Seen in the News

[Stanley]

THIS Caught my attention this morning....
3 hours ago
Southern Water has warned tanker companies to stop delivering its water to the Wiltshire estate of an American billionaire. Some of it was recently used, entirely legally, to help fill a lake, despite a hosepipe ban being in place locally for domestic users. Multiple water tankers have been filmed both day and night by local residents filling up from standpipes in part of neighbouring Hampshire where a drought order is in place. The BBC has been told that those tankers went to Conholt Park, a 2,500 acre estate owned by Stephen Schwarzman – who is one of the world's richest men and a financial backer of US President Donald Trump. A spokesperson for Mr Schwarzman confirmed that a small proportion of the water transported had very recently been used to help fill a new lake but said the water has been "sourced through licenced providers responsible for the lawful and proper extraction and delivery". They said an advanced irrigation system was how the lake would mainly be filled. Despite the ongoing drought, the tankers are legally allowed to take the water in Hampshire under licence because construction work is not domestic and therefore not covered by current drought restrictions. However, Tim McMahon, Southern Water's managing director, said he was "appalled by this use of water" and that the company had imposed on immediate ban on tankers extracting from the standpipes. Southern Water said it did not know exactly how much water had been taken but that there had been a spike in the last week with "significant" amounts taken but with other users also making use of the standpipes it was impossible to say who had taken more.
Proof that Benjamin Disraeli's 'Two Nations' is alive and well in Austerity Britain......

[Stanley]

See THIS unwelcome news of the Metropolitan Police.....
The Metropolitan Police has suspended nine officers and referred itself to the police watchdog following a BBC investigation into Charing Cross police station. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was investigating the behaviour of 11 current or former Met officers and one staff member based at the central London station. The accusations, which feature in a forthcoming BBC Panorama documentary, include excessive use of force, discriminatory and misogynistic comments, and failing to report or challenge inappropriate behaviour, the police watchdog said. The BBC contacted the Met this week for a response to the documentary's findings. The allegations - which relate to the conduct of nine Met officers, a former Met officer and a serving designated detention officer - are said to have taken place both on and off duty between August 2024 and January 2025. The officers range in rank from police constable to sergeant. The Met said it had suspended nine officers and removed another two from frontline duties. The IOPC said it had received a referral from another force relating to the conduct of the former Met officer who was previously based at Charing Cross and has since transferred.
Well done the BBC journalists who ferreted this out! Good investigative journalism still survives despite cost cutting. We should celebrate it whenever it becomes evident!

[Stanley]

See THIS Reuters report....
US EPA proposes end to mandatory greenhouse gas reporting.
WASHINGTON, Sept 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed on Friday a rule to end a mandatory program requiring 8,000 facilities to report their greenhouse gas emissions - an effort the agency said was burdensome to business, but which leaves the public without transparency around the environmental impact of those sources. The agency said mandatory collection of GHG emissions data was unnecessary because it is "not directly related to a potential regulation and has no material impact on improving human health and the environment."
How can one describe such an abdication of responsibility without descending into invective.
It is yet one more example of mismanagement by the Trump administration.....

[Tripps]

Or rather Not Seen in the News.

I saw a headline in my usual Googlenews feed. A click on the link went nowhere. I persisted and found https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incident ... stratford/
Fifteen cars destroyed. They are still investigating the cause.

I read on a chat site that Elon Musk had spoken at today's Tommy Robinson rally (NHRN) - big news if true. No mention of it any of my usual news sources - even with a search for Elon Musk. Nil on the BBC News site.

I find this in the Independent - still unclear whether he is there in person or over a link. I'd say it's big news either way.
Sir Keir has gone to watch The Arsenal.

In conversation with Robinson on stage in the afternoon, Musk also claimed a “dissolution of parliament” and a “change of government” is needed in the UK. The crowd responded to his appearance with cheers and chants of “Elon Musk” and “Elon”.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has condemned Elon Musk, stating that he “doesn’t care about the British people or our rights. He only cares about himself and his ego.”
The Met said around 5,000 people were at an anti-racism counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR), with over 1,000 officers deployed in a bid to prevent clashes, and barriers in place to keep a large “sterile area” between the two groups.
Meanwhile, prime minister Keir Starmer was spotted in the stands at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday. He and his son watched his favourite football team Arsenal play against Nottingham Forest in a Premier League match, while the protester violence erupted elsewhere in the city.

Is it possible that I / we are being censored?

[Stanley]

Why is part of your post reversed David?

See THIS BBC report which explains the Leon Mush reference....
Twenty-six officers have been injured while policing a protest organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which saw up to 150,000 people march through central London. Tensions flared at the Unite the Kingdom rally, with some protesters throwing bottles and other projectiles at police, the Metropolitan Police said – leaving four seriously hurt. Tech billionaire Elon Musk spoke to protesters on Whitehall via videolink, while 5,000 people joined a nearby counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism. The Met said 25 people had been arrested for a range of offences in what it described as "wholly unacceptable" violence. A huge policing operation was put in place in central London with the Met deploying 1,000 officers and drafting in an extra 500 from other forces including Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Devon and Cornwall. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said officers had "policed without fear or favour", knowing it would be challenging. "There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence," he said...... Making a surprise appearance via videolink, Musk spoke about "massive uncontrolled migration" and called for a "change of government" in the UK. "Something's got to be done," Musk said, as he was interviewed by Robinson. "There's got to be a dissolution of Parliament and a new vote held." TV presenter Katie Hopkins also spoke on stage after earlier appearing alongside Robinson, Laurence Fox and Ant Middleton at the front of the march near Waterloo station.
Can someone explain to me what's going on? This scale of protest and foreign intervention is indicative that something is happening but I have no idea what. All I know is that it's worrying.

[Tizer]

I seem to recall Donald Trumpet criticising `British interference' in American elections...

In conversation with Robinson on stage in the afternoon, Musk also claimed a “dissolution of parliament” and a “change of government” is needed in the UK. The crowd responded to his appearance with cheers and chants of “Elon Musk” and “Elon”.

[Tripps]

Why is part of your post reversed David?

No idea.
I'm struggling with Firefox, and have had to abandon it for now.
An oversensitive right click on the mouse and creaky fingers often take me to unintended destinations.

I seem to recall Donald Trumpet criticising `British interference' in American elections

Perhaps he did - but this was Elon Musk.

[Stanley]

"An oversensitive right click on the mouse and creaky fingers often take me to unintended destinations. "
I recognise that syndrome David and have been known to curse it's sensitivity... But then I remember it's speed and security.....
I like Donald Trumpet Peter!

THIS news item caught my eye this morning....
The family of Virginia Giuffre, who became the most prominent victim of Jeffrey Epstein, has told the BBC that Lord Mandelson should never have been given the position of UK ambassador to the United States. In an exclusive interview on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Giuffre's brother Sky Roberts said the appointment "speaks to how deep the corruption goes in our systems". Business Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC it was "highly unlikely" Lord Mandelson would have been appointed if the extent of his relationship with Epstein was known to those in government. There is no suggestion that Lord Mandelson ever met Giuffre. He said last week, that "perhaps as a gay man", he never sought or was offered introductions to women from Epstein.
Elsewhere in the interview, Ms Giuffre's brother said Prince Andrew needs to be fully investigated over allegations he sexually abused her. The Duke of York, who has denied all claims against him, reached an out-of-court settlement with her in 2022 which contained no admission of liability or apology.
The Epstein affair rumbles on and on.... Where will it end up?

[Tripps]

PS Further to interference in elections - I think I recall that the Labour party flew a group of "volunteers" to America to provide assistance to the Democratic Party during the campaign of Kamala Harris against Donald Trump. I assume all expenses - flights, accommodation, subsistence, etc were funded by Labour. I think that might be construed as "interference", and the reverse situation would have caused quite a stir here.

[Big Kev]

A hospital is trying to find relatives of a 59-year-old woman who recently died.

Lyn Frankland, who lived on Rainhall Road, Barnoldswick, passed away from natural causes at Airedale General Hospital on September 11.

The hospital's bereavement office is seeking any relatives or individuals with knowledge of Ms Frankland to come forward.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the bereavement office directly on 01535 294329

[Stanley]

David, I remember that intervention and thought at the time it was very strange....
Kev, I have checked in my index and no Frankland noted in Barnoldswick.....

On an entirely different subject.... Have a look at THIS bbc investigation.....
The BBC has been investigating the lives of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, and the events that led to the death of their fifth child, Victoria. Marten is from a wealthy family with strong connections to royalty - she told friends she played with princes William and Harry as a child. Gordon is the son of a nurse who emigrated to the UK from the Caribbean. As teenagers, one of them travelled to Nigeria to join a secretive evangelical church, while the other was sent to a Florida prison for rape.

There is much more, it is a long article. The headline about chaotic lives is accurate. I am reminded that one half of the world doesn't know how the other half lives.....

[Tizer]

I think I recall that the Labour party flew a group of "volunteers" to America to provide assistance to the Democratic Party during the campaign of Kamala Harris against Donald Trump.

At least the `UK volunteers' didn't raise much of an issue about finance because they were all invited to stay with Americans and their families. A bit like kids on a cultural exchange!

[Tripps]

Still "interference " in my book.



We have again 'the death of irony'. There will probably never be a better one.

The Prime Minister is at Number 10 at a reception for the Hillsborough relatives to celebrate the introduction of a new law which will ensure a 'duty of candour' from all officials when questioned at an enquiry. His next engagement is at the House where an emergency motion will debate his lack of candour about what he knew about Peter Mandelson, and when he knew it.
PS He didn't attend but sent an underling. (Minister for North America)

******
Well that's a couple of hours I'll never get back. Speaker after speaker spouted forth and many seemed to prove that the PM had deceived the House. Simpler folk would call it lying. There was a vote at the end - not sure what the motion was - but he has survived. I'm sure he will not last till the scheduled end of this Parliament - maybe not even to the end of this week. They're worse than Oldham Council.

********
The Minister Baroness Jaqui Smith was evasive yesterday when asked how many illegal immigrants would be on the plane for France - to be swapped for others. I doubt it was more than single figures. Anyway there was a last minute legal challenge and they never left. There may or may not be a further attempt at removal today. That's definite said the Minister.

There should of course be no limit at all, on the number of people who wish to settle here. Then there would be no need for expensive return flights. We could not manage without them. We are a wealthy country, and all should be welcomed. To be joined quickly by all their extended family. There should be no limit to anyone from Afghanistan Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Gaza, all of Sub Saharan Africa, and of course Hong Kong.

[Julie in Norfolk]

There are plenty of industrial vacancies in Norfolk that need filling.