Seen in the News

[Julie in Norfolk]

Kier can do without any advice from him! Aligning ourselves with Europe has never been so important. We also have a record number of Americans seeking UK residency (Home Office figures), make of that what you will.

[Stanley]

Agreed Julie.
Starmer must be wondering where the next stab in the back will be coming from. One thing is certain, there will be more even though the House is in recess for Party Conference season.....
(Can anyone tell me why they need this?)

[PanBiker]

From a Labour Party point of view, conference is where your composited motions which can originate at branch then constituency level are discussed and if successful put forward to the vote to be included in the manifesto or brought into law.

Don't know what the other parties do apart from the Tory 1923 committee has a lot to do with their stuff.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report for disturbing news from the US.
2 hours ago
The Pentagon has told journalists they must agree not to disclose unauthorised information or else risk losing access to the building. The change is among a number of new restrictions, which also seek to impose limits on the movement of journalists within the facility, which is home to the Department of War, formerly known as the Department of Defense. It follows a series of leaks in recent months. Pete Hegseth, who was recently given the new title of Secretary of War, said on social media: "The 'press' does not run the Pentagon — the people do. The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility. Wear a badge and follow the rules — or go home." The new restrictions were set out in a briefing note sent to members of the press, which they will be required to sign in order to maintain their Pentagon press credentials.
Trump is chipping away at democracy and sensible government and he is being allowed to get away with it.

[Stanley]

See THIS for further evidence of the misuse of power in the US and the consequent erosion of democracy......
President Donald Trump has called on the country's top law enforcement official, Attorney General Pam Bondi, to more aggressively investigate his political adversaries. In a social media post addressed directly to Bondi, he said: "We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility." Trump expressed frustration that "nothing is being done", before calling on Bondi to investigate former FBI director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who oversaw his first impeachment trial. Shortly after, he posted again to praise Bondi who he said was "doing a great job". "I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, "same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam "Shifty" Schiff, Leticia??? They're all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done," Trump said on Saturday. His statement was roundly criticised by Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer who said "this is the path to a dictatorship".

[Stanley]

See THIS US news....
Updated 1 hour ago
US comedian Jimmy Kimmel will return to his late-night talk show on Tuesday after he was suspended for making jokes relating to the death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. Disney, which owns the US broadcast network that airs Jimmy Kimmel Live, said on Monday that it suspended the show because it "felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive". "We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday," Disney said. The comic's abrupt suspension came after threats by the federal tv regulator to revoke ABC's broadcast licence, sparking nationwide debates over free speech. US President Donald Trump had welcomed Kimmel's suspension and suggested that some TV networks should have their licences "taken away" for negative coverage of the president. Trump did not address Kimmel's reinstatement when a reporter asked about it during a White House event on Monday. Sinclair, the largest ABC affiliate group in the US, said on Monday it will replace Jimmy Kimmel Live! with news programming across its ABC affiliate stations from Tuesday.
Has Trump been influenced by the debate on free speech?

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report about Leeds NHS Trust....
1 hour ago
An NHS trust at the centre of concerns over its poor maternity services has had to repay almost £5m after wrongly claiming it provided safe care to mothers and their babies. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust was paid the money after saying its services met safe standards of care and staffing. But a subsequent investigation by the health service's litigation arm, NHS Resolution, found the trust had not met the standards and asked for the money to be repaid to the NHS. The Leeds trust said they had allocated additional funding to improve maternity services.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report....
3 hours ago
More than a thousand disabled children across the UK are waiting for wheelchairs and mobility equipment that could transform their lives, Whizz Kidz say. The charity, external, which helps wheelchair users up to 25 years old, has been forced to close its specialist wheelchairs waitlist for the first time in its 35-year history. They say escalating costs and squeezed NHS budgets are creating a "huge demand" for their service, leading to long delays. NHS England says it's working with local healthcare providers to deliver better services and NHS Scotland says it's committed to ensuring vital services were protected. The Department for Health Northern Ireland says by the end of August, the regional service had delivered 87% of all wheelchair categories within 13 weeks. Whizz Kidz recorded a thousand children waiting for equipment when it decided to close the waitlist, but say many more are missing out. BBC News has spoken to two families about the impact the long waits are having on them. "She doesn't get another childhood'

[Stanley]

See THIS US news.....
Former FBI boss James Comey has been indicted on alleged crimes "related to the disclosure of sensitive information", the US justice department says. He is charged with one count of making false statements and another of obstruction of justice. US Attorney General Pam Bondi says "no one is above the law" after the indictment was announced. Earlier this week, Trump posted on Truth Social that Comey and several other political opponents were "guilty as hell" and "JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED". Trump hailed news of the indictment in a social media post. In a video statement, Comey says he is innocent and "let's have a trial". Comey was fired by Trump during his first presidential term in 2017, and the two have exchanged public insults for years since then
Another part of Trump's assault on democracy?

[PanBiker]

US Attorney General Pam Bondi says "no one is above the law"

It didn't work when Trump committed treason by inciting the mob to attack the Capitol Building when he lost the election.