AIBU to think my friend is overdoing emergency stockpiling?

[bagpuss90]

I get that we have been advised to stock up on essentials, though I think it will encourage panic buying. I will probably get a few days worth of stuff at some point . My friend however has, at least in my opinion gone ott about it. She’s stocking up a six month supply of food. She’s bought head torches, a camping gas stove and various other stuff. She thinks I’m being naive …Am I missing something here ?

So Trump withdrawing troops from Europe - is that because he is moving them to 'safety' out of Europe?

If so that is really, really worrying.

I would laugh if it wasn't so scary.

A country with millions of sick people unable to work and on benefits.....not ready for war. Yes I think the BBC might be right. I wonder if we will have a new welfare benefit from Andy - 'the talk of war has scared me so now I can't leave the house, go to work, look after myself'.

This might actually be the 'crisis' that bankrupts the UK.

Goodness recession coming in 5,4,3,2.............

NATO secretary general mark rutte says they are preparing for a scenario of war in Europe and Taiwan.

Secretary General Mark Rutte says NATO's force planning has to account for a “simultaneous multi-theatre conflict”, including the possibility that a Chinese move against Taiwan could coincide with Russian military action in Europe. Rutte's concern is that Beijing could turn to Moscow to keep the United States and its European allies occupied while China moves against Taiwan.

“You would have a serious problem in both theatres
.”

Zelenskyy said yesterday words to the effect that he now thought China was supporting Russia due to components in North Korean missiles that had hit Ukraine.

Yes.

This is where we are.

I note the UK looks ok.

For now.

But shortages elsewhere have knock on effects.

India = pharmaceutical production for example

It does not show impact on cargo ship movement.

Gas shortages starting to impact

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/energy-disruption-hits-bangladesh-pakistan-gulf-crisis-worsens-2026-09-17/

In Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, Parvin Akter times her cooking to the neighborhood's availability of piped gas. With gas in intermittent supply as a result of a global energy crunch, she now sometimes has to wait until midnight to cook her dinner.
Even switching to an induction cooker has not helped, as power outages often leave food half-cooked.

More than 2,000 km (1,200 miles) away on the other side of South Asia, in Pakistan, the government has started a fuel subsidy that went into effect on Wednesday to ease the sharp rise in fuel prices.
Vehicle owners have to register for the subsidy, however, and the programme is not working smoothly. Mohammad Musharraf, a resident of Karachi, says he has spent days trying to register with his motorcycle and ID card number, but has struggled.
"First of all, you have to register your vehicle. Then you have to register your mobile phone. How can an illiterate person survive if the conditions are so difficult?"

And

In Bangladesh, the shortfall has triggered blackouts and factory shutdowns. Pakistan and other countries in the region are rushing to blunt public anger with hastily introduced subsidies.
Bangladesh draws more than 40% of its electricity from imported LNG, and disruptions in deliveries from Qatar - once the source of 95% of those imports - have forced Dhaka to chase costlier cargoes on the spot market. "Industrial growth is slowing down, and production is going down," Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said this week.
The strain shows up in orders in its garments industry, the country's biggest export. A survey of knitwear factories by the BKMEA trade group found 55% had seen buyers cancel or cut orders because of gas and power shortages since late August, and 78% had partially halted production.

And

Others had to take on additional expenses after energy-related production delays forced them to send finished products by plane to meet deadlines. Garment industry executive Fazlee Shamim Ehsan said his factory had to pay $50,000 to send hoodie jackets by air freight to a French buyer.
"On top of that, we’ve had to spend extra money on diesel just to keep the factory running," said Ehsan, who is the managing director of Fatullah Apparels Ltd.
In Tangail city, poultry farmer Sayedul Islam said power outages are killing 15 to 20 of his birds a day because he cannot run the electric fans needed to cool his sheds.
Even hospitals aren't spared. In Sylhet, power cuts hit the local hospital almost hourly. While generators keep intensive care units running, they don't always suffice for ward ventilation, leaving patients to cope with the heat in crowded rooms.

Translated from German

Drone found near German Air Force airbase – investigators examine connection to Leipzig

Parts of a drone were discovered near the Bundeswehr airbase in Wunstorf earlier this week. According to a media report, there are similarities to the attempted attack at Leipzig Airport.
[RTB - the one that's officially linked by the German government to Russia]

The NDR (North German Broadcasting) had previously reported on similarities in the construction of the drone parts found near Wunstorf to those in the Leipzig case. One part is said to have been 3D printed and therefore not commercially available. The spokeswoman for the Federal Prosecutor's Office stated that she generally does not comment on such reports

Source: Welt.de

Fabien Roussel (french communist party) leaving after leaving Macrons meeting, says the situation was described as “worrying, even very serious.”

According to Roussel, the prospect of a rapid resolution to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East is no longer seen as realistic, with a risk of prolonged instability. It is expected to worsen and last.

Macron to address the press shortly.

Channel 4 news AT channel4news
Russia has summoned Britain's charge d'affaires in Moscow to issue a formal protest over the UK's weapons supplies to Ukraine.

Britain has pledged to provide Ukraine with the military equipment it needs to resist Russia's occupation.

It comes on the first day of Russia's parliamentary elections - where the only party opposed to the war in Ukraine has been barred from standing.

Russia seizes control over assets of Nestle, French firms
Russia has placed the local businesses of Nestlé, Auchan and other Western-linked companies under temporary administration. Nestlé is weighing its options, while Auchan and Lemana Pro say their Russian operations continue as normal.
A little-known Russian company called L.E.V. Management has been handed temporary control of 16 businesses linked to Nestlé, Auchan and several other Western groups.

AND

"Of course, one of the factors taken into account when making this decision was that these are unfriendly countries, which are currently most actively involved in military operations against our country," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press conference on Friday.

AND

Most Western companies quickly sold or ring-fenced their Russian businesses after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia has since made it increasingly difficult for foreign companies to leave, requiring presidential approval for deals and placing some assets under temporary administration.

In a statement, Nestlé said it was “assessing the situation and its options”.

“Nestlé is committed to taking all necessary steps to protect its rights and ensure continuity of business operations in the interests of all stakeholders, particularly its employees,” it said.

https://www.euronews.com/business/2026/09/18/russia-seizes-control-over-assets-of-nestle-french-firms

More on Macron meeting:

Raphaël Glucksmann (French socialist MEP)

Energy prices: Raphaël Glucksmann believes that the government "is not yet aware of the gravity of the situation"

"Russia does not simply consider Ukraine its enemy but the whole of Europe,"

Fuels: "There is a need for much more massive aid," estimates Raphaël Glucksmann

Said Macron used the term state sponsored terrorism.

I'm waiting on an English translation (or written french one) on what Macron himself is currently saying to the press.

Someone recommended I watch this. It's a movie but shot like a documentary about Britain have a complete electricity failure due to a cyberattack. It's very believable especially after the covid shortages/fighting and neighbours ratting on each other.
Anyway I am half way through but here it is if anyone wants to watch it. It sort of reminds me of 'threads' but it's not about nuclear attack.

Since we all think power failures are going to happen it might give us some ideas of what to expect. Hope I am not scaremongering too much.

I don't think most of the people who are still with this thread will think you're scaremongering. You're sharing something pertinent to the subject. I've not come across this film before and I'm intending to watch it, so thanks!

Some quotes from press conference translated

"The Russian hybrid threat against Europeans and France has intensified," declares Emmanuel Macron in his speech at the Élysée, before adding: "The nature of Russian aggressiveness in Europe is changing."

"No one is unaware of what so many of our compatriots have been going through in recent weeks, when the price of fuel has risen sharply (...) This situation is due to the wars and the international situation."

"This situation will continue in the coming weeks to dictate the rhythm of the country's life (...) France is doing everything to facilitate the peaceful reopening of the Strait of Hormuz (...) A short-term agreement between the United States and Iran seems unlikely."

"In the coming weeks, we will have a G7 dedicated to these energy issues (...) to consider options for the potential release of strategic stockpiles unlocking, as we had done a few months ago."

"When [social mobilizations] protest against the consequences of phenomena that are not the result of government actions, they express a suffering, but produce less of a solution," asserts Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron calls on the French "to remain united," estimating that "division will make us less strong to face these crises"

Fuel crisis: "We must all remain united, division will make us weaker," declares Emmanuel Macron

Russian threats: potential attacks "will not go unanswered," affirms Emmanuel Macron

Russian Threats: France Prepares a Protection Plan for the "Most Sensitive Sites" Against Drone and Cyber Attacks, Announces Emmanuel Macron

International Situation and Fuel Crisis: "The situation is serious (...) We must try to address the problems at their root," assures Emmanuel Macron

The rise in fuel prices is mainly due "to the consequences of the attacks carried out by the United States and Israel in Iran," declares Emmanuel Macron.

BREAKING: President Emmanuel Macron says France was targeted by Russian hybrid attacks in the past few weeks.

Fuel prices: Emmanuel Macron assures that the political oppositions' suggestions "deserve to be analyzed" but recalls having "a responsibility for public finances"

The Times

Wes Streeting has appealed to Labour MPs to back further increases in defence spending rather than “wave the white flag” and imperil the security of the nation.

The defence secretary sent an impassioned message on X saying investment in British defence firms was “Labour values in action”, amid suggestions the party’s left would prefer to prioritise other areas.

In a speech to military officers, obtained by The Times, Streeting voiced his concerns that the public had not woken up to the need to spend more money on bolstering the armed forces.

AND

On Wednesday he made a speech to senior military officers and civil servants at a defence leadership conference in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, where he stressed the need for public support for spending more on defence.

Military chiefs have been repeatedly blocked by No 10 from taking part in interviews. The chief of the defence staff, Sir Richard Knighton, has been in post for more than a year and is yet to do a proper sit-down interview in the same way as his predecessors. Yet billions of pounds are being directed from other government departments to the Ministry of Defence.

Andy Burnham said this month that national security “can’t come at the expense of social security”, as he was challenged over funding for defence in parliament. A Whitehall source said Streeting’s remarks on X were not a criticism of Burnham and were aimed at MPs on the left of the party who did not support greater spending on defence.

Although Streeting’s speech was made in private, The Times has obtained parts of it in which he warned of the need to give the public greater understanding of the threats facing the UK “in a way that makes them alert but not alarmed”. He spoke of the need to make sure the public “takes the threat to this country seriously so that they give us the political backing and the democratic consent to do the things that we need to do to tackle it”

Link to a shared on the original article through tweet here from a Times Journalist.
https://x.com/larisamlbrown/status/2100907454036930739

She makes a very valid point in this tweet about the problem over public support and making the case for support.

Javier Blas AT JavierBlas
French President Emmanuel Macron calls for a G7 meeting to discuss rising fuel prices and to "consider options for a possible release or unlocking of strategic reserves."

NOTE: European countries keep most of their SPR in the form of gasoline and diesel, already refined.

Further comments say that they already did one release in March but this will likely be a European only release.

Comments from those leaving the macron meeting anticipate the situation to last months rather than weeks btw.

Tom Cotterill AT tomcotterillx
🚨NEW🚨 Andy Burnham’s decision to cut army training to save £30m is a “recipe for disaster”, a Nato chief has warned.

Lt Gen Benoît Desmeulles, commander of France’s 1st Army Corps, said the move was a “very, very bad” idea that risked harming Britain’s ability to fight.

It emerged earlier this month that crucial live-fire and tank training was being temporarily suspended by the Army to save cash.

Asked by The Telegraph whether the move was a “mistake”, Lt Gen Desmeulles said: “Yes, it’s a very, very bad thing that you make the savings on the [training] exercise.”

At the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ (IISS) summit in Prague, he said he feared the cost-saving measures would hamper British troops.

“I’m sad for my English friends,” he added. “We had the same a few years ago. It’s not a good thing.

“[But] no training equals no ‘fight-tonight’ capacity... If we are not good at our job and we don’t have the equipment, that’s a recipe for disaster. So it’s a very bad thing.”

Lt Gen Desmeulles’s comments are the latest warning shot to Mr Burnham, who is facing intense scrutiny over the Government’s military spending plans.

The Prime Minister has yet to commit to spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030, despite calls to do so from military chiefs. He has said any increase must not come at the expense of the welfare budget.

John Healey, the now Chancellor, resigned as defence secretary from Sir Keir Starmer’s government earlier this year over the Treasury’s unwillingness to meet targets.

@_AndersonStuart, the Conservative shadow minister for war readiness, said: “I am particularly concerned about the Labour Government cutting the training budget for our Army, but when a senior French army commander warns that cutting British Army training is a ‘recipe for disaster’, this is as concerning as it is embarrassing.

“The first duty of any government is to defend the realm. Yet Labour is cutting training to save £30m. This is short-sighted and foolish, we need a battle-ready army. This is precisely the wrong decision by the government. There will be a knock on impact to war readiness over the coming years by cutting training now."
https://x.com/TomCotterillX/status/2100895219663114564
Unpaywalled link to Telegraph article here.

Note:

This week we've had the ex head of M16 go on record publicly about problems with net-zero as a policy in terms of national security

And here's a french NATO general telling us, that Burnham has got things wrong cancelling training

And you have the above Times with Wes Streeting briefing behind closed doors and military leaders banned from talking to the press.

On a day when Macron has just done this and Tusk said what he did yesterday. And the UK has been called to Moscow about arms.

Lots of people are unhappy with Burnham's position here unless I'm reading this wrong. There a split which Moscow is recognising.

Events will quickly over take his position I expect.

Guillaume Lacroix - President of the Radical Party of the Left, France
AT Lacroix_PRG

I’ve just emerged from nearly 3 hours of briefing and discussions with the President of the Republic and the intelligence and security services. At the age of 50, I have rarely felt such vertigo. Vertigo at the gravity of the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine, at the predatory madness driving the world toward chaos. Vertigo at the risks and consequences for our security, our economy, our purchasing power. Vertigo at all these candidates who dream, unrestrained, confident in their certainties and their posturing, of governing France in this historical and grave era and situation. Our democracy, our country must already face up to it today and will have to stand firm tomorrow. More than ever, I will fight, in my modest role, for France not to surrender its destiny to delirious egos, to armchair warmongers, to fake pacifists, and to those who submit to ease and fear. France must more than ever be strong. We must all contribute to that. The advantage of vertigo is that it reminds you not to fall

That good huh?

Interesting day to do this, don't you think?!

IISS News AT IISS_org
The NATO Pipeline System is the backbone of the Alliance’s bulk-fuel distribution and comprises approximately 10,000 km of underground pipelines built during the Cold War.

The current system was designed to supply NATO air forces in a war against the Soviet Union and does not extend to Poland, the Baltic states or Romania, front-line states in any future conflict with Russia.

Interesting point in the context of where we are

Translated from French

Dr Serge Zaka AT SergeZaka
All the factors of a major agricultural crisis are converging.

The water situation in France is deteriorating rapidly, to the point of jeopardizing autumn and winter sowing. It's indisputable: across 95% of the territory, the soil water index reaches 0% in the first nine centimeters (right map). The surface horizons are completely parched, making germination and emergence conditions particularly unfavorable.

And the weather outlook offers little respite: no truly effective rainfall is expected nationwide before September 27 at the earliest (left map).

I don't know if you're fully grasping what's unfolding. We're witnessing a convergence of factors that could trigger a severe agricultural and food crisis:
➡️ Energy: high energy costs that undermine farming operations and drive up production, processing, and transportation expenses.
➡️ Geopolitics: escalating international tensions that heighten uncertainty in agricultural, energy, and food markets.
➡️ Climate: five months of particularly grueling weather conditions that have already heavily impacted the 2026 harvests. Now, the drought is extending into the sowing of crops that will be harvested in 2027. So we're no longer just talking about consequences for a single farming season, but about the risk of difficulties carrying over from one year to the next.
➡️ El Niño: the warming of equatorial Pacific waters represents an additional risk factor for global agricultural production. Depending on its intensity and evolution, it could disrupt precipitation patterns in several major producing regions, with potential repercussions on harvests and international food prices.

I've been observing, analyzing, and documenting climate crises for years. But today, we're entering a polycrisis.

A situation where climate, agricultural, energy, and geopolitical crises no longer just follow one another, but overlap, interact, and mutually amplify their consequences.

The danger no longer lies solely in the severity of each crisis taken in isolation, but in their accumulation and cascading effects. And that's precisely what makes the current situation particularly alarming...

And this will be another reason the French politicians are collectively shitting themselves.

Well that was the scariest thing I have seen since 'Threads'.

Since we keep hearing about cyberattacks and powercuts it's not completely impossible that this could happen.

Total horror and worse very de ja vu compared to the covid fighting over toilet rolls and lots of protests we have seen in the UK recently.

The movie shows Britain over I think about 4 days without power. Hospital chaos, fuel chaos, food looting, violence, break-ins to your house to steal your supplies, water off as it does not work when power is out it seems.

Sorry I hope I haven't diverted the thread but this was really scary to watch. Since 9/11 and covid and all the recent goings on it does not seem impossible at all.

Don't watch it if you are anxious!

Very realistic and very scary!

My powerbank and battery kettle are now on charge!!!

This is getting really, really, scary now. Thanks for all the updates. Think I am about ready to head to bed and pull the covers over my head (joking, not joking)

Kinda where I am right now.