Seen in the News

[Stanley]

See THIS for the latest Trump political decision.....
8 hours ago
The Trump administration has moved to terminate almost 500 employees of federally funded news organisation Voice of America (VOA). The step is the latest in President Donald Trump's drive to strip back the outlet, which the White House has accused of being "radical". Acting CEO of VOA's parent agency, Kari Lake, said the decision would "help reduce the federal bureaucracy, improve agency service, and save the American people more of their hard-earned money." A union representing employees called the step illegal in a statement to the New York Times. VOA was set up during World War Two to counter Nazi propaganda, and has become a major global broadcaster. The outlet is overseen by the Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which said a total of 532 positions would be eliminated. The majority of those employees are from VOA, which would be left with 108 staff, according to a court filing.
Pure vandalism......

[Tizer]

...Voice of America (VOA) was set up during World War Two to counter Nazi propaganda...

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will be pleased to hear that Trump is demolishing an anti-Nazi organisation. Lavrov has compared Trump’s “America First” concept to Nazi propaganda...

In an article published on February 4 by the Russia in Global Affairs journal, Lavrov accused the US of undermining the international order with “cowboy attacks,” and claimed that the rhetoric of the Trump administration was reminiscent of Nazi Germany. “The ‘America First’ concept has disturbing similarities to the ‘Germany Above All’ slogan of the Hitler period,” he wrote. Atlantic Council

[Stanley]

THIS BBC report caught my eye....
The Bayeux Tapestry, which documents the Norman invasion of England in 1066, will be closed to the public in France from Monday as opposition mounts ahead of its move to London. The next time it will be possible to see the nearly 1,000-year-old work of art should be when it goes on display at the British Museum in September next year. However, the French art world is fiercely opposed to the project, with experts fearing the 70m-long (230ft) masterpiece is in far too delicate a state to be transported across the Channel. French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the loan when they met in London in July. The last few weeks have seen a big rise in visitor numbers at the Bayeux Museum ahead of its closure from 1 September. A new display area is being built for the tapestry, which will take at least two years. The closure – long planned – is what gave Macron the opportunity to perform his act of cultural diplomacy, committing France to loaning the tapestry to the British Museum for a year from next September.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC Report on the Afghanistan earthquake....
Survivors of an earthquake that killed more than 800 people and injured thousands in eastern Afghanistan have spent a night in the open, as rescue efforts continue. Most of the deaths occurred in the mountainous Kunar province, which was closest to the epicentre of the 6.0 magnitude when it struck on Sunday night. Officials warn that the death toll may rise significantly as entire villages were destroyed. Several nations have already pledged aid, while some villages remain inaccessible and local health facilities have been overwhelmed. The disaster comes as Afghanistan reels from a severe drought, aid cuts and what the World Food Programme describes as an unprecedented hunger crisis.

[Tripps]

A tale of two kisses. (Thanks Charles D )

I see that the Green Party has elected a new leader. His name is David Paulden and he is an old boy of Stockport Grammar School. He celebrated his win by planting a full on smackeroo on the lips of a passing geezer. Yuck. He has changed his name by the way - and is now known as Zack Polanski. I discover also that "Polanski is gay, vegan and lives in Hackney." Of course he is bless him.

I also saw David Lammy who arrived at No 10 at the same time as Angels Rayner - and without seeking any informed consent gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek . There was no trigger warning either in the Sky News coverage. I can imagine circumstances where such an action would have resulted in arrest.

It must also be noted that Graham Linehan - the author of the 'Father Ted' series flew into Heathrow this morning, and was arrested by five armed police officers. His alleged crime was to do with a posting about transgenderism on X.

Good grief. . . .