Forum Topics

Baseless Fabric Theatre

Just seen on the BBC local news that there was an opera flash mob, called Baseless Fabric Theatre, in front of Roehampton Library today.  Lovely idea.

Martine Guy ● 23d5 Comments ● 22d

Random pic 7 August 2025

Vesuvius looms over Herculaneum https://flic.kr/p/2k7WWy5

Michael Ixer ● 24d2 Comments ● 22d

US Speaker says West Bank belongs to Jews ‘by right’ in settlement visit

The Times of Israel, 4/8/25:-"US Speaker says West Bank belongs to Jews ‘by right’ in settlement visit.Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson says that the “mountains of Judea and Samaria” belong to the Jewish people “by right,” during a visit to the West Bank settlement of Ariel, according to a statement by the settlement’s municipal authority.Johnson, who is among the most senior US officials to ever visit a West Bank settlement, speaks at a celebratory event attended by Ariel Mayor Yair Chetboun and the mayors of other West Bank settlements.“Every corner of this land is important to us. It is an integral part of our faith, and therefore the significance for us is great… We stand entirely by your side,” says Johnson, according to the statement.“Scripture teaches us that the mountains of Judea and Samaria were promised to the Jewish people, and they belong to them by right. But many people around the world do not see it like this, they label it the ‘occupied territories’ or the ‘West Bank’ or any other name,” he adds. “Every mayor here should know exactly where we stand regarding this issue — and we stand with you.”His spokesperson does not respond to a request for comment."Wikipedia:-"Ariel is an Israeli settlement organized as a city council in the central West Bank, part of the Israeli-occupied territories, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of the Green Line and 34 kilometres (21 mi) west of the Jordan border. Ariel was first established in 1978 and its population was 20,520 in 2022, composed of veteran and young Israelis, English-speaking immigrants, and immigrants from the former Soviet Union, with an additional influx of above 10,000 students from Ariel University. It is the fourth largest Israeli settlement in the West Bank, after Modi'in Illit, Beitar Illit, and Ma'ale Adumim.The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this."Google:-"Yes, Ariel is considered an illegal Israeli settlement under international law. The international community, including the United Nations, views the establishment and expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories as a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.Article 49(6) of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits the transfer of a civilian population into occupied territories."

David Ainsworth ● 26d6 Comments ● 23d

Random pic 6 August 2025

Super-cat being led to Trafalgar Square https://flic.kr/p/2r1dH5P

Michael Ixer ● 25d3 Comments ● 24d

"The Art of the Deal" by Kier Starmer

"Starmer says UK will recognize Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to a Gaza ceasefire"I take this to mean that if Israel refuses to stop defending itself against attacks by the UK proscribed terrorist organisation Hamas (which still holds Israeli women, children and the elderly as hostages) then the UK Labour Government will recognise the state of Palestine which is a territory ruled partly by Hamas, Gaza and partly by the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank.Organisations neither elected and which hate each others guts.Does this position sound to anyone as being a diplomatic triumph and to have any logic to it ?Denying support to an ally under potential existential threat ?Or am I missing something ?Just because the weaselly French with a long history of appeasement are taking this position does not mean we should.We of course know it is to appease the anti-Israel pro-Palestinian faction in the Labour Party that is dependent upon the UK Muslim vote.And anyway, by the time I have finished posting this Starmer could well have changed his mind and said he was misquoted."Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others".Groucho Marx

John Hawkes ● 27d35 Comments ● 24d

Hammersmith Incident

On the News, Sunday night 2 arrested for arson. Fireworks, etc being let off. Just seen on TV. Hammersmith Bridge.

Barbara Stevens ● 25d2 Comments ● 24d

Random pic 5 August 2025

A drone obstacle challenge. https://www.flickr.com/gp/m-j-i/2Z205XDNid

Michael Ixer ● 26d4 Comments ● 25d

Death Penalty ~ Support For Reinstatement Rising

Majority of Britons want death penalty back with support strongest among Millennials | The Standard"A majority of Britons support reinstating the death penalty in the UK, with Millennials showing the strongest support, a poll has found.Three in five, (58 per cent) of Millennials born between 1981 and 1986, believe capital punishment should be reintroduced.They represent the largest population in Britain and are often called "digital natives," being the first generation to grow up with the internet.The survey, conducted by the public opinion think tank More in Common, revealed a notable rise in support for the death penalty compared to its previous poll on the topic in 2023.The proportion of Brits supporting the return of the death penalty for certain crimes has risen from 50 to 55 per cent, while opposition has decreased from 37 to 32 per cent, The Times reported.It follows the sentencing of 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana, who was handed a 52-year prison term for the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe in Southport, as well as the attempted murder of eight others."https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/britons-death-penalty-millennials-poll-b1207751.htmlWith increasing support for the reinstatement of capital punishment surely it is time for a referendum on the issue.

Sue Hammond ● 25d0 Comments ● 25d

Queen Mary's will also shut down minor injuries unit

Thousands face grueling journeys to Tooting as debt-ridden trust axes popular local service.
https://putney.news/2025/08/05/queens-marys-will-also-shut-down-minor-injuries-unit/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=queens-marys-will-also-shut-down-minor-injuries-unit&utm_source=Putney.news&utm_campaign=1723166e1e-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ffe896a2d6-1723166e1e-296659549 I am horrified about this.   Something similar happened in the early 90s when it was said that the hospital was uneconimical to run.  Not only did the hospital lose its teaching hospital status but also a very big swathe of land was sold to developers who built an enormous amount of housing at great profit.  They also built the new hospital and charged the NHS eye-watering amounts.   Is history repeating itself?  Preposterous and unforgivable !

Ivonne Holliday ● 25d0 Comments ● 25d

Unbiased?

I imagine there would be an outcry if President Trump had appointed an Arab-American as his Special Envoy to Israel. Is it surprising then that there seems to have been no reaction to him anointing Steve Witkoff? Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 28d5 Comments ● 26d

weather

Don't know if our weather is going to be as bad as what they have been saying, it might be bad right up in Scotland. But my cousin just told me it rained heavy this morning in Chester, but they have beautiful sunshine now.

Barbara Stevens ● 26d0 Comments ● 26d

Barnes Railway Bridge

Barnes Railway Bridge will be shutting from the 23rd August to the 31st August. Disruption with trains.

Barbara Stevens ● 50d6 Comments ● 26d

Random pic 4 August 2025

Ghent https://flic.kr/p/2qH3n3V

Michael Ixer ● 27d0 Comments ● 27d

Putting Photos on This Website

I have found a photo online of the Shell Doorways on PHS, which I would like to post on here. The building later became McDonalds.  
You can buy a copy from Wandsworth Heritage Service but you can just see it online for free on Facebook and there is also a postcard for sale on EBay.  Am I allowed to just put a screenshot on here, as I wondered about copyright? I can’t be the only person who didn’t know about them, so I thought it would be of interest to those who like local history.

Martine Guy ● 27d8 Comments ● 27d

PHS/Norroy Rd/Disraeli Rd Junction

The traffic on PHS is really bad, and I am finding it has made it harder to walk across PHS at this junction because traffic is stuck at a standstill on the road area in front of me.  Also if you have a lorry or bus stopped in the road in front of you, it makes it impossible to see the green man signal for pedestrians, so you have to make the judgement whether to cross by walking in between vehicles, something I am not keen on doing. I feel sorry for the vehicles trying to turn right into PHS from Disraeli Rd, as they often have to wait a while to do this because of the stationary traffic on PHS.  Things get a bit heated between the drivers in the queue. Just wondered if anyone else thought the same about this crossing on PHS?

Martine Guy ● 39d15 Comments ● 27d

The growth in antisemitism in the UK

From BBC News 15 July 2025"Antisemitism report finds 'unacceptable' increase in anti-Jewish discrimination"'A new report into antisemitism in the UK has found widespread failures to address anti-Jewish discrimination including within the NHS, education, the arts and policing.Commissioned by the Board of Deputies of British Jews - the country's largest Jewish community organisation - the review was co-authored by Lord John Mann, the government's independent adviser on antisemitism and former Conservative defence secretary Dame Penny Mordaunt.Lord Mann described hearing "shocking experiences" from Jewish individuals during the review process.He said it was "unacceptable" there had been what he called an "onslaught of antisemitism" since the 7 October Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.'This antisemitism flows mainly from the middle classes as is obvious from reading the posts on this Forum from the usual West Putney suspects, where those claimed to be criticising Israel are obviously just cover for a nasty racist set of beliefs.If not, why are other racial conflicts not considered with such forensic intensity but instead are just ignored ?For example - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3ezjg34lw4o "More than 40 killed in DR Congo attack linked to Islamic State"'More than 40 people were killed in an attack by an Islamic State affiliate in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN and the military said.Most of them were worshippers taking part in a night vigil at a church in the town of Komanda when they were attacked by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) fighters. Nine of those killed were children, the UN peacekeeping mission said.Nearby shops and businesses were looted and set on fire'.I look forward to posts expressing shock and horror from Mr Carter and his ilk.Perhaps he could also trawl through his album of dead children to more graphically indicate his disgust.But I would point out to him that Israel and the IDF were not involved.And that perhaps criticising this Islamic State might put him in jeopardy from Angela Raynor's proposed anti-Islamophobia legislation.

John Hawkes ● 33d26 Comments ● 27d

Random pic 3 August 2025

RHS Hyde Hall - chilli peppers https://flic.kr/p/2nWrUtN

Michael Ixer ● 28d1 Comments ● 27d

Squatters in Putney

There are two articles on this in today's Putney News: — Squatters move behind BID’s branded storefront as commercial properties become new targets https://putney.news/2025/08/03/squatters-move-behind-bids-branded-storefront-as-commercial-properties-become-new-targets/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=squatters-move-behind-bids-branded-storefront-as-commercial-properties-become-new-targets&utm_source=Putney.news&utm_campaign=c262122c5e-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ffe896a2d6-c262122c5e-296659549 —  Putney has a squatter problem Empty shops and passive leadership create the perfect storm https://putney.news/2025/08/03/putney-has-a-squatter-problem/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=putney-has-a-squatter-problem&utm_source=Putney.news&utm_campaign=c262122c5e-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ffe896a2d6-c262122c5e-296659549

Ivonne Holliday ● 27d0 Comments ● 27d

Random pic 2 August 2025

The India Club, Bar and Restaurant, Strand (closed September 2023) https://flic.kr/p/2p2tg4X

Michael Ixer ● 29d2 Comments ● 28d

Sheen

Came back from large Sainsbury's Manor Lane, by Waitrose, screaming shouting, seemed like fighting as well. Police were there in seconds. Also plain Police vehicles. We were only at traffic lights don't know what happened.

Barbara Stevens ● 28d0 Comments ● 28d

Olivetti Street

Just heard from a lady, that Olivetti Street where the Indian Restaurant used to be on the corner, the restaurant had squatters and they were thrown out. Now is appears they are dancing and off their heads, dancing and shouting and arguing and residents are worried for their safety and the Police are doing nothing. Anybody else know about this.

Barbara Stevens ● 30d9 Comments ● 28d

Heathrow expansion - the madness continues

There are two articles on Putney News today about this. 1 - Heathrow submits £49bn third runway plans as Putney campaigners vow to fight on https://putney.news/2025/08/02/heathrow-submits-49bn-third-runway-plans-as-putney-campaigners-vow-to-fight-on/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=heathrow-submits-49bn-third-runway-plans-as-putney-campaigners-vow-to-fight-on&utm_source=Putney.news&utm_campaign=6460f3bd8c-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ffe896a2d6-6460f3bd8c-296659549 and 2 - Heathrow’s radical plan: Demolish villages and tunnel the M25 so planes can fly overhead https://putney.news/2025/08/02/heathrows-radical-plan-demolish-villages-and-tunnel-the-m25-so-planes-can-fly-overhead/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=heathrows-radical-plan-demolish-villages-and-tunnel-the-m25-so-planes-can-fly-overhead&utm_source=Putney.news&utm_campaign=6460f3bd8c-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ffe896a2d6-6460f3bd8c-296659549 My question:  why Heathrow?  There are 6 international airports in London and 15 in the UK.  I thought growth was supposed to be for the whole country, not just Heathrow. Demolishing villages near Heathrow and building a tunnel for the M25 does not make an iota of sense to me.

Ivonne Holliday ● 28d1 Comments ● 28d

Not England

My son told me, Sweden are allowing 15yr old's to drive cars. Because some of the roads are so straight, parents have to have the vehicle adjusted to not be able to go over 20 mph. One man bought his son a £30000 new car, instead of buying a second hand one and getting it changed not to drive over 20mph.

Barbara Stevens ● 29d1 Comments ● 29d

Random pic 1 August 2025

Nice of them to provide this plank for me https://flic.kr/p/2rb38sm

Michael Ixer ● 30d1 Comments ● 29d

Random pic 30 July 2025

It's my ball https://flic.kr/p/2r78GxU

Michael Ixer ● 32d2 Comments ● 30d

Pre 5AM airplane noise - why no respite?

I am being constantly woken by airplane noise over Putney in the early morning, regularly starting up at 04:30 Has the runway alteration for night flights been abandoned? Last night was the worst, we had planes over us at 00:40 and then they've started up again at 04:30 this morning. What is going on?

Jill Ridley-Smith ● 55d11 Comments ● 30d

Friday and Saturday Jazz

Check out the Fulham site for details of Jazz in the Open Air.Friday and Saturday - let's hope for dry weather.

Katrina Black ● 32d2 Comments ● 30d

Lucy Connolly To Be Set Free👏🏻

Just had an alert on my phone to say she will be set free from jail "within weeks" which is great news!👍Further details to follow.

Sue Hammond ● 31d9 Comments ● 30d

Random pic 31 July 2025

Good morning, Glasgow https://flic.kr/p/2qNN1vC

Michael Ixer ● 31d0 Comments ● 31d

Police Stations

The last of the Police Stations in the area to be shut. So how safe are we now.

Barbara Stevens ● 37d9 Comments ● 31d

werter Road

Werter RRoad, Lunch time, came out of Sainsbury's  a plain black Police car with siren going, couldn't get past the traffic to get into the High Street, so it got fed up and drove onto the pavement by the Taxi Rank to try and get out quicker. When will the Council realize the widening of the pavements was stupid. No Ambulance or Fire Engine could have got out either.  Blasted open Hammersmith Bridge,

Barbara Stevens ● 36d23 Comments ● 31d

Speeding

There is a car that speed's at about 100mph down our road it has been spotted on numerous occasions in the afternoon by residents. I've seen it before at about 3.20pm and yesterday about 2.20 pm while I was cutting the hedge at the front. The scaffolders a couple of doors along nearly fell off the scaffolding with their mouths open. I asked one of them working on the 1st floor if he could see what the car was, it was a Black Audi. Nobody would be able to get the Reg at the speed it was going and also cars parked each side of the road. I rang the Police because anybody getting out of their car or about to cross the road wouldn't stand a chance. I don't know what camera's there are about but the speed is madness. The men standing outside the Bus Garage must see it in the afternoon.

Barbara Stevens ● 32d6 Comments ● 31d

Vine Road

Vine Road Nursery shutting for re developement. Front Page.

Barbara Stevens ● 31d0 Comments ● 31d

Sainsbury's Delivery Area

1 Ambulance and 2 rapid response vehicles and a Police Car outside Sainsbury's appears a young lady had her tent down the side entrance to Sainsbury's werter road.  I heard they tried to help as she was on drugs or drink. But didn't want help, but when I cam out of Sainsbury's it looked like a young man getting into her tent. So not sure if they took her away or not.

Barbara Stevens ● 32d0 Comments ● 32d

Pope calls for an immediate end to the barbarity in Palestine.

On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV called for an "immediate end to the barbarity of the war" and urged against "indiscriminate use of force".His comments came days after a deadly Israeli strike hit Gaza's only Catholic Church, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country deeply regretted.Israel launched its war in Gaza in retaliation for the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and led to 251 others being taken hostage.Israeli attacks have since killed more than 58,895 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The ministry's figures are quoted by the UN and others as the most reliable source of statistics available on casualties.

Gerry Boyce ● 41d142 Comments ● 32d

Serious water pollution incidents up 60% in England

Serious pollution incidents by water companies were up 60% last year, according to the latest data from the government......In 2024, there were 2,801 number of such events, the highest on record, compared with 2,174 in 2023. Of these, 75 were the most serious, posing harm to fisheries, drinking water and human health.Just three companies were responsible for the vast majority - Thames Water (33), Southern Water (15) and Yorkshire Water (13)......Many incidents are reported to the Environment Agency by the companies themselves, but of the 4,000 inspections carried out last year by the regulator it found nearly a quarter of sites were in breach of their permits.Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, which published its report into the sector on Tuesday, strongly criticised the government and Agency for not doing more."Regulators are overwhelmed by the number of prosecutions and appear unable to deter companies from acting unlawfully. Government must act now to strengthen regulators and support their efforts to hold companies to account," he said.The Committee said that the continued incidents are a result of the regulators - the Environment Agency and Ofwat - "fail[ing] to ensure water companies maintain vital infrastructure".It estimated that at current rates it would take companies 700 years to replace the entire water mains network.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg5zl75dmm0o

Ivonne Holliday ● 43d10 Comments ● 32d

Cleo Laine

Saddened today to hear of her going. So grateful for all the wonderful music she brought to our lives. So proud of all she achieved and the recognition she was given. I hope one day others will follow the same path and bring the same joy.

Katrina Black ● 36d5 Comments ● 32d

Random pic 29 July 2025

On the rooftops from Islington https://flic.kr/p/YqbsbG

Michael Ixer ● 33d0 Comments ● 33d

Random pic 28 July 2025

Street Art: views of Leicester https://flic.kr/p/2p6fYLE

Michael Ixer ● 34d2 Comments ● 33d

Tom Lehrer

Sad to hear another musician - and satirist and mathematician - Tom Lehrer has died at the age of 97. Who else could write a song about the elements set to the music of Authur Sullivan's "The Major General's Song" from The Pirates of Penzance.

Michael Ixer ● 33d4 Comments ● 33d

Random pic 27 July 2025

Waiting https://flic.kr/p/2p43nfV

Michael Ixer ● 35d4 Comments ● 33d

New Party - Free sign up but are they members?

It seems Corbyn has finally given up on getting back into Labour and is forming a new party - after a helpful shove from Zara Sultana.Personally I think we need more parties.Although some large numbers have been mentioned these numbers are more akin to a mailing list not membership.Looking at the website it appears that a limited company is the legal entity. I'm not sure what the nonsense about Reform using one was.Anyway good luck to this party. Hopefully some more parties will emerge in the future as the use of IT enables administration costs to be reduced."It’s time to build a new kind of political party - one that belongs to you.Sign up to build this party, together. Soon, we'll host an inaugural founding conference so you can help shape how your party works, what it stands for, and how we organise to win. Fill in this form so that Your Party - and the new party that develops from it - can update you on news, activities and ways to get involved. First NameRequiredLast NameRequiredEmailRequiredOpt-in to email updates on news, activities and ways to get involved with the founding process and the new party that forms out of itRequiredPhoneAlso opt-in to updates by text messagesPostal CodeRequiredBy clicking the submit button below, I agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyTerms of ServicePrivacy PolicyFeedbackPowered BySecondStreet.com×Your Party Terms of ServiceLast updated: 10/07/2025Welcome to yourparty.uk, the website operated by Peace and Justice Project Ltd, a company limited by guarantee (registered number 12945855).By using this website and submitting your personal information (such as signing up for updates or registering for events), you agree to the following Terms of Service. If you do not agree, please do not use the website.1. Use of the Websiteyourparty.uk is a political project run by Peace & Justice Project Ltd to build a new kind of political party rooted in community and collective action. We provide information, collect sign-ups, and invite people to participate in campaigns and events.You agree to use this site only for lawful purposes and in a way that does not infringe the rights of, restrict or inhibit anyone else's use of the site.2. Sign-Up and CommunicationsBy submitting your details via forms on this site, you consent to us contacting you with updates about Your Party by the methods you select (e.g. email, SMS). You may unsubscribe at any time via the links in our messages or by contacting us at herewego@yourparty.uk3. Events and ActivitiesIf you register for an event, we may share your name and contact information with relevant organisers to facilitate your participation (e.g. to send you a location or follow-up materials).We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule events or to remove individuals who violate community guidelines or behave disruptively.4. Intellectual PropertyAll content on this site, including text, images, videos, graphics, and branding, is either owned by or licensed to Peace & Justice Project. You may share or reference our materials for non-commercial, campaign-related use as long as you credit us and do not alter the content.For any other use, please contact us for permission.5. External Links and Embedded ContentThis site may include links to third-party websites or embedded content (e.g. YouTube videos). We are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of external sites. Please refer to their terms and privacy policies for details.6. Limitation of LiabilityThis website is provided “as is.” While we do our best to keep the information accurate and up to date, Peace and Justice Project makes no warranties about the site’s availability, completeness, or suitability for any particular purpose.We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from use of this site, except where such liability cannot be excluded under UK law.7. Changes to These TermsWe may update these Terms from time to time. If we do, we’ll update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Your continued use of the site constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.8. Governing LawThese Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.Contact UsIf you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:info@thecorbynproject.comPeace & Justice Project, London Fashion Centre, London, N4 3JH

Ed Robinson ● 35d9 Comments ● 34d

Random pic 26 July 2025

Sun Streaming Through the North California Redwoods https://flic.kr/p/2kYdnUc

Michael Ixer ● 36d3 Comments ● 35d

Is There Life In The Oxogen Tree?

Does anyone have any information about the efficacy of the Oxogen Tree on Putney High Street? It has been bleeding green liquid for some time so I have written twice inc' images to Councillor Ethan Brooks to see if he could enlighten with regard to the state of the beast, because in the recent past he advocated the Oxogen Tree as being beneficial to Putney's air quality.  I am still awaiting a reply so I thought I might ask Putney's residents if they had any knowledge of the matter or even if anyone has any concerns about this feature of Putney life, which whatever else it is supposed to do has provided a welcome resting point for many who sit on its now rather tatty base observing the passing scene.

Miles Thompson ● 36d0 Comments ● 36d

housecall vet

Reply to Michael Izer.  Thanks for your memo re your cat and a "housecall vet".  I used to take my cat/s to the vet myself, but I took Lily by taxi, and she was quiet!  We went in a Mercedes and my car is a ka - maybe she prefers a better class of car!!!!!

carole madeleine tanner ● 37d1 Comments ● 36d

Random pic 25 July 2025

The Pleasance Theatre, near Caledonian Road
https://flic.kr/p/2r7PnsE

Michael Ixer ● 37d0 Comments ● 37d

Random pic 24 July 2025

Meow: I've my own servent to transport me https://flic.kr/p/2rfXuP5

Michael Ixer ● 38d4 Comments ● 37d

Phone problems

People are reporting problems with BT, EE, Three and Vodafone, they appear to be down Thursday afternoon. Customers are unable to make or receive calls.

Barbara Stevens ● 37d3 Comments ● 37d

Putney High Street

There is also a petition about the traffic problem in Putney High Street and roads off of the High St. link.h1Fttps.//docs.google.com/forms/d/e/FAlpQLSeKTXnU8r9CvqdSSI1uU9vE18-ToWL-LLO7vsZDFD12c-B-lA/viewform

Barbara Stevens ● 37d3 Comments ● 37d

🎼🎶"The working class can kiss my *rse, I've got a private jet at last"

BBC News"Ex-union boss McCluskey took private jet flights arranged by building firm, report finds"'Former Unite boss Len McCluskey enjoyed private jet flights and football tickets arranged by the firm building a multi-million pound hotel for the union, according to an internal report.Flanagan Group, which is run by friends of Mr McCluskey, overcharged Unite by at least £30m for the Birmingham hotel and conference centre project, the Unite report says.It also found Mr McCluskey "overruled" advice from staff and the union's lawyers in signing the construction contract with Flanagan Group.Unite's report said the private jet flights and football tickets were "consistently organised and paid for by" the Flanagan Group and there is "no indication" Mr McCluskey later reimbursed them'.Before he retired in 2021, Mr McCluskey was one of the most powerful figures in the trade union movement and a leading backer of Jeremy Corbyn, during his time as Labour leader. He remains an influential figure on the left of British politics.He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Unite hotel project, which was meant to be a financial investment for the union's members, as well as a venue for its meetings.But it ran massively over budget and has been mired in controversy, with the Serious Fraud Office last year launching an investigation into it.When Sharon Graham took over from Mr McCluskey as Unite's general secretary, she launched a series of internal inquiries after discovering apparent discrepancies in the union's accounts.Unite's auditors found the union spent as much as £125m on the hotel and conference centre development, which has since been valued at just £38m'.Another Labour black hole !

John Hawkes ● 37d0 Comments ● 37d

Labour’s plan to give 16-year- olds the vote

It is difficult to see Labour’s plan to extend the vote to 16-year-olds as anything other than electoral gerrymandering given that 16-year-olds are not considered mature enough to1) get married without their parents’ permission2) play the national lottery3) serve on a jury4) buy fireworks5) earn the full minimum wage6) learn to drive7) stand for Parliament.And before you say anything, Michael B, yes, I know it was in the Labour Manifesto. But that doesn’t make it sensible. The plan to impose VAT on independent schools was also in the Manifesto, but it is still a stupid idea.

Steven Rose ● 43d36 Comments ● 38d

Doctors To Strike Again 

After being awarded an inflation busting 22.3% pay increase last year It didn't take them long to begin their excessive pay demands again did it?   Labour's hasty capitulation to the public sector workers was obviously going to return and bite them on the bum, so how long will it be before the nurses, teachers, train drivers etc join them? "A five-day doctors' strike due to start in England on Friday by members of the British Medical Association will go ahead, the union says.Five days of talks between the government and the BMA had raised hopes of a breakthrough, focused on improving working conditions for resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors.Health Secretary Wes Streeting wrote to the BMA earlier on Tuesday saying he would continue talks if strike action was postponed.But the BMA said what was up for discussion was not enough and achieving better pay remained the key issue."

Sue Hammond ● 38d10 Comments ● 38d

Celebrity discounts

Stories about discounted clothi=ng and spectacles (Starmer, Reeves, the Blairs) make me wonder  how this is allowed to go on. These very significant "perks" are going to people who could afford to pay top-whack and run to thusands of pounds  Doesn't sound like democracy.  How does it go down with those who are hard up? Also, what benefits do the suppliers receive in turn for their needless largesse?

Alexander MacLeod ● 39d8 Comments ● 38d

The Big Butterfly Count:  Fri 18 July - Sun 10 August 2025

https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/Sign up for this annual event."Butterflies are key biodiversity indicators for scientists as they react very quickly to changes in their environment.  Therefore, if their numbers are falling, then nature is in trouble. So tracking numbers of butterflies is crucial in the fight to conserve our natural world.  That's whytaking part innthis massive citizen science enterprise is of great importance not just for our butterflies but for the wider environment and biodiversity in general."You can download a chart so you can work out which butterflies you have spotted.

Philippa Bond ● 38d0 Comments ● 38d

Random pic 23 July 2025

The Moon trying to hide from West https://flic.kr/p/2nRCtuA

Michael Ixer ● 39d0 Comments ● 39d

Putney

Traffic in the High Street was bad again Lunch Time today.  Also Sainsbury's lift not working again today, a lady who could hardly walk was having problems she needed to get down to the car park downstairs. The lady held my arm for a while to get to the door, I was really worried about her going down the stairs. But she said she was OK.

Barbara Stevens ● 39d1 Comments ● 39d

Plans to expand Wimbledon can go ahead, judge rules

I really cannot believe this!https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyr7e394p0oAnd for those of you who dislike the BBC, another linkhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2025/07/21/wimbledon-wins-200m-expansion-battle-with-residents/

Ivonne Holliday ● 40d3 Comments ● 39d

Random pic 22 July 2025

Swans, Fulham https://flic.kr/p/2n1KAxN

Michael Ixer ● 40d2 Comments ● 39d

Benefit payments

Is the UK economy strong enough to bear the costs of the Benefits system and are such benefits being given only to those that genuinely need them  and deserve them because they are making or have in the past made contributions to fund the system ?Starmer and Reeves say the economy is booming so we should be alright, but 8 million on the dole......?https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/foreign-national-benefits-figures-are-absolute-insanity-fumes-lowe/'The Department for Work and Pensions revealed on Tuesday that the number of people receiving Universal Credit has soared within Labour’s first year by over a million.The DWP also acknowledged that over a million recipients are foreign nationals – in the first time the immigration status of benefit claimants has been published.7.9 million people are currently on the dole. That’s a 16 per cent increase from the 6.8 million in the dying days of the last government, with the vast majority (6.6 million) British and Irish nationals. But that’s not all: Liz Kendall’s department also acknowledged that over a million of those recipients are foreign nationals. This marks the first time the government has published figures on the immigration status of benefit claimants, which onetime Reform MP Rupert Lowe has insisted the development is a ‘huge win’ after having pushed for the move.Now that they have been revealed, Lowe described the numbers as ‘absolute insanity’ – while his new political group, Restore Britain, slammed the revelation as ‘unaffordable, unsustainable, unacceptable’. His comments come as support for his tough talk on illegal migration picks up, with a 17th MP – Tory politician Sir John Hayes – having added his name to Lowe’s motion for the mass deportation of illegal migrants from Britain'.

John Hawkes ● 44d12 Comments ● 40d

Random pic 21 July 2025

Luxor temple obelisk https://flic.kr/p/2jzWyXR

Michael Ixer ● 41d1 Comments ● 40d

Winter Fuel Allowance

How come they have managed to bring so many Afghans here and spent so much money on them, yet Pensioners went without. Billions was spent. There is a protest in Dover with our British flag being waved. I'm not surprised British people are annoyed, when the young girl wore a dress of the Union Jack, are we being stopped from sticking up for our Country. What about the Welsh, Scottish and Irish. How would they feel if their daughters were sent home.

Barbara Stevens ● 41d5 Comments ● 41d

Are we back at school?

I’m beginning to wonder whether this forum has become in part a school, with Steven its head and John Hawkes his loyal deputy. It doesn’t  worry me but this constant repetition of rhetorical questions and expressed annoyance when they are not answered or the answer is not to the questioner’s satisfaction , is hardly encouraging more people to  contribute. John H has even given out grades to some of the responses he has received. I would politely suggest reducing the number of questions and toning down the often aggressive tone in which they are asked.

Jane Carter ● 43d28 Comments ● 41d

6000+ GP Surgeries ~ Official NHS Ratings

Ever wondered if your GP practice is up to scratch? Well, now you can find out with MailOnline's brilliant new search tool.Powered with official NHS figures for all 6,000-plus surgeries in England, it reveals how many patients you're competing with for precious appointments.Type your full postcode into our tool to also discover how busy the phone lines are every morning and whether GPs are outnumbered by receptionists.On top of that, it shows how many patients rate the practice as being 'good', as well as how helpful the admin staff are. Patients 'Good' Rating Heathbridge 88% Chartfield 85% Putneymead 83% Triangle Surgery 77%  Wandsworth Medical Centre 85% Full set of results (quite revealing🥺) can be accessed via link:https://mol.im/a/14897749

Sue Hammond ● 41d1 Comments ● 41d

Richmond hotel recommendation

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced or inexpensive hotel in Richmond?A relative is visiting from Canada and she wants to stay In Richmond rather than in London.Any suggestions please?

Katrina Black ● 41d3 Comments ● 41d

Random pic 20 July 2025

Hitching a ride https://flic.kr/p/2pdPnvZ

Michael Ixer ● 42d3 Comments ● 41d

Dianne Abbott

Has had her Whip withdrawn again.

Sue Hammond ● 44d5 Comments ● 42d

Random pic 19 July 2025

Misericord, Norwich Cathedral https://flic.kr/p/2qSmQYZ

Michael Ixer ● 43d0 Comments ● 43d

Specific answers please re Israel's right to exist

Mr Carter and others identified below,You chose not to answer these questions when I posed them to you earlier.Perhaps you will now, in your own words and without trawled quotes from the web.Are you too ashamed as to what your responses might reveal of you ?So I ask again -1) Do you think Israel has the right to exist ?2) What specific steps should be put in place such that Israel and Palestine can co-exist in the Middle East assuming you think they should ?".Messrs Ainsworth and Brigo and MSs Bond, Carter and Holliday can in the meantime be preparing their responses in order to enlighten us later.Collectively they might come up with a just, realistic and practicable solution.

John Hawkes ● 43d1 Comments ● 43d

Random pic 18 July 2025

EUMETSAT Control Room, Darmstadt https://flic.kr/p/2pdqfjd

Michael Ixer ● 44d2 Comments ● 43d

100's Of Asylum Seekers Charged With Serious Crimes

Reported in The Sun today: Hundreds of asylum seekers living in tax-funded hotels have been charged with crimes such as rape, robbery & GBHIt is the first time the scale of criminal activity committed by those living in the controversial hotels has been brought to light. We monitored courts across the country for the first six months of the year and noted defendants who gave their address as one of 105 known asylum hotels. The true number of crimes could be even higher as the Home Office has refused to publish a list of all 210 in the UK currently being used to house 32,000 asylum seekers. Of the court cases we monitored, 29 related to sexual crimes — including seven alleged rapes, one proven incident of exposure and one of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. A further 64 violence-related offences were recorded, including common assault, GBH, ABH, ­possessing a knife and possessing an imitation firearm. Yesterday at least five asylum seekers who had been staying at hotels appeared in court on charges including sexual assault, assault by beating and theft. And a Libyan asylum-seeker ­living at a Home Office hotel yesterday admitted threatening a member of staff with a knife, at Bournemouth crown court.https://apple.news/AoUWmfDboS_yLcfpIXMbB0AIf found guilty two things MUST happen - Detain and Deport!  Immediately!!No excuses from Starmer's slimy human rights pals who will invent all kinds of spurious claims to keep the gravy-train rolling!  End of!

Sue Hammond ● 43d2 Comments ● 43d

Médecins Sans Frontières.

I see those famously biased 'operatives' and 'ideologues' from Médecins Sans Frontières have been out pushing their propaganda again. This time taking out adverts in newspapers to try to get the western world to wake up to what our 'ally' is up to in Gaza. https://www.msf.org/survey-finds-high-mortality-rate-among-msf-staff-and-families-gaza






Michael Brigo ● 51d68 Comments ● 43d

Another Reform blunder

Following the Reform fools who promised to scrap LTNs when there weren't any in their authority's area, we have this:"A boast by a Reform UK councillor [in Kent] that he ensured the removal of 'trans-ideological material and books' from the children’s section of his county’s libraries has fallen flat after it emerged that no such material ever existed there."You couldn't make it up, except that this one has...https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jul/04/reform-councillors-boast-about-removing-trans-ideological-books-from-childrens-library-sections-falls-flat

Richard Carter ● 57d59 Comments ● 43d

Formerly Hudsons, LRR

Work is proceeding pm the site, and it's now emerged will be Raaz a modern Indian restaurant - opening in the "Fall" (they mean autumn). Looks interesting...

Richard Carter ● 46d6 Comments ● 44d

Random pic 17 July 2025

Skipper is curious https://flic.kr/p/2p5TEUt

Michael Ixer ● 44d8 Comments ● 44d

Not Quite Doctors

Good idea for the NHS to redefine the use of "physician associates" in medical practices. Patients need to be informed at the outset about their use. I once was assigned to a female "associate" (she did not tell me she wasn't fully qualified). It was only when she said she could not prescribe a medicine and had to defer to a "proper" doctor that I realised what was happening. Renaming them "physician assistants" might help, but requiring them to wear a special uniform and describe their status in advance would answer the problem. It is not clear to me why and when this type of medic was allowed to practise in the NHS. It sounds like a historical stop-gap measure that was left in place indefinitely.

Alexander MacLeod ● 45d6 Comments ● 44d

putney exchange

Putney exchange today, as I was nearing the exit, I was about to leave but decided to stand still as 2 about 12 year old's were playing football inside the Exchange, Security Guard was coming towards them and told them to stop kicking the ball inside the Exchange. They took no notice, they kept on kicking the football, he told them again and they sort of kicked it at him. He opened the door and told them to get out, they went, laughing and smirking.  I said to the Security Guard, years ago we did what we were told, years and years ago. he laughed.

Barbara Stevens ● 47d13 Comments ● 45d

Withdrawal of Richmond Park Police in November 2025

ou may be aware that it is proposed to remove Richmond Park Police in November 2025.  Please find below the links to two live petitions on this matter and it would be great if you could kindly sign both.
https://www.change.org/p/save-richmond-park-police?recruited_by_id=147e1550-2f28-11f0-878b-e105610f9929&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_medium=native
https://www.change.org/p/save-richmond-park-police?recruited_by_id=147e1550-2f28-11f0-878b-e105610f9929&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_medium=native
When speaking to two officers in Richmond Park the other day, they suggested writing to our MP would be very helpful too.  
Thank you.

Ivonne Holliday ● 110d6 Comments ● 45d

Random pic 16 July 2025

The Brighton life saving seagull … https://flic.kr/p/2r6bh2t

Michael Ixer ● 46d1 Comments ● 45d

window repair

Can anyone recommend someone to replace a trickle vent in a timber sash window on the first floor?The window is in good condition and installed about 20yrs ago. The supplier is no longer interested in carrying out repairs. Any ideas on who could help?

Katrina Black ● 46d2 Comments ● 46d

Free talk at Putney Library Thursday 17th July

The Friends of Putney Library are delighted to welcome Margaret Dangoor, Chair of the Museum and Archive Group at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton to the library to speak this coming Thursday evening.From stately home to world-renowned and pioneering amputee rehabilitation centre. Come along to hear how the work of the hospital has evolved over the last one hundred yearsFree entry from 6.00 pm when refreshments will be served but cash donations are welcome.The talk will start at 6.30 pm. We hope you can join us.

Gavin Franklin ● 46d0 Comments ● 46d

Random pic 15 July 2025

Street Art , Ghent https://flic.kr/p/2qHcFvd

Michael Ixer ● 47d0 Comments ● 47d

Random pic 14 July 2025

A bee at Kew Gardens https://flic.kr/p/2r6N5NJ

Michael Ixer ● 48d1 Comments ● 47d

Putney Forum

Is it not possible to put something on here about Putney, as all the posts are on the TV and they go on and on and are really depressing. We have traffic jams in putney which are a real problem. This needs sorting soon or perhaps residents should withhold their Council Tax till it's sorted. Also all the banners are not getting Hammersmith Bridge open, Putney is the one who is suffering because of this. Yet they are on about doubling our Council Tax next year. There are so many mamby pamby councilor's getting paid for doing nothing or don't even live in Putney and don't see what is going on. Don't see don't care.

Barbara Stevens ● 53d22 Comments ● 48d

Anti Semitism is normalised in middle class Britain

Telegraph article that I doubt will be published in the Guardian.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/12/anti-semitism-normalised-britain-british-board-jews-israel/Two politicians from opposite sides ends of the political spectrum just completed a six month investigation into U.K. antisemitism. They were stunned by what they found. This is the full text from their piece which accompanies a report in The Telegraph: if people don’t take note I fear for the future of my community in this country. Neither Dame Penny Mordaunt nor Lord John Mann are Jewish, by the way.'We are hard-nosed politicians. We are not shrinking violets who run around being easily offended and we are used to dealing with the extremes of human emotions and catastrophe through our parliamentary case work in the past.Even with decades of these experiences, we were still stunned into silence by the evidence that we received as independent chairs of the Board of Deputies Commission on Anti-Semitism, particularly from young people in the Jewish community.We spent months hearing evidence from the community, professionals and students about their experiences of anti-Semitism and were alarmed by the combination of the rawness of the impact of people’s everyday experiences intertwined with the extraordinary routines and normality within which this is occurring.We are two non-Jews from opposite sides of the political spectrum and we have both come to realise that if our Jewish community is facing discrimination, this is a failure of our society. We must ensure that everyone enjoys the rights and protections that we have worked so hard to develop over many years.What are we meant to say as hardened politicians to a young Jewish female performer who told us that following October 7 venues and promoters, who the artist had worked with for years, no longer wanted to engage with her? Or to students who saw their research staff members coming from an encampment with a megaphone, and disabilities liaison staff members who Jewish student’s trust with their health records shouting for an Intifada?We were told about the experience of a Jewish member of a professional body describe that body as taking years to investigate incidents of anti-Semitism, and heavily editing articles about anti-Semitism and the Jewish experience so as not to cause “offence” to its to broader membership.We heard about the noisy demonstrations and how intimidating people find the current environment, but as we dug deeper what really scared us was the increasing normalisation of far more extreme, personalised and sometimes life changing impact directed at individuals purely and simply because they are Jewish. Worrying dilemmas of where Jewish professionals believed that their professional body was actively discriminating against them but where they required membership from this body to be able to work and acquire the necessary protections.One of our 10 recommendations is that anti-Semitism cannot simply be sidelined as an issue of religious difference, allowing organisations to pretend to themselves that they don’t have to deal with the thornier issue of racism directed against individual human beings.This is an urgent issue not just for the Jewish community but for the United Kingdom as a whole. Jews have lived in this country for centuries and they have contributed greatly to our country. Any attempt to marginalise British Jews in our professions, cultural life, public services or any other arena harm us all.We are all harmed if we tolerate the abuse of some of our fellow citizens by those who hold warped or extreme views. All we are trying is achieve is to add value to what others are already doing.Typically with reports, we send a list of recommendations to government and this report certainly will be placed on the table of the Prime Minister and his Ministers and that of every political party leader.But there is a wider responsibility that we are concerned about. All our institutions, public sector and private sector have a responsibility to their Jewish employees, customers, neighbours and partners, to ensure that they are treated with equal respect and are able to get on with their lives with no negatives.Our recommendations are intended to help everybody to step up to the mark and play their small role in ensuring that we can each say to our Jewish friends, whoever they are and wherever they are, that you are not alone in our country.'

Lucille Grant ● 48d1 Comments ● 48d

Random pic 13 July 2025

The Norman Lockyer Observatory, Sidmouth https://flic.kr/p/2r8pKRL

Michael Ixer ● 49d0 Comments ● 49d

Starmer/Macron deal on small boats/migration

It's probably my arithmetical ignorance, but I do not understand how "one in - one out" will decrease the numbers.And numbers do seem to be one of the main things that people look at.

David Ainsworth ● 51d25 Comments ● 49d

Random pic 12 July 2025

Spitfire Commemoration, Ashford https://flic.kr/p/2rdS2aa

Michael Ixer ● 50d0 Comments ● 50d

Random pic 11 July 2025

It might be summer but it's London so I still need my overcoat https://flic.kr/p/2r8MH4i

Michael Ixer ● 51d1 Comments ● 50d

The case for LNB's

Studies have shown and indeed we have seen locally in the case of Nick Clegg, that having a bobby on the doorstep (Local Neighbourhood Bobby - LNB) 24/7 significantly reduces crime at that location.I would like to make my doorstep a local neighborhood bobby doorstep or LNB.Why my doorstep you may ask, when crime in other areas is higher?Because people do not always obey the law!Besides there is so much crime that putting a bobby (LNB) on my doorstep will not make that much difference! It may go up slightly but that is offset by the benefits to me.Of course when I leave my doorstep (LBN), I will still expect to be protected by the police that serve the rest of the borough!Perhaps we should throw in a NHS doctor (LND) or even a dentist (LNT) and other resources meant for the general population.Or even a LTN:Studies have shown that stopping people driving on my road reduces accidents on my road.I of course will expect to be able to drive on other people's roads.I can justify it with the letters LTN!I think you get the idea.In the past, London did not have a 20 mph speed limit and blocking off speeding traffic though side roads was a safety issue. There was also the pollution issues in the past.Both these points are no longer valid if you listen to Labour supporters.Because many main roads including URR are 20 MPH because that makes them safer and they are also clean because of ULEZ, and Labour said ULEZ is the same as clean air!Those of us that live in the real world know this is just political nonsense.But more seriously people are being killed by buses and HGV's due to poor junctions and road layouts and the size (weight) of modern buses.Unfortunately more people are going to be killed due to converting mega sized buses to be electric and hence they will be heavier with faster acceleration.I'm actually a fan of electric vehicles which London has a proud history of 100 years ago.We actually need a more efficient, smaller lighter vehicles that are frequent  - not the dinosaurs from past decades with USB added.We need to ignore the nimbys and fanatics and look coldly at not just what is possible but what we can afford.

Ed Robinson ● 52d2 Comments ● 51d

Lead ammunition to be banned

"Lead ammunition to be banned for hunting and shooting in England, Scotland and WalesExclusive: Restrictions on shot and bullets containing toxic metal to be phased in over three years from 2026"https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jul/10/lead-ammunition-ban-hunting-shooting-england-scotland-walesIf anybody had asked me, I would have said that lead shot was surely banned many years ago."James Robinson, the head of birdlife charity the RSPB, said: “Long known to be a poison, we have campaigned for decades to have lead ammunition removed from use. This move, whilst long overdue and stopping short of a full ban, will mean that Britain will become a safer place for millions of birds and other wildlife.”There is an exemption for the outdoor shooting of permitted birds and animals using small-calibre bullets, because of a lack of suitable non-lead alternatives. Also exempt are airguns, and ammunition used by elite athletes, the military, police and in outdoor target shooting ranges with risk management measures."AI:- "The UK sees the release of an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 tonnes of lead ammunition into the environment each year, according to the Wildlife and Countryside Link and the RSPB."

David Ainsworth ● 51d2 Comments ● 51d

Putney News

I was forwarded the link below by a neighbour of our.  I did not know it existed.  Please check the first (Putney High Street) and second articles (tired of buses dumping you at Putney Heath?).https://share.google/Sf3Jrh3PpF7AC8inFThank you

Ivonne Holliday ● 52d1 Comments ● 52d

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods significantly reduce road casualties

A study of low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in London by Furlong and others at Westminster University found a one third decrease in all injuries and a slightly higher decrease in people killed or seriously injured (https://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/early/2025/07/06/ip-2024-045571). This is really encouraging and suggests (in line with Barbara Stevens' suggestion of more Putney-based material, which would also be a welcome relief from the endless discussions on Israel/Gaza) that it’s something to take up here. But Wandsworth, under known petrol-head Simon Hogg, have been tediously slow in introducing LTNs, and perhaps this research might stir even him into action.One area I know well is around Lower Richmond Road.  Erpingham, Hotham and Felsham Roads are plagued by rat runners trying to save a few seconds in the approach to Putney Bridge, and the nominally no through road on the Embankment is similarly badly affected. So here’s a specific suggestion: make the areas bounded (a) by Erpingham, Lacy, Hotham and the Lower Richmond Roads and (b) Festing and Lower Richmond Roads, Thames Place and the Embankment into LTNs. By careful planning it would be possible to free residents to access the areas but it would exclude rat runners. The result: wins all round (except for the minor delays that the latter would have to “suffer”).

Richard Carter ● 53d21 Comments ● 52d

Random pic 10 July 2025

The Coral Gables Trolley Bus - a free service https://flic.kr/p/2ohnt2j

Michael Ixer ● 52d0 Comments ● 52d

Random pic 9 July 2025

Patiently waiting https://flic.kr/p/2gHQSZ5

Michael Ixer ● 53d1 Comments ● 52d

Gaza: Doctors Under Attack.

I would urge everybody to watch this film that is available now on Channel 4. No matter which side you are on, this should make us all extremely angry. It is not an easy watch, but should not be avoided.It is very disappointing that the BBC wouldn't show it, but that is not the story. It is a credit to Channel 4 that they have.

Gerry Boyce ● 57d65 Comments ● 52d

Time to extend an olive branch?

I find some posts and threads have become unfriendly.We do not all agree, as we know, but can we agree to disagree, please?Time to extend and olive branch and be kind to each other.  It would be lovely!

Ivonne Holliday ● 62d80 Comments ● 52d

A “humanitarian city” and the Trump/Netanyahu Peace Prize

"WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented US President Donald Trump on Monday with a letter he sent to the Norwegian Nobel Committee nominating the latter for a Nobel Peace Prize.At the opening of their White House dinner, Netanyahu rose to his feet and surprised Trump with the letter.“It’s well deserved, and you should get it,”  Netanyahu said.“Wow,” Trump replied. “Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful.”In the letter, Netanyahu praised Trump’s “steadfast and exceptional dedication to promoting peace, security, and stability around the world.”He wrote that the Abraham Accords are “foremost” among Trump’s achievements in creating peace.“President Trump’s vision and bold leadership promoted innovative diplomacy defined not by conflict and extremism but by cooperation, dialogue, and shared prosperity,” Netanyahu continued."https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-surprises-trump-with-nobel-recommendation-as-leaders-stress-coordination/And also:-"[Israel]Defense Minister Israel Katz tells reporters in a briefing today that he instructed the IDF and the ministry to bring forward a plan to establish a new “humanitarian city” in the southern Gaza Strip, on the ruins of Rafah.The idea of the humanitarian area, according to Katz, is to accommodate initially some 600,000 Palestinians who have been living in the Mawasi area on the coast after being displaced from elsewhere in the Strip, after screening them to ensure Hamas operatives are not entering.Palestinians will not be allowed to leave the zone, he says.Eventually, the idea is to bring the entire Palestinian civilian population to the zone while the IDF secures it from a distance, as international bodies work to manage the area. An additional four aid distribution sites would be established in the area, according to Katz.Katz also emphasizes his ambition to encourage Palestinians to “voluntarily emigrate” from the Gaza Strip to other countries, saying this plan “should be fulfilled.”It’s unclear if the zone would be used as a transit point, as described in a Reuters report earlier today that detailed plans for “Humanitarian Transit Areas” where Gazans could “temporarily reside, deradicalize, re-integrate and prepare to relocate if they wish to do so.”The director general of the Defense Ministry, Amir Baram, has already begun advancing planning for the zone, which Katz stresses will not be run by the IDF, but instead by international bodies.Katz doesn’t specify which international organizations would operate the city, and other than the Israeli and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, it is unlikely that any will cooperate given that the plan aims to displace the entire Palestinian population of the Strip.There are also concerns that Israel will establish settlements in the areas it forcibly evacuates. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that is not his plan, but he is beholden to far-right coalition partners who are determined to see it through."https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/katz-calls-for-plan-to-confine-all-gazans-in-humanitarian-city-to-be-built-over-ruins-of-rafah/"I love it when a plan comes together"

David Ainsworth ● 53d4 Comments ● 52d

The most moral army in the world is creating a humanitarian city

You have to be cruel to be kind. That'll be it.Israel clearing new section of Rafahpublished at 14:07 7 July14:07 7 JulyBenedict GarmanBBC Verify senior journalistDemolition work is under way in one of the few areas in Rafah, southern Gaza, where most buildings were still standing.Satellite imagery reveals that dozens of buildings in the Saudi neighbourhood, a residential area in the city’s northwest, have been destroyed in recent days.Below is a side-by-side comparison of satellite pictures. The one on the right was taken on Saturday, with the left taken one month ago. The latest image shows rubble and dust where buildings once stood - highlighted by the white boxes.[Satellite image captured on 5 June compared to 5 July showing RafahImage source,Planet Labs PBC]These are likely to be demolitions rather than air strikes because this is an area held by the IDF for some time and in other areas where they have operational control there have frequently been videos showing controlled detonations.The pace and comprehensive nature of the destruction, as well as local, external reports, external of buildings in the neighbourhood being blown up tallies with this.The neighbourhood was built by the Saudi Rehousing Project - a partnership between the UN's Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) and Saudi Arabia. The project's aim was to provide houses for people displaced as a result of previous conflict with Israel.It was only opened in 2015, external, and was home to around 10,000 people.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c98wejpp89pt?post=asset%3Ae370bb65-510e-4b45-b67d-0a7470534d18#postAnd today:-Israel’s Katz outlines plans for 'humanitarian city' on ruins of Rafahpublished at 10:2610:26Benedict GarmanBBC Verify senior journalistSatellite imagery showing how whole areas of Rafah has been demolishedImage source,Planet LabsIsrael's defence minister Israel Katz has described a plan he says is under way to establish a new 'humanitarian city' on the ruins of Rafah in the south of Gaza.The plan initially aims to accommodate 600,000 displaced Palestinians who are currently living in the al-Mawasi area on the Gazan coast. This is where Israeli forces have told people to go for “safety” throughout the war - though it has also been targeted by strikes more than 100 times.At least four more aid distribution sites - like the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation facilities already in operation - would be built under the Katz plan. We have already identified one new aid site under construction and can see that it has developed further in recent satellite imagery.Katz said development of this zone would happen during any potential ceasefire, assuming the current indirect ceasefire negotiations are successful. The ultimate aim would be to eventually move the entire Gazan population into the “city”.Satellite imagery, like the image above, captured on 4 July by Planet Labs, shows Rafah has been almost entirely reduced to rubble. Yesterday we reported on demolitions taking place in one of the last areas still standing.Demolitions continue elsewhere in Rafah too, with drone footage, external published on Sunday - we’ve screen-grabbed a key frame below - showing a building named as al-Shawka Girls' Secondary School in online maps being blown up in a controlled explosion.Screen grab of drone footage showing a building marked as girls' school on satellite mapping being demolishedImage source,Xhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c75rvk9pqn0tAnd the girls' school:-https://x.com/YinonMagal/status/1941831414019711113

David Ainsworth ● 53d1 Comments ● 52d

Migrants

How do you feel with them all here, how do you feel even letting your youngsters out on their own. It's not safe anymore, who are walking our streets ready to kidnap or molest them, or stab them. They have no respect for little children or women. How can somebody try and marry a 9 yr old.

Barbara Stevens ● 53d15 Comments ● 52d