Phil Ritchie

ICE detains five-year-old Minnesota boy arriving home, say school officials Superintendent says Liam Ramos and his father were taken into custody while in their driveway and sent to Texas

‘Terrible things are happening outside… Families are torn apart; men, women and children are separated. Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared. Women return… to find their families gone.’
Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

'Rewarding Russian butchery' — US lawmakers rail against Trump's Ukraine peace deal "Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America’s interests," U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell said.

⚡️ 'Rewarding Russian butchery' — US lawmakers rail against Trump's Ukraine peace deal.

"Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America’s interests," U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell said.

If you want to be taken seriously don't put in quotes words that someone didn't say. I heard both the speech and interview the next day and this is not what Starmer said. If you want to go down the propaganda route feel free but don't expect to be listened to. You simply do Fafarge's work for him.

"Farage wants 'free speech'? You got it: that leaflet was racist. Condemn it. Apologise.

And to immigrants: Farage says 'go home'? I say, you 𝘢𝘳𝘦 home."

Wes Streeting calls a Reform UK leaflet suggesting Anas Sarwar would prioritise Pakistanis racist.

This argument falls as soon as you remember that if Farage gets elected he could intro ID cards to do the things you fear anyway.

Is it "move to Dubai"?

New bird house (nesting box) installed and yesterday both Blue Tits and Great Tits we’re checking in out. I operate a no gazumping policy. @rspb.bsky.social #birds 🪶

F.I.B.S. | Robert Hutton | The Critic Magazine “In your case, fine.” It was Wednesday, and Nigel Farage was backing away from his Monday announcement, explaining to a caller on LBC that when he’d said people like her should be deported…

Americans have "Trump Always Chickens Out", in Britain we have "Farage Isn't Being Serious" - FIBS.

is it ok to watch Only Murders In the Building now? Genuinely unsure these are the morality questions of our times

Jimmy Kimmel show to return after being taken off air over Charlie Kirk comments Late night TV show presenter Jimmy Kimmel, who was taken off the air following a row over comments about Charlie Kirk, will return on Tuesday.

Jimmy Kimmel show to return after being taken off air over Charlie Kirk comments

As Trump left the White House for a state visit to the UK this week, a reporter asked him about Bondi's comments on hate speech. "We will probably go after people like you because you treat me so unfairly," he replied.

American friends find UK laws against hate speech dangerous and Orwellian. Guess this is why?
on.ft.com/3KfeR9z

The video of the interview is horrific. Who cares about people's lives when there's money to be made from a lucrative property deal?

Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, "If President Trump was living in Brazil and had done what he did at the capitol, he would be on trial here too"

"Because here the law applies to everyone"

Farage says his partner bought the house with family money. The BBC can’t find that family money:

“Her parents, Bertrand and Chantal, live in a flat worth around 350,000 euros (£302,000) in a Strasbourg suburb. They, and their two daughters, co-own the flat.”

Northern Ireland man from Lisburn kidnapped by Trump’s Ice raids because he “looked like a Mexican”. He had the correct visa, all his documents. He’s never been in trouble with police.

Held in terrible conditions. A fellow captive couldn’t get his medication and dropped dead of a heart attack

Squabs in the wisteria beneath the bedroom window. We get at least three broods in the wisteria each year. #birds 🪶 @rspb.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social

The shameless hypocrisy of Nigel Farage | The News Agents Nigel Farage has been branded a “Putin-loving free speech impostor and Trump sycophant” during his visit to the US to plead for help with Britain's so-called ‘free-speech problem.’ But will slagging…

"He's done everything he could to break down this country, and now he's going off to tell everyone abroad how broken we are."

Nigel Farage loves the UK so much, he flew to America this week to tell Congress how awful it is. Is this patriotism?

This is one of our favourite go to meals.

Kemi Badenoch's 'Free Speech' Conservatives Ban Byline Times From Party Conference The ban on covering the party's annual gathering came despite Badenoch's repeated commitment to "fight" for free speech and a free press

So Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives, who have repeatedly pledged to fight for "free speech" and a free press have just banned me and Byline Times from attending their conference.

Has never happened before under any previous leader

bylinetimes.com/2025/09/04/k...

Can the Church of England be saved? Whoever the next archbishop of Canterbury will be, they face a legacy of scandal, doctrinal division and dwindling congregations.

I continue to believe & trust in God who through Jesus Christ transforms lives and equips the Church with the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Good News. If all we are about is the palliative care of dwindling congregations then we are most to be pitied. www.newstatesman.com/politics/rel...

Until next year...

A statement regarding last night's vandalism at the South Essex Islamic Trust in Basildon. www.chelmsford.anglican.org/news/a-state...

Haystacks on a wet and windy morning via Scarth Gap Pass and worth it for the view of Buttermere and Crummock Water. Wainwright's favourite place and where his ashes were scattered.

St Martin's Church, Colchester St Martin's is a medieval church with an impressive 14th century roof, wall paintings and a Norman tower damaged in the 1648 Siege of Colchester.

St Martin’s will be open for Heritage Open Days on:
📅 Saturday 20 September (10am–4pm)
📅 Sunday 21 September (1pm–4pm)
💷 No booking required

Step in through the battered Norman doorway—and prepare to meet angels, demons, and a few determined architects: buff.ly/hL1KCEL

Trump - having threatened more sanctions if no ceasefire - has now been bounced into agreeing thst Putin can continue to fight until there is a comprehensive settlement!

Rachel Reeves was right about non-doms And the right-wing press was wrong.

Rachel Reeves was right about non-doms, and the right-wing press was wrong.

📊 Hollie Wright

Still don't get it.

Jersey Tiger Moth in the conservatory, released and resting on the hedge (north Essex). @savebutterflies.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Our recently fledged Blackbird siblings were out and about for breakfast this morning. The difference in their plumage is quite striking even though I think they are both females. #birds 🪶

One of our garden's wood pigeon squabs resting up in the shade of the wisteria. @rspb.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social #birds 🪶