Chris King

Will there be sentencing notes on this?

Friends, please be aware of that: newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/russia-...

My sister and I were born to a French mother and a British father. The implication of The Times' article is that my sister, born in France but brought home to the UK at a few days old and having lived here ever since is persona non grata, whereas I, being UK born, am fine. Absurd and disgusting.

Has anyone ever seen a packet of Brets bigger than this. 250g + 33% extra. Standard 70 cl bottle of wine for scale

Gorgeous warm summer-like day today in Haut Limousin.

The desperate Spanish Police have turned to violence against the Spanish protests for Housing and Education. Vote Pedro Sanchez get the fascists out.

“EU drops sponsorship of disinformation conference at Trump officials’ request. Lithuania/Canada were also pressured to withdraw…days before #Disinfo2026, logos were wiped off website.” So the US used disinformation to undermine a disinformation conference telling the truth about US disinformation.

Fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) in our 'cave' (cellar) in France.

These threats are not regarded as some far-off or remote contingency: disastrous impacts, for instance on the UK’s food supply, could be expected as soon as 2030, it warns. One person who had seen the whole report described it to the Guardian as “apocalyptic”. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The Renoir heist reopens a dark chapter in French history The two artworks stolen last week had previously made their way into the hands of Nazis during wartime, and illuminate one of the catastrophes of 20th-century Europe ✍️ Catherine Ostler https://bit.ly/4rag4jN

Given Delo has a previous conviction for money laundering (but was subsequently pardoned by Trump), there's surely a chance that at least part of the money has a criminal source. I hope that Reform has done its due diligence. If not they may be committing an offence under AMLR/PCA by accepting it.

Stirchley Co-operative Development in Birmingham is at risk of collapse after a dispute over spiralling costs with the developer. Community-led housing needs to be backed, not blocked. Learn more: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... See their bond offer: www.stirchley.coop/invest/

THIS 👇 HERE, PLEASE........

Great news that Justin Bates KC will be trying to keep the Nearly Legal housing law blog going despite the very sad death of its founder, Giles Peaker. Justin needs help, though. If you are into housing law, take a look: nearlylegal.co.uk/2026/08/tech...

With trans rights under attack as never before, we need to show our support for the trans community. Will you join us? goodlawproject.org/s/d23a8a

Did you know a barrister is facing prison just for reminding a jury they have the right to vote with their conscience? This historic right has existed since 1670. We can't let it be silenced in court now. Add your name to help protect Britain's juries: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Was I alone in noticing the BBC commentator's wonderful example of Colemanballs arithmetic during the Mex v Eng match? It was something like 'England are playing with 10 men, while Mexico have 12 - the 11 on the pitch and the 70,000 Mexican fans in the stadium.'. So 11 +70,000 = 12? Fair enough!

Come and join the fun at #CoCoMad? @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org

Planets you can eat between meals without ruining your appetite. www.cbsnews.com/news/super-p...

The Stirchley Community Development / GreenSquareAccord debacle has made the Guardian ...

On the homeward trail through the roadworks on the M20. Sunset seen through filthy windscreen.

Interesting selection of birds identified by Merlin app on our first evening of our latest stay at our place in Limousin. Only the third time is as many years that I've heard a Golden Oriole and I've never encountered a Red-backed Shrike before, either here or anywhere else.

We condemn the monstrous attack that took place on Monday evening on Stephen Ogilvy. Our thoughts are with him and his family. There can never be any justification for racism, vigilantism, or collective blame. Please read our full statement: ucu.org.uk/article/1454...

Très belle et très intéressante exposition « Une journée au XVIIIe siècle - Chronique d’un hôtel particulier » à voir au Musée des Arts décoratifs jusqu’au 5 juillet.

The issues raised in this piece apply equally well, and perhaps even more urgently, to UK universities. Having been an elected Faculty Council member & Chair in the years before coming to the UK my impression is that managerial overreach and democratic deficits are even starker in the UK.

News | National Trust opens three textile exhibitions 🪡 Journeys – Global Textiles from the Karun Thakar Collection is being held at Osterley Park, Blickling Estate and Dyrham Park

I wasn't sure if Burham had yet been confirmed as the Labour candidate for the Makerfield by-election, so I asked Google: 'Has Andy Burnham been confirmed as the... ', and here are Google's suggestions for the rest of my question.

Portrait looted by Nazis found in home of Dutch SS leader’s descendants www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

France passes law on the restitution of cultural artifacts looted during colonial rule

Anyone who votes for this party knows what they are voting for and every single one of them is deserving of our utter contempt. It should be as socially unacceptable to vote for them as it was to vote BNP 20 years ago.

Barrister in Palestine Action trial facing contempt of court proceedings Rajiv Menon KC accused of defying judge’s orders to not inform jury of right to acquit on basis of conscience | UK news | The Guardian share.google/M2uld1lzCT0t...

New room opening at the Musée d'Orsay today displaying works known or believed to have been looted by the Nazis or subject to forced sale during WW2, including a Renoir, a Degas and a probable Cézanne. www.thetimes.com/world/europe...

I have just learned the French name for the butterfly called in English a Comma (because of the little markings in the shape of commas on the underside of its wings). It's 'Robert le diable', i. e. Bob the devil, for some reason.

University management spent £80 million on new building that wasn't needed (presently for sale at £14 million) and now decide 600 staff should go to 'save' £50 million. This is the math currently shaping future of UK HE. Staff paying the price for mismanagement. Govt looking the other way

A heartbreaking 💔 and important piece. “Scholars have warned that Azerbaijan’s targeted destruction of these sites, having accelerated since the swift and deadly 2023 takeover of the Artsakh region, amounts to ‘cultural genocide.’” hyperallergic.com/azerbaijan-d... by @surrhealism.bsky.social

Très intéressante exposition, au @museecarnavalet.bsky.social, consacrée à la vie de la marquise de Sévigné, à l'occasion des 400 ans de sa naissance. Les visiteurs peuvent y redécouvrir le Paris du Grand Siècle sur lequel la grande épistolière portait un regard acéré. À voir jusqu'au 23 août.

In general, (re)orienting education wholly or chiefly to specific perceived market needs is always going to produce disaster once the near term passes. It also eviscerates institutions that might otherwise help people weather change, intellectually and in other ways

Officially relaunched Stand For All, with updated website, for freelance work on comms, policy and advocacy, along with media/advocacy training, including, but not limited to: ✅Migrants' rights ✅Trans rights ✅Autism/ADHD ✅Parliamentary engagement Also available for media requests standforall.co.uk

Quite a good haul of birds on the Merlin app on my three-and-a-half minute walk along the edge of my local suburban Birmingham park earlier.

Donald Trump is deranged. He must be impeached and removed from office. Republicans who don’t stop him will have blood on their hands, and anyone who carries out an order to bomb civilian targets will be complicit in war crimes and will be held accountable.

Because #accesstojustice only works if it works in practice.

The Government is considering scrapping the NHS-Palantir deal. Do you want Palantir out of the NHS? RT if you do. #PalantirOUT

This evening's Limousin sunset.

Not an ideal start to Sunday evening. Spotted intruder armed with hammer in back garden, intruder tried to smash back door to get into house. I called police from back bedroom while observing perp climbing fences to get from one neighbour's garden to the next. I ended up giving statement to police.