WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Tizer]

When HMS Prince of Wales sailed to the US it was reported in an article in The Times.

Yesterday the same newspaper reported that the defence secretary aims to `retire' both HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark from active service ten years before their planned out-of-service dates and alongside the article was a big photo of one of the ships. The government says they will be replaced by the new Bay class ships but navy experts say they can't do the job that Albion and Bulwark do and it will mean the end of the Royal Marines. Two frigates will also be `retired'. I found this article: Defence Journal

[Stanley]

And then there is the small matter of all the frigates tied up at the dock waiting for repairs that never happen. The bottom line is that the navy is an empty shell with two white elephants in the van.....
(In case you're wondering why I am rabbiting on about vans.... "In naval warfare the van is the advance ship, or fleet, that will make the initial engagement with an enemy fleet.")

[Tizer]

Vanguard, from French avant-garde. Our last battleship was HMS Vanguard - being the last perhaps it should have been named HMS Guardsvan.

[Stanley]

Or refuse cart (follows the Lord Mayor's procession, or used to do.)
That was funny Peter...

[Tizer]

BBC Live: Donald Trump is about to give a news conference. He's standing with members of his team, next to a US flag in a location somewhere in DC. ... judges seemed sceptical of Mr Trump's defence, asking whether it gave a president the immunity to "assassinate a political rival".

Another another thing to watch out for....On 13 January Taiwan will elect a new leader. There are concerns that he/she may take a different approach from the present leader in the relationship with China. It's causing palpitations in US security circles!

[Stanley]

I heard those reports about the Taiwan election Peter and decided it was all too awful. I have enough to worry about here with this small island without fretting about Taiwan and China (and the rest of the world!)
Realisation that I am rapidly getting to the stage where I must spend £600 on another set of castings..... Good job I'm not out in the pub boozing every night!
(Also, how slow the site is!)

[Tizer]

If the Taiwan issue resulted in China and the USA at war are the other NATO members obliged to join in with the USA because `it's all for one and one for all'? I know Taiwan and China don't have North Atlantic borders but the USA is a NATO member and I assume we are obliged to help protect it.

[Stanley]

I am a coward Peter and can't face questions like that. I have seen one world war and don't want to see another.....

[Stanley]

Susan gave me access to her E-ticket for Tuesday's flight to Australia. They are using the Quantas direct service, Heathrow to Perth in one hop. Not sure whether I could stand that. Sydney to LA in one hop nearly put my lights out many years ago.... I shall track them......

[Tizer]

This will put the cat among the archaeological pigeons!...
`Huge ancient city found in the Amazon' LINK

[Tizer]

`Fujitsu won Foreign Office contract despite concerns' LINK

[MickBrett]

It's going to be Minus 20C here on Sunday evening/night.
Deep Joy...

[Stanley]

Morning Mick! That's about 20C colder than us. Deep sympathy.....
Peter, I heard the report about the discovery of the ancient city/civilisation in the Amazon. Yes, that will take a bit od explaining within the current mode.
As for sanctioned firms getting repeat orders (Fujitsu is by no means the only one.) It's the Revolving Door system isn't it. If they weren't given contracts there would be no incentive for them to hand out lucrative contracts themselves to retiring politicians.

[PanBiker]

I think I read somewhere that Rishi Sunak's multi-millionaire wife was a major investor in Fujitsu, now there's a surprise.

[Big Kev]

I think I read somewhere that Rishi Sunak's multi-millionaire wife was a major investor in Fujitsu, now there's a surprise.

Sunak's wife's family own Infosys, a major partner of Fujitsu.

[Tripps]

Don't let the detail get in the way of a good Tory knocking story from Facebook.

[Tizer]

In Hugo Rikind's regular political spoofs in The TImes he always has Rishi Sunak finding out that his wife owns whatever business happens to be in the political spotlight.

[Stanley]

There was a good explanation for why the election will be in the second half of the year in 'The News Quiz' yesterday. It takes at least six months to finalise all the details for renewal of a blue card allowing work in the US.....

[Stanley]

The fact that despite the -6C temperature my new Baxi boiler is keeping the house warm with a 48C ceiling set on radiator temperature. I read somewhere that if a boiler can keep a house warm with below 50C in the radiators it was a suitable candidate for a heat pump. (Not that I am considering installing one!)

[Stanley]

Three yellow warnings for snow and ice over the next three days and then on Saturday, just for a change, it suddenly gets milder and wetter! Sounds to me like an Atlantic weather system overcoming the Arctic one.

[Stanley]

Despite all the warnings and headlines yesterday was not particularly bad in terms of snow, just bitterly cold.

[Big Kev]

The Barlick Raj Balti is in the running for another award, they've been put forward for a national competition this time for BALTI RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR. It'll certainly put Barnoldswick on the map for somewhere to come for a curry
This is what H has said

WE HAVE SOME AMAZING NEWS FOR YOU

Barlick Raj Balti has been shortlisted into the finals at the NATIONS CURRY AWARD under BALTI RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR IN THE UK AND BEST TEAM OF THE YEAR!!
I must say we are really blessed with some loyal customers and friends who have been voting for us, we been asking customers when they come to dine in with us for there say and votes and soon it spreads like wildfire with overwhelming votes , our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all you guys who voted for us!

And please if you haven’t yet voted please do so by link , it will definitely help towards the end result! And hopefully we can bring back home yet another award!

Thank you from Habib and the Barlick Raj team!

FB_IMG_1705520000174.jpg

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/The2nd ... Awards2024

[PostmanPete]

They have got my vote

[Big Kev]

They have got my vote

I'm sure it'll be appreciated

[PanBiker]

And mine.