Next chief Simon Wolfson paid record £7.4m – and could get far more this year ‘Sustained outperformance’ merits pay rise, says company after it ups profit guidance to £1.2bn for year to January 2027

THIS.
No-body should be paid this obscene amount of money.
This should not be normal.

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

A fair point well made by David Aaronovitch.

I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.

There’s a v cynical media and political blindspot in the Epstein shitshow. A feeding frenzy to get rid of Starmer while red-carpeting Farage into No10. Who is named in the files. As is Candy, Reform’s treasurer. With Bannon. And Brexit.
Don’t cry about abuses of power and then do nothing about him.

Britain's youth clubs have been quietly decimated. What's most revealing is that few seem to care | John Harris These vital spaces have been the first targets of cuts in a nation that favours age over youth – despite being the remedy for blights such as social division, polarisation and loneliness, says Guardia...

What he said.
Everything I've been thinking for years.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

American democracy might not survive another year – is Europe ready for that? | Alexander Hurst Trapped between Putin and Trump, EU citizens understand the grave dangers facing the continent. Their leaders urgently need to face reality, too, says Guardian Europe columnist Alexander Hurst

This reads as a rallying call.
And so it should

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

It makes no sense. Why bother putting it there in the first place? And if it's needed, why doesn't every jacket have them? The world's gone mad!!! #PocketGate #PocketNotPocket #TwoNonPockets

Oh, that's a real shame.

Free Speech Loving Nigel Farage

Fertility rate hits record low in England, Scotland and Wales Last year’s total fertility rate of 1.41 for England and Wales was lowest since comparable data was first collected in 1938, ONS says

When all we hear is that the UK is 'full up' and that public services are stretched with too many people using them, surely a decrease in growth of population is not a bad thing, right? And if we need to increase the workforce, hire immigrant labour!🙄

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Hertfordshire's biggest & best LGBTQIA+ celebration - Herts Pride, Sat 30th August.

While partying - do remember there are people in countries across the globe who are still unable to live and love openly.

The fight is not over for us, until it's over for all of us.
@herts-pride.bsky.social

a plate of fish and chips with coleslaw and a lemon slice on top ALT: a plate of fish and chips with coleslaw and a lemon slice on top

Great long piece on BBC news about the massive increase in the cost of cod and the impact on fish and chip shops.

No mention at all of Brexit which has significantly affected £££

For the millionth time: We import ten times as much cod as this country catches.

What did they think would happen?

🤣

Buds budding 😎

This was a very special event today - focussing on PMDD and the problems the condition can cause for so many women. Thank you to the brilliant team at Tee Pee Productions for highlighting this issue and creating conversations with this brilliant new play 😘

Big Issue Ambassadors. For alliance, encouragement and support.
@bigissue.com

Just because ☀️

Happy International Beaver Day! 🦫 Beavers are more than just adorable faces; they’re true eco-engineers! In the wild, beavers build dams and lodges and help create wetlands that support hundreds of other species and improve water quality.

Second child dies from measles-related causes in West Texas, where cases near 500 A second school-aged child in West Texas has died from a measles-related illness, a hospital spokesman confirmed Sunday, as the outbreak continues to swell.

A second school-aged child in West Texas has died from a measles-related illness, a hospital spokesman confirmed Sunday, as the outbreak continues to swell.

It was fun 🤩 But no, it’s not for everyone!

Fun day out in SE London 😎

Portland OR Hands Off Rally

Oh wow: Portland Oregon is NOT KIDDING
#handsoff

This is Utah in case anyone’s wondering how pissed off people are. I have never seen anything like this.

Media obsession with trans issues would have many people think that gender fluidity, questioning and transition is a new thing.

Today we celebrate those who fight for equal rights & representation, and will continue to do so for Watford and our neighbours.

#transpride
#transrightsarehumanrights🏳️‍⚧️

Purple-and-white crocus with an orange center

Nestled among painted petals:
A little cup of sunshine
#randompoem #FlowersOnFriday

People are taking things into their own hands

White Lotus star Jason Isaacs speaking to The Newsagents,

"People get very annoyed when actors speak out about politics"

"My retort, there's a reality star in the While House"

Countries that have issued a travel advisory this year warning their citizens about visiting the United States:

Canada
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Ireland
Netherlands
New Zealand
United Kingdom