Contrary to what the media would have you believe, wildfires are not caused by climate change.
Here are the primary causes of wildfires:
A revolution that was such a good idea, it's only needed 5 attempts at being a republic and a midget Corsican pirate to keep the show on the road. And some Germans. https://t.co/DSlQSrK5ZB
— Sunday Sport (@thesundaysport) July 14, 2026
This cretinous c*nt having made £4M from people smuggling, instead of retiring with his ill-gotten gains to some sunlit paradise, wants to settle down in Leicester!
Twana Jamal made an estimated £4 million a year from people smuggling and served 5 years in a French 🇫🇷 prison.
— David Atherton (@daveatherton) July 2, 2026
He owns loads of vape type businesses in Britain 🇬🇧 and we are considering his application for asylum.pic.twitter.com/DZiPhZ2ePj
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Keir, if you're going to cosplay as a parent in your dodgy tracksuit while banning social media for kids, at least go full method actor and wear the animal onesie. Real parents know the assignment!
Spare a thought for Michelle O’Neill.
— Spirited1 (@helen_spirit1) June 10, 2026
When your dad was an IRA prisoner, your Uncle was president of NORAID, your cousin was shot dead by the SAS and yet the same former paramilitary community now hate your politics and unite with the Loyalists. pic.twitter.com/CyyJRMBZbd
It's not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, it's a blockade of Iranian ports!
Riddle me this
Riddle me that
When is a ceasefire not a ceasefire?
When the protagonists keep firing missiles at each other!
The Nazis and Imperial Japan did not negotiate an end to the war, they were bombed to death and were forced to agree to an unconditional surrender.
Thank you for your attention in this matter!
Why hasn't Mandelson been arrested yet?
Hello readers! As we settle into the new year (happy 2026, by the way!), many of us have already packed away the fairy lights, tinsel, and baubles. But in Sweden and Finland, the Christmas magic officially lingers a little longer — right up until January 13th, known as St. Knut's Day (or Tjugondag Knut in Swedish, meaning "Twentieth Day Knut").
This delightful tradition marks the grand finale of the extended Scandinavian Christmas season, which stretches from St. Lucia's Day on December 13th all the way through to this mid-January celebration. Rather than quietly putting everything away, Swedes (and many Finns) send off the holidays with parties, singing, dancing, sweets — and yes, sometimes a dramatically "plundered" Christmas tree!
The day is named after Canute Lavard (Knut Levard in Swedish), a Danish prince and duke assassinated on January 7, 1131, in a power struggle over the Danish throne. He was later declared a saint, and his feast day originally fell around Epiphany. In 1680, the date was shifted to January 13th in Sweden to distinguish it from other celebrations, turning it into the perfect "twentieth day of Christmas" marker.
Over the centuries, the day became less about the saint himself and more about joyfully closing the festive chapter. An old Swedish saying even personifies the transition: "King Knut asked the children for help to drive out Christmas."
The highlight of St. Knut's Day is the julgransplundring — literally "Christmas tree plundering" or "looting."
Families gather (often with friends, neighbours, or at schools and community events) for a Knut's party (julgransplundring party or Knut's dance). The rituals typically include:
In older times (and still occasionally today), the tree might be dramatically tossed out the window or door into the snow — a spectacular way to "throw out Christmas"! These days, with more artificial trees and environmental awareness, many families simply dismantle and store them, but the spirit remains the same.
Here are some classic scenes from a traditional Swedish Knut's party:
(Children happily stripping sweets from the branches and dancing around the tree — pure festive chaos!)
In Finland, St. Knut's Day is called nuutinpäivä, and it once featured the nuuttipukki — people (originally young men) dressed as scary "Knut's goats" in upside-down fur coats, masks, and horns. They would go house-to-house demanding food and drink (especially leftover booze!). If refused, tricks might follow — hence the old saying: "Good St. Thomas brings Christmas, evil Knut takes it away."
Thankfully, the modern version is much friendlier: children dress up and visit homes for treats in a happy, Santa-like encounter. This tradition remains especially strong in regions like Satakunta, Southwest Finland, Ostrobothnia, and the Ã…land Islands.
In our fast-paced world, St. Knut's Day offers a gentle, communal way to acknowledge endings and make space for what's next. It's a reminder to savour the last crumbs of holiday joy before ordinary life fully resumes. Many families still hold small gatherings, share leftover treats, sing a few songs, and enjoy the simple pleasure of togetherness.
Whether you have Scandinavian roots, love unique holiday traditions, or just want an excuse for one more gingerbread biscuit, why not give a mini Knut's party a go next January 13th? Gather the family, play some music, dance around whatever's left of your festive decor, and bid a cheerful farewell to Christmas.
God fortsättning pÃ¥ det nya Ã¥ret — and may your tree meet a gloriously dramatic end!
🎄✨
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