Bacon1

Not nonsense: https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/46/30/2991/8124786?login=false Conclusions- First paragraph. In this first comprehensive study, we utilized a large-scale, population-based, nationwide cohort database in South Korea to investigate the association between live zoster vaccination and subsequent cardiovascular outcomes. Live zoster vaccination was associated with lower risks of overall cardiovascular events...

Off Topic post removed @SAFETY FIRST The rest of you- mostly. Talk about the topic & stop the bickering, please

@Old Croc Edited post & added link photo

Important Please be respectful with all comments & emojis.

Off Topic post removed @GoodieAfterDark

A water-colour and felt-tip drawing by surrealist master Salvador Dalí was recently sold at auction for £45,700, despite having been bought just two years earlier for a mere £150. The work, originally discovered at a house-clearance sale in Cambridge by an antiques dealer, features a bizarre, other-worldly “old sultan” image and carries the signature of Dalí. Initially, the buyer suspected it might be a fake but decided to pay the modest sum anyway after spotting Dalí’s signature and a Sotheby’s sticker on the back. The piece was later authenticated by auction house Cheffins, who identified it as part of a lost series of 500 illustrations Dalí intended to create for The Arabian Nights in 1966. Despite its modest purchase price, the painting generated “incredible” interest at the sale. As Cheffins’ director put it: “Dalí originals just don’t come up that often.” The earlier owner spent over £4,000 on authentication and provenance research—and states he now feels “over the moon” at the outcome. While described as “definitely a Marmite picture” in aesthetic terms, the auction proves how hidden gems in the art world can shift dramatically in value once provenance is established. In this case, what began as a gamble at a clearance sale turned into a substantial windfall. The sale reminds us that in the art market, recognition and authentication often define value far more than initial cost. Key Takeaways: A painting bought for just £150 was authenticated as a lost Dalí and sold for £45,700. The work was part of a previously unknown series Dalí intended for The Arabian Nights. Authentication and provenance dramatically increased its market value. Original Source: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/oct/24/lost-salvador-dali-painting-bought-for-150-pounds-sold-at-auction-for-47700

Victoria Beckham has been defeated in her attempt to block Norwegian beauty brand Vendela Beauty from using the initials “VB” for its logo, after the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO) ruled she isn’t sufficiently recognised in Norway to claim trademark protection. The dispute centred on the logo of Venda Beauty, founded by former model Vendela Kirsebom, which uses the initials “VB” for skincare and beauty products. Beckham argued that her global brand also uses the “VB” mark, and claimed there was a risk of consumer confusion. She submitted evidence such as her Instagram follower count, international magazine features and Nordic-region sales to support her case. NIPO, however, found the evidence inadequate — for example, follower counts didn’t prove Norwegian users, magazine readership in Norway was unverified, and sales data covered all Nordic countries rather than Norway alone. NIPO concluded that Beckham’s mark was not a recognised trademark in Norway and that the two “VB”-marks did not pose a likely confusion risk. As a result, Vendela Beauty keeps its trademark rights in Norway. The case highlights how global fame doesn’t automatically secure local trademark protection, and shows the importance of market-specific documentation. Beckham’s team is reportedly being asked for comment on the outcome. Key Takeaways Beckham lost the trademark fight because she couldn’t show that her “VB” brand was well-known in Norway. NIPO found the two marks were visually, phonetically and conceptually different enough to avoid consumer confusion. The case underscores that international fame doesn’t guarantee trademark clearance in every local market without proper evidence. Original source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/37118170/victoria-beckham-loses-trademark-war-vendela-beauty-norway/

The recently released correspondence from the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy reveals that Rishi Sunak was the only UK politician to receive a witness statement from Matthew Collins in December 2023 in relation to the collapsed spy prosecution of British men accused of working for China. The statement, initially drafted with language labelling China “enemy”, was amended by Collins to reflect government policy at the time — removing that term entirely. Prosecutors later concluded that a conviction under the Official Secrets Act was unachievable without official acknowledgement of China as a threat; consequently, charges against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were dropped in September. Crucially, the letters state that once the formal prosecution commenced no minister or special adviser was involved — making Sunak’s receipt of Collins’s statement unique. The former prime minister’s team says there is no record of Collins’s version ever entering Sunak’s official “PM box”, suggesting he may not have personally viewed it. The opposition, led by Keir Starmer, insists the Conservatives need to explain their role in what they call a serious national security failure — while the current government maintains the earlier administration’s actions were decisive. The case highlights tensions between legal thresholds, espionage prosecutions and how the UK frames its relationship with China. It prompts broader questions about transparency, ministerial oversight and the treatment of security policy under shifting governments. Key Takeaways: Only Sunak received the witness statement from Collins — no other politician did. The witness draft removed the term “enemy” to align with government policy, influencing prosecutorial viability. The collapse of the case underscores how UK espionage law and government language about China impact national security prosecutions. Original source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/oct/24/rishi-sunak-only-politician-see-witness-statement-china-spy-case

A 16-year-old student in Baltimore, USA, was handcuffed by armed police after an artificial intelligence (AI) system mistakenly identified a crisp packet as a firearm. The incident has raised serious concerns about the reliability of AI-powered weapon detection tools used in schools. Taki Allen, a student at a Baltimore high school, told local media that multiple police cars arrived and officers pointed guns at him after an alert was triggered. “They told me to get on the ground,” he said, explaining he had just finished football practice and placed an empty Doritos packet in his pocket. The Baltimore County Police Department confirmed Allen was briefly detained but not arrested, adding that the response was based on the information provided at the time. The school principal later clarified that the initial AI alert had already been reviewed and cleared by human analysts, but the message was missed by staff who escalated the situation to police. Omnilert, the AI company behind the detection system, expressed regret over the incident, saying the system worked “as designed” to ensure safety through quick human verification. However, the company admitted that real-world gun detection remains “messy.” Local officials, including Councilman Izzy Pakota, have called for a full review of school safety procedures and the use of AI surveillance tools. The case highlights growing doubts about the accuracy of AI weapon detection systems, especially after other US companies, such as Evolv Technology, faced restrictions for making unsupported safety claims. For now, Allen says he avoids going outside after football practice, fearing another misunderstanding could put him in danger. Key Takeaways AI error: A crisp packet triggered a false gun alert, leading to a teen being handcuffed. School oversight: Staff missed an internal review confirming there was no threat. Safety concerns: The case renews debate over AI reliability in weapon detection. Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgjdlx92lylo

Offensive & inaccurate post removed @Stressed Eric

Comment on Moderation removed, also replies removed. @Keeps @Stressed Eric @short-Timer

Two vulgar, unnecessary & immature posts removed. @Keeps @Stressed Eric Forum Rules 8. You will not post vulgarities, obscenities or profanities.

I was just going to post about this 😄 Watched it yesterday. Its soooo good. Great story. Awesome effects. Then there's Olga.....wow! There's a bluray copy on the bay.

Wind

Probably better that you read this, in order that you might have a better understanding. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/seasonal-influenza/prevention-and-control/vaccines/risk-groups

Offensive comment removed @MalcolmB

Post with Thai & Hebrew language removed. You have been advised before about forum rules. @Simon 55 16. English is the only permitted language anywhere on ASEAN NOW, except within the Thai language forum, where using Thai is allowed. Short Thai translations of technical terms are permitted in specialty forums. While we make allowances for members who do not speak English as their first language, we expect everyone to make an effort to post in a manner that allows others to understand their posts. As an international forum we have members from many countries in the world, and English is not the first language of every poster.

Yes, I'm sure you could. However, I didn't, as my lifelong medical career, has given me an complete understanding of of what 'at risk' means. I have, in my last post. Do you need it explained, again?

Two unnecessary comments removed @impulse @barmatt

Troll post removed @newbee2022

Very briefly, an at-risk group, medically, means that there is a higher likelihood or a higher incidence of a negative outcome, and this is usually based on a mixture of biological, medical, and other social factors. Medically, it’s about an elevated probability of harm.

Speculative comment removed. @Patong2021

Offensive comment removed @MalcolmB

@Stiddle Mump Ok, I understand now. I thought you meant that 'at risks groups' don't exist at all. Or did you actually mean that?

In a move loaded with symbolism, Prince Andrew’s personal banner – displaying his coat of arms – has been removed from St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The banner had hung there since 2006, when Andrew was appointed a Knight of the Order of the Garter. It features three lions of England, the harp of Ireland and Scotland’s lion rampant. An anchor symbolises his naval career..... Its removal is significant: tradition holds that such banners are only taken down in instances of high treason or blatant defiance of the Crown. The decision comes amid Andrew’s relinquishing of royal titles and honours, following his widely‐reported association with convicted sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein and the subsequent £12 million settlement with Virginia Giuffre. While Andrew hasn’t been formally stripped of the Order of the Garter, his family’s official websites and royal biographies have been updated to reflect the dropping of the “Duke of York” style and his diminished public role. This episode adds further weight to the debate over accountability within royal institutions and the enduring symbolism of heraldic honours. Key Takeaways: The banner displaying Prince Andrew’s coat of arms was removed from Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel, an action typically reserved for severe breaches of royal protocol. Although Andrew relinquished his Duke of York title and use of certain honours, he has not formally been expelled from the Order of the Garter; nonetheless, the removal signals a reputational low-point. The episode highlights the enduring importance of royal symbols (like personal banners) as markers of privilege—and how their removal can carry heavy social and institutional meaning. Adapted From: https://www.thesun.co.uk/royals/37104697/prince-andrew-coat-of-arms-banner-windsor-castle/