mommysboy

That's the other point- the UK is a democracy. The whole of the UK should be involved. Last vote was really upsetting.

That's my point- a buggers muddle that can never be allowed to happen again, and would be on the cards. Personally I believe a super majority is needed, and the agreement of most significant regions. That should have been the rules for Brexit ref imo.

The referendum was framed by SNP (not Westminster) which actually gave the SNP a significant advantage. I believe it was thought that expats, mostly living in the UK, would mainly vote to remain in the UK.

Well, yes of course, and that there may be considerable division both within the UK, and in Scotland, where significant parts are fiercely pro union. The matter was done and dusted just 8 years ago, and it was agreed that it was a once and for all referendum. These referendums are so divisive and any result would likely not be definitive anyway- causing more problems than it solves.

Might want to save that one for the knock-out stages (if you support one of the fancied teams) Just to remind people of what really should be the case. This is what is happening in Vietnam and most likely the rest of the football supporting world : https://footballarroyo.co.uk/watch-fifa-world-cup-on-vtv/

No. In the first instance there is a 'free to air' principle. They contributed about 25%, but formed an unholy alliance with CP. But it's really the Commision's fault for letting them do it. And this happened because they were underfunded by the Gov. SNAFU https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022215

AIS and other digital service providers could have cut a deal with TRUE I suppose. But the whole thing was a rushed last minute job as usual, meaning millions of people are unable to watch all the free to air matches. Nobody looks good, least of all the Gov.

I guess the old fuddy duddies in power aren't quite up to the digital age. Anyone know where to buy an indoor aerial then?

I've got one of those bundle deals through AIS with dozens of channels including all the ones listed as showing the footy. I watched the opening match on True4u and TSsports7, but last night was no go (copyright message) on both and it wasn't on any other channels. Some buggers muddle I dare say. I listened to BBC radio instead. This is supposed to be free to air!

I don't know if this is part of the same issue, however I was unable to watch the footy last night. I got the channels but I just saw a 'sorry for inconvenience message' and something about broadcasting rights. I have an AIS tv package. What makes it odd is that I was able to watch the opening match. Oh well, this is Thailand, and never a truer cliche. I listened to the radio commentary on BBC. It's pretty good actually.

Well, vaccination rates are really high in the UK- there aren't many unvaccinated left. Most people who die are very old and/or very sick already. A vaccine can not stop death itself.

I had 2 pfizer and 1 moderna booster. That booster gave me some unpleasant side effects. 9 days later I caught covid, at the gym I think. It was also unpleasant. Nevertheless, I think the vaccines are useful for vulnerable groups. Being over 60, I will reluctantly take another after a year or so.

And the rest!!

When you say 'itchy cough', you might possibly mean a dry unproductive cough. Omicron seems to particularly attack the throat and larynx, which can result in the symptoms you describe long after the infection has gone. I generally suffer it, even from regular coughs as I initially have very heavy nasal symptoms causing a post nasal drip. It's not nice, but will get better. It's not really anything to do with long Covid (I'm guessing).

Thanks for the heads up! Some will wear a mask and adjust their behaviour a bit, others won't. There's nothing more we can practicably do about it, is there? I suppose the main concern must be whether it's any more serious than previous Omicron variants, and so far the scant evidence suggests that it may even be milder. My intuition is that because most people have had the virus at least once, and are at least double jabbed that this latest outbreak will be of some public concern, but certainly not an emergency. Actually I've got a belter of a cold right this moment. I'm going to bed for a rest. I should be fine in a day or two just like when I had Covid19 a few weeks ago. Most people have the same experience. Let's look after the elderly and vulnerable better, maybe!

Debt restructuring is arguably just a cover up for debt default really, since the conditions that likely caused the debt to build up are unlikely to be resolved. If someone can't pay, they can't pay, and it's up to the creditor to assume the loss, always been the way.

And it'll be no surprise when they rule in his favour when the next controversy comes up.

Certainly the shape of things to come. And if products like this can be used/adapted to prevent the common cold then what a boon! Many people like myself suffer heavy ENT symptoms; it's miserable. On the other hand, if you are in the majority of people for whom a cold is just a sniffle then I can understand why you wouldn't be interested. I think most people agree that allowing your body to naturally develop its own antibodies is the optimal solution- it's called a healthy immune system. Could be invaluable for some though.

It's all very well looking at the situation now and then judging the past, but I remember that in the UK even with some existing restrictions, serious illness and death increased at a frightening pace with the original more serious variants, like Delta. When it got to 1600 deaths a day there had to be a total lockdown. Who knows where it would have gone! I also remember that when vaccines were first rolled out, the death rate plummeted. Omicron is of course another matter, and I simply don't understand why some on this forum seem to want to perpetuate a crisis that really no longer exists.

60% is totally believable, in fact it would be surprising if it were less than that, and it is probably at least 70% by now. The majority don't even know they are infected, and many others suffer from a cold, which is largely indistinguishable from any other or indeed a bad allergy day.

He received a passive vaccine, called Evusheld, and it likely saved his life.

Ah, Vendor Jeab, renowned expert!

I was talking legally. It is 100% driver fault- he was driving so fast that there really is no argument regardless of any other factor. I was posting so vehemently because some posters seemed to be suggesting that it was six of one and half a dozen of the other. A driver speeding or driving recklessly always adds up to 100% culpability, legally if not morally. Of course, there are many ways to kill oneself. Stumbling drunkenly across a 3 lane highway barely bothering to glance in to the fast lane must undoubtedly be one of them, as proved graphically evident. However, had the driver been driving at a reasonable speed and had his attention been where it should have been then death would likely have been prevented. The onus is always on the driver to stop for obvious reasons. Somehow the driver appeared not to see the victim- that was sheer human error and can happen to anyone if attention wanders. There are grounds for leniency and mitigation imo.

https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/svensk-dod-i-thailand-efter-pakorning/ According to the article : "The driver, a 26-year-old man, remained at the scene until police arrived and then admitted that he had been driving too fast and recklessly, local media reports." If true, then even the driver accepts his fault. I doubt there was ever any intent and it simply was awful, awful driving. If he makes a clean breast of it, then I expect a custodial sentence will be unnecessary.

Quite possibly, because it seems to have happened a hundred metres or so from a traffic intersection with lights.