunity to dramatize a vampire, it’s incredibly fun because you get to be playful. You’re operating on a supernatural level, playing these crazy, wild characters. And then they are constantly reinvented, over and over again, becoming metaphors for different things at different times. It’s exciting. 

And what’s the biggest challenge of taking on the vampire role?

Jacob: My biggest challenge is quite specific to Louis. He is human to a fault and his humanity constantly rubs up against his vampiric nature. He’s so connected to his past where the vampire is a character of the present, of the moment, always on the hunt. Louis is incapable of ever being in the present moment. He’s a monster trapped in his humanity. 

And Lestat is a very different beast…

Sam: I love Lestat. He’s the biggest hot mess in the world, but equally, he’s embraced his intense power. He never wanted to be a vampire. But in the face of adversity, he’ll be damned if he’s going to wallow about it. He embraces it instead and makes the most of the situation. He’s very admirable in that rather than suffering through life, he’s going to laugh through it, even though he might be laughing maniacally and with a sense of sadism. 

Who are your favourite pop culture vampires outside of the world of Anne Rice

Jacob: Mine’s The Count from Sesame Street. A fundamental part of everybody’s childhood!

Sam: I love Gary Alvin’s interpretation of Dracula, and that movie especially. I love the way they made that film because it’s so practically made and yet creates such an extraordinary world. Alvin himself, he’s like a warrior, wearing an insane meat suit and covered in prosthetics, with his long nails and his moving shadow. It’s joyful filmmaking.

[bulliedsubmissive]

Hi, I've been lurking your blog for a while and I'm just so happy to find someone else in Australia let alone in Melbourne too!! What can a little girl cuck like me do to get more bullies attention?

There are two ways you can go depending on what level of depravity you most would like to sink to. First thing is come off anon! And then the most sensible thing to do is join up to Fetlife. Write yourself a decent profile to see what bullies you can attract. Failing that there are (or was back when I was in the scene) a number of ‘munch’ get togethers around Melbourne where you can get to meet like minded (and opposite minded!!! lol) people.

However I wanted to take risks, to be bullied out of my comfort zone. Like most things though I had to pay for the experience but it led to some of the greatest, most memorable sexual moments of my life. There was also a lot of stuff against my will I didn’t enjoy at the time but look back on now and wish I could relive.

In the beginning I headed down to StKilda where the street walkers would stalk the corners waiting for their next john. Then I found the most outgoing types and offered them money to worship their Feet. They were more than happy to oblige, hidden behind a fence or somewhere semi private where I would lay beneath them and they’d press the sole of their Foot across my mouth. I found most of those Girls really friendly and actually built up a relationship with a few of them where they’d dominate me in their own house eventually. It was a fantastic starting point to build up your confidence as a submissive to other Women.

My best experiences were forged with three Women I met through Craigslist (I guess that shows my age 🙄) but unfortunately that avenue no longer exists.

If you want me to go into (even) more detail, slip into my dm’s and I’ll happily try to coach you 😉

[skopostheorie]

Anyway I've been here for six days now (basically a naturalised citizen) so here is what I have to say about China

Shit is CHEAP. Worryingly cheap. Don't think about it too much.

Their hourly minimum wage is the equiv of about $5AUD but that's reasonably proportionate to how much a meal is. Rent seems a bit more difficult though so I don't know how people manage that (cheap as dirt places go for 4000yuan a month or so)

People are REALLY nice, even security guards and cops and other people you'd assume would kind of give you a hard time. They'll have a laugh with you about stuff.

The country kind of feels like it's encased in a giant metaphorical glass dome - everything functions using their own special apps, special ways of doing things, etc etc. Breaking into it is difficult, but once you're "in", so to speak, it's very easy.

Public spaces including trains and buses are a bit of an "every man for himself" vibe. People will play their phone videos out loud and no one even gives a shit. Once a security guard on shift was just sitting there playing his 抖音 videos out loud with little concern for anything or anyone. It's not mayhem, but it's certainly no polite affair.

Your phone loses battery very quickly and unless you're just going for a walk it's impossible to leave home without it as any purchase is via WeChat, Alipay et al. Many times I had considered going for a phone free outing before realising it just couldn't be done.

China is beautiful and just about every place has something to offer. There are streets that are clearly just a result of a LOT of urban development being done very quickly but in terms of actual sites, it's hard to find a city that doesn't have something incredible in it.

Their coffee is top notch. Seriously approaching Melbourne level. I'm flabbergasted and slightly concerned because frankly Australia is bullied by China on the daily and our coffee is the only thing I knew for certain we had over them. Now I don't know what the fuck we're meant to do

Trains tend to be in English, even if it's not particularly big with foreigners, though I haven't gone to any suuuuper remote locations so I don't know about those. They're very well maintained; they're more or less indistinguishable from those in Japan, Korea etc.

Bikes and motorbikes don't have to follow traffic lights which will make you shit yourself the first couple times they ride right past you as you cross the road.

There is not as much propaganda around as I was expecting. My uni has a big statue of Mao but as it happens that's just cuz he has a history with this particular university. I haven't seen any pictures of Mao anywhere else that's not, like, a dedicated Spot for that sort of thing (think Tiananmen square etc). I saw one pic of Xi in a museum. Most propaganda is just asking people to become soldiers and cops and stuff. I was expecting it to be like Vietnam or something but it's basically non-existent.

No the social credit memes are not true unless everyone else can see mine and is just not telling me

Those world statistics weren't lying that country really can heavily populayed

People love taking photos of themselves but selfies are not too popular, so dedicated individuals will bring whole stands with lights and shit like that, as though they were dedicated cosplayers. Yesterday we saw a middle aged woman doing a sort of VR anime idol stream (I can't remember what they're called but the one where your face is overlayed with an anime avatar) in the middle of the bridge haha

^ and people will take these sorts of photos in front of ANYTHING. Even if it's... Slightly inappropriate by some standards. It's kind of funny.

People are generally quite chill and don't take themselves too seriously

I'll add more if I think of more

[destinyc1020]

I just don't believe that JE and Z were seriously dating when she invited him to go to Greece. He had just come back from months in South Africa when Greece happened. And we have the videos of Zs friends hyping her up talking about hot girl summer. We also have a friend of someone that was hanging with her that summer saying that she was heartbroken. I just think that JE started texting her after those July 17 articles and was flirty and her friends encouraged her to invite him to get over the heartbreak ("the best way to get over a heartbreak is to get under someone else"). Z is generally distrustful, but was ok with JE because they had worked together for a whole year. After Greece, JE went back to Australia and came back to LA 2 weeks later and the relationship really developed in that period when they were seen going to cinemas together

Who said it was serious? Nobody said it was "serious". Like I said before, I doubt their entire relationship was all that serious lol. 😄 I still hold fast to my belief that the relationship was really just a rebound.

Look... STOP READING RIGHT NOW and DON'T read any further below if you're one of those stans that's easily triggered or offended by stuff, because I'm just going to share my own PERSONAL thoughts/confessions on this subject, and then I'm going to keep fairly quiet on this topic for the rest of this night.... It's Oscar night, c'mon y'all lol. 😂

Anyway......

Honestly?? I think JE had his eyes on Z for a while though, and she must have had an attraction to him too on some level (let's be honest 😏), because it seems like as SOON as he saw that Tom was with Olivia, all of a sudden, JE dumped Carie and got with Z. Word on the street though from the TKB set was that JE was already cheating on Carie behind her back even BEFORE he got with Z. 👀

I feel like every relationship kind of starts off a little gradually, and then develops into something a little deeper. But let's not kid ourselves and think that Z was just inviting Jacob to Greece as "just a friend". 🙄 Girl please.... we're all adults in here lol 😆 It was definitely for romantic intensions.

And I've said before on here that when I ORIGINALLY saw her with him in Greece, I was cheering her on because I thought it was good that she wasn't at home crying over Tom and acting like a sad ex-gf all depressed eating ice cream lol. You're SUPPOSED to get out there and have a little fun with a hot guy, get a little rebound sex, and get over your heartbreak rofl. 🤣 Especially if your ex has already (seemingly) moved on to other women.

No harm in that at all... 🤷🏾‍♀️

Keep in mind though, this was BEFORE I knew about JE's shady past.

After Greece, JE went back to Australia and came back to LA 2 weeks later and the relationship really developed in that period when they were seen going to cinemas together

Yea, I think like any relationship, it simply progressed to something more over time. I still don't think it was that serious though.

But let's not kid ourselves.... Z was liking and commenting on JE's photos on IG, there was also her behavior with him on the red carpet of the Euphoria premiere lol (👀), her birthday post for him in June, etc. Those of us who were there at the time in the fandom picked up on a VIBE.

Granted, we didn't realize that Tom and Z were already broken up by then, but like all of those things were signs when you look back on it that there was something brewing between them. 🤷🏾‍♀️ I think there was an attraction for sure. But not everyone you're attracted to is the right person for you.

Thankfully, Z is now back with Tom, the love of her life, who's someone she's not only attracted to, but ALSO, someone who's actually a great guy for her. 🥰