Seen in the News

[Stanley]

Thanks for that link Peter. You're right, it's a sensible report of what anyone who has read history will be expecting. The US has tried protection and isolation before but has always been forced to return to Free Trade and cooperation with other nations. Did you notice that Bob was right when he said watch Florida and Wisconsin... The Republicans won the votes in Florida but were 15% down and the Democratic candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court won despite Leon Mush pouring millions of dollars into the fight against him.

Meanwhile in our corner of the forest.... See THIS report about the arrest of an MP.......
MP Dan Norris has been arrested on suspicion of rape, child sex offences, child abduction and misconduct in a public office. The Labour Party says it "immediately suspended" the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham after being made aware of his arrest. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that a man in his 60s was arrested on Friday and released on conditional bail.
He beat Jacob Rees Mogg in the GE. We didn't like Rees Mogg but at least he kept a clean reputation!

[Stanley]

See THIS for Clitheroe news....
Traders at a market undergoing a council-funded revamp have said the improvements "look great" and should attract more visitors. Work is underway at the bustling site in Clitheroe, Lancashire, to add stalls, paving and electrics on Station Road. Andrew Burney, who helps run the D Burney & Son fruit and vegetables business, said "everybody I've spoken to thinks the new work looks nice", but some have raised concerns about the timing of the work. A Ribble Valley Borough Council spokesman said the improvements had been scheduled over the quieter winter months but "unfortunately, the scale of the project means unavoidable disruption".

[Stanley]

THIS direct challenge to China by Trump is at the head of world news this morning.
China has responded strongly after US president Donald Trump threatened to hit Beijing with an extra 50% tariff if it doesn't withdraw its retaliatory levy on Tuesday Beijing's commerce ministry said it would never accept the "blackmail nature of the US" and vowed to "fight till the end" The new tariffs could leave some US companies bringing in certain goods from China facing a 104% tax Most Asian markets opened higher on Tuesday, although Taiwan saw a further 4% fall Europe's biggest stock markets - including London's FTSE 100 - all closed over 4% down on Monday. Indonesian shares have plunged by more 9% as markets reopened after an extended holiday. The slide triggered a 30-minute halt to trading. The country's currency, the rupiah, also fell to a record low against the US dollar as traders reacted to the global market turmoil triggered by Trump's tariffs, which included a plan for 32% tariff on Indonesian products. Indonesian markets reopened on Tuesday for the first time since 27 March, and are catching up with global market moves.
This is all suicidal and will end in tears all round. Madness!

[Stanley]

See THIS live report on Trump's tariffs....
Donald Trump praises his "explosive" tariffs, saying they were vital for his vision of the US It comes hours before Washington is set to impose 104% tariffs on some Chinese goods Beijing has refused to meet Trump's deadline to withdraw its own retaliatory levy on the US US financial markets rallied early on Tuesday but then tumbled once again when the White House confirmed the additional tariffs on China Trump's import fees - hitting 60 of the "worst offending" countries - are also set to come into effect tonight
In just over an hour, US levies on many China-made imports are set to rise to 104%. Some products like cars, semiconductors, steel and aluminium will face lower taxes. Beijing has shown no signs of backing down, as it pledges to place its own taxes on American imports. But some analysts say the tariffs will hit China hard, forcing it to restructure its economy and rely heavily on domestic consumption. In reality, any tariff upwards of 35% will wipe out all the profits that Chinese businesses make when exporting to the US or South East Asia, said Dan Wang from the Eurasia Group consultancy. "Any tariff above that is only symbolic," she said, citing industry figures. She also warned that China is likely to miss its annual growth target of around 5% if its economy is closed off to trade. "Growth is going to be much lower since exports contributed to 20% to 50% of growth since the Covid pandemic." Tim Waterer from brokerage KCM Trade said import taxes of 104% will not be "sustainable [for China], given the export dynamics of the Chinese economy". "In the short term they can handle it, but to weather these tariff levels over the longer term would require China to make structural changes such as rebalancing their economy," he added.
I can only repeat what I have said before. Total madness!

[Stanley]

See THIS for the latest iteration of Trump's tariff policy....
President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day pause for countries hit by higher US tariffs but a trade war with China has escalated. In a dramatic change of policy, just hours after levies against roughly 60 of America's trading partners kicked in, Trump said he was authorising a universal "lowered reciprocal tariff of 10%" as negotiations continued. At the same time he increased tariffs on goods from China to 125%, accusing Beijing of a "lack of respect" after it retaliated by saying it would impose tariffs of 84% on US imports.
Of course there are now arguments about whether he is 'reeling and retreating' or whether this is all part of the plan. I think there is little doubt that he has been set back by the resistance he is seeing and it may be that some wiser heads are advising him.
What is certain is that the wild swings in policy reflected in the markets are damaging to the US credibility and being seen as a safe haven currency. There are signs already of a retreat from US bonds. Remember that the US has an enormous National Debt and the interest on this has to be serviced.
I still say that this is a disaster and no way to run an economy. The damage he is doing hasn't worked through to the public yet but I think they can see what is coming and this explains reports of unrest across the nation.

[Tizer]

`Trump threatens to end pharmaceuticals tariff exemption' LINK
US President Donald Trump says he will soon announce "major" tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals, a move that could end decades of low-cost global trade in medicines. For years, most countries, including the US, have imposed few or no tariffs on finished drugs, thanks in part to a 1995 World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement aimed at keeping medicines affordable....
The US has typically imported vast quantities of finished medicines from India, Europe and China without buyers paying tariffs...
While short on detail, his comments have rattled buyers, especially those relying on Indian imports. India supplies nearly half of all US generics, or cheaper versions of popular drugs, saving the country billions in healthcare costs...Indian pharma stocks fell sharply on the news. India sends about a third of its $13bn annual pharma exports to the US, which is a key market. At the moment, Americans pay little or no tax on imports of Indian medicines - compared with the duty of nearly 11% paid by Indians importing American medicines. Indian drugmakers warn that tariffs would force them to raise prices, which could ultimately drive up US medical bills. While firms like Cipla and Dr Reddy's have US plants, most say moving production is not viable for low-margin generic drugs.

[Whyperion]

`Trump threatens to end pharmaceuticals tariff exemption' LINK
US President Donald Trump says he will soon announce "major" tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals, a move that could end decades of low-cost global trade in medicines. For years, most countries, including the US, have imposed few or no tariffs on finished drugs, thanks in part to a 1995 World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement aimed at keeping medicines affordable....
The US has typically imported vast quantities of finished medicines from India, Europe and China without buyers paying tariffs...
While short on detail, his comments have rattled buyers, especially those relying on Indian imports. India supplies nearly half of all US generics, or cheaper versions of popular drugs, saving the country billions in healthcare costs...Indian pharma stocks fell sharply on the news. India sends about a third of its $13bn annual pharma exports to the US, which is a key market. At the moment, Americans pay little or no tax on imports of Indian medicines - compared with the duty of nearly 11% paid by Indians importing American medicines. Indian drugmakers warn that tariffs would force them to raise prices, which could ultimately drive up US medical bills. While firms like Cipla and Dr Reddy's have US plants, most say moving production is not viable for low-margin generic drugs.

Maybe its more for Medical News. Trump aims to do this has Pharmaceutical companies are charging healthcare in the US more than they charge other countries ( well its a way for their investors to make profits to pay the (US) investors , as well as R and D cost coverage )
The way Trump was speaking on those costs I was waiting for him to turn into a socialist and start nationalising too.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report.
A pensioner who was walking his dog was attacked by another dog walker and has been left with a fractured collar bone and facial injuries. The man, in his 70s, was injured in the attack on parkland near Margaret Road, Penwortham, at about 17:00 BST on Tuesday, Lancashire Police said. The force has released an image of a man, external detectives would like to speak to, who was wearing a distinctive yellow t-shirt and walking a very small dog off the lead. Officers said he was aged between 30 and 40, about 6ft 2ins (1.8m) tall and had a large build.
So it's not just dangerous dogs that are a problem for dog walkers.
(Notice the brilliant establishing shot grabbed by the snapper!)

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC local news report
The victim of a sexual predator told her abuser "you have not won" as he was jailed. Richard Krakowski had admitted seven counts of sexual assault and one count of voyeurism over a 12 year period at the same court in December. The 72-year-old, of Roman Road, Blackburn, was sentenced earlier at Preston Crown Court to nine years and three months. The offending, which happened between 2012 and 2024, included Krakowski sexually abusing his victim and filming it for his own "depraved sexual fantasies" and installing a secret camera in a bathroom so she could be filmed and photographed.
What struck me about this small story in terms of national news is that it is actually life changing for the person who was abused and is of enormous significance. Are we in danger of forgetting the individual when we consider national policies like investigating grooming gangs?

[Stanley]

See THIS BBCX report....
6 hours ago
The rail minister has admitted using his mobile phone while driving a vintage double-decker bus through London at rush hour. Lord Peter Hendy was behind the wheel of the old Routemaster for a charity event when he was spotted texting a friend, as first reported by the Sunday Times. A spokesperson for Lord Hendy said: "Last month Peter Hendy used his phone while driving. He has apologised in full for this error of judgement and has contacted the police." A source close to Lord Hendy said he would accept the sanction, which is likely to be six points on his licence and a fine. The incident took place on 28 March during the evening rush hour. Lord Hendy was texting a friend about a prostate cancer test. He had been giving a tour in the bus, which he owns, as part of a fundraiser for the charity Railway Benefit Fund, of which he is patron. The charity works to support railway workers and their families. But he was reported to police just days later by one of the passengers.
I find it astounding that a person in his position would do this. What chance is there of lesser mortals obeying the law?

[Stanley]

Breaking news this morning that the IDF has targetted the last functioning hospital in Gaza City. The news is that at the moment it is no longer functioning.

[Tizer]

Trump's back-pedalling frantically to pacify the US tech bros. We now know who really runs America...
`Trump's iPhone olive branch is a significant trade war retreat' LINK
...The US has now excluded the single biggest Chinese export, and certainly the most high-profile finished good from tariffs, without publicly announcing it at first...

And Trump's friend Putin shows his true colours. This just after US envoy Steve Witkoff left his meeting with Putin...
`Russian strikes cross 'any lines of decency', US envoy to Ukraine says, as Sumy death toll rises' LINK

[Stanley]

I noted both of those facts Peter and like you it depressed me. It seems that honesty and justice is in very short supply at the moment.

[Tizer]

After Trump's retreat on smartphones and computer chips he's now saying it's only temporary. No wonder stocks and shares are bouncing like a rubber ball!

[Tripps]

Well - there's no hiding this one. Gatwick carpark exit during the day. Fully photographed. The Australian blogger I referenced above has given the Reg Number, so they can't pretend it was a diesel car. It was a Volkswagen Hybrid electric.

If the Reg No he gives is true then from the MOT database, it was less than a month old.

VW car fire

battery car fire

A major incident with loss of life seems inevitable.

[Stanley]

I think you're right Peter. The captains of industry keep telling him they need certainty but he doesn't seem to be listening.
Good enough for me David, that looks like a battery fire! I note that in the BBC report the possible cause of the blaze is not mentioned.

[Whyperion]

Well - there's no hiding this one. Gatwick carpark exit during the day. Fully photographed. The Australian blogger I referenced above has given the Reg Number, so they can't pretend it was a diesel car. It was a Volkswagen Hybrid electric.

If the Reg No he gives is true then from the MOT database, it was less than a month old.

VW car fire

battery car fire

A major incident with loss of life seems inevitable.

I think the key is Hybrid. Could equally be the combustion event from Diesel system somewhere. Though I would tend to consider the charge regulation and the quality build of the batteries be investigated - a simple screw in the wrong place can cause problems - it should not be so as the carriers for the batteries have space inside to allow for the mounting for the carriers to fit to the car. The actual batteries are little more than 1.4v cells strapped together in series and then in parrelle formations. Charging should regulate to the arrarys evenly and fault code appear for any out of range discharge/charge in value or on/off switching demand times to milliseconds

[Tripps]

I note that in the BBC report the possible cause of the blaze is not mentioned.

Wellspotted.

No doubt doing what they have been told to do. Propaganda by omission.

[Stanley]

And almost de rigeur in reporting any normal fire.....

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
When investigators smashed through a hastily built wall, they uncovered a set of secret jail cells. It turned out to be a freshly bricked-up doorway – an attempt to hide what lurked behind. Inside, off a narrow hallway, were tiny rooms to the right and left. It was pitch-black. The team may never have found this clandestine jail – a stone's throw from Dhaka's International Airport – without the recollections of Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem and others. A critic of Bangladesh's ousted leader, he was held there for eight years. He was blindfolded for much of his time in the prison, so he leaned on the sounds he could recall - and he distinctly remembered the sound of planes landing. That was what helped lead investigators to the military base near the airport. Behind the main building on the compound, they found the smaller, heavily guarded, windowless structure made of brick and concrete where detainees were kept.
I never cease to be amazed at by the depths to which human beings can sink in their treatment of others....

[Tripps]

This happened in Zeebrugge yesterday afternoon. Fire on MV Delphine at Zeebrugge 16 April 2025.The vessel concerned seems to be the most modern and biggest roll on - roll off ferry in the world. The cargo included a large number of electric vehicles.

No mention yet in the news which Google feeds me, and I can see nothing about it all on the BBC news website. perhaps they have not heard about it yet, or they are awaiting instructions as to how to portray the news in a positive light. It wouldn't be because Easter weekend starts tomorrow, and they don't want to scare any of the many thousands of potential passengers would it ?

The report says 100 vehicles have been destroyed, and It seems the fire is being suppressed by pumping the ship full of an inert gas - Carbon Dioxide - previously known as The Devil's Breath. It may reignite - if and when oxygen reappears. They have sent out for a refill of the CO2 tanks, as they have used all the ship's supply.

There will be a full enquiry, but there is no truth to the rumour that it will be chaired by Baronness Sue Gray of Tottenham.

[Stanley]

I've done a search and you're right David. Multiple reports of the fire if you search on google but not a dicky bird in the main stream media. Surely our news is not managed!

I noted yesterday that in the US Fed boss Powell was publicly voicing many economist's fears of a tariff induced recession. See THIS for the latest news on the same subject....
Donald Trump has attacked the head of the US central bank for not cutting interest rates, stating that Jerome Powell's "termination cannot come fast enough!". The US president took to social media to renew his criticism of Powell ahead of the third interest rate cut this year by European Central Bank (ECB). On Thursday, it announced that it had reduced the key rate "owing to rising trade tensions". Trump, who nominated Powell as Federal Reserve chair in 2017 during his first term, wrote that he "is always TOO LATE AND WRONG" on reducing borrowing costs. Trump continued: "Oil prices are down, groceries (even eggs!) are down, and the USA is getting RICH ON TARIFFS. Too Late should have lowered Interest Rates, like the ECB, long ago, but he should certainly lower them now." While oil prices have fallen since the start of the month when Trump unveiled his tariff regime, eggs prices have risen to $6.23 per dozen, according to official data. Meanwhile, the BBC has found no evidence for Trump's claims about how much money the US is collecting from tariffs.

[Tizer]

No mention yet in the news which Google feeds me, and I can see nothing about it all on the BBC news website...

Yes, there's still nothing about it on the BBC site but Google has been full of links to reports on the fire.

[Tripps]

There is no doubt in my mind, that this news has been censored in the main stream British media. How do they do that -so quickly and completely? Is there a "D" notice already in place.

It is ironic that the gas Co2 has been the means of extinguishing this fire, if indeed it is extinguished. I can find no updated reports online. That's the gas that we are bankrupting the nation over, by the net zero policy to get reduced. Will they have to plant lots of trees to counteract the CO2 released in this incident?

This chap - a Pom living in Sydney gets it. MV Delphine

PS.
In total contrast - there is a concerted campaign to publicise the scientific research which reveals that molecules have been "detected" from a planet which is 124 Light Years away, and indicate the possibility of "life". There have been in depth interviews with the researchers on severa' radio outlets I have heard - LBC, Times Radio, BBC, promoting this research.

That's organised - not coincidental - for research which will more than likely come to nothing.
Note - One Light year is 6,000,000,000 miles. so 124 LY's is 744 trillion miles. That's a long way to distinguish a molecule from a single planet - he said from a position of deep ignorance. (A level Physics 1959)

[Stanley]

I agree with everything in your post David and yes, I had the same thoughts about reports of possible life 124 light years away and see no reason to be excited.
I have found a fire on a ferry in Zeebrugge and thought the Beeb had recovered but then found it was in 2018.....

I found THIS in the local news......
A vicar said he is "heartbroken" after obscene graffiti was daubed over nearly 40 gravestones and his church ahead of Good Friday services. Sexually graphic images and expletives were sprayed overnight at St James Church in Leyland, near Preston. Graffiti claiming "God is a lie" was also scrawled on the church's exterior. Lancashire Police said they were treating the attack as a "hate crime", while the Reverend Marc Wolverson described the perpetrators as "very sad, broken people". Mr Wolverson said the graffiti came "at the height of devotion and worship and remembering Jesus" over the Easter period.
All I can say is that I hope the perpetrators are found and made to clean it off.