WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Cathy]

We have a public holiday today for Australia Day, and here in Adelaide the temperature is 45C. (115F)

[Stanley]

Margaret says it's quite cool in Bunbury.......

[Big Kev]

I've booked the 'We Love the 70's' Butlins Weekender in Skegness in October.
Should be a good weekend. 6 of us sharing a 3 bedroomed apartment with food included worked out at £186 each, which I thought was very reasonable. The current entertainment line up is looking good with more to be added. It originally came about as Paulette wanted to go to a David Essex concert and the closest one was sold out, fortunately he's on the line up for October and we get to see plenty of other acts. It's an adult only weekend and one of the acts is Basil Brush, I'm sure that'll be an interesting one

We Love The 70s - Skegness 09/10/26 | Butlin's Big Weekenders https://share.google/LQqPkz1AhLwIrbpwK

[PanBiker]

We have just booked "The Buddy Holly Story" at Bradford Alhambra.

[Big Kev]

[Stanley]

I wish you all successful entertainments! As for me, I'll be very pleased if I am still here in October!

[Stanley]

Two power drop outs in the last hour. No doubt due to the high winds. I hope this doesn't affect anyone who is doing serious work....

[Big Kev]

Two power drop outs in the last hour. No doubt due to the high winds. I hope this doesn't affect anyone who is doing serious work....

Been OK here in Foulridge so far.

[Stanley]

No more here since I posted that Kev. There were threeactually but only two long enoigh to turn my system off.

[Stanley]

Just heard from my nephew Michael. He's in dock with a pulmonary embolism.... Sounds cheerful but what a bummer!

[Big Kev]

Just heard from my nephew Michael. He's in dock with a pulmonary embolism.... Sounds cheerful but what a bummer!

A potentially serious condition, hopefully they sort him out quickly.

[Stanley]

I suspect it's more serious than he is letting on Kev.....We are watching and waiting....

[PanBiker]

Yes, fingers crossed for a good outcome.

What attracted my attention yesterday was our gym class where one of the exercises, the sled push/pull, (the length of the studio), 40 secs, 10 sec rest 40secs again was ramped up to 125Kg!

[Stanley]

Is it compulsory?

THIS is waht caught my eye....
Donald Trump has warned Iran that "time is running out" to negotiate a deal on its nuclear programme following the steady build-up of US military forces in the Gulf. The US president said a "massive Armada" was "moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose" towards Iran, referring to a large US naval fleet. In response, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country's armed forces were ready "with their fingers on the trigger" to "immediately and powerfully respond" to any aggression by land or sea. Iran insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and has repeatedly denied accusations by the US and its allies that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Trump's latest warning follows his promise that Washington will intervene to help those involved in the brutal and unprecedented crackdown on protests in the country earlier this month. Demonstrations began after a sharp fall in the value of the Iranian currency, but swiftly evolved into a crisis of legitimacy for the country's clerical leadership. "Help is on the way," Trump said, before later changing his tune and saying he had been told on good authority that the execution of demonstrators had stopped. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) says it has confirmed the killing of more than 6,301 people, including 5,925 protesters, since the unrest began at the end of December. HRANA says it is also investigating another 17,000 reported deaths received despite an internet shutdown after nearly three weeks. Another group, the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR), has warned that the final toll could exceed 25,000.
I can't get rid of the impression that Trump sees actions like this as theatre that bolsters his deal-making. Could he in fact be verging on triggering a catastrophic war?

[Tizer]

`Family wants action after runner electrocuted' LINK
Note this lower down in the article...
...Following Harry's inquest in December, the prevention of future deaths report said a fault had allowed the line to remain live when the cable fell from its usual height, but this had not been reported to the operator. The issue had been caused by voids in the cement around the insulators. As part of ENWL's investigation it tested 260 insulators across its network and found 73% contained voids. The inquest heard the company had since brought in changes, stopped using that type of insulator and was rolling out a programme to replace them at about 8,000 locations. Where there is a fault similar to the one that had occurred leading up to the 29-year-old's death, ENWL now carries out patrols of lines within 48 hours....

[Stanley]

I would never have thought that possible Peter. Just shows how naïve I am!

[PanBiker]

Today's funeral of our friend and comrade Alan Newbould. He was 82 and a Barlicker born and bred. No more party tricks of "Albert and the Lion" or "The Magna Charter" which he could recite from memory, usually presented at our socialist friends get togethers at Christmas. He was absent last Christmas so I read the latter at our gathering. He had been losing his health for a couple of years. Caught up with one or two old comrades from 40 years ago who took the trouble to attend. Service and committal was at Ghyll Church. Music was provided by a good friend Gaynor who used to play with the Swing Commanders band followed by an unattended, (by request) cremation at Skipton. Follow up lunch of pie and peas and a Benny and Hot for toasting Alan was at the Red Lion in Earby.

[Stanley]

See THIS report.....
Nearly 100 children were harmed by a Great Ormond Street Hospital limb reconstruction surgeon, a review has found. The investigation, published by the world-famous London hospital into Yaser Jabbar, found widespread evidence of unacceptable practice in the botched operations he carried out. Jabbar worked at the hospital between 2017 and 2022, providing care to 789 children – 94 of them came to harm, GOSH's report concluded. Most of those – 91 – were patients he did surgery on. He specialised in limb-lengthening and reconstruction for children with complex problems. The BBC has attempted to contact Jabbar. The hospital said it was "deeply sorry" for the harm caused. The treatments he provided, which included inserting metal plates, bone grafts and implants, are considered high-risk and some level of complications are to be expected. GOSH said it could not determine whether all the cases of harm were avoidable, but Jabbar's practice was substandard in many areas and this had undoubtedly caused harm.
It's always a shock when we find that trust in a medical person has been misplaced. Far worse when it involves children.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report about Mandelson's partner receiving money from Epstein.....
Convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein sent £10,000 to Peter Mandelson's partner Reinaldo Avila da Silva in 2009, according to documents released by the US Department of Justice. In an email to Epstein, da Silva sets out the costs of an osteopathy course, provides his bank details and thanks the financier for "anything you can help me with". Epstein replies a few hours later saying: "I will wire your loan amount immediately" and the following day da Silva writes: "Just a brief note to thank you for the money which arrived in my account this morning." Asked for a response, Lord Mandelson said he had been "very clear" about his relationship with Epstein in interviews with the BBC. "I have nothing more to add," said the Labour peer.
A little insight into a different world than anything we inhabit. No wonder they think they are different....

[Stanley]

It's hard to get away from THIS thread of news this morning....
4 hours ago
A second woman is alleging that she was sent to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, her lawyer has told the BBC. The encounter allegedly occurred at the former prince's residence, Royal Lodge, in 2010. The woman, who is not British, was in her 20s at the time. The woman's lawyer, Brad Edwards from the US firm Edwards Henderson, said that after spending the night with Andrew, she says she was also given a tour of Buckingham Palace and tea. "We're talking about at least one woman who was sent by Jeffrey Epstein over to Prince Andrew. And she even had, after a night with Prince Andrew, a tour of Buckingham Palace," the lawyer said. BBC News has asked Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for comment, but so far he has not responded to these accusations. Buckingham Palace routinely records the names of tour guests but it has not been possible for the BBC to corroborate the woman's visit without revealing her identity. The woman's account of spending the night at Andrew's home is the first time an Epstein survivor has alleged a sexual encounter occurred at a royal residence.
This comes at a time when Charles is arranging for Andrew to move to another royal residence where it is hoped he can be kept further from press attention but this would appear to be a vain hope. This is not going to go away.

[Stanley]

We aren't alone in being affected by EPSTEIN.....
3 hours ago
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has said he agrees with Crown Princess Mette-Marit's admission of "poor judgement" after it emerged she had extensive contacts with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The princess features hundreds of times between 2011-14, in the latest files released by the US Department of Justice relating to Epstein. This latest embarrassment for the royal family comes on the eve of her son's seven-week trial in Oslo on 38 charges including rape and assault. Princess Mette-Marit married Norway's Crown Prince Haakon as a commoner when her son Marius Borg Høiby was four, and is in line to become queen when her husband accedes to the throne. As the content of her email exchanges began to emerge, the princess released a statement on Saturday saying: "I showed poor judgement and regret having any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing." She went on to express her "deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the abuses committed by Jeffrey Epstein". Although the prime minister did not go further than agreeing with the princess's admission of poor judgement, his implicit criticism of her is considered unusual. Støre said he also believed that ex-Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland had exercised "poor judgement", after it emerged that he had planned a family holiday on Epstein's private island, although he then cancelled it. The latest cache of Epstein files reveals that Princess Mette-Marit spent four days at Epstein's house in Palm Beach, Miami in January 2013; and in one email from the HRH Crown Princess account, Epstein is asked whether a mother should suggest naked women carrying a surfboard for her son's wallpaper.
It seems to me that it's a pity these people hadn't something more constructive to do......

[Stanley]

I've just had mail from an old friend in LA. He has found a pic of me he took in 1978 on my first visit to LA......

[Stanley]

I took delivery of a packet from Australia, a birthday present no less! I shall not open it until Valentine's Day.
Meanwhile, in another part of the forest,
THIS report caught my eye...
Police are reviewing reports of alleged misconduct in a public office after Lord Mandelson was accused of passing on sensitive government information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It comes after the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Reform UK said they had reported the peer to police, while the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and some Labour MPs have also called for the police to investigate. Email exchanges released by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) appear to show Lord Mandelson forwarded on information to the disgraced financier when he was business secretary under Gordon Brown in 2009. Lord Mandelson has not responded to requests for comment about the allegations. Metropolitan Police commander Ella Marriott said: "We are aware of the further release of millions of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein by the United States Department of Justice. "Following this release and subsequent media reporting, the Met has received a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in a public office. The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation. "As with any matter, if new and relevant information is brought to our attention we will assess it, and investigate as appropriate." A government spokesperson said: "It is rightly for the police to determine whether to investigate and the government stands ready to provide whatever support and assistance the police need." Earlier, Downing Street said Sir Keir Starmer believes Lord Mandelson should not be a member of the House of Lords or use his title.

See THIS closely related matter....
1 hour ago
Sarah Ferguson's charity, Sarah's Trust, has announced it will close "for the foreseeable future" just days after new details emerged about the former Duchess of York's friendship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A spokesman for the foundation said the decision comes after "some months" of discussion. Among the more than three million documents released by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) last week emails were emails appearing to show Ferguson was in contact with Epstein while he was in prison for soliciting sex from a minor. The BBC has contacted Ferguson for comment on the latest release. Being named among the Epstein files is not an indication of wrongdoing. Sarah Ferguson emailed Epstein while he was in prison for child sex offence, documents suggest.

Published 3 hours ago
'Marry me' and Epstein's 'baby boy' - key Sarah Ferguson revelations in emails

[Tizer]

The problem is happening in America too, as mentioned later in the article...
`China bans hidden car door handles over safety concerns' LINK
China has banned hidden door handles on electric vehicles (EVs), making it the first country to stop the use of the controversial designs that were made popular by multi-billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla. It comes as EVs are facing scrutiny from safety watchdogs around the world after a number of deadly incidents, including two fatal crashes in China involving Xiaomi EVs in which power failures were suspected to have prevented doors from being opened. Under the new regulations, cars will only be allowed to be sold if they have a mechanical release both on the inside and outside of their doors, according to state media. The new rules are due to take effect on 1 January 2027....

[Stanley]

Thanks for raising that Peter. I saw the headline but didn't read the article....