Seen in the News

[Stanley]

The Trump tariffs are climbing up the news index as they have more impact on the US economy. Trump may yet find out that his magic bullet is as damaging to the US as it is to the countries who are targetted.

[Tripps]

He has threatened 200% tarriffs on European (French) Champagne. Had we threatened the same (and why couldn't we?) - the illegal small boat trade cross channel trade would quickly have been stopped.

[Whyperion]

He has threatened 200% tarriffs on European (French) Champagne. Had we threatened the same (and why couldn't we?) - the illegal small boat trade cross channel trade would quickly have been stopped.

Strictly All Champagne is French. There may be other sparkling drinks made to the "Champagne Method" but I dont think this can be mentioned, some fizz from Kent grown grapes that is quite nice. But I think 10 Downing Street jollies like their Champers from France (via Tesco)

[Tripps]

Strictly All Champagne is French

Yes - that's why I wrote (French) after Champagne.

[Tizer]

Gremlins have garbled the attribution in the quote - it was Whyperion who wrote `Strictly All Champagne is French'.

[Whyperion]

Yeah , you have to watch the nesting quotes so they lay the right eggs. I did wonder if Trump said European Champagne but I could not be bothered to look, I assume if it comes from France then by trade implication of a customs union it is = EU.

Meanwhile
Over the past five years, the average income for a farmer has been £32,272. After adjusting for inflation, this is the same level as in the mid-1970s. During the same period, the economy has grown and real-terms wages have risen in other sectors.
(Guardian Website) (or Business Matters

Reasons include as farmers become more productive cheaper imports and supermarket etc buying power drives selling prices down. At a Farmers market near me (well not it was a 14 mile tube journey) the Prices for Bread, Cheese, Plonk, Suages and Pickles are well beyond the local Lidl prices, and unaffordable (and if I bought them I doubt I would effectively consume them all)

[Tripps]

I thought this was a bit of fake news - but it seems it's true.

New interim Chair of Ofsted, Sir Mufti Hamid Patel.

I came across him last year in Oldham, as the driving force behing the opening of the Star Academies branch of Eton in Oldham. - Busy fellow.

[Stanley]

The thing that strikes me David is the fact that he seems to see education as a vehicle for profit rather than a public good or have I got that wrong?

Have a look at THIS BBC analysis of what Starmer is up to abolishing NHS England.....
The prime minister’s diagnosis of the state apparatus he perches on the top of was far from flattering. Just eight months in Downing Street and he sees, too often he feels, a flabby, unfocused, overcautious bureaucracy; “too much stodge and regulation” as he put it. Ministerial levers yanked today, nothing or not much happening tomorrow – or ever. In culling the biggest arms length body of the lot, NHS England; a statement of intent – for a leaner, more responsive and crucially more accountable State. If it’s an analysis that feels discombobulating coming from him, yes former Tory PM Liz Truss made similar arguments; “the tyranny of the technocracy” she called it. But remember, the re-wiring of the state quickens the pulse of only the most rarefied of souls. Today amounts to the scrapping of an organisation the vast majority of people have, perfectly reasonably, never heard of. Process matters, but outcomes matter more. The key long-term judgement about this change will be whether people in England feel any perceptible improvement. Oh, and as the prime minister’s first year in office ticks by, people’s patience with him diagnosing problems not solving them won’t last forever.

[Whyperion]

What politicians tend to forget is Regulation prevents (or clarifies) Litigation. (Basically to whom is a duty of care owed for wrongs caused) There were 10 Commandaments in the Bible, but Three whole books of the mosaic law in detail ( three and a bit but Exodus and Deuteronomy repeat a bit) And regulation existed in Rome and Babylon as just a couple of examples.

I cannot remember which childrens' book it was , (at least one was Thomas the Tank Engine) but there was some kind of disturbance of effectively the King's Peace and the town population petitioned that "something must be done about it" (reminds me of Dangerous Dogs Act). As to if the appropriate something was done could be discussed but regulation was sought (I am reminded too of the That's Life campaign to take to parliament, and Europe, regulations on the fire resistance of childrens nighttime clothing (a regulation that badly missed including goods sold as "toys" in terms of dressing up clothes - which have resulted in further injury and disfigurement since ).
Planning regulations are there for a purpose = including Green Belt specifically to stop urban sprawl - even if consequences involve higher property prices - though our towns have plenty of space to repurpose sites for decent accommodation.

[Stanley]

I suppose THIS should really be in wildlife corner....
The first baby gorilla to be born at Blackpool Zoo has arrived in India as part of a global conservation scheme. Meisie, who made history being born in 2010, and sibling Moanda, who came along two years later, have moved to a "state-of-the-art" facility at Mysuru Zoo. The move took place earlier this week but their journey to India actually started in 2022 when the European Endangered Species Programme recommended them to be part of a new group with a silverback male named Quembo from Frankfurt Zoo. Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered in the wild, due to threats from humans and deforestation, Blackpool Zoo said.
Nice to know that there are still some nice things happening....... Or am I just an old softie?

[Stanley]

We may complain about our weather at times but see THIS BBC report on US weather.
Updated Just now
At least 34 people have died in the US - including 12 in Missouri alone - after deadly tornadoes tore through several south-eastern states, flipping cars and flattening homes. In Kansas, at least eight people died after more than 55 vehicles were involved in a crash due to a dust storm. More than 250,000 properties were without power across seven states - including Michigan, Missouri and Illinois - overnight into Sunday, according to tracker PowerOutage. Further severe weather is expected for the region, with tornado watches issued across eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee and the western Florida Panhandle. Six deaths were reported in Mississippi by the Governor Tate Reeves, as several tornadoes spread across the state. Flash flooding and flood warnings have also been issued in central Mississippi, eastern Louisiana and western Tennessee; as well as parts of Alabama and Arkansas, as severe weather continues to track across the south-east. The National Weather Service (NWS) has said these flash floods could prove deadly. Multiple tornado warnings were also issued across Alabama on Saturday night. The NWS warned of "multiple intense to violent long-track tornadoes" in those areas, describing the situation as "particularly dangerous". The meteorological agency said: "If you live in these areas, get to the sturdiest structure you have access to and remain in place until the storms pass."

[Whyperion]

Statue of Brian Haw in permanent place

From Grafftistreet.com

Brian Haw (1949-2011) was one of the most prominent peace campaigners of our time, known for his unwavering commitment to advocating for peace through protest. Beginning in June 2001, he set up his peace camp at Parliament Square in Westminster, where he remained for nearly a decade, drawing attention to the human suffering caused by war, particularly in relation to the wars in Iraq and the foreign policies of the US and UK.

Brian’s presence became an integral part of the political landscape, engaging both the public and politicians on vital issues of peace and conflict. Among his notable supporters was the renowned street artist Banksy, who gifted ‘Petrol Head’ and ‘CND Soldiers’ for Haw’s peace camp.

The unveiling is on Sunday, March 16th 2025 · 11am – 1pm GMT , at Tibetan Peace Garden in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park St George’s Road London SE1 6ER. Celebrating Brian Haw’s dedication to peace and ensure his legacy continues to inspire future generations.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC article on demands for a website to be closed down.
2 hours ago
Bereaved families are calling on the online regulator Ofcom to shut down a "vile" website which promotes videos of the deaths of their loved ones. The website, which we are not naming, has more than three million members and contains thousands of graphic photos and videos of real-life killings and suicides as well as executions carried out by extremists. Past members include those who have gone on to commit school shootings and murders, the BBC can reveal. From Monday, Ofcom gets new powers to crack down on illegal content, but it may not be enough to close the site.
Isn't it a shame that a wonderful resource like the internet is used for purposes like this. In my book the people who promote these sites are no better than spammers.

[Stanley]

See THIS article on the closing of a small hospital.
7 hours ago
It was a key part of the community for more than 130 years and now Accrington Victoria Hospital is being remembered in its very own exhibition. The hospital, which was located on Haywood Road in Accrington closed in December after East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust deemed the building not fit for purpose. Ann Parkinson, a former staff nurse who worked on the wards at the hospital for 46 years, said: "It was small, everybody knew everybody, and it was fabulous." The 77-year-old said an exhibition in the town's library, which includes newspaper cuttings, photographs and medical instruments, "brings back a lot of memories".
This experience can be replicated in memories of so many small community hospitals which didn't fit in with modern concepts of economies of scale in large units.
In his book 'Tools for Conviviality' published in 1973, Ivan Illich said that the "Conviviality of a hospital varies in inverse proportion to the size of its car park." My experience bears this out. No use to the accountants of course but on a human level, essential!

[Whyperion]

BBC Website mentions trespass on land for illegal hare coursing (note hare coursing is not legal anywhere) . Making Farmer's lives a risk. the article makes it look as if Police were not responding ,but in fact reading it in Wiltshire Police have changed attitudes particulary as things beyond criminal damage are happening including fake number plates on vehicles (any vehicle with a fake should be impounded and sold for charity in my opinion) I also feel farmers/ police need to step up with the use of drone cameras and so on

Similar BBC on Breakfast TV showing flytipping on railway owned land. again one would have though cameras are cheap to install fixed and mobile now to trace occurances faster

[Tripps]

note hare coursing is not legal anywhere)

To mis - quote Stephen Potter = "yes but it is in the South" Stanley will get it. . . .

"Hare coursing is administered by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) which is a body set up under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. Legal provisions for coursing enable the regulatory authorities to control coursing and reduce the attraction of illegal, unregulated coursing activity."

Take a look at last year's final from Clonmel if you wish to.

[Whyperion]

note hare coursing is not legal anywhere)

To mis - quote Stephen Potter = "yes but it is in the South" Stanley will get it. . . .

"Hare coursing is administered by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) which is a body set up under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. Legal provisions for coursing enable the regulatory authorities to control coursing and reduce the attraction of illegal, unregulated coursing activity."

Take a look at last year's final from Clonmel if you wish to.

Tripps, its a BBC report , not RTE. The BBC dont even include Ireland on the weather map / reports most of the time unless its exceptional.
I suppose though too many hares and ones pea crop gets eaten to nothing. It wont matter to english farmers soon anyway as the land gets sold off for inheritance taxes and more concrete housing.

[Stanley]

Some notes from Wikiquote David....
Some Notes on Lifemanship (1950) p. 43.
This versatile gambit for disconcerting one's opponent in debate is usually said to have been originated by Potter, even though he had himself said in a footnote to Lifemanship that "I am required to state that World Copyright of this phrase is owned by its brilliant inventor, Mr. Pound". On publication of Lifemanship the critic Richard Usborne wrote to Potter protesting that this stratagem had been invented not by the mysterious Mr. Pound but by Usborne himself, in an article called "Not in the South" published in the May 28, 1941 number of Punch magazine, where the phrase was described as "a formula that let me off the boredom of finding out facts and retaining knowledge". Potter replied, "My God, have I got it wrong? I now perceive with horrifying clearness that I have", but he never corrected the attribution in print. The whole story was set out by Usborne in a letter published in Time magazine, January 5, 1970.

Back on the piste.... See THIS BBC report.....
2 hours ago
After nine months in space, Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have finally arrived back on Earth. Their SpaceX capsule made a fast and fiery re-entry through the Earth's atmosphere, before four parachutes opened to take them to a gentle splashdown off the coast of Florida. A pod of dolphins circled the craft. After a recovery ship lifted it out of the water, the astronauts beamed and waved as they were helped out of the hatch, along with fellow crew members astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
I like the fact that they were welcomed home by dolphins. Now they face the fight to readjust to earth's gravity and atmosphere. I wish them well.

[Whyperion]

Three Dead after Listeria in Chocolate Desert
I am wondering if anything with a risk should be served in hospitals. the story relates to deaths in late 2024

I have bought similar mousses etc at Sainsburys, and have found moulds on them, including on shelves. problems can occur with foil tops getting punctured on opening , and with chilled items being stored in warehouse not in chilled area before being put out and at warm times chilled items can quickly warm up and also chilled shop units can be inefficient especially at facing areas to the store generally

[Stanley]

See THIS for a BBC report on an escaped prisoner.
A prisoner on his way to court "overpowered" escort officers after faking a medical emergency and is on the run, police said. Jamie Cooper was being taken to Lancaster Magistrates' Court at 8:54 GMT when he absconded from a GEOAmey owned prison van on the M55 motorway at Junction 2 near Catforth. Lancashire Police said Cooper, originally from Blackpool, should not be approached and police should be called immediately if anyone saw him. A spokesperson for GEOAmey said the van had been forced to pull over to deal with an "on-board medical emergency" involving Cooper, who then fought his way free.

[Stanley]

See THIS worrying BBC report.
2 hours ago
Repeated failures in how CTs, X-rays and other medical scans are being interpreted are leading to avoidable patient deaths and delays in diagnosing cancer, England's health ombudsman has warned. The most common problems include doctors failing to spot abnormalities, scans being delayed or not carried out, and results not being followed up properly. The ombudsman has upheld or partially upheld 45 cases which include failures in medical imaging in the last four years, and says lessons must be learned to avoid the same mistakes again. NHS England said staff work extremely hard to keep patients safe but acknowledged there was more to do to improve the "response to serious health issues".

[Stanley]

THIS was at the top of the news feeds.
Updated 8 minutes ago
Boxing heavyweight legend George Foreman has died aged 76, according to his family. Known as Big George in the ring, he competed for decades starting in the 1960s, winning gold at the Olympics and numerous title belts, including the world heavyweight title twice. He lost his first title to Muhammad Ali in their famous Rumble in the Jungle fight in 1974. But Foreman's professional boxing career boasted an astonishing 76 total wins and 68 knock outs, almost double that of Ali. Foreman lost five bouts over his career. He won his first world heavyweight championship in 1973 then did it again in 1994 aged 45. He retired from the sport in 1997 before finding fame and fortune again as a pitchman for a best-selling grill named after him. His family said in a post on Instagram on Friday night: "Our hearts are broken. "A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose." The statement added: "A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected - a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name - for his family." Foreman was born in Marshall, Texas, on 10 January 1949, and raised along with six siblings by a single mother in the segregated American South. He dropped out of school and turned to street robberies before eventually finding his outlet in the ring.

[Tizer]

This looks a bit boring at first but on reading through you find it's a much bigger issue - it's Trump versus the American legal system and another step towards a dictatorship (and filling his treasure chest at the same time)...
`Trump rescinds order targeting law firm after it makes $40m promise' LINK

[Whyperion]

BBC Kept today a running report on the Hayes / Heathrow Power Sub Station Outage.

Every person seems to have chipped in with a comment

Labour MP Ruth Cadbury tells the BBC that there is "a lack of power grid capacity" in the area surrounding Heathrow, with no new overhead lines expected until 2036.
She says it is too soon to tell whether this shortage had an impact on the closure of Heathrow Airport yesterday, after a substation fire caused a power outage.
Cadbury, who is chair of the Transport Select Committee, adds that the previous government has shown a lack of interest in Britain's infrastructure over the past 15 years.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband says he will work in partnership with Ofgem to "properly understand what happened and what lessons need to be learned".

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexandersays it is "imperative" to "identify how this power failure happened and learn from this to ensure a vital piece of national infrastructure remains strong".

Akshay Kaul, director general for infrastructure at Ofgem, says the regulatory authority will "not hesitate to take action", adding that they will work to ensure NESO's review "goes as far as possible" to ensure steps are put in place to avoid similar events in the future.

Fintan Slye, Chief Executive of NESO - the government has ordered the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to conduct an investigation into the power outage at Heathrow Airport.
The commission adding that the operator will work with "all relevant stakeholders to understand the lessons that can be learned to improve the future resilience of Britain’s energy system".

[Stanley]

I don't think it's boring Peter! I am watching trump with horror as he reboots the US in the way that suits him best. Abolishing the central role on Education, Changing the law and deporting hundreds of thousands of people and even suggesting the US should be part of the Commonwealth so he can play at being Royalty. There must be a limit somewhere and I fear Trump is going to reach it and test it. It will not end well....