Bacon1

Flame removed @Harrisfan

Irrelevant post removed @Stressed Eric

The state of Michigan has agreed to return a rare life ring from the sunken SS Edmund Fitzgerald to its rightful owner, Larry Orr, and pay $600,000 to settle a separate police misconduct lawsuit. Orr first found the orange life ring—stenciled with “Fitzgerald”—ashore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula shortly after the freighter sank in Lake Superior in 1975, a tragedy that claimed all 29 crew members. Decades later, Orr accused a state police lieutenant of violating his civil rights during a discredited sexual abuse investigation. Following his arrest and house arrest in 2019, he filed a lawsuit. During the ensuing settlement negotiations, Michigan officials unexpectedly expressed interest in acquiring the life ring. Orr’s attorney says tying the relic to the deal increased the settlement from around $300,000 to $600,000. After pushback over the relic’s inclusion, further talks resulted in a revised agreement: Orr gets the life ring back, and the state still pays the $600,000. For years, Orr loaned the ring to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise, Michigan. With ownership restored, he now plans to auction it—he says he needs the funds to buy a modular home, and his wife’s car is failing. Key Takeaways: Michigan settled a lawsuit with Orr for $600,000 in exchange for relinquishing a rare Edmund Fitzgerald life ring. The life ring unexpectedly became part of the negotiation in a police misconduct case unrelated to the shipwreck. Orr has reclaimed the relic and may auction it to fund his housing needs. Adapted From https://apnews.com/article/wreck-edmund-fitzgerald-life-ring-lawsuit-f13973f83eb05abcd5a8b55e2ea58893

Storm Claudia has swept across England and Wales, sparking a major emergency after relentless rain drove rivers to burst their banks. Authorities in south Wales declared a “major incident” early Saturday amid severe and widespread flooding, especially around the town of Monmouth. Rescue crews—including fire, police, ambulance, mountain rescue, and coastguard—are conducting evacuations and welfare checks as fast-moving floodwaters block roads and strain local infrastructure. Meteorological data show that in just 12 hours, around 119.6 mm of rain was recorded in southeast Wales, while parts of England saw over 80 mm. The Met Office has warned of lingering flood risks even as the storm weakens, with yellow rain alerts still in force. As Claudia retreats, Arctic air is moving in behind it. Meteorologists predict a major drop in temperature, with highs struggling to reach single digits and overnight lows potentially plunging to –7 °C. Authorities are urging people to stay away from Monmouth to keep emergency routes clear and to remain alert to local flood warnings. --- Key Takeaways: A major incident has been declared in Wales following widespread flooding caused by Storm Claudia’s heavy rain. Rivers have overflowed, triggering evacuations, rescues, and travel disruption across both Wales and England. After the storm, frigid Arctic air will bring a sharp temperature drop, risking snow, frost, and bitter chill. Adapted From https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/15/maybe-storm-claudia-england-weather-major-incident-flooding

Flame post removed @Stressed Eric

Deliberate misspelling: Offensive post. @flaming dragon

Flame & baiting posts removed: Yet again @Stressed Eric Replies removed

Unless of course, she was hoping you'd pay her a salary, instead of going to work in a bar....

Offensive meme removed @shdmn

Vulgar post & reply removed. @Stressed Eric

Thanks Mike! Be a few days before I start watching them, I've just got Godfather 2, & it's terrific. Hardly remember anything about it, fortunately.

AI-detection tools are designed to identify text generated by artificial intelligence (AI) by analysing patterns and linguistic features. They rely on machine-learning classifiers trained on both human-written and AI-produced text, examining metrics such as perplexity (how predictable the text is) and burstiness (variation in sentence structure). The rationale is that AI-generated content tends to have lower burstiness and more predictable phrasing compared with human writing. Despite their sophisticated design, these tools are far from infallible. Studies show accuracy rates that are well below 100 %, with many tools hovering between 60–80 % reliability when identifying AI-generated text. They also suffer from high false-positive and false-negative rates: human-written text may be mis-labelled as AI, and cleverly edited or paraphrased AI output may pass undetected. Furthermore, the effectiveness of these detectors is undermined by advanced evasion techniques. For example, paraphrasing or human-editing AI-generated text can drastically reduce detection success. Given these limitations, experts caution against relying solely on AI detectors for high-stakes decisions such as academic integrity or content trustworthiness. Key Takeaways: AI-detection tools use classifiers and linguistic metrics (like perplexity and burstiness) to distinguish AI-generated text from human writing. These tools are not fully reliable: they generate both false positives (labeling human text as AI) and false negatives (missing AI content). Because adversarial methods (e.g., editing or paraphrasing) can evade detection, these tools should be used as one part of a broader strategy—not as definitive proof. Adapted From https://theconversation.com/how-do-ai-detection-tools-actually-work-and-are-they-effective-269390

In a dramatic turn within the Labour Party, efforts to bolster Keir Starmer’s leadership have instead amplified calls for his removal. A strategically released briefing accusing Wes Streeting of orchestrating a coup unintentionally exposed widespread doubts about Starmer’s authority and the competence of his operation at 10 Downing Street. Senior Labour MPs now view the prime minister as vulnerable, with some believing his position is irretrievably weakened ahead of key elections in Scotland, Wales and English local councils. Meanwhile internal manoeuvres for the next leadership have intensified. Streeting—once a clear favourite—and Shabana Mahmood, home secretary, are both being touted as potential successors, amid fears that veteran Andy Burnham might return to parliament and disrupt the contest. Though charisma plays a role, hard data paints a grim picture: Starmer’s approval ratings stand at -51, while MPs see Streeting, Mahmood and others as lacking broader public appeal. One MP summarised the mood bluntly: “They all think Keir is done.” The budget decisions currently being made by Number 10, including the abrupt reversal on income tax changes, are seen by party insiders as further evidence of panic and indecision rather than leadership strength. Key Takeaways: The effort to protect Starmer backfired, heightening perceptions of weakness and disarray in Labour leadership. A crowded field of potential successors is mobilising while the party is perceived to be in limbo. A disastrous briefing and declining popularity metrics have amplified scepticism about Starmer’s viability as leader. Adapted From https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/nov/14/push-protect-keir-starmer-job-backfired-briefing-streeting-mcsweeney

UK government borrowing costs have climbed sharply after Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed away from planned income tax rate increases, choosing instead to freeze tax thresholds for two years. This last-minute reversal triggered a sell-off in the government bond market, as investors interpreted the move as a signal that the government’s fiscal strategy may be weaker than expected. Instead of raising the headline income tax rate — which would have broken a manifesto pledge — the government will raise an estimated £7.5 billion by freezing the point at which workers start paying income tax. The freeze, combined with inflation and wage growth, is expected to draw more tax from millions of workers. Still, the figure falls short of the size of the fiscal gap — previously estimated near £20–30 billion — and has stoked concerns in the market about whether smaller tax adjustments can plug the hole. The market reaction was swift: yields on UK government bonds jumped and the pound slid, reflecting investor anxiety about fiscal uncertainty ahead of the forthcoming budget. Analysts warn that relying on broader-based small tax rises may not satisfy markets demanding clarity on budget discipline. In a bid to shore up confidence, Reeves and the Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the need for resilient public finances capable of weathering global economic turbulence. But with under two weeks to the budget, the government now faces fresh pressure to articulate a credible plan that reassures markets and voters alike. Key Takeaways: Markets spooked as plan to raise income tax rates is scrapped in favour of freezing tax thresholds. Government aims to raise £7.5 billion via threshold freeze, but fiscal gap remains much larger. Rising bond yields and a falling pound signal investor doubts on the UK’s fiscal roadmap. Adapted From https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/14/uk-borrowing-costs-up-after-markets-spooked-by-reeves-income-tax-u-turn

31988a4dcdb6f972d95d957adaf2f90d.mp4

Flame removed Discuss the topic, not other members @TroubleandGrumpy

Gave up on Frankenstein. Very well produced & acted, but just too long.

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt32264653/

Another troll post removed. Please exercise some restraint with your comments. @MalcolmB Reply removed

Flame posts removed @MalcolmB Please, stop.

Journey through Europe’s historic battlefields from the Napoleon Bonaparte era, brought to life at four remarkable sites. At Battle of Austerlitz in the Czech Republic, visitors can explore the strategic Pratzen Heights where Napoleon overwhelmed the Austro-Russian forces, alongside a museum and memorial that shed light on his clever tactics. In Russia near Moscow, the Battle of Borodino battlefield unveils the brutal September 1812 battle—then the bloodiest day of the wars—with its redoubts, monuments and countryside scars still visible. Moving to Germany, the Battle of Leipzig site (October 1813) witnessed the largest clash of the Napoleonic period and marked a pivotal defeat for Napoleon. Although parts of the terrain are now urbanised, the towering Völkerschlachtdenkmal monument and surrounding suburbs preserve the story. Finally, in Belgium near Brussels the Battle of Waterloo site (June 1815) remains one of history’s defining moments. The Lion Mound, underground museum and visitor centre invite exploration into Napoleon’s final stand. Each destination offers travellers a tangible connection to Europe’s Napoleonic Wars, blending heritage, dramatic landscapes and immersive museums. Key Takeaways: Explore four major European Napoleonic battlefields—Austerlitz, Borodino, Leipzig and Waterloo—for rich historical travel experiences. These sites feature battlefield memorials, museums and preserved terrain that bring 19th-century conflicts to life. Adapted From https://www.thecollector.com/napoleonic-battlefields-visit-europe/

Closed at the request of the OP

Last penny photo.

Offensive post removed @PerfidiousAlbion