Bacon1

Post with multiple links removed One or two links are allowed Eleven is not. @riclag

Impolite comment removed @Red Phoenix

I don’t think the average person, whatever that means, avoids thinking for themselves. Most are just too busy getting through life: getting up in the morning, going to work, looking after their children, dealing with all the usual challenges, and paying the bills—especially now, when everything seems so expensive. It’s unfair to call these people weak-minded. They simply don’t have the time or headspace to sit down and reflect like some of us do on here, & to think more deeply. Some spend their time on football, beer, the latest celebrity gossip, or even mindless game shows. Not because they’re unintelligent, but because it gives them a little relief from the endless grind. We all know what that feels like: leaving the house in the dark, working all day, and just needing a bit of escape at the end of it. I get the sense that your last sentence, carries a little frustration. You form opinions based on what you see as facts, and when they’re challenged, it can feel a bit unsettling. That’s fine — we can still have a proper, intelligent conversation. My views probably won’t line up with yours, and that’s perfectly okay.

This article links medieval folklore with modern British wildlife conservation, showing how superstition once shaped views of Britain’s endangered species. Before purely scientific classifications, animals like the humble hedgehog and the secretive nightjar held significant roles as omens and symbols in the medieval mind, often associated with spiritual or supernatural power. The hedgehog, for instance, was frequently and unfairly maligned in bestiaries and popular belief, accused of stealing milk or fruit. Similarly, the nightjar, with its unsettling flight and unusual song, earned the ominous nickname "goatsucker," believed to drain milk from livestock—a myth that likely contributed to its historical persecution. The core argument is that understanding this deep-rooted natural history and cultural perspective is vital for modern conservation efforts. These historical narratives shaped human interactions with these creatures for centuries, sometimes leading to fear, prejudice, or even magical reverence, and directly impacting their survival. The shift from seeing these animals as mystic harbingers to vulnerable populations in need of protection represents a profound cultural change. By re-examining these ancient stories and cultural beliefs, conservationists can craft richer, more engaging narratives to foster public empathy. Recognizing the powerful, symbolic history of endangered species like the hedgehog and nightjar provides a deeper connection to nature, moving beyond mere ecological statistics to embrace the cultural legacy of British wildlife. This approach highlights that saving these species is not just an environmental imperative, but a preservation of a shared cultural heritage. Key Takeaways Folklore Drove Persecution: Negative medieval beliefs about animals like the nightjar (goatsucker) and hedgehog led to persecution, impacting their populations. Omens Shaped Interaction: Animals were historically seen as spiritual omens, not just biological entities, which dictated human interactions for centuries. Cultural History Aids Conservation: Using these powerful historical narratives provides an emotional context vital for engaging the public in modern wildlife conservation efforts. Adapted From: https://theconversation.com/the-medieval-folklore-of-britains-endangered-wildlife-omens-from-hedgehogs-to-nightjars-267085

Manchester United has unveiled ambitious plans to build a new stadium with a capacity of 100,000, to be located adjacent to the existing Old Trafford site. The proposed design, created by Foster + Partners, features a sweeping canopy held aloft by three masts that echo the club’s trident symbol. The project also ties into a broader redevelopment of the surrounding area, including commercial, residential, and public space elements. Estimated to cost around £2 billion, the stadium is intended to open in time for the 2030–31 season. During construction, Manchester United would continue to play at Old Trafford. The club’s CEO has publicly warned that such a large infrastructure investment poses a risk to squad spending and competitiveness if not managed carefully. To help finance the build, United is exploring the concept of personal seat licences (PSLs), a model largely used in American sports in which fans purchase the right to a particular seat. The club is soliciting feedback from supporters about pricing, facilities, and licensing options. One public survey suggested season ticket prices might range from about £570 to £4,830, depending on location within the stadium. Some critics express scepticism. The scale of financing, cost overruns, land acquisition and the risk of neglecting on-pitch investment are recurring concerns. As of now, no final decision has been made on the fate of the Old Trafford site—whether it would be demolished or repurposed remains open. Key Takeaways 1. 100,000-seat “New Trafford” plan: United aims to replace Old Trafford with a cutting-edge stadium under a dramatic canopy design by Foster + Partners. 2. Budget, funding & risks: With an estimated £2 billion cost, financing via mechanisms like seat licences is being explored, but there’s concern over its impact on squad investment. 3. Supporter feedback & future of Old Trafford: The club is surveying fans on pricing and licence models; the ultimate fate of the current ground is not yet decided. Adapted From https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2121884/Man-Utd-new-stadium-Old-Trafford

This news article, an extract from the posthumous memoir of Virginia Giuffre, offers a chilling first-hand account of her systematic abuse and deep involvement in the vile Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking network. Giuffre, then known as Virginia Roberts, was just 16 when she was targeted, spotted, and recruited by Maxwell while working at the upscale Mar-a-Lago resort. The encounter began under the false pretense of a job offer as a traveling massage therapist. The powerful memoir details the calculated, step-by-step methods used by Epstein and Maxwell, whom Giuffre later came to see as "two halves of a wicked whole," to dismantle her emotional and psychological defenses. She recounts her initial, highly uncomfortable "massage lesson" at Epstein’s home, where he exposed himself and Maxwell actively encouraged Giuffre to ignore her growing discomfort, an event that quickly escalated to sexual assault. Giuffre was subsequently forced into a cycle of dependency, including being prescribed Xanax, and was later systematically "lent out" to Epstein's wealthy and influential friends—a clear pattern of organized exploitation that extended far beyond Epstein himself. Crucially, the article highlights Giuffre’s specific and explosive allegations concerning Prince Andrew, the King’s brother. She details multiple alleged sexual encounters with the royal, including participating in an orgy on Epstein's private Caribbean island, Little Saint James. Giuffre shares the devastating quote that she felt Prince Andrew believed having sex with her was his "birthright." This shocking claim powerfully underlines the sense of entitlement and absolute impunity felt by the powerful men who participated in the network. Giuffre's moving testimony provides vital insight into the manipulative methods of abuse and the profound vulnerability of the girls targeted, many of whom were poor or had experienced prior trauma. Her account concludes with a vital call for more action and accountability, asserting that Epstein was not an "anomaly," but rather a stark representative of a wider, dangerous culture among powerful men who view young women and girls as disposable playthings. Key Takeaways Systematic Recruitment and Grooming: Virginia Giuffre was recruited by Ghislaine Maxwell at age 16 while working at Mar-a-Lago under the guise of a legitimate job, leading to her sexual exploitation by Jeffrey Epstein. Organized Trafficking Network: The memoir details how Giuffre was drugged and "lent out" to Epstein’s wealthy and powerful associates, showing that the abuse was part of a larger, organized sex trafficking operation. Prince Andrew Allegations: Giuffre recounts multiple alleged sexual encounters with Prince Andrew, including an orgy on Epstein’s island, and states the Prince's actions suggested he believed sex with her was his "birthright." Adapted From https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/15/prince-andrew-virginia-giuffre-abuse-epstein-maxwell

Had 'flu for 14 days, with all those horrible symptoms. Felt dreadful, & will definitely have a 'flu jab next year.

Nonsense post & reply removed. @Yagoda

Flame post removed @Liverpool Lou

Roughly 75,000 farmed Atlantic salmon escaped into the wild after Storm Amy damaged a fish-farming pen at Mowi Scotland’s Gorsten site in Loch Linnhe. The breach likely occurred when storm-displaced mooring anchors dragged the pen into contact with a flotation pipe, tearing the net. Mowi has launched an investigation and alerted authorities and local stakeholders. This is the most significant escape from a Scottish salmon farm since mid-2022. In past incidents, tens of thousands of fish were lost from sites such as Colonsay and Grey Horse Channel. Mowi also reported related escapes in Norway—though on a far smaller scale—underscoring the storm’s severity across its operations. Scientists and conservationists warn that escapees may interbreed with wild salmon, diluting genetic integrity, introducing diseases, and upsetting ecosystem balance. They stress that even a single event of this magnitude could have lasting ecological consequences. The company asserts it adheres to high welfare and containment standards and is committed to understanding how the failure occurred. The incident reignites debate over open-net pen farming in exposed marine environments. Critics say the industry must adopt stronger containment technologies, stricter regulation, and more transparent reporting to protect vulnerable wild stocks. Key Takeaways 1. Scale of escape is significant – ~75,000 farmed salmon lost from Mowi’s Gorsten farm during Storm Amy, the largest Scottish event since 2022. 2. Ecological risks high – Potential interbreeding, disease transmission, and genetic dilution threaten wild salmon populations. 3. Calls for reform – The breach spotlights the urgency for stricter farming practices, better containment, and regulatory oversight. Adapted From https://theconversation.com/almost-75-000-farmed-salmon-in-scotland-escaped-into-the-wild-after-storm-amy-why-this-may-cause-lasting-damage-267354

The UK and US have jointly imposed sanctions on six alleged leaders behind Cambodia-based scam operations, freezing their assets and seizing cryptocurrencies worth about $15 billion. The move targets a sprawling network running “pig butchering” scams—online frauds that build romantic or investment trust before stripping victims of money. Authorities say the US Department of Justice confiscated roughly 127,271 bitcoins—the largest forfeiture in its history. Properties belonging to these suspects in London are now frozen, including a £12 million mansion and a major City office tower. Among those sanctioned is Chen Zhi, chair of the Prince Group, who is believed to have bought citizenships in Cyprus and Vanuatu, and held influential ties in Cambodia. Other implicated firms include Golden Fortune Resorts World, Jin Bei Group, and Byex Exchange. Victims of these scam centres are sometimes enticed to Cambodia under false job promises—then trapped, forced to conduct fraud under threat or torture. Survivors have reported beatings, electrocution chambers, and at least one death of a South Korean student. Some critics accuse the Cambodian government of turning a blind eye, hampering investigations. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called the sanctions a “decisive action” to hold these “masterminds” accountable, protect UK nationals, and prevent dirty money from entering the financial system. The sanctions work in tandem with US measures to shut these networks out of global finance. Key Takeaways 1. Massive crypto seizure & asset freeze — The US & UK confiscated ~$15B in bitcoin and froze high-value UK property belonging to accused scam leaders. 2. Cambodia scam hubs under spotlight — The sanctions target Cambodia-based operations that imprison workers and execute large-scale fraud globally. 3. Tightening global coordination — The measures show rising cooperation between Western governments to crack down on organised online crime. Adapted From https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/oct/14/uk-us-sanctions-leaders-cambodia-scam-centres

Flame post removed @Harrisfan It is not appropriate,in a subject such as this, to troll, flame or make flippant comments. @Cameroni

Honestly KH, you should go to a government hospital. I’ve been there many times, and it’s always turned out well. The same doctors usually work in both government and private hospitals or clinics — maybe not all of them, but most do. And it's much cheaper...

Pain was in lumbar region & I went to a government hospital. I also had 20 minutes of traction each session- forgot to mention that. So, 4 weeks of 30 mins shockwave & 20 traction was 1500 per week. Well worth it & the problem is fixed. I wouldn't hesitate to have Shockwave again.

Shockwave Therapy is very effective. I had a 'bad back' about 2 months ago, saw an Orthopaedic Dr, Xray etc, then referred to physio. Prior to the treatment, the pain was horrible. Initially had 20 minutes of Tens, then 30 minutes of Shockwave. Four weeks later, everything is good again. We'll, as good as I can be at 69. EMS Shockwave.

Post removed @pest 8. You will not post vulgarities, obscenities or profanities.

Flame post removed @Oliver Holzerfilled

Heavy and sudden downpours have unleashed flash floods across parts of Catalonia, leaving motorists stranded, roads impassable, and rail lines disrupted. Spain’s weather authority, AEMET, issued a red alert for the southern Tarragona region after measuring up to 180 mm of rain in 12 hours—conditions ripe for rapid flooding. The worst-affected areas include the Terres de l’Ebre zone, especially in Montsià and Baix Ebre. In towns like La Ràpita, Santa Bàrbara and Godall, streets transformed into muddy torrents. Videos circulating online show vehicles and street furniture swept away in minutes. Catalonia’s Civil Protection urged residents to stay indoors or move to higher floors, while issuing mobile ES-Alert warnings across Montsià and coastal zones. Transport took a heavy hit. Key routes such as the AP-7 motorway (between Ulldecona and Freginals), the N-340 near Amposta, and the C-12 near Tortosa were closed. Rail services on the R16 line were suspended; one train was left stranded in Ulldecona. Renfe halted operations on the Mediterranean Corridor (Barcelona–Valencia) until further notice. Firefighters handled hundreds of emergencies overnight. They rescued at least 31 people trapped in cars, roads, or ravines. Officials reported no deaths so far, though one serious injury and multiple minor ones emerged. Municipalities are grappling with floods, power outages, and debris removal. Local leaders warned of potential damage to crops (notably citrus and olives). The extreme weather stems from “Storm Alice,” which also impacted the western Mediterranean, including Valencia and the Balearics. Authorities continue to monitor conditions, caution against unnecessary travel, and inspect critical infrastructure before reopening roads and rail lines. Key Takeaways: Red alert declared in southern Tarragona as up to 180 mm of rain triggers severe flooding. Major roads and rail links shut; dozens rescued from cars and flooded zones. No confirmed fatalities yet; damage to property, agriculture, and infrastructure mounting. Adapted From https://eutoday.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-13-at-10.31.50.jpg

The classic image of a witch—pointy black hat, bubbling cauldron, broomstick in hand—wasn’t dreamed up overnight. These symbols took shape over centuries, embedding themselves in European folklore, religious anxieties and gendered power struggles. Historians trace the cauldron back to everyday cooking pots used by women. As print culture spread in the late 15th century, woodcuts showing witches stirring cauldrons helped cement the association. Meanwhile, the black, conical hat may derive from 17th-century Quaker clothing, medieval alewife headgear, or even discriminatory Jewish hats known as Judenhut. Over time, these visual elements merged. The broomstick, too, has multiple origins. On one hand, brooms were everyday domestic tools used by women. On the other hand, in witch trial testimonies and folklore, witches were said to “ride” broomsticks or other objects—stories that artists and writers then visualised. The black clothing and pointy hat reinforced a sense of otherness: black as symbolic of night or evil, and a tall pointed hat as striking and marginal. Stereotypes like warts, hooked noses or accompanied black cats tap into long-standing motifs of deviance and fear. As these images were repeated in plays, pamphlets, and eventually film and Halloween traditions, they became fixed in the popular imagination. What started as contested, ambiguous visual metaphors became the standard witch “look” we recognise today. Key Takeaways Domestic to diabolical: Symbols like the cauldron and broom were originally ordinary household tools before being reinterpreted in witchcraft narratives. Layers of origins: The pointed hat and black garments draw from multiple sources—Quaker dress, alewives, Jewish hat stereotypes—rather than one single origin. Visual reinforcement: Over centuries, repeated imagery in prints, literature, and media solidified the modern witch archetype. Adapted From: https://theconversation.com/black-hats-cauldrons-and-broomsticks-the-historic-origins-of-witch-iconography-266417 Friendly word of advice: Don't tell your wife this is what she looks like.🤣

British officials have been positioning the UK as a central actor in negotiating a ceasefire and reconstruction deal in Gaza. But in a dramatic public moment, former US President Donald Trump questioned Britain’s presence, asking : “Where’s the United Kingdom?” and essentially sidelining UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Critics seized on Trump’s gesture—shaking Starmer’s hand briefly then talking past him—as proof that the UK has been more bystander than power broker. Earlier, the US ambassador to Israel called the claim of a “key role” “delusional,” and Israel’s foreign minister republished a critique that the UK contributed nothing substantive. Yet Downing Street insists the UK has been working quietly behind scenes with the US, Arab states, and European partners to shape proposals and build consensus. The government points to inputs from Jonathan Powell (Starmer’s national security adviser) and uses parallels to the UK’s peacemaking experience in Northern Ireland as influence. Some suggest the plan’s framework—particularly points on demilitarisation and interfaith dialogue—echoes elements of the Good Friday Agreement. Still, many analysts dispute how much impact the UK actually had on the deal’s substance, noting its similarities to a US-proposed framework under President Biden. On the diplomatic front, Starmer has been actively liaising with world leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, offering to help monitor Hamas’ disarmament, and hosting a summit on reconstruction that includes a £20 million UK aid pledge. But despite these moves, the UK’s future role in a governance or transition body for Gaza remains unresolved. As public posturing gains urgency, the question looms: will the UK be a decisive force—or mere witness—in Gaza’s next chapter? --- Key Takeaways 1. Trump’s public gesture challenged the UK’s claim to a central negotiating role in Gaza. 2. The UK insists it has influenced the peace process via discreet diplomacy and past peacemaking experience. 3. While hosting diplomatic summits and pledging aid, the UK’s precise authority in Gaza’s transition is still uncertain. Adapted From https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/13/uk-role-in-gaza-peace-settlement-questioned-by-us-figures

Another post discussing the implementation of suicide has been removed. A prior advisory was already issued against this. Please make sure this does not happen again.

irrelevant comment removed @Peter Crow

A post has been removed asking about how to effect suicide. Do not ask or suggest any means, please This could be construed as 'assisting', which illegal in Thailand.

Post removed. Discuss the thread topic & not other members. @Trippy

No real information for starting a thread.